The association of paraoxonase I gene polymorphisms Q192R (rs662) and L55M (rs854560) and its activity with metabolic syndrome components in fars ethnic group.

OBJECTIVES: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) may cause premature development of some diseases. PON1 genes may be involved in the pathogenesis of MetS. The aim of study was to evaluate the association between Q192R and L55M gene polymorphisms and its enzyme activity with the MetS components in subjects with and without MetS. METHODS: Polymerase Chain Reaction and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism analysis were performed to determine polymorphisms of the paraoxonase1 gene in subjects with and without metabolic syndrome. Biochemical parameters were measured by spectrophotometer. RESULTS: The MM, LM, and LL genotype frequencies of the PON1 L55M polymorphism were 10.5, 43.4, and 46.1%, and 22.4, 46.6, and 31% and; the QQ, QR, and RR genotype frequencies of the PON1 Q192R polymorphism were 55.4, 38.6 and 6%; and 56.5, 34.8 and 8.7% in subjects with and without MetS, respectively. The L and M allele frequencies were 68 and 53%; and 32 and 47% for PON1 L55M in subjects with and without MetS, respectively. The Q and R allele frequencies for PON1 Q192R were 74 and 26% in both groups. There were significant differences in HDL-cholesterol level and PON1 activity in the genotypes QQ, QR, and RR of the PON1 Q192R polymorphism in subjects with MetS. CONCLUSIONS: The PON1 Q192R genotypes had only effected on PON1 activity and HDL-cholesterol level in subjects with MetS. Different genotypes of the PON1 Q192R seem to be important candidates to make the subjects susceptible to MetS in the Fars ethnic group.

Fabrication of nano-decorated ZnO-fibrillar chitosan exhibiting a superior performance as a promising replacement for conventional ZnO.

In this research, bioactive nano-hybrids based on the nano-fibrillar chitosan-ZnO (NF-CS-ZnO) were synthesized to diminish the toxicity of ZnO-NPs. The successful formation of nano-hybrids was confirmed by FT-IR, UV-Vis, and FE-SEM analyses, showing a uniform spherical ZnO-NPs with an average diameter of 20-30 nm, homogeneously dispersed on NF-CS. The obtained results demonstrated a remarkable antibacterial activity of NF-CS-ZnO-0.6 nano-hybrid against E. coli and S. aureus and, interestingly, no cytotoxic on normal cells (even at a high concentration of 100 µg/mL). Furthermore, NF-CS hybridization efficiently decreased the up-regulation in Cas3, Cas9, and Il6 of inspected fishes compared to the ZnO-NPs. Histopathological examination revealed hepatocyte necrosis in the fish exposed to ZnO-NPs and hyperemia exposed to NF-CS-ZnO-0.6 nano-hybrid. Finally, NF-CS efficiently improved the bio-safety and bactericidal activity of ZnO-NPs; therefore, NF-CS-ZnO nano-hybrid is prominently recommended as a talented low-toxicity antibacterial agent replacement of conventional ZnO-NPs for use in different applications.

Effects of Onosma dichroanthum Boiss. root extract on AGS human gastric cancer cell-line.

One of the cancer-related deaths is gastric cancer in this area. Onosma dichroanthum Boiss. roots have been used as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory for wound healing treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro cytotoxic and anticancer effects of O. dichroanthum Boiss. roots from the Golestan province of Iran. After identification of the taxonomical effect of O. dichroanthum Boiss., different concentrations of the hydroalcoholic root extract were used. Three different time periods (24, 48, and 72 h) were used to treat AGS gastric cancer and L-929 normal fibroblasts cell lines. The evaluation of different concentrations of root extract was performed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The 48 h treatment affected cell survival, while the concentration of 64 µg/mL was determined as IC50 concentrations at 48 h incubation time. The 48 h incubation time with 64 µg/mL showed the best effectiveness on cancerous cell-line while being safe for normal cell-line. Our results show that O. dichroanthum Boiss. roots extract may have cytotoxic and safe effects on gastric cancer cell-line and normal cells in 48 h treatment periods, respectively. The results indicated the O. dichroanthum Boiss. may be as an effective anticancer agent (gastric cancer).

Havachoobe (Onosma dichroanthum Boiss) Root Extract Decreases the Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen Secretion in the PLC/PRF/5 Cell Line.

