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Developmental morphine exposure (DME) detrimentally affects the cognitive abilities of the next generation. It is shown that postnatal rearing environments and prenatal conditions effectively impact memory. The present study investigated the effects of DME, post-weaning rearing, and sex on spatial learning and memory. We evaluated mRNA levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB), μ-opioid receptor, and ΔFosB in the hippocampus of male offspring. Female Wistar rats were treated with escalating doses of MOR or saline (SAL) before mating, gestation, and lactation. On postnatal day 22, the male and female pups were divided into 12 groups and raised for two-month under different conditions: standard (STD), isolated (ISO), or enriched environment (EE). Afterward, the Morris water maze (MWM) task measured spatial learning and reference memory; rats were then sacrificed to assess hippocampus gene expressions. Results indicated the DME and isolated rearing increased latency to find the hidden platform in male offspring. DME was insignificant in female offspring, whereas rearing environments significantly altered escape latency in both sexes. We also found that the EE upregulated the BDNF mRNA in both SAL and MOR groups, whereas it downregulated the mRNA levels of CREB1, μ-opioid receptor, and ΔFosB in the MOR group. In addition, the DME enhanced CREB1, μ-opioid receptor, and ΔFosB gene expression in the MOR+ISO group. Our findings signified the effects of DME, rearing environment, and sex on the spatial learning abilities of offspring. Also, we showed that DME and rearing conditions could manipulate hippocampal neurochemistry.

Bisphosphonates can severely slow down orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) by reducing bone turnover. This calls for materials and methods to reverse or neutralize their effects on OTM. We propose systemic vitamin D3 (D3) for this purpose.Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomized into 4 groups of 8 each. Three groups were administered D3 (3 systemic doses of 24,000 IU/kg each), alendronate (ALN) (5 doses of 7 mg/kg each), and ALN+D3 (same doses as mentioned above). One group served as the negative control. The incisors were distalized at 30 g of force for 2 weeks. OTMs were measured blindly. Radicular pressure areas were searched histologically (blindly) for capillaries, Howship's lacunae, osteoclasts, and osteoblasts. Data were analyzed statistically (α = 0.05, α = 0.0083, β 0.1).OTMs in the groups D3, ALN+D3, ALN, and control were 1.900 ± 0.237, 1.629 ± 0.219, 0.975 ± 0.145, and 1.565 ± 0.324 mm (analysis of variance, P 0.001), respectively. OTM in the ALN group was smaller than all other groups (Tukey, P 0.001). OTM in the D3 group was greater than in the control group (P = 0.054). The ALN+D3 group had greater OTM than the ALN group (P 0.001) but was not significantly different from the D3 (P = 0.153) or control (P = 0.951) groups. All histologic variables were significantly different across groups (Kruskal-Wallis, P 0.001). All the markers in the D3 group were more frequent than those of the other groups (Mann-Whitney U, P 0.001). There were fewer markers in the ALN group than in the control group (P ≤0.001). The ALN+D3 group had more markers than the ALN group in terms of capillaries, osteoclasts, and osteoblasts (P ≤0.007). The ALN+D3 group was similar to the control group regarding capillaries, osteoclasts, and osteoblasts (P ≥0.382).Systemic vitamin D3 may accelerate OTM and increase histologic biomarkers of bone turnover. ALN reduces OTM and its histologic biomarkers. Systemic vitamin D3 can reverse this inhibitory effect of ALN on OTM back to normal.

