Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences最新文献

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a serious health problem, and finding new treatments is important. There is growing evidence for the antitumor activity of probiotics. This study investigated the anti-cancer potential of a probiotic mix containing Lactobacillus plantarum, L. brevis, L. helveticus, and L. delbrueckii, alone or in combination with the chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil, against CRC.

Methods: The research was carried out in Mashhad in 2021. The cytotoxic effect of Lactobacillus isolates on CRC cells was investigated in two-dimensional and three-dimensional cell culture models. Histological staining and molecular approaches were used to investigate the regulatory mechanism of Lactobacillus isolates on cell migration, inflammation, fibrosis, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and tumor necrosis in the CRC mouse model. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 20 with a significance level of P<0.05. The tests employed included the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, ANOVA, Dunnett's post hoc, and Kruskal-Wallis.

Results: Lactobacillus strains effectively suppressed tumor growth in CRC by promoting cell death and inhibiting fibrosis and inflammation. These bacteria regulated apoptosis-related genes such as Bcl-2-associated protein x (P=0.0033), and BCL-2 (P=0.0029), leading to increased tumor necrosis. Treatment with bacterial supernatants reduced tumor size and fibrosis by downregulating collagen type I, alpha 1 (Col1a1) (P=0.024), Col1a2 (P=0.0231), and actin alpha 2 (P=0.0466), and transforming growth factor-beta expression. Additionally, they suppressed inflammation by decreasing tumor necrosis factor-alpha (P=0.0001), interleukin 6, and IL-1β (P=0.0198) levels in tumor tissues. Furthermore, the treatment inhibited CRC cell migration by modulating epithelial cadherin (P=0.0198) and matrix metallopeptidase 2 (P=0.033) expression.

Conclusion: Findings indicated that co-administration of Lactobacillus isolates with 5-FU could improve the anti-tumor properties of the standard drug, 5-FU, supporting the therapeutic potential of these safe isolated lactic acid bacteria for CRC patients in vivo.

Background: Autophagy is also essential for both male and female infertility since it controls the development of germ cells and reproductive organs. This study aimed to investigate the effects of taurine and curcumin on the expression of genes related to autophagy in acrylamide-treated mice.

Methods: In 2022, this experimental study was conducted at the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Stem Cells Technology Research Centre. Forty-eight mice were randomly assigned to eight groups (control, curcumin 200 mg/Kg, taurine 150 mg/Kg, acrylamide 50 mg/Kg, acrylamide+curcumin 100 mg/Kg, acrylamide+curcumin 200, acrylamide+taurine 75 mg/Kg, acrylamide+taurine 150 mg/Kg). Finally, oocyte characteristics and gene expression were determined in each group using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) by SPSS 25 and GraphPad 9, respectively. P<0.05 was conducted statistically significant.

Results: A significant decrease was observed in several oocytes in the acrylamide group compared to the control group (P<0.001). The expression levels of light chain 3 (LC3), autophagy-related gene (ATG)12, ATG5, and Beclin1 significantly increased in the acrylamide compared to the control group. A significant increase in the number of oocytes was observed in the taurine group compared to the control. The expression levels of LC3, ATG12, ATG5, and Beclin1 significantly decreased in the acrylamide+taurine (150 mg/Kg) compared to the acrylamide group.

Conclusion: The acrylamide negatively impacts oocyte viability and causes the higher expression of autophagy-related genes. Taurine may encourage the fusion of autophagosomes with lysosomes by removing autophagic obstruction, potentially accelerating autophagy and protecting against oxidative stress. Taurine is more effective than curcumin at reducing the harmful effects of acrylamide. As a result, taurine can be proposed as a potential treatment drug for acrylamide-induced infertility.

Background: Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most common cancer in men and the fifth leading cause of death worldwide. The purpose of this study is to investigate the epidemiological situation concerning the incidence, prevalence, and burden of prostate cancer in Iran from 2009 to 2019.

