Protective Roles of Shilajit in Modulating Resistin, Adiponectin, and Cytokines in Rats with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the effect of Shilajit, a medicine of Ayurveda, on the serum changes in cytokines and adipokines caused by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).@*METHODS@#After establishing fatty liver models by feeding a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks, 35 Wistar male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, including control (standard diet), Veh (HFD + vehicle), high-dose Shilajit [H-Sh, HFD + 250 mg/(kg·d) Shilajit], low-dose Shilajit [L-Sh, HFD + 150 mg/(kg·d) Shilajit], and pioglitazone [HFD + 10 mg/(kg·d) pioglitazone] groups, 7 rats in each group. After 2-week of gavage administration, serum levels of glucose, insulin, interleukin 1beta (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), adiponectin, and resistin were measured, and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated.@*RESULTS@#After NAFLD induction, the serum level of IL-10 significantly increased and serum IL-1β, TNF-α levels significantly decreased by injection of both doses of Shilajit and pioglitazone (P<0.05). Increases in serum glucose level and homeostasis model of HOMA-IR were reduced by L-Sh and H-Sh treatment in NAFLD rats (P<0.05). Both doses of Shilajit increased adiponectin and decreased serum resistin levels (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The probable protective role of Shilajit in NAFLD model rats may be via modulating the serum levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10, adipokine and resistin, and reducing of HOMA-IR.

Can CRP/melatonin ratio measurement be used as a predictor of multiple sclerosis?

@#Background & Objective: This study aimed to find a biomarker to predict the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). Serum levels of vitamin D3, C-reactive protein (CRP) and melatonin and their ratio were evaluated to find the valuable cut-off point. Methods: Serum levels of vitamin D3, CRP and melatonin were evaluated using commercial ELISA kit in newly diagnosed MS patients and compared with healthy controls. Results: Serum CRP level significantly increased and serum melatonin level significantly decreased in MS patients in comparison to controls. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy for the cut-off point of CRP/melatonin ratio ≥ 78.29087 were 80%. Conclusion: CRP/melatonin ratio ≥ 78.29087 may be used for prediction of MS in an at risk population

Changes in neuromedin S and its receptor after traumatic brain injury in cycling rats

Animal studies indicate that gonadal steroids have prominent neuroprotective effects in several models of experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI). Neuromedin U (NMU) and neuromedin S (NMS) are regulatory peptides involved in inflammatory and stress responses, and modulation of the gonadotropic axis. Since steroid hormone levels change during the estrous cycle, we sought to determine whether variations in ovarian hormones would affect blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and brain levels of NMS, NMU, and neuromedin S receptor 2 in experimental TBI. Two groups (proestrus and nonproestrus) of female rats underwent diffuse TBI. At 24 hrs after TBI, results showed a significantly decrease in BBB permeability in traumatic-proestrus animals (TBI-P) in comparison to traumatic nonproestrus (TBI-NP) rats. Western blot analyzes demonstrated an enhanced expression of prepro-NMS in TBI-P compared with that in the TBI-NP group. Likewise, TBI-P rats exhibited significantly higher NMUR2 gene expression compared with those of TBI-NP, whereas no significant difference in brain NMU content was seen between sham and traumatic animals. Our findings indicate that diffuse TBI induces an increase in prepro-NMS and neuromedin S receptor 2 expression in traumatic-proestrus rats which may mediate the anti-edematous effects of gonadal hormones in proestrus rats following trauma.

Changes in neuromedin S and its receptor after traumatic brain injury in cycling rats

Animal studies indicate that gonadal steroids have prominent neuroprotective effects in several models of experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI). Neuromedin U (NMU) and neuromedin S (NMS) are regulatory peptides involved in inflammatory and stress responses, and modulation of the gonadotropic axis. Since steroid hormone levels change during the estrous cycle, we sought to determine whether variations in ovarian hormones would affect blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and brain levels of NMS, NMU, and neuromedin S receptor 2 in experimental TBI. Two groups (proestrus and nonproestrus) of female rats underwent diffuse TBI. At 24 hrs after TBI, results showed a significantly decrease in BBB permeability in traumatic-proestrus animals (TBI-P) in comparison to traumatic nonproestrus (TBI-NP) rats. Western blot analyzes demonstrated an enhanced expression of prepro-NMS in TBI-P compared with that in the TBI-NP group. Likewise, TBI-P rats exhibited significantly higher NMUR2 gene expression compared with those of TBI-NP, whereas no significant difference in brain NMU content was seen between sham and traumatic animals. Our findings indicate that diffuse TBI induces an increase in prepro-NMS and neuromedin S receptor 2 expression in traumatic-proestrus rats which may mediate the anti-edematous effects of gonadal hormones in proestrus rats following trauma.

