Search

Background: Harmaline exhibits a diverse array of pharmacological properties, including antimicrobial, antidiabetic, osteogenic, immunomodulatory, emmenagogue, and antitumor activities. The current study aimed to investigating the effect of harmaline on oxidative stress factors in lung epithelial cells exposed to elastase. Material and method: oxidative stress markers of lung epithelial cells were investigated in all cell groups including, control, H2O2, elastase and elastase plus harmaline (50, 100, 200 µm). lung epithelial cells (A549) were exposed to elastase with concentrations of 60 U/ml for 24 hours. In other groups, cells exposed to elastase were co-treated with three different doses of harmaline (50, 100 and 200 µm) for 24 hours at 37°C. Results: the results show a significant effect of harmaline's protective effect on cell viability, free radical production (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). harmaline significantly increased the viability and TAC level in the cells exposed to elastase. Also, harmaline significantly decreased the percentage of free radicals and the MDA level in the cells exposed to elastase. Conclusion: The results obtained from this study showed a significant protective effect of harmaline on cell viability through increases in antioxidant defense system. Therefore, harmaline, can probably considered as a therapeutic strategy to prevent or treatment of lung diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The health-related quality of life in patients who have received kidney transplants plays a crucial role in determining the timing of their dialysis initiation and their involvement in family and community settings. Consequently, this study was conducted to evaluate the quality of life among kidney transplant recipients. Method: This research is a retrospective descriptive-analytical study involving patients who have undergone kidney transplantation within the past year, carried out at Golestan and Imam Khomeini Ahvaz hospitals. A specific questionnaire, the KDQOL-SF, was employed to gather data on the quality of life of these patients. The study comprised 27 participants who were at least 6-months post-transplant. Results: The results indicated that the overall quality of life among the participants was average, with those who were one-year post-transplant reporting improved quality of life scores. It was observed that men and married individuals had significantly higher quality of life scores compared to their female and single counterparts. Furthermore, participants aged 26 to 30 years exhibited the highest quality of life scores, and a significant positive correlation was found between quality of life and the level of social support received by kidney transplant patients. Conclusion: In summary, the findings of this study suggest that the quality of life for kidney transplant recipients is generally average, with notable improvements occurring one year after the procedure. Additionally, demographic factors such as gender, marital status, and age, along with the presence of social support, are significant determinants of quality of life in this demographic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies conducted on animal models have shown that the administration of glycerol can lead to kidney tissue damage and impaired renal function. This is believed to be caused by oxidative stress and inflammation, which in turn can result in elevated levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. These metabolites are commonly used as indicators of renal function. The aim of the current experimental research was to investigate the protective efficacy of ellagic acid in a rat model of rhabdomyolysis induced by glycerol. Sixty healthy adult male Wistar rats weighing between 250 - 300 g were divided into five equal groups including control, rhabdomyolysis (administered 8.00 mL kg-1 of glycerol), and three rhabdomyolysis plus various doses of ellagic acid (25.00, 50.00 and 100 mg kg-1 per day; 72 hr after receiving glycerol for 14 days successively) groups. Serum levels of BUN, creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, electrolytes and inflammatory cytokines were evaluated in all rats. Histopathological studies were also performed on kidney tissues from all groups. The administration of ellagic acid resulted in a significant increase in renal function biomarkers compared to the rats with acute kidney injury. This increase was consistent with notable reductions in tumor necrosis factor-a levels and increases in interleukin-10 levels observed in blood samples. Furthermore, the improvement in histopathological indices observed in rats received ellagic acid confirmed its nephroprotective role. The results of the current experimental study suggest that ellagic acid can improve kidney damage following glycerol injection, potentially by modulating the inflammatory process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the metabolic and biochemical abnormalities in children with nephrocalcinosis to identify its important risk factors and better understand the disease pathophysiology. Data were collected from the medical records of 163 children diagnosed with nephrocalcinosis. Their clinical and laboratory characteristics at admission were recorded, and a 24-hour urinalysis was performed to measure parameters such as calcium, oxalate, citrate, uric acid, magnesium, and cystine. Family history of kidney stones and parental consanguinity were present in 58.8% and 58.2% of