The neuropathology of Parkinson's disease (PD) is complex and affects multiple systems of the body beyond the central nervous system. This study examined the effects of gallic acid (GA) and gastrointestinal vagotomy (VG) on motor, cognitive, intestinal transit time, and thalamic nuclei electrical power in an animal model of PD induced by rotenone.Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: Sham, ROT, ROT+GA, VG + ROT. Sham rats received vehicle, those in ROT received rotenone (5 mg/kg/2 ml, ig), PD rats in ROT+GA were treated with GA (100 mg/kg, gavage/once daily, for 28 days), and in VG + ROT, the vagal nerve was dissected. Stride length, motor coordination and locomotion, intestinal transit time, cognitive and pain threshold, and thalamic local EEG were evaluated. Oxidative stress indexes in striatal tissue were also measured.Rotenone diminished significantly the stride length (p 0.001), motor coordination (p 0.001), power of thalamic EEG (p 0.01) and pain (p 0.001). MDA increased significantly (p 0.001) while GPx activity decreased (p 0.001). Intestinal transit time rose significantly (p 0.01). PD rats treated with GA improved all above disorders (p 0.001, p 0.01). Vagotomy prevented significant alterations of motor and non-motor parameters by rotenone.According to current findings, rotenone acts as a toxin in GI and plays a role in the pathogenesis of PD through gastric vagal nerve. Thus, vagotomy could prevent the severity of toxicity by rotenone. In addition, GA improved symptoms of PD induced by rotenone. Therefore, GA can be regarded as a promising therapeutic candidate for PD patients.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) by causing histopathological changes is considered one of the most important causes of liver failure and dysfunction after surgery which affect graft outcomes. Stem cells are new promising approaches to treating different diseases. One of the critical strategies to improve their function is the preconditioning of their culture medium. This study compared the effect of NaHS-modified and non-modified mesenchymal stem cell exosomes on liver ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice.Human umbilical cord-derived MSC (MSC) cultured in a 75 cmAdministration of both MSC-Exo and H2S-Exo improved liver function by reducing inflammatory cytokines, cellular apoptosis, liver levels of total oxidant status, and liver aminotransferases. The results showed that protecting effect of MSC exosomes enhanced following NaHS preconditioning of cell culture medium.MSC-Exo and H2S-Exo had hepato-protective effects against injuries induced by ischemia-reperfusion in mice. NaHS preconditioning of mesenchymal stem cells could enhance the therapeutic effects of MSC-derived exosomes.

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing global health problem with faster progression in developing countries such as Iran. Here we aimed to evaluate the prevalence and determinants of CKD stage III+. Methods This research is part of the Khuzestan Comprehensive Health Study (KCHS), a large observational population-based cross-sectional study in which 30,041 participants aged 20 to 65 were enrolled. CKD was determined with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) less than 60 ml/min/1.73m2, based on two equations of Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) and Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI). The multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the CKD stage III+ determinants. Results Prevalence of CKD stage III+ is estimated to be 7.1, 5.5, and 5.4% based on MDRD, CKD-EPI, and combination of both equations, respectively. More than 89% of CKD subjects aged higher than 40 years. In regression analysis, age more than 40 years had the strongest association with CKD stage III+ probability (OR: 8.23, 95% CI: 6.91–9.18). Higher wealth score, hypertension, High-Density Lipoprotein levels less than 40 mg/dl, and higher waist to hip ratio were all associated with CKD stage III+ while Arab ethnicity showed a protective effect (OR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.57–0.78). Conclusion Our findings provide detailed information on the CKD stage III+ and its determinants in the southwest region of Iran. Due to strong association between age and CKD stage III+, within a few decades we might expect a huge rise in the CKD prevalence.

Maternal opioids abuse has some deleterious consequences on next generations. Besides, children's rearing conditions can affect the behavioral states and brain plasticity in their later life. In the present study, we investigated the effects of maternal morphine (MOR) treatment and post-weaning rearing conditions on memory, pain threshold, and the ventral striatum dopaminergic activity in male offspring. Female Wistar rats were treated twice daily either with escalating doses of MOR or with normal saline (NS) one week before mating, during pregnancy and lactation. After weaning, the male pups were assigned to six groups and then raised for an 8-week period under three different conditions: standard (STD), isolated (ISO) or enriched environment (EE). The behavioral tests, including passive avoidance task, novel object recognition, and tail-flick test, were also performed. Moreover, the ventral striatum dopamine's content (DA), mRNA expressions of dopamine receptor 1(D1R) and dopamine receptor 2 (D2R), and dopamine transporter (DAT) were evaluated. The obtained data showed that maternal MOR exposure and post-weaning social isolation could dramatically impair memory in offspring, while EE could reverse these adverse outcomes. Moreover, results of tail flick latency indicated the increased pain threshold in EE animals. At molecular level, maternal MOR injections and social isolation reduced DA levels and altered expressions of D1R, D2R, and DAT within the ventral striatum of these male offspring. However, post-weaning EE partially buffered these changes. Our finding signified the effects of maternal MOR exposure and social isolation on the behaviors and neurochemistry of brain in next generation, and it also provided evidence on reversibility of these alterations following EE.

