Mashhad University of Medical SciencesIranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences2008-386611420091001Nitric Oxide Functions; an Emphasis on its Diversity in Infectious Diseases197204518210.22038/ijbms.2009.5182ENHossein NahrevanianDepartment of Parasitology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran 13164, IranMarzyeh AminiDepartment of Parasitology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran 13164, IranJournal Article20151004Nitric oxide is a short-lived mediator, which can be induced in a variety of cell types and produces many physiologic and metabolic changes in target cells. It is important in many biological functions and generated from L-arginine by the enzyme nitric oxide synthase. Nitric oxide conveys a variety of messages between cells, including signals for vasorelaxation, neurotransmission and cytotoxicity. In macrophages, nitric oxide synthase activity appears slowly after exposure of the cells to cytokines and bacterial products, is sustained, and functions independently of calcium and calmodulin. The cytokine- inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is activated by several immunological stimuli, leading to the production of large quantities of nitric oxide which can be cytotoxic. To date, there have been conflicting reports concerning the clinical significance of nitric oxide in infections. Some authors have proposed that nitric oxide contributes to the development of severe and complicated cases, while others have argued that nitric oxide has a protective role. The aim of this review is to evaluate the functions of nitric oxide production toward oxidative stress induced by infections or inflammations. It is indicated that NO is an important, but possibly not essential contributor in the control of acute phase of infections and it is only part of an immunopathological chain against pathogens. The anti-microbial function does not relate only to nitric oxide action or its related molecules, a combination of nitric oxide and immune factors is required to resolve pathogenic micro-organisms. Consequently, the NO theory in infectious diseases may lead to the novel ideas for therapy and prevention.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesIranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences2008-386611420091001The Study of Apomorphine Effects and Heterogeneity in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex on the Dopaminergic Behaviors of Rats205214518310.22038/ijbms.2009.5183ENAbbas AlimoradianDepartment of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IranFaegheh Baha-aldini BeigyDepartment of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran000000029956269XJavad SajedianfardDepartment of Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, IranMohammad Reza PanjehshahinDepartment of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IranJournal Article20151004Objective(s) <br/>While the nucleus accumbens and the striatum have received much attention regarding their roles in stereotyped behaviors, the role of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has not been investigated to the same degree. Few studies have reported the role of the mPFC in dopaminergic induction of locomotor hyperactivity. The mPFC is a heterogeneous area (the anterior cingulated, prelimbic, and the infralimbic) with particular inputs and outputs to subcortical regions that may have different effects on stereotyped behaviors. In this work, apomorphine, a non-specific dopamine agonist, was microinjected into the three different subregions of the mPFC for induction of stereotyped behaviors to show the role of the three subareas of the mPFC on behaviors and its heterogeneity. <br/>Materials and Methods <br/>Cannulas implanted in the infralimbic, the prelimbic or the anterior cingulated areas of the mPFC. Apomorphine microinjected at five doses and then behaviors recorded. <br/>Results <br/>There were significant differences among three areas. The rats receiving apomorphine in the anterior cingulated showed less sniffing and climbing but more chewing behaviors. Yawning observed more significantly in the rats given apomorphine in the prelimbic area. The rats getting apomorphine in the infralimbic of the mPFC showed more climbing behavior. <br/>Conclusion <br/>It was indicated that manipulation of the dopaminergic system in mPFC alters behaviors and with regard to this, there may be heterogeneity among its three subregions.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesIranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences2008-386611420091001Development of a Western Blot Assay for Detection of Antibodies against HSV Using Purified HSV Virions Prepared by Sucrose Density Gradient215220518410.22038/ijbms.2009.5184ENZahra MeshkatDepartment of Virology, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IranMicrobiology and Virology Research Center and Women Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran0000-0002-4032-7599Mohammad Hassan RoostaeeDepartment of Virology, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IranHoorieh SoleimanjahiDepartment of Virology, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran0000-0003-1931-7801Journal Article20151004Objective(s)
Herpes simplex viruses (HSVs) have widespread and ubiquitous prevalence in the human population and they have received a great deal of attention due to the range of diseases, they caused as a result of an infection. It seems that the fast and reliable diagnostic methods are needed for detecting the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) antibodies especially in patients with HSV encephalitis, immunocompromised people, and neonatal infections. The aim of this study was designing a Western blotting method for HSV1 antibody detection, using the purified virus by sucrose density gradient centrifugation procedure.
Materials and Methods
The most reliable method for HSV detection is virus neutralization test but it needs cell culture preparation, high expertise, as well as the high amounts of serum samples. Considering the difficulties of this method, we tried to run a new one for HSV antibody detection by propagating the viruses and then purify them by sucrose density gradient centrifugation method. The purified viruses used as antigens in Western blotting assay.
Results
Diluted sera (1:100, and 1:200 dilutions) used in Western blotting and two-fold dilutions of the sera applied in virus neutralization test.Five of twenty seven samples were negative in Western blotting and the same results obtained in virus neutralization test. Comparing with our gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of the developed assay were both 100%.
