1.Comparison of botulinum toxin type-A and divalproex sodium for prevention of chronic and episodic migraine
Ahmad Chitsaz ; Abbas Ghorbani ; Hadi Hoseinzadeh ; Fatemeh Nazari ; Rasul Norouzi ; Soufi Tajic
Neurology Asia 2012;17(2):127-132
Background & Objective: There is a need for a more effective and better tolerated prophylactic treatment
of migraine. This study aims to compare the effi cacy of botulinum toxin type-A (Dysport) and divalproex
sodium (divalproex) as prophylactic treatment in patients with episodic or chronic migraine. Methods:
This was a randomized, cross-over, single-center clinical trial. Participants were randomly divided into
two treatment groups. Two phases of intervention were arranged (each for three months). In the fi rst
phase, patients received either Dysport (125 units) or divalproex (200 mg bid for three months). The
patients were left for a three months washout period, and then the treatment agents were swapped in
the second stage. The response to each treatment was assessed at the end of each phase. Results: With
divalproex, the frequency, intensity and duration of headache, as well as analgesic consumption were
signifi cantly reduced (p<0.05) in both episodic and chronic patients. However, Dysport demonstrated
signifi cant effi cacy only in patients with episodic migraine. In chronic migraine, Dysport only showed
a non signifi cant trend to benefi t in these parameters, with exception of headache intensity,where it
resulted in signifi cant improvement from baseline. Divalproex was signifi cantly superior to Dysport,
in terms of headache frequency and intensity in patients with episodic migraine.
Conclusions: Both Dysport and divalproex are effective prophylactic therapies for patients with episodic
migraine. Divalproex but not Dysport was signifi cantly effective for chronic migraine.
2.The effects of purslane (Portulaca oleracea) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) hydroalcoholic extracts on the functional parameters of human spermatozoa after vitrification
Marzieh TORKAMANPARI ; Fatemeh GHORBANI ; Keivan LORIAN ; Yeganeh KOOHESTANIDEHAGHI
Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine 2023;50(2):78-85
Objective:
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced during cryopreservation of human sperm and impair sperm function. Antioxidant compounds, such as fennel and purslane, reduce the damaging effects of ROS. This study aimed to evaluate motility parameters, plasma membrane integrity (PMI), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), intracellular ROS, and DNA damage to determine the optimum concentrations of hydroalcoholic extracts of fennel and purslane for human spermatozoa cryopreservation.
Methods:
Twenty human sperm samples were used and divided into seven equal groups consisting of fennel hydroalcoholic extract (5, 10, and 15 mg/L), purslane hydroalcoholic extract (25, 50, and 100 mg/L), and no additive.
Results:
Supplementation of 25 mg/L and 50 mg/L purslane extract and 10 mg/L fennel extract in cryopreservation extender significantly increased the motility and PMI of sperm with a significant reduction in intracellular ROS compared to control groups (p<0.05). A 50 mg/L concentration of purslane extract elevated progressive motility and MMP compared to the control group (p<0.05). No significant differences were seen for motion patterns and DNA damage of frozen-thawed human sperm in extender containing these extracts.
Conclusion
The results showed that supplementation of 50 mg/L purslane extract and 10 mg/L fennel extract in semen cryopreservation extender has the potential to decrease intracellular ROS and subsequently elevate the motility and PMI of human sperm.
3.Clinical and laboratory findings of rhabdomyolysis in opioid overdose patients in the intensive care unit of a poisoning center in 2014 in Iran.
Khoshideh BABAK ; Arefi MOHAMMAD ; Ghorbani MAZAHER ; Akbarpour SAMANEH ; Taghizadeh FATEMEH
Epidemiology and Health 2017;39(1):e2017050-
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and demographic characteristics and some laboratory findings of hospitalized patients with acute opioid toxicity and rhabdomyolysis. METHODS: This cross-sectional study investigated 354 patients hospitalized at Baharloo Hospital in Tehran in 2014 with acute illicit drug toxicity. Data were collected using an investigator-made checklist. The collected data (such as mortality rate, demographic data, and renal function tests, as well as serum biochemical findings) were analyzed by descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. RESULTS: A total of 354 patients were admitted to the hospital in 2014 with acute illicit drug toxicity, including 291 males and 63 females. The total number of patients with rhabdomyolysis was 76 (21.5% of the total), of whom 69 (90.8%) were male and 7 (9.2%) were female. Most cases of rhabdomyolysis were associated with methadone abuse, followed by opium abuse. Rhabdomyolysis was most common in those 20–29 and 30–39 years old, with methadone and opium the most commonly abused illicit drugs. The mean blood urea level was 3.8±1.0 mg/dL, and the mean serum potassium and sodium levels were 3.8±0.3 mg/dL and 140.4±4.0 mg/dL, respectively. Five patients, all of whom were male, passed away due to severe renal failure (6.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Toxicity caused by opioids is associated with clinical complications and laboratory disorders, such as electrolyte disorders, which can lead to lethal or life-threatening results in some cases. Abnormal laboratory test findings should be identified in patients with opioid toxicity in order to initiate efficient treatment.
