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Purpose: Stroke is one of the most common conditions causing death. There have been few studies examining the effects of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) on stroke patients. In this regard, the present randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted to examine the effects of ALA supplementation on serum albumin, and inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in stroke patients. Methods: The present paralleled randomized controlled clinical trial involved 42 stroke patients who were over 40 years and under enteral feeding. The participants were randomly assigned into two groups and finally 40 patients completed the study. Patients in alpha lipoic acid group (n=19) took 1200 mg ALA supplement daily along with their meal, and participants in control group (n=21) underwent the routine hospital diet for 3 weeks. Fasting blood samples were obtained and albumin, oxidative stress, and inflammatory indices were assessed at baseline, as well as at the end of the trial. Results: After 3 weeks, treatment of patients with ALA led to a significant decrease in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels (P=0.01) compared to baseline. But serum levels of albumin, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), highsensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), IL-6 and TNF-α did not change significantly vs. control group (P>0.05). Conclusion: ALA did not significantly change the serum levels of albumin and inflammatory as well as antioxidant capacity indices in stroke patients compared with the control group. More clinical trials with large sample sizes and long duration are needed to clarify the effects of ALA on these patients.

PurposeAlthough the pathogenesis of stroke is not yet completely elucidated, factors such as oxidative stress and inflammation have been shown to play an important role in this regard. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of whey protein plus lipoic acid on the inflammatory and oxidative stress markers and the prognosis in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients.Design/methodology/approachA double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted among 42 patients with the first episode of AIS at the Imam Reza Hospital of the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. The blind research staff randomly assigned patients to two groups of receiving usual hospital gavage (control group) and 1,200 mg of lipoic acid plus 20 g of whey protein in addition to usual hospital gavage (intervention group) for midday meal. Levels of albumin, Interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and clinical outcomes including severity of neurologic damage according to National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and functional state based on modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were evaluated initially and three weeks later.FindingsThere were no significant differences in demographic and baseline characteristics between the two groups (p> 0.05). After three weeks, hs-CRP (pp= 0.02) and TNF-α(p= 0.01) levels significantly reduced in the intervention group, but no significant changes were observed in cases of albumin, malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in this group (p> 0.05). Instead, only IL-6 decreased significantly in the control group (pp > 0.05). While there was significant betterment in clinical prognosis parameters within groups, no significant changes were found between groups.Originality/valueThe investigation implied that whey protein plus lipoic acid supplementation has no significant effects on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers compared to the control group of AIS patients. More studies in this field are needed to approve the result.

Purpose: Malnutrition is extensively prevalent amongst critically ill patients afflicted by ischemic stroke (IS). This study purpose was to evaluate the protein whey effect on inflammatory and antioxidant markers and functional prognosis in acute IS patients. Methods: out of 42 patients with acute IS who were referred to Imam Reza Educational Hospital, Tabriz, Iran, 40 patients participated in the study. Twenty-one patients as control group received the hospital routine formula, and 19 patients as intervention group received 20 g/daily of whey protein through oral gavage. Inflammation and oxidative stress indicators (e.g., albumin, malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and high sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP)and clinical variables included in were evaluated using National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) during admission and also 3 weeks after intervention. Results: Whey protein supplementation significantly decreased the NIHSS and mRS scores, TNF-α, IL-6, and hs-CRP by passing 3 weeks from intervention (P

Background Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative illness. It has been believed that oxidative stress (OS) is an important factor in the advancement of PD. This investigation attempts to evaluate the relations between blood trace elements, ferritin, and transferrin concentrations as well as the levels of protein and gene expression of ceruloplasmin (CP), Nrf-2, and HO-1 in patients suffering PD. Methods The serum concentrations of variables were assessed in 110 PD patients group and 110 normal subjects. Furthermore, we applied qRT-PCR as well as western blot (WB) analysis to measure the levels of gene and protein, respectively. Results Considerable differences were detected in the serum concentrations of copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn), when healthy and patient groups were compared. Nevertheless, the levels of Se, ferritin, and transferrin were not significantly different between the two groups. qRT-PCR and WB data analysis revealed significant differences of CP, Nrf-2, and HO-1at genes expression and protein levels when comparing the two PD patients and control groups. Conclusion The results of the current work revealed that blood levels of Cu, Fe, and Zn were significantly higher in subjects who had PD. In addition, it was found that the levels of protein and gene expression CP, Nrf-2, and HO-1 were markedly higher in PD group than in non-PD subjects. Indeed, in this study, the results showed that the antioxidant content of the body can be linked to PD.

