Tehran University Medical Journal

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Background: Tumor cells need food and oxygen supply for growth and division. Therefore one of the most promising areas of cancer therapy focuses on using agents that inhibit tumor angiogenesis. Inhibition of angiogenesis prevents cell growth, division and metastasis. Previous studies showed that plasminogen related Protein-B has an anti-tumor activity in mice. This protein has a high level of homology with preactivation Peptide (PAP) of human plasminogen. According to this high homology, antiangiogeneic activity of PAP was investigated in an in vitro angiogenesis model.

Methods: PAP encoding region of human plasminogen gene was isolated by Polymerase Chain Reaction and ‎cloned in pGEX-2T vector. This plasmid was expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein (GST-PAP). ‎GST-PAP was expressed as inclusion body and purified by affinity chromatography on GSH-sepharose ‎resin after refolding. antiangiogenic effects of purified protein were surveyed with Matrigel assay‏.‏‎ ‎

Results: The GST-PAP was expressed and purified and its accuracy was confirmed by SDS-PAGE analysis ‎and immunoblotting. Microscopic studies showed that GST-PAP inhibited angiogenesis in Matrigel system ‎which is shown by shrinking the length of capillary like structures and a decrease in the number of tubule. ‎While applying concentarations of 25μg/ml of GST-PAP and concentrations above that, antiangiogenic ‎activity of GST-PAP was significant comparing to the controls. ‎

Conclusion: Finding shows that GST-PAP can inhibit network formation in Matrigel system. This findings ‎support the theory that PAP is a potent angiogenesis inhibitor.‎

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Background: Tumor cells need food and oxygen supply for growth and division. Therefore one of the most promising areas of cancer therapy focuses on using agents that inhibit tumor angiogenesis. Inhibition of angiogenesis prevents cell growth, division and metastasis. Previous studies showed that plasminogen related Protein-B has an anti-tumor activity in mice. This protein has a high level of homology with preactivation Peptide (PAP) of human plasminogen. According to this high homology, antiangiogeneic activity of PAP was investigated in an in vitro angiogenesis model.

Methods: PAP encoding region of human plasminogen gene was isolated by Polymerase Chain Reaction and ‎cloned in pGEX-2T vector. This plasmid was expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein (GST-PAP). ‎GST-PAP was expressed as inclusion body and purified by affinity chromatography on GSH-sepharose ‎resin after refolding. antiangiogenic effects of purified protein were surveyed with Matrigel assay‏.‏‎ ‎

Results: The GST-PAP was expressed and purified and its accuracy was confirmed by SDS-PAGE analysis ‎and immunoblotting. Microscopic studies showed that GST-PAP inhibited angiogenesis in Matrigel system ‎which is shown by shrinking the length of capillary like structures and a decrease in the number of tubule. ‎While applying concentarations of 25μg/ml of GST-PAP and concentrations above that, antiangiogenic ‎activity of GST-PAP was significant comparing to the controls. ‎

Conclusion: Finding shows that GST-PAP can inhibit network formation in Matrigel system. This findings ‎support the theory that PAP is a potent angiogenesis inhibitor.‎

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Background: Ekiri syndrome or lethal toxic encephalopathy is a complication of shigellosis with dysentery, hyperpyrexia, seizures, headache and altered level of consiousness, which rapidly progresses to death. These children die at the beginning of the disease (8-48 hours from the beginning of symptoms), from brain edema. However they had no symptoms or signs of sepsis, dehydration, DIC or Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS).

Methods: This survey is a case series study of children with Ekiri syndrome in Bahrami hospital from October 1998-2008 presented with loss of consciousness, colitis and high fever shortly after admission. Information about the patients was gathered from the documents according to physical signs and symptoms, lab data of those whom Ekiri syndrome had been diagnosed for them. Studied variables in this assessment were age, sex, fever, convulsions and loss of consciousness. Headache, encephalopathy, dehydration, elevated ICP, colitis, underline disease, stool, blood and CSF cultures.

