Calcitriol attenuates the cytotoxicity induced by aluminium phosphide via inhibiting mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in rat isolated cardiomyocytes.

These days, poisoning with aluminium phosphide (AlP), is one of the main health threats in human societies. Previous studies have been reported that cardiotoxicity induced by AlP, via mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress is the main cause of death in victims. On the other, collectively, multiple lines of evidence strongly suggest that calcitriol has mitochondrial protective and antioxidant effects. Therefore, we assumed that calcitriol could presumably ameliorate AlP-induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiomyocytes. Mitochondria and cardiomyocytes were isolated by differential centrifugation and collagenase perfusion respectively from rat heart. The isolated cardiomyocytes and mitochondria were cotreated with different concentrations of calcitriol (0.2, 0.4 and 1 µg/ml) and AlP (20 µg/ml) for 3 h. The parameters of cellular toxicity including; cytotoxicity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, mitochondria membrane potential (ΔΨm) collapse, lysosomal membrane integrity, the level of oxidized and reduced glutathione (GSH and GSSG), and mitochondrial toxicity parameters including; succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity and mitochondrial swelling were analyzed using biochemical and flow cytometric evaluations. Administration of AlP significantly increased cytotoxicity, GSH depletion, cellular ROS formation, MDA level, mitochondrial and lysosomal dysfunction in isolated cardiomyocytes. In isolated mitochondria, AlP decreased SDH activity and mitochondrial swelling. The cotreatment of isolated cardiomyocytes and mitochondria with calcitriol (0.4 and 1 µg/ml) and AlP (20 µg/ml) showed the ability to reduce the toxic effects of AlP. These findings suggest a potential therapeutic role of calcitriol in protecting cardiomyocytes and cardiac mitochondria from oxidative damage induced by AlP. According to the results, calcitriol exerted ameliorative effects against AlP-induced cytotoxicity and mitochondrial toxicity, and the effect was attributed to the antioxidant properties.

Expression assessment of a panel of long non-coding RNAs in gastric malignancy.

BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have several important functions in the regulation of cell homeostasis and cell fate. Consequently, abnormal transcription of lncRNAs has been correlated with malignant transformation of cells. These human transcripts have been shown to participate in the progression of gastric cancer. METHODS: In the current project, we evaluated expression of a panel of lncRNAs including HULC, MALAT1, FAS-AS1, GAS5, PVT1, OIP5-AS1 and THRIL in 30 gastric cancer tissues and paired adjacent non-cancerous tissues (ANCTs) using quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: HULC, OIP5-AS1 and THRIL transcription quantities were significantly lower in gastric tumors compared to ANCTs (P values = .02, 0.02 and 0.007, respectively). Relative transcription quantities of HULC, MALAT1, OIP5-AS1, PVT1, FAS-AS1 and THRIL were associated with the site of the primary tumor (P values = .002, 0.003, 0.002, 0.002, 0.002, and 0.001, respectively). Moreover, relative expression levels of PVT1 were associated with history of smoking (P value = .04). Correlations were identified between transcript quantities of these lncRNAs in both tumor samples and ANCTs. Receiver operating characteristic curve assessment demonstrated that THRIL had the highest diagnostic power among the mentioned lncRNAs (area under curve (AUC) = 0.72, P value = .001). HULC and OIP5-AS1 ranked afterwards (AUC values of 0.69 and 0.68; P values = .005 and 0.007, respectively). CONCLUSION: The current investigation underscores the dysregulation of these transcripts in gastric cancer specimens and suggests a number of these transcripts for further assessments of their suitability as cancer biomarkers.

Protection of manganese oxide nanoparticles-induced liver and kidney damage by vitamin D.

