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Background & Objective: Many factors interfere in liver fibrosis one of which is hepatitis B.The aim of our study was to determine the parameters serum iron, TIBC and ferritin of patients with hepatitis B and fibrosis of the liver

Methods: Study involved 50 cases with liver fibrosis and viral hepatitis type B (2002-2004)
and 26 controls. Iron concentration, Total iron-binding capacity and Ferritin concentration were measured by standard biochemical methods. To compare the results of the two groyps a student t-test was used and considering p< 0.05 the difference between two groups was significant.

Results: The results showed that serum ferritin increase 243.7±16.7 micro gr/L and 238.7±13.9 micro gr/L in man and women patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection compared to the control group, 198.5±14.3 and 182.7 ±14.3 mg/L in man and women, respectively. No significant difference was found between serum Iron and TIBC in both groups. there was a significant relationship between them.

Conclusion: Increased serum ferritin concentration and liver fibrosis induced by hepatitis B virus infection. Also, determination of serum ferritin could help in diagnosis of liver fibrosis.

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Background & Objective: Labor pain is one of the most severe pains that mothers experience. Intense pain leads to stress and has unfavorable effects on the mother and fetus. This research was done to determine the effect of using Entonox (N2O) self administration on reducing labor pain in the active phase of labor& delivery, Mode of delivery, and newborn's Apgar score.
Methods: One hundred and twenty primiparous women in 29 Bahman Hospital in Tabriz were included it this randomly single-blind research. In the active phase of delivery, Entonox and Oxygen gases were used. The severity of the mother's pain was asked and was scored according to analogue criterion.
Results: There was a significant difference in frequency of pain intensity in two groups of Entonox and Oxygen. The Mean score of pain intensity in Entonex user, in the first & second stage of labor was 5.93% and 5.82% respectively, while for the oxygen users it was 6.99% and 6.74% which was significant. 41.7% of the mothers in the Entonox group had a severe pain and 11.7% had a very severe pain, whereas in the Oxygen group 58.3% of the mothers had a severe pain and 25% of them had very severe pain (p< 0.001). Meanwhile we found no significant difference between modes of delivery progress of labor and newborn's Apgar
score.
Conclusion: According to research results, Entonox reduces the intensity of labor pain more than oxygen and is effective during the first and second phase of delivery.

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 Background & Objectives: Delivery is a process with pain so one of the midwives duties is to decrease the severity of pain during delivery so decrease in labor period has been much of a concern. Atropine and Hyosine are two common drugs in decreasing time of labor and decreasing the need for labor stimulation with oxytosine. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of hyoscine and atropine in the progress and time of labor.

 Methods:�This study was double blind clinical trial on 200 primiparous women who had labor pain and were admitted in labor in Alavi hospital in 2008. Who were randomly divided into two groups .the case group infused 20 mg Hyoscine with Atropine in the onset of active phase of labor (4cm dilation, Ruptured membrane) and in the control group 2cc, Dextrose water was infused 0.05. Then, progression in dilatation and effacement, time of active labor, time of 2^nd and 3^rd stage of labor, fetal heart rate monitoring, infant APGAR score of the 1^st and 5^th minute were registered. The data were analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive and analytical statistics as chi- square.

 Results: The findings indicated that there was a significant difference in dilatation & effacement between two groups (5/2cm/h, 1/5cm/h) (p<0.05). Duration of active phase of labor was 105 min in case group and 251 min in control group (p<0.05), duration of stage 2 was 17 min in case group and 33 min in the control group (p<0.05). Total time of labor and deliver (121 min in case group, 274 min in control group).incidence of Tachycardia and bradycardia in FHR in 30 min after infusion 25%(15% Tachycardia and 10% bradycardia in case group) 20% (12% Tachycardia and 8% bradycardia in control group) and no difference in two group was seen.

 Conclusion:�According to the finding s of this study Hyoscine and Atropine are effective in the progression of labor and delivery.

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  Background & Objectives : Bacterial vaginosis is a condition which is determined by changes in microbial ecosystem of vagina and is considered as a preventable risk factor for preterm delivery. This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of bacterial vaginosis screening program in routine prenatal care and its effect on decreasing preterm labor.

  Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted on 474 pregnant women at gestational stage between 2007 and 2008. The participants were randomly divided into 2 groups: intervention group and control group. Screening was performed in intervention group with Amsel's criteria (3 of 4 needed for diagnosis). Positive cases were given clindamycin cream (2%) for one week. The outcome of the delivery was assessed in both groups afterward. Data were analyzed by SPSS11 software using descriptive statistics.

  Results: There was no significant difference between two groups regarding pregnancy rank, wanted and unwanted pregnancy, insufficient weight gain, mother vaccination and complication of pregnancy. Bacterial vaginosis was observed in 17 out of 216 (8%) in the intervention group and then treated. Prevalence of preterm delivery in the intervention and control groups were 3 (1.4%) and 12 (4.7%), respectively. The relative risk was protective (RR: 0.3, DR: 0.033, NNT: 30).

  Conclusion: Screening and treatment of bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women could significantly decrease the rate of preterm delivery.

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  Background and Aim: Birth in the 21^st century is characterized by interventions. That interventions increase the risk for mother and baby without improving outcomes. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of physiological birth and routine normal delivery on some of maternal and fetus outcomes.

  Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 160 pregnant women. The participants were allocated in two groups of physiological birth (n=80) and routine normal delivery (n=80). Inclusion criteria were as following: Apgar score between one and five dilatation between three and four cm maternal age between 18-35 years gestational age between 37-40 weeks cephalic presentation and neonatal birth weight of 2500-4000 gr. Physiological birth care included labor begins on its own, freedom of movement throughout labor, continuous labor support, spontaneous pushing, no separation of mother and baby. Routine birth cares include routine interventions in labor or birth. Rate of cesarean, Apgar score and neonatal intensive care unit were evaluated in both groups. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16. The t-test, chi-square and Mann Whitney were the statistical tests of choice.

  Results: Rate of cesarean was significantly different between two groups (p=0.005). First minute Neonatal Apgar score was significantly different (p=0.011), but fifth minute Apgar was similar in both groups (p=0.470). The transmission to neonatal intensive care unit had also significant difference among two groups (p=0.029).

  Conclusion: The present study showed that the physiological birth is safe. It seems that the physiological birth decreases the rate of cesarean and transmission to neonatal intensive care unit, also improves the first minute neonatal Apgar scores.

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  Background & Objectives: Delivery is one of the most important events in a woman's life, and pain is an inevitable part of childbirth. The non-controlled pain leads to prolonged labor and multiple injuries to mother and fetus. This research was done to determine the effect of acupressure at the SP6 and LI4 points on the duration and pain of the labor in nulliparous women.

  Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 84 nulliparous women who were attended hospital in Ardabil. The participants were divided into two intervention and control groups using randomized blocking. Pressure has been done on SP6- LI4 points in intervention group. Pain intensity was measured before and after the intervention using visual analog scales and length of active phase and second stage were recorded through vaginal exam in the checklist. Determination of the effect of pressure on the intensity of labor pain and delivery length performed using paired t-test, Student’s t-test and chi-square by SPSS v.16.

  Results: After the intervention the mean level of pain intensity in the intervention group was decreased. Also, there was a significant decrease in mean intensity of pain after each intervention in the intervention group with different dilations (4, 6, 8, and 10 cm) (p<0.001).The mean duration of active phase and second stage in intervention group was significantly less than the control group . (p<0.001, p=0.008).

  Conclusion: Since acupressure at the SP6- LI4 point in different dilatations leads to the reduction in labor pain intensity and delivery duration, therefore, this method can be used to reduce the pain and duration of labor.

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Backgrounds & objectives: Liver damage results in a large accumulation of external cellular matrix that affects the function of this important body organ in a long term and finally stops its function completely. The growth factors existing in platelet extract are more cost-effective, available, and stable than recombinant ones. To determine whether the platelet extract effects on histological changes in liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄), we used immunohistochemical analysis in male rats.

