abolfazl akbari

 Physical exercise and the subsequent recovery processes have been proposed to affect the essential hemostatic balance of trace elements, either by increasing degradation rates or by enhancing loss from the body. This might disturb the function of vital metabolic organs, such as muscles and liver, leading to unsatisfactory performance. It appears that taking advantage of mineral-rich herbal supplements could replenish the body's mineral sources.

 The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Cucurbita pepo supplementation on exercise-induced dynamics of micronutrients in serum, liver, and skeletal muscle of Wistar rats.

 Forty male Wistar rats (aged 4 - 6 weeks old, weighing 130 - 150 g) were randomly divided into four groups of ten rats each: (1) Saline control group (SC), (2) training at 25 m/min group (ST), (3) pumpkin seed oil supplementation group (PC), and (4) pumpkin seed oil supplementation + Training at 25m/min (PT). Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (25 m/min, eliciting approximately 65% VO2Peak) and consumption of pumpkin seed oil (4 ml/kg/day) were conducted for 6 weeks. The ICP-OES technique was used to measure plasma, liver, and skeletal muscle levels of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg), and copper (Cu) approximately 48 to 72 hours after the final session of the training protocol. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Bonferroni tests (P < 0.05).

 No significant changes in serum Fe (P = 0.728) and Mn (P = 0.52) levels, as well as liver tissue levels of Zn (P = 0.633), Fe (P = 0.512), Mn (P = 0.194), Mg (P = 0.156), and Cu (P = 0.711), were observed among the intervention groups. However, all trace mineral element (TME) concentrations, except for Cu (P = 0.907) in the gastrocnemius tissue, significantly changed among the study groups (P < 0.05). Additionally, the results of the Bonferroni test showed that six weeks of moderate physical activity decreased the serum, liver, and gastrocnemius levels of TMEs, and subsequent supplementation with pumpkin seed oil played a replenishing role in preserving the resources.

 Pumpkin seed oil supplementation was demonstrated to be an effective ergogenic aid for the up-regulation and replenishment of exercise-induced TME excretion from the liver, gastrocnemius, and body fluids in healthy rats.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is acknowledged as an efficient therapeutic modality in fibromyalgia. However, its effect on the oxidative balance of fibromyalgia patients has not been investigated.

We investigated whether CBT intervention could influence serum markers of oxidative balance.

Forty fibromyalgia patients were randomly assigned to either the intervention (CBT) or control (waiting list) group. For the intervention group, traditional face-to-face CBT was performed for 20 sessions over two months. Sixteen patients in the CBT group and 17 patients in the control group completed the study. Outcomes were the serum total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) that were assessed before the intervention and at the end of the intervention by an oxidation-reduction colorimetric assay. Within-group and between-group analyses were performed using theWilcoxon signed-rank test and Mann–Whitney U test, respectively.

Baseline characteristics showed no significant difference between the participants of the two groups. At the end of the study, mean TOS significantly reduced in the case group (P < 0.001) but not in the control group (P = 0.61), and mean TAC showed no significant change in the case and control groups (P = 0.1 and P = 0.09, respectively). The mean change in TOS was 0.43 ± 0.3 mM in the CBT group and 0.03 ± 0.2 mM in the control group (P < 0.001). The mean change in TAC was 0.015 ± 0.03 mM in the CBT group and 0.01 ± 0.02 mM in the control group (P = 0.57).

Cognitive-behavioral therapy improves the oxidative balance of fibromyalgia patients. Our results further support the benefits of CBT implication in the treatment of fibromyalgia.