Results: The subjects contain 13 cases (10 male, 3 female), averaged 30/5 months of age. All had seizure, elevated ICP, encephalopathy and coma. All of the patients had fever between 39 and 40, averaged 39.5 degree of centigrade. Seven patients had headache and three ones was dehydrated. The first presentation symptom in three patients was gastroenteritis, in 9 was siezure and in 1 patient was headache. Stool culture in all patients was positive, but blood culture was positive in only one of them. CSF culture was negative in all of the patients. Mortality was 100%.

Conclusion: Symptoms, signs and presentation of Ekiri syndrome, a rare complication of infection with shigella, in the patients in Bahrami hospital was similar with the other studies beforehand in other countries. In this study, all the patients were died and supportive treatments were ineffective.

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Background: Since the systemic steroids are introduced in Pemphigus Vulgaris treatment, the prognosis of disease improved significantly. This study was designed to evaluate determining factors in the prognosis of pemphigus vulgaris in Iranian patients.

Methods: In this study, 119 patients with documented pemphigus vulgaris who had presented to Razi Hospital from 2001 until 2003 were included. These patients had presented for the first time and treated with prednisolone and Azathioprine. Morality rate, minor and major relapses and duration of first remission had been defined as prognostic criteria and correlation between them and other demographic variables and disease characteristics were investigated.

Results: The majority of patients (84.1%) were followed for more than one year. The major recurrence and minor recurrence occurred in 28(23.5%) and 65(54.6%) of patients respectively, no case of mortality was observed. In patients who received treatment six months or less after onset of disease the frequency of major recurrence was less than the others. 18(17.8%) vs. 12(41.4%), (p=0.009). Duration of primary remission more than one year was detected in most of the patients (64.7%). In patients with less than 10 initial cutaneous lesions, period of primary remission was longer than the other patients. (p=0.009). Shorter duration of primary remission were noted in older patients (age>50) in comparison with younger patients (age≤50, p=0.04).

Conclusions: Male gender, old age, interval more than 6 months between onsets of symptoms to initial treatment and more than 10 skin lesions on admission, are associated with poor prognosis of pemphigus vulgaris.

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Background: Previous studies suggested that stressful events that release Glucocorticoid from adrenal cortex and also injection of agonists of glucocorticoids receptors probably affect emotional learning and memory process and modulate them. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of acute stress and systemic injection of Corticosterone (as agonist of glucocorticoid receptors) on acquisition (ACQ), consolidation (CONS) and retrieval (RET) of emotional memory in rat.

Methods: In this experimental study we used 180 male Wistar rats (220-250). At the first rats was training in one trial inhibitory avoidance task. On the retention test given 48 h after training, the latency to re-enter the dark compartment of the apparatus (Step-through latency, STL) and the time spent in light chamber (TLC) were recorded during 10 min test. Intraperitoneal corticosterone in doses of 0.5, 1 and 3mg/kg injected 30min before, immediately after instruction and 30min before retrieval test. Also some groups received 10min stressful stimulation by restrainer at the same time. At the end locomotor's activity was measured for all animals.

Results: The data indicated that administration of corticosterone 30min before ACQ (1mg/kg), and immediately after CONS (1, 3mg/kg) enhance and 30min before RET (1, 3mg/kg) impair emotional memory (p<0.05). Acute stress impaired emotional memory in all phases (p<0.05). Also acute stress and injection of Corticosterone have not significantly affect motor activity. 

Conclusions: These findings show that Glucocorticoid receptors in activation dependently plays an important role in modulation of emotional spatial memory processes (ACQ, CONS and RET in new information) for emotional events and these effects varies in different phases.

