The hepatoprotective effect of livergol microemulsion preparation (nanoparticle) against bromobenzene induced toxicity in mice.

Livergol (LG), which is the extract of Silybum marianum and commonly known as milk thistle possess hepatoprotective effect and have got licensed for sale in Iran and other countries. LG was evaluated for its capacity to counteract the toxic effects of bromobenzene (BB) on mouse liver. The bioactive component of this plant is known to reinforce naturally occurring liver function through antioxidant activity, the stimulation of bile production and regeneration by the liver organ, resulting in enhanced protection against toxicants, hepatitis, and cirrhosis. The major bioactive components of this product are the flavonolignan ssilibinin, silidianin, silicristin, and isosilibinin. Mice were treated for 10 days with daily gavage of microemulsions (MEs), into which 0-400 mg/kg LG was dispersed. 0.36 ml/kg BB was injected intraperitoneally (ip) to each animal on day 10, followed by sacrifice on day 11, and histological evaluation of hematoxylin-eosin (HE)-stained liver tissue samples, afterwards followed by evaluation liver enzymes level, aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities. Significant suppression of BB-mediated damage to liver tissue, and increased in AST, ALT, and ALP level was observed to occur dose-responsively with LG administration, suggesting a use for LG as a chemoprotectant for persons chronically exposed to industrial solvents.

The effect of vitamin D on vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: Most of the women suffer from vaginal atrophy and dryness, and therefore, efficient and safe treatment is needed to improve vaginal lubrication. Vitamin D has several important functions which may be effective in proliferation and repair of the epithelial tissue. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin D vaginal suppositories on maturation index, pH, and dryness in postmenopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Women were enrolled in this double-blind clinical trial, in whom menopause occurred at least one year ago. Those women who had an abnormal Papanicolaou smear, had undergone hormonal treatment, or have had vaginal infection in the previous year were excluded. Forty-four women who found eligible were randomized into two equal groups, the treatment and control groups, which received vitamin D and placebo vaginal suppository daily for 8 weeks, respectively. Vaginal pH and maturation value were measured at the beginning and end of the study. Pain, dryness, and paleness were assessed before treatment and at the end of the 2, 4, and 8 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: In the treatment group, the number (Mean ± SD) of superficial cells increased (69.76 ± 12.4) and vaginal pH decreased (1.42 ± 0.67) significantly compared to the control group after 56 days. The mean pain significantly reduced after 8 weeks in the treatment group (1.23 ± 0.53) compared to the control group 1.95 ± 0.74 (P < 0.001). The mean of dryness and paleness reduced significantly in the treatment group versus control at 56 days. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D is effective in improving the maturation index and decreased the pH and dryness of the vaginal atrophy due to menopause.

Hydrogen sulfide ameliorates the kidney dysfunction and damage in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rat.

Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) prevents and treats a variety of disorders via its cytoprotective effects. However, the effects of H2S on rats with cisplatin (CP) nephrotoxicity are unclear. The aim was to study the effects of H2S on rats with CP nephrotoxicity. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: control group, nephrotoxic group received single dose of CP (6 mg kg(-1)) and nephrotoxic groups that received single dose 100 µmol kg(-1) NaHS. On fifth day after injection, urine of each rat was collected over a 24-hr period. Animals were sacrificed 6 days after CP (or vehicle) treatment, and blood, urine, and kidneys were obtained, prepared for light microscopy evaluation, lipid peroxidation content and laboratory analysis. The results showed that plasma urea (226%), creatinine (271%), renal lipid peroxidation content (151%), Na and K fractional excretion, urine protein, volume and kidney weight in CP nephrotoxic rats were significantly higher and urine osmolarity and creatinine clearance lower than in controls. Increases of the proximal tubular cells apoptosis and mesangial matrix in CP nephrotoxicity group rats were observed. Hydrogen sulfide reversed the CP-induced changes in the experimental rats H2S prevented the progression of CP nephrotoxicity in rats possibly through its cytoprotective effects such as antioxidant properties.

Study of the Protective Effect of Teucrium polium L. Extract on Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice.

In the present study, protective effect of Teucrium polium L. (Labiatae) extract on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity was investigated in mice. Animals were divided into six groups, each group consist of 8 mice. Group one as the negative control group received normal saline, while group two received only crude extract of T. polium L. (500 mg/Kg) for five days and group three as the positive group received acetaminophen (500 mg/Kg). Groups four, five and six received crude extract in doses of 125, 250 and 500 mg/Kg, respectively, and on the fifth day, one hour after the last administration, acetaminophen was given orally (500 mg/Kg). Then on the 6(th) day, animals were sacrificed, their blood was collected to determine serum enzyme activities of ALT, AST and ALP to measure the serum levels of directed and total bilirubin. The livers were removed for histological examination. The results of this study showed the protective effect in all doses but the most significant protection was observed in doses of 250 and 500 mg/Kg (p < 0.05). Also these findings were supported and confirmed by histological examination.

Cerebellar neuroblastoma in 2.5 years old child.

