Protagonist Role of Opioidergic System on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Associated Pain

Objective@#Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain often co-occur. Studies have shown an interaction between pain and PTSD. In this narrative review, we aim to support conducting comprehensive studies by describing PTSD, pain and determining whether opioidergic system, its agonist and antagonist manipulation could positively or negatively affect PTSD symptoms and concurrent pain. @*Methods@#Term searches was done in Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and PubMed databases as well as hand searching in key resource journals from 1979–2019. @*Results@#There are a lot of contradictions and disputes when endogenous opioidergic system and opioidergic antagonist system are studied in PTSD patients. Exogenous morphine administration in PTSD patients can decrease the symptoms of PTSD but it doesn’t have a pain reduction effect to an acceptable level. Beta-endorphin as an endogenous opioid is effective in pain reduction in the moment of events but after minutes to hours, the endorphins withdrawal syndrome leads to exaggerated intrusive thoughts and flashbacks of PTSD, which exacerbate the pain. It has also been shown that naloxone, as an opioidergic antagonist, can reduce or increase the PTSD symptoms and its associated pain. @*Conclusion@#Data suggest different roles of opioidergic system and their antagonist in pain control and mood in PTSD. However, further investigations need to be done in order to reveal the role of endogenous opioidergic system and opioidergic antagonist system as a mediator in PTSD patients suffering from acute or chronic pain.

Functional Antagonism of Sphingosine-1- Phosphate Receptor 1 Prevents Harmaline- Induced Ultrastructural Alterations and Caspase-3 Mediated Apoptosis

@#Background: There is a meaningful necessity for a targeted therapy of essential tremor (ET), as medications have not been developed specifically for ET. For nearly a century, many drugs have been applied in the treatment of tremor but the drug treatment of ET remains still unknown. Some potential therapeutic factors such fingolimod (FTY720) can be effectively used to treat ET in animals. In the present research, the effect of FTY720, the immunomodulatory sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) analog, on degeneration of cerebellar and olivary neurons induced by harmaline in male rats was investigated. Methods: The animals were allotted into control dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), saline + harmaline [30 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, (i.p.)], harmaline + FTY720 (1 mg/kg, i.p, 1 h and 24 h before harmaline injection) groups (n = 10). The cerebellum and inferior olive nucleus (ION) were studied for neuronal degeneration using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and ultrastructural study by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. Results: Harmaline caused neuronal cell loss, caspase-3 mediated apoptosis, astrocytosis and ultrastructural changes in cerebellar Purkinje cells and inferior olive neurons. FTY720 exhibited neuroprotective effects on cerebellar Purkinje cells and inferior olivary neurons. Conclusion: These results suggest that FTY720 has potential efficacy for prevention of ET neurodegeneration and astrocytosis induced by harmaline in male rats.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis a in hemodialysis patient candidate for kidney transplant than forty years

Background: Hepatitis A is a common infection during childhood, especially in developing countries. It can cause severe complications in immunocompromised patients. Due to the increasing number of kidney transplants in the country and epidemiologic shift of HAV which was observed in previous studies, we're going to evaluate the seroprevalence of hepatitis A in hemodialysis patients less than forty years serving kidney transplant candidates to follow vaccination policy for them

Materials and Methods: In a cross sectional study during 2014-2015 hepatitis A antibody levels in hemodialysis patients less than forty years in kidney transplant candidates examined in 12 hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Their serums were tested for anti HAV IgM and IgG by ELISA kits

Results: Hepatitis A virus antibody was positive in 66 [72.5%] of 91 patients. The prevalence of HAV was 0% at the range of younger than 20 and 45% in under 25 years age group. This significantly increased prevalence by increasing the age, and there was according to epidemiological shifts which were shown in other studies

Conclusion: Due to the availability of vaccine and hepatitis severe complications in immunocompromised individuals, as well as a low prevalence of positive serology in individuals under 25 years, it seems the check of antibodies in patients undergoing kidney transplantation and vaccination in seronegative persons is a logical

Possible role of the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channels in memory consolidation during slow-wave sleep

Over more than a century of research has demonstrated that sleep is necessary for the retention of memory. The current review aim to discuss the functional brain network connectivity is important during slow-wave sleep [SWS] for memory consolidation. While several evidences indicated the importance of SWS for memory consolidation but information to understand the main mechanisms of it are not enough. Although there is the likely involvement of various factors in this phenomenon, we hypothesize the key role of Ih current arising memory consolidation during SWS by generation of neuronal oscillations. Finding the possible mechanism involving in this process may provide lights to suggesting new treatments against memory impairments