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Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background: Pulmonary resection is one of the most common thoracic surgeries Bronchial stump closure is important topic and still is controversy Bronchial stump closure with stapler is a new method that in addition to rapidity, lowering separation and dehiscence of suture line and lowering contamination of the operative site with bronchial secretions, and lowering the main complication after pulmonary resections which is sustained air leak- main factor in delaying discharge and patients dissatisfaction.
Methods: Two groups of 16 patients in a randomized clinical trial compared. In one group bronchial stump closed with stapler and the other stump closed with hand sewn method. Bronchial closing time, Operative time, time of airleak, time of chest tube, time of discharge and complication recorded and compared.
Results: In the stapler group time of bronchial closing was significantly shorter. Operative time was not different. time of air leak was not statistically different. No patients with long airleak, and the number of patients without airleak was greater. In the stapler group, time of having chest tube was statistically shorter and time of discharge in stapler group was shorter than hand sewn group.
Conclusions: Bronchial closing with stapler in pulmonary resection is a safe method and in addition to rapidity, time of chest tube and time of discharge was shorter. Although Time of air leak was not statistically different but patients in stapler groups had less Days with air leak and long air leak was zero in this group.

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Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background: Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is a form of hepatitis in which despite absence of detectable HBsAg, HBV-DNA is present in peripheral blood of patients. The responsible mechanisms for progression of OBI yet to be clarified, but some investigators believed that the genetics and immunological parameters are different in resistant individuals and patients. Vitamin D3 and its receptor interaction could be involved in anti-viral immune response. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between polymorphisms in intron 8 of VDR with OBI.
Methods: In this experimental study, the plasma samples of 3700 blood donors were collected and tested for HBsAg and anti-HBs by ELISA. The HBsAg negative and anti-HBc positive samples were selected and screened for HBV-DNA using PCR. HBV-DNA positive samples were assigned as OBI cases and PCR-RFLP was performed to examine the polymorphisms in intron 8 of VDR genes.
Results: Results of current study indicated that 352 (9.5%) of 3700 blood samples were HBsAg^- and anti-HBc⁺. HBV-DNA was detected in 57/352 (16.1%) of HBsAg^- and anti-HBc⁺ samples. Our results showed that no significant difference was observed in Apa-1 polymorphisms of intron 8 of VDR and OBI patients.
Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that there are not any association between Apa-1 detected alleles and OBI, hence, it can be concluded that these alleles are not associated with OBI and other researchers should evaluate relation between other polymorphisms of VDR with OBI.

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Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background: The insertion depth of tracheal tube differs based on sex, age, position of head and neck, type of surgery, and anatomical consideration. The aim of this study was to determine the airway related distances in Iranian patients with a non-invasive, and accurate method, the computerized reconstruction of High Resolution CT (HRCT) Virtual Bronchoscopy.
Methods: A total of 140 Iranian patients who became candidate for sinus and chest tomography, were enrolled in a cross- sectional study in Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran, Iran, from 2006 to 2008. After reconstruction of airway related distances, Incisor- Vocal cord (IVD), Vocal cord- Carina (VCD) and Incisor- Carinal (ICD) Distances were determined.
Results: A total of 140 patients were evaluated, while 70(50%) were male. There was no statistically significant difference between age groups, sex and BMI in study patients. The measured IVD were 145.5±9.7 (males), 127.29±6.3 (females) and 136.43±12.29mm (total). For VCD, the distances were 131±13.99 (males), 122.59±11.7 (females), and 127.09±13.65mm (total). The measures for ICD in males, females, and total of patients were 277.17±16.63, 249.88±11.54, and 263.52±19.66mm respectively.
Conclusion: The insertion depth for fixation of endotracheal tube in Iranian adult patients is the same as that of anesthesia textbooks. There were no statistically significant difference between our study data and previously measured distances using invasive and less accurate methods. Virtual bronchoscopy is a noninvasive and accurate method based on reconstruction of computed tomographic images and the reconstructed images of tomography could be useful in measuring and assessment of airway anatomy.

