effects of betanin of beetroot in polycystic ovary syndrome induced rat

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS] as a common cause of infertility is the endocrine disorder among reproductive-aged women. Nevertheless, the management and treatment of this major problem is not deterministic, and surrounded by many controversies

Objective: In this study the effects of betanin, as red pigment present in red beetroot, in the PCOS induced rats are evaluated

Methods: Sodium valerate was injected intraperitoneally into wistar female rats to induce PCOS for 25 days. The rats were randomly divided into five groups: a normal control group without sodium valerate, Sham [sodium valerate-induced PCOS] group received 0.5 ml distilled water , metformin group and two groups that received betanin at doses of 8 and 16 mg/kg/ day for 30 days after they were administered sodium valerate. The Glucose, lipid profile, gonadotropine hormones were determined using calorimetric assays in PCOS induced rats. Histological examinations were carried out on hematoxylin-eosin stained sections using light microscopy

Results: When compared with sham, betanin caused low ovarian cysts with a high incidence of ovarian primary, antral, graafian follicles and corpus luteum. The plasma glucose, cholesterol, LDL and LH levels were found to be diminished significantly in rats with PCOS whereas plasma HDL and FSH levels were significantly increased

Conclusion: The betanin affected the cysts and follicles of the PCOS induced rats

Synthesis and anti-intracellular Copper overload evaluation of Nanoconjugated D-penicillamine -Dendrimer in Wilson's model cells

Background and Objective: Wilson's disease [WD] is caused by mutation to the cooer-transporting gene ATP7B. Chelation therapy is the main protochol of treatment for patients with Wilson's disease. D-penicillamine is one of the well-known chelator agants which is used in WD treatment but it can not enter into the intracellular space.This study was done to evaluate the synthesis and anti-intracellular Copper overload evaluation of Nanoconjugated D-penicillamine -Dendrimer in Wilson's model cells

Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, initially 0.01 mm polyethylene glycol [PEG] and 0.0018 mm citric acid, Dendrimer was synthesized. After purification by dialysis bag and lyophilization, lOmg dendrimer was conjugated to 3.3mg D-penicillamine. Nanoconjugated D-penicillamine-dendrimer was injected on Wilson's model cells. After incubation and centrifugation intracellular measurement of copper concentration and FTIR test were done

Results: Copper accumulation significantly reduced in the HepG2 WD cell by Nanoconjugated D-penicillamine - Dendrimer in compared to D-penicillamine [P<0.05]. Copper accumulation was determined to be 46.61, MTT assay showed no toxicological damage in HepG2 WD cell

Conclusion: Nanoconjugated D-penicillamine -Dendrimer can reduces intracellular concentration of Copper

novel mutation of GDAP1 associated with Charcot-Marie-tooth disease in an Iranian family

As a result of higher distributed consanguinity in the Mediterranean region and the Middle East, autosomal-recessive forms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth [ARCMT] are more common in these areas. CMT disease caused by mutations in the ganglioside-induced differentiation-associated protein 1 [GDAP1] gene is a severe autosomal recessive neupathy resulting in either demyelinating CMT4A neuropathy or axonal neuropathy with vocal cord paresis. The patient was an 8-year-old boy with AR inheritance that showed some delayed achievement of motor milestones, including walking, also bilateral foot drop, wasting of distal muscles in the legs, pes cavus and marked weakness of the foot dorsiflexors. He had no hoarseness or vocal cord paralysis. Total genomic DNA was extracted from whole peripheral blood of the patient and his family by using standard procedures. PCR- sequencing method were used to analysis the whole coding regions of the GDAP1 gene. A novel homozygote insertion of T nucleotide in codon 34 was detected [c.100_101insT] that probably led to an early stop codon. This mutation may be associated with a common haplotype, suggesting a common ancestor that needs further investigation in the Iranian population

[Association of serumomentin levels in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome]

Adipokines, compounds secreted from adipose tissue, are involved in metabolism control. Omentin is one of the adipokines with different biological roles. Serum levels of Omentin were found to be associated with BMI, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in several studies. The aim of this study was to assess the association between omentin level and the PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome. This case-control study was performed on 45 patients with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome and 45 normal individuals as controls. BMI and fasting omentin and insulin serum levels were measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay [ELIZA] method, fasting glucose serum level was measured by enzyme-calorimetric method and insulin resistance index [HOMA-IR] was measured using the relevant equation. Data was analyzed using the independent t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient and by SPSS 16 software. Omentin serum levels in the patient PCOS group were significantly lower in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome than in controls. Insulin and glucose serum levels in the PCOS group were significantly higher than in controls, indicating these patients had insulin resistance. There was no significant correlation between serum levels of omentin and HOMA-IR between cases and controls. This study shows that serum omentin level decreased in PCOS patient in comparison with BMI-matched controls. The findings of this study suggest that changes in omentin serum level may be considered as a criterion of PCOS

