comparison of [TIM] gene of Giardia lamblia in laboratory animals and human and the importance of cross transmission probability in Iran

Giardia has the ability to infect many mammals including dogs, cats, deer, mice, ground squirrels, chinchillas, swine, rabbits, pocket mice, oxen, guinea pigs, and humans. Giardia lamblia [also Giardia duodenalis G.intes-tinalis] isolates have been variably divided into two or three genotypes by different investigators, and each group can be divided into subgroups. We have compared the triosephosphate isomerase [tpi] sequences of these genotypes by polymerase chain reaction- restriction fragment length polymorphism [PCR-RFLP] to determine G.lambia genotype in Iran for the first time. In this study, 4 sets of primers were used in which 2 sets were designed by other investigator, and 2 sets were designed by the authors of the present study to confirm the results of the first two primers and also to differentiate the subgroups. Among Giardia isolates, 2/10 and 1/19 of PCR-RFLP of rabbit and mouse respectively amplified with primer PM290. There is evidence that suggests that direct transmission from companion animals to human does occur. Zoonosis is controversial regarding Giardia; however, most researchers believe that its zoonotic potential merits adequate precaution when working with feces of animals that may be infected

Serum levels of zinc, copper, vitamin B12, folate and immunoglobulins in individuals with giardiasis

Giardia lamblia is one of the most important intestinal parasites. The aim of this study was to measure serum levels of IgA, IgE, zinc, copper, vitamin B12 and folate in individuals with giardiasis in comparison to normal subjects. The study was carried out among 49 Giardia positive and 39 age and sex matched healthy volunteers. Examination of stool samples was done by direct wet smear and formol-ether concentration method. Serum samples were obtained for further laboratory examination. IgA levels were measured by Single Radial Immune Diffusion [SRID]. IgE levels were measured by ELISA kit. Zinc and copper levels was measured by Ziestchem Diagnostics Kit and colorimetric endpoint-method respectively. Vitamin B12 and folate levels were measured by DRG Diagnostics Kit and Enzyme Immunoassay method respectively. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 17. There was a statistically significant difference in IgA, IgE, copper and zinc levels between positive and negative groups [P<0.05]. There was no significant difference between vitamin B12 and folate levels between the two groups. Mean values of Giardia positive and negative groups for IgA were 309.26 and 216.89 mg/dl, IgE 167.34 and 35.49 IU/ml, copper 309.74 and 253.61 micro g/dl and zinc 69.41 and 144.75 micro g/dl respectively. The results showed levels of IgA may correlate more closely with giardiasis than IgE. Regarding trace elements, giardiasis elevated serum copper levels, while it decreased serum zinc. Finally, there was no significant difference in serum levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid between the two groups

effect of DETA NONOate, a nitric oxide donor, on the rate of collagen synthesis in rat as an animal model of diabetes

Exogenous nitric oxide donors such as DETA NONOate, spontaneously release nitric oxide. This study aimed to investigate the effect of DETA NONOate as a nitric oxide releasing drug on the rate of collagen synthesis during the impaired wound healing in a rat model of diabetes. Twelve male Sprague-Dawley rats were transferred into separate metabolic cages. Nine days before wounding, the rats were injected intraperitoneally with streptozotocin [STZ; 55 mg/kg body weight in citrate buffer 0.1 mol/L, pH 4.5] to induce diabetes. The dorsal surface of each rat was properly shaved and a full thickness dermal wound was made. The test group [n=6] was treated with 100 microM DETA NONOate in phosphate buffer while the control wounds [n=6] received sterile saline [PBS] only on the same day as wounding and every three days for one week. After the skin incision, polyvinyl alcohol [PVA] sponges were implanted subcutaneously on the dorsal of each animal under sterile conditions for the collection of wound fluid. Electrophoresis [current: 20 mA] was performed on the wound fluid. The gel was stained with Coomassie blue G-250, destained, and photographed. DETA NONOate treatment increased the rate of collagen synthesis in the diabetic test group compared to the control group. The nitric oxide donor, DETA NONOate, may represent a potential treatment for impaired wound healing in diabetes by increasing the collagen synthesis at the wound site

[Detection of viability and metabolic activity of NB4 cell line treated with AZT]

