The effect of MDMA-induced anxiety on neuronal apoptosis in adult male rats' hippocampus.

Ecstasy or MDMA as a psychoactive drug and hallucinogen is considered one of the most commonly used drugs in the world. This psychotropic substance is discussed both as sexually stimulating and reducing fear and anxiety. Amphetamines also destroy neurons in some brain areas. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of MDMA on anxiety and apoptosis of hippocampal neurons. Forty-two male Wistar rats of mean weight 200-220 g were used and distributed into six groups [control, control-saline, and experimental groups (1.25, 2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg)]. Rats in experimental groups received MDMA at different doses for seven days by intraperitoneal injection and the control-saline group received saline (1 ml/kg); anxiety was then investigated by plus-maze test. Forty-eight hours after behavioural testing brains were taken from animals and fixed, and after tissue processing, slices were stained with TUNEL kit for apoptotic cells. The area densities of apoptotic neurons were measured throughout the hippocampus and compared in all groups (P < 0.05). Physiological studies showed that 1.25 mg/kg and 2.5 mg/kg doses caused anti-anxiety behaviour and 5 and 10 mg/kg doses of MDMA caused anxietylike behaviour. Moreover, our histological study showed that ecstasy increased apoptotic cell numbers and the highest increase was observed with the 10 mg/kg dose of MDMA. We concluded that MDMA can cause different responses of anxiety-like behaviour in different doses. This phenomenon causes a different ratio of apoptosis in hippocampal formation. Reduction of anxiety-like behaviour induced by the 2.5 mg/kg dose of MDMA can control apoptosis.

Effect of maternal morphine sulfate exposure on neuronal plasticity of dentate gyrus in Balb/c mice offspring.

This study carried out to evaluate the effects of maternal morphine exposure during gestational and lactation period on the neuronal cells of dentate gyrus in 18 and 32 days Balb/c mice offspring. In this experimental study 10 female mice were randomly allocated into cases and controls. In experimental group, animals were received morphine sulfate 10 mg/kg/body weight intraperitoneally during 7 days before mating, gestational period (GD0-21), 18 and 32 days after delivery. The control animals were received an equivalent volume normal saline. Cerebrum of six infant for each group were removed and stained with cresyl violet and monoclonal anti-neuronal nuclei (NeuN) antibody. Quantitative computer-assisted morphometric study was done on dentate gyrus of hippocampus. In the P18 mice, the numbers of granular cells in dentate gyrus medial blade and dentate gyrus lateral blade significantly reduced from 171.45 +/- 4.2 and 174.51 +/- 3.1 cells in control group to 153.32 +/- 2.8 and 151.23 +/- 3.2 cells in 10000 microm2 area of granular layer in treated group (p < 0.001). In P32 mice the numbers of granular cells in mb and lb of dentate gyrus significantly decreased from 155.31 +/- 4.1 and 153.77 +/- 3.4 in control group to 138.33 +/- 4.5 and 135.13 +/- 4.3 in treated group, respectively (p < 0.001). The granular layer thickness in mb and lb area of dentate gyrus significantly reduced in treated mice in compared to controls in P18 and P32 mice (p < 0.05). This study revealed that morphine administration before, during pregnancy and lactation period causes neuronal cells loss of dentate gyrus in 18 and 32 days old infant mice.

Gestational diabetes induced neuronal loss in CA1 and CA3 subfields of rat hippocampus in early postnatal life.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of gestational diabetes on the neuronal density of CA1 and CA3 subfields of the hippocampus in Wistar rat offspring. On day 1 of gestation, 10 dams were randomly allocated into two control and diabetic groups. Five animals in the diabetic group received 40 mg/kg/b.w. of streptozotocin (intraperitoneally) and the control animals were received normal saline. Six offspring of each of the gestational diabetics and controls were randomly selected in postnatal days 7 and 21. The infants were scarified and coronal sections were taken from the right dorsal hippocampus and stained with cresyl violet. The number of pyramidal cells per 10000 µm(2) area and the thickness of layers of hippocampus in CA1 and CA3 were evaluated. In postnatal day 7, the number of pyramidal neurons in CA1 significantly reduced from 118.82 ± 8.0 in the control group to 84.71 ± 3.3 neurons in gestational diabetic group, and in postnatal day 21 it significantly reduced from 112.71 ± 6.9 in the control group to 91.52 ± 8.5 in the gestational diabetic group. Also, the number of pyramidal cells of CA3 on postnatal day 7 significantly reduced from 90.33 ± 8.1 in the control group to 62.86 ± 7.2 in the gestational diabetic group, and in P21 the number of pyramidal cells significantly reduced from 78.33 ± 2.4 in the control group to 61.7 ± 9.5 cells in the diabetic group. In CA1 and CA3 the thickness of the pyramidal layer on postnatal days 7 and 21 non-significantly increased in gestational diabetics in comparison with the controls. This study showed that uncontrolled gestational diabetes reduces the pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus in rat offspring.

