eng
Iranian Society of Physiology and Pharmacology
Physiology and Pharmacology
24765236
24765244
2009-11
13
3
244
252
article
Effects of psychotropic drugs on nerve growth factor protein levels in the rat brain
Parichehr Hassanzadeh
pari_has@yahoo.com
1
Anna Hassanzadeh
anna_1367@yahoo.com
2
Introduction: Psychotropic drugs exert their effects, in part, by increasing neurotrophin levels in the brain. Nerve
growth factor (NGF) protein levels after treatment with only a limited number of psychotropics have been determined.
The present study was designed in order to evaluate the effects of acute and chronic administration of different
psychotropic drugs on NGF protein levels in five brain regions including frontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala,
olfactory bulb, and brain stem.
Methods: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats received acute or chronic (21 days) injections of desipramine,
phenelzine, fluoxetine, chlordiazepoxide (10 mg/kg, each), haloperidol (1 mg/kg), and clozapine (20 mg/kg). Twentyfour
hours after the last injection, NGF protein level was quantified in the dissected brain regions by using an ELISA
kit.
Results: Acute administration of these drugs did not affect NGF protein levels in the brain. Chronic injections of
desipramine, phenelzine, fluoxetine, haloperidol, and clozapine led to the enhancement of NGF in the frontal cortex.
Desipramine, fluoxetine, phenelzine and clozapine enhanced NGF in the hippocampus. In the olfactory bulb,
desipramine and fluoxetine increased NGF, whereas, phenelzine and haloperidol reduced it. NGF levels in the
amygdala and brain stem were not changed by any medication. Chronic administration of chlordiazepoxide did not
affect NGF protein in the brain.
Conclusion: Psychotropic drugs exert dissimilar effects on NGF protein levels in the brain. This might be indicative
of their therapeutic properties and differential effects on cognitive function.
http://ppj.phypha.ir/article-1-552-en.pdf
Psychotropic drugs
Nerve growth factor
Brain
Rat
eng
Iranian Society of Physiology and Pharmacology
Physiology and Pharmacology
24765236
24765244
2009-11
13
3
254
262
article
Effects of liver ischemia-reperfusion on renal functional and oxidative stress indices
Saideh Mikaeili
mikaeili@razi.tums.ac.ir
1
Mehri Kadkhodaee
kadkhodm@tums.ac.ir
2
Fereshteh Golab
frgol@yahoo.com
3
Maryam Zahmatkesh
zahmatkm@sina.tums.ac.ir
4
Mitra Mahdavi-Mazdeh
mmahdavi@sina.tums.ac.ir
5
Behjat Seifi
behins@yahoo.com
6
Hossein-Ali Arab
7
ُSedighe Shams
8
Fahimeh Jafari
9
Introduction: Liver ischemia/reperfusion (IR) is a major clinical problem, which occurs during several conditions
such as liver damage, trauma and transplantation. Recent studies indicate that IR-induced acute liver failure causes
injuries of distant organs such as heart and lungs by systematic inflammatory responses. Therefore, in the present study,
effects of hepatic IR induction were studied on the kidneys.
Methods: Male rats were subjected to either sham operation or 90 min liver ischemia followed by 4 or 24 hrs of
reperfusion. Liver IR injury was assessed by measurement of serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase
(AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenases (LDH) levels. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and
creatinine (Cr) were determined as renal function indices. Renal malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD)
and catalase activities were also evaluated for assessment of oxidative stress.
Results: Ninety min liver ischemia followed by 4 hours of reperfusion caused a reduction in renal function
demonstrated by an increase in BUN level. This was accompanied by an increase in renal MDA levels and a decrease in
SOD and catalase activities. Liver reperfusion for 24 hours resulted in smaller damage to renal function and oxidative
stress parameters.
