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Arsenic (As) is a semi-metal which causes health problems in human, and immune system has been documented as one of the main target of arsenic toxicity. Apoptosis has a crucial role in regulation of immune system, but it can also have an important role in As immune suppression. So, we decided to assess the comprehensive mechanism of As cytotoxic effect on lymphocytes isolated from human blood. We determine the direct effect of arsenic on human lymphocytes which have a key role in immune system functionality. To evaluate the mechanism of arsenic toxicity on human lymphocytes, we use accelerated cytotoxicity mechanisms screening (ACMS) technique. Lymphocytes were isolated from blood of healthy persons using Ficoll-paque PLUS standard method. Following treatment of human lymphocytes with 0.05-50 μM of arsenic for 12 h, cell viability was measured. For determination of mechanistic parameters, isolated human lymphocytes incubated with 1/2IC5012h (7.5 μM), IC5012h (15 μM) and 2IC5012h (30 μM) for 2, 4 and 6 h. The results of this study demonstrate arsenic-associated apoptosis in human lymphocytes is mainly through enhancement of intracellular calcium which causes oxidative stress and following adverse effect on lymphocytes organelles (like mitochondria and lysosome). Involvement of cellular proteolysis, activation of caspase-3, lipid peroxidation and stimulation of cytokines (IL2, INF-gamma and TNF-alpha) production were also associated with arsenic induced lymphocyte toxicity.

Lead (Pb) is one of the most important heavy metals that possess many applications in different kinds of industrial procedures and consumer products. The adverse effects of Pb on different parts of the immune system have been reported in various studies. Although it has been shown that high concentrations of Pb have low cytotoxicity on human lymphocytes, the effects of non-cytotoxic concentrations of Pb (detected in human blood) on cellular organelles and oxidative stress factors of human lymphocytes have yet to be determined. In this study, human lymphocytes were obtained from the blood of healthy male volunteers through the use of the Ficoll standard method. The intention of this paper was to determine the effects of non-cytotoxic concentrations of Pb on human lymphocytes using the accelerated cytotoxicity mechanism screening technique. For determination of cell viability, lymphocytes were treated with 0–1 mm Pb for 12 h. Subsequently, we assayed the effects of non-cytotoxic concentrations of Pb which are detected in human blood on human lymphocytes and investigated if Pb can affect oxidative stress and cellular organelles at these concentrations. So, in concentrations which have no cytotoxic effects, Pb is shown to induce oxidative stress in addition to inflicting damage on mitochondria and lysosomes in human blood lymphocytes.

Aims: Anxiety often coexists with migraine, and both conditions share a commonality in oxidative/nitrosative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction contributing to their pathogenesis. β‐Sitosterol, a plant sterol, has shown promise in mitigating oxidative/nitrosative stress, enhancing mitochondrial function, and exerting neuroprotective effects. In this study, we investigated the impact of β‐sitosterol on migraine‐associated anxiety and whether this effect was associated with alleviation of oxidative/nitrosative stress and improvement in mitochondrial function. Methods: Nitroglycerin was used to induce migraine in adult male Wistar rats. β‐Sitosterol treatment consisted of daily intraperitoneal injections (10 mg/kg) for 10 days following migraine induction. Anxiety levels were evaluated using open‐field test (OFT) and hole‐board test (HBT). Frontal cortex samples were analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, nitric oxide (NO) (markers of oxidative/nitrosative stress), and ATP (indicator of mitochondrial function). Results: Migraine induction led to impaired performance in both the OFT and the HBT. Concurrently, it elevated MDA, reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, and NO levels while diminishing GSH levels in the frontal cortex, signifying heightened oxidative/nitrosative stress. Moreover, ATP levels decreased, indicating mitochondrial dysfunction. Treatment with β‐sitosterol significantly restored performance in both behavioral assays and normalized the levels of MDA, GSH, reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, NO, and ATP. Conclusion: β‐Sitosterol exerted anxiolytic effects in migraine, which can be attributed to its ability to ameliorate oxidative/nitrosative stress and enhance mitochondrial function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The therapeutic potential of Quercus infectoria (QI) gall, including its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties, is well-known. However, its impact on lung, gastric, and esophageal cancer cells remain unclear. This study aims to explore the effects of QI gall aqueous extract on cell viability, apoptosis, and gene expression in A549, BGC823, and KYSE-30 cell lines. Methods: A549, BGC823, and KYSE-30 cells were seeded in complete medium and incubated with different concentrations of QI gall extract for 24 hours. Cell viability was measured by an MTT [3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] assay. The induction of apoptosis was assessed through flow cytometric analysis after the adding FITC-conjugated Annexin V (Annexin VFITC) and propidium iodide (PI). The mRNA expression levels of CCND1, TP53, BCL2, and BAX genes were determined using Real-time Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction analysis. Results: The MTT assay demonstrated that treatment with QI gall extract significantly reduced the number of viable cells in the A549, BGC823, and KYSE-30 cell lines at IC50 concentrations of 440.1, 437.1, and 465.2 mg/ml, respectively. Additionally, compared to untreated cell population, the percentages of early apoptosis, late apoptosis, and necrosis in the A549, BGC823, and KYSE-30 cells significantly increased following treatment with QI gall extract (P< 0.05). Also, the treatment with QI gall extract influenced the expression of CCND1, TP53, BCL2, and BAX genes. Conclusions: The present findings indicated that the gall extract of QI can inhibit the growth of A549, BGC823, and KYSE-30 cells by inducing apoptosis, which may be mediated via mitochondria-dependent pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the many types of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, seizures and epilepsy severely affect the quality of life and routine daily activity of the sufferers. We aimed to review research studies that investigated the effect of statins on the prevention and treatment of seizures and epilepsy. Both animal models and human studies were included in this review. This article starts with a brief introduction about seizure, its prevalence, treatment, and various animal models of seizures and epilepsy. Next, we discuss statin's mechanism of action, side effects, and effects on neurological disorders with a specific focus on seizures. Finally, the effects of different types of statins on seizures are compared. The present review gives a better understanding of the therapeutic effects of statins on neurological disorders in animal models and human studies. This permits researchers to set up study designs to resolve current ambiguities and contradictions on the beneficial effects of statins on neurological disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Advantages of using porous bio-nanocomposite scaffolds for maxillofacial fracture application and optimizing the internal surfaces of synthetic grafts using nanotechnology can accelerate the bone cell adhesion, mechanical properties and absorption rates. There are various studies that have been performed on porous scaffold, especially for the fractured and destroyed parts of the facial bones. The aim of this study was to investigate the experimental and numerical analysis of the porous scaffold, which undertakes static and dynamic loading conditions. Materials and Methods: The maxillofacial bone was modeled using the solid works software, and then it was inserted into the Abaqus software to achieve a more precise model that utilizes an isotropic linear substance. Thereafter, a proper micromechanical model reported evaluating the elastic modulus response on porosity value using various models. Additionally, an experimental analysis was conducted on a new calcium silicate (CS) bioceramic reinforced with magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) using the space holder technique coated with the gentamicin drug loaded on gelatin polymer. The response of the bio-nanocomposites shape, which corresponds to different MNPs' weight fractions, was determined using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Results: The analysis of the scaffold implant showed that it is tightened at a torque of stiffness of 3mm in the implant, which leads to high mechanical tension. The results showed that the elastic modulus of the nanocomposites increased from 60±5 MPa to 145±5 MPa with increasing 15 wt% MNPs to the calcium silicate nanoparticles. Conclusion: The results indicated that addition of 15 wt% MNPs to the based bioceramics increased both compression strength and decrease the porosity value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent years, the method of constructing and evaluating the properties of polymer nanocomposite and bioactive ceramics in tissue engineering such as biocompatible scaffolds was studied by some researchers. Methods: In this study, the bio-nanocomposite scaffolds of Chitosan (CS)--Hydroxyapatite (HA)--Wllastonite (WS), incorporated with 0, 10, 20 and 30 wt% of zirconium were produced using a freeze-drying method. Also, the phase structure and morphology of scaffolds were investigated using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). By analyzing the SEM images, the porosity of the scaffolds was observed in the normal bone area of the body. In the next step, bioactivity and biodegradability tests of the scaffolds were carried out. Due to the presence of hydrophilic components and the high-water absorption capacity of these materials, the bio-nanocomposite scaffolds were able to absorb water properly. After that, the mechanical properties of the scaffolds were studied. Results: The mechanical test results showed that the preparation of reinforced bionanocomposites containing 10 wt% of zirconium presented better properties compared to incorporated bio-nanocomposites with different loadings of zirconium. Conclusion: According to MTT assay results, the prepared scaffolds did not have cytotoxicity at different concentrations of scaffold extracts. Consequently, the investigated scaffold can be beneficial in bone tissue engineering applications because of its similarity to natural bone structure and its proper porosity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Here, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of Nigella sativa extract on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and depression score in patients with depression. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was performed in 2021 in the hospitals of military forces in Tehran on 52 male patients with major depressive disorder treated with sertraline. We used the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 Items (DASS-21) questionnaire to assess the patients. Serum BDNF levels were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Patients were then divided into two groups receiving 1000 mg N. sativa oil extract, daily, and placebo. Both groups received sertraline for at least 3 months. DASS-21 questionnaire and serum BDNF levels were measured after 10 weeks. Results: After treatments, we observed significantly decreased DASS-21 score (−11.24 ± 5.69) in the intervention group (P < 0.001) and placebo (−2.72 ± 6.19, P = 0.032), but patients in the intervention group had significantly lower scores (50.1 ± 6.8 vs. 58.2 ± 5.6, respectively, P < 0.001). Furthermore, patients in the intervention group had significantly decreased depression score (−5.5 ± 2.47, P < 0.001) and lower scores compared to the placebo (P < 0.001) (18.6 ± 2.7 vs. 23.4 ± 2.1 in intervention and placebo, respectively). We also observed significantly increased BDNF levels in the intervention group after the treatments (6.08 ± 3.76, P < 0.001) compared to the placebo group (29.4 ± 3.6 vs. 24.9 ± 2.1, P < 0.001). Serum BDNF levels had also significant reverse correlations with DASS-21 score (r = −0.35, P = 0.011) and depression score (r = −0.45, P = 0.001). Conclusion: The use of N. sativa resulted in decreased depression score and increase in serum BDNF levels that indicate the importance and efficacy of this drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background : Aluminum phosphide (AlP) poisoning is prevalent in numerous countries, resulting in high mortality rates. Phosphine gas, the primary agent responsible for AlP poisoning, exerts detrimental effects on various organs, notably the heart, liver and kidneys. Numerous studies have documented the advantageous impact of Coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ 10 ) in mitigating hepatic injuries. The objective of this investigation is to explore the potential protective efficacy of CoQ 10 against hepatic toxicity arising from AlP poisoning. Method : The study encompassed distinct groups receiving almond oil, normal saline, exclusive CoQ 10 (at a dosage of 100 mg/kg), AlP at 12 mg/kg; LD 50 (lethal dose for 50%), and four groups subjected to AlP along with CoQ 10 administration (post-AlP gavage). CoQ 10 was administered at 10, 50, and 100 mg/kg doses via Intraparietal (ip) injections. After 24 h, liver tissue specimens were scrutinized for mitochondrial complex activities, oxidative stress parameters, and apoptosis as well as biomarkers such as aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT). Results : AlP induced a significant decrease in the activity of mitochondrial complexes I and IV, as well as a reduction in catalase activity, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), and Thiol levels. Additionally, AlP significantly elevated oxidative stress levels, indicated by elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and resulted in the increment of hepatic biomarkers such as AST and ALT. Administration of CoQ 10 led to a substantial improvement in the aforementioned biochemical markers. Furthermore, phosphine exposure resulted in a significant reduction in viable hepatocytes and an increase in apoptosis. Co-treatment with CoQ 10 exhibited a dose-dependent reversal of these observed alterations. Conclusion : CoQ 10 preserved mitochondrial function, consequently mitigating oxidative damage. This preventive action impeded the progression of heart cells toward apoptosis., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: Here, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of Nigella sativa extract on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and depression score in patients with depression., Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was performed in 2021 in the hospitals of military forces in Tehran on 52 male patients with major depressive disorder treated with sertraline. We used the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 Items (DASS-21) questionnaire to assess the patients. Serum BDNF levels were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Patients were then divided into two groups receiving 1000 mg N. sativa oil extract, daily, and placebo. Both groups received sertraline for at least 3 months. DASS-21 questionnaire and serum BDNF levels were measured after 10 weeks., Results: After treatments, we observed significantly decreased DASS-21 score (-11.24 ± 5.69) in the intervention group ( P < 0.001) and placebo (-2.72 ± 6.19, P = 0.032), but patients in the intervention group had significantly lower scores (50.1 ± 6.8 vs. 58.2 ± 5.6, respectively, P < 0.001). Furthermore, patients in the intervention group had significantly decreased depression score (-5.5 ± 2.47, P < 0.001) and lower scores compared to the placebo ( P < 0.001) (18.6 ± 2.7 vs. 23.4 ± 2.1 in intervention and placebo, respectively). We also observed significantly increased BDNF levels in the intervention group after the treatments (6.08 ± 3.76, P < 0.001) compared to the placebo group (29.4 ± 3.6 vs. 24.9 ± 2.1, P < 0.001). Serum BDNF levels had also significant reverse correlations with DASS-21 score ( r = -0.35, P = 0.011) and depression score ( r = -0.45, P = 0.001)., Conclusion: The use of N. sativa resulted in decreased depression score and increase in serum BDNF levels that indicate the importance and efficacy of this drug., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2022 Journal of Research in Medical Sciences.)