Antibacterial activity of isolated immunodominant proteins of naja naja [Oxiana] venom

The aim of this study is to investigate antibacterial effects of immunodominant proteins isolated from the venom of Naja Naja Oxiana snake against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The innate immune system is an important line of defense against bacterial diseases. Antibacterial peptides and proteins produced by snake venoms have recently attracted significant attention due to their relevance to bacterial diseases and the potential of being converted into new therapeutic agents. Identification of immunodominant proteins of the venom of Naja Naja Oxiana snake was performed by SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis. Identified proteins were isolated directly from preparative gel electrophoresis by Electro-elution. In the next step, antibacterial effects of immunodominant proteins were tested against several strains of clinical isolates, including S.aureus, B.subtilis [Gram-positive bacteria] P.aeruginosa and E.coli [Gram-negative bacteria] using broth microdilution and disc-diffusion assays. In order to compare the results of the disc-diffusion assay, antibacterial effects of several antibiotics [Gentamicin, Ampicillin, Penicillin, Amoxicillin and Ciprofloxacin] were also examined using the same conditions. Results showed that immunodominant proteins of [14, and 65kDa] with high immunogenicity were very effective in inhibiting the growth of two Gram-positive bacteria [S.aureus, B.sub] that were tested. However, they were only moderately effective in inhibiting the growth of the two tested Gram-negative bacteria [P.aeruginosa and E.coli]. However, immunodominant proteins of 22 kDa and 32kDa with high immunogenicity, showed slight effectiveness in inhibiting the growth of two; the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria that were tested. To the best of our knowledge, these immunodominant proteins are novel antigens for potent antimicrobial effects against two gram-positive bacteria [S.aureus, B.subtilis ] and less antimicrobial effect against two gram-negative bacteria [E.coli, P.aeruginosa] that were prepared

Lipid profile improvement after four group psychological interventions in combination to nutritional and physical activity instructing among overweight and obese individuals

Research background approved weight loss would result in improvement of lipid profile. Nowadays, weight management is attained by modifying psychological mediators, as well as dieting and making individuals do more physical activity. Hence, This research was performed to compare effectiveness of different psychological interventions on lipid profile improvement among individuals with overweight and obesity. Using quasi- experimental design, 68 participants with mean age 26 years and 9 months [ranged from 20 to 43] were randomly assigned into 4 groups [including LEARN, CBT, CT, and MCT], and eventually 61 participants completed the treatment protocols. BMI was calculated by Omron digital body composition instrument, and blood lipids and glucose concentrations were measured prior to and after all interventions. Data analysis by using t- test for dependent groups analysis revealed lipid profile, FBS, and BMI were significantly modified after applying 4 interventions comparing baseline and post treatment mean differences [P<0.05]. Furthermore, repeated measure design analysis showed there were significant mean differences [P<0.05] in HDL cholesterol, TG levels and FBS levels among 4 groups. Scheffe test revealed more detailed significant differences among four groups in HDL cholesterol, and FBS concentration varieties [P<0.05]. Adding psychological interventions to dietary plans and regular physical activities in overweight management would consider as a valuable step in optimizing physiological outcomes and that's because of correcting mind- body interactional pathways among obese and overweight individuals

Anti-leishmanial Effects of Trinitroglycerin in BALB/C Mice Infected with Leishmania major via Nitric Oxide Pathway

This study investigated whether trinitroglycerine (TNG) as nitric oxide (NO) releasing agent had anti-leishmanial effects and mediated pathology in BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania major. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), a zoonotic infection caused by leishmania protozoa is still one of the health problems in the world and in Iran. NO is involved in host immune responses against intracellular L. major, and leishmania killing by macrophages is mediated by this substance. Moreover, application of CL treatment with NO-donors has been recently indicated. In our study, TNG was used for its ability to increase NO and to modify CL infection in mice, in order to evaluate NO effects on lesion size and formation, parasite proliferation inside macrophages, amastigote visceralization in target organs, and NO induction in plasma and organ suspensions. Data obtained in this study indicated that TNG increased plasma and liver-NO, reduced lesion sizes, removed amastigotes from lesions, livers, spleens, and lymph nodes, declined proliferation of amastigotes, hepatomegaly, and increased survival rate. However, TNG reduced spleen-NO and had no significant effects on spelenomegaly. The results show that TNG therapy reduced leishmaniasis and pathology in association with raised NO levels. TNG had some antiparasitic activity by reduction of positive smears from lesions, livers, spleens, and lymph nodes, which could emphasize the role of TNG to inhibit visceralization of L. major in target organs.