Various numbers of factors such as oxidative stress, neurotoxins, and pesticides have been implicated in its pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). Paraoxonas1 (PON1) metabolizes xenobiotics, including pesticides. Therefore, we surveyed the relationship between PON1 polymorphisms with its activities in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease..We investigated polymorphisms of the PON1 (L55M and Q192R) by PCR-RFLP assays; we also measure the levels of PON1, TAC (total antioxidant capacity) and TOS (total oxidant status) with ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and spectrophotometric method for their activities.Paraoxonase and arylesterase activity of PON1 as well as their concentrations were lower in patients with PD compared with control group, but from the view of the specific activity, it was not significant between two groups. In the compare of TAC, TOS, and OSI, the TOS and OSI were higher in the patients than controls, while patients had lower levels of TAC compared with controls. Serum PON1 concentrations and activities were higher in LL (comparison with LM and MM) and RR (comparison with QR and QQ) genotypes while we did not observe any significant differences in arylesterase levels among mentioned polymorphisms.In the current study, we reported associations between PON1 polymorphisms (55, 192) and enzyme activities in Parkinson's disease as there was a significant reduction in PON1 levels in patients with Parkinson compared with healthy. Taken together, paraoxonase enzyme in subjects with different genotypes could be a potential biomarker for determining the severity and prognosis of Parkinson. However, more studies are needed to clarify its clinical values. Key words: Parkinson's disease; paraoxonase1; Polymorphism.

Purpose: In all types of ischemic stroke, especially in the acute phase, excessive oxidative stress causes structural and functional damage to the brain. This may play a major role in the pathophysiology of the brain damage. Higher serum levels of bilirubin have therapeutic effects in oxidative stress-induced stroke. Nevertheless, role of increased serum levels of bilirubin in the acute phase of ischemic stroke is controversial. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional prospective descriptive study conducted in the Emergency Department (ED) of Imam Reza hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran, throughout six months. 275 ischemic stroke patients were evaluated based on their brain CT scan infarct size, NIHSS, MRS, and serum levels of bilirubin. Later, data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Total, direct and indirect bilirubin levels were significantly higher in expired patients (p< 0.0001). Total (p< 0.0001), direct (p< 0.0001) and indirect (p< 0.0001) bilirubin levels, NIHSS score (p< 0.0001), and ischemic area (p< 0.0001) significantly predicted the outcome in these patients. Conclusion: Total, direct and indirect bilirubin levels was significantly associated with mortality in the acute phase of ischemic stroke patients.

Objectives Octogenarians account for a third of ischemic stroke (IS) patients and applying endovascular carotid artery stenting (CAS), as a secondary prevention, in these patients is challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate peri-procedural and long term clinical and angiographic impact of CAS on octogenarians. Patients and methods In a prospective study, 102 patients aged over 80 years old with symptomatic internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis presenting by non-disabling IS or transient ischemic attack and having undergone CAS were evaluated prospectively from January 2012 to July 2016. All patients received standard stroke care during the study follow up period. Peri-procedural complication, cerebrovascular accidents, restenosis in target vessel and mortality rate were recorded and the collected data were analyzed to evaluate safety and durability of CAS in octogenarians. Results 48 (47.06%) males and 54 (52.9%) females with the mean age of 83.39 ± 2.53 (range, 80–88) years were followed in a mean period of 24.5 ± 14.1 months (6–50 months). Success rate of CAS was 100%; whereas, the peri-procedural complication rate was 5.8% (only one patient experienced acute ischemic stroke during the procedure). Restenosis and recurrent cerebrovascular accidents were observed in 3.9% and 9.8% of the cases, respectively. Recurrent cerebrovascular accident leading to death was seen in 2.9% of the cases. The median patient event-free survival was 20 months. Conclusion Endovascular CAS seems to be a safe and durable method for secondary prevention in ischemic stroke following symptomatic carotid artery stenosis in octogenarians.

