Background and Objectives:�Stem cells are characterized by the ability to renew themselves through mitotic cell division and differentiating into a diverse range of specific cell types. Wharton's jelly is the appropriate source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that have high differentiation competence. The aim of this study was differentiation of MSCs to lens fiber cells. In differentiation pathway of lens fiber cells, crystallins are expressed . Thus, crystallins can be used as differentiation marker of lens fiber cells.

  Method: In the current study MSCs were isolated from the mouse umbilical cord. It was minced into 1-2 mm³ fragments and then were incubated with collagenase type IA following pipetting for mechanical isolation of cells. Cell suspension was plated in 25 cm² culture flasks. Alkaline Phosphatase detection kit was used for staining of undifferentiated UC-MSCs from passage I. In the experimental group MSCs were plated in the maintenance medium supplemented with bovine vitreous body (1:3 v/v) for induction. Protein lysate were prepared from cells on days 10 of induction and were analyzed on polyacrylamide gels and transferred to nitrocellulose membranes. Rat lens extract was used as a positive control. Anti-alpha A, alpha B crystallin, secondary antibody, vectastain ABC- kit (standard) and vector blue alkaline phosphatase substrate kit III were used.

  Results: Mouse umbilical cord MSCs had alkaline phosphatase activity. Morphological studies and separation of proteins in electrophoresis indicated that experimental group cells might probably differentiated into lens fiber cells.

  Conclusion: Mouse umbilical cord could be used as an appropriate source for MSCs. MSCs had fibroblast- like morph and experimental group indicated the presence of fiber-like cells that were long, thin, and parallel aligned. Electrophoresis and Western blot analysis showed there was a detectable expression of early developmental marker of lens fiber cells differentiation in experimental group.

Background & objectives: PCOS is one of the most prevalent endocrinology disorders and 5-15% of women in fertility age suffer from this disease. The leptin a 167 amin oacid peptide is secreted from adipose tissue in a pulsatile fashion. This hormone is essential in regulation of normal body weight and like the klotho hormone that is expressed most prominently in the distal convoluted tubules of kidneys and the choroid plexus of brain, has a role in pathogenesis of reproductive disorders. The secreted klotho has been identified as an anti-aging and anticancer hormone. Metformin is an anti-hyperglycemic drug with anorexic properties that could influence the function of ovaries.

Methods: In this case-control study, 45 patients with PCOS who referred to the infertility center of Jahad-e-Daneshgahi in the city of Ardabil from March 2013 through March 2014, were selected in accordance with the NIH criteria. Moreover, 45 healthy women were also selected as the control group. BMIs were calculated by division of weight by square of height and insulin resistance index was calculated by HOMA-IR model. Leptin and klotho serum levels were measured using ELISA kit. In the case group the measurements were repeated after a one-month course of therapy with metformin. Data analysis performed by SPSS software using dependent and independent t-tests.

Results: PCOS patients showed significant improvements after receiving metformin for one month.
Patients’ weights showed some decline. Fasting plasma glucose levels and insulin resistance decreased significantly (p<0.01). Hormonal assays indicated significant decrease in leptin and insulin levels and rise in Klotho levels. BMIs did not change meaningfully. Measurements of leptin and klotho levels showed a decrease in mean leptin levels from 34.74 to 28.41 ng/l and the level of klotho increased from 4.01 to 5.43 ng/l.

Conclusion: This study showed that metformin treatment can cause a rise in klotho and a decrease in leptin levels without considerable effects on the weights of women with PCOS. Probably, leptin exerts its physiological effects in low concentrations while klotho in contrast acts physiologically in higher concentrations.