مجله علوم پزشکی رازی
سال بیست و پنجم شماره 7 (پیاپی 172، مهر 1397)

Conjugated Linoleic Acids (CLAs) are composed of positional and stereo isomers of octadecadienoate (18:2). They are found in foods derived from ruminants (beef and lamb as well as dairy products from these sources). When a mixture of isomers is fed to experimental animals, chemically induced cancer, tumorogenesis in mammary gland, colon and skin is decreased. Mechanisms of inhibition of carcinogenesis may include reduction of cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis and alterations in the components of the cell cycle. In addition, CLAs modulate markers of immunity and also eicosanoid formation in numerous species as well as lipid metabolism and gene expression. It is likely that CLAs exert inhibitory properties in carcinogenesis via one or more of these pathways. This review will explain recent advances byexploring the putative mechanisms of reduction of carcinogenesis by CLAs.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is one of the key enzymes in the metabolism of folate, and the mutation of C677T leads to reduction of MTHFR enzyme activity and increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between C677T polymorphism in MTHFR gene and some non-genetic factors and varicose veins. In this case-control study, 80 patients with varicose veins and 150 healthy subjects were studied. After extraction of DNA from peripheral blood, genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP. Demographic data such as family history, sex, age, weight, work duration, defecation status, exercise, blood pressure, cigarette smoking were also recorded. Logistic regression method was used to investigate the association between varicose veins disease and C677T genotypes and other recorded variables. Genotype frequencies of C677T in MTHFR gene in patients and control groups was not significantly different (p>0.05). The frequency of mutant allele in two groups was equal to 19%. The association between C577T genotype and varicose veins was not significant (p>0.05), however family history, weight, work duration and constipation was related to varicose veins (p<0.05). There was no association between varicose veins and exercise, age, blood pressure, sex and cigarette smoking (p>0.05). The polymorphism of C677T in MTHFR gene was not a determinant factor of the varicose veins disease in Mazandaran population.

Inactivity and obesity are of the consequences of industrial life, as the trend of increasing prevalence of obesity has negative effects on the respiratory system. Aerobic exercises and omega-3 fatty acids are paid close attention due to their physiological effects on different systems of the body. The present study was carried out in order to examine the effect of 8-week aerobic exercise and consumption of omega-3 supplement on pulmonary function in obese men. In this semi-experimental study, 40 obese men with average age of 32.3±3.05 years, weight of 97.8±7.4 kg, waist-hip ratio of 1.01±0.022, Body Fat of 31.53±2.52 Percent and BMI of 32.3±2.61 kg/m2 were randomly assigned into 4 groups of 10 participants: placebo, supplement, training-placebo, training-supplement. Aerobic training program consisted of running with intensity of 55-85% HRmax for 8 weeks, 25-45 minutes and thrice a week. Amount of consuming supplement daily 1000 mg of omega-3 and placebo was also 2% dextrose. The values of variables were measured 48 hours before and after the exercises. Data analysis was carried out using two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test at a significance level of 5%. The effect of the exercise on body fat percentage weight decrease was significant without considering the effect of the supplement (p<0.05). Exercise and supplement caused a significant increase in the values of FVC, FEV1, PEF, FEF25-75, FIV1, and PIF (p<0.05). The effect of the exercise on the increase in VO2max and PEF was significant without considering the effect of the supplement (p<0.05). Exercise, supplement, and combination of exercise and supplement had no significant effect on the size of chest circumference at both inspiration and expiration (p>0.05). Regular aerobic exercise and consumption of omega-3 are two modifying and effective factors in increasing respiratory parameters; therefore, they improve respiratory status in obese men.

Phenylketonuria (PKU), the most common inborn error of aminoacid metabolism, is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by more than 600 mutations in Phenylalanine Hydroxylase gene (PAH). Distribution pattern of mutations in the PAH gene are specific to each population. The aim of this study was to identify mutations in exons 10 and 11 of the PAH gene in patients with PKU from Golestan Province and compare it with the studies in other parts of Iran. This study is a cross-sectional descriptive study. During a one-year period, twenty- six unrelated PKU patients were identified from different regions of Golestan province. Genomic DNA was extracted from leukocytes using High Pure- Template PCR kit (Roche) and polymerase chain reaction – sequencing method was applied to detect mutations. The identified mutations in this study are: IVS10-11G>A (19.23%) and IVS11+1G>C (7.7%). These patients had classic PKU phenotype. The high frequency of IVS10-11G>A mutation in Golestan province may be related to genetic drift, founder effect, and consanguinity. Moreover investigation of mutations in PAH gene can be a useful tool for molecular detection of PKU disease and carrier detection in this population.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the world. Immunotherapy is a new, non-invasive and effective method for the treatment of cancer, but its side effects on the normal flora of bacteria and opportunistic infections not known yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of immunotherapy on Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) virulence gene expression in patients with prostate cancer. In this study, the effect of prostate cancer immunotherapy on the expression level of enterococcal surface protein (esp) gene which is involved in Enterococcus faecalis pathogenesis were investigated. For this purpose, the samples were analysed in three groups; normal individuals 211 men), prostate cancer patients (176 men) before and six months after immunotherapy period. Results showed significant (p=0.00) over expression of esp gene in prostate cancer patients after immunotherapy. There was no significant difference between prostate cancer patients before immunotherapy and healthy subjects. We conclude from these findings that immunotherapy could play a major role in increasing the pathogenicity risk of E. faecalis as a normal microflora. According to current results we suggest that using antibiotic administration in the period of immunotherapy prevents the possibility of opportunistic bacterial infections including E. faecalis.

