samaneh sadat alavi

Estrogen influences neuronal activity and there are controversial reports regarding its role on seizure. Also, previous studies have shown that estrogen influences the nitric oxide pathway in the nervous system. In this way, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of estradiol and soy extract as a phytoestrogen on pentylenetetrazole- induced clonic seizures and serum levels of nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) in ovariectomized rats.
Sixty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups (n =10 in each group) including intact control, sham-control, ovariectomy, vehicle, estradiol (100 μg/kg, subcutaneously), and soy extract (20 mg/kg, gavage). After 28 days of estradiol or soy extract adminstration, single dose of pentylenetetrazole was injected (90 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) for seizure induction and latency to the clonic seizures was recorded. Serum levels of NOx were measured by Griess method.
Ovariectomy significantly reduced the latency of clonic seizures and serum levels of NOx. Estradiol significantly increased the latency of clonic seizures and serum levels of NOx (P Ovarian hormones have influence on seizure and nitric oxide pathway anticonvulsant effect of estradiol is related due to modulation of nitric oxide pathway slightly.

Diabetic neuropathy is a chronic disease characterized by allodynia and hyperalgesia. Many different studies show that nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, preinflammatory cytokines and adipocytokines such as leptin increase in diabetic neuropathy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme and nitrergic system on serum level of leptin in diabetic neuropathy.

Diabetes was induced in rats by streptozotocin (60 mg/kg, i.p). Separate groups of rats were treated with celecoxib (5 mg/kg), L-arginine (50 mg/kg), L-NAME (50 mg/kg), combination of celecoxib and L-arginine, and combination of celecoxib and L-NAME. Serum level of leptin was measured 14 days after streptozotocin injection.

The leptin level significant decreased in all experimental groups (p < 0.01) except for L-arginine group which showed an increase in the leptin level.

Inhibition of cyclooxygenase 2 can reduce the serum level of leptin in diabetic neuropathy. Nitrergic system is partly responsible for this effect.

In many epileptic women, the ovarian cycle influences the risk and severity of seizures. Previous studies have reported inconsistent findings regarding the neural excitatory effects of estrogen. Soybean is a rich source of plant estrogens. Therefore, soy intake can affect the risk and severity of seizures in women. Nurses and midwives need to be aware of the effects of diets containing estrogen in pregnant and post-menopausal women, as well as during the sexual cycle periods..
Due to the limitations of human studies, this study aimed to investigate the effect of estradiol and soy extract on the onset of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures in ovariectomized rats..
In this experimental study, sixty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups of ten. All of the groups except for the negative control groups were ovariectomized. One group received estradiol (100 µg/kg), one group was treated with alcoholic extract of soy (20 mg/kg), and the other group received vehicle over 28 days. PTZ (90 mg/kg) was used to induce seizure in all groups. Behavioral changes were observed over 30 minutes. All data were analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance with Tukey’s post-hoc test..
The mean ± SD of the clonic seizure threshold was 61.84 ± 8.53 in the group that received estradiol, while it was 71.70 ± 10.85 in the control group, 64.69 ± 3.23 in rats with laparotomy without removing the ovaries, 51.30 ± 6.84 in rats with laparotomy and removing the ovaries, 52.7 ± 7.18 in ovariectomized rats that received sesame oil as vehicle, and 59.2 ± 4.91, in the soy groups. Therefore, estradiol significantly increased the clonic seizure threshold, while the alcoholic extract of soy had no effect..
We concluded that the chronic administration of estradiol has an anticonvulsant effect in the animal model. However, alcoholic extract of soy has no effect on the onset of clonic seizures..

Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT)/ (visfatin) have been proposed as proinflammatory cytokine that is influenced by blood glucose or insulin. In diabetes mellitus proinflammatory agents such as prostaglandin E2 and nitric oxide can increase visfatin synthesis and visfatin stimulates their expression. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of cyclooxygenase and nitrergic system on serum visfatin level and some biochemical parameters in diabetic rats.
Material and Male Wistar rats were rendered diabetic by streptozotocin (60 mg/kg, i.p.). Animals were treated with celecoxib (5 mg/kg) or L-arginine (50 mg/kg) or L-NAME (50 mg/kg) alone or with combinations of celecoxib and L-arginine or celecoxib and L-NAME. Using SPSS software, we used one way analysis of variance followed by tukey test for data analysis.
All treated groups showed significant decrease in blood glucose and triglyceride levels (P Serum visfatin level increased in streptozotocin- induced diabetes. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 by celecoxib, resulted in decreased visfatin level and part of this effect was due to interaction with nitrergic system. It seems that blood glucose and insulin do not affect visfatin level directly, but proinflammatory cytokines play the main role in its synthesis.

‎‏ ‏Despite the fact that ‎the mobile phone has become a ‎pervasive technology of our time, ‎little research has been done on ‎mobile dependency. A valid and ‎reliable assessment instrument ‎corresponding to the Persian ‎culture is essential. This study ‎aimed to describe the ‎construction and validation of the ‎Persian version of TMD (Test of ‎Mobile phone Dependency) to ‎assess the addictive use of ‎mobile phone.‎ This was a cross-‎sectional study, for which data ‎were collected from 350 students ‎who were studying at Tehran ‎universities. Sampling method ‎was quota sampling. The ‎participants anonymously ‎completed the demographic ‎questionnaire, and CPDQ as a ‎valid questionnaire and gold ‎standard. Finally, clinical ‎interview [based on DSM-IV-TR] ‎was performed. To analyze the ‎data, concurrent validity, factor ‎analysis, internal consistency ‎‎(Cronbachα), split half; test-retest ‎and ROC Curve by SPSS18 ‎Software were used.‎ As a result of the ‎reliability analysis and factor ‎analysis by principal component ‎and Varimax rotation, three ‎factors (“salient”, “preoccupation” ‎and “Spend a lot of time and ‎money”) for both male and ‎female participants were ‎extracted. Internal consistency ‎‎(Cronbach's alpha) of the CPDQ ‎was. 92 (Cronbach alpha of the ‎factors is. 88,. 82, and. 84, ‎respectively). The test-retest ‎correlation of the TMD was ‎‎.56.The best cut off point for this ‎questionnaire (TMD) is 38.‎ The TMD proved to ‎have an acceptable internal ‎consistency with adequate factor ‎models to assess the extent of ‎problems caused by the "misuse" ‎of the mobile phone in the ‎Iranian society. Therefore, it can ‎be concluded that the Persian ‎version of the test was reliable ‎and valid; however, further ‎analysis is needed.‎

This study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of Echium amoenum total anthocyanin extract (ETAE) on partial/transient cerebral ischemia in the rats.

Rats received ETAE (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, i.p.) 30 min before the induction of cerebral ischemia. Cerebral ischemia was induced by bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion (BCCAO) for 30 min, followed by 72 h reperfusion. The neurological deficit, brain performance, and sensory motor function were assessed 48 h and 72 h after surgery. After sacrification, the brains were evaluated for myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and histopathological changes.

Our results showed that motor function significantly decreased in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) group as compared to the sham group. Histopathological analysis exhibited the shrinkage and atrophy of the neurons in I/R group. ETAE at the dose of 200 mg/kg improved spontaneous activity and memory induced by cerebral ischemia compared to the control group and also decreased brain MPO activity following cerebral ischemia. However, it could not affect the ability to climbing, body proprioception, vibrissae touch and brain water content. In addition, pretreatment with ETAE at higher doses significantly reduced ischemia-induced neuronal loss of the brain.

The anthocyanin rich fraction from E. amoenum was found to have protective effects against some brain damages postischemic reperfusion . However, further researches are required for investigating the exact mechanisms of the effect of this plant in the prevention of cerebral ischemia in human.