[Diagnostic value of immunohistochemical markers in uterine smooth muscle tumors]

Uterine smooth muscle tumors are the most common human neoplasms. They are divided clinically as benign and malignant but there is another group of lesions which is difficult to place in these two categories, so-called [STUMP] and differentiation of these tumors on the basis of H and E staining is impossible. The aim of this study was to find a set of distinguishing objective biomarkers and a survey of immunohistochemical [IHC] markers comparing these three groups of tumors. Twenty one [21] cases in each group of the above mentioned tumors were randomly selected [63 cases in total] from pathobiology laboratories of Kermanshah and Shiraz cities and studied by IHC for expression of ER, PR, C-kit, Bcl-2, P16, and P53. The frequency of IHC markers expression in leiomyosarcoma [LMS] were as follow: ER [5.26%], PR [15.52%], P53 [26.31%], Bcl-2 [15.78%], C-kit [15.52%] and P16 [15.42%]. In the STUMP cases: PR [23.80%], Bcl-2 [4.76%] and P16 [9.52%], ER, C-kit and P53 were not expressed. In Leiomyoma group, only Bcl-2 was expressed [14.28%] and the others had no expression. P53 and P16 expression between the two groups of Leiomyoma and LMS, and also STUMP and LMS were significantly different [P<0.05]. P53 and P16 are reliable markers for differentiation between STUMP and LMS and also Leiomyoma from LMS and have a high diagnostic specificity. STUMP is used to identify cases in which clinicopathologic findings for final diagnosis as benign or malignant is not adequate. In this study a high similarity of STUMP group of immunohistochemical profile with benign cases was seen

Association between the severity of angiographic coronary artery disease and paraoxonase-1 promoter gene polymorphism T[-107] C in Iranian population

The oxidation of low-density lipoproteins and cell membrane lipids is believed to play an integral role in the development of fatty streak lesions, an initial step in coronary artery disease [CAD]. Paraoxonase-1 [PON1] is an enzyme associated with the high-density lipoprotein [HDL] particle. PON1 protects LDL from oxidative modification by hydrolyzing lipid peroxides, suggestive of a role for PON1 in the development of CAD. The present study tested the hypothesis that Paraoxonase-1 promoter polymorphism T[-107]C could be a risk factor for severity of CAD in Iranian population. Paraoxonase-1 promoter genotypes were determined in 300 consecutive subjects [> 40 years old] who underwent coronary angiography [150 subjects with >50% stenosis served as cases [CAD+] and 150 subjects with < 20% stenosis served as controls [CAD-]]. PON1 promoter genotypes were determined by PCR and BSTU1 restriction enzyme digestion. CAD+ Subjects did not show any significant differences in the distribution of PON1 promoter genotypes as compared to CAD- Subjects [P = 0.075]. However the analysis of PON1 promoter genotypes distribution showed a higher percentage of [-107] TT among CAD+ compared with CAD- [P = 0.027]. After controlling for other risk factors, the T[- 107]C polymorphism had interaction with age [P = 0.012], but did not show any interaction with other risk factors such as BMI, gender, smoking, diabetes, level of HDL-C, LDL-C, triglyceride and Total cholesterol. These data suggest that the TT genotype may represent a genetic risk factor for Coronary artery disease in Iranian population

Adequate serum copper concentration could improve bone density, postpone bone loss and protect osteoporosis in women

