Acute lung injury (ALI) is a state of inflammation that breaks down the lung endothelial and epithelial cell barriers. In the current study, we investigated the role of resveratrol (RES) in regulating the expression and functions of tight junction proteins (TJP) in epithelial cell responses following exposure to this superantigen. To this end, C3H mice were given resveratrol orally twice prior to intranasal challenge with lethal SEB doses. 16S rRNA results showed that there were microbes transported in the blood in addition to the lung and colonic tissues. For this purpose, we used a reporter E. coli-GFP labeled bacterium to monitor and examine the viability of this bacterium in case of leak from lung into blood and other body compartments during the peak of ALI. The flow cytometry results showed significant reduction in copy numbers of this reporter in the blood in RES-treated mice in comparison to vehicle-treated mice. However, bacteriological examination for viability by culture of the blood showed all were negative for all experimental groups. Mouse transcriptome array showed increase in TJP gene expression in colonic and alveolar epithelial cells of RES-treated mice. Some of these genes were validated with qPCR. We found that there was an increase in the expression of some TJP genes following RES treatment. Commensals and probiotics are also known to decrease intestinal barrier dysfunction caused by inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, mass spectrometry (MS) analysis showed increase in the metabolome in colons of RES-treated group that help in strengthening of intestinal barrier. In conclusion, RES treatment increased directly or indirectly the rigidity of cell boundaries resulting in amelioration of ALI-dependent complications.
The current study was used 20 male rabbits that divided into four groups (consist of five rabbits in each group), The first group was considered as control and fed normal diet and given tap water, The second group was consisted of rabbits that fed on high cholesterol diet for six weeks, The third group was consisted of rabbits that fed on high cholesterol diet and 50mg root extract for six weeks, The forth group was consisted of rabbits that fed on high cholesterol diet and 100mg root extract for six weeks. The male rabbits that feeding on high cholesterol diet showed significant increased (P < 0.05) the levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, VLDL, MDA and HMG-CoA reductase while HDL and GSH levels were sig
... Show MoreThis study was carried out to evaluate the hepato-protective property of (Arachis hypogea L.) peanut skin extracts in CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in mice. The antioxidant activity was measured utilizing 2, 2-diphenyl-1-1 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity. The results showed that the methanolic extract was the highest free radical scavenging activity than the aqueous extract with values (92.34 ± 0.45 and 87.62 ± 0.44) respectively in 12 mg/mL compared to 89.61 ± 0.34 for Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and 93.25 ± 0.06 for vitamin C, which means that the methanolic extract of peanut skin is superior to BHT. Furthermore, the total phenolic content was analyzed by using Folin-Ciocalteu method, the amount of total phenol in a
... Show MoreCataract is an opacity in the normally transparent focusing lens of the eye which leads to blindness. The aim of current study is to investigate the possible protective and therapeutic effects of aqueous extract of Foeniculum vulgare seed eye drops (0.5%) against selenite induced cataract in rabbits. Aqueous extract of Foeniculum vulgare seed prepared then formulated as eye drops. Sodium selenite used to induce cataract in rabbits' right eye by single intravitreal injection. Thirty-six rabbits included in the study and divided into three equal groups (12 rabbits in each group): healthy control group, Cataract-Induced group and group treated by Foeniculum vulgare seed extract eye drops. Parameters include the score of lens opacity which was
... Show MoreIn this study, isolated of Lactobacillus acidophilus were evaluated for their antipathogenic
bacterial activity. The antibacterial activity of the three isolated against
intestinal and food borne pathogenic bacteria in vitro was determined by Well's
Diffusion method, a total of three isolates of Lactobacillus acidophilus isolated from
ten different brands of traditional yoghurts showed a various antibacterial activity
against tested pathogenic bacterium, Cronobacter sakazakii isolated from stool
samples was more sensitive to the inhibition(23mm)inhibtion zone than were
Helicobacter pylori that isolated from stool samples (16mm) inhibtion zone and
Clostridium perfringens that isolated from stool samples (15mm). The
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common respiratory disease with episodes of exacerbation. Variable factors including infectious pathogen can predispose for this exacerbation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of intestinal protozoa in COPD exacerbation. A total of 56 patients with COPD were included in this study. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the frequency of exacerbation during the last 6 months: those with ≤1 exacerbation (32 patients) and those with ≥2 exacerbations (24 patients). Stool specimens from each patient were collected two times (one week interval) examined for intestinal parasite. In univariate analysis, rural residence and parasitic infection were more common among patie
... Show MoreA freshwater bivalve plays a crucial function in aquatic habitats as the filtered water and burrowing mussels mix the sediment, thus increasing oxygen content and making the ecosystem healthier. The aim of the study is to see how chlorpyrifos affects biochemical markers in freshwater mussel Unio tigridis. About 180 individuals per taxon and water samples were collected from the Qandil water resource on the Greater Zab River, Erbil Province, Iraq. Once arrived at the lab, the individuals were kept in aquaria with river water and an air-conditioned room Temperature: 25±2 and Light: 12h/12h and acclimatized to laboratory conditions for seven days in aged tap water. The mussel's identification molecularly and the DNA sequence of t
... Show MoreMethotrexate (MTX), a folate antagonist agent, is mainly used in treatment of
malignant tumors and autoimmune diseases. The present study was undertaken to
determine whether antioxidant vitamin (vitamin A) could ameliorate methotrexateinduced
oxidative stress in male rabbits. Twenty male rabbits were randomly
assigned into four groups. Group 1: control group, Group 2: MTX-treated group
(received 20 mg/kg MTX intraperitoneally), Group 3: Vit.A treated group received
5000 IU Vit.A orally) and Group 4: MTX+Vit.A treated group received MTX 20
mg/kg plus 5000 IU vit.A). After 4 weeks of treatment, blood samples were
collected by cardiac puncture to determine the serum malondialdehyde (MDA), as a
good indicator for l
Background : It has been suggested that pretreatment with a statin agent prior to
myocardial infarction limits myocardial
creatine kinase release, and thus may act to
limit myocardial infarct size in humans.
Objective : To examine the effect of very
early statin initiation for acute myocardial
infarction (AMI), to the extent of
myonecrosis as manifested by peak serum
creatine kinase levels.
Methods : Patients with AMI admitted to AlKindy teaching hospital cardiac care unit
from 1st February 2007 to 28th February
2008, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria
cited in the present study, were randomly
assigned into two study groups. The statin
group patients have received a single oral
dose of 40 mg
The present study was designed to shed light on the molecular effects caused by acute myeloid leukemia (AML). It was also aimed to investigate ASXL1 point mutations in newly AML patients as compared to healthy control. The study comprised of 43 AML Iraqi patients and their ages ranged between 16-75 years. It included 23 females and 20 males compared with 20 healthy controls. Results revealed that the extracted DNA from 30 AML patients and amplified by PCR to obtain ASXL1 gene from exon 12 showed larger bands (479). Among forty three patients, two of them displayed point mutations of deletion and substitution, while the others were normal since no mutations were detected. The total of mutations in two mutated patients was 27 mutations, the m
... Show MoreBackground: myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury may occur in a variety of clinical settings and this remains a significant problem. Oxygen free radicals, produced on reperfusion have been shown to play a major role in myocardial I/R injury. Various therapeutic effects have been described for Crataegus. Additionally, it has been presented that Crataegus has protective effect against ischemia reperfusion induced myocardial injuries to various organs. Therefore, it seems possible that the administration of Crataegus might protect the heart against the ischemia reperfusion injury.
Objectives: I detected the chemical components and trace elements of the aqueous extract of Crataegus leaves and determine whether Crataegus extract pr