Salinomycin (SLM) is an ionophore antibiotic used extensively in the poultry industry for the control and prevention of coccidiosis. The toxicity of the ionophore is thought to be due to oxidative damage caused by the production of free radicals. Curcumin is a major component of turmeric, which has a wide range of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nanocurcumin (NC) as a natural antioxidant on broiler chickens poisoned with a toxic dose of SLM. In this study, 60 broilers were randomly divided into 5 groups. The first group was considered as control. The second group received SLM at a dose of 300 mg/kg bw per day for 14 days. Groups 3, 4 and 5 received oral doses of NC at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg bw per day for 14 days in addition to SLM. After 14 days, blood and kidney tissue samples were collected for biochemical and histopathological evaluation. It was observed that NC reduced the incidence and severity of renal histopathological lesions. The highest levels of inflammatory cells were observed in the cortex and medulla of the SLM group and it appeared that treatment with NC improved the condition and reduced the presence of inflammatory cells. It also significantly improved renal histomorphometric parameters (P<0.05). It seemed that SLM-induced adverse conditions can be reversed by oral administration of NC.

High levels of resistin are associated with metabolic diseases and their complications, including hypertension. The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is also involved in metabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension. Therefore, this study aimed to study cardiovascular (CV) responses evoked by the injection of resistin into the lateral ventricle (LV) and PVN and determine the mechanism of these responses in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM).

Arterial pressure (AP) and heart rate (HR) were evaluated in urethane-anesthetized male rats (1.4 g/kg intraperitoneally) before and after all injections. This study was carried out in two stages. Resistin was injected into LV at the first stage, and AP and HR were evaluated. After that, the paraventricular, supraoptic, and dorsomedial nuclei of the hypothalamus were chosen to evaluate the gene expression of c-Fos. Afterward, resistin was injected into PVN, and cardiovascular responses were monitored. Then to detect possible neural mechanisms of resistin action, agonists or antagonists of glutamatergic, GABAergic, cholinergic, and aminergic transmissions were injected into RVLM. 

Resistin injection into LV or PVN could increase AP and HR compared to the control group and before injection. Resistin injection into LV also increases the activity of RVLM, paraventricular, supraoptic, and dorsomedial areas. Moreover, the CV reflex created by the administration of resistin in PVN is probably mediated by glutamatergic transmission within RVLM. 

It can be concluded that hypothalamic nuclei, including paraventricular, are important central areas for resistin actions, and glutamatergic transmission in RVLM may be one of the therapeutic targets for high AP in obese people or with metabolic syndrome.

Due to the lack of favorable response to synthetic drugs, the tendency to use traditional medicine to treat inflammatory bowel disease has risen. We aimed to assess the effect of Cichorium intybus L., Trigonella foenum-graecum L., and Foeniculum vulgare L. on the control of recurrent ulcerative colitis (UC) symptoms. This randomized clinical trial was performed on 60 patients suffering from mild-to-moderate UC. Patients were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. Patients in both groups were treated with a standard dose of oral mesalazine (3 g daily) for eight weeks. In addition, the intervention group was given a mixture of 200 mg C. intybus, 350 mg T. foenum-graecum, and 1.5 mg F. vulgare (three times a day). The disease activity was evaluated before and 60 days after the intervention using a simple clinical colitis activity index (SCCAI). The baseline mean SCCAI score was similar in both groups. Although the SCCAI score significantly reduced in both groups 60 days after the initial assessment, this reduction was significantly higher in the group receiving the herbal combination than in the control group. The intervention-related side effects, such as bloating and dyspepsia, were well tolerated. The use of C. intybus, T. foenum-graecum, and F. vulgare can effectively control UC symptoms and thus, can be used as an effective and safe medication for treating UC.

 Chronic use of dexamethasone, especially in athletes, is associated with reproductive disorders.

 This study aimed to investigate the effect of high and moderate intensity endurance training along with the consumption of safflower extract on testicular oxidative damage and testosterone level in male rats treated with dexamethasone.

 A total of 45 male Wistar rats were divided into the controlled and treated groups. Dexamethasone was subcutaneously injected for five days at a dose of 8 mg/kg. High and moderate intensity exercises were performed for ten weeks (five days a week) at speeds of 28 and 34 m/min, respectively, on the treadmill. The safflower seed extract (500 mg/kg of the body weight) was administered daily during the training period by gavage. At the end of the given period, testicular tissue sampling was performed to measure malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity, Nrf2, and testosterone levels.

