sina andalib

The application of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and some medications have been shown to accelerate bone formation in the rapid palatal expansion (RPE). A combination of these two therapeutic modalities may reduce the time required for the retention period. This study sought to assess the effects of simvastatin and LLLT, alone and combined, on sutural bone formation in rats.

Sixty male Wistar rats averagely weighing 150 g were divided into five groups (n=12) of control (group 1), 5 mg simvastatin (group 2), 10 mg simvastatin (group 3), LLLT (group 4), and LLLT plus 10 mg simvastatin (group 5). The expansion appliance was placed in the parietal bone in all groups. One week after placing the appliance, the spring was fixed with Duralay acrylic resin to serve as a retainer during the rest of the experiment. The rats were sacrificed after 30 (for biomechanical and computed tomography [CT] assessments) or 60 days (for biomechanical, CT, and immunohistochemical [IHC] assessments).

Groups 3 and 4 showed a significant improvement in osteogenesis (confirmed by CT findings, histological analysis, and biomechanical test) compared to the control group. Group 5 was significantly superior to all other groups in terms of all parameters (P<0.001). Group 2 and the control group were not significantly different (P>0.05).

Although LLLT, simvastatin treatment, and the combination of both significantly improved sutural bone formation in rats compared to the control group, the combined treatment showed significantly superior clinical results compared to other interventions.

AMPK/SIRT1/PGC1α signaling pathway has an important role in diabetic condition. Some natural products exert anti-diabetic effects by modulating this pathway and also by inhibition of NF-κB. Vinca herbacea has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities In the present study, we investigated the effects of this plant on the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC1α axis and NF-κB genes expression as well as glucose, insulin levels and total antioxidant capacity in streptozotocin- induced diabetic rats.

Streptozotocin induced diabetic male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to six groups: control, diabetic, diabetic + different doses of Vinca herbacea extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg.b.w) and glibenclamide. Fasting blood glucose, serum insulin and total antioxidant capacity were measured. The histopathology of liver and pancreas were evaluated. Real-time PCR was performed to assess gene expression levels.

Vinca herbacea extract (100 and 200 mg/kg.b.w) significantly reduced fasting blood glucose and 2-h blood glucose and increased serum insulin levels and total antioxidant capacity compared to the control diabetic rats. Also an improvement in lipid profile and liver enzymes levels was observed. According to the histopathological assay, different damages induced by streptozotocin to liver and pancreas tissues were largely eliminated by treatment with the extract. Vinca herbacea extract significantly upregulated the AMPK, SIRT1 and PGC-1α and downregulated the NF-κB mRNA expression compared to the diabetic control rats.

Anti-diabetic effects of V. herbacea extract were indicated in streptozotocin -induced diabetic rats. The AMPK/SIRT1/PGC1α/NF-κB signaling pathway was suggested as the mechanism involved in the protective effects of this extract in diabetes.

Diabetic neuropathy is a consequence of chronic hyperglycemia that leads to neural damage over time. The fruits of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schard. (C. colocynthis) have long been used in Iranian traditional medicine for treatment of diabetes.

In this study, we investigated the protective effects of C. colocynthis against high glucose-induced neurotoxicity in PC-12 cells as a suitable in vitro model for neuronal functions.

The seedless dry fruit powder was extracted with methanol and then dried by rotary evapoartion. Later the obtain extract was fractionated as hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol fractions and aqueous residue. HPLC method was used for qualitative analysis of colocynthin in C. colocynthis pulp. The PC-12 cell viability of total extract and fractions of C. colocynthis were evaluated by means of dose and time in high glucose medium in PC-12 cells as a suitable culture model for studying neuronal functions through MTT assay.

The PC-12 cell viability significantly decreased in wells containing high glucose, compared with normal glucose treated cells. C. colocynthis extract treatment significantly enhanced the cells viability under toxic high glucose condition in a dose and time depending manner. Methanol extract of C. colocynthis exhibited a protective effect against high glucose-induced cytotoxicity in PC-12 cells.