Sensory defects are one of the common complications of stroke. Various studies have reported the prevalence of these deficits in stroke patients between 11 and 85%. These defects in the upper limb of the hemiplegic vary from the lack of primary senses to more complex perceptions, and they reduce the use of the affected limb. Weakness in fine motor manipulation of objects, weakness in the skills of grasping, decrease in the level of activity on the affected side and ultimately a decrease in the quality of life of the individual are seen. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of extroceptive and proprioceptive sensory stimulation on daily living activity and motor function of upper limb in stroke patients. This interventional study was a blind clinical trial that was performed on 60 patients with chronic stroke. Upper limb function (Fugle-Meyer test) and daily living activity (Barthel test) were evaluated. Patients received extroceptive and proprioceptive sensory stimulation for 6 weeks. Treatment was based on the Rood approach. The results of this study showed that the intervention group had significant improvement in motor function (p<0.0001) and daily living activity of upper limb (p<0.0001). Based on the results, it can be implied that extroceptive and proprioceptive sensory stimulation are effective methods in improvement of motor function and daily living activity of the stroke patient’s upper limb.

Nearly 300 million people worldwide are carriers of the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). Thalassemia and dialysis patients are of the most important individuals at risk for the virus. Despite vaccination, antibody is reduced and there is a possibility of infection to HBV. This study, examines hepatitis B serologic markers among thalassemia and dialysis patients of Mazandaran province, Iran. 94 patients were enrolled to our study. For all patients in the study, a questionnaire including demographic information, history of the vaccination for Hepatitis B, blood products transfusion and surgical history were completed. 5 ml of venous blood was taken from each student and serum was separated and stored in -20oC. For all samples, ELISA test was operated for Anti-HBs and Anti-HBc and HBsAg. Among 94 patients, 55 people (58.5%) were males and 39 people (41.5%) were females., 57 (60.6%) were dialysis patients and 37 (39.4%) were thalassemia patients, in which 4 people (7%) of dialysis patients and 8 (21.6%) of thalassemia patients were infected by HBV. 12 people (22.8%) were positive by the presence of HBsAg, 54 people (57.4%) were positive by the presence of Anti-HBs and 13 people (13.8%) were positive by the presence of Anti-HBc. About 12.8% of patients were HBV positive and also 42.6% of them were sensitive to HBV. Therefore, their screening for HBV antibody is recommended before any blood products usage. Also, in order to provide adequate protection for the patients, the serologic studies is necessary.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women. Chemotherapy drugs such as taxol often lead to toxicity. Artemisia from Asteraceae family, contain flavonoids such as Artemisin which is one of the most important medicinal plants in the world. Therefore, in the present study the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of two ethanol extract (Artemisia scoparia, Artemisia siberia) of Artemisia species is studied and compared with Taxol on SK-BR-3 breast cancer cell line. In this study, the ethanol extract was prepared. Concentrations of the mentioned ethanol extracts prepared: Artemisia siberia: 60, 30, 15, 7.5 mg/ml and Artemisia scoparia: 1.25, 0.63, 0.31, 0.16 mg/ml. The concentration of Paclitaxel (100 µM) was determined in 24, 48 and 72 hours by MTT assay. The apoptotic effects and induced death were measured using Annexin V and PI. The MTT results indicated that cytotoxic effects of two Artemisia extracts and Taxol drug are dose-dependent. The obtained IC50 after treatment at 24, 48, 72 hours were (0.55, 0.35, 0.31 mg/ml) and 34.14, 28.02, 18), respectively for Artemisia scoparia and Artemisia siberia. Also, paclitaxel was 56.74, 36.28, and 21.09 (μM). Annexin and PI measurement showed that both extracts, Artemisia Siberia 3.53% and Artemisia scoparia 4.71%, compared to Taxol 5.13% had apoptosis effect and influence on induction of primary and secondary apoptosis, significantly (p<0.05). Alcoholic extract of Artemisia scoparia with further investigation has the potential for use as a drug for breast cancer treatment.

Burn has a major impact on the life quality of patients and disrupts their physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of treatment program based on psycho -social model on improving life quality in individuals affected by PTSD resulting from burn. The research method was quasi-experimental with pretest-post-test design with control group. The statistical population included all patients referring to Tehran Shahid Motahari Burn Hospital in 2017. 30 patients with PTSD diagnosis were replaced in two experimental and control groups using a simple randomized sampling method. The research tools were as follows: a diagnostic structured interview based on DSM-5, post-traumatic stress disorder checklist (PCL-5) and World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-26). The treatment program was conducted during 12 sessions and was followed up after two months of the experimental group. The results were analyzed using multivariable analysis of covariance and paired-samples T Test. The results of multivariate covariance analysis showed that the F value was significant for dimensions of life quality including physical dimension (F=4.398), mental dimension (F=4.810), social dimension (F=8.120), and then, physical environment (F=10.49) (p≤0.05). Therefore, the treatment program based on psycho-social model is effective on the dimensions of the life quality. The results of dependent t-test were significant to investigate the survival rate of the treatment program. The psycho-social treatment program can be used as an effective and special treatment to improve the life quality of individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder due to burns.