[Effects of nitric oxide production inhibitor named, N[G]-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester [L-NAME], on rat mesenchymal stem cells differentiation]

Recently, the findings of some studies have shown that, nitric oxide [NO] probably has an important role in differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells to osteoblasts. The aim of the present investigation was to study the effects of nitric oxide production inhibitor named, N[G]-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester [L-NAME], on rat mesenchymal stem cells differentiation to osteoblasts in vitro. This was an experimental study conducted at Hamedan University of Medical Sciences in 2009, in which rat bone marrow stem cells were isolated in an aseptic condition and cultured in vitro. After third passage, the cells were cultured in osteogenic differentiation medium. To study the effects of L-NAME on osteogenic differentiation, the L-NAME was added to the culture medium at a concentration of 125, 250, and 500 micro M in some culture plates. During the culture procedure, the media were replaced with fresh ones, with a three days interval. After 28 days of culturing; the mineralized matrix was stained using Alizarian red staining method. The gathered data were analyzed by SPSS software version 12 using one way ANOVA. The findings of this study showed that in the presence of L-NAME, differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to osteoblasts was disordered and matrix mineralization significantly decreased in a dose dependent manner. This study revealed that, inhibition of nitric oxide production using L-NAME can prevent the differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to osteoblast. The results imply that NO is an important constituent in differentiation of mesenchymal stem cell to osteoblasts

[ effect of silybum marianum on GFAP and spatial memory in a mouse model of alzheimer's disease]

Studies have shown that Silybum marianum have high levels of antioxidant polyphenolic substances and have neuro-protective effects on neurodegenerative diseases. Accordingly, this study was conducted to determine the possible effect of Silybum marianum on expression of and spatial memory in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. This experimental study was conducted at Yasuj University of Medical Sciences in 2009. Thirty adult male Wistar rats were allocated in three groups: sham group, experimental group, and lesion group, each consisting of ten rats. The experimental and lesion groups received Ibotonic acid of the NBM nucleus in stereotaxic apparatus whereas the sham group underwent surgical procedure without any injection. The experimental group received 200mg/kg of Silybum mirianum extract orally, diluted in 1% Arabic gum. Also the sham group received 1% Arabic gum every day for four weeks. The lesion group did not receive anything. The behavioral assessment was measured, after treatment, by using of Y maze test on day 7 and 28 in all groups. The ELISA method was used to measure the GFAP level in Hippocamp at the end of behavioral assessment. The collected data was analyzed by the SPSS software using ANOVA and Repeated Measures of Analysis Variance tests. Improvement of behavioral performance of the experimental animals compared to the lesion and sham groups were increased significantly on day 7 and 28 [P<0.01 and P<0.001 respectively]. The ELISA method showed that the level of the GFAP synthesis decreased in the experimental group compared to the lesion and sham groups [P<0.001]. The Silybum marianum plant has a protective effect on the nerve tissue in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease by decreasing of the GFAP synthesis and lead to the improvement of behavioral performance

[Effects of carnitine on sperm parameters of infertile males with idiopathic asthenospermia]

Studies confirm that a number of nutritional and environmental factors may negatively affect spermatogenesis and cause male infertility. Carnitine is an important factor for sperm motility. Carnitine deficiency decreases sperm motility and may cause male infertility. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of carnitine on sperm parameters in infertile males with idiopathic asthenospermia. This study is a before and after clinical trial performed on 40 asthenospermia men who were treated with 750 mg per/day carnitine in Fatemieh infertility research center in years 2006-2007. Sperm parameters were assessed before and after treatment. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS10 and paired T-test. The results showed a significant increase in sperm concentration, morphology, sperm total motility and rapid progressive motility after treatment by carnitine [p<0.05]. Carnitine supplementation has a significant effect on sperm parameters in men with idiopathic asthenospermia

[Effectiveness of ibuprofen administration on the depth of anesthesia in inflamed teeth]

Incomplete anesthesia of inflamed teeth is a well known clinical occurrence and the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Ibuprofen as a premedication in improving the quality of anesthesia in patients with inflamed teeth pulps. Forty patients with the diagnosis of irreversible pulpitis in one mandibular tooth were selected. Two other teeth in the same quadrant were selected as controls. Electric pulp tester [EPT] was used in this study to evaluate the quality of anesthesia. The subjects were divided into two groups randomly, and after recording of pulp tester response in each group, one of the two drugs; ibuprofen or placebo was administered 1 hour prior to anesthesia injection. After injection, EPT measurement was recorded. The reversed EPT scale was used for evaluation of the depth of anesthesia. Data was analyzed to statistically compare the results before and after anesthesia and drug administration in cases and control group .Significantly lower TSLs were observed in the ibuprofen group [P value= 0.001]. This study concluded that preoperative administration of ibuprofen [if not contraindicated] 1 hour before local anesthesia injection is an effective method for achieving deep anesthesia during RCT of teeth with irreversible pulpitis

[ effect of vitamin E in prevention of developmental defects of diabetic rats embryos]

Introduction: Now days it is proven that maternal hyperglycemia increases production of free radicals and decreases antioxidants in the embryonic cells and through this it injures the embryos of diabetic mothers. Therefore it seems that use of antioxidants can decrease deleterious effects of hyperglycemia on embryos

Objective: This study aims to investigate the effect of vitamin E in control of embryonic developmental disorders in diabetic rats

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 65-mg/kg streptozotocin in Wister female rats with 250-300g weights and was placed with healthy male rats in the same cage for mating. Then they were divided into two groups. One group received 150 mg/kg Vitamin E per day from the first day of pregnancy. Animals were killed on day 13 of gestation and embryos were collected and examined for number, size and incidence of malformations in cerebral hemispheres, cranial and caudal neuropors, upper and lower limb buds, otic and lens placodes using an stereomicroscope. Then, One Way ANOVA compared the means of length, number of reabsorbed and achieved embryos in three groups. The incidences of malformations in the groups were compared by Chi-Square test

Results: Findings show a significant difference between control group and experimental diabetic group when achieved and reabsorbed embryos counted. Frequencies of malformed embryos [at least one diagnosed malformation] in control group were 1% and in diabetic and treated diabetic groups were 46.3% and 11.6% respectively. Result showed that the incidence of embryonic malformation significantly decreased in diabetic rates, that received vitamin E and there was a significant difference in diabetes and treated diabetic groups [P<0.001]

Conclusion: þThe results shows that Vitamin E supplementation in early stages of pregnancy in diabetic mothers can prevent deleterious effects of diabetes