Methods: The present research is a descriptive-analytical study. To assess the spatial distribution of prostate cancer, data on the incidence, mortality, Disability-adjusted life years (DALY), Years of Life Lost due to premature mortality (YLL), and Years of Life Lost due to disability (YLD) in each province of Iran from 2009 to 2019 were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 website. The incidence and mortality zoning in Iran was mapped using the ArcGIS 10.3 environment. The two-variable Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyze the data extracted to study the correlation between PC and the Human Development Index.

Results: The highest Age-Standardized Incidence Rate (ASIR) of prostate cancer (40.55 per 100,000), mortality (17.09 per 100,000), YLL (254.1 per 100,000), YLD (23.88 per 100,000), and DALY (277.98 per 100,000) is related to Bushehr province. The results of the Pearson correlation reveal a positive and statistically significant correlation between the ASIR of prostate cancer and the Human Development Index (r=0.651, P=0.0001) in Iran. The highest Percentage of Annual Changes (PAC) in ASIR, Age-Standardized Mortality Rate (ASMR), Age-Standardized Prevalence Rate (ASPR), YLL, YLD, and DALY were related to the provinces of West Azarbayejan (62.9%), Golestan (30.86%), West Azarbayejan (87.66%), Golestan (29.38%), West Azarbayejan (76.95%), and Alborz (31.45%), respectively.

Conclusion: The incidence and mortality rates of prostate cancer in all provinces of the country are on the rise. Therefore, screening programs for early detection to reduce the mortality of the disease, and etiology studies to identify the causes of increased incidence and related factors, can be effective in controlling this cancer in the country.

Background: Surfactant treatment has revolutionized the management of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm infants. The present study compared the effectiveness and adverse effects of two natural surfactants, Beracsurf and Curosurf, in premature infants with RDS who required surfactant administration.

Methods: Eighty-four newborns were enrolled in this double-blind randomized controlled trial study, which was conducted in Shiraz, Iran, from 2021 to 2022. The study included all preterm neonates with RDS, who required intubation for stabilization, were on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), required oxygen of more than 30% to maintain saturation 90-95%, or had CPAP failure. Using a simple random allocation method, the participants were randomly assigned to receive either Beractant as the case group or Proctant Alpha as the control group. The study assessed outcomes such as hospital length, number of surfactant administration, duration of respiratory support, complications, and mortality in both groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and applying independent t tests, Mann-Whitney tests, and Chi square tests.

Results: Eighty-four neonates were enrolled in the study, with 37 in the control group and 47 in the case group. The duration of hospital stay in the control group was 18.07±13.04 days, while it was 23.59±14.03 days in the intervention group (P=0.07). There were no differences between the two groups in terms of the fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO₂) (P=0.46), and complications (P=0.82). However, the intubation period in the Curosurf group was significantly lower (P=0.03). The mortality rate in the Curosurf group was 24.3% (95% CI=10.5%-38.1%); while in the Beracsurf group, it was 10.6% (95% CI=1.8%-19.5%) (P=0.09).

Conclusion: Beracsurf had comparable efficacy to Curosurf and could be considered a viable alternative.Trial Registration Number: IRCT20120126008827N3.

Background: Calcium enters human sperm through the "Cation Channel of Sperm" (CatSper), while potassium ions exit via the sperm potassium channel (KSper). These two channels regulate intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) and membrane potential. Our study aims to investigate and compare the contributions of these channels in capacitated sperm function.

Methods:

Results: NNC and quinidine significantly decreased progressive sperm motility (P=0.001) and reduced sperm kinematics (P=0.001). NNC but not quinidine significantly decreased sperm survival (P=0.001), reduced [Ca²⁺]_i in live spermatozoa (P=0.05), and induced the acrosomal reaction (P=0.012).

Conclusion: Inhibition of KSper without effect on [Ca²⁺]_i can inhibit sperm motility and increase mortality rate. It seems that the function of KSper is as vital as CatSper in human sperm physiology.

Background: Airway remodeling, a hallmark of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and mustard lung disease, is influenced by the Trefoil Factor 3 (TFF3). This study sought to pinpoint a compound with minimal toxicity that can effectively suppress TFF3 expression and activity.