Conclusion: This study suggests that liver IR causes renal damage reflected in functional abnormalities and
oxidative stress. This damage is reduced by increasing the reperfusion time.
http://ppj.phypha.ir/article-1-554-en.pdf
Liver ischemia/reperfusion
oxidative stress
kidney.
eng
Iranian Society of Physiology and Pharmacology
Physiology and Pharmacology
24765236
24765244
2009-11
13
3
263
270
article
Neuroprotective effect of Nigella sativa hydro alcoholic extract on serum/glucose deprivation induced PC12 cells death
Zahra Tayarani-Najaran
1
Hamid Reza Sadeghnia
2
Mozhgan Asghari
3
Seyed Hadi Mousavi
mousavih@mums.ac.ir
4
Introduction: The Serum/Glucose deprivation -induced cell death in cultured PC12 cells represents a useful in vitro
model for the study of brain ischemia and neurodegenerative disorders. Nigella sativa L. has been known as a source of
antioxidants. To elucidate the neuroprotective actions of N. sativa extract in vitro, we studied the effect of N. sativa
extract on cultured PC12 cells under serum/glucose deprivation conditions.
Methods: PC12 cells were cultured in DMEM medium containing 10% (v/v) fetal bovine serum, 100 units/ml
penicillin, and 100 μg/ml streptomycin. Cells were seeded overnight and then deprived of serum/glucose for 6 and 18 h.
Cells were pretreated with different concentrations of N. sativa extract (7.81-250 μg/ml). Cell viability was quantitated
by MTT assay. Intracellular ROS production was measured by flow cytometry using 2', 7’-Dichlorofluorescin diacetate
(DCF-DA).
Results: Depriving the PC-12 cells of serum/glucose caused prominent cell toxicity at least after 6 and 18 h.
Pretreatment of PC12 cells with N. sativa (7.81-250 μg/ml) could reduce serum/glucose deprivation-induced cytotoicity
in PC12 cells after 18 h. The experimental results suggest that N. sativa extract protects the PC12 cells against
Serum/Glucose deprivation-induced cytotoxicity.
Conclusion: Our findings might raise a possibility of potential therapeutic application of N. sativa extract for
preventing and treating cerebral ischemic and neurodegenerative diseases.
http://ppj.phypha.ir/article-1-579-en.pdf
PC12
serum/glucose free
toxicity
Nigella sativa
eng
Iranian Society of Physiology and Pharmacology
Physiology and Pharmacology
24765236
24765244
2009-11
13
3
271
278
article
Morphine delays fovea development in the eyes of Wistar rat embryos possible involvement of corticosterone
Mina Ramazani
1
Elaheh Tekyeh
2
Homeira Zardooz
3
Hossein Bahadoran
4
Hedayat Sahraei
h.sahraei@bmsu.ac.ir
5
Abstract*
Introduction: Visual system have been considered as among important sensory system in animals’ life span and
their survival is closely related to normal visual system functioning. Since in previous studies it have been revealed that
morphine consumption during pregnancy could lead to defect and delay in nervous system development in the embryos,
in the present study, changes induced by morphine in Fovea area in the ayes of embryos whom their mothers received
oral morphine during pregnancy period were studied.
Methods: Female Wistar rats (250-300 g) were used in this study. 24 hours after mating with male rats, the females
were separated and their vaginal smear was obtained for sperm detection. This day was considered as embryonic day
zero (E0). The females then were divided randomly into experimental or control group .Controls received tap water
where as experiments received morphine (0.05 mg/ml) in their waters. On the E13 blood samples were collected from
the retro-orbital sinus of all animals for plasma corticosterone detection. On the E17, the animals were killed by
chloroform over dose and their embryos were taken out surgically. The embryos were fixed in formalin 10% for 30
days. Their length and weight were determined by digital scale and kalper respectively. At this time, the embryos head
was removed for tissue processing, cutting and Hematoxylin -Eosin (H;E) staining. The samples were evaluated using
light microscope and MOTIC soft ware.
Results: Our data indicated that plasma corticosterone level was dramatically increased in experimental group.
Interestingly, neither weight nor the length of the embryos did not statistically differ in experimental compare with
controls. In addition, the Fovea area was thinner in experimental group and there was space between cells.
