[Effects of vitamin E supplementation on activity of serum paraoxonase, SOD, GPX enzymes and lipid profiles in beta major thalassemia patients]

In pathogenesis of beta major thalassemia, tissue damage is occurring due to oxidative stress. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of vitamin E supplementation on serum Paraoxonase, SOD, GPX enzyme activity and lipid profiles in beta major thalassemia patients. In this clinical tiral study, Sixty [25 males, 35 females] beta major thalassemia patients with age >/= 18 years who had criterias to enter the study, were selected randomely in two groups. The patients in interventional group, vitamin E at a dose of 400 mg/day were given for three months, with no supplementations in control group. The enzyme activities of paraoxonase, SOD, GPX and lipid profiles [LDL-c, HDL-c, triglyceride, total Antixidant Capacity] were measured prior and after 3 months in both case and control groups. Data analyzed by using paired t-test. Significant increases in serum levels of vitamin E, Paraoxonase activity, HDL cholesterol [P<0.001], BMI [P

[Effect of red onion intake on serum uric acid, lipid profile and paraxonase activity in hyperuricemic rats]

Hyperuricemia is a metabolic disorder characterized by an increase in serum uric acid levels and Reactive Oxigen Species production, and considered as a risk factor for gout and oxidative stress- induced diseases. The antioxidant effect of dietary polyphenols in control and decreasing of oxidative damage have been confirmed previously, therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of red onion intake on serum uric acid levels, lipid profile and paraxonase activity in hyperuricemic rats. In this experimental- interventional study, 24 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, hyperuricemic, normal and hyperuricemic rats receiving onion. Hyperuricemia was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 250mg/kg potassium oxonate. Onion was administrated by oral gavage at dose 5g/kg. The intervention took 2 weeks. At the end of study, serum uric acid levels, Lipid profile and paraxonase activity were determined and data was statistically analyzed. In healthy rats, effect of onion intake on serum uric acid levels and lipid profile were not statistically significant, but paraxonase activity was increased significant in comparison to healthy control group. The intervention in hyperuricemic rats caused to a significant decrease in uric acid levels and significant increase in paraxonase activity in comparison to hyperuri- cemic control rats. There was a significant positive correlation between paraxonase activity and HDL-C, and significant reverse correlation between paraxonase activity and uric acid concentrations [p<0.05]. Onion intake by decreasing of uric acid levels and increasing of paraxonase activity could be effective in control of hyperuricemia and improvement of antioxidant capacity in hyperuricemic rats

[Effect of isolated soy protien on prevention of rheumatoid arthritis in collagen-induced rats]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of isolated soy protein on prevention of rheumatoid arthritis in collagen-induced rats. A total of 24 female Sprague-Dawley rats [body weights: 180-200g] were randomly divided into four equal groups including normal; control of rheumatoid arthritis; rheumatoid arthritis + isolated soy protein [7g/kg]; rheumatoid arthritis + dexamethasone [1mg/kg]. Experimentally rheumatoid arthritis in rats was induced by subcutaneous injection of collagen II emolsified in Incomplete Frund s Adjuvant in days 1 and 7. Treatments were gavaged to animals for 30 days, once a day. The severity of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms in paws were daily measured in double blind format by standard method. The statistical comparison between the experimental groups was performed by Independent -samples t- test and One-Way ANOVA using SPSS software. The clinical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis started from day 17.4 +/- 2.4, 20 +/- 4 and 14.1 +/- 1.9 in isolated soy protein, dexamethasone and control groups, respectively [P<0.05]. The severity of clinical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis on day 30 was 3.84 +/- 2.04, 2 +/- 1.78 and 6.5 +/- 1.76 in isolated soy protein, dexa methasone and control groups, respectively [p<0.05]. At the end of the study, the incidence rates of rheumatoid arthritis in isolated soy protein and control groups was 83.33% and 100%, respectively. Isolated soy protein decreased the severity of clinical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, it could be a key factor in prevention and even treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

[ comparison of phenobarbital and phenytoin serum levels between children with status epilepsy and refractory status epilepsy]