Conclusion
Our results show that the designed method is a reliable method for replacing the virus neutralization test in diagnostic laboratories. It can also, be used for confirming the ELISA results.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesIranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences2008-386611420091001Modulation of Basal Glutamatergic Transmission by Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Rat Hippocampal Slices221228518510.22038/ijbms.2009.5185ENShiva Roshan-MilaniDepartment of Physiology, Medical Faculty, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran0000-0003-1078-9386Ehsan SabooryDepartment of Physiology, Medical Faculty, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran0000-0003-4777-4751Stuart CobbDivision of Neuroscience and Biomedical Systems, IBLS, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ,UKJournal Article20151004Objective(s)
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) regulate epileptiform activity and produce a sustained pro-epileptogenic action within the hippocampal slices. In the present study, we investigated the effect of nAChRs on evoked glutamatergic synaptic transmission in area CA3 and CA1 of rat hippocampal slices to identify possible excitatory circuits through which activation of nAChRs produce their pro-epileptogenic effects.
Materials and Methods
Hippocampal slices (400 µm thick) prepared <em>in vitro</em> from male Wistar rats (3-5 weeks), using standard procedures. Following 1 hr equilibration in artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF), slices transferred to an interface recording chamber. Stimulatory electrodes placed within the hilus or Schaffer-collateral pathways and extracellular field recordings made in the <em>stratum radiatum </em>of the CA1 and CA3 regions to investigate evoked synaptic responses.
Results
Bath application of the selective nAChR agonist dimethylphenyl-piperanzinium (DMPP, 30 mM) resulted in a sustained and reversible enhancement of glutamate afferent evoked fEPSP amplitude by 15.7±5.1% (mean±SEM; n=8 of 12) in the CA3 region of the hippocampus but not in the CA1 (-5.25±8.3%, mean±SEM; n=5).
Conclusion
Activation of nAChRs may produce pro-epileptogenic actions in part through regulating glutamatergic circuits. Difference in nAChR regulation is also evident between different regions of hippocampus.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesIranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences2008-386611420091001Effects of Total Extract of Dracocephalum moldavica on Ischemia/Reperfusion Induced Arrhythmias and Infarct Size in the Isolated Rat Heart229235518610.22038/ijbms.2009.5186ENMoslem NajafiDepartment of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Drug Applied Research Center and Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IranElham GhasemianDepartment of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IranFatemeh FathiazadDepartment of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IranAlireza GarjaniResearch Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IranJournal Article20151004Objective(s)
<em>Dracocephalum moldavica</em> <em>(D. moldavica) </em>have been traditionally used as a cardiotonic agent in the folk medicine of some regions of Iran. In the present study, effects of total extract of <em>D. moldavica</em> on ischemia/reperfusion induced arrhythmias and infarct size investigated in isolated rat heart.
Materials and Methods
The isolated hearts were mounted on a Langendorff apparatus then perfused during 30 min regional ischemia and 120 min reperfusion, either by a modified Krebs-Henseleit solution as the control group or by enriched Krebs solution with total extract of <em>D. moldavica</em> (25-200 µg/ml) as the treatment groups[A1] . The ECGs recorded and analyzed to determine cardiac arrhythmias. At the end of the reperfusion, the hearts stained by Evans blue solution then incubated by triphenyltetrazolium chloride. The volume of infarcted tissue and percentage of infarct size determined by computerized planimetry.
Results
The results demonstrated that total extract of <em>D. moldavica</em> caused a significant reduction in the number of ventricular tachycardia (VT), total ventricular ectopic beats (VEBs) and VT duration in ischemic and reperfusion periods. The incidence of ischemic VT reduced[DN2] from 93% in the control group to 0, 50 and 50% in the treatment groups. The infarct size was 37±1% in the control group, however, perfusion of the extract (25, 50, 200 µg/ml) reduced it to 13±2, 8±1 and 18±2%, respectively (<em>P</em><0.001). In addition, the extract remarkably lowered volume of infarcted tissue compared to the control group (<em>P</em><0.05).
Conclusion
Our findings showed cardioprotective effects of total extract of <em>D. moldavica</em> against ischemia/reperfusion injuries in the isolated rat heart.
Mashhad University of Medical SciencesIranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences2008-386611420091001Evaluation of Hair Growth Activity of Buxus wallichiana Baill Extract in Rats236241518710.22038/ijbms.2009.5187ENRudrappa NandeeshDepartment of Pharmacognosy, Sree Siddhaganga College of Pharmacy, Tumkur, Karnataka, IndiaBagepalli Srinivasa Ashok KumarDepartment of Pharmacognosy, Sri K.V.College of Pharmacy, Chickballapur, Karnataka, IndiaKuruba LakshmanDepartment of Pharmacognosy, PES College of Pharmacy, Bangaluru, Karnataka, IndiaSaleemulla KhanDepartment of Pharmacognosy, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal, Karnataka, IndiaVantoor Byrappa Narayana SwamyDepartment of Pharmacognosy, Sri K.V.College of Pharmacy, Chickballapur, Karnataka, IndiaTathireddy BharathiDepartment of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Sri Krishan Chaitanya College of Pharmacy, Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh, IndiaSeru GanapathyDepartment of Pharmacy, Andhra University, Vishakapatanam, Andhra Pradesh, IndiaJournal Article20151004Objective(s)
The aim of this study was to evaluate antioxidant and hair growth activities of <em>Buxus wallichiana</em> Baill (Buxaceae).