patients, respectively. The most common underlying conditions were hyperparathyroidism (24%), distal renal tubular acidosis (16.6%), and medullary sponge kidney (12.9%). The main abnormalities included hypocitraturia (65.2%), hypercalciuria (51.9%), hypomagnesuria (44.6%), hyperoxaluria (39.1%), hyperuricosuria (31.5%), vitamin D deficiency (30.06%), and metabolic acidosis (27%). Patients with kidney stones and failure to thrive had higher rates of hypercalciuria. Metabolic acidosis was more common in those with parental consanguinity and vitamin D deficiency. Renal failure at final follow-up was more evident in older patients, those with parental consanguinity, hypokalemia, acidosis, and hyperparathyroidism. End-stage renal disease was more frequent in patients with consanguineous parentage, hyperparathyroidism, hypokalemia, and acidosis. Parental consanguinity, family history of kidney stones, and urinary metabolic disorders are important risk factors for pediatric nephrocalcinosis. This highlights the need for genetic counseling, screening, and monitoring of biochemical abnormalities. Early diagnosis and timely treatment are crucial to maintain glomerular function and prevent kidney failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): The goal of the current experiment was to define the efficacy and underlying molecular mechanisms of Ellagic acid (EA) on acute kidney injury (AKI) induced impairment in cognitive and synaptic plasticity in rats. Materials and Methods: Administration of 8 ml/kg glycerol (intramuscular) was used to establish the AKI model. Injured animals were treated by EA (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, daily, gavage) for 14 consecutive days. To approve the renal injuries and the effects of EA on AKI, creatinine values in serum and urea nitrogen (BUN) values in blood were measured. Cognitive performance was investigated using the Morris water maze test. In vivo long-term potentiation (LTP) was recorded from the hippocampus. Then, the level of IL-10β and TNF-α levels were measured using ELISA kits. The integrity index of the Blood-brain barrier (BBB) was assessed by extravasation of Evans blue dye into the brain. Results: Glycerol injection increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr) levels significantly in the AKI group, and EA treatment resulted in a significant reduction in BUN levels in all concentration groups. Also, a significant reduction in the cerebral EBD concentrations was demonstrated in EA treatment rats. Moreover, the indexes of brain electrophysiology, spatial learning, and memory were improved in the EA administrated group compared with the AKI rats. Conclusion: The current experiment demonstrated the efficacy of EA in hippocampal complication and cognitive dysfunction secondary to AKI via alleviating the inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kidney failure is an irreversible condition and an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide. In conventional medicine, the methods of controlling these disorders and the existing treatments in many cases seem inadequate and sometimes ineffective. Due to the growing popularity of society in the use of knowledge and traditional medicine and herbal medicine, the potential of Iranian ethnobotanical knowledge can be used to find more effective treatment strategies. The aim of this study was to extract medicinal plants used in Iranian ethnobotanical knowledge in order to identify medicinal plants affecting renal failure. In this review study, keywords such as renal failure, renal impairment, hypertension, diabetes, herbs, ethnobotanics, and Iran were used. Databases such as ISI, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, ISC, SID and Google Scholar were used to review articles and resources. Finally, 23 articles containing ethnobotanical information for the treatment of renal failure were used to review the literature. Medicinal plants such as Lamium album L., Origanum vulgare, Allium sativum L., Berberis vulgaris L., Ecbalium elaterium, Crataegus monogyna, Paliurus spina-christi Miller., Rheum ribes L., Olea europea, Silybum marianum L., Teucrium polium L., Nigella sativa L., Ziziphus jujuba (L) H.Karst, Centaurea bruguieriana Hand. Mzt., Juglans regia L., Brassica Napus L. and some other herbs. are the most important medicinal plants used to treat kidney failure and disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of contracting Covid-19 due to their frontline roles and close interactions with infected patients. Understanding the prevalence of Covid-19 infection among HCWs and the factors contributing to it is crucial for informing mitigation strategies. However, the available data on Covid-19 infection rates among Iranian HCWs is limited., Objective: The primary objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of Covid-19 infection among HCWs working in hospitals dedicated to Covid-19 care versus HCWs in other non-Covid-19 hospitals in Khuzestan province, Iran. Additionally, the study aimed to identify potential risk factors associated with Covid-19 transmission and symptom severity in this population., Methods: This cohort study recruited 3,012 HCWs from 35 hospitals in Khuzestan province. Covid-19 diagnosis was made using RT-PCR testing, chest CT scans, and clinical examination., Results: Overall, 96% (n=2,918) of the 3,012 HCWs were infected with Covid-19. The prevalence was significantly higher among HCWs from Covid-19 hospitals (59.83%, n=1,746) compared to those from non-Covid-19 hospitals (5.75%, n=168). The capital city of Ahvaz had the highest proportion of Covid-19 cases at 28%., Conclusions: HCWs, especially those working in hospitals dedicated to Covid-19 care, face a substantial risk of contracting the virus. The high infection rates observed may be attributed to factors like weakened immune systems, non-compliance with precautions, and delayed diagnosis. These findings underscore the critical need to strengthen infection control measures, improve access to personal protective equipment, and enhance surveillance of Covid-19 among frontline HCWs in Iran.