Antioxidant effects of oleuropein versus oxidative stress induced by ethanol in the rat intestine

Purified oleuropein from olive leaf extract indicated antioxidant properties in our previous reports. The recent study demonstrated that the lesions of absolute ethanol could be attributed to the increasing reactive oxygen species, subsequently lipid peroxidation and gastric ulcers. Therefore, the antioxidant effects of oleuropein as a natural antioxidant agent on intestine mucosal damages induced by absolute ethanol were investigated in the present study. The 42 adult male rats were divided into four (control, oleuropein, ethanol, and oleuropein plus ethanol) groups. Oleuropein at a dosage of 12 mg/kg was used for 10 consecutive days in oleuropein and oleuropein plus ethanol groups, thereafter absolute ethanol (once, 1 ml/rat) was administrated orally in ethanol and oleuropein plus ethanol groups at fasting state by gavage. The duodena of rats were removed for histopathology and antioxidant assay. Histological evidence of severe mucosal damages were confirmed by histopathology findings in ethanol group and prevented in oleuropein plus ethanol group. In this setting, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities were significantly higher in oleuropein and oleuropein plus ethanol groups than the ethanol-treated rats. In contrast, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances concentration (as a lipid peroxidation marker) significantly increased in ethanol-treated rats when compared to the other groups. Our results suggest that olive leaf extract (containing oleuropein) exerts a potent antioxidant agent against oxidative stress. These findings allow us to exploit the advantages of oleuropein treatment in various diseases induced by oxidative stress in humans.     

Unusual presentation of hydatid disease

Hydatid disease is endemic in most areas in Iran where sheep are raised, and diagnosis is fairly easy in a majority of cases. However, this fairly common disease may become very difficult and even impossible to diagnose. The most important factor in diagnosing hydatid disease is the awareness of its possibility. The striking clinical resemblance between hydatid disease and malignant diseases of some organs makes the correct diagnosis essential. In countries where this disease is endemic, any growing mass or tumor should arouse suspicion of hydatid disease.     

Comparison of Epinephrine to Salbutamol in Acute Bronchiolitis

Objective

An appropriate treatment of acute viral bronchiolitis can reduce the symptoms, hospitalization duration and exorbitant costs which is imposed on the families and insurance organizations. This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of epinephrine in comparison with salbutamol in the treatment of the disease.

Methods

Forty infants aged one month to 2 years with acute bronchiolitis in Amin and Al-Zahra hospitals, during 2008, were enrolled in this study. The participants were randomized in two treatment groups to receive epinephrine 0.1 ml/kg or salbutamol 0.15 mg/kg. Three doses of each medication were prescribed at intervals of 20 minutes and continued every 10 minutes after the third dose. The patients in both groups were monitored and rated by RDAI, number of the hospitalized days in the hospital, level of oxygen saturation and vital signs.

Findings

Mean hospitalization duration was 3.3±1.1 and 3±0.9 in the patients receiving salbutamol and epinephrine, respectively (P=0.03). There was a significant difference in assessing RDAI index between the two groups (P=0.03). There were no differences in SPO2, PR, or RR variables in the studied intervals in both groups (P>0.05).

Conclusion

Regarding the effect of epinephrine on reduction of hospitalization duration and the RDAI index in patients with acute bronchiolitis, it seems that using epinephrine instead of salbutamol could be more effective in the management of the disease.     

Serum biochemical parameters of Huso huso

Serum biochemical parameters are important aspects in the management of endangered species such as Huso huso. The values of these parameters can be used for confirming the sex and any changes in the quality of waters and related soils. Serum samples of 15 H. huso fish were analysed and their serum parameter values were determined as mean±SD in both sexes. Age, weight, total length and fork length were the same between groups. We compared the levels of calcium (Ca; 2.13 ± 0.69–2.37 ± 0.38 mmol/l), total protein (TOP; 4.51 ± 1–5.50 ± 0.94 mg/dl), blood urea nitrogen (BUN; 1.32 ± 0.23–1.35 ± 0.31 mmol/l), albumin (Alb; 0.88 ± 0.18–1.26 ± 0.29 mg/dl), globulin (Glb; 3.63 ± 0.84–4.5 ± 0.69 mg/dl), uric acid (UA; 1.66 ± 0.18–1.79 ± 0.27 mmol/l), creatinine (CREA; 30.48 ± 4.31–30.48 ± 6.10 mmol/l), phosphorous (P; 2.18 ± 0.38–2.91 ± 0.67 mmol/l), magnesium (Mg; 1.15 ± 0.26–1.51 ± 0.35 mmol/l), glucose (Glc; 3.42 ± 0.84–6.69 ± 1.54 mmol/l), alkaline phosphatase (ALP; 4.48 ± 1.82–5 ± 1.04 IU/l) and amylase (156.19 ± 34.07–166.25 ± 64.27-IU/l). We have shown that there were no differences in the Ca, TOP, BUN, UA, CREA, Mg, ALP and amylase between sexes. However, male fish have higher Glc, P, Alb and Glb than females.     