Analgesics, Opioid
;
Checklist
;
Critical Care*
;
Cross-Sectional Studies
;
Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Intensive Care Units*
;
Iran*
;
Male
;
Methadone
;
Mortality
;
Opium
;
Poisoning*
;
Potassium
;
Renal Insufficiency
;
Rhabdomyolysis*
;
Sodium
;
Street Drugs
;
Urea
4.Clinical and laboratory findings of rhabdomyolysis in opioid overdose patients in the intensive care unit of a poisoning center in 2014 in Iran
Khoshideh BABAK ; Arefi MOHAMMAD ; Ghorbani MAZAHER ; Akbarpour SAMANEH ; Taghizadeh FATEMEH
Epidemiology and Health 2017;39(1):2017050-
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and demographic characteristics and some laboratory findings of hospitalized patients with acute opioid toxicity and rhabdomyolysis.METHODS: This cross-sectional study investigated 354 patients hospitalized at Baharloo Hospital in Tehran in 2014 with acute illicit drug toxicity. Data were collected using an investigator-made checklist. The collected data (such as mortality rate, demographic data, and renal function tests, as well as serum biochemical findings) were analyzed by descriptive statistics and the chi-square test.RESULTS: A total of 354 patients were admitted to the hospital in 2014 with acute illicit drug toxicity, including 291 males and 63 females. The total number of patients with rhabdomyolysis was 76 (21.5% of the total), of whom 69 (90.8%) were male and 7 (9.2%) were female. Most cases of rhabdomyolysis were associated with methadone abuse, followed by opium abuse. Rhabdomyolysis was most common in those 20–29 and 30–39 years old, with methadone and opium the most commonly abused illicit drugs. The mean blood urea level was 3.8±1.0 mg/dL, and the mean serum potassium and sodium levels were 3.8±0.3 mg/dL and 140.4±4.0 mg/dL, respectively. Five patients, all of whom were male, passed away due to severe renal failure (6.5%).CONCLUSIONS: Toxicity caused by opioids is associated with clinical complications and laboratory disorders, such as electrolyte disorders, which can lead to lethal or life-threatening results in some cases. Abnormal laboratory test findings should be identified in patients with opioid toxicity in order to initiate efficient treatment.
Analgesics, Opioid
;
Checklist
;
Critical Care
;
Cross-Sectional Studies
;
Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Intensive Care Units
;
Iran
;
Male
;
Methadone
;
Mortality
;
Opium
;
Poisoning
;
Potassium
;
Renal Insufficiency
;
Rhabdomyolysis
;
Sodium
;
Street Drugs
;
Urea
5.The antioxidant roles of L-carnitine and N-acetyl cysteine against oxidative stress on human sperm functional parameters during vitrification
Fatemeh GHORBANI ; Zohreh NASIRI ; Yeganeh KOOHESTANIDEHAGHI ; Keivan LORIAN
Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine 2021;48(4):316-321
Amino acids can protect sperm structure in cryopreservation due to their antioxidant properties. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of L-carnitine (LC) and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on motility parameters, plasma membrane integrity (PMI), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), DNA damage, and human sperm intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) during vitrification. Methods: Twenty normal human sperm samples were examined. Each sample was divided into six equal groups: LC (1 and 10 mM), NAC (5 and 10 mM), and cryopreserved and fresh control groups. Results: The groups treated with LC and NAC showed favorable findings in terms of motility parameters, DNA damage, and MMP. Significantly higher levels of intracellular ROS were observed in all cryopreserved groups than in the fresh group (p≤0.05). The presence of LC and NAC at both concentrations caused an increase in PMI, MMP, and progressive motility parameters, as well as a significant reduction in intracellular ROS compared to the control group (p≤0.05). The concentrations of the amino acids did not show any significant effect. Conclusion: LC and NAC are promising as potential additives in sperm cryopreservation.
6.Effect of aqueous Nigella sativa extract on the functional parameters of post-thaw human spermatozoa during vitrification
Zohreh NASIRI ; Fatemeh GHORBANI ; Mohammad SEIFY ; Aysan SHARBATI
Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine 2022;49(2):110-116
Objective:
Sperm vitrification leads to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can damage the functional parameters of sperm. The present study aimed to investigate the antioxidant effect of Nigella sativa extract on motility, plasma membrane function, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), DNA damage, and intracellular ROS production.
