مجله دانشگاه علوم پزشکی شهرکرد
سال بیست و ششم شماره 1 (پیاپی 122، Winter 2024)

This study investigated the effects of gonadal removal in male and female rats on changes in serum biochemical parameters.

Twenty-eight adult male and female rats were divided into four groups of 7 animals for a period of 9 weeks. The first and second groups of intact male and female rats, as well as the third and fourth groups of male and female rats, were gonadectomized, respectively. At the end of the ninth week of the study, the rats were anesthetized with chloroform, and the amount of glucose, some lipid parameters in serum, and the activity of a number of serum enzymes were measured after taking blood from the heart.

Alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were higher in intact male rats than in intact female rats, respectively (P=0.03, P=0.015). The amounts of glucose and cholesterol of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in intact female rats were higher than in the ovariectomized rats, respectively (P=0.07, P=0.039, P=0.03). The amount of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in spayed female rats demonstrated a significant increase compared to other groups (P=0.001). However, there was a significant decrease in calcium levels in gonadectomized rat groups in comparison to intact female rats (P=0.02). Finally, a significant increase was found in phosphorous levels in the intact male rats group compared to other groups (P=0.002).

Decreased sex hormones in gonadectomized rats compared with intact rats could lead to increased serum levels of LDH, ALP, and LDL cholesterol that may result in the development of metabolic and atherogenesis syndromes and acute liver failure.

Nowadays, one of the purposes of ergonomics is to identify the risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders and provide solutions to reduce them. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of using Kinesio tape and doing exercise during working hours for 8 weeks on the reduction of risk and pain and improvement of hand function during daily activities.

This clinical trial study was carried out on 40 female workers employed in the manufacturing industry. The subjects were divided into three groups, including exercise-taping, exercise, and control, and performed an 8-week rehabilitation program twice a week. To assess the upper limb function, the cognitive demand of the assigned task, and hand strength, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, Borg Scale, and a dynamometer were used, respectively.

The results of this study indicated a decrease in upper limb disability and increased grip strength in the tape plus exercise group compared to the control group (P<0.05). However, no significant change in the Borg scale was found in any of the three groups (P>0.05).

It can be concluded that attending at least 2 or 3 exercise sessions per week and using Kinesio tape can be effective in reducing pain in the upper limb.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training combined with calorie restriction on the expression of HSP70 and HSP60 in the myocardium of male rats.

A total of 27 male rats were randomly divided into three groups (9 rats in each group): control, caloric restriction, and caloric restriction with high-intensity interval training. During the study, the control group had free access to water and food, but the amount of food in the food restriction group was limited to 50% and the calorie restriction-exercise group was limited to 25% of the control group. The restriction-exercise group was subjected to intense interval training for eight weeks. The gene expression of apoptotic indicators HSP70 and HSP60 was assessed using the real-time PCR method. The data were analyzed using Shapiro-Wilk test and ANOVA test.

Body weight in both calorie restriction groups significantly decreased (P=0.001). The results of the post hoc test showed a significant increase in the expression of HSP70 and HSP60 genes in the myocardium of male rats in the calorie-restricted-exercise group compared to the calorie-restricted and control groups (P=0.001). Additionally, no significant difference was observed between the two restriction and control groups in terms of HSP70 and HSP60 (P=0.102).

The combination of high-intensity interval training and mild food restriction significantly increased HSP60 and HSP70 expression.

Diabetes affects some cardiac angiogenic and antiangiogenic markers. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on mir-126, endothelial monocyte-activating polypeptide II (EMAP-II), and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) in young rats with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

The statistical population of this experimental study included young rats (8 weeks old) with T2D. In this research, 24 young rats (8 weeks old) were divided into healthy+HIIT, diabetic+HIIT, and healthy control groups. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method was used to measure TGF-β and the real-time polymerase chain reaction for mir-126 and EMAP-II. A one-way analysis of variance and the least significant difference post hoc test were used to compare the two groups.

The results showed diabetes+HIIT and healthy+HIIT had more mir-126 compared to healthy control (P=0.001). Healthy+HIIT, in comparison to diabetes+HIIT, had higher mir-126 expression (P=0.001). In addition, diabetes+HIIT, compared to the healthy control, had a higher EMAP-II expression (P=0.006). On the other hand, healthy+HIIT had lower EMAP-II in comparison to healthy control (P=0.001). Healthy+HIIT had a lower EMAP-II compared to diabetes+HIIT (P=0.001). Diabetes+HIIT, in comparison to the healthy control, had higher TGF-β levels (P=0.005). However, healthy+HIIT, compared to healthy control, had a lower expression of TGF-β (P=0.001). Finally, the healthy+HIIT groups, compared to the diabetes+HIIT group, had a lower TGF-β expression (P=0.001).

Interval exercise could increase angiogenesis in diabetic samples through the increase of mir-126 and the reduction of TGF-β1 and EMAP-II.