Aqueous date fruit efficiency as preventing traumatic brain deterioration and improving pathological parameters after traumatic brain injury in male rats

Objective: following traumatic brain injury, disruption of blood-brain-barrier and consequent brain edema are critical events which might lead to increasing intracranial pressure [ICP], and nerve damage. The current study assessed the effects of aqueous date fruit extract [ADFE] on the aforementioned parameters

Materials and Methods: in this experimental study, diffused traumatic brain injury [TBI] was generated in adult male rats using Marmarou's method. Experimental groups include two pre-treatment [oral ADFE, 4 and 8 mL/kg for 14 days], vehicle [distilled water, for 14 days] and sham groups. Brain edema and neuronal injury were measured 72 hours after TBI. Veterinary coma scale [VCS] and ICP were determined at -1, 4, 24, 48 and 72 hours after TBI. Differences among multiple groups were assessed using ANOVA. Turkey's test was employed for the ANOVA post-hoc analysis. The criterion of statistical significance was sign at P<0.05

Results: brain water content in ADFE-treated groups was decreased in comparison with the TBI+vehicle group. VCS at 24, 48 and 72 hours after TBI showed a significant increase in ADFE groups in comparison with the TBI+vehicle group. ICP at 24, 48 and 72 hours after TBI, was decreased in ADFE groups, compared to the TBI+vehicle. Brain edema, ICP and neuronal injury were also decreased in ADFE group, but VCS was increased following on TBI

Conclusion: ADFE pre-treatment demonstrated an efficient method for preventing traumatic brain deterioration and improving pathological parameters after TBI

[Relationship between body composition with bone mineral density of femur in athletic and nonathetic premenopausal women]

Introduction and Aims: Osteoporosis is a skeletal system disease and the major consequence of this disease is bone fractures. The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between body composition and bone mineral density of femur in athletic and nonathletic premenopausal women

Materials and Methods: Recent research has the type of correlation descriptive. Its statistic sample was consisting of 15 active and 15 non active premenopausal women. Fat Mass [FM] and Lean Body Mass [LBM] and Bone Mineral Density [BMD] of femur were measured by DEXA machine. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS v.16 software and Pearson correlation test and regression in the level of P

Results: The results of presents study showed that there is significant relationship between LBM with BMD of femoral neck [P=0.003] and also total femur [P=0.03] in athletic premenopausal women group. But also a significant relationship was observed between total body FM and LBM with BMD of femoral neck [P=0.02, P=0.007] and also trochanter [P=0.009, P=0.01] and total femur [P=0.007, P=0.04] in non-athletic premenopausal women

Conclusion: LBM can be considered as strong predictor of BMD of femoral neck in athletic premenopausal women but FM and LBM is as determinant factor of BMD of femoral neck in non-athletic premenopausal women and FM is stronger predictor compered to LBM in the recent group

17 beta-estradiol stimulates generation of reactive species oxygen and nitric oxide in ovarian adenocarcinoma cells [OVCAR 3]

Experimental and epidemiological evidence supports a role for steroid hormones in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer. Among steroid hormones, 17 beta -estradiol [E2] has the most potent effect on proliferation, apoptosis and metastasis. In the present study, we investigated the effect of E2 on production of ROS and NO in ovarian cancer cells. Ovarian adenocarcinoma cell line [OVCAR-3] was cultured and treated with various concentrations of E2, antioxidants [N-acetyle cysteine and Ebselen] and ICI182780 as an estrogen receptor antagonist. MTT test was performed to evaluate cell viability. NO and ROS levels were measured by Griess and DCFH-DA methods, respectively. ROS levels as well as NO levels were increased in OVCAR-3 cells treated with E2. The increase in ROS production was in parallel with increased cell viability which indicates that estrogen-induced ROS can participate in cancer progression. ICI182780 abolished E2-induced ROS production. Progesterone was also effective in reducing ROS and NO generation. NO and ROS are important molecules in signaling networks in cell. These molecules can be used as therapeutic targets for prevention and treatment of ovary cancer and other estrogen-induced malignancies

review of chemotherapy for locally advanced head and neck cancers

Context: Chemoradiation provides a survival advantage as well as increased rate of organ preservation compared with radiation alone in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma [LAHNSCC]