Aim: To reduce in-hospital intervals by developing a prehospital notification (PHN) protocol which directly notifies a neurologist to prepare for possible treatment. Methods: A 24/7 connection was established between emergency medical services dispatch and the on-call neurologist. A database of all patients with in-hospital stroke code activation was developed, door-to-computed tomography (CT) time and door-to-needle time was recorded from January 2013 to December 2016. The statistical results were considered significant at p < 0.05. Result: PHN resulted in a significant reduction in door-to-CT time (median 14 vs 20; p < 0.001). Among patients who were treated with intravenous thrombolysis, door-to-needle time was significantly shorter in patients with PHN compared with non-PHN group (median 42 vs 70; p < 0.001). Conclusion: PHN effectively reduced door-to-CT and door-to-needle times. © 2018 2018 Reshad Mirnour.

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells and Th17 cells play important roles in peripheral immunity. Immune responses are main elements in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke (IS). The contribution of Th17 cells in IS patients has not been proved, and whether the balance of Treg/Th17 cells is changed in IS patients remains unidentified. In the present study, we studied Th17 and Treg cell frequency, cytokine secretion, expression of transcription factors, and microRNAs related to Th17 and Treg cells differentiation, which is compared between IS patients and control group. Thirty patients with IS and 30 individuals as control group were enrolled in this study. The frequency of Th17 and Treg lymphocytes, the expression of transcription factors and microRNAs related to these cells, and the serum levels of associated cytokines were assessed by flow cytometry, real-time PCR, and ELISA, respectively. A significant reduction in proportion of peripheral Treg cell frequency and the levels of TGF-β and FOXP3 expression were observed in patients with IS compared with controls, while the proportions of Th17 were increased dramatically, and these effects were along with increases in the levels of IL-17A and RORγt expression in IS patients. The levels of mir-326 and mir-106b-25 expression were increased in patients with IS. These studies suggest that the increase in proportion of Th17 cells and decrease in Treg cells might contribute to the pathogenesis of IS. Manipulating the balance between Tregs and Th17 cells might be helpful for the treatment of IS.

Alzheimer is a progressive neurological disease that results in irreversible loss of neurons and includes about two thirds of all cases of dementia. Toxoplasma gondii may be an important infectious agent involved in neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between Toxoplasma as an etiologic agent in the progress of Alzheimer's disease. This case control study was conducted on 75 Alzheimer's patients and 75 healthy volunteers. Blood samples were obtained and anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM tests were done by using ELISA technique. DNA was extracted from buffy coat and then GRA6 gene and SAG2 loci were amplified by PCR and nested PCR, respectively. Chi-square, Fisher's test, and binary logistic regression were used for data analysis. A percentage of 61.3 % of Alzheimer's patients and 62.6 % of healthy volunteers were positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG but all participants were negative for anti-Toxoplasma IgM. There were no significant differences between Alzheimer's patients with their controls in terms of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody (P = 0.5). Due to lack of positive IgM sample, results of the molecular methods were negative by GRA6 and SAG2 fragments amplification. This result shows that, infection with T. gondii cannot be considered as a risk factor for etiology and developing Alzheimer's disease.

