Background: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder caused by uncontrollable discharge of action potentials from neurons in the brain. After a seizure, oxidative stress may cause a significant neuronal damage. In the current study, we assessed the anticonvulsant and antioxidant properties of pioglitazone, a peroxisome proliferated activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) agonist that is used in type-2 diabetes, on pilocarpine-induced seizure in mice. Methods: Pilocarpine (400 mg/kg) or normal saline was injected intraperitoneally 4 hours after oral administration of Pioglitazone (80 mg/kg). Also, carboxymethyl cellulose was administered orally in control and Pilocarpine groups. After the administration of Pilocarpine all of the mice were observed for 1 hour to measure the seizure latency time. Pilocarpine-induced seizures were categorized using the Racine scale. Then all animals were decapitated, brain was removed and hippocampus was dissected. Finally, the level of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Catalase (CAT) activity, Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), and Glutathione Reductase (GR) levels were quantified in hippocampus by biochemical methods. Results: Pioglitazone significantly increased the latency to seizure onset of stages 1-4 (P≤0.01-0.001). Also, pioglitazone prevented the development of stage 5 of the pilocarpine-induced seizure. After the seizure, pioglitazone significantly decreased the level of MDA (P<0.01) and elevated the levels of CAT (P<0.01), SOD (P<0.01) and GR (P<0.001) enzymes in the mice hippocampus compared to those in the pilocarpine group. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the antioxidant effect of pioglitazone may play an important role in its protective effects against neuronal damage caused by pilocarpine-induced seizure.
Background: Epilepsy is a neurologic dysfunction caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Oxidative stress is involved in the seizure-induced brain damage. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the anticonvulsant and antioxidant effects of pioglitazone (a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonist used for treatment of type 2 diabetes) on Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure in rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 28 rats weighing 20-30 g were divided into four groups of control, pioglitazone, PTZ, and treatment. For treatment, PTZ (85 mg/kg) or normal saline was injected intraperitoneally and 4 hours later, pioglitazone (80 mg/kg) was administrated orally. Carboxymethylcellulose was administered orally in the control and PTZ groups, instead of pioglitazone. One hour after PTZ injection, seizure severity was assessed using Racine scale. Then, the rats were decapitated and the Malondialdehyde (MDA) level and the activity of Catalase (CAT) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) in their hippocampus samples were measured by standard methods. Findings: Pioglitazone administration significantly increased the latency to the onset of seizure stages 1-4 and prevented the stage 5. It significantly reduced the lipid peroxidation caused by PTZ-induced seizure and increased the activity of CAT and SOD enzymes in the hippocampus of rats. Conclusion: Antioxidant effects of pioglitazone may play a role in preventing stable PTZ-induced seizures and protecting neurons from seizure-caused damage.
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly become a pandemic since it was first reported in late December 2019. Serological reports are of great value to medical specialists in developing health policies. The detection of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) level in COVID-19 patients can specify a preclinical infection or previous exposure to the virus. Objective: This study aims to assess the IgG rate in patients with COVID-19. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study on 172 patients with confirmed COVID-19 (having positive PCR test) in Qazvin, Iran in 2020, including 86 inpatients and 86 outpatients. In order to measure the IgG levels, the serum samples were collected 3-5 weeks after onset of their clinical symptoms. Data were statistically analyzed in SPSS software v. 20, considering the significance level of P<0.05. Results: Of 172 patients, 81(94.2%) inpatients and 74(86%) outpatients tested positive for IgG, while 5(5.8%) inpatients and 10(11.6%) outpatients tested negative for IgG. The mean IgG level in inpatients was significantly higher than in outpatients (P<0.001) 3-5 weeks after a positive PCR test. Conclusion: The amounts of IgG in the sera of COVID-19 patients 3-5 weeks after the onset of symptoms can help health care authorities develop policies and control strategies by determining the burden of disease, monitoring the spread of disease, and estimating the epidemiological factors.
Background: Free-living amoebae (FLA) such as Acanthamoeba spp., are considered as opportunistic and pathogenic protozoans. Acanthamoeba granulomatous encephalitis (AGE) is a serious threat for immunodeficient patients and Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) for contact lens users. We aimed to identify the presence of free living amoebae in nasal swabs of patients and contact lens users in Qazvin, Iran. Methods: During 2019, 251 nasal and oral swabs (including the pharynx and mouth) were collected from patients with diabetes, AIDS and those under periodic dialysis in Qazvin, Iran. In addition, 27 soft contact lenses were collected from the participants. Following DNA extraction, PCR and sequencing were conducted to identify the genotypes of the amoeba. Phylogenetic analysis of the identified sequences was performed using MEGA 7 software. Results: A strain of Acanthamoeba belonging to the T3 genotype was isolated from hemodialysis patients. Two specimens of Acanthamoeba with T3 genotype were isolated from keratitis patients. Conclusion: The clinicians should pay attention to the possible complication of this organism because this amoeba is potentially pathogenic for immunocompromised patients. Since the amoeba is present in environmental resources, the use of contact lenses should be accompanied by considering proper hygiene.
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