ABSTRACT
Policosanol is a component from main alcohol groups with long-chain which is extracted from cane sugar. In the present study, we investigated the effect of policosanol on atherosclerosis some of its biochemical risk factors in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. 24 male rabbits of New Zealand race with average weight of 1750gr were divided in to 4 group: control group[n=6] had normal diet, Sham and experimental group no.1 and no.2[n=6] had high cholesterol [2%] diet, and they received placebo and policosanol with doses of 0.25 and 0.5mg respectively, every day. After 4 weeks of treatment, blood samples were obtained and cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C and HDL-C were measured. For histological studies part of aorta was dissected and fixed in formalin%10. Data were introduced into SPSS software and analyzed by variance analysis. The results showed that in experimental group no.1 there was significant decrease in the rate of cholesterol, LDL-C and triglyceride [P<0.05], and significant increase in HDL-C [P<0.05] compared with those of control group. Also in experimental group no.2 there was a significant decrease in cholesterol, LDL-C and triglyceride [P<0.01] in the rate of cholesterol, LDL-C and triglyceride, and significant increase [P<0.01], and significant increase in HDL-C [P<0.01] compared with those of control group. Histological investigations showed treatment by policosanol in experimental group no.1 and no.2 could prevent atheroma plaque formation. policosanol can be an effective component in decreasing cholesterol, LDL-C and triglyceride and increasing HDL-C, leading to prevention of atheroma plaque formation
ABSTRACT
Stem cells [SCs] have great therapeutic indication due to their potency of self-renewal, multilineage differentiation, feasibility and safety for donors. In this study, adult mouse lung extracts containing hematopoietic growth factors were administered to umbilical cord, and evaluated the differentiation of umbilical cord stem cells into erythroid and myeloid lineages. In this basic and practical research, SCs were isolated from umbilical cord by enzyme digestion and cultured in appropriate culture medium. Subjects were divided into four groups: Experimental groups 1 and 2 [E1 and E2] which were exposed to 50% and 70% concentration of lung extract for 7 days, respectively, sham [Sh] group which did not exposed to lung extract and cultured for 7 days, and control group [C]. E1, E2 and Sh groups were incubated for 7 days. All groups were evaluated by alkaline phosphatase detection kit for stem cells. Then, blood cells count and hematopoietic growth factors were assessed. ANOVA was used for data analysis. There were significant changes in E2 groups as compared with Sh and C groups, so that E2 group cells were differentiated into erythroid and myeloid lineages. Growth factors in lung extract could have stimulatory effects on umbilical cord stem cell differentiation into blood cells