Metal nanoparticles (NPs) have been extensively used in industry as well as in biomedical application. Manganese oxide-nanoparticles (MnO2-NPs) one of these materials, have many applications. This study was designed to evaluate the protective role of vitamin D against MnO2-NPs -induced toxicity in the BALB c mice. These mice were randomly assigned to 4 (n = 10). In this study, MnO2-NPs (10 mg/kg), vitamin D (10 mg/kg) and MnO2-NPs plus vitamin D were administered interperitoneally once daily for 50 consecutive days. The liver and kidney functions, the levels of serum glucose, albumin (ALB), bilirubin (BIL) and total protein were studied. The results indicated that MnO2-NPs administration significantly decreased liver and kidney functions, and increased glucose and bilirubin serum levels compared to control group (P < 0.05). However, vitamin D administration significantly boosted liver and kidney functions, decreased glucose and bilirubin serum level compared to the group received MnO2-NPs (P < 0.05). It seems that vitamin D administration could protect the liver and kidney damage induced by MnO2-NPs. Probably, given the use of these nanoparticles as a contest agent in humans, having normal levels of vitamin D or receiving it at the time of the test can inhibit liver and kidney toxicity induced by MnO2-NPs.

Thymoquinone reduces mitochondrial damage and death of cardiomyocytes induced by clozapine.

The generation of a reactive nitrenium ion by microsomal/mitochondrial cytochrome P450 (CYPs) from clozapine (CLZ) has been suggested as the main cause of cardiotoxicity by this drug. Previous studies indicated that thymoquinone (TQ) as an active constituent of Nigella sativa has pharmacological effects such as antioxidant, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, and inhibitory effect on CYPs enzymes. Therefore, we hypothesized that TQ with these pharmacological effects can reduce CLZ-induced toxicity in isolated cardiomyocytes and mitochondria. Rat left ventricular cardiomyocytes and mitochondria were isolated by collagenase perfusion and differential centrifugation respectively. Then, isolated cardiomyocytes and mitochondria were pretreated with different concentrations of TQ (1, 5, and 10 µmol/l) for 30 min and then followed by exposure to CLZ (50 µmol/l) for 6 h. After 6 h of incubation, using biochemical evaluations and flow cytometric analysis, the parameters of cellular toxicity including cytotoxicity, the level of oxidized/reduced glutathione (GSH/GSSG), malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, lysosomal membrane integrity, mitochondria membrane potential (ΔΨm) collapse, and mitochondrial toxicity including succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity and mitochondrial swelling were analyzed. We observed a significant toxicity in isolated cardiomyocytes and mitochondria after exposure with CLZ which was related to ROS formation, oxidative stress, GSH depletion, lysosomal and mitochondrial damages, and mitochondrial dysfunction and swelling, while TQ pretreatment reverted the above toxic effect of CLZ on isolated cardiomyocytes and mitochondria. Our results indicate that TQ prevents and reverses CLZ-induced cytotoxicity and mitochondrial damages in isolated cardiomyocytes and mitochondria, providing an experimental basis for clinical treatment on CLZ-induced cardiotoxicity.

Curcumin loading potentiates the neuroprotective efficacy of Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles in cerebellum cells of schizophrenic rats.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the neurotoxic effects of Fe3O4 magnetic- CurNPs on isolated schizophrenia mitochondria of rats as an in vivo model. METHODS: We designed CMN loaded superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) (Fe3O4 magnetic- CurNPs) to achieve an enhanced therapeutic effect. The physicochemical properties of Fe3O4 magnetic- CurNPs were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), and dynamic laser light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential. Further, to prove Fe3O4 magnetic- CurNPs results in superior therapeutic effects, and also, the mitochondrial membrane potential collapse, mitochondrial complex II activity, reactive oxygen species generation, ATP level, cytochrome c release and histopathology of cerebellums were determined in brains of schizophrenic rats. RESULTS: We showed that effective treatment with CMN reduced or prevented Fe3O4 magnetic-induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in the rat brain probably, as well as mitochondrial complex II activity, MMP, and ATP level were remarkably reduced in the cerebellum mitochondria of treated group toward control (p < 0.05). Therewith, ROS generation, and cytochrome c release were notably (p < 0.05) increased in the cerebellum mitochondria of treated group compared with control group. CONCLUSION: Taken together, Fe3O4 magnetic- CurNPs exhibits potent antineurotoxicity activity in cerebellums of schizophrenic rats. This approach can be extended to preclinical and clinical use and may have importance in schizophernia treatment in the future. To our knowledge this is the first report that provides the Fe3O4 magnetic- CurNPs could enhance the neuroprotective effects of CMN in the Schizophrenia.