Efficacy of flour fortification with folic acid in women of childbearing age in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Flour fortification with folic acid is one of the main strategies for improving folate status in women of childbearing age. No interventional trial on the efficacy of folic acid fortification has been conducted so far in Iran. OBJECTIVES: To study the effects of flour fortification with folic acid on any reduction in neural tube defects (NTDs) and folate status of women of childbearing age. METHODS: In a longitudinal hospital-based study, 13,361 postpartum women were studied after admission for childbirth before and after fortification. In addition, two cross-sectional surveys were conducted before (2006) and after flour fortification (2008). The cluster sampling method was used and 580 women, 15-49 years old, were studied as a representative sample of Golestan province in the north of Iran. Fasting blood samples were collected to measure serum vitamin B(12), folate and plasma homocysteine. Sociodemographic data, health characteristics and dietary intake were determined. RESULTS: The mean daily intakes of folate from natural food before and after flour fortification were 198.3 and 200.8 µg/day, respectively. The total folate intake increased significantly from 198.3 to 413.7 µg/day after fortification (p < 0.001). Folate intake increased by an average of 226 µg/day from fortified bread. The mean serum folate level increased from 13.6 to 18.1 nmol/l; folate deficiency decreased from 14.3 to 2.3% (p < 0.001). The incidence rate of NTDs declined by 31% (p < 0.01) in the post-fortification period (2.19 per 1,000 births; December 2007 to December 2008) compared to the pre-fortification period (3.16 per 1,000 births; September 2006 to July 2007). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of mandatory flour fortification with folic acid can lead to a significant increase in serum folate and a significant decrease in NTDs.

Effect of Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae) on testicular tissue in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Urtica dioica L. (Stinging nettle) has already been known for a long time as a medicinal plant in the world. This histopathological and morphometrical study was conducted to determine the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Urtica dioica leaves on testis of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Eighteen male Wistar rats were allocated to equally normal, diabetic and treatment groups. Hyperglycemia was induced by Streptozotocin (80 mg kg(-1)) in animals of diabetic and treatment groups. One week after STZ injection (80 mg kg(-1)), the rats of treatment group received the extract of U. dioica (100 mg/kg/day) IP for 28 days. After 5 weeks of study, all the rats were sacrificed and testes were removed and fixed in bouin and after tissue processing stained with H and E technique. Tubular cell disintegration, sertoli and spermatogonia cell vacuolization and decrease in sperm concentration in seminiferous tubules were seen in diabetic and treatment groups group in comparison with control. External Seminiferous Tubular Diameter (STD) and Seminiferous Epithelial Height (SEH) significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in the diabetic rats compared with controls and these parameters in the treatment group were similar to diabetics animals. This study showed that hydroalcoholic extract of Urtica dioica leaves, after induction of diabetes; has no treatment effect on seminiferous tubules alterations in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Possible role of TORCH agents in congenital malformations in Gorgan, northern Islamic Republic of Iran.

This descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out to explore the frequency of contamination with TORCH agents in neonates with congenital malformations in a referral centre in Gorgan city, Islamic Republic of Iran. Blood samples were taken from 64 neonates and their mothers over a 20-month period in 2003-04. Serologic tests showed that 4/64 infants born with congenital malformations (6%) had positive 1 gM antibody titres for Texoplasma gondil (2 cases), rubella virus (1 case) and cytomegalovirus (1 case). 1 gM was positive in 9/63 mothers (14%), also for T. gondil (3 cases), rubella virus (3 cases) and cytomegalovirus (3 cases). No cases of herpes simplex virus type II or Treponema pallidum were found.

Maternal serum zinc deficiency in cases of neural tube defect in Gorgan, north Islamic Republic of Iran.

