Showing 12 results for Shiva
Zahra Gorzin, Ali Akbar Gorzin, Alijan Tabarraei, Naser Behnampour, Shiva Irani, Amir Ghaemi,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (1-2014)
Abstract
Backgrounds: Most of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections elicit poor immune responses and 75% to 85% of cases become chronic therefore, the development of an effective vaccine against HCV is of paramount importance. In this study, we aimed to evaluate co-administration of HCV non-Structural Protein 2 and IL-12 DNA vaccines in C57BL/6 mice. Methods: A plasmid encoding full-length HCV NS2 protein (non-structural protein 2) was generated and used to vaccinate mice. Negative control (an empty expression vector) was also employed to evaluate the background response. To investigate immune responses against vaccine, C57BL/6 mice received three doses of the vaccine with a two-week interval. Cellular immunity was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay for lymphocyte proliferation, lactate dehydrogenase release for cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity and cytokine assay. Results: The findings demonstrated that immunization of mice with plasmid expressing HCV NS2 induced CTL response, interferon gamma production, and lymphocyte proliferation compared to negative control. The results also demonstrated that co-administration of IL-12 with the HCV NS2 plasmid induced significantly better immune response in C57BL/6 mice. Conclusion: DNA vaccine encoding HCV NS2 is an effective candidate that can trigger CTL-based immune response against HCV. In addition, the results suggested that combining the DNA vaccine approach with immune stimulatory cytokines may significantly enhance antigen-specific immune responses.
Tahereh Mohammadi Majd, Shiva Kalantari, Hadi Raeisi Shahraki, Mohsen Nafar, Afshin Almasi, Shiva Samavat, Mahmoud Parvin, Amirhossein Hashemian,
Volume 22, Issue 6 (11-2018)
Abstract
Background: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerulonephritis diagnosed based on renal biopsy. Mesangial IgA deposits along with the proliferation of mesangial cells are the histologic hallmark of IgAN. Non-invasive diagnostic tools may help to prompt diagnosis and therapy. The discovery of potential and reliable urinary biomarkers for diagnosis of IgAN depends on applying robust and suitable models. Applying two multivariate modeling methods on a urine proteomic dataset were obtained from IgAN patients, and comparison of the results of these methods were the purpose of this study. Methods: Two models were constructed for urinary protein profiles of 13 patients and 8 healthy individuals, based on sparse linear discriminant analysis (SLDA) and elastic net (EN) regression methods. A panel of selected biomarkers with the best coefficients were proposed and further analyzed for biological relevance using functional annotation and pathway analysis. Results: Transferrin, α1-antitrypsin, and albumin fragments were the most important up-regulated biomarkers, while fibulin-5, YIP1 family member 3, prasoposin, and osteopontin were the most important down-regulated biomarkers. Pathway analysis revealed that complement and coagulation cascades and extracellular matrix-receptor interaction pathways impaired in the pathogenesis of IgAN. Conclusion: SLDA and EN had an equal importance for diagnosis of IgAN and were useful methods for exploring and processing proteomic data. In addition, the suggested biomarkers are reliable candidates for further validation to non-invasive diagnose of IgAN based on urine examination.
Cyrus Jalili, Ali Ghanbari , Shiva Roshankhah, Mohammad Reza Salahshoor,
Volume 24, Issue 1 (1-2020)
Abstract
Background: The application of methotrexate (MTX) as a chemotherapy agent and immune system suppressant has various side effects. Crocin, a xanthine derivative plant, has many therapeutic benefits. This study was planned to assess the effect of crocin on renal toxicity of MTX in a rat model. Methods: Forty eight rats were divided randomly into eight groups (n = 6), which received normal saline, MTX, crocin, and MTX + crocin for 28 days intraperitoneally. The levels of oxidative stress in kidney and blood serum were measured, and the kidney was analyzed histologically. Results: MTX caused an enhancement in the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and biochemical marker (creatinine and BUN). Besides, a significant decrease was observed in tissue parameters and antioxidant capacity compared to the normal control group (p < 0.001). The crocin and crocin + MTX decreased the biochemical markers, the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive species, and tissue parameters considerably at entire dose (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg) and enhanced the antioxidant capacity levels compared to the MTX group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Administration of crocin improves the damage caused by MTX in rats. The crocin by the establishment of balance in the levels of antioxidant prevents the damage to the renal cell membrane, and subsequently the renal damage repairs.