Comparison of some salivary characteristics between children with and without early childhood caries.

Background and Aim: Early childhood caries (ECC) is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases. Saliva as a host factor plays an essential role in maintaining the integrity of oral structures. The aim of the present study was to compare resting salivary pH, buffering capacity, and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), calcium, and phosphate concentrations between children with and without ECC. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, samples of unstimulated saliva of 90 children (45 in ECC group and 45 in caries-free group) were taken with Scully method. The pH and buffering capacity were determined by pH meter. sIgA, calcium, and phosphate concentrations were quantitated with ELISA, CPC photometric, and phosphomolybdate/UV methods. Results: The mean resting salivary pH was significantly higher among children without ECC and the buffering capacity was significantly better among this group (P = 0.002). The mean sIgA concentration was significantly higher among the ECC group (P = 0.015). There were no statistically significant differences between calcium and phosphate concentrations between the two groups. Conclusion: The higher mean resting salivary pH and better buffering capacity found in children without ECC are probably the contributing factors that protect against caries development; but further studies are needed to understand the effects of saliva and its characteristics and components on ECC.

Testicular cells apoptosis in opium-addicted rats: [short report]

Apoptosis is a physiological mechanism of cell death and it can be triggered by a variety of internal and external stimuli. It has been shown that some opium derivatives promote cell apoptosis. This study was designed to examine the influence of opium addiction on testicular cell apoptosis in Wistar rats. This experimental study was performed on 7 opium-addicted as case group and 7 normal rats as control group. In the case group, animals treated with peritoneal injections of opium twice a day at 8 a.m and 8 p.m for 8 days based on the following regimen; at the first day 30 mg/kg, second day 60 mg/kg, third day 90 mg/kg, fourth day 120 mg/kg, and from fifth to eighth day 150 mg/kg. The control group received only normal saline. Apoptosis was then evaluated by TUNEL and DNA fragmentation assays. The results of this study showed that the rate of testicular cells apoptosis in opium-addicted rats were significantly higher than the normal rats [p<0.001]. These results indicated that opium addiction may play an important role in testicular cells apoptosis and as a result can cause testicula dysfunction and reduced testosterone production which may culminate in infertility

Chronic Opium Treatment Can Differentially Induce Brain and Liver Cells Apoptosis in Diabetic and Non-diabetic Male and Female Rats

It has been shown that some opium derivatives promote cell death via apoptosis. This study was designed to examine the influence of opium addiction on brain and liver cells apoptosis in male and female diabetic and non-diabetic Wistar rats. This experimental study was performed on normal, opium-addicted, diabetic and diabetic opium-addicted male and female rats. Apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL and DNA fragmentation assays. Results of this study showed that apoptosis in opium-addicted and diabetic opium-addicted brain and liver cells were significantly higher than the both normal and diabetic rats. In addition, we found that apoptosis in brain cells of opium-addicted and diabetic opium-addicted male rats were significantly higher than opium-addicted and diabetic opium-addicted female, whereas apoptosis in liver cells of opium-addicted and diabetic opium-addicted female rats were significantly higher than opium-addicted and diabetic opium-addicted male. Overall, these results indicate that opium probably plays an important role in brain and liver cells apoptosis, therefore, leading neurotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. These findings also in away possibly means that male brain cells are more susceptible than female and interestingly liver of females are more sensitive than males in induction of apoptosis by opium.