Conclusion: This results indicated that oral morphine consumption during pregnancy may induces defect or delay in
Fovea development and at least a part of this defect may be due to an increase in plasma corticosterone level in
experimental group.
Keywords: Visual System, Fovea, Morphine, Corticosterone, Rat.
*Corresponding
http://ppj.phypha.ir/article-1-582-en.pdf
Visual System
Fovea
Morphine
Corticosterone
Rat
eng
Iranian Society of Physiology and Pharmacology
Physiology and Pharmacology
24765236
24765244
2009-11
13
3
279
287
article
Antifertility effect of aqueous extract of airal part of Ruta graveolens on immature female Balb/C mice
Farinaz Nasirinezhad
fnasiri@iums.ac.ir
1
fatemeh Mirzakoochak Khoshnevis
2
Kazem Parivar
3
Ghoramreza Amin
4
Introduction: Ruta graveolens (RG) stimulates muscles of the uterus, which in turn may initiate menstrual cycles.
RG decreases fertility and may also block the implantation of a fertilized egg. This work was undertaken to examine the
possible effect of aqueous extract of RG on the reproductive system of immature female mice.
Methods: For this reason, immature female Balb/C mouse aged 4-5 weeks were allocated to experimental, vehicle
and control groups. After the determination of the LD50 of RG, which was 620 mg/kg, animals in experimental group
were given 310 mg/kg of the aqueous extract of RG by intraperitoneal injections every other day for one week. In the
vehicle group, animals received similar amounts of normal saline and the animals in the control group received no
treatment. One month after the last injection, animals were deeply anaesthetized and blood was collected by cardiac
puncture. Serum was separated and kept at -20°C. Ovaries were also removed at the same time, weighed and kept in
Bouin's solution for histological analysis.
Results: The results showed a significant decrease (p<0.01) in the number of primordial follicles in the
experimental group compared to the group of control. Also the ovarian weight, number of corpus luteum and the
diameter of remaining corpus luteum decreased. The reduction of the diameter of corpus luteum was significant
(p<0.05) compared to the control animals. The number of atretic graffian follicles was significantly increased (p<0.05),
while estrogen levels were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in the experimental group compared to the control.
Conclusion: Aqueous extract of RG can interfere with reproductive system function in immature female mice by
alterations in sex hormonal level and ovarian morphology and might be useful as an antifertility substance.
http://ppj.phypha.ir/article-1-549-en.pdf
Ruta graveolens
aqueous extracts
Female reproductive system
Balb/C mice.
eng
Iranian Society of Physiology and Pharmacology
Physiology and Pharmacology
24765236
24765244
2009-11
13
3
288
296
article
Treatment effect of GABA on improve type one diabetes in NOD mice
Nepton Soltani
solnep2002@yahoo.com
1
Mansoor Keshavarz
2
Qinghua Wang
3
Introduction: Gama amino butyric acid (GABA) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian
nervous system. The concentration of GABA and the number of GABA cell secretion decrease in diabetic patient and
experimental diabetes model. The reported effects of GABA activation on insulin secretion from beta cells have been
controversial. In this study we investigated if GABA administration in animal diabetes model can change insulin and
glucagon secretion and improve some diabetic symptoms.
Methods: Twenty fourth-week old NOD mi(Non obese diabetic mice) ce were used. Two months after diabetic
induction animals were divided into the two groups. One group received 200 μmol of GABA and the other group
received phosphate buffer solution (PBS) for one month.
Results: GABA administration could significantly decrease plasma glucose and glucagon level, water consumption
and urine volume and body fat distribution in the mesenteric bed and abdominal wall. It also could increase plasma Cpeptide
level and it has not effect on food intake.
Conclusion: NOD mice is very good genetically model for type one diabetes and GABA administration in this mice
could treatment some of diabetic symptom. It seems may be we could use of GABA for treatment of diabetic symptom
in future.
