Iranian Journal of

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Background: In many studies, Serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels considered as an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to assess the association between Lp(a) and cervical carotid artery stenosis in one sample the Iranian population.
Methods: As a cross sectional study, between June 2004 and January 2005, at Tehran Heart Center, 1189 candidates for any kind of open heart surgery, were recruited into this study. Carotid Dopplers ultrasonography was performed for all participants. Serum levels of Lp(a), total cholesterol, triglyceride and blood sugar and quantitative CRP were measured in fasting state and their correlations with carotid atherosclerosis were assessed.
Results: Among 1189 participants, 837 (70.5%) were male and 352 (29.4%) were female. Their mean age was 60±9.3 years (range between 35 to 88). There was not significant relation between Lp(a) serum levels and carotid artery stenosis (P=0.46). The relationship between Lp(a) levels and carotid artery stenosis in both ≤55 years and >55 years patients was not significant too (P=0.25). Also gender has no relationship in this regard (P=0.15). Significant relationship was found between Lp(a) level & hypoecho plaques (vulnerable lesions) (P=0.001).
Conclusion: In our study, we found no significant correlation between serum Lp(a) and carotid stenosis. Lp(a) was found to have positive relationship with hypoecho plaques (vulnerable lesions) which predispose patients for CVA. Further investigations suggest for better evaluations.

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Background: Many researches have been conducted on islet cells' transplantation for a definitive treatment of diabetes mellitus type1. As the viability of the islets is the most important factor in predicting the transplantation prognosis, we have designed a study to isolate rat's islets. The aim of the study was to assess the viability of the islets at different stages and suggest the best transplantation time.
Methods: Pancreatic islets were isolated from male rats (250-300gr) by standard surgical procurement followed by intraductal HBSS distension, chopping and digestion with collagenase (type V). After being centrifuged for 3 times, the islets were then hand-picked and incubated in 37oC with RPMI 1640 media for 6 days. Each well contained 35-45 islets. Viability of islets was assessed by 2 independent investigators, giving score 0-2 to the color of islets under florescent microscope after Propidium iodide/Acridine orange staining at 6 times: just after the incubation, 24h, 48h, 3rd day, 5th and 6th day.
Results: The viability of the islet cells was gradually increased after the incubation as we had the most viability rate after the second day, while it decreased after this period and reached the least rate on the 5th and 6th day.
Conclusion: The islets' viability increased following the cell culture after the isolation procedure, as they have the best condition for transplantation after 48 hours. As the islets’ viability is the most critical point in transplantation, further studies evaluating the effects of different interventions on viability is needed.

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Background: Diabetes mellitus, which is associated with elevated blood glucose, lipids and liver enzymes, may results in alterations in the production of inflammatory cytokines, including chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), which induce and promote complications of diabetes such as atherosclerosis.The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum level of chitinase-3 like 1 protein (YKL-40) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in type 2 diabetes with coronary artery disease compared to diabetic and healthy control.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 87 subjects in four groups, including: 23 samples as healthy control (Group 1), 22 patients with type 2 diabetes (Group 2), 20 patients with coronary artery disease (Group 3) and 22 patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease (Group 4). Serum Fasting blood sugar (FBS), Cholesterol, Triglyceride, Low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), High density lipoprotein (HDL-C), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), YKL-40 and hs-CRP were determined.
Results: The mean serum levels of FBS (Group 1 with 2 and 4, Group 2 and 3, P = 0.001), Cholesterol (Group 1 and 3, P = 0.03), Triglyceride (Group 2 and 3,p=0.027), HDL-C (Group 1 with 3 and 4, P = 0.02, P = 0.01 respectively), ALT (Group 1 and 4, P = 0.03, Group 2 and 4, P = 0.02) and AST (Group 2 and 4, P = 0.009) were significantly different..The mean serum levels of YKL-40 were significantly difference in the group 1(4.81±1.27 ng/ml) and group 2 (15.52±4.61 ng/ml) (P=0.01), group 3 (19.2±2.75 ng/ml, P=0.017) and group 4 (16.1±4.17 ng/ml, P=0.04). Also, The mean serum levels of hs-CRP in the group 3 (4.49± 1.53 μg/ml) and group 4 (1.28 ± 0.43 μg/ml) was significantly difference (P= 0.028).
Conclusion: Serum levels of YKL-40 are increased in people with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease. It is recommended to determine the serum level of this marker in these patients.
 

