Carvacrol protects rats against bleomycin-induced lung oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis.

The main objective of this study was to investigate the potential efficacy of carvacrol (CAR) in mitigating bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Sixty-six male Wistar rats were assigned into two main groups of 7 and 21 days. They were divided into the subgroups of control, BLM, CAR 80 (only for the 21-day group), and CAR treatment groups. The CAR treatment groups received CAR (20, 40, and 80 mg/kg, orally) for 7 or 21 days after an instillation of BLM (5 mg/kg, intratracheally). Results indicated that BLM significantly increased total cell count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and the percentages of neutrophils and lymphocytes, and reduced the percentage of macrophages. CAR dose-dependently decreased total cell count and the percentage of neutrophils and lymphocytes. CAR significantly reduced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and hydroxyproline levels and elevated the total thiol level and catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activities in BLM-exposed rats. Furthermore, CAR decreased the transforming growth factor-ß1, connective transforming growth factor, and tumor necrosis factor-α on days 7 and 21. BLM increased interferon-γ on day 7 but decreased its level on day 21. However, CAR reversed interferon-γ levels on days 7 and 21. Based on histopathological findings, BLM induced inflammation on days 7 and 21, but for induction of fibrosis, 21-day study showed more fibrotic injuries than the 7-day group. CAR showed the improvement of fibrotic injuries. The effect of CAR against BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis is possibly due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic activity.

The effect of Orem self-care model on the improvement of symptoms and quality of life in patients with diabetes: A scoping review / Efecto del modelo de autocuidado de Orem en el mejoramiento de los síntomas y en la calidad de vida de pacientes con diabetes: Una revisión de alcance / Efeito do modelo de autocuidado de Orem na melhora dos sintomas e na qualidade de vida de pacientes com diabetes: uma revisão de escopo

Objective: to evaluate the association of Orem self-care model improvement of symptoms and quality of life in patients with diabetes. Methods. A scoping review was carried on bibliographic databases: PubMed-Medline, Scopus, SID and Magiran. The inclusion criteria encompassed studies examining the impact of the Orem self-care model on diabetic patients. Studies considered for inclusion needed to have full-text availability and be written in either English or Persian, with key words including "Models", "Nursing", "Quality of Life", and "Diabetes Mellitus". CONSORT checklist and STROBE statement were selected for quality assessment. Results. A total of 9 studies were included, all using quantitative methodology and focusing on adults or older adults. The majority of articles focused on quality of life and diabetic symptoms. 8 studies showed positive outcomes after implementation of the model. The findings indicate that this model led to an enhanced level of self-efficacy, improved quality of life, and better self-care practices among diabetic patients.Conclusion.Orem self-care model can reduce the diabetic symptoms and improve the quality of life, self-efficacy and self-care in these patients.

Objetivo. Evaluar la asociación del modelo de autocuidado de Orem en el mejoramiento de los síntomas y en la calidad de vida en pacientes con diabetes. Método. Se realizó una revisión de alcance empleando las bases bibliográficas PubMed-Medline, Scopus, SID y Magiran. Los criterios de inclusión abarcaron estudios que examinaran el impacto del modelo de autocuidado de Orem en pacientes diabéticos. Los estudios considerados para su inclusión debían tener disponibilidad de texto completo y estar escritos en inglés o persa, con palabras clave como: "Models", "Nursing", "Quality of Life" y "Diabetes Mellitus". Se utilizaron para la evaluación de la calidad de los estudios la lista de comprobación CONSORT y la declaración STROBE. Resultados. Se incluyeron un total de 9 estudios, todos ellos con metodología cuantitativa y centrados en adultos y en ancianos. La mayoría de los artículos se estudiaron la calidad de vida y los síntomas diabéticos. 8 estudios mostraron resultados positivos tras la aplicación del modelo de Orem. Los hallazgos indican que este modelo condujo a un mayor nivel de autoeficacia, mejor calidad de vida y mejores prácticas de autocuidado entre los pacientes diabéticos. Conclusión.El modelo de autocuidado de Orem puede ayudar a disminuir los síntomas diabéticos y mejorar la calidad de vida, la autoeficacia y el autocuidado en estos pacientes.