Association of C609T and C465T polymorphisms of NQO1 gene with AML

Many studies have demonstrated that polymorphisms of NQO1 including C465T and C609T are associated with increased risk of acute myeloid leukemia [AML]. Our aims are to assess incidence of these polymorphisms in Tehran patients and study the influence of low activity of NQOl in AML. In this case-control study, we used PCR and RFLP analyses to study the prevalence of C609T NQO1 in 140 patients, and C465T NQO1 in 124 patients; there was also a control group of 80 being age-sex matched. We calculated odd ratio with SPSS 16 to examine if these polymorphisms are associated with AML. No significant association between the two common polymorphisms of NQO1 and risk of AML was observed. C609T odd ratio for TT genotype versus CC was obtained to be 0.91 [CI 95% = 0.51-1.63] and for CT versus CC it was 1.06 [CI 95% = 0.57-1.95]. C465T odd ratio for TT genotype versus CC was calculated to be 0.22 [CI 95% = 0.009-5.56] and for CT versus CC it came out to be 3.01 [CI 95% = 0.63-14.32]. Our findings suggest that the NQO1 C609T and C465T gene variants do not have a major influence on the susceptibility to adult AML

[Effects of policosanol on cholesterol, lipoproteins and athrom plaques in male rabbits]

Policosanol is a component from main alcohol groups with long-chain which is extracted from cane sugar. In the present study, we investigated the effect of policosanol on atherosclerosis some of its biochemical risk factors in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. 24 male rabbits of New Zealand race with average weight of 1750gr were divided in to 4 group: control group[n=6] had normal diet, Sham and experimental group no.1 and no.2[n=6] had high cholesterol [2%] diet, and they received placebo and policosanol with doses of 0.25 and 0.5mg respectively, every day. After 4 weeks of treatment, blood samples were obtained and cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C and HDL-C were measured. For histological studies part of aorta was dissected and fixed in formalin%10. Data were introduced into SPSS software and analyzed by variance analysis. The results showed that in experimental group no.1 there was significant decrease in the rate of cholesterol, LDL-C and triglyceride [P<0.05], and significant increase in HDL-C [P<0.05] compared with those of control group. Also in experimental group no.2 there was a significant decrease in cholesterol, LDL-C and triglyceride [P<0.01] in the rate of cholesterol, LDL-C and triglyceride, and significant increase [P<0.01], and significant increase in HDL-C [P<0.01] compared with those of control group. Histological investigations showed treatment by policosanol in experimental group no.1 and no.2 could prevent atheroma plaque formation. policosanol can be an effective component in decreasing cholesterol, LDL-C and triglyceride and increasing HDL-C, leading to prevention of atheroma plaque formation

[ effect of trans-chalcone on amylase activity, blood glucose and lipid levels in diabetic and non diabetic rats]

Alpha amylase is the most important decomposing enzyme in starch. Digestion and absorption of starch in the intestine can be prevented and also the blood sugar levels can be controlled by restrain and control of alpha amylase. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of trans-chalcone on amylase activity, blood glucose and lipid levels in diabetic and non diabetic rats. This experimental study was conducted in 1388 at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Sixty rats were randomly divided to ten equal groups: non diabetic control, diabetic control, four non diabetic experiments and four diabetic experiments. Control groups received grape seed oil and experimental groups received 2, 8,16 and 32 mg/kg of body weight in a period of 24 days with a gastric cannula. Blood sugar, every two days, serum insulin levels in days 0,12, and 24 and at the end of the experiment, lipoproteins and alpha amylase activity were measured. The data were analyzed by one way analysis of variance, ANOVA, followed by Turkeys test with SPSS soft ware. On average Chalcone reduced 25.5% of blood sugar in normal and diabetic rats. IT also decreased the serum insulin level. On average, chalcone decreased 34.9% of alpha amylase activity in normal and diabetic rats. Following disturbances in lipids metabolism caused by diabetes, this drug improved lipoproteins metabolism and reduced water, food and urine volume. This study shows that trans-Chalcone reduces blood sugar and body weight via inhibition of alpha amylas. Moreover, improvement of lipoprotein metabolism may happen via the inhibitory effect of this drug on hydroxyl methyl glutaryl -COA reductase and phosphodiesterase