 The results showed that high and moderate intensity exercises along with the consumption of safflower seed extract (P = 0.000) as well as high intensity exercise alone (P = 0.04) caused a significant increase in Nrf2 expression in animals receiving dexamethasone compared to the dexamethasone group. No significant change was observed in the testosterone level of the dexamethasone group compared to that of the control group. However, a significant change was detected in its level in some groups treated with moderate exercise, intense exercise, and safflower extract.

 It was concluded that moderate and high intensity endurance training, along with the consumption of safflower extract, had the potential to prevent infertility caused by dexamethasone.

Increased vascular permeability is one of the main mechanisms in the production of pleural effusion (PE) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has a significant role in its pathogenesis. This study aimed to compare pleural levels of VEGF in transudative and exudative PEs besides the other pleural markers.
In this prospective cross-sectional study, 80 patients with PE were divided into 4 groups as transudative (N=15), parapneumonic (N=15), tuberculosis (N=25), and malignant (N=25) PE. Biochemical tests measured the pleural protein, LDH, cholesterol, glucose, polymorphonuclear cell (PMN), and lymphocyte. ELISA measured the pleural VEGF level.
Out of 80 patients, 51 were male, and the total mean age was 55.34±18.53. There were significant differences in pleural VEGF between exudative and transudative effusion (P<0.001) and between malignant and benign effusion (P=0.014). The highest mean difference in pleural VEGF levels was seen in the comparison of transudative and malignant groups (Mean difference=-136.56; P<0.002). The VEGF level in 3 groups was not significantly different; transudative vs tuberculous, parapneumonic vs tuberculous, and parapneumonic vs malignant. Furthermore, VEGF higher than 73.09 pg/ml had a 64% sensitivity and 82% specificity for the diagnosis of malignancy. Among pleural markers (VEGF, protein, LDH, and glucose), VEGF had the highest area under curve (AUC=0.734). Moreover, pleural protein, LDH, and glucose levels significantly correlated with pleural VEGF; however, pleural cholesterol, PMN, and lymphocyte were not correlated.
VEGF is assumed as an important factor in the pathogenesis of exudative PE, especially malignant effusion. It can distinguish between lymphocytic exudative PEs.

Cancer stem cells (CSC), as responsible issues to cancer development and progression, play a crucial role in tumorigenesis, recurrence, metastasis, and chemoresistance. Both hyperthermia and photodynamic therapy (PDT) may be effective for cancer treatment, particularly when combined with other therapeutic approaches. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of hyperthermia combined with PDT on colorectal CSC and the gene expression of the CSC markers, presenting a more effective approach for cancer therapy.

The study was conducted in the Pasteur institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran in 2018. We evaluated the anticancer role of hyperthermia, Gold nanoparticles coated with curcumin (Cur-GNPs) in PDT and combination of the two approaches on cell viability and the expression of CSC markers, Nanog and Oct4 in colorectal cancer cell line HT-29. The cytotoxicity effect of Cur-GNPs against the cells was assessed in vitro. The cell viability was assessed using MTT assay, and the expression analysis of the CSC genes was evaluated using a q-real-time PCR.

Cell viability was decreased by PDT (P=0.015) and the combination therapy (P=0.006) but not by hyperthermia alone (P=0.4), compared to control. Also, the expression of CSC markers, Nanog and Oct4 was shown to significantly down-regulate in all hyperthermia, PDT and combination groups.

Hyperthermia combined with PDT was indicated to be more efficient in eliminating tumors than hyperthermia or PDT alone.

Inactivity and on the other hand physical exercise are known as factors related to indicators of liver damage. However, the role of many types of interval, including interval and resistance training, and the consumption of certain dietary supplements, including spirulina, on immune and inflammatory factors is not fully understood. Therefore, the aim of this research was to determine the effect of eight weeks of spirulina supplementation and resistance and intermittent aerobic training on liver tissue activity and CXCL1 gene expression in muscle tissue of Males rats.

