Evaluating the effects of vanadyl sulfate on biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation in renal tissue of rats with diabetes type 2

Vanadyl sulfate (VS) is an ingredient in some food supplements and experimental drugs. This study was designed to assay the effects of VS on biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation in renal tissue of rats with diabetes type 2. 30 male Wistar rats were divided into three equal groups as follow: non-diabetics, non-treated diabetics and VS-treated diabetics. Diabetes type 2 has been induced through high fat diet and fructose in the animals. Diabetic rats were treated with 25 mg/kgBW of VS in water for 12 weeks. At the end of study, glucose and insulin were measured using commercially available kits in serum and biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation in renal homogenates of animals were measured by related methods. Compared to controls, glucose and insulin were increased significantly in non-treated diabetic rats (p-value <0.05) that showed the induction of diabetes type 2 in rats. The results showed that in VS-treated diabetic rats compared to the non-treated diabetic group, vanadyl sulfate significantly reduced the glucose and insulin secretion and changed renal inflammatory and oxidative markers, except protein carbonyl so that we couldn't find any significant changes. Our study showed that vanadyl supplementation had positive effects on oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers in kidney of diabetic rats

[Investigation of the effect of alcoholic Morus alba leave extract on scopolamine-induced spatial memory impairment in rats]

Background and Aim: Many learning and memory abilities decline in several diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia. The present study investigated the effects of alcoholic extract of Morus alba leaves on scopolamine-induced spatial memory impairment in rats

Material and Methods: In this experimental study, forty male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups [n=8]: control group, scopolamine control group, and groups receiving scopolamine plus alcoholic extract of Morus Alba leaves at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day. After 28 days, learning and spatial memory was evaluated by the Morris water maze. Statistical analysis was performed by repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni test

Results: In scopolamine control group, the injection of scopolamine caused learning [P<0.0001] and spatial memory [P<0.05] impairment compared to the control group. Administration of alcoholic extract of Morus alba leaves at the doses of 100 [P<0.05], 200 [P<0.0001], and 400 mg/kg [P<0.0001] improved learning ability in rats. Also, these extracts at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg prevented impairment of spatial memory in rats [P<0.05]

Conclusion: According to the results of this study an alcoholic extract of Morus alba leaves can enhance learning and memory function in rats receiving scopolamine

Whole exome sequencing reveals a BSCL2 mutation causing progressive encephalopathy with lipodystrophy [PELD] in an Iranian pediatric patient

Background: Progressive encephalopathy with or without lipodystrophy is a rare autosomal recessive childhoodonset seipin-associated neurodegenerative syndrome, leading to developmental regression of motor and cognitive skills. In this study, we introduce a patient with developmental regression and autism. The causative mutation was found by exome sequencing

Methods: The proband showed a generalized hypertonia and regression of all developmental milestones. Based on the advantages of next-generation sequencing [NGS], whole exome sequencing [WES] was requested. The functional significance of variants was evaluated by NGS-specific prediction servers. Sanger sequencing was used for segregation analysis in the family

Results: There was no specific sign in the clinical and paraclinical investigations of the patient to establish a conclusive clinical diagnosis. WES detected a known homozygous nonsense mutation in BSCL2 [NM_001122955.3:c.985C>T; p.Arg329*]. The variant is segregating in the pedigree with an autosomal recessive pattern

Conclusion: Exome sequencing is a robust method for identifying the candidate gene variants in Mendelian traits

[Effects of synbiotic gaz consumption on lipid profile in pregnant women: a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial]

Background and Objectives: Although several attempts have been made to decrease lipid profile through consumption of probiotic-containing products among pregnant women, limited data are available assessing the effects of synbiotic foods. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of daily consumption of a synbiotic Gaz on blood lipid profile and biomarkers of oxidative stress including plasma total antioxidant capacity [TAC] and total glutathione [GSH] in pregnant women

Materials and Methods: This randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial was performed on 52 primigravida pregnant women, aged 18-35 year old at their third trimester. After a 2 week run-in period, subjects were randomly assigned to consume either a synbiotic [n=26] or control food [n=26] for 9 weeks. The synbiotic Gaz consisted of a probiotic viable and heat-resistant Lactobacillus sporogenes [1×107 CFU] and 0.04 g inulin /g as the prebiotic. Patients were asked to consume the synbiotic and control Gaz twice a day. Biochemical measurements including blood lipid profile, plasma total antioxidant capacity [TAC] and total glutathione [GSH] were conducted before and after 9 weeks of intervention

Results: Consumption of synbiotic Gaz for 9 weeks resulted in a significant reduction in serum TAG [P=0.04], VLDL [P=0.04] and a significant rise in plasma GSH levels [P=0.004] compared to the control Gaz. No significant effect of the synbiotic Gaz consumption on serum TC, LDL, HDL or plasma TAC levels were observed

