Zahedan Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Volume:14 Issue: 3, Apr 2012

Hippocampus is rich in corticosteroid and opioid receptors and is involved in memory. Both acute stress and morphine have a different effect on different stages of memory. Thus, the effect of acute forced swim stress on formed memory recall was investigated after prescription of morphine different doses. In this experimental study, adult male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were classified into three categories (for each group, n=7): 1) repeated morphine groups, 30 minutes before each training, they were intraperitoneally prescribed morphine for 4 days in Morris water maze, (1, 10,100 μg/kg and 1, 10 mg/kg) and the recall test was performed on 5th day. 2) Acute stress group, they were on training for 4 days without morphine and on the fifth day, 30 minutes before the recall test, they were subjected to forced swim stress for 5 min. 3) Repeated morphine plus acute stress groups, they were first treated same as first category and on the 5th day, they were behaved like the second category. On the day 12th, the same test as the 5th day was conducted, but the groups received no treatment. In the repeated morphine groups, apparently only 10 mg/kg of morphine significantly disturbed learning (p < 0.001). But during the 5th and 12th day no significant difference was observed between all groups and the control group in memory recall. In the group treated with morphine plus acute stress, only 10 mg/kg of morphine significantly decreased memory recall during the 5th and 12th day compared to the control group (p<0.05). Repeated prescription of 10 mg/kg morphine plus acute stress intensifies the deleterious effects of stress on memory.

Embryonic endoderm germinal layer, affected by notochord inductions, forms the primary gut epithelium and parenchyma of its derived organs. This study aims to determine some expressed glycoconjugates and their potential function in notochord and developing gut. In this descriptive-analytical study, 9 and 10 embryonic days (ED) of Balb/c mouse embryos were fixed in formalin and microscopic sections were prepared from them. These sections were processed for histochemical studies and then they were incubated with 6 different HRP conjugated lectins, including VVA, SBA, and PNA specific to identify terminal sugar (N-acetylgalactosamine) (GalNac) and lectins of GSA1-B4, LTA and WGA were respectively to identify the terminal sugars of galactose, fructose and sialic acid. The study results showed that the reactions of notochord and developing gut to VVA lectin were moderate on the 9ED and on the 10ED, they showed a significant difference (p < 0.001) from the day before and were severely assessed. Other GalNac specific lectins react severely and almost similarly to notochord and developing gut on the studied days. The other lectins in these two organs did not react similarly. According to the findings of this study, it seems that glycoconjugates with GalNac-terminal sugar probably have played a key role in differentiations of notochord and developing gut and may be involved in the interactions between these two organs.

Chronic periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that causes rapid destruction of the tissues supporting the teeth. Genetic and environmental factors are involved in its occurrence. It has been suggested that IL-6 promoter gene polymorphism could affect the severity of chronic periodontitis. This study has examined the relationship between IL-6 (-174G/C) gene polymorphism and chronic periodontitis. In this case-control study, 100 patients with chronic periodontitis and 100 healthy individuals referring to the clinic of Zahedan Dental School were evaluated. Two ml of peripheral blood was taken from these people. After DNA extraction through salting out method, IL-6 gene polymorphism was determined through T-ARMS-PCR technique using specific primers. The data were analyzed by chi-square test and p<0/05was considered significant. The frequency of genotypes CC, GC, GG was respectively 61%, 35% and 4% in patients and respectively 67%, 31% and 2% in the control group. The frequency of G and C alleles was respectively 78.5% and 21.5% in the patient group, and respectively 82.5% and 17.5% in control group. No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in frequency of genotypes and alleles. This study showed no correlation between IL-6-174 G/C gene polymorphism and chronic periodontitis.