In this semi-experimental research, 65-weeks-old male Wistar rats with an average weight of 246.4 ± 24.6g were randomly assigned to six groups: interval training + spirulina supplement, resistance training + spirulina supplement, control + spirulina supplement, interval training + saline, resistance training + saline, control + saline. Based on this, the amount of spirulina supplement in the spirulina supplement consumption groups was 500 mg/kg body weight. The interval training group performed five sessions per week for eight weeks, and the resistance training group performed three sessions per week with increasing load. 48 hours after the last training session, the animals in the experimental groups were anesthetized with ketamine and xylazine, blood samples were taken from the inferior vein, and quadriceps muscle tissue was quickly removed. CXCL1 gene expression level in quadriceps muscle and liver enzymes were measured as an indicator of liver function in serum. Statistical data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (P < 0.05).

The results of this research showed that after 8-weeks of interval and resistance training with increasing load, the expression level of the CXCL1 gene was higher in the quadriceps muscle of the control group, but no significant difference was found. The level of liver enzymes was significantly higher than the control group. The results also showed that spirulina consumption combined with interval aerobic and resistance exercise can significantly alter liver function indicators compared to the control group. However, the expression of the CXCL1 gene in the groups consuming spirulina and aerobic and resistance training did not show a significant change compared to the control group.

the results of this research showed that spirulina and interval and resistance exercises can modulate the functional indicators of the liver and the gene expression of CXCL1 in the quadriceps muscle tissue. These results show that spirulina can be involved in the occurrence of adaptive responses related to metabolic damage.

Nowadays, due to poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyle and side effects of medicine use, prevalence of kidney injury and disease are observed. Regular exercise and some herbal medicine may influence on recovering from such illnesses. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of ten-week aerobic exercise and consumption of safflower seed extract (500 mg/kg of body weight) on PTEN gene expression and serum creatinine levels after consuming Dexamethasone in male rats. 25 Wistar male rats (371±32 gr) were randomly divided into five groups including control, dexamethasone, dexamethasone+safflower, dexamethasone+aerobic exercise, dexamethasone+safflower+aerobic exercise groups. Kidney injury was induced by subcutaneous injection of dexamethasone (8 gr /kg of body weight) for 6 days. Exercise protocol, including treadmill running, started at 15 m/min for 10 minutes and increased by the end of the third week, reaching a maximum of 28 m/min for 60 minutes 5 days a week. By the end of the tenth week, the intensity and duration of the exercises remained unchanged. Creatinine level had a significant reduction in dexamethasone+exercise group compared to dexamethasone group (P=0.047); while it's level had no significant difference in dexamethasone+safflower and dexamethasone+safflower+aerobic exercise compared to dexamethasone group. PTEN gene expression in therapeutic intervention groups had an insignificant change compared to dexamethasone group. Results of the present study indicate that 10 weeks of aerobic exercise and consumption of safflower seed extract could improve kidney injury caused by dexamethasone. This effect seems to be through other mechanisms that have not been investigated in this study.

Adopting a comparative-historical approach, this study examines the impact of Waqf institution on development in Mashhad and the factors that weaken or strengthen this impact in the three historical periods of Timurid, Safavid and Pahlavi. In the theoretical framework, while referring to the theories of functionalism and structuralism, by using the new institutionalist in economic sociology approach, a three-level causal model is presented to examine the factors that weaken or strengthen the impact of waqf institution on development. This model was tested by using narrative analysis, Mills Methods of agreement and dispute at two levels within the case and between the cases. The results indicate that strengthening or weakening the impact of waqf institution on development in Mashhad in the studied periods depend on the institutional environment of waqf, the performance of endowment trustees and endowment trustee organizations in maintaining and developing endowments and intentions and motivations of waqifs. In the Timurid and Safavid periods, due to the existence of an institutional environment supporting waqf, the effective performance of waqf trustees and organizations and strengthening the spiritual motivations of waqifs and further influencing their intentions, the impact of waqf institution on development of Mashhad has also been strengthened, whereas, in the Pahlavi period, due to the lack of an institutional environment supporting the endowment, malfunction of endowment trustees and endowment trustee organizations and weakening the spiritual motivations of the waqifs and reducing the effectiveness of their intentions, this effect has been weakened.