Background. Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator, a time dependent therapy, can reduce the morbidity and mortality of acute ischemic stroke. This study was designed to assess the effect of simple in-hospital interventions on reducing door-to-CT (DTC) time and reaching door-to-needle (DTN) time of less than 60 minutes.Methods. Before any intervention, DTC time was recorded for 213 patients over a one-year period at our center. Five simple quality-improvement interventions were implemented, namely, call notification, prioritizing patients for CT scan, prioritizing patients for lab analysis, specifying a bed for acute stroke patients, and staff education. After intervention, over a course of 44 months, DTC time was recorded for 276 patients with the stroke code. Furthermore DTN time was recorded for 106 patients who were treated with IV thrombolytic therapy.Results. The median DTC time significantly decreased in the postintervention period comparing to the preintervention period [median (IQR); 20 (12–30) versus 75 (52.5–105),P<0.001]. At the postintervention period, the median (IQR) DTN time was 55 (40–73) minutes and proportion of patients with DTN time less than 60 minutes was 62.4% (P<0.001).Conclusion. Our interventions significantly reduced DTC time and resulted in an acceptable DTN time. These interventions are feasible in most hospitals and should be considered.

OBJECTIVE Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease. Oxidative stress is considered as a key modulator in the development of PD. This study aimed to investigate associations between serum NOX1 (NADPH oxidase1), ferritin, selenium (Se), and uric acid (UA) levels and clinical parameters in patients with PD. DESIGN AND METHODS Serum levels of NOX1, ferritin, Se, and UA were measured in 40 PD patients and 40 healthy individuals. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to investigate incremental diagnostic value of each factor in the study groups. RESULTS Mean serum NOX1 levels were markedly higher in patient group (22.36±5.80ng/mL) versus healthy individuals (8.89±2.37ng/mL) (p

Objective. This study was set to assess the effect of renal dysfunction on outcome of stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). Methods. This multicenter research involved 403 patients from January 2009 to March 2015. Patients were divided into two groups: (1) control group with GFR ≥ 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 and (2) low GFR group with GFR < 45 mL/min/1.73 m2. Outcome measurements were poor outcome (mRS 3–6) and mortality at 3 months and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) within the first 24–36 hours. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed, and odds ratios (ORs) were determined at 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results. Univariate analyses determined that every decrease of GFR by 10 mL/min/1.73 m2 significantly increased the risk of poor outcome (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.09–1.30, p<0.001) and mortality (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.06–1.32, p=0.002). In multivariate regression, adjusted for all variables with p value < 0.1, low GFR (GFR < 45 versus GFR equal to or more than 45) was associated with poor outcome (OR adjusted 2.15, 95% CI 1.01–4.56, p=0.045). Conclusion. In IVT for acute stroke, renal dysfunction with GFR < 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 before treatment determined increased odds for poor outcome compared to GFR of more than 45 mL/min/1.73 m2.

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that infects all nucleate cells of vertebrates. Human infected by vertical transmission and also using raw or undercooked meat or food and water that contaminated with mature oocysts. Parkinson‘s disease as neurodegenerative disease affects people above 60 years. Due to high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Iran and evidence about effects of T. gondii on neurodegenerative diseases, this study has been conducted to investigate possible correlation between Toxoplasma and Parkinson’s disease in Iran. Seventy five Parkinson’s patients and equal healthy volunteers were enrolled. After obtaining informed consent and sociodemographic features, 5 ml blood sample were collected and then anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM levels were examined by ELISA method. Data was analyzed with Chi-squre and Fisher’s test by usig stata 11 software. Binary logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis in assessing the correlation between toxoplasmosis and Parkinson. Eighty five percent of Parkinson’s group and 90.3 % of control group were positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody. In this investigation no statically differences were observed between groups and age, gender, residency and using raw or undercooked meat. There is no significant association between IgG positive titer and Parkinson’s disease. However, statistically significant association was found between Parkinson and keeping cat (P = 0.03) as well as the using of undercooked egg (P = 0.004). Although there is high level of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody in Parkinson’s patients which reflects chronic Toxoplasma infection; we couldn’t detect any statistical association between T. gondii infection and Parkinson’s disease.