To determine the protective impact of efficient serum copper concentration on BMD in women and to asses its impression on bone. six hundred healthy women through a national project in Iran, IMOS, were selected via a cluster random sampling and enrolled the study. They were divided to pre menopausal [404/600, 67.7% of total] and post menopausal [190/600, 32%of total] groups. BMD was measured by biphotonic absorptimetry DEXA for hip and lumbar spine. Morning serum copper concentration was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Mean age was 40.92 +/- 14.8yr .Mean serum copper concentration 105.85 +/- 40.15microg/dl and mean BMI= 27.13 +/- 4.81 kg/m2.Totaly 2.4% was smoking, 5% had regular physical activities three times a week and 17.5% was copper deficient. Prevalence of Osteoporosis in postmenopausal women was 12.9% in copper deficient persons vs. 11.3% in normal serum copper ones. No significant difference found according to serum copper concentration associated with BMI, age and vitamin D. Spine BMD revealed a significant correlation with serum copper content. [P= 0.001]. This correlation also existed for Total hip [P< 0.05]. Premenopausal women with serum copper level above 105 microg/dl revealed a significant difference in hip BMD compared to whom with less copper concentration. 1.02 +/- 0.13kg/m2 vs. 0.97 +/- 0.13kg/m2 [P = 0.001]. Copper had an independent role on determining hip BMD in pre menopaused women [P= 0.001]. copper has an independent role on bone density in all healthy women. It could have an adjourning factor for bone loss as well as a protective agent for Osteoporosis

Serum zinc concentration could predict bone mineral density and protect osteoporosis in healthy men

A growing body of investigations demonstrated the essence role of zinc on growing and maintaining bone tissue .The idea that zinc could enhance bone content and adjourn or prevent osteoporosis in men, has been experimented as a hypothesis. Six hundred healthy men [age 20-69 yr] through Iranian Multicenter Osteoporosis Study [IMOS] which is a national project running in 5 provinces in Iran for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis was selected via a cluster random sampling and enrolled the study. Bone Mineral Density was measured by biphotonic absorptimetry DEXA for hip and lumbar spine. Zinc morning serum concentration was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. SPSS 11.5 was used for data analysis. Body Mass Index [BMI] has been calculated by Weight [kg]/Height [meter][2] for each person. The mean age was 40.83 +/- 15.06 yr .Mean BMI was 24.79 +/- 3.94 kg/m2, overlay 27.3% were smoking, 12.5% had regular physical activities three times a week and 12.2% had a history of renal stone. Among them 30.1% had zinc depletion, 56.8% normal range and 13.1% had serum zinc excess. 57.1% of individuals over 40 yr with hip osteoporosis were zinc deficient whereas 22.1% of them with normal BMD had this deficiency [P< 0.001]. It is concluded that zinc has a positive association with BMD in men over 40 yr and zinc deficiency is more common in osteoporotic individuals

Relationship between tea drinking and bone mineral density in Iranian population

Tea is the most commonly consumed beverage by Iranian adults after water, and while previous studies have examined the negative effects of coffee-based caffeine on Bone Mineral Density [BMD], the relationship between the consumption of tea and BMD has not been clearly explored. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between habitual tea drinking and BMD in the adult Iranian population. BMD was measured at the lumbar spine and hip, in 830 men and women living in Tehran, all aged between 20 and 76 yr old. The degree of tea consumption was assessed by questionnaire, and subjects were categorized as either tea drinkers [more than 5 cups of tea per day] or non-tea drinkers [equal or less than 5 cups of tea per day]. After adjusting for age and body mass index, it was found that female tea drinkers had a small [4.2%], but significantly higher BMD in the hip [P= 0.01]. This may suggest a potentially positive effect for habitual tea drinking on the BMD of those women with an inadequate consumption of calcium and vitamin D

Effect of vitamins A, E, C and omega-3 fatty acids on lipid peroxidation in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

To assess the effect of supplementation with vitamins A, E and C and omega-3 fatty acids on lipid peroxidation in Streptozotocin [STZ] induced diabetic rats. Sixty four male wistar rats weighting 250g were divided into four groups as normal control, diabetic control, diabetic with vitamin A, E as well as C supplementation and diabetic with omega-3 fatty acids supplementation. After four weeks of treatment the rats were anesthetized and malondialdehyde [MDA] levels were investigated in blood samples, liver and heart homogenate. In diabetic rats MDA level in plasma, liver and heart was significantly more elevated than normal control rats [P< 0.05]. Vitamin A, E and C supplementation caused significant decrease in plasma, liver and heart MDA [P< 0.05]. A significant decrease in heart MDA [P< 0.05] was observed in diabetic rats with omega-3 fatty acids supplementation. Supplementation of vitamin A, E and C and co-3 fatty acids was found to decrease lipid peroxidation to some extent in diabetic rats and they can be valuable candidates in the treatment of the complications of diabetes