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy is a clinical syndrome characterized by persistent albuminuria and progressive impairment in renal function. Pentoxifylline is a non-specific inhibitor of phosphodiesterase with anti-inflammatory properties which may have therapeutic potency in patients with diabetic kidney disease., Objective: The present study is aimed at evaluating the efficacy of pentoxifylline as a treatment strategy for alleviating the microalbuminuria in type-2 diabetic patients with nephropathy., Methods: This double-blind randomized clinical trial was performed on outpatients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy who presented urine albumin excretion of 30-300 mg per 24 hours on at least three consecutive occasions. A total of 58 patients were randomly assigned to the treatment and control groups. The treatment group (n=29) received pentoxifylline (400 mg/day) for 3 months in addition to the standard drugs for diabetic nephropathy (Raas blockers), while the control group (n=29) received placebo as add-on therapy. Finally, urine albumin test was measured before and after 3 months of treatment and compared between the two groups., Results: Before the intervention, no significant difference in the levels of albuminuria was observed between the two groups (153.21±130.80 mg/day vs. 159.93 ±130.45; p=0.845); but after 12 weeks of treatment, albuminuria in the treatment group was significantly reduced compared to the placebo group (29.59 ±27.88 mg/day vs. 160.48±129.53 mg/day; p<0.0001). At the end of the study, the response rate to treatment (more than 50% reduction in albuminuria) was 89.7% in the pentoxifylline group, while no response to treatment was observed in the placebo group (p<0.0001)., Conclusions: Pentoxifylline as add-on therapy to the conventional treatment (Raas blockers) may reduce the microalbuminuria in patients with diabetic nephropathy without any side effects.

Studies conducted on animal models have shown that the administration of glycerol can lead to kidney tissue damage and impaired renal function. This is believed to be caused by oxidative stress and inflammation, which in turn can result in elevated levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. These metabolites are commonly used as indicators of renal function. The aim of the current experimental research was to investigate the protective efficacy of ellagic acid in a rat model of rhabdomyolysis induced by glycerol. Sixty healthy adult male Wistar rats weighing between 250 - 300 g were divided into five equal groups including control, rhabdomyolysis (administered 8.00 mL kg -1 of glycerol), and three rhabdomyolysis plus various doses of ellagic acid (25.00, 50.00 and 100 mg kg -1 per day; 72 hr after receiving glycerol for 14 days successively) groups. Serum levels of BUN, creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, electrolytes and inflammatory cytokines were evaluated in all rats. Histopathological studies were also performed on kidney tissues from all groups. The administration of ellagic acid resulted in a significant increase in renal function biomarkers compared to the rats with acute kidney injury. This increase was consistent with notable reductions in tumor necrosis factor-α levels and increases in interleukin-10 levels observed in blood samples. Furthermore, the improvement in histopathological indices observed in rats received ellagic acid confirmed its nephroprotective role. The results of the current experimental study suggest that ellagic acid can improve kidney damage following glycerol injection, potentially by modulating the inflammatory process., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© 2024 Urmia University. All rights reserved.)

Objective. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to determine the prevalence of hypothyroidism among hemodialysis (HD) patients and its potential risk factors. Methods. Demographic and laboratory data [i.e., serum levels of thyrotropin (TSH), antithyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO)] of 117 HD patients were collected. Data were analyzed by SPSS.V 26, if necessary. Results. Patients had a mean (SD) age of 59.47±15.08 years, and 66.7% (n=78) were male. The mean (SD) levels of TSH were 2.56 (4.01) μIU/mL. Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) was defined as a TSH level >4.2 μIU/mL and normal FT4. Fifteen patients (12.80%) had SCH. There was no significant correlation between hypothyroidism and age, gender, and/or underlying diseases (p>0.05). Also, among the 15 patients with SCH, 1 patient (6.7%) showed a positive anti-TPO result while 14 patients (93.3%) had a negative anti-TPO result. Conclusion. Given the notable prevalence of hypothyroidism in HD patients, routine screening of thyroid function in this patient population may help reduce complication and mortality rates through early diagnosis and timely intervention.