Previous studies have shown a high rate of neural tube defects (NTD) in Gorgan, northern (tub efcs (NTD) in Gorgan, northern Islamic Republic of Iran. This case-control study during 2003-04 compared serum zinc levels and other variables in 23 mothers of neonates affected with NTD and 36 mothers with normal healthy neonates in Dezyani hospital in Gorgan. Mean serum zinc levels in the case and control groups were 13.43 micromol/L (SD 6.3) and 11.41 micromol/L (SD 6.3) respectively. Zinc deficiency was found in 13 (36.5%) of the cases and 7 (19.4%) of the controls. Logistic regression analysis showed an association between the presence of NTD and zinc deficiency (OR 5.06; 95% CI: 1.51-16.94).

The effect of Urtica dioica extract on the number of astrocytes in the dentate gyrus of diabetic rats.

Diabetes mellitus is associated with cerebral alterations in both human and animal models of the disease. These alterations include abnormal expression of hypothalamic neuropeptides and hippocampal astrogliosis. Urtica dioica (Nettle) is among several species listed for their use against diabetes in folk medicine. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the astrocyte number in the dentate gyrus of diabetic rats after treatment with nettle. A total of 21 male albino Wistar rats were used in the present study. The animals were divided into three groups: control, nettle-untreated diabetic, and nettle treated diabetic. Hyperglycaemia was induced by streptozotocin (80 mg/kg) in the animals of the diabetic and treatment groups. One week after injection of the streptozotocin, the animals in the treatment group received a hydroalcoholic extract of Urtica dioica (100 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks intraperitoneally. After a 5-week survival period, all the rats were sacrificed and coronal sections were taken from the dorsal hippocampal formation of the right cerebral hemispheres. The area densities of the astrocytes were measured and compared between the three groups (p < 0.05). The number of astrocytes increased in the diabetic rats (24.06 +/- 9.57) compared with the controls (17.52 +/- 6.66). The densities in the treated rats (19.50 +/- 6.16) were lower than in the diabetic rats. Furthermore, the control and treated rats showed similar densities. We concluded that U. dioica extract helped compensate for astrocytes in the treatment rats dentate gyrus in comparison with diabetic rats.

Maternal serum zinc deficiency in cases of neural tube defect in Gorgan, north Islamic Republic of Iran

Previous studies have shown a high rate of neural tube defects [NTD] in Gorgan, northern Islamic Republic of Iran. This case-control study during 2003-04 compared serum zinc levels and other variables in 23 mothers of neonates affected with NTD and 36 mothers with normal healthy neonates in Dezyani hospital in Gorgan. Mean serum zinc levels in the case and control groups were 13.43 micromol/L [SD 6.3] and 11.41 micromol/L [SD 6.3] respectively. Zinc deficiency was found in 13 [36.5%] of the cases and 7 [19.4%] of the controls. Logistic regression analysis showed an association between the presence of NTD and zinc deficiency [OR 5.06; 95% CI: 1.51-16.94]

Possible role of TORCH agents in congenital malformations in Gorgan, northern Islamic Republic of Iran

This descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out to explore the frequency of contamination with TORCH agents in neonates with congenital malformations in a referral centre in Gorgan city, Islamic Republic of Iran. Blood samples were taken from 64 neonates and their mothers over a 20-month period in 2003-04. Serologic tests showed that 4/64 infants born with congenital malformations [6%] had positive IgM antibody titres for Toxoplasma gondii [2 cases], rubella virus [1 case] and cytomegalovirus [1 case]. IgM was positive in 9/63 mothers [14%], also for T. gondii [3 cases], rubella virus [3 cases] and cytomegalovirus [3 cases]. No cases of herpes simplex virus type II or Treponema pallidum were found

The effect of ethnicity on facial anthropometry in Northern Iran.

