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Background and objectives: Clinical studies have consistently identified depression-related disorders as the most prevalent neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Quercetin has garnered significant attention as a therapeutic approach for various neuropsychiatric conditions, particularly symptoms of depression in individuals. This study aimed to compare the neuroprotective effects of quercetin on depression-like behaviors and serum levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and galectin (Gal)-3, in a rat model of AD. Methods: Forty-eight Wistar rats were categorized into six groups: control, sham, AD, quercetin 10, quercetin 25, and quercetin 100 mg/kg body weight through gavage for 8 weeks. The rat model of AD was induced by intra-cerebroventricular administration of streptozotocin (STZ; 4 mg/rat, bilaterally). Depressive-like behaviors were assessed using the forced swimming test (FST), elevated plus maze (EPM), and open field test (OFT). Additionally, serum Gal-3 and TNF-α concentrations were measured. Results: STZ administration led to increased depression-related behaviors in OFT, EPM, and FST. Significant elevations in serum TNF-α, coupled with a decrease in Gal-3 concentrations in the hippocampus of AD rats, were observed. Remarkably, quercetin treatment reversed hippocampal cytokine concentrations in STZ-treated rats. Quercetin at the doses of 25 and 100 mg/kg significantly increased serum Gal-3 concentrations compared to other groups. Conclusion: The antidepressant effects of quercetin may be linked to its capacity to reduce inflammation and increase Gal-3 levels.

Summary: Introduction: Excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG) is associated with adverse effects on the life of the mother and the neonate. Spexin (SPX) is considered as a new factor involved in glucose homeostasis, body weight and fat metabolism. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between blood SPX concentration and the nutritional status of mothers with EGWG, Apgar score and the weight of the neonates. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Zahedan, Iran in 2021. The study sample includes 30 pregnant mothers with normal weight gain and 30 pregnant mothers with EGWG. Demographic questionnaire and 24-hour dietary recall (24-hr) were completed. The mothers' weight was recorded, and the birth weight and Apgar scores of the neonates were measured. The concentration of SPX in the blood sample of the pregnant mother and the umbilical cord blood of the newborn at the time of delivery was measured by a SPX kit with the ELISA method. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS; 21. P 0.05). Weight gain during pregnancy, energy, carbohydrate and protein intake in EGWG mothers were significantly higher than the control group (P

Abstract Background Changes that occur during pregnancy and after that during breastfeeding induce some symptoms similar to metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors. This study aims to determine the relationship between pregnancy, as well as the duration of breastfeeding and MetS controlling the effect of other risk factors like hypertension, glucose intolerance, triglyceride, central obesity, and reduction of high-density lipoprotein in women of Fasa Persian Cohort Study. Materials and methods In this cross-sectional study, 5015 women aged 35–70 years were investigated in the Sheshdeh region from 2016 to 2021, and the information related to the disease symptoms was collected through questionnaires, examinations, and laboratory tests. MetS was calculated based on two guidelines according to adult treatment panel III (ATP III) and international diabetes federation (IDF) methods. For reporting the data, the odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval was used. In order to eliminate the effect of confounders, logistic regression was used. Results Prevalence of MetS showed a descending trend in women with up to two pregnancies and it reached 22.6% and 22.4% using ATPIII and IDF methods respectively, while with an increase in the number of pregnancies of more than two, MetS prevalence was ascending. The prevalence of MetS did not have any specific trend across various breastfeeding duration groups. Multivariate analysis approved that the odds ratio of developing MetS in comparison with women who had two pregnancies was significantly increasing trend when the pregnancy counts increased. Conclusion The chance of developing MetS based on both IDF and ATP III methods after adjustment for confounding effects would grow with an increase in the number of pregnancies to more than two and breast-feeding of more than seven years. It is recommended that women with more than two pregnancies or the long duration of breast-feeding women undergo a specialized examination to investigate and control MetS problems so that future diseases could be prevented.

Objective(s): One of the most important neurotrophins is brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) that is closely associated with insulin resistance and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). This study was done under the objective of investigating the effects of curcumin (CUR) and nano-curcumin (nCUR) on serum levels of BDNF, fasting blood sugar (FBS), water and food intake, and body weight in T2DM rats. Materials and Methods: Our work required the division of 48 male Wistar rats into the 6 groups of Control, diabetic, diabetic treated with two doses of CUR and nCUR (100 and 200 mg/kg), T2DM induced rats by intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin, and nicotinamide in the fasting state. Once the rats received nCUR and CUR doses through gavage for 28 days, their Serum level of BDNF was measured at the end of intervention period, while their body weight, FBS, and food and water intake were also examined at both onset and ending of this period.Results: Considering the effect of curcumin and nano-curcumin administration on the induced significant increase in serum BDNF and decrease in FBS, food, and water intake in T2DM rats (P

Background : In recent decades, consumption of simple sugars has increased dramatically, which contributes to health problems including insulin resistance and obesity. In this study, we investigated the effects of high concentrations of white sugar (WS) and brown sugar (BS) on serum concentration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), insulin resistance, and body weight in albino rats. Methods : Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, a group treated with 15% WS, and a group treated with 15% BS. Rats were given WS and BS by gavage (daily) for 42 days. At the end of the intervention period, serum level of BDNF, insulin resistance, and body weight were measured. Results : Body weight and insulin resistance were significantly increased and serum BDNF level was decreased in both WS and BS groups compared to the control group (P