The Serum Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Selenium Levels in a Group of Migraine Patients Compared with Healthy Controls: a Case-Control Study.

Migraine is one of the most common neurological disorders associated with recurrent attacks of moderate to severe headache. Oxidative stress may play an important role in migraine pathogenesis. This study aimed to measure and compare the serum levels of Selenium, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and malondialdehyde) MDA (in migraine patients and healthy individuals. This case-control study was performed on 31 migraine patients and 30 age and gender-matched healthy controls. The severity of headache was assessed with a standard questionnaire, and the serum levels of Selenium (Se), MDA, and TAC were measured via biochemical methods. The odds of migraine were calculated across quartile of Se and oxidative stress biomarkers via binary logistic regression. Migraine patients had a significant lower Se levels (81.06 ± 8.66 vs. 88.94 ± 10.23 µg/L, P = 0.002) and a significant higher MDA levels (3.04 ± 1.74 vs. 2.06 ± 0.59 nmol/ml, P = 0.005) compared to healthy participants. Although serum TAC levels (1.34 ± 0.34 vs.1.37 ± 0.33 mmol/L, P = 0.755) were not significantly different between migraine patients rather than healthy subjects. Individuals in the lowest quartile of Se levels were about eleven times more likely to have migraine than those in the highest quartile (OR: 11.2; 95%CI: 1.57 to 80.2; P-trend: 0.016). Besides, being in the highest quartile of the serum MDA level, the odds of having migraine increases 15.4 times compared to the lowest quartile (OR = 15.4, 95%CI: 1.1 to 221, P = 0.044). No significant association was found between TAC and migraine. The lower Se and MDA levels in migraine patients gives rise to the probability which oxidant status may play an underlying role in migraine pathophysiology.

Hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic activities of Alhagi camelorum in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in Wistar rats.

This study investigates the alcoholic extract effect of Alhagi camelorum on blood glucose and lipid profiles in diabetic rats made by streptozotocin (STZ). Male rats were divided into four groups. The control group received a normal diet. The diabetic group was induced by STZ and two diabetic experimental groups received alcoholic extracts of A. camelorum at a dose of 200 and 300 mg/kg by means of gavage, respectively. Blood samples were collected on 21st from all the groups. Findings show that there is a significant increase in the level of fasting blood sugar and lipid profiles in diabetic group when the results compared to the control group (p < .05). The same factors showed a drop in groups receiving extract. The levels of insulin and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were increased in groups that received alcoholic extract. Results indicate that alcoholic extract of A. camelorum decreases the rate of hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia associated with diabetes.

Ultrasound-guided versus blind subacromial bursa corticosteroid injection for paraplegic spinal cord injury patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy: a randomized, single-blind clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Shoulder pain is one of the common musculoskeletal complaints of the patients with spinal cord injury. Corticosteroid injection to the subacromial bursa is one of the confirmed therapies which can be guided by anatomic landmarks or ultrasound. This study is aimed to compare these two methods to find the one with the highest therapeutic impact. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 30 patients with paraplegic SCI suffering from shoulder pain were enrolled. They were divided into 2 groups based on 4-block randomization sampling. The first group received subacromial corticosteroid injection through anatomic landmarks; while in the second group, the injection was guided by ultrasound. VAS criterion was employed for investigation of pain severity; while the constant score was used to study the shoulder pain and function. BREF questionnaire was also applied to examine the quality of life. FINDINGS: The mean scores of VAS and Constant in both groups showed a significant improvement two months after intervention when compared with their condition before the intervention. This improvement was significantly higher in the ultrasound group. The physical, physiological and environmental health scores of BREF questionnaire as well as their total score showed a significant improvement in both groups two months after intervention. But this improvement was not significantly different between the two groups in terms of any of the items. DISCUSSION: Hence, although ultrasound-guided injection is more costly and requires higher skills in comparison with blind injection, it is significantly more effective in controlling the pain and improving the shoulder function.