Conclusion: Consumption of synbiotic Gaz for 9 weeks resulted in decreased serum triglycerides, VLDLcholesterol and increased plasma total GSH levels compared with the control Gaz among pregnant women

Ginger [Zingiber officinale] induces apoptosis in Trichomonas vaginalis in vitro

Background: Trichomoniasis is the most common sexually transmitted protozoan diseases in the worldwide. Metronidazole is the choice drug for trichomomasis treatment, however, metronidazole resistant Trichomonas vaginalis [T. vaginalis] has been reported. Natural products are the source of most new drugs, and Zingiber officinale [Ginger] is widely used ingredient in the traditional medicine

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of different concentrations of the ginger ethanol extract on the growth of T.vaginalis trophozoites in vitro

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 970 women who were attend in Kashan health centers were examined for T. vaginalis. Of them, 23 samples were infected with T.vaginalis, Three T. vaginalis isolates were cultured in a TYI-S-33 medium. The effect of ginger ethanol extracts and its toxicity in different concentrations [25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 microg/ml] on mouse macrophages were measured in triplicate exam by MTT [3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay. The effect of ginger on apoptosis induction was determined by Flow cytometry

Results: The IC50 of ginger and metronidazole were 93.8 and 0.0326 yg/ml, respectively. 12, 24 and 48 hr after adding different concentrations of extract on mouse macrophages, fatality rates in maximum dose [800 fig/ml] were 0.19, 0.26 and 0.31 respectively. Flow cytometry results showed the apoptosis rate following treatment with different concentrations of the extract after 48 hr were 17, 28.5, 42.1, 58.8, 76.3 and 100% respectively, while in the control group was 2.9%

Conclusion: Ginger ethanol extract induces programmed death itv T. vagincrfis. It is recommended that due to the known teratogenic effect of metronidazole, ginger can be considered as an alternative drug for metronidazole

Effect of multivitamin-mineral versus multivitamin supplementation on maternal, newborns' biochemical indicators and birth size: a double-blind randomized clinical trial

Micronutrient deficiency during pregnancy is associated with several complications. This study was designed to determine the effects of received multivitamin-mineral vs. multivitamin supplements on maternal, newborns' biochemical indicators, and birth size. This double-blind randomized-controlled clinical trial was conducted among 48 Iranian pregnant women, primigravida, aged 18-35 years old in their second and third trimester from December 2011 to September 2012. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either the multivitamin-mineral [n=24] or multivitamin supplements [n=24] for 20 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after a 20-week intervention of pregnant women as well as umbilical cord blood of the babies immediately after delivery to measure serum calcium, vitamin D, iron, magnesium, zinc and biomarkers of oxidative stress including plasma total antioxidant capacity and total glutathione. Multivitamin-mineral compared to multivitamin supplementation resulted in a significant increase in maternal serum calcium [0.5 vs. -0.1 mg/dL, p=0.04] and magnesium levels [0.1 vs. -0.2 mg/dL, p<0.001]. Furthermore, mean plasma total glutathione levels [1791 +/- 566 vs. 1434 +/- 622 micro mol/l, p=0.04] of the newborns whose mothers received multivitamin-mineral were higher than those whose mothers received multivitamin supplements. Overall, multivitamin-mineral compared to multivitamin supplementation for 20 weeks during pregnancy resulted in a significant increase in maternal serum calcium and magnesium levels as well as a significant elevation of newborn plasma total glutathione levels.

sensitivity and specifity of spectrophotometer and polarimeter methodes in the detection of fraud of produced lemon juice in Iran

Daily use and persistence in food consumption, provides grounds for fraudsters to reduce production costs act to various adulterations and thereby threat people's health. This study carried out to survey new distinguish methods in the detection of fraud of produced lemon juice in Iran. Study was conducted with a diagnostic design on 45 samples of lemon juice from 45 factories of producing lemon juice in Iran. The tests of the amount of sodium, potassium, optical rotation, total amino acid and polyphenols were done according to reference books for the detection of fraud in produced lemon juice.Furthermore, the tests of amount of brix, pH, acidity and formalin index were conducted according to national standard of Iran. The condition of produced lemon juice of Iran showed that there was a significant difference between mean sodium of normal versus feigned lemon juice [23.73 vs. 87.33 mg/dL, P<0.0001], potassium [149.07 vs. 63.56 mg/dL, P<0.0001], optical rotation [1.91 vs. 0.72 meq/dL, P<0.0001], total amino acid [247.79 vs. 84.66 mg/dL, P<0.0001] and polyphenols [1.8 vs. 0.81, P<0.0001]. Sensitivity of total amino acid, polyphenols, optical rotation, sodium, potassium, brix, acidity, formalin index, matter dry and pH methods compared with protein were 91.3, 100, 100,100,100, 66.17, 66.17, 66.17, 66.17 and 68.96, respectively. Values of potassium, optical rotation, total amino acid and polyphenols in feigned samples were low but value of sodium was high