Microwave digestion for urine iodine determination

Digestion is an important step in urine iodine determination methods. High temperatures and long heating durations can be considered as weaknesses of the present methods. The aim of the study was assessment of microwave use for digestion of urine and decompostion of interfering substances, aimed at shortening the time and increasing safety in the procedure. Random urine samples were processed by conventional acid digestion and also by new microwave optimized digestion methods. After digestion, iodine levels of samples, digested by the two mentioned methods, were also determined using chemical colorimetric kinetic reaction Ce+4 and Ce+3 according to the well known Sandell-Kolthoff reaction. Microplate reading format by ELISA reader was used to increase speed and precision of reading. Sensitivity, precision and comparison results were assayed in both the methods as well. Optimized microwave digestion showed that merely a 10 min duration is adequate for complete digestion of urine samples. Intra- and inter- assay coefficients of variation were 6.7- 9.3% and 9.8-12.3% respectively. The final results of the comparison of iodine contents of samples, were obtained through the two microwave and conventional methods, showed acceptable correlation [r=0.928]. The assay recovery was 91-113% and the sensitivity 5 micro g/dL. The results of this study showed that the microwave procedure for urine digestion is acceptable. The digestion method obtained comparable results with conventional digestion methods, and can hence replace conventional electrical heat digestion methods

[Evaluation of anxiolytic effects of silymarin extract from Silybum marianum in rats]

Anxiety is a common psychiatric disorder affecting many people in the society and is associated with clinical symptoms such as tachycardia, sweating, shortness of breath, insensitivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate anxiolytic effects of sylimarin extract in wistar rats. Material and Methods: 35 male Wistar rats with a mean weight of 250 +/- 25grams were divided into 5 experimental groups [n=7]. Silymarin was purchased from Goldaroo company in Isfahan. The rats received sylimarin with different doses of 35, 70, 140 and 280 mg/Kg for two weeks. The control group received saline orally with the same volume. Then, using elevated plus maze [EPM], 30 minutes after treatment, the behavior of the experimental groups was compared to that of control group. Data were introduced into SPSS software and analyzed by variance analysis. According to the results of this study, sylimarin with the three doses of 35, 70 and 140 mg/Kg caused a statically significant decrease in anxiety, in comparison to the control group. Our data showed that silymarin seems to be a potential and effective anxiolytic agent and can be used for anxiety control

[ effect of silymarin on learning and histological changes of hippocampal regions of rats]

Silymarin, an extract from seeds of milk thistle [Silybum marianum], is known to have hepato-protective, anticarcinogenic, antioxidant and estrogenic effects. The aim of the present study was to test the effect of silymarin on passive avoidance learning in rats. This was an experimental study carried on Wistar rats in Arak Unviersity, Iran. The animals were provided with silymarin [from day 7 of gestational age to 4 weeks after birth] at 2 doses of 180 mg/kg in the experimental group 1 [Exp 1] and 90mg/kg in the experimental group 2 [Exp 2] while the sham group received saline and the control group with regular food and water. The memory retention and duration of step-through latency in male offsprings was determined by passive avoidance apparatus. Neuronal density in hippocampus was established by histopathological value less than 0.05 was considered as significant. Both experimental groups showed significantly longer step-through latency compared to control group [p<0.05]. The average number of pyramidal cells in hippocampal CA1 and granular cells in the hippocampal DG were remarkably higher in Exp 1 and Exp 2 groups compared to control group. The difference between Exp 1 and Exp2 for pyramidal cells was found to be significant [p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively]. Silymarin produced a significant increase in learning and memory. Also, our results indicate that silymarin is a dose dependent component. These data may lay a background for application of silybin in treatment of memory impairment diseases

[ effect of zinc supplemention on glycosylated hemoglobin in type II diabetic patients]

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common metabolic disorders due to partial or complete deficiency of insulin or insulin resistance. The most common problems is uncontrolled diabetes are chronic complication including renal and cardiovascular failure. Zinc as an essential trace element, can affect some aspects of insulin synthesis, secretion and function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of zinc supplementation in diabetes control status in a group of type-II diabetic patients. In this clinical trial, 60 fdiabetic patients [type-II] were divided in 2 groups, randomly. One of them consumed 25 mg/day zinc and the other had 50 mg daily for 2 months. Fasting blood glucose [FBS], 2 hour post prandial blood glucose [2hpp], glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c], and serum levels of zinc were evaluated in patients before and after zinc supplementation. Wilcoxon and Man-Whitney tests were used for statistical analysis. 22 patients in each group with the mean age of 48 years completed the study. Serum levels of zinc in the group with 25 mg/day supplementation didn't show significant change, but in the second group increased significantly after supplementation [160 +/- 30 micro g/dl vs 140 +/- 30, p=0.002]. HbA1c significantly reduced after supplementation [9.7 +/- 1.86 vs 8.9 +/- 1.5, p=0.02]. There were not significant changes in FBS and 2hpp before and after zinc supplementation. Our results indicate that elevation of zinc level in diabetic patients has favorable effect on HbA1c and diabetes control status. It is assumed that some of the diabetic patients suffer from a latent zinc deficiency and this may by unfavorably diabetes control status

[ effect of different doses of water green tea extract on the development of open wounds in mice]