APL is a Prevalent leukemia that Approximately included 5-10% of patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia. ATRA and recently arsenic is used for treatment. ATRA leads to resistance to treatment and arsenic is toxic in high doses. AZT induce cell death in different ways. The purpose of this study was Assessment of effect of AZT, a telomerase inhibitor, on NB4 cell line [APL cell line] to reduce toxic effect of high dose arsenic. In this study, viability and metabolic activity of NB4 cells, treated by different concentrations of AZT[50,100,200 micro M], was assessed by trypan blue dye method and MTT assay respectively. Treated cells with AZT=50,100,200 micro M showed decreased viability, both in dose-dependent and time-dependent through trypan blue dye method and decreased cell metabolic activity by MTT assay. Considering that AZT is able to induce apoptosis and decrease cell activity, it seems AZT is a suitable drug for inhibiting the growth of tumor cells

[Prooxidant- antioxidant balance in CAD patients]

The balance between ROS generation and antioxidant activity is critical to the pathogenesis of oxidative stress related disorders. In this study the prooxidant - antioxidant balance and its correlation with lipid profile and uric acid was determined to evaluate the PAB as a prognostic factor for CAD. Seventy - two patients and sixty eight healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. The values of PAB were determined by using standard solutions and ELISA method. Triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL- cholesterol, HDL - cholesterol and uric acid were measured by enzymatic method. The PAB values of CAD patients and control group were 70.01 +/- 3.36 [HK unit] and 66.40 +/- 2.84 [HK unit] respectively. There was no significant difference between PAB values among the two groups [P= 0.41]. There was no significant difference between uric acid levels among the two groups [P= 0.46]. There was a significant correlation between the uric acid values among patients and healthy volunteers and PAB values [P <0.01]. There was a significant correlation between the TG, values among patients and healthy volunteers and PAB values [P<0.05]. This study showed oxidative stress could be used as a significant risk predictor in the coronary artery disease patient

[Combination effect of low dose of arsenic trioxide and AZT on viability and metabolic activity of NB4 cell line]

Acute promyelocytic leukemia [APL] is a distinct subtype of acute myeloid leukemia. APL is characterized by a balanced reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 15 and 17, t[5;17]]. Important therapeutic strategies for this disease are ATRA and Arsenic trioxide. To eliminate tumor cells with arsenic, high dose of arsenic is needed. But high dose is toxic for normal tissue. The purpose of this study is Assessment of effect of low dose of arsenic trioxide in combination with AZT on NB4 cell line [APL cell line] to reduce toxic effect of high dose arsenic. In this study after NB4 cell line culture and proliferation, the cells treated with low dose of arsenic trioxide[0.5 micro M] in combination with different doses of AZT[50, 100, 200 micro M] and then viability and metabolic activity was assessed by try pan blue and MTT assay respectively. Low dose of arsenic [0.5 micro m] alone and in combination with dose of 50 micro m of AZT has little effect on viability and metabolic activity but in combination with higher dose of AZT has significant effect on viability and metabolic activity and both viability and metabolic activity significantly reduced. Different apoptosis- induced mechanisms cause apoptosis by arsenic and AZT. Since some of these mechanisms between AZT and arsenic are similar, so maybe these similar mechanisms cause synergic effect and significant reduction of viability and metabolic activity in combination of these two drugs

[Survey of relationship between serum procalcitonin and infectious diseases]

Procalcitonin is prohormone of calcitonin and is made 116 amino acids. The normal value of procalcitonin is less than 0.5 ng/ml, that if this amount exceeds, infection is indicated. This poly-peptide is a marker for the diagnosis of primary infection. Increased amounts of procalcitonin is associated with infection; especially bacterial infections. 32 patients with liver cirrhosis and 16 healthy controls enrolled in this study were. Serum PCT levels in these subjects was measured. PCT level was measured by semi-quantitative method. Patient group included 23 males and nine females with mean age of 45 years and SD= 17.44 years, the control group included 11 males and 5 females with mean age of 46 years and SD=15.5 years.The statistical analysis showed that there was significant difference between PCT levels in patients and controls [P<0.05].Furthermore PCT levels was significantly higher in cirrhotic patients with hepatitisec background. Since these patients had no symptoms of infection and were hospitalized for endoscopy test and the PCT test was positive in 78.1% of cirrhotic patients, whereas this ratio was 25% in the control group, the patients probably were infected and should be under proper treatment