This research aimed to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of interval training and the use of cineole, linalool, and bourbonene on MAPK/Arc gene expression and learning in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) rats.

In this experimental study, 40 AD rats were randomized into eight groups, including (1) control, (2) AD, (3) AD+aerobic training (AT), (4) AD+linalool, cineole, and bourbonene (LCB), (5) AD+AT+LCB, (6) AT+AD, (7) LCB+AD, and (8) AT+LCB+AD. AD was induced by injecting amyloid-beta (Aβ1)-42 into the hippocampus of rats. The interval training protocol was performed five days per week for eight weeks before and after AD induction. Linalool at a concentration of 25 mg/kg, cineole at a concentration of 10 µM, and β-bourbonene at a concentration of 10 µg/mL were used for eight weeks. One-way analysis of variance was used for between-group comparisons, and Tukey’s test was used for pairwise comparisons at P≤0.05.

AD induction caused a significant decrease in MAPK/Arc gene expression in hippocampal tissue (P=0.001). Interval exercise and consumption of three herbal drugs significantly increased gene expression of Arc (P=0.001) and MAPK (P=0.001). AD induction decreased learning (P=0.001). Interval exercise and consumption of three herbal medicines caused a significant increase in learning (P=0.001).

Interval exercise and using three herbal medicines have more favorable effects on improving MAPK/Arc gene expression and learning in AD than each alone.

Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is related to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in serum and protects against low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Terminalia chebula on PON1 in hyperlipidemic rats and the molecular docking effects of some compounds of this medical plant on PON1 activity.

Overall, 40 male rats (200–250 gr) were randomly divided into four groups, including the control group, the hyperlipid group, the hyperlipid group receiving 400 mg/kg of the hydroalcoholic extract of T. chebula seeds, and the hyperlipid group receiving 800 mg/kg of the hydroalcoholic extract of T. chebula seeds. The PON1 arylesterase activity in serum and the PON1 gene expression in the liver tissue underwent investigation. Then, the molecular docking effects of its compounds were studied on PON1 through in-silico studies using the AutoDock software (version 4.2.0).

T. chebula decreased (P<0.001) the serum triglycerides from 105.88±10.15 mg/dL in the hyperlipidemic group to 66.88±14.90 and 74.25±9.51 mg/dL in hyperlipidemic groups receiving 400 and 800 mg/kg of the hydroalcoholic extract of T. chebula seeds, respectively. In addition, the PON1 serum aryl esterase activity increased from 202.12±6058 in hyperlipidemic rats to 224.34±58.74 (P=0.83) and 235.80±37.05 (P=0.6) in hyperlipidemic groups receiving 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg of the hydroalcoholic extract of T. chebula seeds, respectively. It also demonstrated a significant effect on PON1 gene expression (P<0.001). In addition, the in-silico and docking results revealed that the main antioxidant compounds of T. chebula, such as catechin, kaempferol, and quercetin, could bind to the PON1 enzyme directly and influence the enzyme activity.

T. chebula increased PON1 activity and PON1 gene expression. However, among the plant’s compounds, catechin, kaempferol, and quercetin played the most substantial role in the PON1 activity. It seems that these compounds can be useful as co-treatments in hyperlipidemia therapies.

Sertoli–Leydig cell tumors (SLCTs), also known as androblastoma, are rare, accounting for less than 1% of ovarian neoplasms. The clinical manifestations of SLCT range from asymptomatic to severe virilization. The majority of Sertoli cell tumors are highly differentiated, with homogeneous nuclei and few mitotic signs among the neoplastic cells. This study is a case report of a 3-year-old girl who was admitted to Kashani hospital with abdominal pain and a protruding stomach. On the right side of the abdomen, there was a large, lump palpable. Inhibin, calretinin, actine, and WT1 were all detected as positive by immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing. However, CD30, NSE, synaptophysin, vimentin, chromogranin, S100, and AFP were all detected to be negative. Additional information about ovarian sex cord tumors is provided in this case. Sertoli cell tumor should be considered a differential diagnosis in a young girl who has hirsutism, irregular bleeding, and breast atrophy with a pelvic mass.

The desire for beauty and frequent use of cosmetics can expose humans to heavy metals, which can cause immune system disorders over time. We selected 5 common lipstick brands to determine the concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and chromium (Cr). We prepared each sample by acid digestion, and then the concentration of the metals was measured using an atomic absorption spectrometer. The results showed that Pb, Cd, and Cr were present in all lipstick samples. However, their concentrations were lower than the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards. The maximum concentrations of Pb and Cd were 2.31 mg/kg (brand A) and 0.037 mg/kg (brand D), respectively. Health risk assessment of the examined metals showed that only Cr can pose non-carcinogenic (14.98) and carcinogenic (44.96E-04) risks to consumers. Despite the low concentration of heavy metals in our study, chronic use of lipstick can pose carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks due to the presence of Cr.