[Evaluation of kidney function in Male New zealand white rabbits, subsequent to a 90 days exposure to uranyl nitrate in the drinking water]

This study was undertaken to examine the reversibility of renal injury in the male New Zealand white rabbits, subsequent to a 90-days exposure to uranyl nitrate [UN] in the drinking water. Animals were exposed for 90 days to uranyl nitrate in their drinking water [24 or 500mg/l] The control group were given municipal tap water. The biomarkers of kidney function measured in this study included beta-2 micro globulin [marker of tubular], micro albumin [marker of glomerular] and the marker for cell toxicity was catalase. Excretion of beta-2 micro globulin was to be significantly different and was correlated with uranium intake for rabbits in early weeks. Microalbuminuria was found to be significantly different but this different was within normal range. Catalasuria was not significantly different in this study. These results suggest that chronic ingestion of uranium in the drinking water affects kidney function and is related to the proximal tubule, rather than glomerul

Evaluation of changes of kidney parmeter in New Zealand rabbits subseqent to 90 days exposure to uranyl nitrate in drinking water

This study was undertaken to examine the reversibility of renal injury in the male New Zealand white rabbits subsequent to a 90-days exposure to uranyl nitrate [UN] in drinking water. Animals were exposed for 90 days to uranyl nitrate in their drinking water [24 or 500mg/l]. Control group were given municipal tap water. The indicators of kidney function measured in this study included glucose [marker of tubular] microalbumin[marker of glomerular] and marker for cell toxicity was alkaline phosphatase. Urinary glucose was found to be significantly different and positively correlated with uranium intake for rabbits. Microalbuminuria was found to be significantly different but this different is in normal range. Increase of alkaline phosphatase at weeks 2, 4, 6 was correlated with uranium intake, but at weeks 8, 10, 13 excretion of alkaline phosphatase was decreased. These results suggest that chronic ingestion of uranium in drinking water affect kidney function and to the proximal tubule, rather than glomerul

Determinig the relation between non-fasting serum leptin- BMI ratio and follicular fluid leptin to ART outcomes

Considering the economical and psychological burden of assisted reproductive technologies [ART], finding factors predicting ART results is of great value. So this study was undertaken to evaluate whether serum and follicular and serum leptin to body mass index [BMI] are predictive of ART outcomes. 99 non-polycystic ovary patients from the body of patients referring to infertility ward of Shariati Hospital, from April to September 2005, were selected and underwent the long protocol of GnRH agonist ovarian hyperstimulation. Serum leptin was measured on the 3rd day of menstrual cycle. Follicular fluid [FF] was collected on the day of oocyte retrieval. The serum and follicular fluid leptin levels were determined by ELISA. Mean the levels of serum and follicular fluid leptin and leptin to BMI ratios were compared in pregnant and nonpregnant women, using SPSS software, student t-test. P-values <0.05 were considered significant. Geometrical mean serum leptin [16.42 +/- 1.48ng/ml for the nonpregnant and 14.09 +/- 2.20 ng/ml for the pregnant cases], follicular fluid leptin [8.73 +/- 2.56ng/ml for the nonpregnant and 11.072.76ng/ml for the pregnant cases] and serum leptin to BMI ratios [0.64 +/- 1.61 for the nonpregnant and 0.55 +/- 2.04 for the pregnant cases] were not significantly different. According to the results, serum and follicular leptin levels and serum leptin to BMI ratios are not predictive of ART outcomes and in the meantime they should not be considered as a prognostic factor but further studies are recommended with more selective criteria to address infertility causes

effects of human chorionic gonadotropin on germ cell maturation and testosterone secretion in neonatal mouse testis