Methods: In this project the 28 male Wistar rats (250-300 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups, each consisting of 7 animals. The rats were divided into four experimental groups as follows: the first group (sham) intraperitoneally received only olive oil as the solvent of carbon tetrachloride; second group (CCl₄) intraperitoneally received carbon tetrachloride dissolved in olive oil (ratio of about 1: 1) at a concentration of 1 ml/kg and a twice a week for eight weeks; third group subcutaneously received only platelet extract at a concentration of 0.5 ml/kg twice a week for three weeks; and fourth group received both CCl₄ intraperitoneally for eight weeks and platelet extract subcutaneously for last three weeks. After 8 weeks of trial blood and liver sampling were done. Blood samples sent for enzymatic (AST, ALT) tests and liver samples tested for histological and immunohistochemical studies. The data were analyzed using  one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey test by Graph pad Prism 5 software and data were considered significant at p&le; 0.05.

Results: The results show that platelet extract causes a significant (p&le; 0.001) decrease in liver enzymes and albumin improves the function of liver. The level of alfa smooth muscle actin (&alpha;-SMA) as an index of hepatic stellate cell activation was decreased by platelet extract administration which eventually reduced the necrosis and fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in studied rats

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Background and Objective: Since Abelmoschus esculentus plant has many medical benefits, the present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of Okra Powder (Abelmoschus esculentus) against high-fat diet fed-streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Methods: In this experimental study, 25 Wistar Albino female rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: I: control group; II: healthy rats receiving A. esculentus (200 mg/kg); III (HFD/STZ group): Rats fed with high-fat diet (HFD) (60% fat) for 4 weeks and then injected low-dose STZ (35 mg/kg); IV: diabetic rats receiving A. esculentus (200mg/kg) and V: diabetic rats receiving metformin (200 mg/kg). At the end of experiment, biochemical parameters, including Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG), insulin levels, Homa-IR index, ALT, AST and lipid profile were measured. Pancreas and Liver samples were removed, and 5-6 µ sections were prepared and stained by H&E and aldehyde fuchsin staining.

Results: All the biochemical parameters, except HDL-C and insulin, were increased in diabetic rats, while these parameters were decreased in Okra supplementation group compared to diabetic rats (p<0.05). Furthermore, Okra improved the histological impairments of pancreas and liver, including vacuolization, and decrease of β-cells as well as hypertrophy and vacuolization of hepatocytes in diabetic rats.

Conclusion: Okra powder improved biochemical parameters, liver structure and restoration of beta cells of pancreas in diabetic rats. Thus, it can be considered a complementary therapy to improve diabetic patients.

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Background & objectives: Terfezia boudieri (TB) has more than 15 types of proteins, gallic acid, catechins, flavonoids, tannins and other compounds such as beta-carotene and linoleic acid. Some of these compounds have antioxidant and anti-hyperlipidemia effects. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the antioxidant and protective effects of this fungus on the liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride.

Methods: 30 male Wistar rats were divided randomly into 5 groups (each group containing 6). Group 1 (normal control group) and group 2 (control CCl₄) were given normal saline for 14 days. Group 3, 4 and 5 received 500, 1000 and 1500 mg/ kg doses of methanol extract of TB for 14 days, respectively before the injection of carbon tetrachloride. In the fourteenth day, all groups except group 1 were given 1.5 ml/kg of carbon tetrachloride (V / V 1: 1 dissolved in olive oil). Group 1, instead of carbon tetrachloride, received 1.5 ml/kg of olive oil on the fourteenth day.

Results: Injection of carbon tetrachloride in rats increased serum activity of ALT, AST, ALP and serum degrees of triglycerides, VLDL, LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, glucose, and reduced HDL and total antioxidant capacity (TAC); while pre-treatment with methanol extract of TB significantly reversed the changes.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that methanol extract of TB can protect the liver against oxidants and free radicals produced by carbon tetrachloride metabolism.

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Background & objective:   One of the objectives of health reform plan in Iran is to reduce the rate of cesarean section delivery. This needs research and use of results to improve the maternal and neonatal outcomes. The aim of this study was to compare the maternal and neonatal outcomes after normal vaginal and cesarean section delivery in hospitalized low-risk mothers in Arash Hospital in Tehran, Iran.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 1900 low-risk pregnant women, with 37-40 weeks of gestational age, referring to the emergency department and being hospitalized for delivery were included. The data were collected from two groups of patients (normal vaginal delivery and cesarean section delivery). Data on wound infection, abnormal postpartum hemorrhage, decrease of hemoglobin, transfusion requirement, injuries to the genitourinary system, fever until 10 days after delivery, neonatal respiratory complications, NICU admission, jaundice and obstetric injuries were collected by a questionnaire.