Evidence Acquisition: Combined modality protocols can be used in 3 forms: a] induction chemotherapy or neoadjuvant therapy before definitive surgery or radiotherapy, b] Concurrent chemo- radiotherapy, and c] sequential therapy consisting of induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemo radiation

Results: Despite an improvement in organ preservation, induction treatment has no impact on survival. Ongoing phase III trials comparing sequential therapy with concurrent chemoradiation may establish which of these two approaches is superior

Conclusions: Until those trials have been completed, Taxane- based sequentional therapy can be a reasonable alternative to concurrent chemo radiotherapy in the patients with locally advanced disease

Epidemiological characteristics of head and neck cancers in southeast of Iran

The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological aspects of malignant tumors of head and neck in southeast of Iran, with a view toward analyzing the age, gender and site distribution and histological types. All cases with malignant tumor of the head and neck region from 1999 to 2009 were retrieved from the records of cancer registry center of Kerman University of medical sciences and all pathology laboratories of Kerman province. A total of 1604 cases were recruited during the study period. The mean age of patients was 53.03 years [standard deviation: 17.18, range: 2 to 95 years]. Patients with a diagnosis of carcinoma were older than those with sarcoma and lymphoma [p<0.01]. 18.4% of patients were below the age of 41 years. The overall male to female ratio was 2.74:1. Larynx was the most commonly affected site [46.76%] followed by oral cavity [15.9%]. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common diagnoses [77.5%], followed by lymphoma [9.4%]. The higher incidence of laryngeal cancer in the head and neck region in southeast of Iran is in agreement with findings of the other parts of Iran. Also, occurrence of head and neck cancer under 41 year olds is greater than what is reported for some countries

Effect of intravenous alfentanil on hemodynamic changes in anesthesia for electroconvulsive therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy is one of the therapeutic ways to treat several severe and threatening psychiatric disorders that may cause hemodynamic complications. This study was conducted to examine the effects of intravenous alfentanil on heart rate, mean arterial pressure, seizure duration, respiratory arrest, and recovery after electroconvulsive therapy [ECT]. A total of 100 patients with psychiatric disorder were examined in a prospective randomized double-blind study. Alfentanil, thiopental, and succinylcholine were administered to 50 subjects, and the remaining subjects received normal saline, thiopental, and succinylcholine, in that neither the patient nor the injector was aware of alfentanil or normal saline in A and B coded syringes. Two groups were not significantly different by age and sex. Average values of mean arterial pressure changes, immediately after ETC, were 5.41 +/- 1.9 and 32.29 +/- 2.7 in alfentanil and placebo groups, respectively. Mean values of heart rate changes, immediately after ECT, were 10.78 +/- 0.8 and 22.6 +/- 1.2 in alfentanil and placebo groups, respectively. Alfentanil significantly reduced heart rate and mean arterial pressure, after electroconvulsive. Alfentanil had no significant effect on seizure duration, respiratory arrest, and recovery. Alfentanil probably could be useful to reduce ECT-induced tachycardia and hypertension in high-risk patients without affecting seizure duration and treatment effects of ECT

Neuroprotective antioxidant effect of sex steroid hormones in traumatic brain injury

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different doses of sex steroid hormones on brain edema, BBB permeability, brain antioxidant enzyme activity, and MDA level after traumatic brain injury [TBI] in ovarectomized [OVX] rats. Female rats were divided into six [One sham and 5 TBI] groups including: vehicle, estrogen in physiologic [33.3 microg/kg] and pharmacologic [1 mg/kg] doses, progesterone in physiologic [1.7 mg/kg] and pharmacological doses [8 mg/kg]. The results showed that compared to vehicle group, estrogen and progesterone groups showed significantly lower brain water content [P<0.001]. Evans blue content was significantly lower in both estrogen doses and in progesterone physiologic dose [P<0.001]. Evans blue content was significantly higher in progesterone pharmacologic dose [P<0.001]. Superoxide dismutase [SOD] activity was significantly higher in estrogen and progesterone pharmacologic doses [P<0.001]. Glutathione peroxidase [GPx] activity was significantly lower in estrogen physiologic dose [P<0.001]. It was concluded that the neuroprotective effect of different doses of sex steroid hormones after TBI, may be mediated by changes in oxidant agent activity