Aims Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death in the world. Many modifiable risk factors have been reported to synergistically act in the development of CVDs. We aimed to compare the predictive power of anthropometric indices, as well as to provide the best cut-off point for these indicators in a large population of Iranian people for the prediction of CVDs and CVD risk factors. Methods and results All the data used in the present study were obtained from Khuzestan comprehensive health study (KCHS). Anthropometric indices, including BMI (body mass index), WC (waist circumference), HC (hip circumference), WHR (waist-to-hip ratio), WHtR (waist-to-height ratio), ABSI (a body shape index), as well as CVD risk factors [dyslipidaemia, abnormal blood pressure (BP), and hyperglycaemia] were recorded among 30 429 participants. WHtR had the highest adjusted odds ratios amongst anthropometric indices for all the risk factors and CVDs. WC had the highest predictive power for dyslipidaemia and hyperglycaemia [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.622, 0.563; specificity 61%, 59%; sensitivity 69%, 60%; cut-off point 87.95, 92.95 cm, respectively], while WHtR had the highest discriminatory power for abnormal BP (AUC = 0.585; specificity 60%; sensitivity 65%; cut-off point 0.575) and WHR tended to be the best predictor of CVDs (AUC = 0.527; specificity 58%; sensitivity 64%; cut-off point 0.915). Conclusion In this study, we depicted a picture of the Iranian population in terms of anthropometric measurement and its association with CVD risk factors and CVDs. Different anthropometric indices showed different predictive power for CVD risk factors in the Iranian population.

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disease with no exact laboratory or imaging findings. IBS is more common in areas with a history of psychological trauma and war. This study aims to report the prevalence and possible determinants of IBS in southwestern Iran, an area with a notable history of war. Methods: We randomly enrolled 1849 permanent residents in 29 cities aged 20 to 65 years. A validated for Farsi version Rome III criteria and a questionnaire, including demographic data and health history, were administered to each subject. Participants who fulfilled the Rome III criteria were categorized into three groups: Diarrhea dominant (IBS-D), Constipation dominant (IBS-C), and Mixed type (IBS-M). Results: The total prevalence of IBS was 3.2%, with 70% of subjects being of Arab descent (P=0.004). IBS was more common in females, singles, illiterate subjects, and people younger than 30 years; however, none of these differences were statistically significant. People with depression, anxiety, self-report of psychological disorders, and very low socioeconomic status had a significantly higher prevalence of IBS (PConclusion: This study shows a higher prevalence of IBS symptoms in a population-based study in the region compared to counterparts in other regions of Iran. Considering the higher prevalence of self-reported psychological disorders, further studies are recommended to focus on the exact diagnosis of mental disorders and their influence on IBS.

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide, with a disproportionally rising burden among low- and middle-income populations. While preventable risk factors highly contribute to this burden, population-based studies assessing these factors and the health status of these populations, are scarce. Methods: The Khuzestan Comprehensive Health Study (KCHS)—a cross sectional study—was conducted between 2016-2019, including 30,506 Iranians aged 20 to 65 years, from 27 counties of Khuzestan province, southwest of Iran. KCHS aimed to provide a comprehensive health overview by investigating the prevalence and risk factors of NCDs and psychological disorders, along with viral hepatitis as a common communicable disease. Upon registration, 15 mL of blood and anthropometric measurements were obtained from participants. Afterwards, several interviewer-administered questionnaires were completed to gather data on demographics, socioeconomic status, sleep quality, physical activity, lifestyle habits, nutrition, and medical history. Results: The mean ± SD age of participants was 41.7 ± 11.9 years. The majority were female (64.3%), of the Arab ethnicity (49%), married (83%), and urban residents (73.1%). About 70% had an educational level below high school diploma. Overall, 10.8%, 5.2%, and 2.8% of participants had used cigarettes, hookah, and drugs at least once in their lifetime, respectively. While body mass index and serum cholesterol levels were higher in females, blood pressure was higher in males (PConclusion: KCHS assessed many aspects of health in the Khuzestan province. In addition to develop a biobank along with a comprehensive dataset, KCHS will serve as a valuable infrastructure for future research.