Results: From 1900 pregnant women, 62.1% had cesarean delivery and 37.9% had normal vaginal delivery. The reasons for cesarean delivery included repeated cesarean (68%), failure to progress (18.1%), and fetal distress (13/9%). Wound infection (p=0. 004), abnormal postpartum hemorrhage (p=0.042) and low hemoglobin (p<0.001) were more frequent in cesarean delivery group than in normal vaginal delivery group. But obstetric injuries were higher in normal vaginal delivery group (p<0. 0001). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of fever ten days after delivery and blood transfusion requirement. For neonatal outcomes, transient neonatal tachypnea (p=0.032), neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (p=0.002), and NICU admission (p<0. 0001) were more frequent in cesarean delivery group than in normal vaginal delivery group. There was no difference between the two groups in neonatal jaundice rate and neonatal injuries.

Conclusion: Due to the high rate of cesarean section delivery in our country and higher rate of maternal and neonatal complications after cesarean section delivery, appropriate strategies are required to be applied to decrease unnecessary cesarean section delivery and increase normal delivery with minimum maternal and neonatal complications.

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Background & objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in the world which is associated with cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the plasma changes of chemerin and pentraxin-3 (PTX3) following 8 weeks of endurance training in men with NAFLD.
Methods: In this quasi-experimental Study, thirty four patients with NAFLD were selected purposefully. The participants were randomly divided into two groups, endurance training group (n=17) and control group (n=17). The endurance training program included eight weeks running on a treadmill with maximum heart rate (HRmax) intensity of 55-75% for 45 minutes three times a week. Seventy two hours before the beginning of the study and at the end of the eighth week, blood samples were taken from all the participants. The data were analyzed by paired sample t-test and independent t-test at the significant level p<0.05.
Results: Plasma levels of chemerin in the endurance training group significantly decreased (p=0.013). Also, there was a significant difference between the two groups after the end of the intervention (p=0.002). Plasma levels of PTX3 increased significantly in the endurance training group (p=0.001). There was also a significant difference between two groups after the end of the intervention (p=0.01).
Conclusion: The present study showed that the 8-week endurance training increased the plasma levels of PTX3 and decreased the plasma levels of chemerin in men with NAFLD. Endurance training, possibly through various mechanisms, reduces the inflammatory factors and increases the anti-inflammatory factors in men with NAFLD. Endurance training, probably by activation of lipolysis, over-regulation of unpaired protein-1 and activator receptors of peroxisomes proliferation-, changes in adipocytokines, etc. decreases charmicin and increases PTX3 levels of plasma in men with NAFLD.
 

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Background & objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver is one of the most common diseases. Nutrition and exercise are recommended for the patients with this disease, and chicory is considered due to its protective effects on the liver. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of chicory extract along with treadmill walking on the hepatic transaminases levels and tissue changes in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Methods: In this experimental study, 56 mature male rats were divided into control (without treatment), sham (treatment with high-fat diet 10 ml/kg) and 5 experimental groups receiving high-fat diet (10 ml/kg) with 200 and 100 mg/kg chicory extract alone and with treadmill walking. Chicory was administered as gavage in 28 consecutive days. At the end, after anesthetizing the animals and collecting blood from their hearts the Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes were measured. The their livers were removed and after preparing the tissue sections, the results of hepatic enzymes measurements were analyzed by ANOVA and Duncan tests and P≤0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The results showed that high-fat diet increased AST, ALT and ALP enzymes and hepatic tissue damage compared to the control group at p<0.001. Treatment with chicory and treadmill walking alone and together resulted in a significant reduction of the above enzymes at p<0.001 and improvement of hepatic tissue compared to the high-fat diet group.
Conclusion: The results showed that high-fat diet increased the levels of ALT, AST and ALP, and hepatic tissue damage. Treadmill walking and chicory extract alone and together reduced the above enzymes and improved the hepatic tissue structure.

