The cytotoxic effect of memantine and its effect on cytoskeletal proteins expression in metastatic breast cancer cell line.

OBJECTIVES: Breast cancer is an important leading cause of death from cancer. Stathmin and tau proteins are regulators of cell motility, and their overexpression is associated with the progression and bad prognosis of breast cancer. Memantine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, is the potential inhibitor of tau protein in neurons. This study determines the effect of memantine on breast cancer cell migration and proliferation, tau and stathmin gene expression in cancer cells and its synergistic effect with paclitaxel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay and for this purpose, MCF-7 breast cancer cells were treated with various concentration of memantine (2, 20 and 100 µg/ml). Tau and stathmin mRNA expression was evaluated through quantitative real time RT-PCR method. The migration of cancer cells treated with memantine for 24 hr was compared to non-treated cells using an in vitro transmembrane migration assay. RESULTS: Incubation of breast cancer cells with memantine resulted in a dose dependent reduction in cell survival (P=0.0001). Paclitaxel (100 nM) showed synergistic effect with memantine (P=0.0001). Memantine significantly decreased tau and stathmin mRNA expression (by RT-PCR), so that 100 µmol/l of memantine decreased tau and stathmin expression by 46% (P=0.0341) and 33% (P=0.043), respectively. Migration of cells was also decreased by memantine (P=0.0001). CONCLUSION: The presented data shows that memantine reduced mRNA levels of tau and stathmin proteins and also reduced cellular migration.

The relationship of exposure to air pollutants in pregnancy with surrogate markers of endothelial dysfunction in umbilical cord.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the association of exposure to ambient air pollution during pregnancy with cord blood concentrations of surrogate markers of endothelial dysfunction. METHODS: This population-based cohort was conducted from March 2014 to March 2015 among 250 mother-neonate pairs in urban areas of Isfahan, the second large and air-polluted city in Iran. We analyzed the association between the ambient carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), particular matter 10 (PM10), and air quality index (AQI) with cord blood levels of endothelin-1, vascular adhesion molecule (VCAM), and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM). Multiple regression analysis was conducted after adjustment for potential confounding factors and covariates. The regression coefficient (beta), standard error of the estimate (SE), and 95% confidence intervals for each regression coefficient (95% CI) are reported. RESULTS: Data of 233 mother-neonate pairs were complete, and included in the analysis. Multiple regression analyses showed that AQI, CO and O3 had significant correlation with cord blood ICAM-1 [Beta (SE), 95%CI: 2.93 (0.72), 1.33,5.54; 2.28(1.44), 1.56,5.12; and 2.02(0.01), 1.03,2.04, respectively] as well as with VCAM-1 [2.78(0.91), 1.69,4.57; 2.47(1.47), 1.43,5.37; and 2.01(0.01),1.07,2.04, respectively]. AQI, PM10, and SO2 were significantly associated with Endothelin-1 concentrations [Beta (SE), 95%CI: 10.16(5.08),7.61,14.28; 9.70(3.46), 2.88,16.52; and 1.07(0.02), 1.03,2.11, respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: The significant associations of air pollutants with markers of endothelial dysfunction during fetal period may provide another evidence on the adverse health effects of air pollutants on early stages of atherosclerosis from fetal period. Our findings underscore the importance of considering environmental factors in primordial prevention of chronic diseases.

The relationship of serum vitamin D and Zinc in a nationally representative sample of Iranian children and adolescents: The CASPIAN-III study.

Background: Vitamin D (VitD) deficiency is a common worldwide problem. Some previous studies have shown that both Zinc (Zn) and VitD deficiency are prevalent in Iran. This study aimed to assess the relationship of serum Zn and vitamin D levels in a nationally representative sample of Iranian children and adolescents. Methods: This case-control study was conducted as a sub-study of a school-based surveillance program entitled "the CASPIAN-III Study". An equal number of individuals with and without hypovitaminosis D including 330 participants aged 10 to 18 years were selected. The correlation of serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH) D), cardiometabolic factors and Zn concentrations was determined. Statistical analysis was done using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson's correlation, linear regression, and logistic regression. Results: The mean age was not significantly different in participants with and without hypovitaminosis D (14.74±2.52 vs. 14.74±2.66 years, respectively, p>0.05). The mean 25(OH) D level was 6.34±1.47ng/ml in the group with hypovitaminosis D and 39.27±6.42ng/ml in controls. The mean Zn level was significantly lower in the hypovitaminosis D group than in controls (1.15±0.26 vs. 1.43±0.32µg/ml, respectively, p<0.001). The Pearson's analysis showed a positive and significant correlation between Zn and 25(OH) D serum levels (p<0.0001). Odds ratios analysis for VitD level between various quartiles of serum zinc concentration for all participants showed that the odds of higher levels of VitD increased by higher levels of Zn. Conclusion: We found significant associations between low serum concentrations of zinc and 25(OH) D. Food fortification or mineral supplementation should be considered in future health programs.