The aim of present study is to evaluate the effects of ten weeks of aerobic exercise and consumption of safflower seed extract on PIK3R1gene expression and serum creatinine levels in male rats, after consuming Dexamethasone.

25 male Wistar rats (371± 32 gr) were randomly divided into five groups including; control, dexamethasone, dexamethasone + safflower (500 mg/kg of body weight), dexamethasone + aerobic exercise (60 minutes, speed of 28m/min, 5 days a week), dexamethasone + safflower + aerobic exercise. Kidney damage was induced by subcutaneous injection of Dexamethasone (8 gr /kg of body weight) for 6 days.

Findings didn’t show a significant effect in the expression of PIK3R1 gene in different groups. Despite the observed changes in renal histology, dexamethasone caused insignificant changes in urea and uric acid. The results of this study showed that 10 weeks of consumption of safflower extract caused a significant decrease in urea and an insignificant increase in uric acid in mice with kidney damage. Also, 10 weeks of aerobic exercise significantly reduced urea, while causing an insignificant reduction in uric acid in mice with kidney damage. Despite changes in urea and uric acid, aerobic exercise and safflower extract can improve kidney damage.

It seems that 10 weeks of aerobic exercise and consumption of safflower seed extract can be effective in improving kidney injury but the interveners in this study could not alter the expression of the PIK3R1 gene.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of continuous and high intensity interval training with silymarin consumption on liver enzymes and histological modifications in rats with dexamethasone-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Male rats were initially divided into 2 groups: normal and exposed to dexamethasone. Dexamethasone group were randomly divided into 6 groups. control (C), Silymarin (S), continues training (CT), and continues training+silymarin (CTS), high intensity interval training (HIT), high intensity interval training+Silymarin (HITS). Silymarin groups, received 300 mg. kg-1.d-1 of silymarin solution through gavage. Animals in HIT groups performed 3-min bouts at 40 m/min, interspersed by 3-min active recovery at a running velocity of 20 m/min on a motorized treadmill with 15% incline, repeated six times per session. Continues training groups performed steady state running at the same speed as the active recovery's speed in the HIT group. Liver histological modifications and serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate transaminase (AST) were measured. Silymarin consumption and aerobic training were able to improve histological changes compared with control group. Interactive effect of silymarin supplementation and training on AST and ALT levels was not significant. Silymarin reduced liver AST and ALT levels (p≤0.05). Also, AST levels were significantly higher in HIT group than in control group (p≤0.05). The amount of this enzyme in the HITS was significantly reduced compared to HIT group (p≤0.05). Silymarin supplementation and aerobic training separately and in combination may improve liver histological status of rats with dexamethasone-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver.

Curcumin is a herbal supplement that has been mentioned for many biomedical applications. Several pieces of research demonstrated that curcumin could improve cancer chemotherapy, lagging the metastasis progress, and prevent healthy cells from radiation therapy damage. Through a simple and green synthesis procedure, stable gold nanoparticles were synthesized by natural phytomedicine curcumin. The curcumin-coated gold nanoparticles (Cur@AuNPs) are red and represent the distinct gold nanoparticles' plasmonic peak. The average diameter of the synthesized nanoparticles is 21.7. However, the hydrodynamic diameter was 45.1 nm. The cytotoxicity of Cur@AuNPs has been investigated through an MTT assay. 24-hour treatment of Cur@AuNPs could eradicate more than 30% of HT29 cancerous cells. The real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used to study the molecular change in apoptotic protein changes. The nanoparticle treatment increases the level of the pro-apoptotic protein (Bax, P53, and P21) and decreases the anti-apoptotic protein level (Bcl-2) in the treated cell population.

The use of a laryngeal mask airway is associated with complications, such as a sore throat. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of taking the licophar pill on reducing sore throat due to laryngeal mask implantation in cataract surgery candidates.

