Development of a high-resolution melting analysis method for CYP2C19*17 genotyping in healthy volunteers

Background: Genetic polymorphisms of drug metabolisms by cytochrome P450 [P450s] could affect drug response, attracting particular interest in the pharmacogenetics. Due to the importance of CYP2C19* 17 allele and its capability of super- fast metabolism and also lack of information about distribution of the alleles in Iranian population, this research aimed to use High Resolution Melting [HRM] method compared to PCR-RFLP for genotyping healthy Iranian population

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 100 healthy Iranian volunteers. DNA was extracted by salting out method. Real-time PCR was used for amplification of the CYP2C19 gene and the alleles were identified by HRM. Sequencing was used to confirm the amplified DNA fragments and data were analyzed using SPSS software ver.18

Results: The frequency of alleles CYP2C19*1/*1, CYP2C19*1/*17 and CYP2C19*17/*17 were estimated as 58.33, 29.1 and 11.1%, respectively. Specificity and sensitivity of HRM method were 90% and 100%, with respect to PCR-RFLP. Also, HRM analysis has been evaluated as a faster and more effective approach

Conclusion: Comparison of our results based on HRM analysis with PCR-RFLP showed that our developed method is rapid, accurate, fast and economic to study the CYP2C19*17 allele and it is appropriate for other similar population genetic studies

Role of endogenous vitamin E in renal ischemic preconditioning process: differences between male and female rats

Antioxidants such as alpha-tocopherol [vitamin E] and beta-carotene [vitamin A] play an important role in protective effect of repeated brief periods of ischemia, namely ischemic preconditioning [IPC]. Values of these antioxidants were investigated and compared after induction of ischemia reperfusion [IR] and kidney IPC in both male and female rats. Forty eight Wistar rats were divided randomly into six groups of 8: groups A and B [male and female controls, respectively], group C [male IR or IR cases], group D [female IR cases] and groups E and F [male and female IPC cases, respectively]. In groups C and D, ischemia was induced by clamping of left renal arteries for 45 min. In groups E and F, rats underwent four cycles of 4 min of arterial clamping and 11 min of de-clamping before final 45 min ischemia induction. Afterward, serum was collected to assess the blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and vitamins E and A values. Renal tissues were obtained for histological assessments. alpha-tocopherol levels in male and female rats showed a significant increase in IPC compared with IR group [P<0.01] and also in female IPC compared with male IPC group. beta-carotene levels had no significant variations. Histological evaluation showed that IR-induced renal injuries were less in female rats. Also, protective effects of IPC were more in female rats [P<0.01]. Renal IPC reduced damages in both male and female rats, but tissue injuries in females were decreased much more along with the increase of endogenous vitamin E

[Appeal of herbal plants as a mechanism for the relief of acute vomiting induced by chemotherapy]

Acute vomiting is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy during the first 24h in patients with cancer. This study investigated the palliative effect of ginger extract on the rate of this complication. This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial that was conducted from August to December 2009 in Imam Khomeini Hospital on 80 women with breast cancer undergoing 1-day chemotherapy periods and suffering from vomiting. After obtaining written consent, the samples were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups. Two groups were matched with each other based on the age and emetic risk of chemotherapy drugs used. Participants of the ginger group received ginger capsules[250mg, orally], four times a day [1gr/d] and the samples from the control group received placebo capsules containing starch from three days before to three days after chemotherapy. During this period, to measure the effect of capsules, a two-part questionnaire was used. So, the patients filled these tools out every night. Then, gathered data were analyzed using statistical tests like Fisher's exact, Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-square by the STATA software version 8. The two groups were matched with each other according to the emetic risk of chemotherapy drugs and disease duration [p=0.1, p=0.06, respectively]. Results indicated that the cases of vomiting in the acute phase were significantly lower in the ginger group compared with placebo group [p=0.04]. Also taking ginger capsules compared with placebo did not wake certain complications [p=0.06]. Taking ginger powder capsules [1gr/d] starting three days before chemotherapy for six days and beyond the routine anti-emetic regimen could reduce the acute phase vomiting

Ginger as a miracle against chemotherapy-induced vomiting

Vomiting is one of the most prevalent side effects of chemotherapy in cancer patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ginger plant on chemotherapy-induced vomiting, since the previous studies were somehow imperfect and have provided controversial results. This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 80 women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy and suffering from vomiting in Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran, between July and December 2009. During a convenience sampling the participants were randomly allocated into treatment and placebo groups after taking a written informed consent. Two groups were matched based on the age and emetic risk of chemotherapy drugs. The treatment group received 250 mg ginger powder capsules [Zintoma] and placebo group 250 mg starch capsules 4 times a day [1 g/day] for 6 days since 3 days before chemotherapy session. A two-part self-made questionnaire was used to assess the effect of ginger. Patients completed the instrument every day. Then by STATA software version 8, the gathered data were analyzed using Fisher's exact, Kruskal-Wallis, and Chi-square tests. The 2 groups had no significant age differences and were matched [ginger: 41.8 +/- 8.4 vs placebo: 45.1 +/- 10, P = 0.1]. Vomiting cases were significantly lower in ginger group at anticipatory [P = 0.04], acute [P = 0.04], and delayed [P = 0.003] phases. Also, heartburn was the only and venial reported side effect [P > 0.05]. Taking ginger capsules [for 6 days since 3 days before chemotherapy] accompanied by the routine antiemetic treatment could relieve chemotherapy-induced vomiting in all phases.

Self-care behavior and affecting factors among patients with heart failure in Iran

To diagnose self-care behavior of heart failure [HF] patients and their correlations with the affecting variables such as age, gender, marriage, educational status, disease duration, left ventricular ejection fraction, and contextual chronic diseases. This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 5 hospitals of Tehran and Iran Universities of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran between March to April 2006. After providing written consent, 250 eligible patients participated. We used the Persian version of the European Self-Care Behavior questionnaire to collect information. The gathered data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, independent-t, and other appropriate tests using SPSS software version 11.5. We found out that only 26% of patients had good self-care and the behavior of `I take my medications as prescribed` was the most performed behavior. These behaviors had a significant reverse relationship with age and re-hospitalization rate, and a direct relationship with other variables [p=0.0001]. It is necessary to understand self-care behaviors of HF patients, and then offer individual and special educational programs regarding these behaviors, and also to follow these behaviors. Administration of these programs by nurses will raise HF patients' capabilities and quality of life