[Comparison of the thyroid autoantibodies and urinary iodine concentration in hypothyroid and normal individuals in Rafsanjan city in 2006]

Thyroid disorders are among the most prevalent autocrine diseases. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies and iodine consumption in hypothyroid patients and healthy subjects. This cross-sectional study was performed through simple non-probability sampling on 75 hypothyroid subjects [TSH >5 mIU/ml, T4 <60 nmol/L and T3RUP=30 -40%] age 20-75 [M/F=28/47] as cases, and 75 normal individuals [TSH and T4 normal, sex and age matched with the case group] as control. Urinary iodine concentration, antithyroperoxidase [Anti-TPO] and antithyroglobulin [Anti-Tg] were measured in all individuals. Statistical analysis was done in SPSS, using t-test and Fisher's exact test. P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. In hypothyroid individuals urinary iodine concentration was less than the control group [p<0.0001], whereas Anti-TPO and Anti-Tg were significantly higher [p<0.0001 and p<0.0001 respectively]. Fifty percent of the subjects, above 60 years old, had urinary iodine deficiency. Thyroid autoimmunity is one of the main causes of hypothyroidism in Rafsanjan city and it seems that autoimmunity is not due to the increase of iodine consumption. In addition, iodine deficiency is a health problem in elderly individuals in this study and considering the special conditions of these individuals it must be replaced with other manners

Impact of opium on the serum levels of TGF-beta in diabetic, addicted and addicted-diabetic rats

Several cells of immune system such as regulatory T cells and macrophages secrete transforming growth factor-beta [TGF-beta] in response to different stimuli. This cytokine has inhibitory effect on immune system and diminished production of this cytokine is associated with autoimmune disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of opium addiction on serum level of TGF-beta in male and female diabetic and non-diabetic Wistar rats. This experimental study was performed on normal, opium addicted, diabetic and addicted-diabetic male and female rats. Serum level of TGF-beta was measured by ELISA. The results of our study indicated that the mean serum level of TGF-beta in female addicted rats was significantly increased compared to control group [p<0.004]. Conversely, in male addicted rats the mean serum level of TGF-beta was lower compared with control [p<0.065]. Our results suggest that opium and its derivatives have differential inductive effects on the cytokine expression in male and female rats

[Comparison of the effects of progesterone, allopregnanolone and gender on suppressing edema formation after traumatic brain injury in rats]

Brain edema is one of the most important causes of death within the first few days following head trauma. In this study we investigated the role of gender as well as the effects of progesterone and allopregnanolone one hour after diffuse traumatic brain injury on edema formation in rats. This interventional-experimental study was performed on 12 groups of female and male rats. They were divided into 12 groups as follows: 1 and 2: intact female and male rats, 3 and 4: trauma male and female rats, 5: vehicle of progesterone [benzyl alcohol with sesame oil], 6: sham [ovariectomized female rats: ovx], 7: sham [no ovx], 8: sham[male], 9 and 10: low dose [4mg/kg] and high dose [8mg/kg] of progesterone, 11: allopregnanolone and 12: vehicle of allopregnanolone [water]. Hormones were injected i. p one hour after diffuse traumatic brain injury through Marmarou model. The results showed a significant increase of 5.32 times in Evans blue and 2.42% in water content in trauma male group comparing to control groups, while in female rats the difference was significant just for Evans blue [4.68 times]. Evans blue and water content were also significantly greater in traumatic males than female rats [1.57 times and 2.04% respectively]. After injection of low and high doses of progesterone, there was a significant decrease in water content [2.21% and 2.30%] and Evans blue content [2.55 and 2.98 times]. Allopregnanolone significantly decreased these parameters [2.36% and 1.82 times respectively]. Moreover, the injection of progesterone in both low and high doses increased the serum progesterone of female ovarectomized rats as compared to vehicle group. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the rate of edema formation in traumatic male rats is higher compared to traumatic female rats. Moreover, both progesterone and allopregnanolone decrease edema formation in ovariectomized female rats

[ prevalence rate of congenital hypothyroidism in Kerman/Iran in 2005-2007]