Associations of MTHFR rs1801133 (677C>T) and rs180113 (1298A>C) Polymorphisms with Susceptibility to Bladder Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The effects of the MTHFR rs1801133 (677C>T) and rs180113 (1298A>C) polymorphisms on bladder cancer risk have been evaluated in some studies. However, the results were conflicting and ambiguous. Therefore, we aimed to perform a comprehensive meta-analysis to investigate the association of these polymorphisms with risk of bladder cancer from all eligible case-control studies. PubMed, Web of science, Scopus, SID, CNKI and SciELO databases were searched to identify all relevant studies published up to 1 January, 2021. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate the strength of associations. A total of 20 case-control studies including 11 studies with 3463 cases and 3927 controls on MTHFR rs1801133 (677C>T) and 9 studies with 3177 cases and 3502 controls on rs180113 (1298A>C) polymorphism were selected. Pooled data revealed that the MTHFR rs1801133 (677C>T) and rs180113 (1298A>C) polymorphisms were not associated with risk bladder cancer in overall. Stratified analysis by ethnicity revealed that the MTHFR rs1801133 (677C>T) and rs180113 (1298A>C) polymorphisms were associated with bladder cancer risk in Asians, but not in Caucasians. There was no publication bias. The current meta-analysis revealed that the MTHFR rs1801133 (677C>T) and rs180113 (1298A>C) polymorphisms were not risk factor for development of bladder cancer globally. However, large sample size, well-designed, and population-based studies should be performed to verify the association of the MTHFR polymorphisms with bladder cancer risk.Key Words: Bladder cancer, urinary neoplasms, folate, MTHFR, polymorphism, meta-analysis     

Serum lipid and lipoprotein patterns of Iranian horses

Patterns of serum biochemical parameters vary among horse breeds. The objective of the present study was to compare serum lipoproteins of Iranian Caspian ponies with those of other horses (Arabs and Thoroughbreds) in the Iranian region. Serum lipoprotein values were determined by agar-agarose gel electrophoresis and measured by scan densitometry. Moreover, serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations were determined and the results were analysed by one-way analysis of variance. Serum triglyceride and cholesterol values were 1.13 +/- 0.23 and 2.38 +/- 0.18 mmol/l in Caspian ponies, 1.96 +/- 0.49 and 1.92 +/- 0.25 mmol/l in Arab horses and 1.38 +/- 0.26 and 2.17 +/- 0.53 mmol/l in Thoroughbred horses. The relative percentages of alpha- (72.63 +/- 17.76%) and beta-lipoproteins (29.10 +/- 5.49%) in serum electrophoretic tracings from Caspian ponies were not significantly different from those of other horses (p > 0.05). The lipoprotein phenotype in Caspian ponies may be useful for evaluating metabolic diseases.     

Serum lipid, free fatty acid, and proteins in juvenile sturgeons: Acipenser persicus and Acipenser stellatus

Serum biochemical parameters are important aspects in the management of endangered species such as Acipenser persicus and Acipenser stellatus. Serum samples of 14 juvenile A. persicus and A. stellatus were analyzed and their serum parameter values were determined as mean ± SD in both groups. We compared the levels of phospholipid (26.73–42.79 mmol/L), triglyceride (2.38–2.37 mmol/L), total cholesterol (3.04–3.55 mmol/L), total lipid (32.09–50.11 mmol/L), total protein (32.22–27.78 g/L), albumin (7.25–6.85 g/L), globulin (24.86–20.62 g/L), Alb:Glb ratio (0.39–0.18), glucose (7.45 mmol/L), and free fatty acid (110.25–32.58 mg/L) in the two species. We have shown that there was no difference between groups in terms of any parameters (p > 0.05).