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Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background: Ample evidence indicated that glucocorticoids, when administered after training, enhance memory consolidation in a variety of tasks. The mechanisms underlying the enhancing effects of glucocorticoids on memory consolidation are not well known. The aim of this study was to determine the role of NMDA receptors and calcium channels in glucocorticoid-induced enhancement of avoidance memory consolidation in mice.
Methods: Experiments were performed on 166 male albino mice (about 30gr). The animals were trained in an inhibitory avoidance (IA) task (0.5mA shock for 3 seconds). In Experiment 1, dose- response effects of corticosterone on memory consolidation were determined. Immediately after training in IA task, the animals were received different doses of corticosterone (0.3, 1 or 3mg/kg). In Experiments 2 and 3, effects of corticosterone on memory consolidation were examined in the presence or absence of verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, (2.5, 5 or 20mg/kg) or MK-801, an antagonist of NMDA receptor (0.1mg/kg), respectively. In all experiments, retention test was done two days later.
Results: Results from first experiment revealed that corticosterone at dose of 0.3mg/kg significantly improved consolidation of avoidance. Data from experiments 2 and 3 showed that both verapamil, in doses of 2.5 and 5mg/kg, and MK801 significantly blocked corticosterone-induced enhancement of memory consolidation.
Conclusion: Finding of this study clearly demonstrated that the memory enhancing effects of corticosterone, at least in part mediate via calcium channels and NMDA receptors.

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Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background: Diffuse large B Cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of non-Hogkin lymphoma (NHL). We performed a retrospective study of patients with de novo DLBCL treated in the Medical Oncology department of Cancer Institute of Iran, Tehran to assess the clinicopathologic and immunohistochemistry correlation and prognosis of the patients.
Methods: World Health Organization (WHO) classification was used to reexamine 1470 biopsy specimens related to the years 1985-2006. After excluding five cases of T Cell large cell lymphoma, 50 Patients diagnosed as DLBCL.
Results: Median age of the patients was 45.5(20-85) years: 60% were male and 30% had primary extranodal disease. The most common extranodal sites were bone, gastrointestinal tract and Head and neck areas. The most common stages were stage II (32%), stage III (32%), stage IV (20%) and stage I (16%) retrospectively and 33% had B-symptoms. All of The Patients received chemotherapy (83% CHOP regimen) and 46% treated by radiotherapy after chemotherapy. With a mean follow up time of 32 months, median survival time was 34 (95% CI 24-40) months. Prognostic factors for survival were tumor stage, B-symptoms and early relapse (less than 6 months).
Conclusions: Our data showed the importance of Immunohistochemistry method in diagnosis of DLBCL. Although DLBCL is potentially curable with CHOP chemotherapy protocol, addition of monoclonal antibody (Anti CD20) and finding new prognostic factors to predict early relapse are clearly needed in Iran.

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Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background: Dendritic Cell (DC) is an important antigen-presenting cell that present tumor antigen to CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T- Lymphocytes and induce specific anti-tumor immunity. In order to induce effective anti-tumor response, an option is increasing the efficiency of antigen presentation of dendritic cells and T cell activation capacity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of dendritic cell maturation with protein components of toxoplasma gondii on cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity and their infiltration in to the tumor.
Methods: For DC generation, bone marrow cells were cultured in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4 for five days. After that, LPS, protein components and whole extract of toxoplasma gondii were added to the culture media and incubated for another two days for DC maturation. To generate tumor, mices were injected subcutaneously with WEHI-164 cell line. For immunotherapy 10⁶ DCs matured with different compounds were injected around the tumor site. Infiltration of CD8⁺ T cells were determined by flow cytometry and cytotoxic activity was measured by LDH detection kit.
Results: Immunotherapy with DCs treated with protein components of toxoplasma gondii led to a significant increase in the activity of cytotoxic T cells and infiltration of CD8⁺ T cells in to the tumor. Immunotherapy using protein components of toxoplasma gondii significantly improved the survival of the mice compared with other groups (p<0.0001).
Conclusion: Protein components of toxoplasma are able to increase DC capability in induction of CTL-mediated anti-tumor response and increase infiltration of these cells in to the tumor.

