Tehran University Medical Journal

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Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of worldwide distribution. Despite its control in many developing countries the disease remains endemic in Iran. The symptoms, signs and laboratory results are variable and nonspecific. This case series study was conducted to determine the liver complications of Brucellosis in Iran
Materials and Methods: We studied 188 patients (108 males and 80 females) with Brucellosis, fulfilled the diagnostic criteria, aged 1-79 years (mean 34.8 years) were registered in Imam Khomeini Hospital, a referral center in Tehran, during the six years (1995-2001).
Results: Thirty-four of 188 cases (18.08 percent) had elevated liver enzyme (elevated SGOT only, 6 patients elevated SGPT only 1 patient elevation of both transaminases, 27 patients). The prominent symptoms included anorexia (74 cases), weight loss (62 cases), right upper quadrant pain (32 cases), epigastric pain (25 cases) and nausea and vomiting (23 cases). Among the gastrointestinal signs were found in these patients, hepatomegaly was seen in 28 patients. Jaundice and ascitis were present in only 7 and 3 patients, respectively. Other laboratory results showed elevated alkaline phosphatase in 28 cases and abnormal bilirubin in 10 cases. Fifty-seven patients had a focal illness, representing 30.32 percent of all patients. Osteoarticular complications were the most frequent focal forms, being present in 34 cases. Twelve male patients had genitourinary Brucellosis, representing 10.53 percent of focal forms. Also, 5 patients had neurologic complications.
Conclusion: In conclusion liver involvement is frequent in Brucellosis, although the rate of this complication in our study was lower than other studies. So, in patients with evidence of overt clinical or laboratory findings compatible with liver disturbance etiologies other than brucellosis should be considered in Iran.

 

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Background: Nowadays, nanomaterials are used in daily life extensively. One of the most common of these materials is nano titanium dioxide (TiO2) which is used to purify the air and also sunscreens, shampoos and other hygienic products. Although nano-particles are useful, can also have potential hazards. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of TiO2 on lung tissue in rabbits.
Methods: We divided 18 male rabbits into three groups randomly. The first group recei-ved 50 µl of TiO2 with dose of 50 mg/kg by intratracheal instillation. The second group received 50 µl of TiO2 with dose of 100 mg/kg and the third group received 50 µl of nor-mal saline by the same route. Chest X-rays were taken from all rabbits before injection and on days of 10, 17 and 24 after injection. Twenty four days after injection, rabbits anesthetized and histopathological assays, blood samples and biochemical factors were evaluated.
Results: Radiographic assays showed a progressive pulmonary fibrosis in rabbits recei-ved TiO2 rather than the control group and this lesion developed to maximum at 24th day of the experiment. We also showed pulmonary emphysema and inflammation in histo-pathologycal study of groups treated with TiO2. Moreover, we observed a significant increase in the amount of liver enzymes, white blood cells and hematocrit in TiO2 treat-ed groups compared to control group (P≤0.05). There were no significant differences between plasma levels of creatinine in different groups (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Results showed that nanotitanium dioxide particles can lead to pulmonary fibrosis and inflammation and also increasing liver enzymes and inflammatory cells.

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Background: Diabetes is associated with many pathological changes and one of the most important consequences of the diabetes is hepatic injury. The present study was performed to investigate the effect of eight weeks endurance training with consumption of cinnamon supplementation on plasma concentrations of liver enzymes, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in women with type II diabetes.

Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 36 female volunteers with type II diabetes (age 52.72±2.64 years and body mass index 29.28±2.94 Kg/m2) were participated. The subjects were homogenized regarding their body mass index and then were divided randomly into four groups (each group=9 patients): Training, training-cinnamon, cinnamon, and Control. Endurance training was performed for eight weeks (three sessions per week) at the intensity of 60-75% of maximum heart rate for 40-60 minutes. The consumption of cinnamon supplementation was 1.5 gr per day. Plasma concentrations of ALT and AST were measured following 12 hours fasting, 48 hours before and after performing the experiment, by the enzymatic method. Data were analyzed by paired t-test and factorial ANOVA, using SPSS version 21 (Chicago, IL, USA) and at the significant level of P<0.05.

Results: The levels of ALT was reduced in three experimental groups, which only its reduction was significant after consumption of cinnamon P<0.05. Also, plasma concentrations of AST increased in training-cinnamon and decreased in training and cinnamon groups which none of them was not significant. All interventions had no effect on blood fasting glucose in all experimental groups P>0.05. There was no significant difference between groups in pre and posttests.

Conclusion: The results confirm that cinnamon supplementation may be effective in improving the plasma levels of ALT but the intensity and duration of an effective exercise training especially with consumption of cinnamon supplementation simultaneously need more study in diabetic patients.