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  Background & Objectives: Staphylococci are among common causes of community acquired and nosocomial infections around the world. Over the last decade, the resistance of these bacteria in hospital environments is increasing to various antibiotics such as vancomycin. The aim of present study was to determine the antimicrobial resistance pattern and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values among a clinical collection of staphylococci isolated from hospitalized children in Tabriz.

  Methods: In this prospective and descriptive study, 88 staphylococcal isolates including 53 S. aureus and 35 coagulase-negative staphylococcus species were recovered from various clinical specimens referred to microbiology laboratory of Children Hospital during study period (April 2011 to March 2012). Susceptibility of the isolates against 15 different antimicrobial agents and MIC values of vancomycin was tested using standard disk diffusion and E-test methods respectively.

  Results: According to the results of drug susceptibility testing, vancomycin and rifampin were the most effective but clindamycin and penicillin were the least effective drugs against tested isolates. Accordingly, the prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains was determined more than 80%. According to MIC values, 13.2% of S. aureus and 3.3% of coagulase-negative staphylococcus isolates showed intermediate resistance to vancomycin. None of the isolates was fully resistant to vancomycin isolates in this study.

  Conclusion: Although fully vancomycin resistant staphylococci was not found among tested isolates in this study, there was VISA strains. Since there are reports on the emergence of VRSA strains from Iran and other countries, it is necessary for the clinician to care in prescription of vancomycin as a selective drug against staphylococcal infections. Moreover, the necessity of MIC measurement in determining of vancomycin susceptibility is more apparent.

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Background & objectives: Irisin is a novel myokine that encoded by FNDC5 gene and effects on obesity, metabolism and glucose homeostasis through browning of white adipose tissue and thermogenesis. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of FNDC5 gene expression and Irisin protein level of visceral fat tissue after eight weeks of resistance training in type 2 diabetic rats.
Methods: Eighteen male Wistar rats (8 week old) were used for this study. Diabetes was induced using nicotinamide and streptozotocin . Five days after inducing diabetes, rats with fasting blood glucose levels between 127-600 mg / dl were selected as diabetic subjects. Rats were homogenized according to the body weight and assigned into two groups including control-diabetes (n=9) and resistance training-diabetes (n=9). Training group exercised resistance training for eight weeks (5 days a week). The resistance training protocol consisted of climbing   a one-meter- high ladder, with a weight attached to a tail sleeve. Quantitative Real time RT-PCR and ELISA Kit were used for assessment of expression level of FNDC5 gene and Irisin protein, respectively. Data were analyzed using independent t- test at p≤0.05.
Results: Resistance training significantly increased the expression level of FNDC5 gene and Irisin protein in visceral adipose tissue in type 2 diabetic rats.
Conclusion: It seems that FNDC5 gene and Irisin protein have an important role in metabolic diseases and can be affected by resistance training. Perhaps the changes in the levels of these metabolic indicators is a potential new target for the treatment of metabolic disorders, such as T2DM (type 2 diabetes).

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Background & objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of aerobic training along with resveratrol on cardiac expression of OPA1 and DRP1 in NAFLD male rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, forty eight male Wistar rats were classified into two groups: NAFLD (n=40) and Control-Normal (CN), (n=8). NAFLD was induced in rats with high fat diet and then subdivided into five subgroups, including patient (NAFLD), sham (SHAM), exercise-patient (TRNAF), supplement-patient (SUPNAF) and exercise-supplement-patient (TRSUPNAF). Training groups performed a running program on a motor-driven treadmill for eight weeks. Resveratrol (20 mg/kg) was injected into the SUPNAF and TRSUPNAF groups. Forty eight hours after the last training session, rats were anesthetized; hearts were excised and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80°C for measuring the indexes. Statistical analysis was performed using a one way analysis of variance, and Statistical significance was accepted at p≤ 0.05.
Result: The results indicated that the induction of NAFLD decreased OPA1 expression (p=0.001) and increased DRP1 expression (p=0.001) compared to CN. Also, in SUPNAFLD and TRSUPNAF groups, OPA1 (p=0.014 and p=0.001 respectively) increased and DRP1 (p=0.043 and p=0.007 respectively) decreased significantly compared to the NAFLD group.
Conclusion: It seems that exercise training and resveratrol alone or in combination by increasing OPA1 and decreasing DRP1 myocytes modulates heart damage in NAFLD patients.
 

