Association of Serum Vitamin D Levels with the Risk of Suicidal Behavior in Ilam, Iran: A Brief Report.

There are conflicting reports on the effect of serum vitamin D (VD) levels on the development of suicidal behavior. VD deficiency is prevalent in Ilam province, and this region has the highest suicide mortality rate in Iran. The present study aimed to evaluate a possible association between serum VD levels and the risk of suicide among the inhabitants of Ilam province. A total of 157 suicide attempters (case group) and 314 age- and sex-matched individuals (control group) without a history of suicide attempts were recruited into the study. Suicide attempters were admitted to the Emergency Department of Ilam Shahid Mostafa Khomeini Hospital (Ilam, Iran) between March 2018 and March 2019. The individuals in the control group were randomly selected from those referred to various medical laboratories in Ilam during the same period. The participants in both groups were aged 18-35 years, and none had a history of kidney, liver, or endocrine diseases. Serum VD levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Categorical and continuous variables were compared using the Chi square test and independent samples t test, respectively. Serum VD level in the control group (31.5±0.2 ng/mL) was significantly lower than in the case group (43.1±0.1 ng/mL) (P<0.001). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that an increase in serum VD score was associated with an increase in the likelihood of suicide attempts (OR=1.05, 95% CI=1.03-1.06, P<0.001). Our findings confirmed the role of VD deficiency in the development of suicidal behavior. However, it is not a significant factor in its pathogenesis.

Chemoprotection of MNNG-initiated gastric cancer in rats using Iranian propolis.

BACKGROUND: Iranian propolis is a natural product of honeybees that has significant and varied anti-cancer benefits. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effects of Iranian propolis on gastric tissue carcinogenesis in an animal model.  METHODS: Propolis samples were collected from Hamadan and Taleghan districts of Iran, followed by ultra performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry analysis. Fifty-five rats were divided into three groups; control, Taleghan propolis and Hamadan propolis. All the animals received N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG, 100 µg/ml) in drinking water ad libitum for 34 weeks. In the treated groups, nutrition with propolis was started two weeks before MNNG administration. At the end of the study, the entire gastrointestinal tract was scrutinized for tumors, and the rest of the body was assessed for metastatic deposits.  RESULTS: Results indicated that the incidence and number of tumors were significantly decreased by propolis in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05). The nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio, epithelial stratification, nuclear dispolarity, structural abnormality, and Beta-catenin and Bcl-2 proteins expression were significantly reduced in the propolis group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, Bax protein expression was significantly increased in the propolis group in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05).  CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated the potential chemoprotective effects of the Iranian propolis against gastric cancer in a typical animal model. The results provide evidence for the hypothesis that Iranian propolis may exert a chemoprotective effect on MNNG-initiated gastric cancer through inhibition of cell proliferation and apoptosis induction.

The protective and therapeutic effects of alpha-solanine on mice breast cancer.

Alpha-solanine, a naturally steroidal glycoalkaloid, is found in leaves and fruits of plants as a defensive agent against fungi, bacteria and insects. Herein, we investigated solanine toxicity in vitro and in vivo, and assessed its protective and the therapeutic effects on a typical animal model of breast cancer. The study conducted in three series of experiments to obtain (i) solanine effects on cell viability of mammary carcinoma cells, (ii) in vivo toxicity of solanine, and (iv) the protective and therapeutic effects of solanine on animal model of breast cancer. Alpha-solanine significantly suppressed proliferation of mouse mammary carcinoma cells both in vitro and in vivo (P<0.05). Under the dosing procedure, 5 mg/kg solanine has been chosen for assessing its protective and therapeutic effects in mice breast cancer. Tumor take rate in the solanine-treated group was zero compared with a 75% rate in its respective control group (P<0.05). The average tumor size and weight were significantly lower in solanine-treated animals than its respective control ones (P<0.05). Proapoptotic Bax protein expression increased in breast tumor by solanine compared with its respective control group (P<0.05). Antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein expression found to be lower in solanine-treated animals (P<0.05). Proliferative and angiogenic parameters greatly decreased in solanine-treated mice (P<0.05). Data provide evidence that solanine exerts a significant chemoprotective and chemotherapeutic effects on an animal model of breast cancer through apoptosis induction, cell proliferation and angiogenesis inhibition. These findings reveal a new therapeutic potential for solanine in cancer.

Chemoprevention of azoxymethane-initiated colon cancer in rat by using a novel polymeric nanocarrier--curcumin.

Curcumin is a potential natural anticancer drug with limited bioavailability due to the lack of solubility in aqueous solvents. The present study is designed to investigate the preventive effects of polymeric nanocarrier-curcumin (PNCC) on colon carcinogenesis in an azoxymethane-induced rat tumor. Forty rats were divided into control, curcumin- and PNCC-treated groups. Animals received azoxymethane (AOM) as a carcinogenic agent (15 mg/kg, s.c.) weekly for two consecutive weeks. They were given curcumin 0.2% and PNCC two weeks before till 14 weeks after the last injection of AOM. In the end, post euthanasia, the entire gastrointestinal tract was scrutinized for tumors, and the rest of the body for metastatic deposits. Tumor number, size and location were characterized. The histopathological and immunohistochemistry examinations were also performed on colon tissue. In vivo, curcumin nanoparticles inhibited colon cancer growth in animal model. The tumors incidence and number decreased by nanocurcumin comparison with control. Furthermore, the nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio, epithelial stratification, nuclear dispolarity, goblet depletion, structural abnormality, and the expression of Beta-catenin and Bcl-2 proteins were reduced in PNCC compared to others groups (P<0.05). In addition, Bax protein expression was significantly increased in PNCC in comparison with control and curcumin-treated groups (P<0.001). The present study demonstrated the potential anticancer effects of PNCC in a typical animal model. The results provide evidence that nanopolymeric curcumin exerts a significant chemopreventive effect on AOM-initiated colon cancer through cell proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction. More investigations are needed to confirm its safety for human use.