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Background & objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of   oral creatine supplementation on biochemical markers of liver, kidney and testis in the male rats under swimming training plan.
Methods: In this study, male Wistar rats, weighing 245±5gr, were divided into five groups (n=8): control, exercise plus zero dose, exercise plus low-dose, exercise plus moderate dose and exercise plus high dose of creatine (200,300 and 600 mg/kg/d respectively). Biochemical studies of blood serum were performed ten days after creatine supplementation and swimming exercises. Following serum collection, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and testosterone levels were measured using spectrophotometry method. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS software using mixed model ANOVA.
Results: serum levels of ALP showed statistically significant differences between groups receiving low and moderate doses of creatine compared to both control and exercise with zero dose  (p<0.05). Also, the results of serum levels of BUN, ALT and AST showed there was no significant difference between the exercise plus zero dose of creatine, exercise plus low-doses of creatine group, exercise plus moderate dose of creatine, exercise plus high dose of creatine groups and control group. The exercise group with high doses of creatine significantly showed a higher serum creatinine level than control group (p<0.05).The serum testosterone level was significantly higher in the exercise with moderate doses of creatine group than in the control group and exercise plus zerecaratin dose (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The results suggested that short-term creatine supplementation (up to 10 days) might adversely affect some biochemical markers of liver, kidney and testis. However, further studies are necessarily needed to clarify the consumption of short-term creatine supplementation.
 

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Background & objectives:  with Regard to the increasing prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), focusing on various strategies for its prevention and management seem necessary. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of running on treadmill and low calorie diet on visfatin and hs-CRP values in people with NAFLD.
Methods: In this quasi-experimental Study, 55 NAFLD patients were selected and randomly assigned to one of four groups: training (n=14), diet (n=14), training plus diet (n=14) and control (n=13). The training program included eight weeks running on a treadmill with maximum heart rate intensity of 55-75% for 45 minutes three times a week. A low calorie diet with an energy deficit of 500 calories of daily energy intake was calculated from 3-day food records of the patients. Combined group subjects also used both types of intervention. Data were analyzed using covariance analysis and Bonferron's post hoc test at a significance level of p<0.05.
Results: Visfatin values in the training group (p=0.01), in the combined group (p=0.001) and also hs-CRP values in the training group (p=0.003) and the combined group (p=0.008) decreased significantly. The body mass index of subjects was significantly decreased by training (p=0.003) and combined intervention (p=0.001).
Conclusion: Running on treadmill and a low calorie diet simultaneously reduce the plasma levels of visfatin and hs-CRP in male patients with NAFLD. Therefore, these therapeutic interventions are beneficial in reducing NAFLD inflammatory factors.
 

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Background & objectives: Due to the prevalence of obesity and the subsequent development of metabolic risk factors, cardiovascular and fatty liver complications, exercise programs and the use of natural supplements can play a significant role in controlling and preventing these diseases. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to review the effect of eight weeks of combined exercise and Chlorogenic acid intake on C-reactive protein and liver enzymes in obese women.
Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, which was performed as a pre-test, post-test with a control group, a total of 48 obese women were selected purposefully and divided randomly into four equal groups (n=12); exercise, supplement, exercise+supplementation and control group. The exercises program consisted of 8 weeks of aerobic and resistance training, 3 sessions with 60 minutes per week. The chlorogenic acid supplement group received daily Green coffee in capsule form contain 400 mg powder for 8 weeks and the concurrent group performed exercise and received Green coffee simultaneously. By using blood sampling the variables were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention. Data were analyzed by t-test and ANOVA at significance level of p<0.05.
Results: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the supplement group were the lowest and in the exercise+supplementation group had the highest decrease and there was no significant difference in the control group. The C-reactive protein (CRP) in the training+supplementation group was significantly decreased and in the three experimental groups there was a significant difference compared to the control group (p≥0.05).
Conclusion: It seems that combined exercise and natural substances rich in chlorogenic acid can decrease inflammatory factors such as C-reactive protein and liver enzymes.
 