Diazinon and paraoxon are a group of pesticide organophosphates which are widely used in agriculture. Some organophosphates increase the production of free radicals. This study aims to compare the effects of diazinon and paraoxon on biomarkers of oxidative stress in rat serum. This experimental study was performed in 2010 in Baqiyatallah (a.s) University of Medical Sciences. 49 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 7 groups: the control group was given corn oil as a solvent of diazinon and paraoxon and the other six groups were given diazinon at doses 30, 50 and 100 mg/kg and paraoxon at doses 0.3, 0.7 and 1 mg/kg intraperitoneally. 24 hours after the injection, blood was collected by cardiac puncture and serum was prepared. Then, the activities of butrylcholinesterase enzyme (BChE), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and glutathione level (GSH) were measured by chemical methods. The decreased SOD and CAT activities and GSH level after administration of Diazinon (more than 30 mg/kg) and paraoxon (more than 0.3 mg/kg) is significant compared to control group, whereas the activity of LDH enzyme significantly increases. The decreased BChE activity is not significant compared to control group. Diazinon and paraoxon induce the production of free radicals and oxidative stress in a dose-dependent manner. The decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes and depleted GSH content probably represent the antioxidant defense system failure against the toxic actions of free radicals and oxidative tissue damage. Paraoxon has more severe effects than diazinon.

Extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields have been considered by researchers as a noninvasive treatment approach. Citing documented biological effects of ELF magnetic fields in recent studies, we investigate the effect of low intensity ELF magnetic field on the treatment of invasive ductal carcinoma tumor. Female Balb/c mice were transplanted with invasive ductal carcinoma tumors. Extremely low frequency magnetic field (100 pulse per second EMF (150 μT)) with static magnetic field (400 μT) as a background exposure was applied as a combined protocol for the treatment of the tumors. Other treatment groups in this study were control group (with no treatment), static magnetic field exposure group at 400 μT (sham group), chemotherapy by bleomycin intratumoral injection group and finally a group with the combined protocol after intratumoral injection of bleomycin. All groups were treated in the magnetic field for 10 minutes per day for 12 days. The results of this study showed that static and ELF magnetic field had no significant effect on the invasive ductal carcinoma tumor growth process. But static magnetic field indicated a significant decrease in tumor growth in the last days of the follow up. Also combined protocol significantly increased toxic effect of bleomycin as a chemotherapy agent. Low intensity static magnetic field can be considered as an antitumor factor. Also combined magnetic fields can be used for increasing the effects of chemotherapy in cancerous patients.

According to the increasing development of home and business electronic equipment in today's world, the biological effects of ELF magnetic fields have been studied at two molecular-cellular and animal- human levels. Considering the therapeutic viewpoint of this study regarding the effects of low-frequency fields of mobile phone, the effect of acute exposure to this field on chemotherapy will be studied. In this experimental study, based on measurement of the intensity of the magnetic fields from mobile phones in another research, flux densities of magnetic field of 159.44, 93.25 and 120µ tesla with frequency of 217Hz was generated in magnetic field generator system, and the apoptosis level in K562 cancer cells and healthy cells of lymphocytes was assessed after exposure to field using flow cytometry method. This evaluation method was also performed for the cells treated with bleomycin after exposure to this field. 217 Hz magnetic field exposure significantly increases the rate of apoptosis percentage (p > 0.05) in K562 cancer cells and in two intensities of 120 and 159.44µ tesla compared to the control group, but such effect is not observed in lymphocyte cells. Bleomycin-induced apoptosis percentage following exposure to the mentioned magnetic field shows no significant difference compared to the group of treatment with drug and without field exposure. This lack of significant difference is observed between the groups of drug after field exposure and field alone as well as between groups exposed to field and groups treated with bleomycin. Study results showed that 217 Hz magnetic field of mobile phone can induce apoptosis on cancer cells, but it has no effect on healthy cells. Thus, in order to use mobile phone as an effective factor in their treatment, some studies should be conducted at animal-human level.

Hepatitis B virus is a major cause of incidence of chronic hepatitis in the world. Although the cause of chronic infection in individuals is not well known, cytokines that are of the main factors to regulate the immune reaction play an important role in determining the clinical course of infection of this virus, and host genetic background and single nucleotide polymorphisms have a decisive effect on the level and performance of cytokines. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the single nucleotide polymorphisms of 3' noncoding region of IL-12 p40 subunit gene on position +1188, and susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B. This case-control study was performed on a population including 140 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 150 healthy people. PCR-RFLP method was used to determine genotype of individuals. In order to confirm the genotyping results, sequence of 10% of samples was reviewed using direct sequencing. The frequency of AA, AC and CC genotypes of this gene at position +1188 was respectively calculated 56.4, 36.4 and 7.1% in group of patients and 59.3, 33.3 and 7.3% in the control group. No significant difference was found between both case and control groups (p = 0.487). The frequency of different genotypes of this gene in the studied population is similar to the results of most studies conducted in different countries. The results of this study shows no association between IL-12B +1188 polymorphism and the risk of chronic hepatitis B is in Iranian population.

glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common genetic defects in the world, so that more than 400 million people in worldwide are affected with it, but its prevalence varies from 1-65% in different populations. Clinical manifestation of this defect is acute hemolytic anemia, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and chronic nonspherocytic haemolytic anaemia. So far, almost 140 mutations have been identified in the gene of G6PD enzyme. Mediterranean is the most common mutation. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of G6PD Mediterranean mutation in the deficient people in the city of Zahedan. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, blood samples of 1440 male individuals, who were referred to Zahedan Reference Laboratory for premarital testing, were examined for G6PD deficiency using fluorescent spot test. Genomic DNA from blood of people with G6PD deficiency was extracted by DNA extraction kit. Mediterranean mutation was identified using PCR-RFLP method. 101 out of 1440 subjects had G6PD deficiency. Therefore prevalence of G6PD deficiency in Zahedan city was estimated about 7%. Mediterranean mutation frequency in patients with defect of G6PD was estimated 84.2% (85 out of 101 patients) and 15.8% (16 out of 101 patients) did not have mutation Mediterranean. The frequency of G6PD deficiency was expressed as a percentage of total cases and Mediterranean mutation prevalence was expressed as a percentage of total impaired individuals. The result of this study showed that the frequency of G6PD deficiency in Zahedan city is lower than other cities of sistan and baluchestan province. Dominant mutation in present study was Mediterranean type and its frequency was very similar with prevalence of this mutation in other parts of Iran.

Electrolysis therapy is a new effective physical method for treating localized cancers, in which the effects of direct electric current, including drastic changes in pH, produced toxins and effects of electric field are used to destroy tumors. This study discusses the above method and the effect of dose distribution in treatment efficiency in tumor colon carcinoma model in Balb/c mice. In this experimental study, first colon carcinoma tumor was induced in 60 Balb/c mice. When tumor volume reached 340± 30 mm3, the animals were randomly divided into four groups. A current supply was used in group 3 and 3 current supplies were used in group 4 to apply dose of 20 coulombs per cubic centimeter (C/mm3) through six electrodes located at base and top of the tumor. In addition to reviewing the pathology to confirm the tumor and its treatment effects, the daily measurement of tumor size and mortality of animals was also recorded. While in control groups the tumors grew quickly and without even a regression and survival fraction got zero within 50 days after the electrolysis, in groups 3 and 4, complete destruction was recorded respectively 40 (8/20) and 60 (12/20) percent, which represented a significant increase in the complete destruction in both treatment group 3 (p = 0/029) and 4 (p = 0/002) compared to the control groups. In addition, survival fraction increased in treatment groups so that survival increase in group 4 was quite significant compared to the control groups (p =0/02). The evidences suggest the anti-tumor effects and a high potential for electrolysis therapy in treatment and destruction of tumors and control of their growth, the efficiency of which can improve through solutions such as use of more current supplies.

Anxiety among patients experiencing coronary angiography increases within invasive studies including angiography. Anxiety as an intensifier at cardiovascular reactions can endanger patients in angiography clinics. Studies indicate that lavendula spica L. inhalation can decrease anxiety. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of aromatherapy on the anxiety level of patients experiencing coronary angiography. This research is a clinical trial study performed on a group of 96 patients hospitalized in Sari Fatemeh-Zahra Hospital for coronary angiography who were randomly selected. They were divided in two subject (45 patients) and control (46 patients) groups. Demographic data sheets, recording sheet of homodynamic variables and Spielberger state-trait anxiety inventory were distributed among the two groups before and after aromatherapy. The data were analyzed using SPSS-16 as well as statistical T-test and chi-square test. The two groups were homogenous in terms of gender, marital status, level of education, sickness background, age and health insurance. The data indicated that anxiety level decreased significantly in the subject group compared with the control group after aromatherapy (P < 0.0001). There was also a significant difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and respiratory rate as well as heartbeat parameters in these two groups. (P<0.05) Lavendula aroma inhalation can decrease anxiety level of patients before coronary angiography and accordingly aromatherapy can be used as health care intervention and mental support, without any side effects, for the patients before invasive interventions such as angiography.