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Background & objectives: Lipocalin family proteins, have been identified as adipokines associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D) and the metabolic syndrome. Exercise training and active compounds of plants have potency as antidiabetic that can be used for treating T2D. We have evaluated the effect of exercise training and Momordica chianti L. on Retinol binding protein-4(RBP4), Fatty acid binding proteins-4 (FABP4) and Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) in Men with T2D.
Methods: In this clinical trial study, 36 T2D men in Tehran were selected and randomly divided into four groups (control, M. charantia, training and M. charantia+training). The training groups participated in a progressive aerobic training for eight weeks, three sessions per week (40% to 70% of the reserved heart rate for 15 to 45 min). The groups of M. charantia and M. charantia+training received 2000 mg of M. charantia for eight weeks (twice a day before breakfast and dinner). Two days before and after the protocol, blood samples were taken in fasting state. Data were analyzed using Independent t test and ANOVA at p<0.05.
Results: The results showed that the RBP4, FABP4 and LCN2 decreased significantly in the experimental groups (p<0.0001). Also, RBP4, FABP4 and LCN2 levels were significantly decreased in  the M. charantia+ training group compared to training and M. charantia groups (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Aerobic training and M. charantia may decrease inflammation in T2D patients by decreasing lipocalins. Furthermore, aerobic training along with M. charantia had a better effect. 

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Background & objectives: Osteoarthritis as a result of the destruction of articular cartilage, leads to joint pain and stiffness. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of endurance and ozone therapy on the expression levels of FLS and VEGF genes in the knee tissue of rats with knee osteoarthritis.
Methods: Subjects were male Wistar rats that were randomly divided into 5 groups after two weeks of adaptation, including: control-healthy, control-patient, patient-ozone, patient-exercise and patient-sport. For adapting the rats to exercise and treadmill, walking program was performed before exercise program. The training program consisted of 30 minutes of running on a treadmill with no slope at a speed of 16 m/min for the first week and one m/min added weekly until it reached 22 m/min in the eighth week. Ozone was injected into the knee through the tibiofemoral articular line at a concentration of 20 μg/ml once a week for 3 weeks at 9 o'clock in the morning. Expression levels of FLS and VEGF genes were measured by Real Time PCR. One way ANOVA and Tukey's method were used to determine the difference between groups.
Results: The results showed that the expression levels of FLS and VEGF genes were significantly increased in rats with osteoarthritis. It was also shown that physical training and ozone therapy led to a decrease in FLS and VEGF gene expression levels in osteoarthritic rats. VEGF and its receptors are expressed in OA cartilage and indicating the possibility that VEGF is involved in the elimination of OA articular cartilage by increasing MMP production.
Conclusion: The results of this study are promising for the role of VEGF as a diagnostic marker. VEGF can participate in early OA changes and a treatment modality by modulating VEGF production, which can be considered in future.

