Positive Correlation of Fecal Calprotectin With Serum Antioxidant Enzymes in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Accidental Numerical Correlation or a New Finding?

Background

Oxidative stress occuring in patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but the relationship between oxidative stress, disease activity and inflammatory markers has not been well established.

Quercetin protects liver injury induced by bile duct ligation via attenuation of Rac1 and NADPH oxidase1 expression in rats

BACKGROUND:Bile duct ligation (BDL) and subsequent cholestasis are correlated with oxidative stress,hepatocellular injury and fibrosis.Quercetin is a flavonoid with antifibrotic,and hepatoprotective properties.However,the molecular mechanism underlying quercetin-mediated hepatoprotection is not fully understood.The current study was to evaluate mechanisms of hepatoprotective effect of quercetin in BDL rat model.METHODS:We divided male Wistar rats into 4 groups (n=8 for each):sham,sham+quercetin (30 mg/kg per day),BDL,and BDL+quercetin (30 mg/kg per day).Four weeks later,the rats were sacrificed,the blood was collected for liver enzyme measurements and liver for the measurement of Racl,Racl-GTP and NOX1 mRNA and protein levels by quantitative PCR and Western blotting,respectively.RESULTS:Quercetin significantly alleviated liver injury in BDL rats as evidenced by histology and reduced liver enzymes.Furthermore,the mRNA and protein expression of Racl,Racl-GTP and NOX1 were significantly increased in BDL rats compared with those in the sham group (P＜0.05);quercetin treatment reversed these variables back toward normal (P＜0.05).Another interesting finding was that the antioxidant markers e.g.superoxide dismutase and catalase were elevated in quercetin-treated BDL rats compared to BDL rats (P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:Quercetin demonstrated hepatoprotective activity against BDL-induced liver injury through increasing antioxidant capacity of the liver tissue,while preventing the production of Racl,Racl-GTP and NOX1 proteins.     

ATP-sensitive potassium channels contribute to the time-dependent alteration in the pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure threshold in diabetic mice

Although there is evidence that diabetes affects seizure susceptibility, the underlying mechanism has not been completely understood. Several studies also suggest a pivotal role for K_ATP channels in the seizure modulation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the seizure threshold induced by pentylenetetrazole in diabetic mice at different times (3 days, 1–8 weeks) after induction of diabetes with streptozocin and to examine the possible role of ATP-sensitive potassium (K_ATP) channels in this manner.Our data showed a time-dependent alteration in the threshold in diabetic mice, reaching a peak on week 2 after streptozocin injection and declining significantly afterwards. The seizure threshold in 8-week diabetic mice was even lower than control levels, though the difference was not significant. The K_ATP channel opener cromakalim (0.1–30 μg/kg, i.p.) significantly increased the seizure threshold in control mice. Although the K_ATP channel blocker glibenclamide (0.5, 1 mg/kg) had no effect, it prevented the effects of the potent dose of cromakalim (30 μg/kg) on seizure threshold in control mice. Glibenclamide (1 mg/kg, i.p.) also decreased the seizure threshold in 2-week diabetic mice to the control levels which was blocked by pre-treatment with cromakalim (10 μg/kg, i.p.). Cromakalim (10 μg/kg, i.p.) significantly increased the seizure threshold in 8-week diabetic mice which was inhibited by pre-treatment with glibenclamide (1 mg/kg, i.p.).We demonstrated a time-dependent alteration in the pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure threshold in diabetic mice. This phenomenon might be due to the probable alteration in the K_ATP channel functioning during the diabetic condition.     

Is educational level associated with breast cancer risk in Iranian women?

Background and objective  

A high educational level has been found to be a risk factor of breast cancer. However, it is not clear whether such association persists after adjustment for individual risk factors of breast cancer such as parity in Iranian women.     

Factors affecting the survival of patients with oesophageal carcinoma under radiotherapy in the north of Iran.

Factors relevant to the survival of patients with oesophageal cancer under radiotherapy have been studied in northern Iran where its incidence is high. We conducted an analytical study using a historical cohort and information from the medical charts of patients with oesophageal cancer. Out of 523 patients referred to the Shahid Rajaii radiotherapy centre in Babolsar from 1992 to 1996, we followed 230 patients for whom an address was available in 1998. The frequency of prognostic factors among those not contacted was very similar to those included in the study. The data were analysed using survival analysis by the nonparametric method of Kaplan Meier and the Cox regression model to determine risk ratios (RR) of prognostic factors. Survival rates were 42% at 1 year, 21% at 2 years, and 8% at 5 years after diagnosis. Patients aged 50-64 were found to have poorer survival compared with those less than 50 (RR = 1.73, P = 0.03); the risk ratio for ages f = 65 was 1.88 (P = 0.03). Females had significantly better survival than males (RR = 0.71, P = 0.02). For each 100 rads dose of radiotherapy, the risk ratio was significantly decreased by 1% (RR = 0.99, P = 0.05); for each session of radiotherapy, the risk ratio was significantly decreased by 4% (RR = 0.96, P = 0.0001); for each square centimetre size of surface under radiotherapy, the risk ratio significantly increased (RR = 1.002, P = 0.04). We did not observe a significant difference on survival by histology, anatomical location of tumours, or type of treatment (P > 0.05). Prognosis is extremely poor.     