Human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG] as an LH agonist affects spermatogenesis and germinal cell numbers, and has extensive usages in infertility treatments. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of varied doses of hCG on germinal cell proliferation and androgenic status in mouse model. In this study, hCG dosages of 5 to 50 IU were injected into 18 mice in three experimental groups and 6 mice served as the control group [Group 1]. The mice in groups 2, 3 and 4 received subcutaneous injections of 5, 10 and 50 IU doses of hCG respectively, on days 15 and 25 of their lives. Blood samples were obtained from each mouse on days 28 and 65 for serum measurements of testosterone. One testis of each mouse was harvested for flow cytometric DNA analysis on day 65. Serum testosterone levels on day 28 were greater in groups 2, 3 and 4 compared to that of the control group. With increasing doses of hCG, the mean testosterone levels increased too and the highest values were observed in group 4. However, serum testosterone levels on day 65 were greatest in group 1 but progressively decreased in groups 2, 3 and 4, lowest in group 4, but there were no significant statistical differences among the groups. Groups 3 and 4 had a significantly reduced mean haploid cell numbers on day 65. The results of this study showed that testosterone production in neonatal mouse testis increases after hCG injection and there is a linear relationship between serum testosterone and hCG injections. With the passage of time and clearance of hCG, Leydig cell stimulation decreases and subsequently testosterone levels diminish too, especially in mice with highest doses of hCG injections. Therefore, for testosterone production in neonatal mouse testis, continuous stimulation of Leydig cells is essential

Blood superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in women affected with breast cancer

Experimental and epidemiological evidences implicate the involvement of oxygen derived radicals in the pathogenesis of cancer development. Oxygen derived radicals are able to cause damage to membranes, mitochondria and macromolecules including proteins, lipids and DNA. Accumulation of DNA damages has been suggested to contribute to carcinogenesis. It would, therefore, be advantageous to pinpoint the effects of oxygen derived radicals in cancer development. We investigated superoxide dismutase [SOD] and Catalase [CAT] activities in the whole blood of 50 breast cancer [BC] patients and 50 healthy and age matched women. The rate of SOD and CAT activities in BC patients was significantly lower [P<0.001] than controls. No effect of stage on SOD and CAT activities was observed. The results of our study have shown a higher reactive oxygen species [ROS] production and decreased SOD and CAT activities, which support the oxidative stress hypothesis in carcinogenesis. The relative lower SOD and CAT activities may not be adequate to detoxify high levels of H[2]O[2] into H[2]O leading to the formation of the most dangerous OH radical. Therefore, administration of antioxidants may be helpful in the management of BC patients. However, elaborate clinical studies are required to evaluate the role of such antioxidant enzymes [AOE] in BC management

[Cardiovascular risk factors in an urban population [17th zone of Tehran]: Tehran university population laboratory study]

Introduction: Urbanization, establishment of sedentary life style and unhealthy diet in association with environmental stress has led the cardiovascular risk factors to prevail in the metropolitan city of Tehran. Survey of lifestyle related cardiovascular risk factors is one of the priorities of Tehran university population laboratory in the 17th zone of Tehran

Methods:1573 inhabitants of 17th zone of Tehran were recruited by one stage cluster random sampling according to the model of WHO MONICA project

Results: 58.6% of men and 64% of women had BMI >/= 25 kg/m2. 41.7% of men and 37.6% of women had hypertension. 8.9% of men and 12.2% of women had diabetes. 34.4% of men and 44.6% of women had total cholesterol >/= 200 mg/dl. 34.1% of men and 32.6% of women had triglyceride >/= 200 mg/dl. 34.7% of men and 4.2% of women were regular smokers. 21% of participants had positive family history of cardiovascular disorders

Conclusion: the prevalence of hypertension in this region is high, that of dyslipidemia relatively lower than the other studies performed in Iran. The prevalence of Diabetes and overweight /obesity is high and comparable to other Iranian studies. It seems that the population of this zone is at high risk for stroke and then coronary heart disease. This fact must be considered in the future interventional programs to control cardiovascular risk factors in the region