A Randomized Control Trial Study to Determine the Effect of Melatonin on Serum Levels of IL-1ß and TNF-α in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common neurological disease that happens at a young age. MS is an inflammatory disease; associated with the demyelination of the central nervous system. Therefore, some inflammatory factors are effective in the mechanism and progression of the disease. Melatonin, as a multi-effect substance including anti-inflammatory effects, can reduce symptoms of MS in patients with a change in their inflammatory factors level. In this study, 50 MS patients who were referred to the MS Society of Markazi Province were randomly selected. All patients were treated with routine MS treatment (interferon) and were divided into control (25 placebo recipients) and treatment (25 recipients of 3 mg melatonin per day for 24 weeks) groups. Anthropometric data of patients including height, weight, and age were determined. Blood samples were collected after fasting in order to determine serum levels of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Then, samples were immediately centrifuged for serum separation and sera were transferred to a freezer at -80°C and serum levels of these factors were determined; using ELISA kit. The results of this study showed that there was no significant difference between the control and treatment groups in terms of serum levels of TNF-α. However, the level of IL-1ß was significantly reduced in the treatment group compared to the control group, indicating that melatonin decreases this inflammatory substance. Our findings suggest a valuable strategy in the treatment of patients who suffer from MS.

Concentration of lead and mercury in collected vegetables and herbs from Markazi province, Iran: a non-carcinogenic risk assessment.

The current study was undertaken to determine the concentration of Hg and Pb in ten types of collected green leafy vegetables and herbs from different agricultural sites of Markazi province, Iran as well as the gathered water and soil around them using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Also, the potential health risk assessment by using target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI) parameters was estimated. Based on the accumulation order, Artemisia dracunculus L with 56.147 ±â€¯17.30 µg/kg and Spinacia oleracea L with 1733.62 ±â€¯2264.7 µg/kg can uptake and accumulate more concentration of Pb and Hg in their tissues, respectively. Regarding gathered soil around vegetables, the concentration of Hg and Pb were measured as 52.056 ±â€¯16.25 µg/kg and 4993.83 ±â€¯1287.8 µg/kg, respectively. The transfer factor (TF) demonstrated that vegetables and herbs could absorb a high amount of Hg from the soil while these plants uptake less concentration of Pb thought their green leaves. The non-carcinogenic risk assessment showed the minimum, and maximum THQ was related to 15-24 and 35-44 age groups in the urban and rural consumers. Also, HI in the urban and rural areas was calculated as 8.492 and 9.012, respectively. Since HI > 1, exposure of the urban and rural areas of Markazi province to non-carcinogenic risk by consuming the green leafy vegetables and herbs is a source of concern.

Comparative Toxicological Study between Exposed and Non-Exposed Farmers to Organophosphorus Pesticides.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this work was to compare DNA damage, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, inflammatory markers and clinical symptoms in farmers exposed to organophosphorus pesticides to individuals that had no pesticide exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey with a total of 134 people. The subject group consisted of 67 farmers who were exposed to organophosphorus pesticides. The control group consisted of 67 people without any contact with pesticides matched with the subject group in terms of age, gender, and didactics. Oxidative DNA damage, the activities of AChE, interleukin-6 (IL6), IL10 and C-reactive protein (CRP) in serum were measured and clinical examinations conducted in order to register all clinical signs. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, substantial gains were observed in the farmers' levels of oxidative DNA damage, IL10 and CRP. There was significantly less AChE activity in farmers exposed to organophosphorus pesticides. The levels of IL6 in both groups did not significantly differ. CONCLUSION: The outcomes show that exposure to organophosphorus pesticides may cause DNA oxidative damage, inhibit AChE activity and increase the serum levels of inflammatory markers. Using biological materials instead of chemical pesticides and encouraging the use of safety equipment by farmers are some solutions to the adverse effects of exposure to organophosphorous pesticides.

The Effects of Caffeine Supplements on Exercise-Induced Oxidative Damages.

BACKGROUND: There is an interaction between oxidative equilibrium and anti-oxidants in oxidative stress. Therefore, oxidative stress has an effect on intercellular oxidation and causes atrophy and is an underlying factor in many diseases. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of running downhill and the short-term effect of caffeine supplementation on oxidative stress in non-athletic men. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty men, aged 25 - 28 years, from Tabriz, Iran were been selected and divided in two homogeneous groups of 10 men: the supplementation group and the placebo group. In the next stage, groups received caffeine supplementation (caffeine capsules at a dose of 5 mg/kg of body weight daily for 14 days) or placebo (5 mg/kg of dextrose during supplementation) and ran downhill (30 minutes of treadmill running with a slope of -10 degrees with 65% maximal oxygen consumption); blood sampling was also performed. RESULTS: Anti-oxidant capacity by the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) techniques and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured by the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method, while the total number of thiol molecules (TTM) with Hu and DNA damage was evaluated using ELISA. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicated that running downhill caused significant changes in all measured parameters, but the short-term caffeine supplementation did not have a significant effect on the indices of oxidative stress or DNA damage measured.