[Study the effect of Lactobacillus brevis isolated from Iranian traditional cheese on cutaneous wound healing in male rats on days 3 and 14]

Probiotics are defined as different microorganisms that may have positive effects on preventing or treatment of special pathologic conditions. The actions of lactic acid bacteria are species and strain specific, and depend on sufficient numbers of bacteria being available in the intestines. The difficulty in identifying and classifying strains has complicated research, since benefits may only pertain to particular strains. Since there is no research regarding Iran's probiotics up to now thus, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of Lactobacillus brevis on cutaneous wound healing. In this experimental study, 22 strains of Lactobacillus isolated from dairy-traditional products of exopolysaccharide production are investigated by phenol-sulfuric acid method. Lactobacillus brevis, which had high exopolysaccharide [EPS] production, was selected. A full-thickness square wound [1.5 +/- 1.5 cm] was made on the back of each rat [45 rats in 3 groups]. Two groups, control and experimental were treated by eucerin and eucerin contained 1 to 11 CFU/ml Lactobacillus brevis, but the negative-control group did not receive anything. Rats were killed on days 1, 3 and 14 and wound samples were collected for histological and statistical studies. The data were expressed as mean +/- Standard deviation. Statistical analysis was performed with ANOVA. The percent of wound healing [91.76%] and inflammation in experimental group on day 14 as compared to control [74.33%] and negative groups [73.51%] was significant [p<0.001]. The numbers of neutrophils in experimental group were reduced in later phase of wound healing as compared to control and negative groups. The current study showed a significant reduction in inflammation and a significant acceleration in wound healing on the rats treated by Lactobacillus brevis as compared to control and negative control groups. Further studies are required for detail mechanism of Lactobacillus brevis during wound healing

Assessment of antioxidant enzyme levels in mild and severe preeclampsia and normal pregnancies

Despite importance of Preeclampsia [PE], as a major cause of maternal mortality and fetal death especially in developing countries, its etiology remains unclear. This study was performed to analyze the susceptibility of erythrocytes and to evaluate antioxidant enzymes activity such as glutathione peroxidase [GPX], Superoxide dismutase [SOD] and Catalase [CAT] in women with preeclampsia and normal pregnancy. In this cross-sectional-comparative study, circulating levels of GPX, SOD, CAT and malondialdehyde [MDA] were analyzed in 30 healthy pregnant women, 25 women with mild PE and 26 with severe PE hospitalized in Rasoule Akram and Akbarabadi hospitals of Iran University of Medical Sciences. Susceptibility of erythrocytes in severe and mild PE pregnant women were significantly higher than healthy pregnant women [p<0.05]. Levels of MDA, GPX, SOD and CAT in severe and mild PE pregnant women were significantly higher than healthy pregnant women [p<0.05]. It seems that oxidative stress plays a significant role in pathophysiology of PE. Therefore, determination of antioxidant enzyme activity in these patients and using supplemental dietary with antioxidants such as vitamins C and E may play a role in prevention of preeclampsia

Level of nitric oxide in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of asthmatic mice model

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease with multifactorial and complicated mechanisms. Elevated level of exhaled Nitric Oxide [NO] in asthma and other inflammatory lung diseases has led to many studies examining NO as a potential marker of airway inflammation. This study was designed to determine the level of NO in Bronchoalveolar Lavage [BAL] fluid during early and late stages of asthmatic attack in mouse model. In this study male BALB/c mice were used. The level of NO was determined in BAL fluid of asthmatic mice five minutes, six and sixteen hours after challenge with methacholine, as irritant and smoke and 5% ovalbumin as allergens, using colorimetric assay. The level of NO increased upon exposure to all three irritants used in this study [52.3 microM for smoke and 49.5 [microMfor methacholine] as compared to 22.8 microM for the baseline. Our results showed that NO levels were increased during early phase of asthmatic condition and reached to its maximum level after six hours and decreased at the late stage of asthma [16hrs] possibly by activating a feedback regulatory loop. In addition, high level of NO led to the hypertrophy of smooth muscle that can account for the pathological changes associated with asthma. Thus, NO is an inflammatory marker in asthma and its measurement, as a non-invasive method during asthmatic attack is suggested. A careful development of specific inhibitors for iNOS enzyme during asthmatic attack is also necessary