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Oxidative stress, has been shown to play an important role in the pathophysiology of cardiac remodelling and heart failure. The aim of study is effect of arginine vasopressin (AVP) on apoptosis of cardiomyocyte via its receptors. The cell viability effect of AVP in H9C2 cardiomyocytes was assayed using the MTT method. The transcription and translation level of apoptosis genes (Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3) were discovered with qRT-PCR and western blotting. The results showed that vasopressin could reduce apoptosis in cardiomyocytes cell line through downregulation of caspase-3, BAX and upregulation of Bcl-2 (p <.001). Also, there was a decrease in anti-apoptosis effect of vasopressin when V1A and OTR receptors were blocked with their antagonists. These results suggest that activation of V1A and OTR receptors in H9C2 cells mediate protective effect of vasopressin via regulating apoptosis marker that lead to cell survival under conditions of stress oxidative. AVP may contribute to the improvement of heart ischaemia through its actions on V1A and OTR receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal is the property of World Health Organization and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this study, a chitosan nanoparticle formulation was synthesized for loading silibinin as a sustained‐release drug system to evaluate its effects on apoptosis in C6 glioma cells. This synthesized nanoparticle was analyzed by measurement methods including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), field emission‐scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The formation and amorphization of nanoparticle were confirmed by FTIR and XRD analysis, respectively. The mean diameter of silibinin‐loaded chitosan nanoparticles (SCNP) was 50 ± 7 and 188.6 ± 0.17 nm by using FE‐SEM and DLS, respectively. In addition, the positive zeta potential of nanoparticles was +11.5. Rhodamine‐conjugated SCNP analysis showed the internalization of silibinin to C6 glioma cells. The cytotoxicity assay indicated that the nanoformulation of silibinin was toxic to C6 glioma cells. Although SCNP significantly increased the expression of the both apoptotic genes in C6 cells, Bax and caspase3, it did not have any significant effect on the level of the antiapoptotic gene, Bcl2. In contrast, SCNP did not have any toxic effect on H9C2 cells. In conclusion, the results of the current study indicated that SCNP can be considered as a sustained‐release drug system for future cell‐based therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies and meta-analyses have been conducted on the role of infectious agents in susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS). In this study we aimed to investigate the role of varicella zoster virus (VZV) in susceptibility to MS as an individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis. After screening and applying eligibility criteria 19 studies were imported for qualitative systematic review and 11 studies were imported for meta-analysis as different subgroups. No significant result was obtained for association of VZV IgG seropositivity with susceptibility to MS. Positive history of VZV infection was significantly associated with susceptibility to MS. Synthesis of IPD showed that presence of VZV DNA was associated with MS(P<0.001) both in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (OR= 22.40 [5.85-85.71]) and in cerebrospinal fluid (OR= 14.42 [5.29-39.29]). In general VZV can be a risk factor for MS; but since VZV infection history is highly prevalent in populations without vaccination and on the other hand MS has low prevalence, this association should not be used as a prognostic or predictive value. The exact mechanism should be investigated in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbs have played an important role in the health and wellness of human beings. Nowadays, medicinal herbs are at the forefront of studies of medical science because of their importance in public health. Understanding the traditional and therapeutic effects of medicinal plants is important because they can be effective as a source of medication. Based on the results obtained from the review of Iran's ethnopharmacological literature, it was found that the Origanum vulgare can be used as energy producer, diuretic, stomach booster, nervous system reliever, laxative, anticancer, relief of migraine, fracture healing, numbness of organs, relief of toothache, disinfectant, anticonvulsant, expectorant, analgesic, antitussive, anti-inflammatory, menstrual regulator, decreases urinary tract infection, treatment of sexual dysfunction, colic, sinusitis, cardiac tonic and blockage remover. Also, Hypericum perforatum is used as a digestive and nervous system relaxant, respiratory and uterine stimulant, a booster of the immune system, antidepressant, anticancer, anti-AIDS, analgesic, bile cathartic, relaxing, anti-tussive, analgesic, treating nervous system diseases, astringent, antiparasitic, expectorant, diuretic, and blood pressure regulator. Preliminary results presented in this review study enlighten us that the herbal plants could be the basis for experimental and clinical studies to promote the use of natural agents in the treatment of human diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Stroke is a situation caused activation of some events leading to neuronal damage and death. The proteins of Bcl-2-family are important in regulation of cell death and life. Bax, as a Bcl-2-interacting protein, is a member of this family which promotes apoptosis and cell death. Some therapeutic approaches have been introduced for the treatment of ischemic brain injury. Neuroprotection is one of the approaches for diminishing neurological deficits. We investigated the effects of intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) on the cortex of the brain in ischemic rats. Methods In this study, we occlude the middle cerebral artery (MCA) for induction of ischemic stroke in the brain. Rats were classified in four groups of Co, Sh, MCAo and MCAo + WJ-MSCs. Single dose of intraventricular microinjection of WJ-MSCs was injected by a Hamilton syringe. For detecting behavioral outcomes in the rats, Neurological examination was carried out. After 21 days, the animals were sacrificed and their brain tissues were removed for histopathological and molecular analysis. Results ICV microinjection of WJ-MSCs significantly prevented