Background Medical education is a dynamic process, which needs to be improved to meet the new expectations of medical practitioners, health workers, and communities from different countries. An important part of medical students' education is to select an appropriate assessment method. In this regard, the objective structured practical examination (OSPE) can evaluate practical capabilities in a suitable step-wise, scientific, targeted and scheduled manner with direct consideration of student's performance during programmed test stations. The purpose of this study is to investigate the outcomes of the OSPE utilization versus traditional practical examination (TPE) for evaluating students in experimental physiology. Methods Totally, 120 medical students were chosen as the participants of this study: 1. TPE group (TPE used as a final exam; n=40); 2. TPE + OSPE group (TPE applied for half of topics and OSPE for another half; n=41); and 3. OSPE group (OSPE performed as a final exam; n=39). In order to evaluate the effect of OSPE, the average final grade of studied groups was compared. In addition, a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire, consisting of 10 questions was used to evaluate the students' attitudes toward using this method. Results The obtained results showed that the total grade in TPE group was significantly higher in comparison to TPE+OSPE and OSPE groups (respectively, P

Background and study aim: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) include a spectrum of immune-mediated chronic disorders. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of vitamin B6 supplementation on laboratory markers and clinical outcomes in patients with ulcerative colitis. Patients and methods: In this double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial ulcerative colitis patients were randomly divided into two groups, intervention (usual treatment plus vitamin B6 (40 mg / day)) and placebo group (usual treatment plus placebo). The serum levels of inflammatory markers measured and compared at the beginning and the end of intervention. Results: Overall forty patients were randomly selected to participate in this trial. Age range of participants was between 25-65 years and 3.43% of patients (13 cases) were males. Baseline characteristics of two groups were equal. The mean serum level of homocysteine after intervention in placebo and vitamin B6 groups were 9.05±3.45 and 16.31±20.52 respectively (P= 0.205). There were no significant differences between serum levels of homocysteine, CRP (P=0.328), ESR (P=0.329), calprotectin (P=0.683) and stool frequency after 6 months intervention in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis stool frequency was significantly greater in vitamin B6 group in comparison with placebo group (P = 0.01). Conclusion: We couldn’t find any significant effect of vitamin B6 supplementation on duration and severity of ulcerative colitis and even stool frequency in vitamin B6 group increased.

Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver disorders. The main causes of NAFLD are associated with insulin resistance, severe lipid metabolism disorders, oxidative stress and inflammation. Previous studies have reported that ginger has positive metabolic results. Aim The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ginger powder supplement on lipid profiles, insulin resistance, liver enzymes, inflammatory cytokines and antioxidant status in patients with NAFLD. Methods In this randomized clinical trial, 46 people with NAFLD were parted into two groups and subjected to the ginger or placebo capsules (3 capsules daily, each containing 500 mg of ginger or wheat flour) over 12 weeks. All patients received a diet with balanced energy and physical activity during the intervention period. Liver ultrasonography, anthropometric indices and biochemical parameters were measured before and after intervention. Results No significant difference was found between the two groups in the baseline variables at the beginning of the study. At the end of the study, serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), fasting blood glucose, and insulin resistance index (HOMA), C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and fetuin-A in the group receiving a ginger supplement significantly decreased compared to placebo. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in body weight, fasting insulin, HDL-C, triglyceride, adiponectin, alpha-tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), fatty liver index (FLI), fatty liver grade and blood pressure. Conclusion The ginger supplement may be used as a complementary therapy along with existing therapies to reduce insulin resistance, liver enzymes and inflammation in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver.

