[Effect of vitis vinifera seed extract on some of the reproductive parameters in adult male rat]

Grape seed extract [GSE] [Vitis vinifera L., Vitacease] has been reported to have many biological and pharmacological activities such as antioxidative affects; also it used traditionally to treat constipation, gastritis and etc. On the other hand, it said that used of GSE can reduced sperms. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of decrease and immobilization grape seed hydroalcoholic extract [GSHE] on sperm parameters in adult male rat. In this study eighteen sexually mature male Wistar rats [5 - 6 month old] weighing between 250 - 300 g were used randomly and divided into three groups of 6 rats each. Crushed grape seeds were extracted in ethanol, and the two doses of it [250 and 500 mg/kg] was administered into two experimental groups, so the control group only received 1ml normal saline by gavage for 42 days consecutively. 24h after last dosage, all the animals were anesthetized. Then, their couda epididymis and testes were isolated and they were put into normal saline separately; after that, sperm motility, total sperm and daily sperm production were measured. The results revealed a significant decrease in cauda epididymal, testicular sperm counts and daily sperm production, also percent of sperm-progressive motility in comparison with control group [p

Leukocyte antigen [HLA] class ii allele frequencies in female patients with breast cancer: a case control study

The study aimed to examine the association between human leukocyte antigen [HLA] class II allele frequencies and breast cancer in Iranian women. A total of 100 patients with pathologically proven breast cancer who referred to Cancer Institute were randomly selected and compared with a group of age matched healthy blood donors [n = 80]. HLA class II alleles were determined by amplification of DNA followed by HLA-typing using sequence-specific primer [SSP] for each allele. The frequency of HLA-DQA1 0301 [P=0.001, OR=3.4] and HLA-DRB11303 [/M].02, OR=2.3] among breast cancer patients was significantly higher than those in control group. HLA-DQA 10505 [/M].003, OR=0.4], HLA-DRB11301 CP=0.002, OR=0.12] and HLA-DQA10101 [P=0.01, OR=0.21] alleles showed negative association with breast cancer. The findings suggest that HLA-DQA10301 allele is mainly associated with increased risk of breast cancer in Iranian female patients. HLA-DQA 10505 and HLA-DRB11301 alleles are suggested as protective genetic factors against breast cancer. The findings confirm that specific alleles of HLA class II influence breast cancer risk

evaluation of association between HLA and disease progression among HIV/ADIS patients referred to Imam Khomeyni Hospital

Background: Human leukocyte antigen [HLA] class I and class II is believed to play a major role in the immune response to HIV, and are known to be associated with rates of progression to AIDS. This study measured the rates of variation within well-defined epitopes to determine associations with the HLA-linked exposure of disease progression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between HLA and disease progression among Iranian HIV/AIDS patients in comparison with general population. Materials and methods: In this case- control study, the role of HLA class I [A, B] and class II [DRB1, DQA1 and DQB1] alleles were investigated in 48 HIV infected Iranian patients compared with 100 healthy individuals. HLA typing was carried out by PCR amplification using sequence specific primers [PCR-SSP]. The primer was supplied by the standard kit. The disease progression was determined based on changes in stage of disease. Results: Among 48 HIV infected patients and the control group a>positive association was observed with HLA- DRB1* 0301 [1.32< OR< 7.09, P= 0.0037], HLA- DQA1 * 0501[1.01< OR< 4.97, P=0.03], HLA- DQB1 * 0201 [0.98< OR< 3.50 P= 0.04] as well as a negative association with HLA- DRB1 * 1301 [0.01< OR< 0.98, P= 0.022] in HIV progression. In this study, no significant association was found with the analyzed HLA-B*2701 and HLA-B* 5701 alleles in the case of HIV progression. Conclusion: In our study among HIV infected patients the HLA- DRB1 * 0301, HLA- DQA1 * 0501 and HLA- DQB1 * 0201 were the most important predictors for the HIV progression, whereas, HLA- DRB1 *1301 detected as strong protectors. As the results of the limitations in present study such as being small sample size, studies among a larger population would be necessary to in HIV infected patients with predisposing HLA alleles for early therapy