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities of Salvia hydrangea in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats.

OBJECTIVES: This study was to investigate the potential anti-diabetic effects of alcoholic extract of Salvia hydrangea in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty five male Wistar rats were divided into five groups namely non-diabetic control, diabetic control, and three experimental diabetic that received either Salvia hydrangea extract for 21 days at the doses of 100 and 200 or glibenclamide at the dose of 10 mg/kg through gavage feeding. To induce diabetes, streptozotocin was injected intraperitoneally. RESULTS: Insulin and HDL levels in the group receiving the high dose of the extract showed significant increase, whereas the amount of cholesterol in rats that received glibenclamide and the extract showed a significant decrease as compared to the diabetic control group (P<0.05). The blood glucose levels showed significant reduction in all experimental groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Consumption of the extract of the aerial parts of S. hydrangea which reduces blood fat and increases insulin may have beneficial effects on the symptoms of diabetes and hyperlipidemia.

Effects of ethanol extract of Salvia hydrangea on hepatic and renal functions of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVES: A wide range of liver and kidney disorders are associated with diabetes and there is a mutual relationship between diabetes and these diseases. Herbal medicine with having abundant ingredients is one of these options. The goal of this study was to compare the effects of alcoholic extract of aerial parts of S alvia hydrangea with glibenclamide on functional tests of liver and kidney in diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 35 male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n= 7 in each group): control, diabetic control, and three experimental diabetic groups. The controls had normal access to water and food, the diabetic control group was given drug solvent and the three experimental groups received ethanol extract of Salvia hydrangea at doses of 100 and 200 mg and glibenclamideat a dose of 10 mg/kg/BW by gavage, respectively. To induce diabetes, a single dose of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg/BW) was injected to rats intraperitoneally. Blood samples were collected at day 21 from all groups and the related blood factors were measured and analyzed. RESULTS: The results showed that the levels of creatinine, urea, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and fasting blood sugar (FBS) in all diabetic groups increased compared to the control group. In all experimental groups and the group which received glibenclamide,a significant decrease was shown compared to the diabetic group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The consumption of alcoholic extract of aerial parts of Salvia hydrangea may have beneficial effects on the reduction of diabetic complications by lowering blood sugar without any adverse effects on the kidney and liver tissue.

Status of neurocognitive and oxidative stress conditions in iron-steel workers.

The aim of this study was to determine oxidative stress status as well as ferrous (Fe) and Copper (Cu) levels in blood, neurocognitive impairment, and clinical markers in iron-steel workers. A comparative cross-sectional analysis was performed in 50 iron-steel workers who have been in contact with Fe and Cu in comparison with a control group containing 50 healthy subjects in the same age group and sex. Blood levels of lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant capacity, Fe, and Cu along with neurocognitive impairment were measured in workers and controls. Clinical examination was accomplished to record any abnormal sign or symptoms. Comparing with controls, the workers showed higher blood levels of lipid peroxidation and Cu and also a lower total antioxidant capacity. There was a positive correlation between work history and interstitial lung disease that strengths the presumption to progress to chronic obstructive lung disease in future. The results indicate that exposure to a combination of Fe and Cu in iron-steel workers induces oxidative stress. Especially, in the present case, toxic effect of Cu has been more than positive effects of Fe, but the combined exposure resulted in no such critical toxicity.

The toxic effect of manganese on the acetylcholinesterase activity in rat brains.

Manganese (Mn) is a naturally occurring element and an essential nutrient for humans and animals. However, exposure to high levels of Mn may cause neurotoxic effects. Accumulation of manganese damages central nervous system and causes Parkinson's disease-like syndrome called manganism. Mn neurotoxicity has been suggested to involve an imbalance between the DAergic and cholinergic systems. The pathological mechanisms associated with Mn neurotoxicity are poorly understood, but several reports have established it is mediated by changing of AChE activity that resulted in oxidative stress. Therefore we focused the effect of Mn in AChE activity in the rat's brain by MnCl2 injection intraperitoneally and analyzed their brains after time intervals. This study used different acute doses in short time course and different chronic doses at different exposing time to investigate which of them (exposing dose or time) is more important in Mn toxic effect. Results showed toxic effect of Mn is highly dose dependent and AChE activity in presence of chronic dose in 8 weeks reaches acute dose in only 2 days.

