No abstract

Background: Oleuropein is a potent antioxidant and free-radical scavenger with antiinflammatory properties. Objectives: In the present study, we evaluated the protective effects of oleuropein on myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, nitrite, urea, creatinine and glomerulosclerosis in alloxan-induced type 1 diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: group 1 as control; group 2 as untreated diabetic; and group 3 as treated with oleuropein 15 mg/kg i.p daily. Diabetes was induced in the second and third groups by subcutaneous alloxan injection. After 48 days, the animals were anaesthetized and then the livers and kidneys were removed immediately and used fresh or kept frozen until MPO activity analysis. Blood samples were also collected before sacrificing to measure nitrite, urea, and creatinine. Kidney paraffin sections were prepared to estimate glomerular volume, leukocyte infiltration, and glomerulosclerosis. Results: Oleuropein significantly decreased leukocyte infiltration and glomerulosclerosis in the treated group compared with the diabetic untreated group. Oleuropein significantly decreased the levels of urea, nitrite, and creatinine in the treated group compared with the diabetic untreated group. Moreover, oleuropein significantly decreased MPO activity in the treated group compared with the diabetic untreated group. Conclusions: Oleuropein has antioxidative and antiatherogenic activities and exerts beneficial effects on inflammation and kidney function test and decreases diabetic complication in diabetic rats.

BackgroundWe examined possible protective effect of Satureja khozestanica essential oil (SKE) on in vivo and in vitro lipid peroxidation in alloxan-induced Type 1 diabetic rats.MethodsThirty Sprage-dawley male rats were divided into three groups randomly; group one as control, group two diabetic untreatment, and group three treatments with SKE by 500 ppm in drinking water, respectively. Diabetes was induced in the second and third groups by alloxan injection subcutaneously. After 8 weeks, animals were anaesthetized, livers and kidneys were then removed immediately and used fresh or kept frozen until their lipid peroxidation analysis. Lipid peroxidation was determined by measurement of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Blood samples were also collected before killing to measure the levels of fasting blood suger (FBS) and lipid peroxidation.ResultsSKE significantly inhibited the levels of FBS, TBARS serum and kidney content in treated group compared with the diabetic untreated group. Also the levels of malonedialdehyde liver content unaltered in treated group. SKE significantly inhibited LDL oxidation in vitro.ConclusionsThe findings showed that SKE exerts beneficial effects on the lipid peroxidation in alloxan-induced Type 1 diabetic rats.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Background It has been indicated that Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Insertion/Deletion (ACE I/D) polymorphism (rs4646994) could be regarded as a genetic factor that raises the risk of CAD through its impact on the activity of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) and angiotensin II level. The present study seeks to examine the relationship between ACE I/D polymorphism with the risk of atherosclerosis. Moreover, its potential effects on ACE activity and oxLDL level are investigated. Methods In this study, 145 healthy individuals and 154 patients (143 males and 156 females) were selected among the subjects referred to Shahid Madani Hospital. Atherosclerosis was determined in all subjects with gold standard angiography. Blood samples were collected, used to isolate white blood cells (WBC) and serum separation. The DNA was extracted and the polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The enzyme activity was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results This study indicated that patients with atherosclerosis had higher levels of oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein (oxLDL) and ACE activity ( P < 0.05) as compared to controls. Although we found a significant association between ACE I/D polymorphism genotype and the allele with atherosclerosis in the male group, there were no association when the entire patient group was compared to the entire control group. Conclusion Our study revealed the ACE I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene may not be an independent risk factor in the development of atherosclerosis and evaluation of ACE activity level is more important in evaluating the risk of disease. The researchers found no relation between ACE I/D polymorphism and atherosclerosis and also between types of genotype, ACE activity, and OxLDL level.

Introduction: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men after lung cancer. It has grown in Iran in recent years. The use of medicinal plants is one of the most useful ways that causes the least side effects. Due to high levels of antioxidant compounds, Satureja khuzestanica is a good source for drug use to treat and prevent the development and progress of cancers. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-cancer property of Satureja khuzestanica extract on the expression of Bcl2 and Bax genes in prostate cancer cell lines.Methodology: After collecting the plant in spring, the chloroform extract was prepared by rotary device. PC3 cancer cells were incubated at different concentrations of the extract for 24 hours. The inhibitory effect of the extract was evaluated using MTT assay as IC50. To evaluate apoptosis, the level of expression of Bax and BCL-2 genes after RNA extraction and transformation to cDNA were evaluated using Real Time PCR. All data were analyzed using REST software.Results: The results revealed a direct and significant relationship between the two variables of drug composition and rate of PC3 cell death. This composition increased Bax gene expression and decreased BCL-2 gene expression and induced apoptosis (P <0.05).Discussion and Conclusion: Based on the results, Satureja khuzestanica extract is likely to have anticancer properties and seems to be a new drug for killing prostate cancer cells.