In this study, 241 patients over 18 years of age with cataract surgery and ASA Ι or ΙΙ were randomly divided into the intervention and control groups. The intervention group received one licophar pill half an hour before surgery; however, the control group received nothing. The sore throat severity was measured 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h after surgery using the Visual-Analogue Scale (VAS). The data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 16).

Out of 241 patients, 120 cases received licophar pills. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of gender; however, the mean age was lower in the control group. On the other hand, the rate of sore throat was significantly higher in the control group, compared to the intervention group. In addition, postoperative pain scores in the intervention vs. control group 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h were 0.466 (1.454) vs. 3.842 (3.359), 0.383 (1.298) vs. 3.280 (3.056), 0.275 (1.102) vs. 2.694 (2.580), 0.200 (0.890) vs. 2.074 (2.271), and 0.108 (0.574) vs. 1.429 (1.714), respectively. Moreover, 103 and 40 patients in the intervention and control groups reported no pain (VAS=0), respectively, 1 h after surgery.

The present study showed that the use of licophar lozenge half an hour before surgery has a significant effect on reducing postoperative sore throat.

Transforming growth factor-beta-induced factor X-linked (TGIF2LX) as a homeodomain protein and TGF-βcorepressor, could regulate proliferation of some cancer cells including colorectal cancer by some signaling pathways. Small non-coding RNAs (microRNA; miRNA) are known as molecular regulators of colorectal cancer that are involved in the processes of cell growth, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological significance of TGIF2LX protein and its effect on the expression of oncogenic miRNAs miR-34a, miR-20a and miR-21 in colorectal cancer cells SW1116.

Human SW1116 cell line and cell line transfected with cDNA encoding TGIF2LX gene were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium under appropriate conditions. MTT assay was used to assess cell viability in vitro. After RNA extraction from all cell groups and cDNA synthesis, miRNA expression analysis was performed using qReal-time PCR technique.

The results showed that the increased expression of TGIF2LX could reduce the proliferation of SW1116 cell line. Gene expression analysis showed that increased expression of TGIF2LX could significantly reduce the expression level of miR-21 (P<0.038). However, the expression levels of miR-34a and miR-20a in SW1116 cells transfected with TGIF2LX did not show a significant change compared to non-transfected cells (P>0.05).

Our findings provide evidence of molecular mechanisms that the homeodomain protein TGIF2LX can act as a tumor suppressor in colorectal cancer cells by reducing miR-21 expression. Therefore, this protein can potentially be considered as a promising option for gene-based therapeutic strategies in this cancer.

The aim of this study was to evaluate cardiovascular recovery after running on a treadmill with different intensities with N95 and surgery masks in middle-aged men.

72 healthy men were randomly divided into six groups: 1. Surgery + submaximal, 2. N95 + submaximal, 3. Surgery + maximal, 4. N95 + maximal, 5. Sub maximal without mask, 6. Maximal without mask. The sub-maximal and maximal exercise protocols included running at a speed of 1.34 m / s with 5% for 20 minutes on a treadmill and a modified Bruce test, respectively.

Hemodynamic factors were measured before, immediately, 1, 3 and 5 minutes after exercise. Analysis of variance in repeated measures was used to analyze the data. Changes in heart rate, systolic pressure, and myocardial oxygen consumption during the recovery period after exercise were not significant in groups with the same activity (maximal or submaximal) with or without masking conditions. Heart rate was significantly higher in N95MAX vs. SURMAX at 1 min after maximal exercise. HR, SBP, and DP were significantly lower immediately after anaerobic exercise within 1 and 2 min of the post recovery period.

Our results showed that facial masks with exercise in healthy individuals can be used during COVID-19 pandemic disease, without having negative effects on postoperative cardiac recovery performance.

Retinopathy of premature (ROP) is known as the abnormal growth of retinal blood vessels in premature infants, occurring mainly due to the exposure to high levels of oxygen. Improper growth of retinal vessels because of ischemia-reperfusion causes oxidative damage and inflammation, and this condition is exacerbated by the abnormal proliferation of new vessels (neovascularization).