Determining Nitrate and Nitrite Content in Beverages, Fruits, Vegetables, and Stews Marketed in Arak, Iran.

Background and Objectives. Presence of excessive nitrite and nitrate in foodstuff can have toxic and carcinogenic effects on humans. This study is aimed at measuring nitrate and nitrite in different foodstuffs available in Arak city market, Iran, in 2013. Methods. Totally 323 samples including stew (102 samples), beverage (116 samples), fruit (55 samples), and vegetables (50 samples) were randomly collected and analyzed according to official AOAC method 973 and ISO 6635 through spectrophotometric method. Results. Average concentration of nitrate and nitrite in the samples was 6.58-136.76, 1.52-38.22 mg kg(-1) or liter, respectively. Presence of nitrate and nitrite was confirmed in all samples. High levels of nitrate and nitrite were observed in celery and ghormeh stew; and lower level of nitrate and nitrite was found in traditionally produced vinegar, verjuice, and tomato. Conclusions. It was found that the mean values for nitrite in investigated products were higher than ADI levels of WHO.

Neurocognitive, mental health, and glucose disorders in farmers exposed to organophosphorus pesticides.

About 25 million agricultural workers in the developing world suffer from at least one episode of poisoning each year, mainly by anticholinesterase-like organophosphates (OPs). The objective of this cross-sectional study was to establish the OP toxicity in 187 occupationally exposed farmers in terms of neurocognitive impairment, mental health status, clinical symptoms, diabetes, and haematological factors. The exposed group was compared to 187 healthy age-, sex-, and education-matching controls. Neurocognitive impairment was measured using the Subjective Neurocognition Inventory (SNI) and mental health status using the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). The subjects were also tested for fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), cholesterol (CL), triglycerides (TG), creatinine, oral glucose tolerance test (GTT), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The exposed farmers showed higher FBG (p<0.001), BUN (p=0.007), CL (p<0.001), oral GTT (p<0.001), and lower AST (p<0.001), ALP (p<0.001), and creatinine (p=0.004) than controls. The rates of anxiety/ insomnia and severe depression were also significantly higher in the farmers than in controls (p=0.015 and p<0.001, respectively). Meanwhile, the rate of social dysfunction was significantly lower than in controls (p<0.001). Disorders affecting psychomotor speed, selective attention, divided attention, verbal memory, nonverbal memory, prospective memory, spatial functioning, and initiative/energy were all lower in the farmers (p<0.001). Farmers showed clinical symptoms eczema, saliva secretion, fatigue, headache, sweating, abdominal pain, nausea, superior distal muscle weakness, inferior distal muscle weakness, inferior proximal muscle weakness, breath muscle weakness, hand tingling, foot tingling, epiphoria, polyuria, miosis, dyspnoea, bradycardia, and rhinorrhoea, which all significantly correlated with the number of working years. These findings indicate that farmers who work with OPs are prone to neuropsychological disorders and diabetes.

Anti-Oxidative Stress Activity of Stachys lavandulifolia Aqueous Extract in Human.

UNLABELLED: Medicinal plants are presumed to be natural sources of antioxidants that protect organisms from oxidative stresses. The present investigation aims to study the anti-oxidative stress activity of the Stachys lavandulifolia (S. lavandulifolia) plant. This trial was conducted on 26 healthy human subjects. The study was done in a before after fashion. The included subjects were asked to consume the prepared infusion from 3 g aerial parts of S. lavandulifolia on a daily basis. Doses were administered in every morning and evening for 14 days. At the beginning and the end of the study, blood samples were acquired to determine the level of cellular lipid peroxidation and the total content of serum antioxidants. Biomarkers analyzed from samples obtained before start of treatment and 14 days post treatment, were subjected to paired t test analysis. Total blood antioxidants increased and reached from 2.3 ± 0.84 µmol/ml to 3.3 ± 0.54 µmol/ml. The lipid peroxidation reduced and reached from 8.38 ± 1.78 to 11.6 ± 2.64 nmol/ml. The results suggest that S. lavandulifolia possesses marked anti-oxidative stress activity and it can be useful as a supplement in the management of diseases related to oxidative stress ( REGISTRATION NUMBER: IRCT2013012210003N2).

Clinical, haematological, and neurocognitive findings in lead-exposed workers of a battery plant in Iran.