Neuroblastoma is the third most common malignancy of childhood, after leukemia and brain tumors. Only 2% of all neuroblastoma occur in the brain. Primary cerebellar neuroblastoma is an specific subset of Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors (PNET). Meduloblastoma is a relatively common and well-established entity, consisting of primitive and multipotential cells that may exhibit some evidence of neuroblastic or gliad differentiation. But cerebellar neuroblastoma with ultrastractural evidence of significant neuroblastic differentiation is extremely rare. We report a rare case of neuroblastoma in the cerebellum. A 2.5-year-old Iranian boy presented with vomiting and nausea in the morning and ataxia. CT scan showed a tumor mass in the cerebellum and the report of radiologist was medulloblastoma. Light microscopic assay showed a small cell neoplasm with lobules of densely packed cells (lobulated pattern) and better differentiated cells. Neuron-Specific Enolase was positive. Pathologic diagnosis confirmed the existence of cerebellar neuroblastoma. Chemotherapy followed surgical removal. No relapse occurred 12 months after surgery.

Adenomyosis among samples from hysterectomy due to abnormal uterine bleeding in Ahwaz, southern Iran.

INTRODUCTION: Adenomyosis is one of the most common, yet underdiagnosed, underlying causes of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of adenomyosis among subjects who underwent hysterectomy due to AUB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied the pathological specimens from 100 cases of AUB who underwent hysterectomy and were referred to Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahwaz (Iran) from 2007 to 2010. All specimens were reviewed by the same pathologist. RESULTS: Pathological findings included adenomyosis 21%, leiomyoma 30%, adenomyosis and leiomyoma 21%, adenomyosis and other pathological causes 7%, and other pathological causes 21%. The overall prevalence of adenomyosis was 49%. Mean age of the patients was 46.9 ± 7.8 years and the highest frequency of adenomyosis was observed in the age group 30-60 years. CONCLUSIONS: Overall prevalence of adenomyosis in the population with AUB (49%) that we studied was higher than that in the reports from other populations. Occurrence of isolated adenomyosis in those aged less than 30 years was rare, and adenomyosis was usually accompanied by other lesions.

An In Vivo Toxicological Study Upon Shallomin, the Active Antimicrobial Constitute of Persian Shallot (Allium hirtifolium, Boiss) Extract.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that shallomin, one of the active constituents of Persian shallot, has a broad range of antimicrobial properties. OBJECTIVES: The safety of shallomin must be established before it can be used in clinical applications. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the acute toxic effects of shallomin and to estimate its lethal dose low (LDLo) value. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TWO SERIES OF EXPERIMENTS WERE PERFORMED: In the first series, we used functional testing to assess the acute toxic effects of shallomin on the blood, liver, and kidney and examined histopathological changes in the liver, kidney, lung, and heart, following 7 days of daily intraperitoneal administration of 3 standard doses (10, 20, and 30 µg/g body weight of mice). In the second series, the LDLo value was estimated by determining daily mortality in mice after 7-day administration of escalating doses of shallomin (10 to 240 µg/g body weight of mice). RESULTS: The results showed that shallomin (at the anticipated in vivo doses), unlike the placebo (ethanol), did not produce any adverse effects on the tested organs. The LDLo value was observed to be 160 µg/g body weight; this value is 8- to 32-times the anticipated in vivo dose that produces antimicrobial effects under in vitro conditions against various pathogenic organisms. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the results of the present study show that shallomin is a relatively safe agent, although its use needs to be carefully monitored. Further in vivo chronic toxicity tests need to be performed to establish the therapeutic potential of shallomin as an antimicrobial agent.

Topical grape (Vitis vinifera) seed extract promotes repair of full thickness wound in rabbit.

In recent years, oxidative stress and free radicals have been implicated in impaired wound healing. Grape (Vitis vinifera) seed extract (GSE) possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The present study was undertaken to assess the potential activity of grape seed hydroalcoholic extract in wound healing in rabbits. Rabbits of either sex were subjected to a 20 × 20 mm square excision made over the skin of the back. The animals were randomly divided into seven experimental groups, as negative and positive control, eucerin and treatments. Negative control group did not receive any treatment. Positive control and eucerin groups received phenytoin cream (1%) and topical eucerin, respectively, twice a day from the beginning of experiments to complete wound closure. Treatment groups were treated topically by cream of GSE (2, 5, 10 and 70% w/w) in eucerin base, twice daily. For evaluation of the percentage of wound healing, area of the wound was measured daily. Histological studies were performed on the 7th and 15th days of treatments. After complete healing, hydroxyproline content and tensile strength measurement of tissue samples were done. Results showed that there were statistically significant differences between GSE treatments groups and eucerin animals (P < 0·05) in most of the days. Rabbits treated with 2% GSE had best results (completed healing in 13 days, higher hydroxyproline content and higher tissue resistance). We concluded that the extract of 2% GSE administered topically has a good potential to promote wound healing in wound model of rabbits.

Protective Effect of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE) on Amiodarone-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosisin Rat.

