The Relationship between Consumption of Fast Food with Level of Serum Folat among Nursing Students of Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch in 2016

In recent decades, substantial increase in average weight of individuals has been seen in rich countries. Such changes are the result of significant changes in pattern of people’s lives. One of these issues is increasing levels in consumption of fast foods or processed foods. According to experts, the consumption of processed foods, because of having high-calories and trans-fatty acids, is fattening and harmful. In this study, the researchers after obtaining permission from the ethics committee and head of the School of Nursing, introduced themselves to nursing students then, samples were randomly selected among those who are eligible for the study. Before performing to complete the questionnaire and relevant experiments, testimonial were asked from the subjects. At the end of the study, results were suggested that, levels of Serum folate between males and females and also among married and single people were equivalent. Level of Serum folate among those students who usually have anemia in their families is significantly lower than those ones who have not anemia in their families (P = 0.003). There was a significant relationship between age and semester with levels of folate (P i.e. by increasing age and educational terms, levels of serum folate would be reduced. The level of serum folate among students who smoke is lesser than those do not (P = 0.001).

Protective Effect of Ozone against Hemiscorpius lepturus Envenomation in Mice

Objective Scorpion （Hemiscorpius lepturus） stings are a public health concern in Iran, particularly in south and southwestern regions of Iran. The gold standard for the treatment of a scorpion sting is anti-venom therapy. However, immunotherapy can have serious side effects, such as anaphylactic shock （which can sometimes even lead to death）. The aim of the current study was to demonstrate the protective effect of ozone against toxicity induced by Hemiscorpius lepturus （H. lepturus） venom in mice. Methods Eight hours after the injection of ozone to the experimental design groups, the male mice were decapitated and mitochondria were isolated from five different tissues （liver, kidney, heart, brain, and spinal cord） using differential ultracentrifugation. Then, assessment of mitochondrial parameters including mitochondrial reactive oxidative species （ROS） production, mitochondrial membrane potential （MMP）, ATP level, and the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria was performed. Results Our results showed that H. lepturus venom-induced oxidative stress is related to ROS production and MMP collapse, which is correlated with cytochrome c release and ATP depletion, indicating the predisposition to the cell death signaling. Conclusion In general, ozone therapy in moderate dose can be considered as clinically effective for the treatment of H. lepturus sting as a protective and antioxidant agent.

The Effect of Cost Effective and Useful Diets on Blood Parameters in Female Mice

The high rate of cardiovascular disease is due to excessive intake of animal protein. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the replacement of the soybean as a cost effective protein on the blood parameters. 110 immature female Balb/c mice three weeks of age were randomized, into eleven groups of 10 animals each based on following diets: 1) low protein, 2) full protein without soybean, 3) full protein with 20% soybean, and 4) full protein with 40% soybean,. The animals received their diet orally on a daily basis for three and six months. At the end of the study period, the blood samples were collected and blood parameters were measured. The data were analyzed with SPSS software using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test. Results: In the groups that received 20% and 40% soybean diet, the cholesterol, LDH, glucose, creatinine and urea levels showed meaningful decrease, and total protein level showed a significant increase in comparison with the other groups (P However, the mean values of ALT, AST, ALP, triglyceride, calcium and phosphorus did not show significant change among experimental groups (P 0.01). Results of the present study indicated that soybean as a cost effective protein could be suitable replacement for animal protein and soybean may have beneficial effects on health like reduction of cholesterol, LDH and urea.

Involvement of Serotonergic System and Magnesium on Anxiolytic Effects of Pomegranate in Male Mice

The anxiolytic activities of Punica granatum L. fruit juice (PGFJ) in various validated animal models of anxiety and amnesia have been recently reported in mice. Similarly, anxiolytic-like activity of magnesium chloride has been exhibited in the elevated plus-maze test in mice, in some studies. Buspirone is an anxiolytic psychoactive drug with known effects on 5-HT1A receptors that its action is not related to benzodiazepines. The purpose of the present study was to examine interactions between PGFJ, magnesium (Mg) and buspirone as a partial agonist of 5-HT1A receptors in producing anxiolytic-like activity in the elevated plus maze in mice. The anxiolytic-like effect of PGFJ (5, 10 and 20 ml/kg, orally), buspirone (5 mg/kg, i.p), Mg (50 mg/kg, orally) and their interactions were evaluated after ten days’ treatment. PGFJ given at all doses induced an anxiolyticlike effect significantly increasing the percentage of the time spent in the open arms, and the percentage of the open arm entries, in a dose-dependent manner. Buspirone showed anxiolytic effect after ten days;however, its effect was roughly comparable to the effect of PGFJ 5 ml/kg. Buspirone in combination with PGFJ (5 ml/kg), did produce more effect compared to buspirone alone and nearly in the range of PGFJ 5 ml/kg response. Also, Mg induced an anxiolytic-like effect that was more than effects observed by buspirone 5 mg/kg. However, binary application of buspirone and Mg showed anxiolytic effects more than buspirone, alone. In another group, Mg in combination with PGFJ (5 ml/kg), produced more anxyolitic effects compared to either Mg or PEF alone. It can be concluded that Pomegranate anxyolitic-like effect is dependent on interactions with both GABAergic (related to Mg) and serotonergic (5-HT1A) systems.

Effects of Buspirone on Anxiolytic Effects of Magnesium in Male Mice

Anxiolytic-like activity of magnesium chloride has been exhibited in the elevated plus-maze test in mice, in several studies. Buspirone is an anxiolytic psychoactive drug of the azapirone chemical class that is not related to benzodiazepines, unlike most drugs predominately used. The purpose of the present study was to examine interaction between magnesium (Mg) and buspirone as a partial agonist of 5-HT1A receptors in producing anxiolytic-like activity in the elevated plus maze. The anxiolytic-like effect of Mg (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, orally), buspirone (5 mg/kg, i.p) and its interaction with Mg (50 mg/kg) was evaluated after ten days treatment. Mg given at all doses (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) and buspirone (5 mg/kg) induced an anxiolytic-like effect significantly increasing the percentage of the time spent in the open arms (%OAT), the percentage of the open arm entries (%OAE) and number of total entries. Percent time spend in open arms was reduced when buspirone coadministered with Mg (50 mg/kg) compared to Mg alone. However, the number of entries did not change significantly. No synergistic interaction (increased time in open arms and number of open arm entries) between Mg and buspirone was observed, in this test, on the contrary, %OAT preserved about buspirone effects and %OAE remained around Mg effect. The obtained data indicate that Mg may act partly via serotonergic receptors due to buspirone’s inhibitory action as a partial agonist of serotonin receptor.