Ammonia Sensing and Cytotoxicity of the Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticle by Arabic Gum (AG).

BACKGROUND: The green synthesizing procedure of Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has been performed through the usage of a natural polysaccharide; Arabic gum (AG) as a stabilizing/ capping agent. For characterization of AgNPs, TEM, particle size analyzer and UV-Vis were used. METHODS: The aim of our project was to identify biosynthesized AgNPs for sensing ammonia and to explore its toxicity on Neuro-2A cells. We also reviewed the patents for biosynthesized AgNO3 and ammonia sensing. The optimal conditions for the synthesis of AgNPs in AG consist of utilizing (0.1g) AG in dH2O (70 ml), 10 ml of 1 mM silver solution and 0.1 mM (AA) at 70°C stirring for 30 minutes. The AgNPs cytotoxicity was evaluated on Neuro-2A cells; consequently, ammonia was sensed with the lowest possible concentration of 10-6. RESULTS: Particle size analyzer displayed the mean diameter of about 70 nm for the sphericalshaped Ag-NPs. UV-Vis revealed that the prepared AgNPs were ammonia sensitive in solution as the concentration of ammonia was increased. The cytotoxicity of AgNPs indicated lower Cell viability at higher concentrations of the AG-capped AgNPs. CONCLUSION: By synthesis of AgNPs in GA by using AA, we successfully prepared a sensor to diagnose ammonia in a cell and sensing its level at concentrations of 10-6 M. In this study, no therapeutic application has been shown, but this method could be utilized industrially for therapeutic purposes in the future.

Effects of body electroacupuncture on plasma leptin concentrations in obese and overweight people in Iran: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity, a major public health problem, is increasing in many countries, including Iran. Leptin, a peptide hormone that is released from adipocytes, is a major factor in appetite regulation. Levels of plasma leptin increase with increased body fat mass (BFM). Research has found acupuncture to be effective both in weight loss and suppression of appetite. Although a few studies have reported the effect of body and ear acupuncture on leptin levels, researchers have performed few studies on the effect of body electroacupuncture in humans. OBJECTIVE: The research team examined the effects of body electroacupuncture and a low-calorie diet on plasma leptin in obese and overweight individuals with an excess (phlegm-dampness or phlegm-heat) or deficiency (spleen/stomach qi deficiency or primary qi deficiency) pattern according to Chinese medicine. DESIGN: The research team randomly assigned participants to one of two groups, intervention or control. SETTING: This study occurred in the nutritional clinic at Ghaem Hospital in Mashhad, Iran. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were individuals (N = 86) between 18 and 65 years of age with body mass indexes (BMI) between 25 and 45 kg/m2. INTERVENTION: The intervention group (n = 47) received actual electroacupuncture, and the control group (n = 47) received sham acupuncture. Both groups consumed a low-calorie diet for 6 weeks. OUTCOME MEASURES: The research team measured plasma leptin, BFM, body weight (BW), and BMI before and after treatment. RESULTS: For participants in the intervention group with both the excess and the deficiency patterns, the research team found a significant reduction in plasma leptin (24.96%, P = .001) and BFM (8.29%, P = .001). In the control group, the team found a less significant reduction in leptin and BFM. The difference between the two groups was significant for leptin (P = .03) but not for BFM (P = .8). CONCLUSIONS: While body electroacupuncture with a low-calorie diet can reduce plasma leptin concentration, the mechanism will require further clarification.

Effects of auricular acupressure combined with low-calorie diet on the leptin hormone in obese and overweight Iranian individuals.

BACKGROUND: Human leptin is a peptide hormone that is released from white adipocytes. The absence of leptin or its receptor leads to uncontrolled food intake, leading to obesity. In the present work, the effects of auricular acupressure combined with low-calorie diet on the leptin hormone level were investigated. METHODS: Volunteers (n=86) with body mass indices (BMI) between 25 and 45 kg/m² were randomised into a case (n=43) or a control (n=43) group. Participants in each group received a low-calorie diet for 6 weeks. The case group was treated with auricular acupressure and the control group received a sham procedure. Plasma leptin levels, body fat mass, body weight and BMI were measured before and after treatment. RESULTS: Participants who received auricular acupressure showed significant reductions in their plasma leptin levels (18.57%, p<0.01) as well as in their body fat mass (4%, p<0.05). These changes were not observed in the control group. The reduction in leptin was significantly greater in the acupressure group than the controls. CONCLUSIONS: Auricular acupressure combined with a low-calorie diet significantly reduced plasma levels of leptin. However, the mechanism of this reduction is not clear.