Treatment with amiodarone, a commonly prescribed antidysrhythmic agent, is associated with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) which is a commonly progressive and untreatable disease. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a phenolic antioxidant and an active anti-inflammatory , anticancer, antimicrobial and antioxidant component of propolis (bee glue; a resinous hive product collected by honey bees). In the current study, the effects of CAPE on amiodarone-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rat were investigated. Male rats were divided in to 4 groups. The first group only received amiodarone (6.25 mg/Kg) on first and third day. The second group received only vehicle (distilled water) with the same volume and in the same time as the first group. The third and fourth groups received amiodarone and were treated with CAPE , 5 and 10 µmol /day respectively, from 2 days before the first dose of amiodarone and until 21 days after the second dose of amiodarone. At the end of treatment course, lung tissue was removed for histopathology and biochemical evaluations. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, myeloperoxidase MPO) and super oxide dismutase (SOD) activities were determined in lung tissue. Histopathological evaluation was performed using light microscopy. MDA level and the activity of myeloperoxidase and superoxide dismutase enzymes significantly decreased in the group which was treated with CAPE (5 µmol/Kg). However, 10 µmol/Kg CAPE had not such an effect. Both doses of CAPE could histopathologically reduce the fibrogenic effects of amiodarone . CAPE was shown to be effective in reducing amiodarone-induced pulmonary fibrosis with the dose of 5 µmol/Kg.

Pathologic fractures: a neglected clinical feature of parathyroid adenoma.

The pattern of clinical presentation of primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) has changed dramatically from a severe disease to an asymptomatic condition in Western countries. The story is completely different in Eastern countries. Bone and joint related sign and symptoms like bone pain and multiple fractures are common in these patients. Imaging and nuclear medicine studies will be helpful specially in patient who candidate for surgical removal of the abnormal parathyroid gland. Here, we present a 48-year-old man with multiple typical fractures in long bones and a single adenoma in his right inferior parathyroid gland. pHPT is a severe, symptomatic disease with serious complications and high morbidity in Iran. Advanced skeletal disease is the most common pattern of presentation.

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) involvement in human endometrial remodeling during the menstrual cycle.

BACKGROUND: Endometrial remodeling occurs during each menstrual cycle in women. Reports have shown that, in a variety of cell types, processes such as proliferation, signaling complex formation and extra cellular matrix remodeling require a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase, focal adhesion kinase (FAK). The present study has focused on the expression pattern of FAK in human endometrium during the menstrual cycle. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the probable function of FAK in menstrual cycle changes and the role of FAK in tissue repair and tissue remodeling in vivo. METHODS: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded endometrial samples were obtained from 400 pre-menopausal, non-pregnant women, who underwent hysterectomy and biopsy for benign diseases. Forty six samples with no tissue abnormalities were studied and ABC staining method of immuno-histochemistry methods was applied. Positive staining of FAK by different cell types of human endometrium was scaled and compared with each other by using histologic score method. RESULTS: All different cell types of endometrium showed various patterns of FAK expression in different stages of menstruation. FAK in glandular and luminal epithelial cells is up-regulated during the early proliferative (EP) to mid-secretory (MS) phases. FAK in stromal cells is up-regulated during the EP, early and MS phases in comparison to the late secretory (LS) phase. FAK expression in endothelial cells is up-regulated during the EP and MS phases in comparison to LS phase. This study showed that endometrial FAK expression is a phase-dependent manner during the menstrual cycle. CONCLUSION: It appears that up-regulation of FAK during the proliferative phases is responsible for endometrial regeneration and high expression of FAK in the EP and MS phases may associate with the implantation. Down-regulation of FAK during the LS phase may facilitate apoptosis in human endometrium. It seems that FAK as a key kinase plays a critical role in endometrial remodeling that it may regulate by steroid hormones.

Relationship between expression of p53 protein and tumor subtype and grade in renal cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Our aim was to evaluate the overexpression of p53 protein, product of mutated TP53 gene, in histologic sections of the kidneys with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and its association with tumor grade and subtype. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 66 histologic sections of the kidneys of patients with the diagnosis of RCC were re-evaluated and tumor grade, tumor subtype, and p53 expression were determined. RESULTS: Of the total 66 histologic sections with the diagnosis of RCC, 34 (51.5%), 27 (41%), and 5 (7.5%) were conventional, papillary, and chromophobe subtypes, respectively. Fifty-one (77.3%), 14 (21.2%), and 1 (1.5%) of tumors were grade 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Thirty (45.4%) sections were positive for p53 immunohistochemical staining. In 7 cases (20.6%) of the conventional tumors, p53 staining was positive, while 18 papillary (66.6%) and 5 chromophobe tumors (100%) had a positive staining for p53 (P < .001). Seventeen out of 51 grade 2 tumors (33.4%) and 12 out of 14 grade 3 tumors (85.7%) were positive for p53. The single case of grade 4 tumor was positive for p53 protein, too (P = .001). CONCLUSION: Increased expression of p53 protein is rather prevalent in RCC. This factor is associated with tumor grade and subtype. According to our findings, it is generally accompanied by nonconventional subtypes and higher tumor grades.