Zinc and iron, as the most abundant trace metals in the retina, control the redox-oxidation state in the retina; they also act as cofactors for many enzymes, including antioxidant enzymes. The deficiency of these two elements is common in preterm neonates and is considered one of the pathogens of ROP.

Adequate zinc and iron levels inhibited not only inhibit oxidative damage and inflammation caused by hypoxia but also vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. In support of this mechanism, the results of the study showed that premature infants receiving high doses of zinc and adequate doses of iron significantly reduce the ROP process.

Oxidative damage and inflammation due to vascular ischemia in the retina are a major cause of ROP in infants, which may be due to zinc and iron deficiency. Therefore, monitoring serum zinc and iron levels and normalizing them may play an important preventive role in the development of retinopathy of prematurity.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is specified by a chronic mucosal inflammation that has a deleterious impact on the quality of life (QoL). Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) appears to influence disease activity by its obvious properties. Therefore, the current research intends to assess the impacts of CoQ10 on QoL, disease activity, and blood pressure in UC patients.

This clinical trial performed on men and women with UC in 2017 who were attended the gastrointestinal center of Hazrat Rasool Akram Hospital and private clinic. Eighty-eight UC patients were randomly allocated to receive either CoQ10 (200 mg/day) or placebo for 8 weeks. The anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire-32 (IBDQ-32) score, and the Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index (SCCAI) score were measured pre and post-intervention. P-value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. All statistical analysis was done using SPSS software version 24.

Eighty-six UC patients (44 males) with a mean age of 39.29 (10.19) years completed the trial. The results of between- and within-group analysis revealed that the SCCAI score (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively), diastolic blood pressure (p=0.025 and p=0.001, respectively), and systolic blood pressure (p=0.001 and p<0.001, respectively) decremented significantly; while, the mean IBDQ-32 (p<0.001 and p=0.001, respectively) increased substantially in the CoQ10 group; whereas there was no significant difference in anthropometric indices in both groups.

Findings suggest that CoQ10 can be used as a potential intervention for diminishing the disease severity and blood pressure and may improve QoL and UC patients.

This study aimed to evaluate the role of miR-146a-5p in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy and its interaction with oxidative stress and inflammation in the ocular tissue of rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Twenty adult male Sprague Dawley rats (220 ±20 g) were randomly assigned to control and diabetic groups. A high-fat diet was used for three months to induce T2DM which was confirmed by the HOMA-IR index. After that, the levels of glucose and insulin in serum, HOMA-IR as an indicator of insulin resistance, the ocular level of oxidative markers, TNF‐α, IL-1β, MIPs, and MCP-1 along with ocular gene expression of NF-κB, Nrf2, and miR-146a-5p were evaluated. The level of lipid peroxidation along with metabolic and inflammatory factors significantly increased and the antioxidant enzyme activity significantly decreased in diabetic rats (p <0.05). The ocular expression of NF-κB and TNF-α increased and Nrf2, HO-1, and miR-146a-5p expression decreased in diabetic rats (p <0.05). In addition, a negative correlation between miR-146a-5p expression with NF-κB and HOMA-IR and a positive correlation between miR-146a-5p with Nrf2 were observed. It can be concluded that miR-146a-5p may regulate Nrf2 and NF-κB expression and inflammation and oxidative stress in the ocular tissue of diabetic rats.

Although the Waqf institution has played an important role in the development process, the decline of its involvement in the development of Islamic societies is an issue that has been less socially analyzed. However, the new institutionalism approach in economic sociology, by providing a benefit-based definition of institutions and defining the mechanism of causal relationships between different levels of formal and informal constraints, considers actors in their actions as having limited rationality in the context shaped by networks, norms, cultural beliefs, and formal institutional arrangements. Because new institutionalism in economic sociology has provided a comprehensive theoretical framework for understanding economic behavior and the analysis of institutions, The purpose of the present study is to introduce new institutionalism in economic sociology as an analytical approach with a descriptive-analytical method and Based on this approach, analyze the factors affecting the role of waqf as a social economic institution in the Development Process of Islamic Iran. The results indicate that the waqf institutional environment, management of endowments trustees and Trustee organizations of waqf, intentions, motives and social norms among dedicator, are the most important factors that have affected the waqf institution's developmental role in iran.