[Biochemical markers troponin I, leptin and CK-MB in coronary artery diseases]

In recent years, troponin I has been a prognostic factor of myocardial cell injury. Also, regarding the importance of leptin measurement in coronary artery disease investigations are being performed. In addition, CK-MB has been a "gold standard" test for this disease. The aim of this study was to assess the biochemical markers Troponin I, Leptin and CK-MB in coronary artery diseases. This was a study on 100 patients who suffered from coronary artery disease. Following blood collection, the serum sample was tested to determine the concentration of troponin I, Leptin, and CK-MB. Troponin I level was measured by two-site immunoluminometric assay. Leptin and CK-MB levels were detected by ELISA. Statistical t-test was employed to analyze the data. The data obtained in the present study was indicative of a significant correlation between troponin I and Leptin among the patients [p=0.01]. Also, a significant relationship was observed between troponin I and CK-MB in our study population [p=0.01]. In addition, there was a significant relationship between both leptin and troponin 1 and the gender [p<0.001; p<0.016]. Leptin was also found to have a significant association with age [p=0.018]. Finally, a significant correlation between the history of myocardial infarction and gender was demonstrated [p<0.002]. Our results showed that the measurement of troponin I in combination with CK-MB, as gold standard, could be considered as an appropriate diagnostic method for progress of myocardial infarction. Leptin and troponin I are also suitable biomarkers in diagnosis of coronary artery diseases. Due to lack of troponin I in other body tissues except for cardiac tissue, troponin I is proposed as an ideal marker for definite diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction

[Comparison of serum leptin in major beta -talasemia patients and normal subjects]

Leptin, is a adipocyte-derived hormone. Exogenous leptin allows the recovery of the reproductive function. In humans, leptin correlates positively with body mass index [BMI]. The aim of the study was to investigate the association of leptin with toxic effects of iron overload. In a cross sectional study in 2006, we compared the serum leptin level of thalasemic patients with normal group. Blood samples were collected from 219 patients with Cooley's anemia, [119 males, 100 females] and 137 normal subjects [86 males, 51 females]. Leptin was measured by a commercial ELISA kit. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. Mean serum leptin level was 5.33 +/- 5.02 ng/ml in thalassaemic males. It was significantly lower than controls [9.43 +/- 7.8 ng/ml] [P<0.001]. Thalassaemic females had lower leptin levels [12.12 +/- 11.4 ng/ml] than normal females subjects [14.6 +/- 13.1 ng/ml] [P<0.001]. Furthermore, the physiologically positive BMI/leptin relationship disappeared in thalassaemic patients. It seems that the adipocytes of thalassaemic patients are unable to maintain adequate leptin production. These results suggest that adipose tissue dysfunction can be considered as one of the endocrinepathies affecting thalassaemic patients

Effect of mercuric chloride on kinetic properties of horseradish peroxidase

Mercury is one of the three major environmental metal poisons, and mercuric chloride is a highly reactive compound which can harm cells by a variety of mechanisms including direct interaction with sulphydryl groups of proteins and enzymes, therefore affecting the enzymatic activity. This study focused on the effect of Hg++ on horseradish peroxidase [donor: hydrogen peroxide oxidoreductase, EC 1.11.1.7] [HRP] [Isoenzyme C] activity. In the presence of 88 mM hydrogen peroxide Km for o-dianisidine oxidation was 0.05 millimolar and Vmax M.s-1. Incubation of the enzyme with 1 to 100 millimolar mercuric was 8.5 chloride for 5-20- and 60 min resulted in progressive inhibition of the enzymatic activity. At low Hg++ concentrations the inhibition was reversible by excess substrate, while at high Hg++ concentration the inhibition was not reversible. Results also indicated that the type of inhibition depended on the duration of incubation of the enzyme with metal ion and on the Hg++ concentration. So we could conclude that the type of inhibition changed from noncompetitive to mix with increased incubation time and increased metal concentration