Background Aging is accompanied by decreasing general function in the cells and tissues. D-galactose (D-gal) induces aging and plays a role in the pathogenesis of it. Myricitrin is a plant-derived antioxidant. Objective The present study was performed to evaluate the effects of myricitrin on antioxidant defense, sex hormone levels, uterus, and ovarian histology in D-gal-induced aging female mouse model. Materials and Methods In this experimental study, 72 female adult NMRI mice, weighing 30-35 gr, 3-4 months old, were randomly divided into six groups (n = 12/each): (I) Control (vehicle; normal saline), (II) D-gal at 500 mg/kg/d for 45 days, (III-V) D-gal + myricitrin-treated groups (these groups received myricitrin at 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg/d, and (VI) D-gal + 100 mg/kg/d vitamin E orally for the last 28 days. The antioxidant indices were done on the basis of colorimetric method, and sex hormone levels were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Histological assessment of the uterus and ovaries were also evaluated. Results D-gal impaired the estrous cycle, also degenerative changes occur in the ovarian follicles and damage to the uterus and ovarian tissue occurs. In D-gal group, the level of sex hormones (p = 0.03) and the total antioxidant capacity (p = 0.002) decreased, while the level of malondialdehyde and gonadotropins increased (p = 0.03). Myricitrin at lower doses and vitamin E ameliorated the D-gal effects. Conclusion These findings suggest that myricitrin at low doses can effectively prevent D-gal-induced oxidation and aging in mice. The effect of myricitrin was equivalent and sometimes better than vitamin E.

Background: Little is known regarding the impact of quantity and quality of sleep on the incidence of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible independent association of late bedtime and premature coronary artery disease (PCAD). Methods: Between October 2016 and November 2019, we conducted a cross-sectional population-based study on 30101 participants aged 20–65 years in Khuzestan Comprehensive Health Study (KCHS). Data on major risk factors of cardiovascular disease, habit history, physical activity, and sleep behavior was gathered and participants underwent blood pressure, anthropometric, and serum lipid and glucose profile measurements. PCAD was defined as documented history of developing obstructive coronary artery disease before 45 years in men and before 55 years in women. Results: Of a total of 30101 participants (64.1% female, mean age: 41.7±11.7 years) included in this study, 1602 (5.3%, 95% confidence interval: 5.1%–5.6%) had PCAD. Late bedtime was reported in 7613 participants (25.3%, 95% confidence interval: 24.9%–25.8%). Age-sex standardized prevalence for PCAD and late bedtime were 3.62 (3.43-3.82) and 27.8 (27.2–28.4), respectively. There was no significant difference (P=0.558) regarding prevalence of PCAD between those with late bedtime (5.5%, 95% CI: 4.9%–6.0%) and those with early bedtime (5.3%, 95% CI: 5.0%–5.6%). However, after adjustment for potential confounders, late bedtime was independently associated with PCAD (OR=1.136, 95% CI=1.002–1.288, P=0.046). Conclusion: In this study, late bedtime was significantly associated with presence of PCAD. Future prospective studies should elucidate the exact role of late bedtime in developing coronary atherosclerosis prematurely.

Background: In 2017, the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) provided a new guideline for hypertension prevention and management. We aimed to update the prevalence, awareness, control and risk factors of hypertension based on this guideline and to estimate the number of people who are eligible for non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic intervention. Methods: This population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in Khuzestan, a large province in the southwest of Iran. Comprehensive information about the potential risk factors of hypertension was collected and blood pressure, blood biomarkers, and anthropometric were measured. Moreover, the dietary pattern was evaluated in 10% of the participants, using a qualitative food frequency questionnaire.Results: A total number of 30,506 individuals aged 20-65 years was included in this study. In comparison to previous guideline (JNC8), the prevalence of hypertension in Khuzestan dramatically increased by 27.04% after implementation of ACC/AHA (15.81% vs 42.85%), which was more dominant in the male population and the 50-59 age group. The sex and age adjustment of the hypertension prevalence was estimated to be 39.40%. The number of individuals required antihypertensive treatment was slightly increased from 15.53% to 21.18%; however, the level of awareness and control dramatically dropped by 23.17% & 31.78%, respectively. All hypertension-related risk factors remained significant after applying the new guideline; however, the strength of the association was reduced in the risk factors like age, waist-hip ratio, body mass index, alcohol consumption, water pipe usage, and physical activity. Similarity, the association between hypertension and history of diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases were decreased by 38%, and 62%, respectively.Conclusions: In the ACC/AHA guideline, a higher number of individuals with the pre-hypertension condition had been shifted into the hypertension category and the level of awareness, treatment, and control was dramatically fallen, which highlight a great need to expand the public health infrastructure for further managing the substantial increase in the public health burden of hypertension.