C. colocynthis has neuroprotective properties against high glucose condition in vitro.

Aloe vera is used for its large variety of biological activities such as wound healing, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, immunomodulatory, gastroprotective, and anti-cancer. Although the beneficial effects of Aloe vera on wound healing have been proven, little is known about its effects at the cellular level. In this study, we evaluated the angiogenic and migrative effects of Aloe vera gel on fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Fibroblasts and endothelial cells were cultured in monolayer conditions with low glucose DMEM with 10% serum and 1% penicillin-streptomycin. Fresh and mature leaves of Aloe vera were used for gel preparation. Cell proliferation and morphology were studied by an inverted microscope. The migration of fibroblasts was assessed by scratch assay. MTT assay was performed for cell viability assessment, and real-time RT-PCR was used for evaluation of PECAM-1, integrin α1 and β1 transcription. After two days, the protein level of PECAM-1 was detected by flow cytometry. Our results showed that Aloe vera has a higher proliferative effect on fibroblasts in comparison with endothelial cells. Aloe vera also induced the migration of fibroblasts. The viability of both types of cells was similar to control ones. Integrin α1, β1 and PECAM-1 gene expression increased significantly (P < 0.005) in Aloe vera treated fibroblasts and endothelial cells in comparison with the control groups. However, the expression of these genes was significantly higher in fibroblasts in compareison with endothelial cells. Protein levels of PECAM-1 showed no change in both cell types upon Aloe vera treatment. Aloe vera gel induced angiogenic and cell adhesion properties in fibroblasts more than endothelial cells. Further investigations are needed to show the main role of fibroblasts rather than endothelial cells in wound healing by Aloe vera administration.

Punica granatum var. pleniflora (Golnar in Persian) is a subspecies of pomegranate that only has the blooms with no fruit generation. The plant has been used for the treatment of liver diseases in Iranian folk medicine.

In the present study, the hepatoprotective effects of aqueous extract of Punica granatum var. pleniflora (APG) were evaluated in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in male rats along with its in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activities. In vitro free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties of APG were also measured by DPPH method and the determination of polyphenol and flavonoids contents.

Hepatotoxicity was induced in rats by CCl4 administration and the extract were administered orally at three different doses.

At the end of the experiment, the serum biomarkers of liver injury, including alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), bilirubin, and total protein were significantly decrease in APG-treated animals when compared to CCl4-intoxicated rats (P<0.001). Besides, in vivo examination showed that the extract prevented CCl4-induced hepatic oxidative stress in rats, which demonstrated by the restoration of reduced glutathione (GSH) and the lessening of lipid peroxidation (P<0.001). In addition, APG diminished the increase of relative liver weight induced by CCl4 in rats (P<0.001).

To conclude, this study showed that APG possesses potent free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities. Also, the hepatoprotective properties of APG against CCl4-induced liver injury may be partly mediated by its antioxidant activity due to the presence of polyphenols and flavonoids in the plant.

Cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac dysfunction are important complications of heart failure. Cardiovascular, immunological, and hormonal players are involved in the pathogenesis of heart failure. Current evidence suggests that probiotics may have fruitful effects on the heart function. This was our aim. To this end, effects of oral administration of Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei 8700:2 on isoproterenol-induced heart failure were investigated. Forty male Wistar rats weighing 200 g were randomly assigned to five groups; the control group (saline-treated group), probiotic-treated group, heart failure group (isoproterenol-introduced group), pretreatment group (treating them by probiotic for 20 days then induced heart failure) and treatment group (following heart failure-induced, treating them by probiotic for 20 days). The groups were studied for 30 days. Serum levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and chemerin were measured by ELISA. Finally, the hearts were removed for histopathological evaluation. Compared to the control group, isoproterenol caused cardiac hypertrophy and increased ANP (P < 0.05) and chemerin levels. Treatment with Lactobacillus paracasei significantly reduced the levels of ANP (P < 0.01) and decreased the pathological damages to the myocardium. It caused a small reduction in chemerin level, as well. Pretreatment with probiotics had no positive effects on cardiac hypertrophy and related parameters. Our findings indicate that treatment with Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei 8700:2 reduces cardiac hypertrophy in rats. In addition, this probiotic reduces the serum levels of chemerin and ANP.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a degenerative brain disorder and the major cause of dementia and cognitive deficits in the elderly. Riluzole modulates glutamate concentration and improves memory performance in aged rats and may be of benefit in AD. Donepezil is a cholinesterase inhibitor that is used for the treatment of mild-to-moderate AD. In this study, we compared their effects on attenuation of learning and memory deficits in a rat model of AD.

Scopolamine injection for 14 consecutive days induced memory impairment. Effect of riluzole on this impaired memory was evaluated by Morris water maze protocols: accusation phase and probe trial test. Adult male Wistar rats (250–300g) were trained for 4 consecutive days, 24 hours after last scopolamine injection. Spatial memory and learning index (%) were measured depending on the time taken to find the platform and the time utilized in the target quadrant (Q2 ). The time/distance was measured by the computer. Results were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc.

Riluzole was effective in the treatment of memory impairment of scopolamine-injected group. The riluzole-treated group, on test day, showed better spatial memory rather than scopolamine-treated group. Besides, learning index (%) improvement was significantly higher in the riluzole-treated group, rather than scopolamine-injected group.