The evaluation and comparison of kidney length obtained from axial cuts in spiral CT scan with its true length.

BACKGROUND: Increased size of kidney is the main symptom of pyelonephritis and renal ischemia in children. Ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) scan methods are the imaging methods for evaluating the urogenital system. The aim of this study is to compare the kidney length obtained from spiral CT scan with the true length obtained from multi-slice CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 100 patients 200 kidneys were examined in Alzahra Hospital in 2012. Multi-slice CT was used to obtain coronal and sagittal cuts to find the length of kidneys. RESULTS: The mean values of true size of axial sections of the right and left kidneys were 108.37 ± 12.3 mm and 109.74 ± 13.6 mm, respectively. The mean difference of axial sections' lengths in the right and left kidneys was 1.37 ± 1.22 mm. The mean values of length in the spiral CT scan of the right and left kidneys were 98.61 ± 15.8 mm and 103.11 ± 15.9 mm, respectively. The difference in the estimated size by multi-slice CT scan in oblique and axial images was significant (9.77 ± 1.19 mm and 6.63 ± 0.8 mm for the right and left kidneys, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The average size of both kidneys determined in axial images was smaller than the actual size. The estimation of kidney size in axial images is not reliable, and to obtain the actual size, it is required to have the coronal and sagittal cuts with proper quality, which could be achieved by multi-slice method.

Relationship of Serum Magnesium and Vitamin D Levels in a Nationally-Representative Sample of Iranian Adolescents: The CASPIAN-III Study.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess the relationship of serum Mg and vitamin D levels in a nationally-representative sample of Iranian adolescents. METHODS: The study participants consisted of 330 students, aged range from 10 to 18 years, consisting of an equal number of individuals with and without hypovitaminosis D. The correlation between serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH) D) and magnesium (Mg) concentrations was determined. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 14.74 ± 2.587 years, without significant difference between those with hypovitaminosis D and those without it. The mean 25(OH) D level was 6.34 ± 1.47 ng/ml in the group with hypovitaminosis D and 39.27 ± 6.42 ng/ml in the group without it. The mean Mg level was 0.80 ± 0.23 mg/dl with lower level in the group with hypovitaminosis D than in others (0.73 ± 0.22 mg/dl vs. 0.87 ± 0.22 mg/dl, respectively) and according to t-test analysis, significant lower levels in the deficient group was observed (P = 0.0001). The linear regression analysis showed the meaningful relationship between Mg and 25(OH) D serum levels (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed significant associations between serum Mg and 25(OH) D levels. This finding may be of use for further studies on the prevention and management of hypovitaminosis D in children and adolescents. Further longitudinal studies shall evaluate the underlying mechanisms and the clinical significance of the current findings.

Association of blood cadmium level with cardiometabolic risk factors and liver enzymes in a nationally representative sample of adolescents: the CASPIAN-III study.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to determine the association of blood cadmium level with cardiometabolic risk factors and liver enzymes in adolescents. METHODS: This case control study comprised 320 Iranian adolescents, 160 with metabolic syndrome and an equal number of controls. They were selected from participants of a nationwide survey entitled the CASPIAN-III study. Cadmium was measured by atomic absorption method. RESULTS: The mean age of the case and control groups was not significantly different (15.3 ± 2.6 versus 14.63 ± 2.5 years, resp., P > 0.05). The mean cadmium level was near double-fold higher than the standards of the World Health Organization, without significant difference between the MetS and control groups (10.09 ± 2.21, 9.97 ± 2.38 µ g/L, resp., P > 0.05). Cadmium level had positive but nonsignificant correlations with diastolic blood pressure, serum triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, LDL-C, and liver enzymes. CONCLUSION: Cadmium level had positive but nonsignificant association with some cardiometabolic risk factors and liver enzymes. The associations did not reach statistical significant level, and this may be because of the high levels of cadmium in both groups studied or because of the young age group of participants. Controlling environmental pollutants shall be a priority for the prevention of chronic diseases.