Elyar Sadeghi-Hokmabadi, Mehdi Farhoudi, Aliakbar Taheraghdam, Mazyar Hashemilar, Daryous Savadi-Osguei, Reza Rikhtegar, Kaveh Mehrvar, Ehsan Sharifipour, Parisa Youhanaee, Reshad Mirnour Neurosciences Research Center, Neurology Department, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz,East Azerbaijan, Iran Background: In developing countries, intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is available at a limited number of centers. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and safety of IVT at Tabriz Imam Reza Hospital. Methods: In a prospective study, over a 55-month period, any patient at the hospital for whom stroke code had been activated was enrolled in the study. Data on demographic characteristics, stroke risk factors, admission blood pressure, blood tests, findings of brain computed tomography (CT) scans, time of symtom onset, time of arrival to the emergency department, time of stroke code activation, time of CT scan examination, and the time of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator administration were recorded. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale assessments were performed before IVT bolus, at 36 hours, at either 7 days or discharge (which ever one was earlier), and at 3-month follow-up. Brain CT scans were done for all patients before and 24 hours after the treatment. Results: Stroke code was activated for 407 patients and IVT was done in 168 patients. The rate of functional independence (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] 0–1) at 3 months was 39.2% (62/158). The mortality rate at day 7 was 6% (10/168). Hemorrhagic transformation was noted in 16 patients (9.5%). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 5 (3%), all of which were fatal. One case of severe urinary bleeding and one other fatal case of severe angioedema were observed. Conclusion: During the first 4–5 years of administration of IVT in the hospital, it was found to be feasible and safe, but to increase the efficacy, poststroke care should be more organized and a stroke center should be established. Keywords: stroke, developing countries, thrombolytic therapy, code team, rtPA, functional independence

Background: Cerebral vascular thrombosis (CVT) is the thrombosis of intracranial and sinuses. The aim of this is to estimate of risk of low folic acid, low vitamin B12, and hyperhomocysteinemia (hyper-Hcys) for CVT. Materials and Methods: A total of 24 patients with CVT and 36 healthy controls participated in a cross-sectional case-control study. The deficient levels of folic acid and vitamin B12 defined as 90 th percentile of homocysteine of control group. Results: Patients had higher levels of total homocysteine (tHcys) than controls (14.7 ± 6.5 vs. 6.4 ± 2.7 μmol/L, P = 0.001). Also, vitamin B12 level in case group was lower compared to control subjects (185.4 ± 58 vs. 299 ± 75 ng/mL, P = 0.001). Hyper-Hcys and low vitamin B12 were significantly more prevalent in CVT patients than controls. Although, significant independent association with risk of CVT was found for hyper-Hcys [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 14.3, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.6-77.1, P = 0.002] and low vitamin B12 (adjusted OR 24.6, 95% CI: 2.3-262.9, P = 0.008). Association between low folic acid and risk of CVT was not significant. A significant negative correlation was found between the levels of tHcys and vitamin B12 (r = −0.32, P = 0.01). Conclusion: Hyper-Hcys and low vitamin B12 were related with the high risk for CVT.

Parkinson disease is a prevalent progressive neurodegenerative disorder, especially in western countries and among the elderly. This study aimed at evaluating serum iron and ferritin in patients with idiopathic Parkinson disease. In this case-control study, 50 patients with clinical diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson disease (case group) were evaluated during a 12 month period. Fifty healthy persons (control group) recruited as well. Serum iron and ferritin levels were measured by biochemical and quantitative luminance methods, respectively in the case and control group. Fifty patients, 28 males and 22 females with the mean age of 64.53 +/- 10.18 (40-84) years and 50 controls were enrolled. Serum iron levels were 70.22 +/- 25.18 mg dL(-1) and 67.62 +/- 39.53 mg dL(-1) in case and control group, respectively. Serum ferritin levels were 129.79 +/- 137.67 ng dL(-1) and 109.87 +/- 154.71 ng dL(-1) in case and control group, respectively. There was no significant difference between different grades of Parkinson disease considering the serum level of iron or ferritin. The current study showed that generally there is no significant difference between the patients with the idiopathic Parkinson disease and healthy controls in terms of serum iron and ferritin levels. The same results were attributable to different grades of the disease.