Vitamin D deficiency impairs spatial learning in adult rats

Background: through its membrane and intracellular receptors, vitamin D regulates many vital functions in the body including its well-known actions on musculoskeletal system. Growing body of evidences demonstrate that vitamin D undergoes some of behavioral aspects of neurocognition. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of food regimens without vitamin D or with a supplement of 1,25[OH]2D3 on spatial performance of adult rats

Methods: the animals were trained in the Morris water maze to find a hidden platform. The time spent and the distance traveled to find the platform, speed of navigation and the percentage of unsuccessful trials were considered for assessment of the task learning

Results: our findings indicated that the vitamin D-deprived rats had a significant lower performance compared to both the controls and the animals receiving 1,25[OH]2D3 supplementation. Concerning the unsuccessful trials, lack of vitamin D resulted in the highest failures in the maze navigation. The regimen with additional 1, 25[OH] 2D3 did not considerably influence learning of the maze task

Conclusion: we concluded that while vitamin D deficiency deteriorates the spatial task learning, the 1,25 [OH] 2D3 supplementation did not effectively underlie the maze performance. Iran. Biomed. J. 17 [1]: 42-48, 2013

Concentrations of serum zinc, hemoglobin and ferritin among pregnant women and their effects on birth outcomes in Kashan, Iran

Zinc and Iron are essential micronutrients in fetus growth and development. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship of maternal serum Zinc, Hemoglobin and Ferritin levels with their newborns weight, height and head circumference. This cross sectional-analytical study carried out among pregnant women referred to Naghavi Polyclinic, Kashan, Iran from November 2009 to October 2010. One hundred and twenty-nine pregnant women in the third trimester were selected and anthropometric factors of their newborns [weight, height and head circumference] and their relation to serum Zn, Hemoglobin and Ferritin concentrations were assessed. Serum Hemoglobin deficiency [<11g/dl], serum Ferritin deficiency [<12 microg/L] and serum Zn deficiency [<66 microg/dl] were present in 11 [85%], 9 [7%] and 9 [7%] women, respectively. The proportion of newborns with birth weight of 2500-2999 g was greater among mothers with lower Hemoglobin [<11 g/dl] compared to mothers with normal Hemoglobin [>/= 11 g/dl;p-0.04] Multiple regression analysis showed that among biochemical characteristics of pregnant women, serum Hemoglobin levels were positively correlated with low birth weight [beta=0.26; p=0.04]. But serum Zn and Ferritin levels were not significantly associated with weight, height and head circumference. Low maternal serum hemoglobin levels are associated with low birth weight and does not have any association with birth height or head circumference; but there was no significant association between maternal serum zinc and Ferritin levels with weight, height and head circumference

[Comparison of the protein value of a commercial baby food sample with a domestic baby food sample in rats]

Due to economic and biological, evaluation of the protein quality in food substances is of great importance. Therefore, biological, microbiological, chemical and combinational methods have been introduced and used to determine protein quality, among which suggested appropriate methods include net protein ratio [NPR], relative NPR, true protein digestability [TPD] and protein efficacy ratio [PER]. Regarding the importance of protein quality, particularly in lowincome families, this study was conducted in 2006 [1385] to compare the protein value of wheat-based cerelac [commereial] and Mixed Noodle-Soybean [domestic food] in rats. This experimental study was conducted on 64 male wistar rats of 21-day age, divided into eight groups receiving eight varying diets: 4 diets including cases [commercial and domestic baby food], standard [casein + Methionine] and basal [protein free] to investigate NPR, RNPR and PER and 4 diets to investigate TPD. NPR investigation lasted 14 days. To calculate NPR, protein intake and weight gain were determined in rats. TPD investigation took 9 days, and to calculate TPD, nitrogen intake and fecal nitrogen were determined. PER was investigated in 28 days and to calculate it, protein intake and weight change were observed in rats. NPR, RNPR, TPD and PER for the casein + Methionie group with 2 commercial and 2 domestic baby food samples were analyzed using t-test. for casein + Methionine, Cerelac and domestic food group, respectively we found NPRs 4.3 +/- 0.4, 4.3 +/- 0.9 and 3.6 +/- 0.2; TPDs 92.8 +/- 4, 87 +/- 8; 88.5 +/- 4.1; PERs 3 +/- 0.2, 2.5 +/- 0.4 and 2.9 +/- 0.2. Also, difference of NPR and TPD were not significant across the two groups but that of PER was significant. According to the findings, NPR of the domestic noodles+soybean food is lower than commercial cerelac but acceptable. Also, its PER and TPD are higher