Eryngium billardieri extract affects cardiac gene expression of master regulators of cardiomyaopathy in rats with high fatdiet-induced insulin resistance.

BACKGROUND: For years, numerous studies have focused on identifying approaches to increase insulin sensitivity by modifying the signaling factors. In the present study, we examined the effects of Eryngium billardieri extract, as an anti-diabetic herbal medication, on the heart mRNA level of Akt serine/threonine kinase (Akt), mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase (mTOR), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), and Forkhead box o1 (Foxo1) in rats with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced insulin resistance (IR). We also assessed the anti-diabetic effects of E. billardieri extract in rats with insulin resistance. METHODS: Twenty-seven male Wistar rats were divided into two groups. Nine rats were fed a normal diet (control group), and 18 rats were fed an HFD for 13 weeks (HFD group). To confirm the induction of insulin resistance, the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Then rats with IR were randomly divided into the following groups: the HFD group, which continued an HFD, and the group treated with E. billardieri extract, which received the extract at a concentration of 50 mg/kg for 30 days. On the 30th day, the animals were sacrificed and serum samples were collected for biochemistry analyses. Furthermore, the expression of Akt, mTOR, PPARγ, and Foxo1 was measured in heart tissue using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. RESULTS: Real-time PCR analyses revealed that an HFD can significantly decrease the expression level of Akt, mTOR, and PPARγ in the heart tissue. However, an HFD significantly increased the expression level of Foxo1 in the HFD group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, our data showed that the administration of E. billardieri extract significantly enhanced the mRNA levels of Akt, PPARγ, and mTOR in the heart tissue compared to the HFD group (P < 0.05), while it significantly decreased the Foxo1 mRNA levels (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Given that Akt, mTOR, PPARγ, and Foxo1 are critical factors in insulin resistance, the present study suggests that E. billardieri could probably be used as an alternative treatment for IR as a major feature of metabolic syndrome.

Aspirin hypersensitivity in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis: frequency and contributing factors.

BACKGROUND: Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is a syndrome frequently seen in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis (CRSwNP). However, there are few studies on evaluating the prevalence of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid [ASA]) hypersensitivity in patients with CRSwNP using the oral aspirin challenge (OAC) test. This cross-sectional study was designed to determine the frequency of ASA hypersensitivity and factors associated with it in patients with CRSwNP in Tehran, Iran. METHODS: Adult patients with CRSwNP who were presented to the asthma and allergy clinic were recruited for the study. After confirming CRS and NP, OAC was performed to evaluate/confirm the diagnosis of ASA hypersensitivity. Atopic evaluation was performed using skin-prick test, nasal smear, blood eosinophil count, and serum total IgE. RESULTS: Eighty Iranian patients (43 women and 37 men) with CRSwNP were enrolled (mean age, 38.9 ± 10.7 years). OAC was performed in all of the patients and 39 patients (48.8%) had a positive reaction; among them, 14 (35.8%) had a self-reported history of ASA hypersensitivity. Concomitant asthma, previous polyp surgery, high polyp score, and ASA hypersensitivity history were all associated with positive OAC (p < 0.05). Presence of AERD was not associated with age, stage of asthma, blood eosinophilia, nasal smear eosinophilia, and atopy. CONCLUSION: ASA hypersensitivity is common in patients with CRSwNP in Tehran, Iran. Patients at risk for AERD should be evaluated for the presence of ASA hypersensitivity with ASA provocation challenge test to confirm the diagnosis.

Congenital arhinia: case report of a rare congenital anomaly.

Congenital absence of the nose or arhinia is a rare defect of embryogenesis often associated with other anomalies. Arhinia is a life-threatening condition that requires a highly skilled neonatal resuscitation team in the delivery room. The associated anomalies often have a significant effect on the immediate as well as long-term outcome of the neonate. This report presents a case of congenital arhinia and reviews the management of such cases.