RESUMO
Background: Despite the emerging evidence on beneficial effects of probiotics on the cardiovascular system, their impact on the management of ischemic heart diseases and its possible mechanism have not been elucidated
Methods: Four viable probiotics bacterial strains, including Bifidobacterium breve, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Lactobacillus acidophilus, at the concentrations of 2×106 colony-forming units/ml were orally administered to the rats daily for 14 days before the induction of infarct-like myocardial injury using isoproterenol. Subsequently, 24 h after myocardial injury, the right carotid artery and the left ventricle were catheterized for recording blood pressure and cardiac parameters. At the end of the experiment, the heart was removed for the evaluation of histopathological and biochemical parameters, as well as tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] assay
Results: The induction of acute myocardial injury resulted in significant [P
Conclusion: This study shows that viable probiotics have a cardioprotective effect on infarct-like myocardial injury through suppressing TNF-alpha and oxidative stress damage in a rat model. Probiotic supplements may be used as a new option for prophylaxis in patients at the risk of ischemic heart disease in future
RESUMO
Because of the conflicting results from previous studies regarding the efficacy of ginseng on lipid profile and anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities of its components, we aimed to evaluate the effects of Panax ginseng on lipid profile, pro-oxidant - anti-oxidant status and high-sensitivity C reactive protein [hs-CRP] levels. Forty Iranian hyperlipidemic patients were randomly assigned to placebo [n = 20] or control [n = 20] groups in this double-blind randomized controlled trial. The ginseng or placebo was taken two capsules twice a day for 8 weeks. Total cholesterol [TC], triglyceride [TG], low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], fasting blood glucose, serum creatinine and hs-CRP levels and pro-oxidant - anti-oxidant balance [PAB] were estimated before and after intervention. There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to changes in serum TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, and TC/HDL-C levels. Nor were there significant differences between the two groups with respect to changes in hs-CRP level and PAB from baseline to week 8. Our study demonstrates that ginseng does not have significant effects on lipid profile, Hs-CRP level and PAB. Further clinical studies, with a larger sample size, more prolonged period of therapy are needed to investigate the therapeutic effects of ginseng
RESUMO
Previous experimental studies have shown the protective effects of CBX on brain ischemic injures in global and in vitro models of ischemia. However, effects of CBX in temporary model of focal cerebral ischemia are not clear. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of central micro injection of CBX on post-ischemic reperfusion injuries in a temporary model of focal cerebral ischemia. Transient focal cerebral ischemia was induced in rats by 60 min middle cerebral artery occlusion [MCAO], followed by 23 h reperfusion. CBX was administered into the right ventricle at doses of 1, 12, 25, 50 and/or 100 micro g/kg at the beginning of MCAO. Cortical and striatal infarct volumes and motor dysfunctions were assessed 24 h after MCAO. Administration of CBX at doses of 1, 12, 25 and/or 50 micro g/kg significantly reduced cortical infarct volumes by 35%, 49%, 41% and 43%, respectively [P<0.001]. In addition, CBX only at dose of 25 micro g/kg significantly reduced striatal infract volume and improved neurological dysfunctions [P<0.01]. Our findings indicated that central microinjection of CBX has protective effect on against ischemic reperfusion injuries in a transient model of focal cerebral ischemia