Materials and methods
Petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and aqueous extracts of<em> Buxus wallichiana</em> subjected to antioxidant activity by; 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl and nitric oxide methods. Methanol extract of <em>Buxus wallichiana</em> at 50, 100 mg/kg, ointment of methanol extract at 5 and 10% used for the evaluation of hair growth property.
Results
Methanol extract showed potential antioxidant activity. Methanol extract at 100 mg/kg showed consistent and significant increase in mean score of hair growth from day 3 to day 24. Whereas 50 mg/kg increased the mean score significantly, only from day 15 to day 24. When methanol extract at 10% applied topically, significant increase in mean hair score observed only from day 15, but at 5% showed considerable increase in mean hair score only from day 21 and 24, when compared to the control.
Conclusion
The result of this study suggests that Methanol extract of <em>Buxus wallichiana</em> possess good antioxidant and hair growth activity.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesIranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences2008-386611420091001Effect of Invasive Aspergillosis Infection on the Immune Responses of Cancer Mice242249518810.22038/ijbms.2009.5188ENNooshin SohrabiMycology Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tehran University, Tehran, IranAli Reza KhosraviMycology Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tehran University, Tehran, IranZuhair Mohammad HassanImmunology Department, School of Medicine, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IranMehdi MahdaviImmunology Department, School of Medicine, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran0000-0003-4478-5957Abbas Ali AminiImmunology Department, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranMajid TebianianImmunology Department, School of Medicine, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IranBiotechnology Department, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Tehran, IranJournal Article20151004Objective(s)
Using a cancer murine model of invasive aspergillosis (IA), we investigated the expression of TLR-2, Dectin-1 and the level of cytokine production by CD4+ T helper cells in different groups of mice (with or without cancer), also, the effect of invasive aspergillosis on the immune response pattern of cancer mice.
Materials and Methods
Patterns of susceptibility and resistance to infection obtained with different groups of mice injected with <em>Aspergillus fumigatus</em>conidia. TLR-2 and Dectin-1 analyzed applying flowcytometry and cytokine production of cultured splenocytes by ELISA method.
Results
Cancer mice that challenged with <em>A.</em> <em>fumigatus</em> conidia showed significant increase in TLR-2 and Dectin-1 levels compared with the two other control groups (normal mice challenged with <em>A.</em> <em>fumigatus</em> and non-infected cancer mice). Moreover, it showed insignificant decrease in IFN-γ and IL-10 levels and insignificant increase in TNF-α level. The data demonstrated remarkable rise in IL-4 level and the mortality of cancer mice that intravenously infected with <em>A</em>. <em>fumigatus</em>.
Conclusion
Probably IA causes stimulation in innate immunity and Th2 cells, also some disorganization in cytokine production in CD4+ T helper cells. We hypothesize that concomitance of IA and cancer may change the microenvironment for local or systemic immune responses. Other complementary studies could help supporting our hypothesis.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesIranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences2008-386611420091001In Vitro Cytotoxicity of Two Subspecies of Juniperus excelsa on Cancer Cells250253518910.22038/ijbms.2009.5189ENHojjat Sadeghi-aliabadiDepartment of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Isfahan Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran0000-0002-7260-0625Ahmad EmamiDepartment of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranBabak SadeghiDepartment of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Isfahan Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IranAbbas JafarianIsfahan Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IranJournal Article20151004Objective(s) <br/>The cytotoxic effects of crude ethanol extracts of some previously tested Iranian conifers<em> </em>on tumor cell lines have motivated us to screen different parts of two subspecies in these genus. <br/>Materials and Methods <br/>Terminal branchlets and berries of <em>Juniperus excelsa </em>subsp. <em>excelsa </em>and <em>J. excelsa </em>subsp. <em>polycarpos </em>were collected, dried and extracted with ethanol/H<sub>2</sub>O (80/20 v/v) via percolation procedure. Extracts were dried, reconstituted in ethanol and cytotoxic effects of different concentrations were determined on cancer cells by ELISA, using MTT assay. MDA-MB-468, Hela and KB cells were used in this study. <br/>Results <br/>The extracts of the branchlets of male and female of <em>J</em>.<em> excelsa </em>subsp.<em> polycarpos</em> as well as berries extract of <em>J. excelsa</em> subsp. <em>excelsa</em> showed inhibitory activities against KB cells. Extracts of female branchlets and berries of <em>J. excelsa </em>subsp. <em>polycarpos</em> were cytotoxic against all 3 cell lines. <br/>Conclusion <br/>In conclusion, obtained extracts from <em>J.</em> <em>excelsa</em> subsp. <em>polycarpos</em> showed cytotoxic effects against most tested cell lines which was comparable to doxorubicin; whereas, berries extracts of<em>J. excelsa </em>subsp. <em>excelsa </em>showed inhibitory effects only against KB cells.