Objective: Destruction of pancreatic beta-cells induces an insulin deficiency and causes type 1 diabetes. The role of autophagy in inducing insulin-secreting cells (ISCs) from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) was investigated in the current study. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the isolated AMSCs were characterization and exposed to a cocktail differentiation medium (CDM) in the absence or presence of 3-methyladenine (3MA), an autophagy inhibitor. The differentiation of ISCs was confirmed by the evaluation of the expression of beta-cell-specific genes including pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1), musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog A (MAF-A), Nk class of homeodomain-encoding genes 6.1 and 2.2 (NKX6-1 and NKX2.2), Glucose transporter 2 (GLUT-2) and INSLIN. Using Newport Green (NG), insulin-positive cells were identified. Insulin secretion in response to various glucose concentrations was measured. Autophagy was evaluated by Acridine orange (AO) staining. Also, expression of autophagy-associated genes, including autophagy-related gene 5 (ATG-5), autophagy-related gene 7 (ATG-7), BECLIN-1, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), was evaluated by Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Results: We observed a significant increase of beta-cell specific genes expression in the CDM-treated cells (P

Diabetic rats are more susceptible to myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury than control rats. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cardioprotective effect of gallic acid (GA) on isolated rat hearts with alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into three groups: control, untreated diabetic and diabetic animals treated with (GA, 25mg/kg). Diabetes was induced by 120mg/kg alloxan injection. Eight weeks after GA administration, the hearts were isolated and exposed to myocardial ischemia-reperfusion. The body weight, blood glucose, hypertrophy index, left ventricular function, infarct size, cardiac markers and oxidative stress were measured. In the diabetic group, body weight, cardiac contractility (±dp/dt), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) level (p

Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver disorders. The main causes of NAFLD are associated with insulin resistance, severe lipid metabolism disorders, oxidative stress and inflammation. Previous studies have reported that ginger has positive metabolic results. Aim The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ginger powder supplement on lipid profiles, insulin resistance, liver enzymes, inflammatory cytokines and antioxidant status in patients with NAFLD. Methods In this randomized clinical trial, 46 people with NAFLD were parted into two groups and subjected to the ginger or placebo capsules (3 capsules daily, each containing 500 mg of ginger or wheat flour) over 12 weeks. All patients received a diet with balanced energy and physical activity during the intervention period. Liver ultrasonography, anthropometric indices and biochemical parameters were measured before and after intervention. Results No significant difference was found between the two groups in the baseline variables at the beginning of the study. At the end of the study, serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), fasting blood glucose, and insulin resistance index (HOMA), C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and fetuin-A in the group receiving a ginger supplement significantly decreased compared to placebo. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in body weight, fasting insulin, HDL-C, triglyceride, adiponectin, alpha-tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), fatty liver index (FLI), fatty liver grade and blood pressure. Conclusion The ginger supplement may be used as a complementary therapy along with existing therapies to reduce insulin resistance, liver enzymes and inflammation in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver.