INTRODUCTION: The evaluation and measurement of human body dimensions are achieved by physical anthropometry. Cephalometery is a branch of anthropometry science in which the head and face anatomical dimensions are measured. This research was conducted in view of the importance of anthropometric indices of the face in forensic medicine, surgery, paediatrics and medical imaging. METHODS: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was set up to determine and compare the face shapes in Fars and Turkman ethnic groups of 808 normal 17- to 20-year-old males and females in Gorgon, North Iran (Fars group 407, male 200 and female 207; Turkman group 401, male 198 and female 203). The length and width of faces were determined by using classic cephalometery technique with Martin spreading callipers, and the shape of faces in the ethnic group of Fars and Turkman in both sexes was compared. RESULTS: The dominant type of face shape in both the native Fars and Turkman females was euryprosopic (37.7 and 51.7 percent, respectively). The dominant type of face shape in the native Fars and Turkman males was mesoprosopic (44 and 38.4 percent, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study determined the possible effect of ethnicity on the diversity of face shapes in young males and females in this region.

The granule cell density of the dentate gyrus following administration of Urtica dioica extract to young diabetic rats.

Urtica dioica L. Stinging nettle has long been known worldwide as a medicinal plant. To study the benefits of the nettle in diabetic encephalopathy, the granule cell density of the dentate gyrus of diabetic rats was studied following administration of Urtica dioica extract. A total of 24 male albino Wistar rats were allocated equally to normal, diabetic, preventive and treatment groups. Hyperglycaemia was induced by streptozotocin (80 mg/kg) in the animals of the diabetic and treatment groups. One week after injection of the streptozotocin the animals in the treatment group received a hydroalcoholic extract of Urtica dioica (100 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks intraperitoneally. The rats of the preventive group received hydroalcoholic extract of U. dioica (100 mg/kg/day) IP for the first 5 days and an injection of streptozotocin (80 mg/kg) on the 6th day. After 5 weeks of study all the rats were sacrificed and coronal sections were taken from the dorsal hippocampal formation of the right cerebral hemispheres and stained with cresyl violet. The area densities of the granule cells were measured and compared in the four groups. The density was lower in the diabetic rats compared with the controls (p > 0.05). The preventive group showed lower cell density than the controls (p > 0.05). The densities in the treated rats were higher than in the diabetic rats (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the control and treated rats showed similar densities (p > 0.05). It seems that U. dioica extract can help compensate for granule cell loss in the diabetic rat dentate gyrus, which can ameliorate cognitive impairment in diabetes. However, preventive use of the extract showed no significant benefit.

Morphometric alterations of the rat spleen following formaldehyde exposure.

Formaldehyde is commonly used in the production of various industrial and medical products. At room temperature formaldehyde easily evaporates. Exposure to formaldehyde can be hazardous to human health. Studies show that the vapour can be the cause of clinical symptoms such as throat, eye, skin and nasal irritation. It can also decrease the production of IgM in the spleen cells. This study was designed to determine the morphometric changes to the spleen in rats when samples were exposed to formaldehyde for 18 weeks. A total of 28 albino Wistar rats aged 6-7 postnatal weeks were divided into the following three case groups according to their exposure to formaldehyde: E1 (2 h/day, 2 days/week), E2 (2 h/day, 4 days/week), E3 (4 h/day, 4 days/week) and one control group. When the exposure period had expired the animals were anaesthetised with chloroform. After cervical dislocation, the abdomen was dissected and spleen specimens were taken. These were sectioned and stained with the haematoxylin and eosin technique for morphometric study. Data was obtained from an Olympus light microscope and then analysed with SPSS (version 11.5) and one-way ANOVA test. The white pulp area and diameter and the marginal zone diameter were greater in group E3 than those in the other groups. The germinal centre area and diameter and the diameter of the periarterial lymphoid sheaths (PALS) were greater in group E2 than in other groups, although there was no significant difference between groups in the area of white pulp and the PALS diameter (p<0.05). This study showed that formaldehyde vapour can cause morphometric changes in the white pulp of the spleen in rats.

Formaldehyde exposure induces histopathological and morphometric changes in the rat testis.

Formaldehyde is a chemical which is traditionally used for fixing cadavers and routine histopathology techniques. It is vaporised during the dissection and practical study of a cadaver. Previous studies have shown that this vapour may cause clinical symptoms such as throat, eye, skin and nasal irritation. This study was designed to determine the histopathology and morphometrics of the rat testis when all the experimental animals were exposed to formaldehyde for 18 weeks. The study was performed in 2004 on 28 albino Wistar rats of 6-7 postnatal weeks. The rats were divided into three case groups (E1: 4 h/d, 4 d/w; E2: 2 h/d, 4 d/w; E3: 2 h/d, 2 d/w) and one control group. The testes specimens were sectioned at 5 microm and stained with the haematoxylin and eosin staining technique for histological and morphometrical studies. We found a severe decrease in germ cells associated with spermatogenesis arrest in the E1 group. A decrease in germ cells and a thickening of the basal membrane of the seminiferous tubules were seen in E2. Displacement of Sertoli and germinal cells were also found in the E3 group. The mean seminiferous tubular diameter and seminiferous epithelial height in the experimental groups were decreased in comparison with the control group and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The findings of this study revealed that chronic formaldehyde exposure can cause histopathological and morphometric changes to the seminiferous epithelium in rats and that these changes depend on the duration of the formaldehyde exposure.

