Linkage of Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 and Phosphate in Serum: Phosphate and Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 Reduction by Increasing Dose of Sevelamer

BACKGROUND: High serum phosphate and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) levels are well-recognized independent risk factors of mortality and morbidity in patients with chronic kidney diseases (CKDs). Sevelamer, as a phosphate chelating agent, reduces serum phosphate and FGF-23 levels produced by bone osteocytes. This study aimed to determine the best dose at which sevelamer could successfully reduce serum phosphate and FGF-23 levels in rat models of adenine-induced CKD. METHODS: CKD was induced using adenine. Healthy and CKD-induced rats were divided into 6 groups as follows: healthy controls; CKD controls; rats treated with 1%, 2%, and 3% sevelamer for CKDs; and healthy rats administered 3% sevelamer. Biochemical factors and serum FGF-23 levels were measured using spectrophotometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. RESULTS: Serum phosphate levels were best decreased in rats receiving 3% sevelamer in their diet (5.91±1.48 mg/dL vs. 8.09±1.70 mg/dL, P < 0.05) compared with the CKD control rats. A dose-dependent decrease in serum FGF-23 levels was observed, and the most significant results were obtained in rats receiving 3% sevelamer compared with the CKD control rats (142.60±83.95 pg/mL vs. 297.15±131.10 pg/mL, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Higher sevelamer doses significantly reduced serum phosphate and FGF-23 levels in adenine-induced CKD rats.

Effect of beta-blockers on number of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in alveolar socket following tooth extraction in wistar rats

Statement of the Problem: Various researchers have suggested the use of beta 2-adrenergic receptor antagonists in prevention or treatment of bone resorption

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of beta 2-adrenergic receptor antagonists on number of osteoclasts and osteoblasts involved in the healing of extraction socket of maxillary first molar in rats

Materials and Method: Maxillary first molars of 40 rats were extracted and divided into two groups. The test group received 0.1 mg/kg propranolol intraperitoneally daily. The controls received normal saline. At days 7, 14, 21 and 28 post-extraction, 5 rats were euthanized from each group. Maxillary bone was resected and the mean number of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in tooth socket was measured

Results: After 1 week, the number of osteoclasts in the controls was significantly higher than the test group. A significant increase in the number of osteoclasts in both groups at week 1 was observed compared to the following weeks [p< 0.05]. The number of osteoblasts in the controls at second week reached its maximum rate but stayed constant in the 3[rd] and 4[th] weeks. Osteoblasts in the test group increased similar to the controls but reached its maximum at 3[rd] week and showed a significant increase compared to the controls [p< 0.05]

Conclusion: Beta 2 adrenergic receptor antagonists decrease the number of osteoclasts and increase the number of osteoblasts during extraction socket healing

Evaluation of the effect of two different systemic doses of Viola Odorata on prevention of induced tongue dysplasia in rats

Statement of the Problem: Oral cancer is among the ten most common cancers worldwide. It affects the life quality of patients in many ways

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two different systemic doses of Viola Odorata syrup on the prevention of 4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide [4- NQO] induced tongue dysplasia in rats

Materials and Method: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of A, B, C and D. Group A served as the control group. The rats in groups B to D received 30 ppm of 4-NQO in drinking water for 12 weeks. Additionally, the rats in groups B and C received Viola Odorata syrup at doses of 15 and 5 ml/kg, respectively, 3 times a week. Body weights were measured three times a week. At the end, the rats were euthanized and the tongue was removed. Histological evaluations for carcinogenesis were carried out under a light microscope

Results: The mean body weight of the rats in groups B, C, and D were lower than that in group A [p< 0.01]. After 12 weeks of treatment, microscopically no histological changes of the tongue base epithelia were observed in the control group. The rats in group B did not show severe dysplastic changes; only mild to moderate histological changes including hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis were evident. These incidences were significantly more apparent in groups C with moderate to severe changes [p< 0.05] and group D with severe dysplastic changes [p< 0.01]. Almost all rats in group D had hyperplasia and manifested all of the stages of dysplasia

Conclusion: Viola Odorata extract has dose-dependent inhibitory effects on the development of tongue induced dysplasia