Factors associated with prostate cancer screening behavior among men over 50 in Fasa, Iran, based on the PRECEDE model.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is one of the most common and lethal cancers in the world. The incidence of prostate cancer has been increasing in recent years. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors associated with prostate cancer screening behaviors among men over 50 in Fasa, Iran, based on the PRECEDE model. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 400 men over 50 were studied in Fasa, Iran. Data were collected via a questionnaire on demographic characteristics, such as age, number of children, occupation, education, marital status, smoking, and prostate cancer screening behaviors. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 16. Independent samples t-test and the Pearson Product Moment correlation coefficient were used for the statistical analyses. RESULTS: Men in the study had little knowledge (34.11±8.22) and attitude (28.23±7.23) about prostate cancer and screening behavior. Their mean scores about prostate cancer, screening behavior, quality of life, and general health were moderate. The subjects had low self-efficacy and perceived social support. Their mean scores of enabling factors and screening behaviors were at a low level. Pearson correlation scores showed a significant correlation between cancer prostate screening behavior and demographic variables, such as age (p=0.04, r=0.136), occupation (p=0.01, r=0.121), educational level (p=0.02, r=0.211), and marital status of the subjects (p=0.01, r=0.112), but there were not significant correlations with the number of children (p=0.12, r=0.092) and smoking (p=0.09, r=0.002). The T-test results showed significant relationships between age, occupation, and education of the subjects, and the PRECEDE model structures were significant for predisposing factors, enabling factors, and reinforcing factors (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The prostate cancer screening behaviors in men over 50 in Fasa, Iran, were at a low level. Due to predisposing factors, such as the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of individuals, reinforcing factors can have an important role in the behaviors related to prostate screening, such as their families and health staffs as well as enabling factors, such as health financing, access to medicines and learning self-care. Educational interventions to improve these behaviors and the quality of life of these people seem essential.

The effect of education on the improvement of fruits and vegetables consumption aiming to preventing colorectal cancer.

AIM: This study was performed to determine the effect of health education on the improvement of intake of fruits and vegetables aiming at preventing colorectal cancer among high school girls in the city of Shahr-e-kord. BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is one of the most important and most common cancers and the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Every year, nearly one million new cases of colorectal cancer are recognized around the world and nearly half of them lose their lives due to the disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 130 students were randomly divided to two groups, which experimental (65) and controls (65) were chosen from the city of Shahr-e-kord for this experimental study. The instruments for data collecting were self-made questionnaire health belief model based and food frequency questionnaire. The HBM FFQ questionnaires were completed before, immediately and two months after education by participants. After pre-test, 5 educational session classes in experimental group were performed. Finally, data collected and analyzed by SPSS16 computer software (T- test, T-Paired, repeated measure ANOVA). RESULTS: Findings of the study showed that before the intervention there was no significant differences between the scores of different structures of HBM model in two groups (P > 0.05), after the intervention there was significant differences between experimental and control groups in the levels of knowledge, structures of HBM model and performance for preventing colorectal cancer (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Performing educational programs based on health belief model increases the knowledge and improves the attitudes and practices of students regarding prevention of the colorectal cancer.

Quality of life in peptic ulcer patients referring to Al-Zahra hospital of Isfahan, Iran.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine quality of life in peptic ulcer patients referring to Al-Zahra hospital of Isfahan. BACKGROUND: Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is one of the most prevalent diseases. Its prevalence is 6-15% and about 10% of people experience its symptom in their life. PUD can have a considerable impact on patients' quality of life (QOL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This descriptive- analytic survey was done on 93 randomly patients referred to Al-Zahra hospital of Isfahan city in Iran. Data gathering was done via questionnaire including five domains: physical, psychological, social, behavioral and economical. For data analysis, t-test, Pearson correlation and ANOVA test were used. RESULTS: 93 patients with mean age of 38.54 years, including 43 (46.2%) women and 54 (53.8%) men, were studied. There was a negative significant between quality of life and age and between disease duration and psychological, economical domains and between the mean of QOL scores in physical and social domains with the number of cigarette per day, also there was significant relation between social domain and gender, and physical, psychological and behavioral domains with marital status; Physical, social domains with smoking. Also there was a negative significant between physical, social and behavioral domains with years of smoking. CONCLUSION: Study results showed that quality of life is in a relatively good level among patients, thus some diseases such as peptic ulcer can effect on quality of life. So, treatment and prevention of these diseases may improve their quality of life.