Keywords: Type one diabetes, GABA, C-peptide, Glocagon, glucose, NOD mice.
http://ppj.phypha.ir/article-1-581-en.pdf
Type one diabetes
GABA
C-peptide
Glocagon
glucose
NOD mice
eng
Iranian Society of Physiology and Pharmacology
Physiology and Pharmacology
24765236
24765244
2009-11
13
3
297
307
article
Garlic effects on reproductive complications of diabetes mellitus in male rats
Akram Abdolahnejad
1
Ali Gol
agol@mail.uk.ac.ir
2
Shahriar Dabiri
3
Introduction: Diabetes mellitus has adverse effects on male sexual and reproductive functions in human and
animals. Diabetes results in reduced fertility and libido. Medicinal plants have attracted much attention in controlling
many diseases such as diabetes. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of garlic juice on testicular
damage.
Methods: Forty male rats (250±20) were divided into 5 groups as follows: 1- Group normal (N) 2- Group
Normal+Garlic (N+G) received garlic juice for 6 weeks. 3- Diabetic (D) received streptozotocin (STZ), 60mg/kg
BW/i.p. 4- Group diabetic+garlic before (D+Gb) received garlic juice for 3 weeks before STZ injection and continued
for more 3 weeks. 5- Group diabetic+garlic after (D+Ga) three days after STZ injection, they received garlic juice for 3
weeks. Garlic juice was given by gavage (1ml/100g BW). Number of leydig cells, testis weight, serum levels of
testosterone and estradiol were assessed.
Results: diabetic rats showed a marked decrease in the number of leydig cells, testis weight, serum levels of
testosterone and estradiol. Garlic juice significantly increased the number of leydig cells, testis weight, serum levels of
testosterone and estradiol in group 4 and 5 compared to group 3. The diabetic group receiving garlic before STZ
injection showed more amelioration in complications than that receiving it after STZ injection.
Conclusion: these results suggest that garlic juice supplementation could play both preventive and therapeutic role
on testicular damage in diabetic rats.
http://ppj.phypha.ir/article-1-536-en.pdf
garlic
reproductive system
diabetes mellitus.
eng
Iranian Society of Physiology and Pharmacology
Physiology and Pharmacology
24765236
24765244
2009-11
13
3
308
318
article
Automatic measurement of instantaneous changes in the walls of carotid artery with sequential ultrasound images
Mehravar Rafati
1
Manijhe Mokhtari-Dizaji
Mokhtarm@modares.ac.ir
2
Hajir Saberi
3
Hadi Grailu
4
Introduction: This study presents a computerized analyzing method for detection of instantaneous changes of far
and near walls of the common carotid artery in sequential ultrasound images by applying the maximum gradient
algorithm. Maximum gradient was modified and some characteristics were added from the dynamic programming
algorithm for our applications.
Methods: The algorithm was evaluated on the common carotid artery of 10 healthy volunteers. Local measurements
of vessel intensity, intensity gradient and boundary continuity are extracted for all of the sequential ultrasonic frames
throughout three cycles. We extracted the instantaneous changes of far and near arterial walls and hence the lumen
diameter. The manual measurements were applied and compared for validation of the automatic method. Peak systolic,
end diastolic and mean diameters extracted by the automated method were compared with the same parameters
measured by the manual method throughout three cycles.
Results: There was no significant difference between automated and manual methods (p>0.05) with paired t-test
analysis. In the verification study, correlation between automated and manual methods was excellent (R2 = 0.85,
p<0.05) with a negligible bias (0.003 mm) as determined by Bland Altman analysis.
Conclusion: It is concluded that computerized analyzing method can automatically detect the instantaneous changes
of the arterial walls in sequential B-mode images.
http://ppj.phypha.ir/article-1-555-en.pdf
Ultrasound
Biomechanical behavior
Carotid artery
Maximum gradient algorithm
eng
Iranian Society of Physiology and Pharmacology
Physiology and Pharmacology
24765236
24765244
2009-11
13
3
319
327
article
Effects of exercise on spatial memory deficits induced by nucleus basalis magnocellularis lesions
reihaneh hoveida
dr.rhoveida@yahoo.com
1
hojjatalah alaei
2
shahrbanoo oryan
3
hplamreza ghavipanjeh
4
Introduction: Previous studies have shown that exercise enhances cognitive and functional capacities in patients
with Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we investigated the effect of long-term (60 days) and short- term (10 days)
exercise on the spatial memory deficits in an animal model of AD.