Due to high kinetic variation of antiepileptic medications in children, judgment on the efficacy of intravenous phenytoin and phenobarbital in treatment of refractory status epilepsy, requires measurement of serum levels of the drugs. The aim of this study was determine and compare serum levels of phenytoin and phenobarbital, as the two major and common first- line drugs in treatment of children with status epilepsy and refractory status epilepsy. Serum levels of phenytoin and phenobarbital in 20 children [1 month - 12 years] with refractory status epilepsy [candidates for midazolam infusion] was compared with 20 children with status epilepsy. Age, gender, etiology, type of seizure and previous use of antiepileptic drugs were matched. In patients with status epilepsy and refractory status epilepsy mean serum levels of phenobarbital were 28.03 +/- 12.7 microg/ml, 37.22 +/- 20.78 microg/ml respectively while serum levels of phenytoin were 30.38 +/- 16.80 micro g/ml, 31.42 +/- 14.81 microg/ml respectively. There was no significant difference between phenobarbital [P=0.1] and phenytoin [P=0.8] serum levels in these two groups. There was no significant correlation between phenobarbital serum level with age in the group of status epilepsy [P=0.1] and refractory status epilepsy [P=0.8]. In contrast, increased phenytoin serum level was associated with increased age in status epilepsy group [P=0.004] and refractory status epilepsy group [P=0.01]. In both groups, blood level of the drugs were within the therapeutic range. High pharmacokinetic variation of antiepileptic medications in children does not cause any changes in the serum level of intravenous phenytoin and phenobarbital in the groups of status epilepsy and refractory status epilepsy. Development of refractory status epilepsy is probably due to the nature of disease or other unknown factors which need further studies

Comparison of serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels in women of childbearing age, oral contraceptive users, postmenopausal and who take hormone replacement therapy

There is a growing awareness that vitamin D sufficiency is required for optimal health, and also the role of vitamin D in calcium absorption and metabolism for bone health is well known. The objective of this study was to investigate the serum vitamin D level in childbearing age and postmenopausal women and comparing with women who use oral contraceptive pills [OCP] and who take hormone replacement therapy [HRT]. Ninety-seven healthy non pregnant-non lactating women with a mean age of 32.67 +/- 5.14 years old [50 OCP users and 47 non- OCP users] and 56 healthy postmenopausal women, with a mean age of 51.42 +/- 3.22 years old [29 were taking HRT and 27 were not taking HRT] were studied using biochemical procedures [measurement of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D], anthropometric measurements [weight and height] and completing 24-hour recall questionnaire for determining daily dietary calcium intake. No significant differences were found between either OCP and non- OCP users or HRT and non- HRT groups in terms of mean body mass index [BMI], and dietary intakes of calcium. Mean daily calcium intake in all groups was lower than recommended daily allowances. There was no significant difference in serum 25- hydroxyvitamin D levels between OCP- users and non-OCP users, However the mean serum 25- hydroxyvitamin D level in HRT group was significantly higher than that of non- HRT group [P<0.01].The majority of subjects in OCP and non - OCP, and HRT groups had serum vitamin D levels lower than normal limit. Vitamin D deficiency was common in the study subjects, which may have important health consequences. Using low- dose OCP had not resulted in altered Vitamin D metabolism compared to non -OCP users. However, in postmenopausal women, taking HRT had positive effect on serum vitamin D level. It is suggested to emphasize for overcoming vitamin D deficiency in community as one of the health priorities

[ potentiating effects of citrullus colocynthis extract on immune system]

The stimulating effects of medicinal plants on immune system were taken into consideration. In this relation, saponins and flavonoids are well known compounds. The presence of these compounds in Citrullus colocynthis [CC], also a report based on leucocytosis activity of C.C, it caused that we were going to investigate the effect of this plant on immune system. In the present paper, the histologic effects of pulps and seeds extracts of CC on gastrointestinal mucosal from the point of view of immunity were investigated. Aerial parts of CC were extracted with MeOH 70% and the presence of different groups of natural compounds were assessed by phytochemical methods. Then 30 male rabbits are used, they divided into 5 groups. One group is kept as diabetic control and from the other 4 groups, 2 groups were received 100 and 200 mg/kg/day of pulp extract and two groups were received 100 and 200 mg/kg/day of seed extract of C.C by gavage. After 1 month of experimental period, rabbits were sacrificed by chloroform and specimens from intestine were fixed in 10% formalin and studied with light microscopy. The number of penetrating lymphocytes to intestinal epithelium observed in morphometery were criteria of immune system functional marker. All of animals that received 200mg/kg/day pulp extract of C.C, and 46% of animals that received 100 mg/kg /day of pulp extract died. The number of intestinal mucosal lymphocytes enhanced in group of received 100 mg/kg/day pulp extract. Mean of penetrating lymphocytes was significant in 100 mg/kg/day pulp extract group in comparison to control group[p< 0.05]. Increasing of lymphocytes was significant in 100 mg/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day of seed extract and mean of penetrating lymphocytes was significant in comparison to control group [p<0.005]. Immunostimulant effect of the extract of CC seed is higher than the extract of CC pulp but the toxicity of the pulp extract is more than the toxicity of the seed extract