Objetivo. Avaliar a associação do modelo de autocuidado de Orem na melhora dos sintomas e na qualidade de vida de pacientes com diabetes. Métodos. Foi realizada uma revisão de escopo usando os bancos de dados PubMed-Medline, Scopus, SID e Magiran. Os critérios de inclusão incluíram estudos que examinaram o impacto do modelo de autocuidado de Orem em pacientes diabéticos. Os estudos considerados para inclusão tinham que estar disponíveis em texto completo e escritos em inglês ou persa, com palavras-chave como: "Models", "Nursing", "Quality of Life" e "Diabetes Mellitus". A lista de verificação CONSORT e a declaração STROBE foram usadas para avaliar a qualidade dos estudos. Resultados. Foram incluídos 9 estudos, todos com metodologia quantitativa e com foco em adultos e idosos. A maioria dos artigos estudou a qualidade de vida e os sintomas diabéticos. Oito estudos mostraram resultados positivos após a aplicação do modelo de Orem. Os achados indicam que esse modelo levou a um nível mais alto de autoeficácia, melhor qualidade de vida e melhores práticas de autocuidado entre os pacientes diabéticos. Conclusão. O modelo de autocuidado de Orem pode ajudar a diminuir os sintomas da diabetes e melhorar a qualidade de vida, a autoeficácia e o autocuidado desses pacientes.

The Probable Association between Chronic Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Case-Control Study.

PURPOSE: The probable association between Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection and diabetes mellitus (DM) is still controversial, and there are several studies with conflicting results. Thus, this study was performed to assess the possible association between chronic T. gondii infection and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and T2DM. METHODS: In this case-control study, a total of 105 diabetic subjects including 36 patients with T1DM and 69 patients with T2DM were recruited. In addition, 150 nondiabetic subjects were enrolled as controls. Each case group had its own control group. Each participant completed a structured questionnaire obtaining demographic information. Serum samples were examined for T. gondii-specific IgG antibody using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. RESULTS: Analysis revealed that 69.4% and 34.0% of patients with T1DM and control subjects were serologically positive for T. gondii, respectively (odds ratio (OR): 4.41; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.75-11.06; P=0.001). Moreover, 72.5% of T2DM patients and 29.0% of healthy individuals were seropositive for T. gondii (OR: 6.44; 95% CI: 3.25-12.74; P < 0.001). Among risk factors, only contact with cats was significantly associated with IgG seroprevalence in both T2DM patients (P < 0.001) and control subjects (P=0.045). CONCLUSION: Although the results showed that chronic T. gondii infection is significantly associated with T1DM and T2DM, there remain many questions regarding the exact mechanisms of T. gondii in the pathogenesis of DM.

Detection of Anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM Antibodies and Associated Risk Factors during Pregnancy in Southwest Iran.

Background: This research was aimed at evaluating the seroprevalence of acute and chronic Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in pregnant women and related risk factors in southwest Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, eighty-eight pregnant women were included from October 2019 to December 2019. The presence of anti-T. gondii IgM and IgG antibodies was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, a questionnaire consisting of demographic information was completed for each subject. Results: The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was estimated to be 34.09% (30/88). Of these, 1 (1.13%) and 29 (32.95%) samples were found positive for IgM and IgG, respectively. Regarding the risk factors, the consumption of raw/undercooked meat (P value = 0.007) and history of abortion (P value = 0.017) were significantly associated with IgG seroprevalence in pregnant women. Conclusion: The results showed that the pregnant women of southwest Iran might be moderately exposed to T. gondii. Since the risk of acute T. gondii infection in this susceptible group is very important, regular screening tests to diagnose the infection are recommended before pregnancy.

High fat diet deteriorates the memory impairment induced by arsenic in mice: a sub chronic in vivo study.