Atena Shapourzadeh, Seyed Mohammad Atyabi, Shiva Irani, Hadi Bakhshi,
Volume 24, Issue 4 (7-2020)
Abstract
Background: Through combining two synthetic and natural polymers, scaffolds can be developed for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine purposes. Methods: In this work, carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC; 20%) was grafted to Polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers using the cold atmospheric plasma of helium. The PCL scaffolds were exposed to CAP, and functional groups were developed on the PCL surface. Results: The results of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy confirmed CMC (20%) graft on PCL scaffold. The Thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide assay showed a significant enhancement (p < 0.05) in the cell affinity and proliferation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) to CMC20%-graft-PCL scaffolds. After 14 days, bone differentiation was affirmed through alizarin red and calcium depositions. Conclusion: Based on the results, the CMC20%-graft-PCL can support the proliferation of ADSCs and induce the differentiation into bone with longer culture time.
Shiva Irani, Mahsa Paknejad, Masoud Soleimani, Azam Soleimani,
Volume 24, Issue 6 (11-2020)
Abstract
Background: A growing body of literature has revealed the effective role of miR-34a, as a tumor suppressor and regulator of expression of multiple targets in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. This study aimed at evaluating the potential effects of miR-34a alone or in combination with paclitaxel on breast cancer cells. Methods: After miR-34a transduction by lentiviral vectors in two MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines of breast cancer, effects of the elevated expression of miR-34a in the cell viability and the cell proliferation were determined using MTT assay in treated and untreated cells with paclitaxel. The mRNA level of the CCND1 (Cyclin D1)gene was then measured in the two cell lines using the qRT-PCR assay. Finally, the influence of miR-34a and paclitaxel on apoptosis and cell cycle progression were examined by flow cytometry. Results: The CCND1 mRNA expression levels were significantly down-regulated by overexpressed lentiviral miR-34a in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Combined treatment by miR-34a and paclitaxel reduced the cell viability and proliferation compared to single-drug treatment. In addition, the cell cycle arrest appeared at two phases by the combination of miR-34a and paclitaxel in MDA-MB-231 cells. Conclusion: Our results suggest that miR34a, in combination with paclitaxel, has a potential for decreasing the cell viability and proliferation. Moreover, it can reduce the expression of CCND1 mRNA independent of the paclitaxel effect.
Fatemeh Akhavan Attar, Mana Oloomi, Shiva Irani, Masoumeh Azizi, Loabat Geranpayeh,
Volume 25, Issue 2 (3-2021)
Abstract
Background: LncRNAs are considered as novel biological regulators and potential cancer biomarkers. LncRNAs MVIH and AK058003 are associated with microvascular invasion in HCC. In BC, upregulated MVIH and AK058003 expression levels have been shown to promote cell proliferation, though LncRNA-AK058003 acts as a tumor suppressor in HCC. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 30 healthy women and 30 female BC patients. RNA was extracted from the blood of both groups, and cDNA was then synthesized. Real-time PCR was used to measure the expression level of LncRNA-AK058003 and MVIH. Results: The expression level of two LncRNAs in the blood samples of BC patients increased significantly compared with healthy individuals. The levels of AK058003 and MVIH were not associated with lymph node metastasis (p = 0.402 and p = 0.39), tumor size (p = 0.76 and p = 0.461), and TNM stage (p = 0.574 and p = 0.711), respectively. Conclusion: As per our findings, LncRNA-AK058003 could serve as a suitable indicator for low stage of BC. In addition, the increased level of LncRNA-MVIH could be considered as a biomarker for BC, which needs more evaluation in the future.
