Protective effect of zizphus vulgaris extract, on liver toxicity in laboratory rats

Some of natural and synthetic products have antioxidant properties which protect the liver against the destructive factors. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Zizphus Vulgaris extracts on mice liver. This experimental study was conducted at Yasouj University of Medical Sciences in 2010 on 30 healthy adult male Wistar rats. Animals were randomly divided into five equal groups: the control group [receiving, olive oil], control group [receiving olive oil and carbon tetrachloride and three intervention groups] receiving different dose of carbon tetrachloride and olive oil] groups. The intervention group was given daily doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg per Kg of Zizphus Vulgaris extract by gavage respectively. After 45 days, the amount of liver enzymes, total protein, albumin and bilirubin in animal's sera were measured. Data were analyzed by the SPSS software, using ANOVA and t-test. The concentration of total protein, albumin, AST, ALT, ALP in test groups I, II and III receiving Z.Vulgaris extract [200, 400 and 600 mg/kg weight] compared with control group were statistically not significant. Consumption of Z.Vulgaris reduced the bilirubin concentration in test groups I and II but this decrease was significant only in the test group I of Z.Vulgaris dose in the test group III [600 mg Z.Vulgaris per kg body weight] showed increase in the level of serum bilirubin. Increase in the ratio of liver weight to body weight of rats in groups I and III in comparison with control groups was noticed although this difference was not statistically significant. Findings of this study revealed that dosage of 600 mg/kg extract of Z.Vulgaris caused significant improvements in CCU induced liver necrosis [P< 0.01] and reduced portal cells inflammation [P <0.01]. Dose of 400 mg/kg of Z.Vulgaris induced some destruction and necrosis of liver cells in animals but significant reduction of portal cells inflammation was seen. Considering the obtained results, it seems that Ziziphus vulgaris fruit extract has shielding effects against toxins on liver cells

[Comparison of unstimulated saliva secretion between heavy smokers and nonsmokers subjects]

Saliva plays an important role in oral homeostasis. Quantitative and qualitative variation in salivary secretion can cause dental caries and periodontal disease. The decrease of saliva may be caused by disease and drugs such as Sjogren Syndrome and Antidepressant drugs. Compare the quantitative variation of unstimulated salivary rate in smoker and non smoker males. This study was case- control. 220 people were evaluated in two groups. Group A were 110 subject male smokers, and group B were 110 subject male non smokers. The subjects had 20-55 years old. The evaluation was based on questionnaire. Heavy smokers have been considered as a target group after completing the questionnaire according to systemic disease and HAD test. After gathering necessary characteristics, they were selected as a case group. Non smoker subjects were selected as a control group. Then in a silent place without any disturbing agent such as stress or tiredness, the salivary rate of subjects was collected by spitting method. Data were analyzed by t - test. The mean age of the smoker subjects were 34.3 and the mean age of nonsmoker subjects were 34.7. The saliva average was 1.2 ml in 3 minutes in case group and 1.7 ml in 3 minutes in the control group. This study showed that; the amount of saliva in smoker subjects was less than nonsmoker subjects, and this difference was statistically significant [P< 0/05]. According to this study, smoking can cause reduction in unstimulated salivary secretion. Therefore, correct oral and dental hygiene instructions should be emphasized for these patients

[Prevalence of hidden prostate carcinoma]

Introduction: Benign prostate hyperplasia [BPH] is the most common benign tumor in males and a major cause of urinary symptoms in most males over 50. Prostate cancer is the second lethal cancer, after lung cancer, in the males

Objective: In attention to the possibility of occurring incidental carcinoma in BPH patients, in this study we decided to estimate its prevalence in urology centers of Rasht hospitals: Razi, Aria and Golsar

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross sectional study, from April 2000 through July 2002, we interviewed all patients who later underwent surgery for BPH and filled out the questionnaire form. The reports of the patients were collected from patients and Rasht pathology centers. Data were analyzed by SPSS.9.0 using chi square test, t- test and fisher exact test. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant

Results: From 1437 patients, 39 patients were excluded from study because their pathology reports were not found, and 1398 patients were enrolled. The mean age of patients was 67.8± 7.8 years [43-91]. Prostate carcinoma was detected in 75 patients [5.4%], and all had adenocarcinoma. Mean age of prostate cancer group was 69.4±8.3 years. Fifty patients [66.7%] were smokers. Familial history of prostatic cancer was negative in all patients in cancer group. In patients with diagnosis of cancer, the major symptoms at admission were irritate symptoms [5.3%], irritate obstructive [94.7%] and none of them had only obstructive signs. The grade of tumor in 62.3% was well differentiated and in 37.7% was moderate differentiated. The mean of PSA in cancer and BPH groups were 8.2±12.7 and 2.6±4.1 mg/ml respectively [P= 0.0001] The kind of operation in 53.1% was TURP and in 46.9% was open prostatectomy. In prostate cancer group, 76% of operations were TURP and in 24% were open prostatectomy

Conclusion: In this study, prevalence of prostate cancer in operated patients with a BPH diagnosis was 5.4% that is similar to other studies