Both arsenic (As) and obesity are associated with brain disorders. However, long term studies to evaluate their concomitant adverse effects on the brain functions are lacking. Present study was conducted to evaluate the long term co-exposure of As and high fat diet (HFD) on memory and brain mitochondrial function in mice. Male mice were randomly divided into 7 groups fed with HFD or ordinary diet (OD) and instantaneously exposed to As (25 or 50 ppm) in drinking water for, 4, 8, 12, 16 or 20 weeks. Step-down passive avoidance method was used for memory assessment and post exposure various parameters including mitochondrial damage, level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdeid (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) were determined. Results indicated that the retention latency decreased in As (25 and 50 ppm) and HFD received mice after 12 and 16 weeks respectively. Same results were observed at significantly shorter duration (8th week) when As was administered along with HFD as compared to control group. In the HFD alone fed mice increased the mitochondrial membrane damage, levels of ROS and MDA were observed while GSH contents decreased significantly. Concomitant administration of HFD and As amplified those mentioned toxic effects (p < 0.001). In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that the simultaneous HFD and As impaired memory at least three times more than exposing each one alone. These toxic effects could be due to the mitochondria originated oxidative stress along with the depleted antioxidant capacity of the brain of mice.

Topical Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activities of Citrullus colocynthis Extract Cream in Rats.

Background and objectives:Citrullus colocynthis (CC), known as bitter apple, is used to treat diabetes in Iranian traditional medicine. The aim of this study is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of CC cream in rats. Materials and Methods: The carrageenan-induced edema in a rat hind paw was carried out to evaluate the topical anti-inflammatory effect of the CC fruit extract cream (2⁻8%) and the tissue levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were estimated by using a commercial ELISA kit. The topical antinociceptive activity of CC cream (2⁻8%) was evaluated in the rat formalin test. To determine the role of opioid receptors in the local antinociceptive effect of the CC cream, naloxone (20 µg/paw, i.pl.), a non-selective opioid antagonist, was used. Results: The results showed that the CC cream (2⁻8%) dose-dependently reduced the carrageenan-induced paw edema and reversed the changes in the level of TNF-α and IL-6 due to carrageenan-induced edema (p < 0.01). The anti-inflammatory effect of CC cream 8% was comparable to that of hydrocortisone ointment 1%. Furthermore, the application of CC cream (2⁻8%) dose-dependently inhibited both first and second phases of the formalin test (p < 0.05). The antinociceptive effect of the CC cream (8%) was comparable to that of methyl salicylate cream 30%. Moreover, the administration of naloxone significantly reversed the topical antinociceptive effect of the CC cream (p < 0.05). Conclusions: For the first time, this study indicated that the topical application of CC cream possesses significant anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities in animal models, which were probably mediated by opioid receptors and the suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6). Thus, the CC cream can be used to treat inflammatory pain and inflammatory diseases.

Effects of Echinacea purpurea on Hepatic and Renal Toxicity Induced by Diethylnitrosamine in Rats.

BACKGROUND: Nitrites are mainly used in food preservation. These materials could change to nitrosamine due to the effect of heat and gastric acid. Nitrosamine is absorbed in intestine and enters the liver and hepatocytes by portal venous system, and hampers the detoxification system of liver by interfering in cytochrome P450 enzymes, so, the liver gently proceeds to cirrhosis and cancer. OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed to investigate the hepatic and renal protective effects of aerial parts of Echinacea purpurea extract (EPE) on injury induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups. Groups were as follow: Control group (normal saline), DEN (200 mg/kg, IP, a single dose), EPE (100 mg/kg, orally, daily) and DEN + EPE which received as group DEN and EPE. After 30 days, Blood samples, and liver and kidney tissues were taken for further examination. Aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), BUN, Creatinine and total and direct bilirubin were estimated in serum. RESULTS: DEN induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in all the treated animals by elevated serum ALT, AST, ALP and BUN, creatinin and total and direct bilirubin levels. AST, BUN and total and direct bilirubin significantly decreased in DEN + EPE compared to DEN group. After 30 days of DEN administration, histopathological investigation revealed proliferation of hepatic stellate cells and early fibrosis which were partly improved by EPE administration. CONCLUSIONS: The current study findings indicated that Echinacea purpurea extract played an important role in the protection against DEN toxicity in rats.