Fatemeh Bossaghzadeh, Mohammadreza Hajjari, Abdolkarim Sheikhi, Iman Salahshourifar, Shiva Irani,
Volume 26, Issue 1 (1-2022)
Abstract
Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth most common human malignancy and the second reason for cancer morbidity worldwide. Long noncoding RNA (LncRNA) HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) has recently emerged as a promoter of metastasis in various cancer types, including GC, through the epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. However, the exact mechanism of HOTAIR in promoting EMT is unknown. Aberrant expression of the miR-200 family has been linked to the occurrence and development of various types of malignant tumors. This study investigates the correlation between the HOTAIR and miR-200 family gene expression patterns in GC cell lines. We investigated the miR-200 and HOTAIR due to their common molecular features in the EMT process. Methods: AGS and MKN45 cell lines were transfected with si-HOTAIR, along with a negative control. The effect of HOTAIR knockdown was also analyzed on cell viability and also on the expression of miR-200 family members, including miR-200a, -200b, and -200c, in cell lines using qRT-PCR. Statistical analysis was performed to find the potential correlation between the expression level of HOTAIR and miRs. Results: Our results showed significant increased miR-200 family expression level in transfected AGS and MKN45 GC cells (fold changes > 2; p < 0.001). Moreover, a negative correlation was observed between HOTAIR and miR-200 expression levels in GC cell lines (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings showed a significant association between miR-200 family and HOTAIR expression levels in GC cell lines. Taken together, the HOTAIR-miR-200 axis seems to play a vital role in human GC, suggesting a potential therapeutic target in future GC treatment.
Maryam Khani, Bernard Burke, Marzieh Ebrahimi, Shiva Irani, Fattah Sotodehnejhad,
Volume 26, Issue 3 (5-2022)
Abstract
Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) enhance tissue repair through paracrine effects following transplantation. The versican protein is one of the important factors contributing to this repair mechanism. Using MSC conditioned medium for cultivating monocytes may increase versican protein production and could be a good alternative for transplantation of MSCs. This study investigates the effect of culture medium conditioned by human MSCs on the expression of the versican gene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) under hypoxia-mimetic and normoxic conditions.
Methods: The conditioned media used were derived from either adipose tissue or from Wharton’s jelly (WJ). Flow cytometry for surface markers (CD105, CD73, and CD90) was used to confirm MSCs. The PBMCs were isolated and cultured with the culture media of the MSC derived from either the adipose tissue or WJ. Desferrioxamine and cobalt chloride (200 and 300 µM final concentrations, respectively) were added to monocytes media to induce hypoxia-mimetic conditions. Western blotting was applied to detect HIF-1α protein and confirm hypoxia-mimetic conditions in PBMC. Versican gene expression was assessed in PBMC using RT-PCR. Western blotting showed that the expression of HIF-1α in PBMC increased significantly (p < 0.01).
Results: RT-PCR results demonstrated that the expression of the versican and VEGF genes in PBMC increased significantly (p < 0.01) in hypoxia-mimetic conditions as compared to normoxia.
Conclusion: Based on the findings in the present study, the secreted factors of MSCs can be replaced by direct use of MSCs to improve damaged tissues.
Elham Zarghami Soltan Ahmadi, Afshin Shiva, Kamal Khademvatani, Mohammad Reza Vardast,
Volume 28, Issue 0 (Supplementary 2024)
Abstract
Introduction: Hypertension is a significant risk factor for coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease that causes mortality, morbidity, and considerable economic costs. It is an asymptomatic disease that is sometimes called the silent killer. Metoprolol is one of the most widely used medications for treating cardiovascular diseases. Various methods are used in clinical laboratories to determine the concentration of medications in biological fluids and monitor treatment. Among these methods are gas chromatography or high-performance liquid chromatography. Gas chromatography is a technique that separates very complex mixtures based primarily on boiling point/vapor pressure differences and polarity. This study aimed to determine the plasma concentration of metoprolol using a gas chromatography device with a flame ionization detector (FID) in patients with hypertension referred to Seyed al-Shohda Hospital in Urmia.
Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental study included 25 patients with hypertension. The patients' basic information was recorded using a standardized checklist. Then, a venous blood sample was obtained from patients in a steady state. Gas chromatography FID measured the plasma concentration of metoprolol.
Results: The linear range obtained from gas chromatography results was 1-500 µg/lit. The limit of detection and was 0.2 µg/L, and the limit of quantification was 1 µg/L. The mean ± standard deviation of concentration for hospitalized patients was 25.62 ± 18.78.
Conclusion and Discussion: A major global health problem in treating diseases such as diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension is overtreatment or undertreatment of patients; for instance, overtreatment of hypertension can lead to hypotension as well as drug toxicity. The results of this study show that the plasma concentration of the metoprolol was different in each patient, and gas chromatography is an effective and cost-effective method for determining the concentration of medications, which can be used to personalize treatment. However, to validate the results, it is essential to study a larger cohort of patients.
Mehrdad Negini, Mehrshad Marouei Milan, Denise Motazakker, Armita Jamshidi, Razieh Aghazadeh, Shiva Roshan-Milani,
Volume 28, Issue 0 (Supplementary 2024)
Abstract
Introduction: Prenatal methamphetamine exposure (PME) affects fetal growth and development, potentially leading to a variety of behavioral and neurological abnormalities. Behaviorally, PME is associated with increased anxiety/depressed problems and emotional reactivity, increased attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, and aggressive behaviors. Studies have demonstrated that PME increases seizure susceptibility in adult male and female rats. This study aimed to examine the effect of PME on seizure behaviors in male and female pre-pubertal rats.
Methods and Materials: Female pregnant rats were investigated in three groups: control, methamphetamine (0.1 mg/mL), and methamphetamine (0.6 mg/mL). Pregnant rats in the control group received only drinking water. The second and third groups received 0.1 and 0.6 mg/mL of methamphetamine, respectively, starting on day 15 until 19 of gestation (for five consecutive days). After parturition, on postnatal day (PND) 21 and 33, the pentylenetetrazol (50 mg/kg, IP)-induced epileptic behaviors of the offspring were investigated.
Results: In male pups of PME rats in PND33 subgroups, both the number and duration of focal seizures increased, whereas latency to focal seizures decreased, indicating more prevalent and severe seizure behaviors in these animals. Conversely, in PND21 subgroups of female PME rats, latency to immobility decreased while latency to focal seizure increased, but both number and duration of focal seizures greatly decreased. Other subgroups did not show any specific changes.
Conclusion and Discussion: The findings of this study suggest that prenatal environmental conditions and van influence individual behaviors, and the incorporation of genetic and epigenetic aspects in the development of neurobehavioral abnormalities may contribute to this phenomenon. Because of this evidence for child and adolescent behaviors being strongly influenced by prenatal conditions, along with the substantial and growing national and global threat of the methamphetamine consumption, primary prevention strategies aimed at girls and women are warranted.
Armita Jamshidi, Denise Motazakker, Parsa Sameei, Sina Fatehfar, Naseh Abdollahzade, Leila Chodari, Shiva Roshan Milani,
Volume 28, Issue 0 (Supplementary 2024)
Abstract
Introduction: Pregnancy-related stresses have an enormous impact on the development of the embryo and can cause various kinds of neurological diseases later in life. The harmful impact on the morphology and function of the central nervous system, which can ultimately affect memory and learning abilities, is the most required of these alterations. Prenatal stress (PS) can generate neurological abnormalities that can be prevented or lowered with the use of physical or pharmacological therapies. The present study investigates the consequences of maternal zinc supplementation and prenatal physical activities on PS-induced cognitive and memory disorders in female rat offspring.