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Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background: Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell dyscrasia characterized by proliferation of plasma cells in bone marrow associated with the production of monoclonal immunoglobulins. In recent years, the use of arsenic trioxide, formerly approved for treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia has been considered for refractory myeloma treatment. This study was designed and carried out to evaluate the efficacy and possible side effects of ATO on patients with refractory multiple myeloma.

Methods: This study carried out on myeloma patients whose diseases were at least refractory to two standard treatment regimens conducted in Ghazi Tabatabaei Hospital in Tabriz- Iran. Arsenic trioxide was administered as an intravenous infusion at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg/d for 5 d/week during the first two consecutive weeks of each 4-week cycle with two week rest. Patients who completed one 4-weak cycle were evaluated for response to treatment.

Results: Twelve patients with refractory disease to conventional treatment regimens received arsenic trioxide. The response to the treatment assessed based on the amount of serum proteins electrophoresis of the 10 patients. Stable disease observed in four patients (33%), progressive disease in five patients (41.6%), complete response in one (3.8%) and the remaning two patients could not be assessed for response (because of increased liver enzymes after the first week). One patient completed six cycles. Some adverse events such as: increase liver enzymes and serum creatinine, neutropenia, pruritus, nausea, vomiting, lower extremities edema, and noninfectious diarrhea were observed.

Conclusions: The use of arsenic trioxide is promising in treatment of refractory multiple myeloma.

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Background: Intraabdominal schwannomas are rare tumors mostly occur in patients with neurofibromatosis. Tumors arisen from vagus nerve are rarer especially in sporadic cases. 

Case: A 34-year-old man admitted in surgery ward Milad Hospital, in Tehran, Iran with long-lasting vomiting, dysphagia, and cachexia for four years. Multiple previous paraclinical assessments were normal, he had been treated as anorexia nervosa for three years without improvement. Our evaluations showed a mass in diaphragmatic hiatus. Explorative laparotomy revealed a mass parallel to distal esophagus, which was resected completely. Immunohistochemical examinations revealed a benign schwannoma. After surgery, the patient&aposs symptoms recovered and he returned to normal life.

Conclusions: Vagus nerve schwannoma can present with dysphagia and cachexia with normal endoscopic evaluations. It is important to rule out physical causes in patients with cachexia who are treated with psychiatric diagnoses.

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Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with presumed autoimmune origin. T cells are considered to play a pivotal role in orchestrating the self-reactive immune responses in multiple sclerosis (MS). This study was performed to investigate the role of polymorphisms of the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) gene on susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis.This gene codes an immunoreceptor named PD-1, which has a cytoplasmic domain containing two tyrosine residues located within immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory and switch motifs (ITIM and ITSM), suggesting that PD-1 is predominantly inhibitory which responsible for the negative regulation in T cell activation and peripheral tolerance. We investigated whether PD-1 gene polymorphism is a genetic modifier for risk and progression of MS.Methods: Blood samples from 150 Iranian Relapsing-Remitting MS patients (mean age, 34.98 years) and 202 healthy controls (mean age, 30 years) were enrolled in this study.The PD-1.3 (7146 G/A Intron 4) and PD-1.9 (7625 C/T Exon 5) polymorphisms were detected by Polymerase Chain Reaction and Restriction Enzyme digestion or Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results: No significant association of the mutated alleles with the disease were detected. Because of the ethnic group genetic variation, our data is not like some of Asian population such as Korea and China.Conclusions: Our data suggest that PD-1 polymorphisms are not act as genetic modifiers of the progression of MS, possibly these polymorphisms don't induce a partial defect in PD-1 mediated inhibition of T-cell activation.

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Background: Coarctation of aorta is narrowing of proximal descending aorta. Interventional procedures such as balloon angioplasty & stent implantation has been progressively in use as alternatives for surgery in increasing number of children with diagnosis of coarctation of aorta. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of endovascular stent in children with coarctation of aorta.

