[Effect of atorvastatin on pancreatic oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat]

Previous studies have shown that atorvastatin inhibits oxidative stress in different tissues of body during certain pathological conditions. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of atorvastatin treatment as an antioxidant to prevent pancreatic oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Materials and Method: The experiment was performed in four groups of rats [n=5 each] normal, normal treated, diabetic and diabetic treated, who were made diabetic by intravenous injection of streptozotocin [40 mg/kg]. After 30 days of treatment, pancreas tissue was removed under deep anesthesia. After tissue homogenization, superoxide dismutase [SOD] and catalase [CAT] activities, as well as glutathione [GSH] and malondialdehyde [MDA] levels were determined by biochemical methods. In addition to increased blood glucose levels in diabetic rats [78%], enzymes activities of SOD and CAT were significantly increased, compared to the normal rats. Also, induction of diabetes significantly decreased the GSH content of pancreas by 40%, and increased MDA level by 53%. Finally treatment with atorvastatin significantly increased the content of GSH and prevented augmentation of SOD activity. Based on findings of this study, diabetic-induced hyperglycemia provokes the production of pancreas free radicals that lead to oxidative stress. Also, treatment with atorvastatin may prevent hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress in the pancreas tissue of these animals

[ study of x syndrome, Afshar hospital - Yazd]

Background: All the patients with Angina pectoris have not stenotic coronary artery. Syndrome x consists of patients with Angina pectoris and positive Exercise test along with normal coronary angiography. Syndrome x includes 25-30 percent of those who undergo diagnostic coronary arteriography at the different centers. In our study it was attempted to know the prevalence and characteristics of this special group in Afshar cath-lab

Materials and Methods: In a prospective cross sectional descriptive study 200 patients who were admitted for coronary angiography evaluated in terms of Risk factors: HTN, Family history Hyperlipidemia, DM, Cigarette smoking, clinical symptoms, response to TNG, different symptoms, ECG and Exercise test. data in two subgroups with normal and abnormal Coronary angioghraphy were compared. Six patients were excluded because of ambiguous Coronary angiography

Results: Among 194 patients 51 patients [26.3%] had normal coronary artery. 38.9% of female and 21.4% of males showed normal coronary angioghraphy [P = 0.013]. The prevalence of risk factors among those with syndrome x and abnormal coronary Artery were as follow. HTN 37% vs 42% , Hyperlipidemia 50% vs 51% , smoking 25% vs 37% , DM 12% vs 28% , obesity 45% vs 47% Positive family history for CAD = 21.5% vs 47% respectively. Angina relieved suitably with TNG in 24% of those with syndrome x compared to 76% suitable response in those with abnormal coronary arteries.[P Value = 0.49 ]. Regarding to functional class, 87% of patients with normal coronary artery belonged to class I and II. also 26% had atypical pain 50% had normal rest ECG and 51% achieved stage III or IV of Bruce protocol during Exercise test

Conclusion: Syndrome x was more prevalent among women ,also angina was less typical and less responsive to TNG. Most patients had not positive familial history for CAD. normal ECG was more prevalent among those with syndrome x

[Variation in quantitative yield and hypericin content of St. John's wort., Hypericum perforatum L.]

St John's wort, Hypericum Perforatum L. [Culsiaceae] is an important medicinal plant, which has different bioactive constituents and hypericin [a naphtodianthrone] is one of this compounds. Hypericin has many pharmacological effects such as antidepressant, antiviral and antibacterial, which cause to high production and consumption. It has known that region and genetic [accession] have significant effects on yield and content of active constituents of this plant. Because of existing 5 accessions in gene bank of medicinal plants Institute -ACECR, this study has been conducted in order to determination the best accession and evaluation role of genetic and environment on quantitative yield and hypericin content. This study has been done in research farms of medicinal plants Institute - ACECR along 1999- 2002. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with a split-plot arrangement. The parameters are measured in this study included: dry and wet herbage, content of hypericin, plant height and diameter in flowering stage. Combined analysis of variance indicated that genetic [accession] had significant effect on wet herbage [p<0.05], dry herbage, plant height and diameter [p<0.01] but had not significant effect on hypericin content. Environmental conditions [years] affected on hypericin content [p<0.01]. Therefore accession and environment have main roles in production of medicinal parts and hypericin content in this plants, respectively. They could be considered as two key factors for an economically successful cultivation