Methods and Materials: Pregnant rats were divided into five groups: control, stress, stress + exercise, stress + zinc, and stress + exercise + zinc. The stress groups were exposed to restrain stress for five consecutive days (Gestational days 15-19). The exercise and zinc groups were similarly exposed to stress and subjected to either forced treadmill exercise (30 min/daily), zinc sulfate (30 mg/kg/orally), or both throughout the pregnancy. On the 30th post-natal day, the Morris Water Maze (MWM) examined the female offspring's cognitive function. Newborns received four consecutive days of training in the maze before passing a test on the fifth day.
Results: The time spent finding the plate was used to evaluate learning, and the time spent in the target zone was used to evaluate memory. The results showed that the exercise and zinc groups took less time to find the plate and spent more time in the target area than the stress group. Accordingly, the escape latency significantly increased from 11.8 ± 1 seconds in the control group to 17.6 ± 2 seconds in the prenatally stressed group on training day four, indicating the impairment of spatial learning in these rats. Prenatal exercise and zinc supplementation completely reversed PS-induced learning impairments. Furthermore, prenatally stressed rats spent a significantly shorter time in the target zone (37.5 ± 2.3 s) than their non-stressed counterparts (43.9 ± 2.4 s). The time spent in the target zone for the offspring in the stress + exercise and stress + zinc groups significantly differed from the prenatally stressed rats and approached the control levels. The combined effects of exercise and zinc supplementation produced non-additive effects on cognitive impairments.
Conclusion and Discussion: Both prenatal exercise and zinc supplementation demonstrated beneficial effects on the learning and memory performance of the prenatally stressed offspring. These outcomes highlight the importance of zinc and physical activity in preventing PS-induced cognitive decline. However, it seems that zinc and exercise independently affected stress responses in the offspring, and as such, their combined effects did not yield more significant effects than either alone.
Mehrshad Marouei Milan, Shiva Roshan Milani, Mehrdad Negini, Denise Motazakker, Razieh Aghazadeh,
Volume 28, Issue 0 (Supplementary 2024)
Abstract
Introduction: The global increase in methamphetamine abuse during pregnancy has put a significant number of children at risk for the adverse consequences of prenatal methamphetamine exposure (PME). However, the sex- and dose-dependent effects of PME have not been extensively studied in humans and other species. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of high- and low-dose PME on anxiety-like behaviors in male and female rats across two different adolescence age intervals.
Methods and Materials: Pregnant rats were investigated into three groups: (1) control, (2) methamphetamine (0.1 mg/mL), and (3) methamphetamine (0.6 mg/mL). The control group received only drinking water. The second and third groups were administered methamphetamine in their drinking water from gestational days 15 to 19. On postnatal days 21 and 33, anxiety-like behaviors were assessed in male and female offspring exposed to PME using the elevated plus maze test. Increased entries into the open arms and increased time spent in the open arm were considered indicators of reducing anxiety in rats. Aged 21 to 35 days, the rats are comparable to 2- to 11-year-old humans, which is considered the juvenile to early adolescent period.
Results: In 21-day-old male offspring, there was a significant increase in the time spent in the open arms among both 0.1 and 0.6 PME-exposed subgroups, indicating a reduction in anxiety-like behaviors associated with PME exposure in these offspring. Moreover, in 33-day-old female offspring, there was a significant increase in open arm entry in both 0.1 and 0.6 PME exposed subgroups, indicating an anxiolytic effect of PME in these individuals. Although some differences were observed in other subgroups, these changes were not statistically significant.
Conclusion and Discussion: Exposure to PME has different anxiety-like effects on the offspring of rats, depending on their gender and age. It can be inferred that the effect of PME exposure is similar between 21-day-old male and 33-day-old female offspring, both exhibiting anxiolytic effects. However, further research is necessary to clarify how PME may positively modulate PS-induced anxiety-like behavioral changes and to understand the underlying mechanisms involved.
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