Trimetazidine (TMZ), as an anti-ischemic drug, plays a critical role in protecting against cardiovascular complications induced by diabetes. This study was therefore aimed to evaluate the protective effects of TMZ on reperfusion-induced arrhythmias in the diabetic rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (250±20 g) were randomly assigned to four (n=8): control rats (C), alloxan induced diabetic rats (D), diabetic rats treated with TMZ (10 mg/kg, D+T10), diabetic rats treated with TMZ (30 mg/kg, D+T30). TMZ was treated orally once daily for 8 weeks. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (120 mg/kg). Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) was carried out via 30 min of ischemia and following120-min reperfusion. The magnitude and score of arrhythmia, the left ventricular function, infarct size, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), myocardial creatine kinase (CK-MB) and troponin (cTnI) were measured. The findings were evaluated by two-way repeated measures and one-way ANOVA followed by LSD post hoc test and Fisher's exact test for incidence percentage. The duration, incidence and score of arrhythmia (p

Myocardial infarction is the acute condition of myocardial necrosis that occurs as a result of imbalance between coronary blood supply and myocardial demand. Air pollution increases the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of particulate matter (PM) on oxidative stress, the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) messenger RNA (mRNA) level induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury, and the protective effects of vanillic acid (VA) in the isolated rat heart. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into eight groups (n = 10), namely control, VAc, sham, VA, PMa (0.5 mg/kg), PMb (2.5 mg/kg), PMc (5 mg/kg), and PMc + VA groups. Particles with an aerodynamic diameter

Background: To evaluate relation between air pollution and rate and duration of hospital admission due to hepatic encephalopathy as a major complication of liver cirrhosis. Methods: In this retrospective study, during a 10 months period, the number and average duration of hospitalization of patients admitted in GI ward of a referral center due to hepatic encephalopathy were recorded in an industrial capital city. Concomitantly the level of 4 major air pollutants including SO2, CO, NO2 and O3measured and the correlation between severity of hepatic encephalopathy and air pollution determined by Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: Average number of admission was 5 to 6 patients per month (1-10). The average duration of hospitalization was 7.6 days (3-19). After comparison of average concentration of 4 major air pollutants with rate of hepatic encephalopathy, there was a relation, between O3 concentration and duration of admissions (P=0.048, correlation coefficient 0.636) and also a non-significant relation between O3 concentration and number of admissions (P=0.78, correlation coefficient 0.58). DATA analysis did not reveal any significant relation between SO2, NO2 and CO and the rate and duration of admission due to hepatic encephalopathy (P > 0.05). Conclusion: It seems that O3 as one of the major air pollutants can aggravates course of hepatic encephalopathy. This issue should further be clarified in future studies

Myocardial infarction is the acute condition of myocardial necrosis that occurs as a result of imbalance between coronary blood supply and myocardial demand. Air pollution increases the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of particulate matter (PM) on oxidative stress, the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) messenger RNA (mRNA) level induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury, and the protective effects of vanillic acid (VA) in the isolated rat heart. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into eight groups (n = 10), namely control, VAc, sham, VA, PMa (0.5 mg/kg), PMb (2.5 mg/kg), PMc (5 mg/kg), and PMc + VA groups. Particles with an aerodynamic diameter10 μm (PM10) was instilled into the trachea through a fine intubation tube. Two days following the PM10 instillation, the animal's hearts were isolated and transferred to a Langendorff apparatus. The hearts were subjected to 30 min of global ischemia followed by 60 min of reperfusion. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), xanthine oxidase (XOX), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured using special kits. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine levels of iNOS and eNOS mRNA. An increase in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), S-T elevation, and oxidative stress in PM10 groups was observed. Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) induction showed a significant augment in the expression of iNOS mRNA level and a significant decrease in the expression eNOS mRNA level. This effect was more pronounced in the PM groups than in the control and sham groups. Vanillic acid caused a significant decrease in LVEDP, S-T elevation, and also a significant difference in eNOS mRNA expression level, antioxidant enzymes, iNOS mRNA expression level, and oxidative stress occurred on myocardial dysfunction after I/R in isolated rat hearts. This study showed that PM10 exposure had devastating effects on the myocardial heart, oxidative stress, and eNOS and iNOS mRNA expression levels. Vanillic acid was able to improve these parameters. Vanillic acid as a potent antioxidant could also provide protection against particulate matter-induced toxicity.