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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: Foxo1 is a transcription factor in insulin signaling in the liver. The function of Foxo1 is important in the ability of insulin to regulate hepatic glucose production and glucose homeostasis. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of resistance training program on Foxo1 expression in liver cells as well as glucose and insulin serum levels in male Wistar rats with type 2 diabetes.
Methods: The statistical population of this experimental study was 10-weeks old, male Wistar rats weighing 220±20 g (n=14). The studied rats were subjected to 6 weeks of high-fat diet and STZ injection for type 2 diabetes induction and then rats were randomly divided into two groups (control and resistance). The training group participated in a resistance training course for 6 weeks, 5 sessions per week, in the form of 4 sets and 5 repetitions per set, climbing a 26-step ladder to a height of one meter with a vertical slope of 80%. Finally, 48 hours after the last training session, fasting blood  glucose and insulin levels as well as Foxo1 expression level  in liver cells of both groups were measured and compared by independent t-test (a=%5).
Results: The resistance training improved fasting blood glucose compared to control subjects (p>0.001). the serum insulin levels were significantly increased (p=0.042) and Foxo1 expression significantly decreased in resistance group when compared with control subjects (p=0.023).
Conclusion: Based on these data, the decrease in glucose concentration in the exercise group can probably be attributed to the decreased expression of Foxo1 in hepatocyte cells in response to resistance training.

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Background & objectives: The liver is one of the most important organs in the body and plays an essential role in the metabolism of drugs and toxins. Therefore, any damage to the liver can disrupt its function and cause various diseases. On the other hand, due to the increasing use of the medicinal herbs, in this study, the effects of hepatic protection of aqueous extracts of Humulus lupulus on liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats were investigated.
Methods: In this experimental study, 36 male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups (n=6). Group 1 (normal control) and Group 2 (control CCl₄): administered with distilled water orally for 14 days. Groups 3, 4, and 5 received 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of Humulus lupulus extract for 14 days respectively. Group 6: administered with silymarin (as standard drug) 100 mg/kg orally for 14 days. All of the groups except group 1 received 1 ml CCl₄ (1:1 v/v dissolved in olive oil) on 14^th day. All animals were sacrificed and blood samples were collected to determine the biochemical parameters.
Results: Pretreatment with a Humulus lupulus extract significantly reduced the serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, TG, and increased the serum HDL levels, but did not have a significant effect on GGT and LDL levels.
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the Humulus lupulus extract can protect the liver from damage caused by carbon tetrachloride and have beneficial effects on lipid profile.

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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: Due to the existence of various issues and limitations associated with traditional buccal drug delivery systems such as the disability to consume food whilst using topical drugs in the mouth cavity, unpredictable drug release profile, undesirable taste, low patient adherence to therapy, and accelerated drug removal with saliva, these conventional methods are now rapidly becoming replaced with oral thin films as more precise and novel oral drug delivery platforms. The current study aims to discuss the design and characterization of betamethasone-loaded oral thin films with the aim of improved drug delivery in mouth cavity diseases.
Methods: In this study, oral thin films with and without betamethasone were fabricated through the solvent casting method as a common, fast, and affordable technique prior to being evaluated for different physiochemical characteristics including weight, width, surface pH, disintegration period in vitro conditions, and swelling rates as well as drug release profiles at different intervals.
Results: Obtained oral films were demonstrated to possess adequate homogeneity, flexibility, and mechanical resistance. Accordingly, the average surface pH for films without and with betamethasone was equal to 6.75 and 6.66, respectively, which are in notable compatibility with the neutral pH of the oral cavity. Betamethasone-loaded films’ disintegration duration appeared to be superior to that of films without betamethasone and was in close correlation with their higher swelling rates. Further experiments revealed 25-30% drug release in the initial 20 minutes, followed by more than 90% betamethasone release in 360 minutes in a sustained manner.
Conclusion: These results are indicative of betamethasone oral films’ satisfactory physiochemical properties and potential applicability as a sufficient oral drug delivery platform in mouth cavity diseases such as oral lichen planus or recurrent mouth sores. By sticking to the mouth mucosa, these films can significantly reduce drug removal with saliva and thus ameliorate sufficient delivery of therapeutic agents to specific mouth lesions. Moreover, they can alleviate some of the issues and limitations of traditional topical oral drug delivery and improve treatment or control of disease symptoms.