Factors associated with the pattern of breastfeeding in the north of Iran

BACKGROUND: The health benefits of breastfeeding to infants and mothers have been well established. Its pattern varies between populations and the differences may originate from varying social and cultural factors. AIMS: The aims of this study were to determine the pattern of breastfeeding and to assess its determinants in a population-based study in Babol, in the north of Iran. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 600 randomly selected mothers with infants 12-24 months old was conducted in the north of Iran in 1998. Data concerning breastfeeding status, breastfeeding duration and social and demographic factors were collected through interviews with the mothers. The probability of continuation of breastfeeding (i.e. survival probability) was estimated by using the non-parametric Kaplan-Meier method of survival analysis. The Cox regression analysis was applied to determine the factors associated with duration of breastfeeding. RESULTS: The results showed that the incidence of breastfeeding was 87 and 89% at 12 months in urban and rural areas and 18 and 53% at 24 months, respectively. The difference in the pattern of breastfeeding between urban and rural areas was significant after 12 months (p=0.04). The Cox regression model analysis showed that living in a rural area, increment of birth order, higher education level of mothers, and being housewife mothers were associated with longer duration of breastfeeding. Although, in the univariate analysis, women with high education appeared to have shorter duration of breastfeeding in comparison with illiterate mothers, after controlling the effect of mother's working status and other variables using the Cox regression model, high level of education had a positive association with longer duration of breastfeeding, i.e. the risk of weaning was decreased in comparison with illiterate women. Also, the risk of shorter duration of breastfeeding was increased significantly among mothers with a high level of stress. The results did not show a significant difference in pattern of breastfeeding in relation to age of mothers and sex of infants. CONCLUSION: Although the rate of breastfeeding among mothers in Babol was increasing, greater health education efforts are needed to support and promote the healthy practice of breastfeeding, especially among the young, less educated, nullipara, in urban areas and among women who are employees.     

Effect of Biliary Cirrhosis on Neurogenic Relaxation of Rat Gastric Fundus and Anococcygeus Muscle: Role of Nitric Oxide Pathway

Background

Cirrhosis, associated with a host of hemodynamic abnormalities, could affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract motility. On the other hand, the nonadrenergic noncholinergic (NANC) neurotransmission has been shown to play a pivotal role in GI tract motility and has been linked with release of nitric oxide (NO) on electrical stimulation. In this study, we investigated the effect of biliary cirrhosis on the neurogenic relaxation of rat gastric fundus and anococcygeus muscle and also the possible role of nitric oxide system in this manner.

Methods

Isolated gastric fundus and anococcygeus strips of sham-operated and biliary cirrhotic (4 weeks after bile duct ligation) rats were mounted under tension in a standard organ bath. Electrical stimulation was applied to obtain NANC-mediated relaxations in precontracted gastric fundus and anococcygeus muscle. The neurogenic relaxations were examined in the presence of different doses of NO synthase inhibitor, N ^w-Nitro-l-Arginine Methyl Ester (l-NAME). The concentration-dependent relaxant responses to the NO donor sodium nitroprusside were also evaluated.

Results

The neurogenic relaxation of both gastric fundus and anococcygeus muscle was significantly (P < 0.001) increased in cirrhotic animals. l-NAME (0.03–1,000 µM) inhibited relaxations in both groups in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.001), but cirrhotic groups were more resistant to the inhibitory effects of l-NAME (P < 0.01). Sodium nitroprusside-mediated relaxations were similar in two groups.

Conclusions

This study for the first time demonstrated that cirrhosis increases the NO-mediated neurogenic relaxation of both rat gastric fundus and anococcygeus muscle, suggesting a crucial role for the neurogenic NO in the pathophysiology of disturbed GI motility in cirrhosis.     

Health belief model and practice of breast self-examination and breast cancer screening in Iranian women

Objective

The objective of this study is to determine the role of different health belief model components in practice of breast cancer screening among Iranian women.

Subjects and methods

A cross-sectional study of 500 women aged 18–65 years was conducted in an urban population under the coverage of a health therapeutic system in Babol, northern Iran in 2012. Demographic data and data regarding practice of breast self-examination (BSE), breast clinical examination (BCE), and mammography were collected by interview, and a standard health belief model questionnaire was used to assess women’s attitudes in six different domains based on a Likert scale that ranked from 1 to 5. The average score of each item for each domain was calculated. The Wilcoxon rank test and a multiple logistic regression model were used to estimate the odds ratio of each domain for performing breast cancer screening (BSE, BCE, and mammography).

Results

The mean age of the women was 31.2 (9.4) years. Overall, the average scores in domains of perceived benefit, self-efficacy, and health motivation were significantly higher among those who performed BSE and BCE, but not for mammography. For the domains of perception of susceptibility, seriousness, and barriers, no significant differences were observed. Higher scores on the scales of perceived benefits, perceived confidence/self-efficacy, and health motivation showed significant positive association with performing BSE [adjusted OR (95 % confidence interval [CI]) 1.73 (1.11, 2.72), 4.01 (2.39, 6.73), and 2.01 (1.30, 3.08), respectively] and BCE [adjusted OR (95 % CI) 1.65 (1.0, 2.95), 2.33 (1.39, 3.91), and 1.58 (1.0, 2.53), respectively], but not for performing mammography. For perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, and barriers, no significant association was observed.

Conclusions

Positive attitudes toward perceived benefits, perceived confidence/self-efficacy, and health motivation have a strong association with performing BSE and BCE. The impact of health belief model subscales on breast cancer screening may vary with respect to culture and values.     

Revisiting bupropion anti-inflammatory action: involvement of the TLR2/TLR4 and JAK2/STAT3

Inflammopharmacology - There are accumulating reports regarding poor response to common antidepressant therapy. Antidepressant resistance is often linked to inflammatory system activation and...