Effects of Dichloromethane and N-Butanol Fractions of Nigella sativa on ACHN and GP-293 Cell Line Morphology, Viability, and Apoptosis.

Background: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is among the top death-causing cancers. Medicinal herbs can also have beneficial effects on RCC treatment. In this project, we aimed to study the antitumor effect of dichloromethane and N-butanol fractions of hydroalcoholic extract of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) on the morphology, viability, and apoptosis of ACHN (human renal adenocarcinoma) and GP-293 (normal renal epithelial) cell lines. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, N-butanol and dichloromethane fractions of N. sativa were obtained, and ACHN and GP293 cell lines were treated with various concentrations of dichloromethane (0-100 µg/mL) and N-butanol (0-12.5 µg/mL) fractions for 24, 48, and 72 hours. Then, morphological changes, viability, and apoptosis were investigated. Results: Our results indicated that dichloromethane and N-butanol fractions cause morphological changes and significant decreases in the percentage of live cells in the ACHN cell line, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In the GP-293 cell line, however, a lower toxicity was observed in comparison with that found for ACHN. The results of flow cytometry showed an apoptotic effect of dichloromethane and N-butanol fractions on the ACHN cell line but a higher rate of apoptosis induction for the total extract compared to the two fractions in the renal cancer cell line compared to the normal cell line. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that these two fractions of N. sativa induce inhibitory effects on the ACHN cell line morphology and viability. These effects were lower than those induced by the total extract. In addition, the two fractions caused more marked effects in the renal cancer cell line compared with the GP-293 cell line.

Association of indoor use of pesticides with CKD of unknown origin.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing global health problem. Recently, an epidemic of CKD of unknown origin (CKDu), a form of CKD seen mostly in agricultural communities, has been emerged. One of the proposed causes of CKDu is pesticide use in farmers. On the other hand, the research on relation between indoor use of pesticides and CKDu is little. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between indoor use of pesticide as well as the exposure time with CKDu. This study was done as part of the population-based cohort of Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in Iran. We used the baseline data of the Zahedan Adult Cohort Study. All subjects with diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 60-89 ml/min/1.73 m2, and unavailable creatinine measurement were excluded. Subjects with an eGFR of less than 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 were defined as having CKDu, and their data were compared with those with an eGFR of more than 90 ml/min/1.73 m2. Data regarding indoor pesticide use and duration of exposure were obtained through a questionnaire. After applying the exclusion criteria, 1079 subjects remained in the study. Female sex, single marital status, low physical activity, triglyceride (TG) levels of more than 150 mg/dl, body mass index (BMI) of more than 25 kg/m2, non-smokers, indoor pesticide use, and high pesticide exposure time were associated with CKDu. The effects of age, female sex, TG levels more than 150 mg/dl, pesticide use (OR 1.36; 95% CI 1.01-1.84), and high exposure time (third tertile of exposure time) compared to non-users (OR 1.64; 95% CI 1.07-2.51) remained significant in multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION: We found a positive association between pesticide use, as well as longer exposure time to pesticides, and impaired kidney function in cases without diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Further longitudinal studies should be carried out to confirm these findings.

The impact of zinc supplementation on galectin-3 and metabolic markers in diabetic patients on hemodialysis: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Purpose: There is little information about the association between zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) supplementation and metabolic profiles in zinc-deficient diabetic patients on hemodialysis (DHPs). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between ZnSO4 supplementation and serum levels of galectin-3 (Gal-3) and cardiometabolic parameters in zinc-deficient DHPs. Methods: In the present randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, 46 zinc-deficient DHPs (35-62 years) were included and assigned to receive either 220 mg/d ZnSO4 or placebo for 8 weeks. Serum levels of Gal-3, lipid profile, and blood pressure (BP) were assessed at baseline and the end of trial. Results: We found a significant effect of ZnSO4 intake on the reduction of serum Gal-3 (P = < 0.001), triglycerides (P = < 0.001), total cholesterol (P = < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = < 0.001) and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = < 0.001) as compared to the control group. Additionally, systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P = 0.006) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (P = 0.01) were significantly reduced following 8 weeks of ZnSO4 supplementation. Conclusion: Taken together, 220 mg ZnSO4 supplementation per day for 8 weeks among zinc-deficient DHPs had beneficial effects on Gal-3 and metabolic profiles. Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials Identifier: IRCT20191217045765N1, date of registration: 2020-02-09.

Uremic encephalopathy: A definite diagnosis by magnetic resonance imaging?

The aim of this study was to investigate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings for the diagnose uremic encephalopathy and describe the usefulness of MRI findings in the ultimate diagnosis of uremic encephalopathy (UE). A total of 20 patients with uremic encephalopathy admitted to the hospital were evaluated in this prospective study. The clinical manifestations, laboratory and MRI imaging findings, demographic information, and clinical outcome were analyzed for each patient. We observed that the 20 prospectively reviewed patients with UE had no involvement of the basal ganglia or the lentiform fork sign (LFS). However, two-thirds of the patients had white matter involvement, and 80% of the subjects had cerebral or cortical atrophy. The arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis revealed that 50% of the patients suffered from metabolic acidosis (n=10). The results of the present study demonstrated that although the observation of Lentiform Fork Sign and Basal Ganglia involvement in MRI of UE patients is a specific finding the absence of which does not rule out UE. Thus, simultaneous examination of clinical manifestation and laboratory test analyses, along with imaging findings, should also be taken into account.