Effects of phylloquinone supplementation on lipid profile in women with rheumatoid arthritis: a double blind placebo controlled study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with an excess mortality from cardiovascular disease which is likely attributed to an atherogenic lipid profile. Among nutritional factors vitamin K has been recently focused as a pivotal nutrient in improvement of lipid related markers. Thus, this study was designed to determine the effects of vitamin K on lipid profile in this disease. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Fifty eight patients with definitive RA were participated in the present double blind placebo controlled study. They were randomly allocated into two groups to receive vitamin K1 as phylloquinone [10 mg/day] (n = 30) or placebo pills (n = 28), for eight weeks. In order to control the effects of probable confounders dietary intakes, anthropometric measurements including weight and height, clinical status using disease activity score-28 (DAS-28), physical activity and anxiety status were evaluated at baseline. Moreover, serum levels of lipid related markers including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) were measured at baseline and at the end of intervention. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding any of the baseline characteristics. After adjusting for some relevant confounders, in comparison between two groups, we observed no significant changes in lipid related markers at the end of intervention. Also, there was no significant difference between before and after intervention values within groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Function of vitamin K1 in lipid profile modification remains still controversial. This study showed that vitamin K1 has no effect on lipid profile in women with rheumatoid arthritis. Further studies with a longer follow-up are required to determine the effects of vitamin K on atherogenic lipid profile.

Effects of phylloquinone supplementation on lipid profile in women with rheumatoid arthritis: a double blind placebo controlled study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with an excess mortality from cardiovascular disease which is likely attributed to an atherogenic lipid profile. Among nutritional factors vitamin K has been recently focused as a pivotal nutrient in improvement of lipid related markers. Thus, this study was designed to determine the effects of vitamin K on lipid profile in this disease. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Fifty eight patients with definitive RA were participated in the present double blind placebo controlled study. They were randomly allocated into two groups to receive vitamin K1 as phylloquinone [10 mg/day] (n = 30) or placebo pills (n = 28), for eight weeks. In order to control the effects of probable confounders dietary intakes, anthropometric measurements including weight and height, clinical status using disease activity score-28 (DAS-28), physical activity and anxiety status were evaluated at baseline. Moreover, serum levels of lipid related markers including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) were measured at baseline and at the end of intervention. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding any of the baseline characteristics. After adjusting for some relevant confounders, in comparison between two groups, we observed no significant changes in lipid related markers at the end of intervention. Also, there was no significant difference between before and after intervention values within groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Function of vitamin K1 in lipid profile modification remains still controversial. This study showed that vitamin K1 has no effect on lipid profile in women with rheumatoid arthritis. Further studies with a longer follow-up are required to determine the effects of vitamin K on atherogenic lipid profile.

Protective Effect of Fish Oil Supplementation on DNA Damage Induced by Cigarette Smoking.

The study examined the influence of fish oil (FO) supplementation on serum 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels as indicated by DNA damage markers and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) among male cigarette smokers. This double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized study was conducted among healthy cigarette smokers (n=40) who were part of a larger prospective cohort study. Twenty smokers were randomly selected to receive FO for 3 months (1 g/day), and another 20 smokers received a placebo for 3 months; 8-OHdG and TAC levels were measured in blood samples before and after the intervention. Serum 8-OHdG significantly decreased (p=0.001) and TAC increased (p<0.001) after 3 months of treatment with FO. Between baseline and endline, the difference in 8-OHdG significantly correlated with the difference in TAC among smokers who received FO (r=-0.540, p=0.014). The study provides evidence that FO supplementation can modify decreased antioxidants and increased oxidative DNA damage in cigarette smokers.

Evaluation of chemoprevention effect of systemic celecoxib on induction of tongue neoplasms in rat

Cyclo-oxygenase-2 [COX-2] specific inhibitors were examined for predication or treatment of different tumors and it is indicated that COX-2 specific inhibitors play an important regulatory role in apoptosis of tumoral tissues. Therefore, the present study was designed in order to examine the preventive effects of a COX-2 specific inhibitor called. celecoxib on 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide [4NQO]-induced squamous cell carcinoma on rat. In this experimental study, 30 Sprague Dawley rats [with the age of 3- 3.5 months] were selected and divided into three groups. In order to induce lingual carcinoma, 4NQO powder was prepared 3 times a week for each cage. In this study, celecoxib power was mixed with a basic food [basal diet] in order to examine the systematic effect. Tongue samples were sent to laboratory for immunohistochemical [IHC] staining and histological examination. Based on morphological criteria and the ratio of apoptosis to cell proliferation, the prevalence of tongue precancerous lesions was reduced significantly by celecoxib. Celecoxib systematic has inhibitory effects on the 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide [4NQO]-induced squamous cell carcinoma of tongue. The effect of celecoxib is probably via suppression of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis