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Background: Xanthohumol is one of the main bioactive compounds extracted from the female flowers of the hops plant (Humulus lupulus L), that has been shown in several studies to have anti-cancer effects.The MAPK/ERK pathway is one of the key pathways in the regulation of gene expression, cell growth and survival. The abnormal activation of this pathway leads to the uncontrolled cell proliferation in thyroid cancer. This study aims to perform a bioinformatic screening of the proteins in the MAPK/ERK pathway and introduce them as target protein to Xanthohumol. In addition, due to the significant role of EGFR, Grb2, SOS proteins in the MAPK/ERK pathway, they have also been studied.
Method: Using SwissADME software, first the physicochemical, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of Xanthohumol are predicted. Then three-dimensional structure of Xanthohumol and target proteins (EGFR, Grb2, SOS, RAS, BRAF, MEK1, MEK2, ERK1, ERK2) were collected from PubChem database and Protein Data Bank, finally, using Auto Dock 4.1.the molecular docking were studied.
Results: Our study shows lack of cytotoxicity in Xanthohumol. In addition, Xanthohumol with proper physicochemical properties does not induce drug resistance through pump P-glycoprotein mechanism. Analysis of molecular docking indicate that Xanthohumol has inhibitory potential to the all proteins studied. Note that its strongest interaction is with MEK2 protein with binding energy-7.04kcal.mol^-1.
Conclusion: According to our results, Xanthohumol has inhibitory potential to the all proteins present in the MAPK/ERK pathway. It lacks cytotoxicity. Thus, it can be considered as an alternative inhibitor for the MAPK/ERK pathway in thyroid cancer cells.

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Background: In many years, finding modern and appropriate treatments for diseases, especially chronic diseases (such as chronic metabolic diseases) have been one of the most important issues. On the other hand, limitations related to organ transplantation have made a serious need for advanced therapeutic strategies. In this respect, researchers have recognized the benefits of stem cells as a suitable tool. Accordingly, the application of stem cells for the treatment of various diseases has been considered in many countries around the world especially Iran.
Methods: A review of the history of stem cell studies in Iran and the world was conducted and the Cell Therapy and Reconstructive Medicine Research Center was introduced as one of the leading centers in this field and a review was conducted on the activities of this center.
Results: The history of studies related to cell-based therapy in Iran back to 1990. Subsequently, the Cell Therapy and Reconstructive Medicine Research Center, by providing services based on GMP principles, has provided clinical services in accordance with international standards and has conducted various researches in this field.
Conclusion: The purpose of the current review is to examine the strategies and challenges around the research and treatment opportunities using stem cells in mentioned center.
 

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Background: The increasing trend of diabetes patients requires lifestyle interventions to improve the self-management ability of these patients, and achieving this requires the use of valid tools in this field. This study aimed to determine the psychometric properties of the Comprehensive Diabetes Self-Management Scale (CDSMS) in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Methods: The present study was methodological research that was conducted in 2023. At the beginning of the work, the CDSMS questionnaire was translated into Persian using the standard translation-back translation method. Then, face validity, content validity, convergent validity, internal consistency, and instrument stability were determined. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, Cronbach's alpha calculation, Kappa index, Pearson correlation coefficient, and intra-cluster correlation coefficient in SPSS software version 24.
Results: Based on the results, all the items of the instrument were retained. The total content validity index score of the Persian version of this questionnaire was 0.987. Also, the Kuder-Richardson and Kappa indices were 0.704 and 0.730, respectively. The level of agreement at two measurement times, two weeks apart, ranged from 0.503 to 0.990. The intra-cluster correlation index was also observed to be in the range of 0.625 to 0.952 and was significant (P < 0.001). The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the instrument was also 0.83.
Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that the Persian version of the CDSMS questionnaire with 14 items has good validity and reliability and can be used to evaluate the self-management status of patients with type 2 diabetes in Iran.