Propolis is a natural product with many biological properties including hypoglycemic activity and modulating lipid profile. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of Iranian propolis extract on glucose metabolism, Lipid profile, Insulin resistance, renal and liver function as well as inflammatory biomarkers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted. The duration of the study lasted 90 days. Patients with T2DM were recruited and randomly divided into an Iranian propolis group (1000 mg/day) (n = 50) and a placebo group (n = 44). There was a significant decrease in the serum levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), 2-hour post prandial (2hpp), insulin, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-β), High sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). However, there was a notable elevation in the serum HDL-C in the propolis group compared with the placebo group. In addition, a notable reduction in serum liver transaminase (ALT and AST) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations in the propolis group was observed. Iranian propolis has beneficial effects on reducing post prandial blood glucose, serum insulin, insulin resistance, and inflammatory cytokines. It is also a useful treatment for preventing the liver and renal dysfunction, as well as, elevating HDL-C concentrations in patients with T2DM.

IntroductionHelicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the common cause of many gastrointestinal diseases, especially peptic ulcer. Therefore, a successful treatment of this infection decreases the financial burden on health systems.AimDifferent combinations of antibiotics are used for the eradication of this bacterium worldwide. The goal of this study is to compare the efficacy of four different protocols used for this purpose in Ahvaz.Material and methodsA total number of 400 patients with H. pylori infection were randomly divided into four groups (100 in each): (1) OAC: omeprazole (20 mg/b.i.d.), amoxicillin (1000 mg/b.i.d.), clarithromycin (500 mg/b.i.d.) for 10 days. (2) OCF: omeprazole (20 mg/b.i.d.), ciprofloxacin (500 mg/b.i.d.), furazolidone (100 mg/b.i.d.) for 10 days. (3) OBAM: omeprazole (20 mg/b.i.d.), bismuth subcitrate (240 mg/b.i.d.), amoxicillin (1000 mg/b.i.d.), metronidazol (500 mg/b.i.d.) for 14 days. (4) OBTM: omeprazole (20 mg/b.i.d.), bismuth subcitrate (240 mg/b.i.d.), tetracycline (500 mg/b.i.d.), metronidazol (500 mg/b.i.d.) for 14 days. At the end the viability of the bacterium was assessed by C14 urea breath test.ResultsThe rate of H. pylori eradication was 92%, 59%, 73%, and 76% in OAC, OCF, OBAM, and OBTM groups, respectively (based on intention to treat analysis). The eradication rate was 93.9%, 62.1%, 77.7%, and 84.4% in OAC, OCF, OBAM, and OBTM groups, respectively (based on per protocol analysis). There was a statistically significant increase in eradication rate in the OAC group in comparison with the others (p < 0.001).ConclusionsStandard triple therapy (omeprazole, amoxicillin, clarithromycin) remains the most effective regimen for H. pylori eradication in Ahvaz.

Background: Methotrexate (MTX) is mainly used for the chemotherapy of different types of malignancy and some autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. The MTX application is limited by its severe side effects, including several types of hepatic injury. Objectives: In this study, we decided to evaluate if zingerone (the main constituent of ginger) can reduce the hepatic side effects of MTX. Methods: Thirty-five rats were divided into five groups: Control group receiving normal saline (N/S), once daily, by gavage, for 10 days, and N/S intraperitoneally (i.p.), a single dose on the ninth day; Methotrexate (MTX) group receiving N/S, once daily, by gavage, for 10 days, and MTX (i.p.), a single dose (20 mg/kg) on the ninth day; Groups 3 (ZG25), 4 (ZG50), and 5 (ZG100) receiving zingerone (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, respectively), once daily, by gavage, for 10 days, and MTX (i.p.), a single dose (20 mg/kg) on the ninth day. Results: The results showed a significant decrease in serum AST, ALT, and ALP, as well as the hepatic content of MDA, NO, PC, TNF-α, and IL-1β, in the ZG groups compared with the MTX group. The activity of SOD, CAT, and GPX, as well as the hepatic content of GSH, showed a significant increase in the ZG groups compared with the MTX group. Histopathological improvement in the hepatic tissue of ZG groups compared with the MTX group confirmed all other findings. Conclusions: It is concluded that zingerone can improve hepatic injury induced by MTX in rats regarding the redox system features, inflammation, and histological changes. This can make humans hopeful for using Ginger in the future for attenuating the hepatic side effects of MTX when used chronically.

Purpose The knowledge loss or longevity of taught lessons is a major concern in medical students and all medical practitioners. This study evaluated the physiology knowledge loss in medical students in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in Iran. Methods A total of 265 volunteers from medical students who had previously passed the “general exam of medical basic sciences” at the end of fifth semester took a retention test (RT) to evaluate their knowledge loss of physiology. The candidates were divided into ten groups depending on the semester (S) they were passing at the time of study: 41 students in preclinical levels (S6 and S7), 123 students in externship levels (S8, S9, S10, S11 and S12), and 101 students in internship levels (S13, S14 and S15). The RT consisted of 20 multiple choice questions from all topics of medical physiology, including central nervous system, endocrine, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, blood, and cellular. Results Findings showed that there was a decreasing trend of knowledge loss from S6 to S15. The lowest level of knowledge loss was observed in S15 students. These results also demonstrated that knowledge loss in male medical students was more than that in female students. Conclusion These findings indicated that the physiology knowledge loss trend is inversely correlated with the time passing. We conclude that the reason is that physiology is a basic science which is most applicable during medical students’ clinical years.

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Introduction: The knowledge loss, especially in medicine has long been an issue of concern for all health care providers and is poorly investigated throughout the world. In this study we focused on pharmacological knowledge in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in Iran. Methods: 110 volunteer of medical students who had previously passed two partial basic pharmacology exams were retested (an unscheduled retention test) again in three group, which were in the 9th (n=44), 12th (n=37), and 15th (n=29) semester of their education to be evaluated for loss of their pharmacological knowledge. Results: The average score of partial exams in all three groups was significantly higher than the score of retention test (12.74±0.31 vs. 9.93±0.44, 15.85±0.35 vs. 12.57±0.43, and 13.31±0.35 vs. 11.68±0.61 of the students spending 9th, 12th, and 15th semesters, respectively). The amount of knowledge loss was 22±0.6, 20±0.7, and 12±0.75% of the students spending 9th, 12th, and 15th semesters, respectively. There was a significant decrease in the value of knowledge loss of the students spending the15th semester in comparison to the other groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results showed that when the time period between the first exposure to pharmacological education and retention test, is increased, the amount of knowledge loss becomes smaller. The reason may be due to more practical rehearsal of pharmacology in clinical years.

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