Solid-phase extraction and simultaneous determination of tetracycline residues in edible cattle tissues using an HPLC-FL method

In this assay, edible cattle tissues from local markets of Ardabil, a Province of Iran, were examined for residues of tetracycline antibiotics [tetracycline, oxytetracycline and chlortetracycline]. In total, 110 samples of triceps, gluteal muscle, diaphragm, kidney and liver were randomly obtained from the local markets of the city of Ardabil. Solid-phase extraction [SPE] and high-performance liquid chromatography [HPLC] methods were used to extract and analyze tetracycline antibiotic [TC] residues, respectively. The mean amount of total TC residues in all tested samples was 226.3 +/- 112.5 ng/g and the mean amount of the total TC residues in triceps, gluteal muscle, diaphragm, kidney and liver samples were 176.3 +/- 46.8, 405.3 +/- 219.6, 96.8 +/- 26.9, 672.4 +/- 192.0 and 651.3 +/- 210.1 ng/g, respectively. Additionally, 25.8% of muscle samples, 31.8% of liver samples and 22.7% of kidney samples contained amounts of TC residues beyond the maximum residue limit [MRLs]. To reduce the TC residues found in edible cattle tissues, regulatory authorities should ensure that the cattle would undergo the proper withdrawal period from TCs before the slaughtering

Connective tissue reaction to white and gray MTA mixed with distilled water or chlorhexidine in rats

The purpose of this study was to compare the histocompatibility of white [WMTA] and gray [GMTA] mineral trioxide aggregate mixed with 0.12% chlorhexidine [CHX] and distilled water [DW] in subcutaneous connective tissues of rats. The freshly mixed WMTA and GMTA with CHX or DW were inserted in polyethylene tubes and implanted into dorsal subcutaneous connective tissue of 50 Wistar Albino rats; tissue biopsies were collected and were then examined histologically 7, 15, 30, 60 and 90 days after the implantation procedure. The histology results were scored from 1-4; score 4 was considered as the worst finding. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA tests. All experimented materials were tolerated well by the connective tissues after 90- day evaluation, except for the WMTA/CHX group that had significantly more mean inflammatory scores [P<0.001]. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean inflammation grades between experimental groups in each interval [P<0.001]. After 90 days, GMTA/CHX group had the lowest inflammatory score. Although adding CHX to WMTA produces significantly higher inflammatory response, it seems a suitable substitute for DW in combination with GMTA. Further research is necessary to recommend this mixture for clinical use

Study of leptin gene expression changes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Leptin, a peptide hormone, is the product of [ob] Gene. Leptin regulate body weight and composition through reducing appetite and energy expenditure in rodents and humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in expression of Leptin Gene in different tissues of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. 40 Sprague Dawely rat were selected. Intra peritoneal injection was carried out in 20 rats and another 20 rats were used as control. After injection of 60mg/kg Streptozotocin, animals were transformed into diabetic. Glucose was measured by glucose oxidase method. Leptin and insulin were measure by commercially available immunoassay kits. After one week treatment, different tissues including adipose tissues, Spleen, epidydimis, and Liver of both control and experimental animals were dissected. For investigation of any changes of the Leptin gene expression in different tissues, RNA was extracted using Trizol method. By using RT-PCR technique, Leptin cDNA and beta-actin cDNA as internal control were constructed and PCR was carried out. The RT-PCR products were detected on 2% agarose gel using electrophoresis. Mean serum levels of Leptin was 5.23 +/- 0.45 ng/ml before injection of streptozotocin and markedly decreased in STZ induced diabetic rats to 0.79 +/- 0.25 ng/ml. This decrease was statistically significant [P<0.05]. There was a direct and significant correlation between leptin and insulin in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats [r=0.37, P<0.05] while, this was reverse in control rats [r= -0.28, P<0.05]. Using RT-PCR method, Leptin gene expression in different tissues including fat epidydimis, liver, and spleen showed that the intensity of leptin band with 452 bp was decreased in diabetic rats in comparison to normal rats. Actin Gene expression was identified in PCR products having 403 bp and the intensity was constant in both groups. The reduction rates of [ob] mRNA in fat epidydimis tissue in STZ diabetic rats was remarkable in comparison to Spleen and Liver. It is speculated that Leptin gene could be under regulation of insulin dependent mechanism in diabetic rats and by modulating Leptin gene expression in diabetic patients, it may be useful in clinical practices