Methods:
A total of 20 sperm samples were used. Samples were divided into six experimental groups, including groups with aqueous extract from N. sativa seeds at concentrations of 1% to 6%, a cryopreserved control group, and a fresh control group.
Results:
Statistical analysis showed significantly higher total sperm motility at concentrations of 3% to 6% than in the vitrified semen control group. Additionally, progressive motility and all motion characteristics at all concentrations were significantly higher than in the vitrified semen control group. The presence of N. sativa seed extract also improved the quality of the sperm parameters assayed in all experimental groups (1%–6%; intracellular ROS production, DNA damage, MMP, and sperm membrane function) compared to the control group.
Conclusion
Higher concentrations of N. sativa led to improvements in all sperm parameters and sperm quality. These findings indicate that N. sativa seed extract is effective for improving the quality of sperm after vitrification.
7.Improvement in histology, enzymatic activity, and redox state of the liver following administration of Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark oil in rats with established hepatotoxicity
Fatemeh NIKNEZHAD ; Sara SAYAD-FATHI ; Arezoo KARIMZADEH ; Marjan GHORBANI-ANARKOOLI ; Fatemeh YOUSEFBEYK ; Ebrahim NASIRI
Anatomy & Cell Biology 2019;52(3):302-311
Formaldehyde (FA) is an environmentally-available pollutant. Since the liver acts as a detoxifier in the human body, it is the first and most affected organ in individuals exposed to higher-than-normal amounts of FA. FA mainly alters oxidant/antioxidant status and initiates oxidative stress, and by means, causes functional damage to the liver. Thus, it is important to identify natural bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties in order to be used as food additives. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) is a popular flavor and also a medicinal plant with a variety of beneficial effects. In the present original study, cinnamon essential oil (CEO) has been administrated at doses of 10, 20, and 100 mg/kg, orally, to hepatotoxicity rat models caused by FA (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). Liver enzymes and its histology were assessed and oxidative stress biomarkers in the liver tissue were also examined. CEO administration caused a significant increase in superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase and a prominent decrease in nitric oxide levels in the liver tissue. Also, in serum samples, CEO significantly reduced the elevated amounts of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase. When assessed histologically, portal area and central vein fibrosis alongside with the hepatocytes' hypereosinophilia and swelling, focal inflammation, and necrotic areas were found to be prominently decreased in the CEO group. In conclusion, our study suggested that the CEO may have the potential for being used against FA-induced hepatotoxicity.
Alanine Transaminase
;
Alkaline Phosphatase
;
Animals
;
Antioxidants
;
Aspartate Aminotransferases
;
Biomarkers
;
Catalase
;
Cinnamomum zeylanicum
;
Cinnamomum
;
Fibrosis
;
Food Additives
;
Formaldehyde
;
Glutathione Peroxidase
;
Human Body
;
Inflammation
;
Liver
;
Models, Animal
;
Nitric Oxide
;
Oxidation-Reduction
;
Oxidative Stress
;
Plants, Medicinal
;
Rats
;
Superoxide Dismutase
;
Veins
8. Inhibitory effect of gold nanoparticles conjugated with interferon gamma and methionine on breast cancer cell line
Nastaran MOHSENI ; Fatemeh KAZEMI-LOMEDASHT ; Fatemeh Salehi SARVESTANI ; Mehdi Shafiee ARDESTANI ; Masoud GHORBANI ; Masoud GHORBANI
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 2016;6(2):173-178
Objective: To develop a gold nanoparticles complex conjugated with interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and methionine along with application of hyperthermia using near-infrared laser beams for the treatment of cancer cells. Methods: Gold nanorods (10 nm) were conjugated with IFN-γ and methionine using carbodiimide family and characterized after purification by dialysis bags. Breast cancer cells were cultured and incubated with gold nanorods at different concentrations followed by irradiation with near-infrared laser beam. Samples were then evaluated for their viability in order to determine the effect of treatment and variables by MTT assy. Results: Zetasizer results confirmed the conjugation of gold nanorods with methionine and IFN-γ. The median percentage of cell viability in 0.30 μg/mL concentration of gold nanorods was 82%. The cell viability reached to 85% at the same concentration of gold nanorods, which existed in the assayed complex. The results of MTT assay showed that the 0.60 μg/mL concentration of gold nanoparticles complex was toxic on tumor cells (P < 0.05). After exposure to hyperthermia, the viability of cells at 6 min decreased to 77% in 0.30 μg/mL concentration of gold nanorods complex. Conclusions: The size and concentration of gold nanorods was not cytotoxic. However, their presence during irradiation near-infrared laser increased the number of dead cells during the treatment of cells.