Journal of School of Public Health and

Background and Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is considered as a common inflammatory disease of the human central nervous system (CNS). 4 amino pyridine (4-AP), a potassium channel blocker, is used widely in MS treatment to reduce fatigue and cachexia often experienced by the patients. The objective of this study was to get a better understanding of the mechanism of action of this drug, using the cell culture model. More specifically, we attempted to determine the effects of the drug on 1. The profileration of, and its cytotoxicity on, the neurons, and 2. The activity of MMP-9 in the neurons.

Materials and Methods: Considering the available reports on the wide range of 4-AP effects, we designed this study to investigate its possible role in proliferation or cytotoxicity of the MS cellular model, i.e. astrocytoma U373-MG, using the MTT assay technique. We also analyzed the effect of 4-AP on cell functionality as assessed by matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) zymography.

Results: The results showed that while 4-AP at a concentration of 0.1 and 1 mM has no significant cytotoxic effects on the treated cells, it has remarkable MMP-9 inhibitory effects (p<0.01). The proliferation analyses confirmed the stability of 4-AP effects on cell functionality.

Conclusion: On the whole, the results of the present study show the desirable effect of 4-AP on MMP-9 activity at non-cytotoxic doses, promising its further therapeutic applications.

Background and Aim: The role of physical activity in prevention of non-communicable diseases is now well known. The purpose of the present study was to find any possible association between physical activity and bone mineral density (BMD) in the hip and lumbar spine areas in women in postmenopausal years. 

Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including 254 postmenopausal women aged 46 to 78 years. Body composition and BMD were determined using the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and DEXA methods, respectively, and for physical activity measurement the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used.

Results: The distribution (%) of  the subjects according to the level of physical activity ─  inactive, moderate and active ─ was 39.7%, 47.6% and 12.5% respectively. There was a positive association between physical activity level and lumbar spine BMD (P = 0.03) in the 55-year-old or younger women. No association was found between physical activity level and the hip BMD(P>0.05).

Conclusion: Based on the findings it may be concluded  that physical activity level can be used as a predictor of bone mineral density in the lumbar spine area in women in postmenopausal years (≥55 years old).