The Effects of Zinc Sulfate Supplementation on Serum Copeptin, C-Reactive Protein and Metabolic Markers in Zinc-Deficient Diabetic Patients on Hemodialysis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

We aimed to investigate the association between zinc (Zn) supplementation and serum levels of copeptin, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), glycemic control, anthropometric parameters and renal function in Zn -deficient diabetic hemodialysis patients (DHPs). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (RCT) was conducted on 46 DHPs with Zn-deficiency. The Zn supplement group (n = 21) received a 220-mg/day Zn sulfate capsule (containing 50 mg Zn), and the control group (n = 25) received a placebo capsule (220 mg corn starch), for 8 weeks. Fasting, predialysis blood samples were taken at baseline and after 8 weeks to assess fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum insulin, copeptin, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr) concentrations, and homoeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR) and quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index (QUICKI). Compared to controls, serum copeptin (P < 0.001), hs-CRP (P < 0.001), BUN (P < 0.001), Cr (P < 0.001), Zn (P < 0.001), FBG (P < 0.001) levels, BMI (P < 0.001), and body weight (P < 0.001) were significantly affected following ZnSO4 supplementation for 8 weeks. In contrast, QUICKI (P = 0.57), HOMA-IR (P = 0.60), and serum insulin (P = 0.55) were not affected following Zn supplementation in comparison with patients receiving placebo. Zn sulfate supplementation appears to have favorable effects on serum copeptin and hs-CRP, FBG, and renal function in Zn-deficient DHPs. Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials Identifier: IRCT20190806044461N1.

Multi Organ Involvement in a Kidney Transplant Recipient, A Case Report.

A 22-year old man underwent kidney transplant two years ago. Following fever and cough, epigastric pain, convulsion, vomiting and PO intolerance he had been brought to the emergency room. During evaluation in addition to pulmonary involvement with SARS-COVID-19, brain, stomach and pancreas involvements with COVID-19 infection also were detected. Hemodialysis and specific treatments were initiated. After 16 days he could be discharged ultimately.

Downregulation of Profibrotic Gene Expression by Angiotensin Receptor Blockers.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic allograft nephropathy is characterized by interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy. The main players in the process of fibrosis are transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) and miR-21 expression with a bidirectional interplay. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of angiotensin receptor type 1 antagonist, losartan, on peripheral blood and tissue expression of TGF-ß and miR-21 and histologic findings in allograft biopsy in kidney transplant recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a randomized controlled trial, 54 patients were enrolled and divided randomly into 2 groups. Group 1 was treated with a daily dose of 25 mg of losartan and group 2 was considered as control. Blood sampling was done at 48 hours posttransplantation and the 3rd and 6th months after transplantation for measurement of TGF-ß RNA and miR-21. Protocol biopsy was performed at the 6th month posttransplantation for RNA extraction and histologic evaluation of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy. RESULTS: Although patients were not different initially, those who underwent treatment with losartan had lower miR-21 and TGF-ß levels in circulating PBMCs, and there was a decreasing trend in peripheral blood TGF-ß levels during the 6-month follow-up period. Tissue expression of miR-21 and TGF-ß was also considerably lower among the losartan-treated patients at the time of tissue biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Losartan treatment decreased the tissue expression of miR-21 and TGF-ß and tissue fibrosis in kidney transplant patient, and it had a protective effect on allograft function and may delay chronic allograft dysfunction by reducing mediators of fibrosis.

Arterial blood pressure in female students before, during and after exercise.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) has been associated with reduced blood pressure in observational epidemiologic studies and individual clinical trials. Since PA is considered as a key component for the prevention and treatment of hypertension in children and adolescents, the purpose of this study was to assess blood pressure changes in athletic and non-athletic students before, during and after PA. METHODS: The subjects in this experimental study consisted of 60 female athletic (n = 30) and non-athletic students (n = 30) with an average age of 21-23 years. The athletes were physical education students and non-athletes were medical students. Blood pressure (BP) at the right arm was measured in sitting position at 5 minutes before, 6 minutes after starting PA and 5 minutes after the end of the exercise. Weight, height, body mass index (BMI), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and pulse pressure (PP) were measured by ordinary methods. Data was analyzed using student's t- test. Results were expressed as mean ± SD. The statistical difference was considered significant at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The results showed that while systolic BP (SBP) increased during and 5 minutes after the end of physical exercise in both groups, diastolic BP (DBP) decreased. However, SBP values were significantly lower in non-athletic female students compared to the athletes. On the other hand, DBP values were significantly lower in athletic female students compared to non-athletes. Moreover, heart rate values were significantly lower at rest, during and 5 minutes after the end of physical exercise in athlete female students compared to non-athletes. CONCLUSION: Our results revealed that physical activity reduced arterial BP levels in female athlete students.