It can be concluded that riluzole administration at the same time with scopolamine injection or after it causes marked improvements in learning index during training days and the spatial memory on the test day. Therefore, this study strengthens the hypothesis that acute riluzole treatment is capable of treatment of diseases related to memory impairment such as AD

The important role of reperfusion therapies in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction is well documented. However, reperfusion therapies can initiate inflammatory response and may damage the myocardium. The purpose of current study was to compare the effects of percutaneous coronary intervention and thrombolytic therapy on inflammatory markers in the setting of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Eighty three patients with STEMI were enrolled in this study. 40 patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and 43 patients received streptokinase (1.5 million IU) as a main medical reperfusion therapy. Monocyte expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β, red cell distribution width (RDW) and C- reactive protein (CRP) were compared between groups at admission time, two hours and four hours after termination of treatment. p

A growing body of preclinical data indicates that statins may possess antineoplastic properties; however, some studies have raised the possibility that statins may also have carcinogenic potential. An air pouch model was used for angiogenesis. Single or multiple applications of croton oil on the back of Swiss albino mice with or without initiation by dimethylbenz(a)antheracene (DMBA) were used to evaluate the skin tumorgenesis, ultrastructural and histological alterations. Atorvastatin (orally, 10 mg/kg/day) produced a significant (P<0.05) reduction in angiogenesis. Concurrent administration of mevalonate reversed the anti-angiogenic effect of atorvastatin. However, local injection of atorvastatin (200 µg) into the pouches induced a significant (P<0.5) increase in angiogenesis that was not reversed by co-administration of mevalonate. The disturbance of cell polarity, inflammatory response, thickness of epidermal layer, and mitotic index induced by croton oil were inhibited markedly and dose-dependently (P<0.001) by pre-treatment with atorvastatin. In spite of the strong anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects of atorvastatin on epidermal cell proliferation, it was identified that the same doses of atorvastatin in DMBA-initiated and croton oil-promoted skin tumorgenesis in mice increased the incidence of tumors and their conversion into malignant carcinoma. The reasons for these discrepancies remain unclear, and could be related to ambivalent effects of atorvastatin on angiogenesis or to specific differences in the experimental conditions. It is suggested that the pro-angiogenic effect of the drug, which could be responsible for promotion of skin tumors, is independent of the 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibition that can be mediated directly by atorvastatin.

Fibrates, as hypolipidemic drugs known as agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, diminish inflammatory responses. Studies have shown that incorporation of a silicon atom into a drug structure improves its pharmacological potency, modifies its selectivity toward a given target, or changes its metabolic rate, in addition to increasing the lipophilicity of the compounds. A siliconized analog of clofibrate, ethyl-2-methyl-2-(4-(trimethylsilyl)phenoxy)propionate was synthesized, whereby the chlorine atom in the phenoxy ring was replaced by a trimethylsilyl group. The anti-inflammatory effects of the siliconized analog (silafibrate) were evaluated in an air-pouch model of inflammation and compared with those of clofibrate. Oral administration of both drugs produced a significant anti-inflammatory action by reducing carrageenan induced pouch leukocyte recruitment, exudates production, and granulated tissue weight. The silicon isostere of clofibrate has improved anti-inflammatory properties.

Compaison of excyclotorsion induced by horizontal transposition of vertical rectus muscles versus vertical transposition of horizontal rectus muscles in rabbit eyes.

In this exprimental study, group 1 underwent full tendon nasal transposition of the superior rectus and full tendon temporal transposition of the inferior rectus (10 adult rabbits); group 2 underwent superior transposition of the lateral rectus and inferior tranposition of the medical rectus (10 adult rabbits). External limbal marking was used to estimate the magnitude of excyclotorsion resulting from musclesurgery.

The mean angle of excyclotorsion in group 1 was 31±1.8 degree, ranging from 28-35 degree. The mean angle of excyclotorsion in group 2 was 12.85±1.6 degree, ranging from 10-16 degree. Excyclotorsion induced by horizontal transposition of vertical rectus muscles was significantly larger than that induced by vertical transposition of horizontal rectus muscles (P<0.001). The amount of excyclotorsion after LR displacement (1.1±0.8 degree) was significantly smaller than the amount of excyclotorsion after MR displacement (12.6±1.7 degree) (P<0.001).

Althaugh the mean angle of excyclotorsion induced by horizontal transposition of vertical rectus muscles was larger than that of vertical transposition of horizontal rectus muscles, superior displacement of the LR muscle induced no significant change in globe torsion. The torsional effect of horizontal transposition of vertical rectus muscles can be changed varying amounts of globe torsion