Methods: Fifty male rats were divided into 5 groups 1) intact, 2) sham, 3) sham-Alzheimer 4) Alzheimer-short
term exercise and 5) Alzheimer-long term exercise. For spatial task evaluation, all groups were tested 5 days in a
repeated-acquisition Morris water maze (MWM) tank task, and then tested in a probe trial, in which no escape platform
was present, 1 week and 1 month later. Alzheimer’s disease was induced by bilateral lesioning of nucleus basalis
magnocellularis (NBM) in rats and they were checked by MWM task. Alzheimer-short term exercise and Alzheimerlong
term exercise groups were trained in treadmill and then were tested for 1 session in MWM tank task.
Results: Analysis of data showed that the time spent in the goal zone of the MWM tank during the 60 sec probe trial
were significantly different in sham and Alzheimer groups (p<0.001). There was a significant difference in memory
before and after short term exercise (p<0.001) and long term exercise (p<0.001) in Alzheimer groups.
Conclusion: These data suggest that short-term and long-term treadmill running exercise improved spatial memory
deficits in an animal model of AD.
Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, spatial memory, exercise, Nucleus Basalis Magnocellularis.
http://ppj.phypha.ir/article-1-561-en.pdf
Keywords: Alzheimer\'s disease
spatial memory
exercise
Nucleus Basalis Magnocellularis
per
Iranian Society of Physiology and Pharmacology
Physiology and Pharmacology
24765236
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2009-11
13
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article
The study of the neuroprotective effects of curcumin, against homocysteine intracerebroventricular injection –induced cognition impairment and oxidative stress in the rat
Masoumeh Sabetkasaei
fkasaei@yahoo.com
1
amin ataie
2
Abbas Haghparast
ataieamin@yahoo.com
3
Akbar Hajizadeh Moghaddam
4
Ramin Ataie
5
Shiva Nasiraei
6
Introduction: Aging is the major risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases and oxidative stress is involved in the
pathophysiology of these diseases. Oxidative stress can induce neuronal damages and modulate intracellular signaling,
ultimately leading to neuronal death by apoptosis or necrosis.
Methods: In this study, we investigated the possible antioxidant and neuroprotective properties of the polyphenolic
antioxidant compound, Curcumin against homocysteine (Hcy) neurotoxicity. Curcumin (5, 15, 45 mg/kg) was injected
intraperitonealy once daily for a period of 10 days beginning 5 days prior to Hcy (0.2 μmol/μl) intracerebroventricular
injection in rats. Biochemical and behavioral studies, including passive avoidance learning and locomotor activity tests
were studied 24 h after the last curcumin or its vehicle injection. Also Histopathological studies and cell dencity in
different regions of hippocampus was investigated.
Results: Hcy could induce lipid peroxidation and increase MDA and SOA levels in rats' brain. Additionally, Hcy
impaired memory retention in passive avoidance learning test. However, Curcumin treatment decreased MDA and SOA
levels significantly as well as improved learning and memory in rats. Histopathological analysis also indicated that Hcy
could decrease hippocampus cell count and Curcumin inhibited this toxic effect.
Conclusion: These results suggest that Hcy may induce lipid peroxidation in rats' brain and decrease hippocampus
cells. Also polyphenol treatment (Curcumin) has the ability to improve learning and memory deficits by protecting the
nervous system against Oxidative stress.
Keywords: Homocysteine, Curcumin, Lipid peroxidation, Oxidative Stress
http://ppj.phypha.ir/article-1-569-en.pdf
Curcumin
Homocysteine
Lipid peroxidation
Oxidative stress
Rat