Epidemiology of neural tube defects in northern Iran, 1998-2003.

We determined the rates of neural tube defects at a referral hospital in Gorgan, north Islamic Republic of Iran, and the relations of these abnormalities to sex, maternal ethnicity, maternal age and season. During 1998-2003, there were 109 cases among 37 951 births, a prevalence of 28.7 per 10000 (24.8 and 32.8 per 10 000 among males and females respectively). The rates in Turkmen, native Fars and Sistani ethnic groups were 40.5, 25.2 and 30.8 per 10 000 respectively. The rates of spina bifida and anencephaly were 16.3 and 11.3 per 10 000 respectively. The rate of affected newborns was highest in mothers aged over 35 years (50.7 per 10 000). The peak prevalence was in December.

Effects modification of iron hematoxylin on neuron staining.

Iron weigert staining methods is used as nuclear staining. In present study we introduce a modification iron weigert hematoxylin for staining neuron without astrocytes. Whole brain of adult wistar rats (12-13 week old) were removed, immersed in formaldehyde fixative and embedded in paraffin. Sections, 5-7 microm (from brain cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum) divided to three groups: one for staining by Hematoxyllin and eosin, second for staining by cresyl fast violet (that specially performed for Nisl substances in neuron) and last for staining by modification iron hematoxyllin methods, but different in quantity and quality. In new method general and specific architecture of neuron, nucleus and nuclear envelope was clearly visible reactions of neuron were predominant. Astrocyte did not respond to staining methods. Also spines (axon) of purkinje cells clearly visible. Modification iron weigert hematoxylin can be replacement to cost and time consuming chemical staining method for staining neurons.

Epidemiology of neural tube defects in northern Iran, 1998-2003

We determined the rates of neural tube defects at a referral hospital in Gorgan, north Islamic Republic of Iran, and the relations of these abnormalities to sex, maternal ethnicity, maternal age and season. During 1998-2003, there were 109 cases among 37 951 births, a prevalence of 28.7 per 10 000 [24.8 and 32.8 per 10 000 among males and females respectively]. The rates in Turkmen, native Fars and Sistani ethnic groups were 40.5, 25.2 and 30.8 per 10 000 respectively. The rates of spina bifida and anencephaly were 16.3 and 11.3 per 10 000 respectively. The rate of affected newborns was highest in mothers aged over 35 years [50.7 per 10 000]. The peak prevalence was in December

Congenital malformations at a referral hospital in Gorgan, Islamic Republic of Iran.

This study recorded the rate of congenital malformations in 10000 births at a referral hospital in Gorgan, Islamic Republic of Iran in 1998-99. The overall incidence of congenital malformations was 1.01% (1.19% in males and 0.76% in females). Anomalies of the musculoskeletal system had the highest incidence (0.38%), followed by central nervous system (0.28%) and genitourinary system (0.25%). The incidence of congenital malformations in different ethnic groups was 0.85%, 1.45% and 1.70% in native Fars, Turkman and Sistani groups respectively. Sex and ethnic background are factors in the rate of congenital malformations in this area.

Congenital malformations at a referral hospital in Gorgan, Islamic Republic of Iran

This study recorded the rate of congenital malformations in 10000 births at a referral hospital in Gorgan, Islamic Republic of Iran in 1998-99. The overall incidence of congenital malformations was 1.01% [1.19% in males and 0.76% in females]. Anomalies of the musculoskeletal system had the highest incidence [0.38%], followed by central nervous system [0.28%] and genitourinary system [0.25%]. The incidence of congenital malformations in different ethnic groups was 0.85%, 1.45% and 1.70% in native Fars, Turkman and Sistani groups respectively. Sex and ethnic background are factors in the rate of congenital malformations in this area