Methods: We evaluated effectiveness and safety of stenting in all patients younger than 18 years old with coarctation and re-coarctation of aorta which treated by stenting between years 2004-9 at rajaei - heart centre in Tehran, Iran.

Results: we studied 53 patients younger than 18 years old with a follow up of six months. Totally 54 stents were implanted. Mean (±SD) age of the patients was 11.6±4.2yrs. Seventeen cases (32%) were younger than 10 years old, and 36 cases (68%) were 10 years and older. Mean (±SD) weight was 39.24±18kg. 16 cases weighting less than 25kg. Peak systolic pressure gradient (SPG) decreased from 46.26±17.07 to 1.03±0.19mmHg after procedure (p<0.001). There was no significant difference (p<0.001) in the gradient before and after stenting in the patients with native coarctation (Vs re-coarctation cases), less than 25 kg and under 10 years old groups. Complications developed in 44% of cases while dominantly were minor except in two cases re-dilatation of stent was not needed during six month of follow-up of the patients.

Conclusions: Stenting of coarctation of aorta can decrease complications and can be used safely in children weighing bellow 25kg and in children below 10yrs old.

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Background: In the recent years, concerns have been raised about the incidence of reproductive disorders in human populations. The present study was aimed to determine the effects of maternal exposure to Di 2 ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) on postnatal development of ovary in Wistar rat offsprings.

Methods: Forty female Wistar rats were randomly divided in four equal experiment groups an oil vehicle group and three DEHP-treated groups that received 10, 100 and 500 mg/kg/day Di 2 ethylhexylphthalate by gavage during lactation, respectively. The ovaries of pups were removed at 60 days of postnatal development their weights recorded and fixed in Bouin's solution subsequently 6 µm serial paraffin sections were stained with haematoxylin-eosin the structural changes of ovarian follicles and corpora lutea were studied.

Results: There was no significant difference on mean body weights of offsprings among different groups. However, the mean of ovary weight was decreased significantly (p= 0.037) in 500 mg/kg/day DEHP group. Significant decreases were seen in mean number of primary follicles (p= 0.012) and mean number and diameter of secondary (p= 0.023 and p= 0.012, respectively) and antral (p= 0.025 and p= 0.018, respectively) follicles in high dose DEHP-treated group compared to sham group. Also, mean number of corpora lutea decreased significantly (p= 0.023) at 60 days of age in ovary of offspring in 500 mg/kg/day DEHP group. Moreover, significant increases were seen in number of atretic follicles in moderate (p= 0.012) and high (p= 0.036) DEHP-treated groups.

Conclusion: Present study showed that maternal exposure to Di 2 ethylhexylphthalate during lactation affects postnatal development of ovary in offspring Wistar rats and reduces their fertility and reproductive efficiency at puberty.

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Background: Cervical ripening usually begins prior to the labor when there is an unripe cervix. Complications will increase significantly when the cervix is not ripped. Misoprostol is a pharmacologic agent available for cervical ripening and labor induction. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of administration of a single dose of 25 mg vaginal Misoprostol (A) with 100 mg Misoprostol (B) for cervical ripening.
Methods: Sixty subjects with pregnancies of at least 40 gestation weeks, and an unfavorable cervix (Bishop Score <6) were randomly assigned to receive one dose oral misoprostol 100 mg or 25 mg vaginal misoprostol. The main dependent variables were mode of delivery, time interval from induction to cervical ripening, need for additional oxytocin, perinatal results and maternal side effects.
Results: The mean time from the indication of induction to cervical ripening was the same in the two groups (3.63 h in oral group and 3.9 h in vaginal group). Two groups did not differ statistically in the percent of patients who were delivered vaginally or with cesarean section during 24 hours (20% in group A versus 10% in group B).
Conclusion: Based on the results of our study, Misoprostol is an effective drug for the cervical ripening and labor induction in the term pregnancies. 25 mg vaginal tablet of Misoprostol is as effective as 100 mg oral misoprostol for cervical ripening.