Methods: We employed an integrative approach, combining gene expression analysis, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations to identify potential TFF3 inhibitors. Gene expression analysis utilized Z-scores from the Library of Integrated Network-Based Cellular Signatures (LINCS) database to identify compounds altering TFF3 expression. Drug-like properties were assessed through Lipinski's "Rule of Five." Molecular docking was conducted with AutoDock Vina (version 1.1.2), and molecular dynamics simulations were performed using Groningen Machine for Chemical Simulations (GROMACS) version 5.1. Toxicity evaluation leveraged a Graph Convolutional Network (GCN). Statistical significance was set at P<0.05.

Results: Eight of the compounds assessed significantly reduced TFF3 expression, with binding affinities (ΔG) ranging from -7 to -9.4 kcal/mol. Notably, genistein emerged as the frontrunner, showcasing potent TFF3 downregulation, minimal toxicity, and a robust inhibitory profile, as evidenced by molecular dynamics simulations. The significance of gene expression changes was indicated by Z-scores provided by the LINCS database rather than exact P values.

Conclusion: Genistein holds promise as a therapeutic agent for TFF3-mediated conditions, including mustard lung disease. Its potential to address the current therapeutic gaps is evident, but its clinical utility necessitates further in vitro and in vivo validation. A preprint of this article has already been published (https://assets.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3907985/v1/41b7e6e6-4d70-4573-81e6-4d5a913950bd.pdf?c=1707752778).

Background: Various pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments are utilized to address sleep disorders. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of acupuncture and acupressure on enhancing sleep quality in menopausal women.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted using multiple databases, including Scopus, MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, ProQuest, Google Scholar, and Iranian databases (SID, Iranmedex, Magiran) with no date restrictions up to July 2024. Studies published in both Persian and English were included in this meta-analysis. The search utilized keywords such as acupuncture, acupressure, sleep quality, insomnia, menopause, and sleep disorders. A pairwise random-effects meta-analysis was performed to calculate the mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

Results: The analyses indicated that both acupuncture and acupressure effectively improved sleep quality in menopausal women. Eight trials with 499 participants demonstrated that acupressure significantly enhanced sleep quality (MD=-2.33, 95% CI=-3.27 to -1.38; I²=94%, P<0.001, n=8). Additionally, six trials with 344 participants showed that acupuncture enhanced sleep quality (MD=-3.47, 95% CI=-5.06 to -1.88; I²=97%, P<0.001, n=6).

Conclusion: The findings revealed that acupressure and acupuncture might improve sleep quality in menopausal women. However, there was a high heterogeneity between studies, and further research is required to confirm the findings of the present study.

Background: Research into managing depression and fatigue, two typical symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), is constantly expanding. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of the modified Mediterranean (MED) diet or the Traditional Persian (TP) diet in terms of fatigue and depression severity in patients with MS.

Methods: In this single-center, single-blind, randomized clinical trial, 90 patients were enrolled. The patients were randomly assigned to either the MED or TP diet intervention and control groups for two months between July 2022 and February 2023, in Shiraz, Iran. The Krupp Questionnaire for Fatigue Severity Scale and the Beck Depression questionnaire were used. The Chi square test, Kruskal-Wallis test, One-way ANOVA, and backward elimination technique were employed. STATA statistical software (version 17) was utilized for data analysis. P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The mean age of 90 participants was 35.64±9.12, and 82.2% were women. The analysis revealed a negative correlation between fatigue severity and MED diet intervention (-4.17 [-8.18-0.16]; P=0.04). However, there was no association between fatigue severity and TP diet intervention (-3.82 [-7.96, 0.32]; P=0.07). The analysis showed that there was a statistically significant relationship between lower depression scores and TP diet intervention (-2.89 [-5.59, -0.19]; P=0.03). However, there was no association between depression scores and MED diet intervention (P=0.22). Lower depression score was also associated with older age and higher socioeconomic status (P=0.002 and P=0.006). It was also shown that longer duration of disease (P=0.05) and higher fatigue severity (P=0.001) were associated with higher depression scores.

Conclusion: Adhering to the MED diet could reduce fatigue scores in MS patients while having no effect on the depression score. In contrast, adhering to the TP diet recommendation could reduce depression scores without affecting fatigue scores in MS patients.Trial Registration Number: IRCT20181113041641N1.