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Background & objectives: The increased incidence of metabolic diseases (e.g., diabetes and obesity) has seriously affected human health and life safety worldwide. It is of great significance to find effective drugs from natural compounds and exercise to treat metabolic diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of berberine chloride with aerobic training on Liver Gene Expression Nrf2, HO-1 and PPARγ in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.
 Methods: In this experimental study,  32 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=8): Diabetes (DM), Diabetes-Berberine (BDM), Diabetes-Aerobic Training (TDM), Diabetes-Aerobic Training -Berberine (TBDM). Diabetes was induced by injection of STZ in male rats. Berberine chloride (30 mg/kg/day) were administered orally, by gavage, once a day. Training groups have performed a progressive aerobic running program (at 10-18 m/min, 10-40 min/day, and 5 days/week) on a motor-driven treadmill for six weeks.
Results: There was a significant increase in Nrf2 and HO-1 expression in BDM in BDM (p=0.027 and p=0.038, respectively), TDM (p=0.022 and p=0.028, respectively) and TBDM (p=0.000 and p=0.000, respectively). This increase was also observed in TBDM groups compared to BDM (p=0.034 and p=0.034, respectively) and TDM (p=0.043 and p=0.046, respectively). PPARγ was significantly increased in TDM (p=0.046) and TBDM (p=0.001) groups.
Conclusions: Berberine chloride combination with exercise may possibly inhibit STZ-induced liver damage through up-regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and PPARγ.

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Background & objectives: Obesity and a high-fat diet (HFD) lead to metabolic disorders in the liver by affecting the signaling pathways of fat and glucose metabolism. Exercise and dietary habits are of special interest to prevent and counteract obesity and its associated metabolic disorders. Also, Capsaicin ameliorates diet-induced obesity in rodents and humans. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of aerobic exercise and capsaicin on the gene expression level of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and protein kinase B (Akt) in the liver of HFD rats.
Methods: in this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were fed a normal diet (ND, n=8) or high-fat diet (HFD) (n=32) for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, all rats were divided into 5 groups: normal diet (ND), high-fat diet (HFD), high-fat diet-training (HFDT), high-fat diet-capsaicin (HFDCap), high-fat diet-training-capsaicin (HFDTCap). Training groups have performed a moderate- intensity aerobic running program (60-50% VO2max, at 15-25 m/min, 30-60 min/day, and 5 days/week) on a motor-driven treadmill for eight weeks. Capsaicin (4 mg/kg/day) was administered orally, by gavage, once a day.
Results: Induction of diabetes was associated with decreased AMPK expression (p=0.0001) and increased Akt (p=0.0001). The results showed that training and capsaicin significantly increased AMPK expression (p=0.032 and p=0.045, respectively) and decreased Akt expression (p=0.045 and p=0.049, respectively) in HFD rat hepatocytes. Also, the interaction of training and capsaicin had a significant effect on the expression of AMPK (p=0.017) and Akt (p=0.0001).
Conclusion: The results showed that HFD impaired hepatocyte function and that aerobic exercise and capsaicin increased lipogenesis with increasing AMPK and decreasing Akt expression. However, the interaction effect of training with capsaicin was greater.

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Background & objectives: Recent evidence suggests that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are involved in regulating of adipose tissue. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of three resistance training methods on bone morphogenetic protein 2 and lipid profile in obese men.
Methods: In a semi-experimental trial, 44 obese men (23-32 years) were selected and randomly divided into four groups, including control, interval resistance training, traditional resistance training and circuit resistance training. Interval, traditional and circuit resistance training performed with an intensity of 50% of maximum repetition and active rest, 3-time sessions per week for 12 weeks. Serum BMP-2 levels were measured using an ELISA kit. Data were analyzed using paired t-test, one-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc test at the p<0.05.
Results: The results showed that interval, traditional and circuit resistance training were associated with a significant decrease in bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), LDL, cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in interval, traditional and circuit resistance training groups, and also a significant increase in HDL concentration in interval and circuit resistance training groups in comparison with   the pretest (p<0.001). BMP-2 levels were significantly lower in the interval resistance training group than in the traditional resistance training group (p<0.001). The HDL and LDL, cholesterol and triglycerides levels in obese men in the interval and circuit resistance training groups were significantly higher and lower than in the interval resistance training group, respectively (p<0.001).
Conclusion: 12 weeks of the interval, circuit and traditional resistance training were associated with decreased BMP-2 and improved lipid profile in obese men, and interval resistance training may be more effective on BMP-2 and lipid profile in obese men.