Effects of Coenzyme Q10 on the ratio of TH1/TH2 in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model of multiple sclerosis in C57BL/6

Multiple sclerosis [MS] is known as a progressive central nervous system inflammatory disease. Certain factors, such as interleukins, inflammatory cells, and oxidative stress are supposed to involve in MS etiology. Because of the important role of oxidative stress, antioxidant therapy for MS has received more attention. Although coenzyme Q10 [CoQ10] acts as an antioxidant, there is a lack of enough research on its effects on MS. Therefore, the present research was designed. C57BL/6 female adult mice [n = 30] were used in this study. The animals were randomly divided into trial and control groups. To induce MS, routine procedure for experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis [EAE] was used, and scoring was performed based on clinical signs. By detecting score one, CoQ10 administration was started [10 mg/kg/three weeks]. By using ELISA and real-time PCR, the brain levels of TNF-cc, IL-10, IL-4, and IL-12 were studied. Statistical tests were used to analyze the data and the P value less than 0.05 was considered to be significant. Clinical symptoms in EAE animals were significantly decreased [P<0.05] as compared to control ones. In addition, the level of the TNF-oc was significantly decreased following CoQ10 administration versus IL-10. The ratio of TH1/TH2 interleukins in treated animals was significantly less than that in non-treated animals [P<0.01]. Our findings showed that CoQ10 is capable of suppressing the inflammatory pathway of MS

Investigation of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory effects of medicinal plants used in traditional persian medicine for treatment of hypertension: screening study

Angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitors are used widely in the treatment of hypertension and heart failure. These inhibitors such as captopril and enalapril are derived from natural products. In the present study 135 plants used in Traditional Persian Medicine have been investigated for their angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitory activity. They were selected on the basis of their usage as antihypertensive, cardiotonics and diuretics. Dried powdered plant material was extracted with mix solution of water and ethanol in ultrasonic bath. The extracts were filtered and concentrated in vacuum except for the water extracts, which were freeze-dried. Test solutions were made by dissolving extract in assay buffer, corresponding to a final concentration of 0.33 mg of crude plant extract in 1 ml test volume. Enzyme assay was performed by HPLC method. Plants exhibiting inhibition levels with more than 50% were further tested for the presence of tannins in order to eliminate possible false positives. In total, 52 Species out of the 135 [39%] screened, gave more than 50% ACE inhibition. Forty Species were found to possess a high ACE inhibiting ability and were low in their tannin content. Traditional medicine based on certain plants could be of beneficial effects in hypertension treatment

Evaluation of Bcl-2 family gene expression in hippocampus of 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine treated rats

3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine [MDMA] is an illicit, recreational drug that causes cellular death and neurotoxicity. This study evaluates the effects of different doses of MDMA on the expression of apoptosis-related proteins and genes in the hippocampus of adult rats. In this experimental study, a total of 20 male Sprague Dawley rats [200-250 g] were treated with MDMA [0, 5, 10, 20 mg/kg i.p. twice daily] for 7 days. Seven days after the last administration of MDMA, the rats were killed. Bax and Bcl-2 genes in addition to protein expressions were detected by western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR].Results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and p

Health related quality of life and pain characteristics among Iranian patients suffering non-malignant chronic pain

Chronic pain is a frequent disability that negatively affects patient's quality of life. Understanding of the possible relation between sociodemographic and medical variables with Health Related Quality of Life [HRQL] may help identifying the multidimensionality of pain and risk factors that limit physical and psychological adjustment of the patients. The present study was done to find these possible relationships, based on using Medical Outcomes Survey-Short Form [SF-36]. Among the patients who were referred to pain clinic of Iranian Pain Society, 101 consecutive outpatients were select based on the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. All the participants in this study orally satisfied and were fully informed by a check list and SF-36 questionnaire. The possible impact of demographic variables, characteristics, diagnosis, analgesic use, smoking and opium addiction were collected as the first part of a routine pretreatment evaluation. Our findings showed significant relation between HRQL and gender [P<0.05], the rate of chronic pain in female was higher than male, and same results found for elderly patients compared to younger ones. Our findings also showed significant relation between employment and intensity of pain [p=0.001] as, employed patients showed less physical and psychotic problems than unemployed ones. The mean average of intensity of pain in these patients was 7.5 +/- 2.2; few patients used alcohol [4%], opium [1%] and cigarette [10%]. Large number of participants used analgesic [%78.2]. No significant difference between sociodemographic features with pain duration and quality of life was found. In contrast our data showed significant difference between pain intensity and quality of life [p<0.001]. Based on our findings it could be concluded that chronic pain in Iranian patients certainly leads to poor HRQL, the state is more serious in the elderly and female patients. Thus, in order to re-socialize the patients suffering chronic pain and decrease the impact of their pain on their life, these findings should be considered in any kind of pain relief therapy