apoptosis and cell death compared with MCAo group. A significant reduction in the level of Bax gene expression was observed in the MCAo + WJ-MSCs as group compared with Co, Sh and MCAo groups (P < 0.05). H&E staining showed considerable reduction of dark neurons in MCAo + WJ-MSCs group rather than Co, Sh and MCAo groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions The results of the current study suggest that ICV microinjection of WJ-MSCs had neuroprotective effects on the brain cortex of ischemic rats by reduction of the Bax gene expression level and the number of dark neurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Transforming Growth Factor-Beta 1 (TGF-β1) is a pleiotropic cytokine with potent anti-inflammatory property, which has been considered as an essential risk factor in the inflammatory process of Ischemic Stroke (IS), by involving in the pathophysiological progression of hypertension, atherosclerosis, and lipid metabolisms. -509C/T TGF-β1 gene polymorphism has been found to be associated with the risk of IS. The aim of this meta-analysis was to provide a relatively comprehensive account of the relation between -509C/T gene polymorphisms of TGF-β1 and susceptibility to IS. Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into sham (receiving phosphate buffered saline within dorsal hippocampus), pilocarpine (epileptic model of TLE), single injection BDNF (epileptic rats which received single high dose of BDBF within dorsal hippocampus), and multiple injections BDNF (epileptic rats which received BDNF in days 10, 11, 12, and 13 after induction of TLE) groups. Their electrocorticogram was recorded and amplitude, frequency, and duration of spikes were evaluated. Results: Amplitude and frequency of epileptiform burst discharges were significantly decreased in animals treated with BDNF compared to pilocarpine group. Conclusion: Our findings suggested that BDNF may modulate the epileptic activity in the animal model of TLE. In addition, it may have therapeutic effect for epilepsy. More studies are necessary to clarify the exact mechanisms of BDNF effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The beneficial effects of curcumin which includes its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cancer chemo-preventive properties have been identified. Little information is available regarding the optimal dose and treatment periods of curcumin on the proliferation rate of different sources of stem cells. Methods: In this study, the effect of various concentrations of curcumin on the survival and proliferation of two types of outstanding stem cells which includes bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) and adult rat neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs) at different time points was investigated. BMSCs were isolated from bilateral femora and tibias of adult Wistar rats. NS/PCs were obtained from subventricular zone of adult Wistar rat brain. The curcumin (0.1, 0.5, 1, 5 and 10 µM/L) was added into a culture medium for 48 or 72 h. Fluorescent density of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (Brdu)-positive cells was considered as proliferation index. In addition, cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. Results: Treatment of BMSCs with curcumin after 48 h, increased cell survival and proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. However, it had no effect on NSCs proliferation except a toxic effect in the concentration of 10 µM of curcumin. After a 72 h treatment period, BMSCs and NS/PCs survived and proliferated with low doses of curcumin. However, high doses of curcumin administered for 72 h showed toxic effects on both stem cells. Conclusions: These findings suggest that curcumin survival and proliferative effects depend on its concentration, treatment period and the type of stem cells. Appropriate application of these results may be helpful in the outcome of combination therapy of stem cells and curcumin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Malignant astrocytic gliomas are the most common and lethal brain malignancies due to their refractory to the current therapies. Nowadays, molecular targeted therapy has attracted great attention in treatment of glioma. Connexin 43 (Cx43) and micro ribonucleic acid- 21(miR-21) are among molecules that are involved in glioma development and progression. These molecules showed potential to be as target molecules with regard to glioma. Some studies have reported that cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling could be effective on Cx43 and miR-21 in tissues other than in brain. We investigate possible relationship between β-adrenergic receptor and its newly described downstream, exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac) signaling pathway and expression of Cx43 and miR-21 in low (1321N1) and high grade (U87MG) glioma cell lines. Methods: We treated cells with β-adrenergic agonist and Epac activator with and without adenyl cyclase inhibitor. Cx43 and miR-21 expression were measured with real-time PCR. Results: Our data showed that in 1321N1 cells, β-adrenergic-Epac pathway stimulation up and down-regulated Cx43 and miR-21 expression respectively. Whereas, in U87MG cells these interventions had no effect on Cx43 and miR-21 expression. Discussion: These findings demonstrate that low grade astrocytoma cells have better response to our pharmacological interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been demonstrated that connexin 43 (Cx43) and microRNAs have significant roles in glioma. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is suggested to be a regulator of connexins and microRNAs. However, it remains elusive whether cAMP and exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac2), have a regulatory effect on Cx43 and microRNA-451 (miR-451) in astrocytoma cells. We treated 1321N1 astrocytoma cells with a selective β2 adrenergic agonist and a selective Epac activator with and without adenyl cyclase and protein kinase A inhibition. Cx43 and miR-451 expression were measured. Next, we evaluated the effect of miR-451 over-expression on Cx43 expression. Cell proliferation was measured using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The results demonstrated that cAMP-Epac2 increased Cx43 and miR-451 expression. However, the alteration of miR-451 expression required a higher dose of drugs. Overexpression of miR-451 had no significant effect on Cx43 expression. The MTT assay showed that cAMP-Epac stimulation and miR-451 overexpression had a synergic inhibitory effect on cell proliferation. These findings may expand our understanding of the molecular biology of glioma and provide new potential therapeutic targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Recent studies have shown that astrocytes play major roles in normal and disease condition of the central nervous system including multiple sclerosis (MS). Molecular target therapy studies in MS have revealed that connexin-43 (Cx43) and Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) contents of astrocytes undergo expression alteration. Fluoxetine had some effects in MS patients unrelated to its known antidepressant effects. Some of fluoxetine effects were attributed to its capability of cAMP signaling pathway stimulation. This study aimed to investigate possible acute effects of fluoxetine on Cx43 and AQP4 expression in astrocyte. Methods: Astrocytoma cells were treated for 24 hours with fluoxetine (10 and 20 µg/ml) with or without adenyl cyclase (AC) and protein kinase A (PKA) inhibition. Cx43 expression at both mRNA and protein levels and AQP4 expression at mRNA level were evaluated. Results: Acquired results showed that fluoxetine with and without AC and PKA inhibition resulted in Cx43 up-regulation both in mRNA and protein levels, whereas AQP4 expression have not changed. Discussion: In conclusion, data showed that fluoxetine alone and in the absence of serotonin acutely up-regulated Cx43 expression in astrocytes that can be assumed in molecular target therapy of MS patients. It seems that cAMP involvement in fluoxetine effects need more researches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In this study, the effect of peripheral and central administration of aqueous extract Hypericum Perforatum L (HP) on acute and chronic pain models using formalin and tail flick tests were evaluated. Materials and methods At first stage, for assessment of the antinociceptive effect intraperitoneal (i.p) of different dose of HP were used, in later stage, for central effects Hp was filtered and administrated intrathecal (i.t) and intracerebroventricular(i.c.v) and the last, Yohimbine and Prazocin were administrated before i.p injection of it. Results HP (i.p) with the above mentioned doses significantly produced analgesia in both tests. HP induced analgesia in the first phase of formalin and tail flick tests, while at higher dose produced analgesia in both phases of formalin and tail flick tests. The i.c.v administration of HP produced analgesia in both phases of formalin test, while it had no effect on tail flick latency. Yohimbine significantly reversed antinociceptive effect HP in the first phase of formalin test. Prazocin had no significant effect on formalin and tail flick tests. Conclusions According to our results peripheral and central administration of HP can produced analgesia. HP has an antinociceptive effect at spinal and central levels, and spinal effect seems to be more potent. Further investigation of the role of other neurotransmitter system such as opioidergic and serotonergic system is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nowadays, some treatments such as neurofeedback and Vitamin D Supplementation are of great importance in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). To determine the efficacy of the combined treatment, the present trial was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of each one of them with combined neurofeedback and vitamin D supplementation in the reduction of ADHD symptom in children suffering from this disorder. Methods: In this study from March 2020 to June 2020, we enrolled a total of 120 patients (6-15 years old) who were referred to the Mehr psychiatric hospital (affiliated to Lorestan University of Medical Sciences). Patients were then randomly categorized into three experimental groups and one control group. The first, the second, and the third experimental groups consumed vitamin D pearl, neurofeedback combined with vitamin D, and neurofeedback for 12 weeks, respectively. The control group was given no treatment. Vitamin D serum level was evaluated at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks in all participants. For data collection, the Parent Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale-IV (ADHD-RS-IV) was applied. The obtained information was analyzed using repeated measure variance analysis. Results: The mean scores were significantly different across the groups. Repeated measure variance analysis showed that the mean score was lower in the combined group in comparison with the other three groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Combined treatment could be considered as more effective compared to separate treatments. In addition, in this study, by applying the combined intervention, the duration of treatment decreased significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honey is a natural antioxidant that its protective effects have been proven against ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ameliorative effect of Persian Honey, Apis mellifera meda skorikov, on gastrocnemius muscle IR injury. Eighty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250-300 g were used. They were divided into ten groups (N=8 per group). The ischemia was conducted with a silk suture 6-0 using the slipknot technique. All groups were rendered in ischemic for 3 h, and reperfused for various times of 3 days (3-day reperfusion), 7 days (7-day reperfusion), 14 days (14-day reperfusion), and 28 days (28-day reperfusion). Half of the groups had experimental honey (5 %) treatment immediately after ischemia. After reperfusion, the rats, based on the grouping, were killed with high doses of anesthetic, and the gastrocnemius muscles were removed and fixed. After the tissue processing, the evaluation of edema and mast cells infiltration was performed with hematoxylin-eosin and toluidine blue staining, respectively. TNF-a was detected with immunohistochemistry method. The amount of TNF-a as an index of acute inflammatory except the 3rd day significantly decreased on the other day of reperfusion (7th, 147th and 287th days). The mast cells infiltration was significantly decreased on 77th and 147th days. The tissue edema was decreased significantly in honey administrated group in the comparison with placebo groups. Honey administration can reduce damage caused by ischemia-reperfusion in the rat gastrocnemius muscle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]