The aim of this comparative cross-sectional study was to assess neurocognitive impairment, haematological findings, and clinical symptoms of lead exposure among 316 male battery plant workers aged between 20 and 61 years. Compared to 123 matched controls (matching in age and years of work), the exposed workers showed significantly higher mean blood lead level (BLL) and lower haematocrit, haemoglobin, and red blood cell count. Mean BLL significantly correlated with clinical symptoms such as nocturia, increased urination frequency, oedema, drop in deep tendon reflex, concentration impairment, agitation, headache, depression, abdominal pain, palpitation, fatigue, and diminished sex drive. Workers with clinical disorders had higher BLL and lower haematological parameters. These findings warn that silent toxicological problems caused by lead might go unnoticed by health professionals.

Electroencephalogram, cognitive state, psychological disorders, clinical symptom, and oxidative stress in horticulture farmers exposed to organophosphate pesticides.

The aim of this paper was to study the toxicity of organophosphate (OP) pesticides in exposed farmers for electroencephalography, cognitive state, psychological disorders, clinical symptom, oxidative stress, acetylcholinesterase, and DNA damage. A comparative cross-sectional analysis was carried out in 40 horticulture farmers who were exposed to OPs in comparison to a control group containing 40 healthy subjects with the same age and sex and education level. Lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase, DNA damage, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total thiol molecules, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were measured in the blood of subjects. Clinical examination and complete blood test were undertaken in order to record any abnormal sign or symptoms. Cognitive function, psychological symptoms, and psychological distress were examined and recorded. Comparing with controls, the farmers showed higher blood levels of SOD and LPO while their TAC decreased. Farmers showed clinical symptoms such as eczema, breathing muscle weakness, nausea, and saliva secretion. Regarding cognitive function, the orientation, registration, attention and calculation, recall, and language were not significantly different in farmers and controls. Among examinations for psychological distress, only labeled somatization was significantly higher in farmers. The present findings indicate that oxidative stress and inhibition of AChE can be seen in chronically OP-exposed people but incidence of neuropsychological disorders seems a complex multivariate phenomenon that might be seen in long-term high-dose exposure situations. Use of supplementary antioxidants would be useful in the treatment of farmers.

Effects of Melissa officinalis L. on oxidative status and DNA damage in subjects exposed to long-term low-dose ionizing radiation.

The aim of this study was to determine the capability of Melissa officinalis L. (Lemon balm) infusion on improvement of oxidative stress status in radiology staff that were exposed to persistent low-dose radiation during work. The study was a before-after clinical trial performed on 55 radiology staff. They were asked to drink Lemon balm infusion which was prepared like a tea bag twice daily (1.5 g/100 mL) for 30 days. In the plasma, lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, catalase, superoxide dismutase, myeloperoxidase, and glutathione peroxidase activity were measured before and after using Lemon balm infusion.Use of Lemon balm infusion in radiology unit workers resulted in a significant improvement in plasma levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase and a marked reduction in plasma DNA damage, myeloperoxidase, and lipid peroxidation. It is concluded that infusion of Lemon balm markedly improve oxidative stress condition and DNA damage in radiology staff when used as a dietary supplement for radiation protection.

Study on clinical and biochemical toxicity biomarkers in a zinc-lead mine workers.

The aim of this study was to determine oxidative stress status as well as blood lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) levels and clinical markers in workers of a Zn-Pb mine. A comparative cross-sectional analysis was performed in 67 mine workers who have been in contact with Zn and Pb in comparison to a control group containing 67 healthy subjects with the same age and sex. Lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, myleoperoxidase, DNA damage, total antioxidant capacity, Zn, and Pb levels were measured in blood of workers and controls. Clinical examination was accomplished to record any abnormal sign or symptoms. Comparing with controls, the workers showed higher blood levels of superoxide dismutase, myleoperoxidase, glutathione reductase, lipid peroxidation, Pb, and Zn. Workers showed lower DNA-damage as compared with controls. Workers showed clinical symptoms such as memory impairment, less of concentration, insomnia, headache, claudication, epigasteric, inappetence, agitation, tremor, decreasing of reflection of deep tendon, conduction deafness of ear, and fatigue. The workers had extra normal levels of Pb (0.9-3 microg/dL) and showed oxidative stress. Taken together, the results indicate that exposure to combination of Pb and Zn in mine elevates total antioxidant capacity of body in a reflex to overcome to oxidative stress. Especially, in the present case, it seems that toxic effect of Pb has been greater than positive effects of Zn, but the combination exposure has resulted in not such a critical toxicity situation.