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Background: Many chemotherapeutic regimens used in the treatment of cancer generate free radicals that may be a part of their beneficial effects. The aim of this study was to assess the oxidative status in patients undergoing chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Methods: Thirty-eight patients with AML (17 female and 21 male patients) with a mean age 34.05±12.49 years were included in the study. All the patients received cytarabine and daunorubicin as their standard induction therapy. Serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and also the erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities were measured before and 14 days after chemotherapy.

Results: Plasma malondialdehyde concentrations increased significantly (from a former 2.68±0.89 nmol/ml to 3.14±1.29 nmol/ml) 14 days post chemotherapy (p=0.04). Moreover, the total plasma antioxidant capacity changed from 1.09±0.15 mmol/L to 1.02±0.14 mmol/L (p=0.005). Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity decreased over time from 1157.24±543.61 U/gHb to 984.01±419.09 U/gHb (p=0.04) and 46.96±13.70 U/gHb to 41.40±6.44 U/gHb (p=0.02), respectively.

Conclusion: In this study, an increase in malondialdehyde levels and a decrease in the levels of antioxidant enzymes and total antioxidant capacity were observed. It seems that chemotherapy by cytarabine and daunorubicin generates enormous amounts of free radicals in patients undergoing the treatment for AML. Use of antioxidant supplementation during chemotherapy i is discouraged as it may interfere with the generation of free radicals that may be a part of the therapeutic efficacy of these drugs.

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Background: Systemic scleroderma (SSc) is a generalized connective tissue disorder of unknown origin which most notably is characterized by skin thickening and organ damage. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) antibody plays a role in skin fibrosis. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and correlation of different manifestations of SSc with ET-1 plasma levels.
Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 95 patients (91 women and four men) with scleroderma in 2006. The patients had been referred to the Rheumatology Clinic of Shariati Hospital in Tehran, Iran. The demographic data and signs and symptoms were entered in a questionnaire and endothelin-1 concentrations were measured.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 38±12.29 years. Diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) was diagnosed in 52 and limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) in 43 patients. Raynaud's phenomenon (91%) was the most common manifestation in the patients. The relationship between the resorption of terminal phalanges due to fibrosis with the plasma concentration of Endothelin-1 was statistically significant (p=0.001). Pitting ulcers had significant relationships with endothelin-1 concentrations too (p<0.05). No other significant relationships were found between the other manifestation of the disease and Endothelin-1 concentration.
Conclusion: In this study, Reynaud's phenomenon was the most frequent sign in patients with scleroderma. Thus, it could serve as a tool for the diagnosis of scleroderma. As there were no significant relationships between the other manifestations of scleroderma with endothelin-1, a cohort study with a larger sample size is suggested.

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Background: Coronary heart disease is one of the most common causes of death in developed countries. Fibrinogen and resistin are two inflammatory markers used for atherosclerosis risk prediction. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of eight weeks of aerobic exercise on the concentrations of fibrinogen and resistin in healthy overweight middle-aged men.
Methods: Thirty inactive middle-aged men with a body mass index of 25-30 were randomly assigned into two experimental and control groups. The participants in the experimental group, accomplished eight weeks (3 sessions per week, of aerobic exercise with an intensity of 50-70% of their maximum heart rate while the control group remained sedentary. Weight, body fat percentage, fibrinogen and resistin levels of the participants were measured 48 hours before the first and after the last training sessions. The obtained data were analyzed using Independent Samples T-tests.
Results: There were significant reductions in weight, body mass index, body fat percentage and fibrinogen and a significant elevation in resistin concentration in the experimental group (p<0.05) upon the exercises relative to the control group.
Conclusion: It seems that eight weeks of regular aerobic exercise could reduce risks of myocardial infarction and improve the health status of overweight middle-aged men through reduction of weight, body fat and fibrinogen and elevation of resistin concentrations. Elevation of resistin concentration can be a sign of increased antioxidant defense mechanism.