The delayed effect of mustard gas on housekeeping gene expression in lung biopsy of chemical injuries.

OBJECTIVE: Sulfur mustard (SM) was used as a chemical weapon in Iraq-Iran war. Exposed people have major complications in important organs such as pulmonary system. Some studies have shown that SM could affect the expression of endogenous genes and non-housekeeping genes, time dependently. To understand the accurate molecular mechanism of the delayed effect of SM, the identification of the gene expression pattern in these patients is essential. Hence, we have evaluated mRNA expression of four common housekeeping genes (ACTIN, PGK1, ß2m, GAPDH) in SM-exposed and non-exposed (control) formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) human lung tissues. METHOD: Paraffin block of lung biopsy of SM-exposed people (11 cases) and people without exposure to SM as control group (9 cases) have been selected. The mRNA expression of four endogenous control genes has been evaluated by qRT-PCR. The stability value of each gene was calculated by different methods. RESULT: It was found that ACTIN mRNA has the highest expression (30.26±2.87) and PGK1 has the lowest standard deviation (SD) (30.885±2.215) between pooled groups. The best correlation was between ACTIN and PGK1 expressions. The M value has shown that ACTIN and then PGK1 are the most stable housekeeping genes among. The results obtained from the GeNorm and NormFinder have indicated that the pair ACTIN- PGK1 is the most suitable choice for endogenous control genes. CONCLUSION: ACTIN and PGK1 genes are stable in studied lung tissues and are the better than two other housekeeping genes. In addition, mustard gas does not affect their expression in long term.

Locus coeruleus lesions and PCOS: role of the central and peripheral sympathetic nervous system in the ovarian function of rat.

BACKGROUND: "Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine and metabolic disorder associated with ovulatory dysfunction". "Autonomic and central nervous systems play important roles in the regulation of ovarian physiology". The noradrenergic nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) plays a central role in the regulation of the sympathetic nervous system and synaptically connected to the preganglionic cell bodies of the ovarian sympathetic pathway and its activation is essential to trigger spontaneous or induced LH surges. This study evaluates sympathetic outflow in central and peripheral pathways in PCO rats. OBJECTIVE: Our objectives in this study were (1) to estimate LC activity in rats with estradiol valerate (EV)-induced PCO; (2) to antagonized alpha2a adrenoceptor in systemic conditions with yohimbine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty two rats were divided into two groups: 1) LC and yohimbine and 2) control. Every group subdivided in two groups: eighteen rats were treated with estradiol valerate for induction of follicular cysts and the remainders were sesame oil groups. RESULTS: Estradiol concentration was significantly augmented by the LC lesion in PCO rats (p<0.001), while LC lesion could not alter serum concentrations of LH and FSH, like yohimbine. The morphological observations of ovaries of LC lesion rats showed follicles with hyperthecosis, but yohimbine reduced the number of cysts, increased corpus lutea and developed follicles. CONCLUSION: Rats with EV-induced PCO increased sympathetic activity. LC lesion and yohimbine decreased the number of cysts and yohimbine increased corpus lutea and developed follicles in PCO rats.

The effect of cold stress on polycystic ovary syndrome in rat: before and during modeling.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was the evaluation effects of a chronic intermittent cold stress regimen before and during PCO modeling in rat. METHODS: Forty-eight rats were treated with estradiol valerate for 60 days in order to induction of follicular cysts (PCO modeling). Rats were divided into two groups: (1) before (cold stress 3 weeks then PCO modeling) and (2) during modeling (cold stress and PCO simultaneous). RESULTS: The biochemical and histological findings show that in simultaneous cold stress and estradiol injection group PCOS modeling has been done successfully and in the other group cold stress prevents induction of PCO in rats. CONCLUSION: The present study is the first survey that reports 3-week chronic stress before estradiol injection prevents the induction of PCO in rats.

The role of opioid system and its interaction with sympathetic nervous system in the processing of polycystic ovary syndrome modeling in rat.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of interaction of sympathetic and opioid systems in the processing of polycystic ovary syndrome modeling in rat. METHODS: Ninety adult female rats (7-8 weeks of age) were treated with EV for 60 days for induction of follicular cysts (PCO modeling). Clonidine and yohimbine were used for sympathic agonist and antagonist and nalterxone was used for opioid system inhibition. Interactions of two systems were studied. RESULTS: Our results indicate that both systems and interaction of two systems are effective in processing modeling of PCOS in rat. Interaction of two system drugs decreased estradiol (P < 0.05). Qualitative analysis showed that the bulk of cysts and corpus lutea and dominant follicles were increased in PCO rats in comparison with control group. CONCLUSION: Therefore there could been an alternative in the treatment of the polycystic ovary syndrome in the rat by using adrenergic agonist and antagonists in combination with naltrexone.