BACKGROUND: Many efforts are currently focused on functional treatment of the hepatitis B virus (HBV). This can be done by suppressing the secretion of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). Scientific communities are very interested in natural products in that respect. OBJECTIVE: Use of root extract of Havachoobe (Onosma dichroanthum BoissI), a Northern Iranian native medical herb, for assessment of its anti-HBsAg secretion activity. METHODS: Havachoobe had been bought at a nearby apothecary store. Plant root extract was obtained using a hydroalcoholic process. Cytotoxic activity of the extract was examined on PLC/PRF/5 cells using MTT assay. ELISA has been used to measure HBsAg in the treated cell line supernatants. In addition, real-time PCR analysis was performed to evaluate the expression of HBsAg before and after treatment of Onosma in vitro. RESULTS: The results showed very low root extract cytotoxicity at concentrations under 8 µg/mL. Tissue culture infectious dose 50 was obtained at 63.78 µg/mL. In a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner, a significantly reduced HBsAg secretion was observed at a concentration of 8 ppm at 12 h post-treatment. The real-time PCR result showed relative decreased HBsAg expression at all doses at 12 h post-treatment time. DISCUSSION: In this study, we first reported anti-HBsAg activity on an Iranian herbal medicine. Havachoobe root extract was shown to be able to inhibit HBsAg in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. We find the extract exerts its inhibitory effect of HBsAg by targeting transcription of HBsAg.

The most effective polymorphisms of paraoxonase-1 gene on enzyme activity and concentration of paraoxonase-1 protein in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and non-diabetic individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Many studies have evaluated the association of paraoxonase-1 (PON1) gene polymorphisms with enzyme activity and concentration in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the exact impact of these polymorphisms is not still obvious. Hence, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify the association of PON1 polymorphisms with its enzyme characteristics in T2DM patients and non-diabetic individuals. METHODS: We searched electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Scopus for publications by April 2018. The pooled response ratio (rr) for the association and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a fixed-effect model. RESULTS: Fifteen relevant studies fulfilled our inclusion criteria. The results showed a 1.25-fold increase in total PON1 activity in non-diabetic group against T2DM patients (p-value = 0.024). Also, only Q192R and L55M polymorphisms had sufficient studies to be included in the meta-analysis. All three genotypes of Q192R polymorphism showed significantly different activities between the study groups with the highest pooled effect size for RR genotype (rrQQ < rrQR < rrRR) while this difference was seen only in LL genotype of L55M polymorphism. Therefore, Q192R polymorphism was more correlated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In case of concentration, there was no significant differences between two groups (p-value = 0.897). CONCLUSION: Current meta-analysis suggested that the observed difference of total PON1 activity was due to the different activity of various genotypes of PON1 enzyme in case of L55M and Q192R polymorphisms so that LL and RR genotypes had the most important role in the establishment of mentioned difference.

Impact of Seminal Plasma Trace Elements on Human Sperm Motility Parameters.

INTRODUCTION: Human seminal plasma contains a variety of macro and trace elements including magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) that have essential roles in normal functioning of semen and its quality. The imbalance of these elements has been reported in several pathologic and male infertility disorders. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the levels of these elements in seminal plasma samples, their relationships with each other and their impact on sperm motility. METHODS: Overall, 192 males (96 normospermic and 96 asthenospermic males) were enrolled in the study. Semen samples were collected by masturbation and computer-assisted/aided semen analysis of sperm motility was performed. The samples were centrifuged and seminal levels of Mg, Cu, Zn and Fe were measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy. RESULTS: The levels of Zn did not differ between the two groups, while the levels of Mg, Cu, and Fe were significantly higher in normospermic males. Fe showed a positive correlation with Mg and Cu in asthenospermic group. However, a negative relationship was found between Mg and Fe levels and between Mg and sperm concentration in the normospermic group. Fe levels were higher in the normospermic group compared to the asthenospermic group. Nevertheless, increased Fe levels caused a decrease in most of sperm motility fractions. CONCLUSION: Elements play major roles in male fertility and directly affect sperm quality. According to the results of this study, the levels of Zn do not affect the sperm quality and motility, while Fe, Cu and Mg are decreased in males with sperm motility problems. Nevertheless, Fe levels can adversely affect sperm motility in normospermic men.

Serum levels of nitrite/nitrate, lipid profile, and Fasting Plasma Glucose and their associations in subclinical hypothyroid women before and after a two month treatment by levothyroxine.

BACKGROUND: Subclinical hypothyroidism (sHT) is a condition defined by elevated TSH values with normal levels of free thyroid hormones. Altered metabolic status is one of the consequences of sHT which can affect serum levels of FPG, lipid profile, and nitric oxide which propounds cardiovascular consequences per se. The aim of this study was to determine the possible effects of sHT on nitrite/nitrate levels, as a marker of endothelial performance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 50 females were enrolled in this study, 25 women as control group and 25 women as case group (evaluated two times: before and after levothyroxine therapy). Blood samples were collected and levels of FPG, lipid profile components, and nitric oxide were measured spectrophotometrically. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 18 software. RESULTS: The levels of lipid profile (except for TG between before and after group, p < 0.05) and nitric oxide did not differ in groups while FPG was significantly higher in case groups in comparison to control group (p < 0.001). Nitric oxide had no correlations with any of variables except for LDL in after treatment group (p < 0.05 and r = 0.397). CONCLUSION: Nitric oxide does not have correlation with components of lipid profile (except for LDL) or FPG and has no differences in subclinical hypothyroid patients and control group. Levothyroxine therapy during 2 months cannot alter the levels of nitric oxide in subclinical hypothyroid patients.