Ginger has protective effects on the kidney, however the molecular mechanism of this effect has not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, this work studied molecular mechanisms of ginger effects on ethanol-induced kidney injury. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, ginger (1 g/kg/day ginger extract by oral gavage), ethanol (4 g/kg/day ethanol by oral gavage) and ginger-ethanol group and treated daily for 28 days. Kidney function, expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α genes and oxidative stress parameters in kidney tissue, were evaluated. Total phenolic content (TPC) and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity of ginger extract were also evaluated.  Hydroethanolic extract of ginger showed a good level of DPPH scavenging activity and TPC.  In the ethanol group,  serum level of urea, creatinine and uric acid and the expression of NRF2 and TNF-α significantly increased compared to control group, while co-treatment with ginger in ginger+ethanol group significantly ameliorated them compared to the ethanol group. Ethanol exposure significantly reduced the activity of superoxide dismutase  (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) compared to the control values ,while the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) significantly increased. Ginger significantly ameliorated the level of MDA and activity of SOD, GPx and CAT in the ginger-ethanol group compared to the ethanol group. The results showed that ginger's protective effects against ethanol renotoxicity were mediated via enhancing the NRF2 and TNF-α expression.

Acute and chronic ethanol consumption cause oxidative stress and ginger improves suchconditions. In this study, the protective effects of ginger were studied on indices of oxidative stress, total homocysteinelevel and the level of the some of the oxidative stress-associated trace elements against toxicity induced by ethanol in rat eye. Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into four groups and treated daily for 28 days as follows: group I: control;group II: ginger (1g/kg/day ginger extract by oral gavage); group III: ethanol (4g/kg/day ethanol by oral gavage) and group IV: ginger+ethanol. At the end of the experimental period, eye tissue sera were used for determination of different parameters. Furthermore, in vitro antioxidant potential and total phenol content of ginger extract were determined. In ethanol group, significant changes in oxidative stress markers and levels of homocysteine and some trace elements, compared to other groups, were observed (p It can be concluded that ginger extract has protective effects against toxicity induced by ethanol in the eye of male rat.

Resistin, as a 12.5 kDa cysteine-rich polypeptide, is expressed in hypothalamus and regulates sympathetic nerve activity. It is associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we investigated the neural pathway of cardiovascular responses induced by injection of resistin into paraventricular nucleus (PVN) with rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM). Adult male rats were anesthetized with urethane (1.4 g/kg intraperitoneally). Resistin (3 µg/1 µl/rat) was first injected into PVN, and the glutamatergic, corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF)-ergic and angiotensinogenic transmission was inhibited by injecting of their antagonist in RVLM. Arterial pressure (AP) and heart rate (HR) were monitored before and after the injection. The results showed that resistin injection into PVN significantly increased AP and HR compared to control group and prior to its injection (P<0.05). Injection of AP5 ((2R)-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid; (2R)-amino-5-phosphonopentanoate) (50 nM/rat), losartan (10 nM/rat) and astressin (50 nM/rat) into RVLM reduced cardiovascular responses produced by injected resistin into PVN. Injection of AP5+losartan or astressin+losartan or astressin+AP5 into RVLM could significantly reduce cardiovascular responses produced by resistin compared to before injection (P<0.05). Furthermore, the depressor responses generated by AP5+losartan injected into RVLM were significantly stronger than the depressor responses generated by AP5+astressin and/or astressin+losartan injected into RVLM (P<0.05). It can be concluded that glutamatergic and CRFergic transmissions have crucial contribution to cardiovascular responses produced by resistin. The results provided new and potentially important insight regarding neural transmission when the plasma level of resistin increases; this reveals the role of resistin in cardiovascular responses such as metabolic syndrome and hypertension.