Congenital hypothyroidism [C.H] is one of the most common infants' endocrine diseases and the cause of mental retardation in newborns. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of C.H and it's relation with neonatal's sex, birth weight and height and mothers' age, gestational age, parents' educational level, past medical history of thyroid disease in mother and family and consumption of Iodine salt by mother. A Total of 3000 neonates aged 2-5 days were screened from November 2005 to July 2006. Specimen collection and transportation to lab were performed according to NCCLS and Wisconsin newborn screening program guidelines. Thyroid stimulating Hormone [TSH] concentration in dried blood spot was determined quantitatively using ELISA technique. From 3000 neonates, 23 cases [0.8%] had TSH >/= 20 mIU/L that were recalled for verification of C.H. Of them, 13 cases [56%] were male and 10 cases [44%] were female. All of 23 infants were detected during 1-2 months after birth and 3 of them had serum TSH >/= 10 mIU/L. According to the protocol of kit they were considered as hypothyroidism cases and were referred for treatment. Considering the importance of congenital hypothyroidism in mental retardation, neonatal screening programs are of high importance. In this study, the prevalence of the disease was 1 in 1000 that is more than that in developed countries. Therefore, it should be considered as one of the hygienic priorities in our country

Survey of changes in complete blood count and red cell indices of whole blood incubated in vitro at different temperatures up to 48 hours

Complete blood count [CBC] is one of the most common and conventional blood test that physicians usually request. However the results of this test are affected by different factors such as, the temperature and duration of incubation, therefore the aim of this survey was to evaluate the effect of temperature and time of incubation on CBC, red blood cells [RBC] indices and white blood cells [WBC] differential count. In a cross-sectional study, blood samples were taken from 30 healthy medical students of Rafsanjan University [15 males and 15 females]. The samples divided into three parts; CBC were done on the samples up to 48 hours incubation at temperature of 25, 30, and 37°C at the time of sampling, and after 2, 8, 24 and 48 hours. Data were statistically analyzed and the following results were obtained. RBC count, hematocrit, MCH, percent of monocytes and eosinophils were constant in different temperatures, WBC count, MCHC, hemoglobin, platelets count, the percent of lymphocytes and neutrophils were constant up to 24 hours and then tend to increase with increasing temperature except lymphocytes percent that tend to decrease. MCV decreased with increasing temperature up to 8 hours and then significantly increased [from 83.89 to 87.50 fmol/1, p<0.00l]. WBC, hematocrit, MCV, platelets count, and neutrophils' percent tend to increase by the time of incubation, but RBC count, MCHC, lymphocytes' percent decreased. Hemoglobin, MCH, and the percent of monocytes and eosinophils were constant. The finding of this survey showed that some of CBC parameters can be changed with the incubation, therefore it is better to do the CBC test after blood taking as soon as possible

simple and economical procedure for the purification of immunoglobulin Y from egg yolk by T-gel chromatography

The use of immunoglobulin Y [IGY] instead of polyclonal antibodies prepared in mammals has been reported recently. These antibodies are found to have better properties in terms of specificity and ease of large scale production. In this study, proteins from egg yolk were extracted with acid and chloroform. The result of cellulose acetate electrophoresis at pH 9 showed some extra bands which were further purified with sodium sulfate precipitation [20%]. The purified band was observed in the Y globulin region. SDS-PAGE electrophoresis of the product showed impurities which were removed by T-gel chromatography. Following that only H-chain-of immunoglobulin Y with a molecular weight of about 66 KD was observed. Using the above procedure, a yield of around 40.7 mg IGY / egg was obtained

specific, sensitive, and one-step extraction radioimmunoassay of testosterone for clinical diagnosis

Testosterone was measured using antibodies raised against testosterone 11 Bcarboxymethyl ether bovine serum albmin [T-11B-CME-BSA] and testosterone 3-O-carboxymethyl oxime-BSA as immunogen. The antibody produced in this study exhibits minimal cross reactivity with the structurally related steroids specially 5 dihydrotestosterone [5 DHT]. This allows to ommit the clean up step and measure testosterone in female serum samples accurately with a high sensitivity, precision, and specificity. The coefficent of variation [CV], standard deviation [SD] and standard error of mean [SE] were all in acceptable ranges. Antibody-bound and free steroids were separated by addition of dextran coated charcoal. The method was applied to a set of clinical samples, the results of which are discussed in this communication. The assay was compared with the available imported kits using 1251 as tracer. The correlation coefficient obtained is calcualted to be r = 0.96, showing that the results obtained by these two methods are fully comparable and the assay may be replaced with the similar preparations imported from abroad