Genotyping pattern among Iranian HCV positive patients

Successful treatment to eliminate HCV RNA depends on the identified genotype. In the present study, we compared the frequency of different HCV genotypes, during four years study [2004 till 2008]. Sera specimens were received from 16 provinces of Iran. We used High Pure Viral Nucleic Acid Purification kit for extraction and samples were tested with improved form of RT-PCR technique. HCV genotypes were determined using Amplisense PCR kit and Amplicor HCV Monitoring Version 2 test utilized a reverse transcription [RT]-PCR approach to quantitative HCV RNA. Two hundreds six HCV positive specimens were entered to the study out of 389 tested samples. Type 3a was the most frequent type [46.6%], followed by type 1 [including 1a and 1b with 25.73% and 17.47% for each respectively] with 43.2%. Looking through collected results of the four years study confirmed the rate of HCV infection in those single genotypes 1b, 3a were slightly increased from 12.22% and 38.88% in the first year to 18.66 and 46.51% in the fourth year of the study period. The analyzed data proved that some patients were infected with two different types. High viral load was also more correlated to genotype 1 than other types

Diagnosis of brucellosis by use of BACTEC blood culture and confirmation by PCR

Brucellosis is one of the most common zoonotic diseases in Iran. Growth of Brucella is slow and blood cultures of these bacteria are time-consuming via classical methods. We try to evaluate BACTEC 9120 system capacity in order to detect of bacteremia due to Brucella spp and to confirm isolated bacteria by PCR. Blood culture sample of 102 suspected patients evaluated by BACTEC 9120 system. They were subcultured when the machine detected their growth; if not; blind subcultures were performed on days 7, 14, 21 and 28. Forty-one of 102 suspected patients showed bactermia. Isolation rate of Brucellawas 40.2%. All patients were detected by BACTEC 9120 system. All positive blood culture was detected via BACTEC 9120 and blind subcultures. No positive blood culture bottles were missed by the system. Our data obtained by using the BACTEC 9120 system indicates a more rapid detection of Brucella than conventional methods

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus among out patients of a private laboratory in Tehran

With an estimated 170 million infected individuals, hepatitis C virus [HCV] has a major impact on public health. Frequency of HCV infection was studied in 785 referred patients to a private Laboratory, Tehran, Iran from April 2003 until March 2006 by PCR method. Analyzed results revealed infection rate was 40.27%, 35.51% and 33.09% in the first, second and third year, respectively. Frequency rate of the infection shows a fluctuated shape during months of three years. Maximum rate of the HCV infection was in May of the first and in June of the second and third year, respectively. It shows decrease and increase within rest months in each year. HCV infection rate was higher in 31 to 40 years old group of patients. Analysis of the data revealed higher HCV infection in men than women had. It was concluded that HCV frequency pattern underlines specific attention to suspected patients during high rate time

Association of angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE] gene polymorphism and diabetic nephropathy

Angiotensin I-converting Enzyme [ACE] gene polymorphism; genotype DD or D allele may be involved with an increased susceptibility to type 2 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy [DN]. We examined the frequency of ACE gene polymorphism in 170 patients [85 type 2 diabetes with nephropathy and 85 without it] in Tehran, Iran. DNA was extracted from the white blood cells and the I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene was detected by PCR. The frequency of DD, ID and II genotypes in type 2 diabetic patients were 20%, 61.2% and 18.8%, and in patients with nephropathy 30.6%, 55.3%, 14.1%, respectively. The DD genotype of the DN group was higher than that of the type 2 diabetes patients [30.6% vs 20%, P=0.157, RR=1.3] and the control group [30.6% vs 14.3%, P=0.006, RR=2.9]. The frequency of D allele in nephropathic patients was 58.2% as compared to the type 2 diabetic patients without nephropathy [50.5%] P=0.19, RR=1.16. The D allele frequency in the DN group was found slightly higher than of the type 2 diabetes [X2=0.684, OR=0.709, 95%CI: 0.313-1.606, P=0.408] which indicated the D allele was not associated with DN. It is suggested that DD genotype and D allele are not associated with diabetic nephropathy

[Effect of barium chloride on muscle contractility of isolated uterus cornu of rabbit]

Soluble salts of Barium are widely used in industry but their intake orally causes acute toxicity. Their spread in work environment can cause several complications such as painful contractions of visceral smooth muscles. Aim of this study is to evaluate effect of Barium Chloride on muscle contractility of isolated uterus of rabbit. For this purpose, 1-2 cm of Newzeland rabbit's uterus [1300-2300 g] was mounted in organ bath. Bath contained tyrod solution [pH=7.4, 370 C] gassed with 95% O2 and 5% CO2. Changes of rabbit uterus contraction in response to different concentration of Barium were recorded by a polygraph using an isometric transducer. The results indicate that Barium chloride can cause significant contraction in the uterus in a dose dependent manner. Probably Barium Chloride exerts its effect by affecting Ca channels depending to voltage or blocking K channels, but knowing the mechanism of action needs more studies. In conclusion abortive effect of BaCL2 in uterus and abortion in human and animals must be considered particularly when it is consumed