This research has been done with awareness of positive effects of green tea, and because of the importance of treatment of opened skin wound. The effect of different doses of water green tea extract on the development of open wounds in mice. There were 32 male mice in 4 different groups. First group was control and the others were experimental. Different dose of watery such as 50, 150 and 300 micro L were injected them. After anaesthetizing the mice, Skin wound is created on the back of the Mice by a 6mm punch. While the Mice in control group were treated by serum physiology, around the wound of the back of other Mice watery of green tea were injected. The researchers measured the dimension and also the recovery percent of the wound in the 1st, 3rd, 7th and 15th days of study. Furthermore they evaluated the duration of recovery. Some histology studies have been done. On 2 Specimen of wound in 3rd/ 7th / 15th days for study. In this way fibroblasts macrophages, Neutrophils and endothelial cell of blood vessels from the wounds were accounted. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance method. Evaluation of recovery processes showed there were no significant differences between groups on 4th day of study. The degree of recovery on 7th day for observer group was [19.2 +/- 10.2] for 2nd group were [38.8 +/- 17.9], for 3rd groups were [48.3 +/- 17.7], for 4th were [60 +/- 17.8] [P < 0.04]. The degree of recovery on 15th day of study for observer group was [25 +/- 8.2] / for 2nd group were [47.8 +/- 17.5] 3rd group [66.5 +/- 18.1] and for 4th group were [76.5 +/- 18.4] [p<0.01]. The degree of fibroblasts in different groups are alternatively as follow in the 1st group [observer] [106 +/- 13.8, 185.8+ 12.1, 90 +/- 10.5], 2nd group [89.1 +/- 20.2, 152 +/- 15.5, 101.6+13.5], 3rd group [97.1 +/- 22.5, 162.9 +/- 16.8. 110.2+10.4] and 4th group [100.2 +/- 21.2, 174.9 +/- 14.5, 121.5 +/- 11.5]. According to the findings, watery of green tea extract speed up the wound healing. We recommend more researches in the field of content enrichment, different methods of use and the effect of them. Examine the water and alcohol of green tea extract on different animals [chronic wounds and burnt] and finally on sick persons

[Effects of Matricaria chamomilla extract injection into paragigantocellularis nucleus on morphine withdrawal signs in rats]

Reports suggest that co-administration of Matricaria Chamomilla [MC] extract with morphine greatly attenuates the dependence on morphine and its injection prior to naloxan inhibits the withdrawal syndrome. Locus Ceruleus [LC] and paragigantocellularis [PGi] nuclei play a key role in appearance of withdrawal syndrome. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the effects of MC extract injection into pGi nucleus on morphine withdrawal in rats. 30 rats [Weighing 250-300gr] were divided into two groups of control [receiving saline] and morphine-treated. Following surgical implantation of cannula, morphine-treated group received morphine twice daily for 7 days. This group was classified into 4 sub-groups.The first sub-group received only morphine while the three remaining sub-groups were administed with Matricaria Chamomilla on day 7, five minutes prior to 1 microliter naloxan injection, with 10, 25, and 50 micro gr/lit, respectively. In all groups 5 mg/kg naloxan was injected 3 hours after the final injection of morphine and withdrawal behavior [jumping and climbing] was investigated for 30 minutes. The results showed that injection of all three high doses of MC extract particulary 25 microgr/microlit into PGi nuclens could significantly decline the symptoms of withdrawal syndrome. It seems that injection of MC extract into PGi nucleus could be beneficial to the treatment of morphine withdrawal syndrome in rats

[Comparison of the efficiency of lovastatin and seed dill extract in reduction of serum lipid levels in rats]

Serum lipid disorders are one of the important risk factors for development of coronary arterial atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of the drug lovastatin and a liquid vegetable extract [dill] on blood plasma lipid levels of rats. In this experimental study, 32 mouse vistar rats weighing 250 +/- 30 grams were included and maintained at 23 +/- 1 degrees Celsius. The rats were divided into 4 groups of 8 rats each. Groups I and II were given normal and high cholesterol diet, while groups III and IV were given high cholesterol diet with either lovastatin or seed dill extract for a period of 3 weeks, respectively. At the end of study, blood samples were taken and plasma lipid levels determined by the manual method. [It is worth mentioning that ultimately 26 rats were included in the study groups]. Results showed that both administration of lovastatin and the seed dill extract led to a significant reduction in plasma levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and LDL/HDL, TG/HDL ratios. There was a significant reduction in the levels of LDL [P<0.001] and also a significant increase in levels of HDL [P<0.001] in both the groups. The effects on plasma triglycerides levels, LDL/HDL and TG/HDL ratios were not significant. Considering the results of the study, seed dill extract affects plasma lipid levels and is more effective in lowering plasma cholesterol and LDL levels as compared to lovastatin