[Effect of Heracleum persicum extract on acid and pepsin secretion level in both basic and stimulated conditions with pentagastrin in rat]

The Heraclleum persicum is widely used as an odorant in pickles around the world and particularly in Iran. As pickle is a gastric stimulator, the question is whether this plant which is used in making pickles, decreases gastric stimulation of this group of foods, or increases it, and in general, what is the cellular mechanism of this plant on acid and pepsin secretion. Therefore, in this study the effect of plant entrants on the secretion rate of acid and pepsin surveyed in the stomach in rats. This study involves two groups [12 in each group] of rats in experimental method [Control group and Heracleum group]. After anesthesia with nesdonal, 50 mg/kg IP, rats were gone under surgical process, tracheotomy, laparatomy and gasteroadeodenostomy and the Heraclleum extract [12.5 mg/kg] was send into the stomach from gasterodeodenostomy canula in Herculean group. The amount of both acid and pepsin in both basal and stimulated condition were significantly increased in heracleum group compared to control group [p<0.001]. Pentagastrin also increased acid and pepsin secretion in control group [p<0.001] and increased pepsin in heraclleum group [p<0.05] but did not significantly change in acid secretion in heraclleum group. The Heracleum persicum increases acid and pepsin secretion when is used in food regimen. Its extract also increases gastric acid secretion via blockage of gastric receptor. However, a different mechanism is involved in the increasing of pepsin secretion

[Prostate specific antigen [PSA] more than 4 ng/mlin men referred to urology clinic compared tocardiologic patients]

Prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancerin men and is the second cause of men's death due to cancer in theworld. This form of cancer usually has no specific sign and can havedefinitive treatment if diagnosed in early stage.The easiest and most sensitive test for prostate cancer is serologictest for prostate specific antigen [PSA]. Since this test has 43%predictivevalueand 67% sensitivity for PSA of more than 10ng/mg, it is the first diagnostic method for the screening of prostatecancer. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence ofPSA > 4ng/ml.In this study a group of 120 patients over 50 years oldwithurinaryproblems [group A] referred to urology clinic ofKashani hospital compared with a group of 120 men over 50 yearsold with no urinary problems hospitalized in cardiology ward inHajar hospital [group B]. Blood sera from each group were collectedand a questionnaire for each patient was completed. An ELISA testwascarried out using IEMA WELL kit. The results then werestatistically analyzed using Chi-square test.The prevalence of PSA > 4ng/ml was 19.2% and 8.3% ingroup A and B respectively [P < 0.05]. Further, therewere directrelationshipsbetween PSA > 4ng/ml and factors such as age, numberof children and the severity of urinary blockage.Dueto low information we could not find relationship betweenfamilial history of prostate cancer, BPH treatment and the perviousvasectomy. Besidesthere were no significant relationships betweencigarette smoking or bone pain and PSA > 4ng/ml.Based onthe results of this study a screening programfor testing PSA > 4ng/ml in men over 50 years old especially forthose with urinary problems is recommended