Journal of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences

Phage Therapy: Past، Present and Future

Farzaneh Fathi — 2025-02-03

Introduction: As viral agents، phages serve a significant purpose in molecular biotechnology. These viruses are considered as ideal tools in this field and recent studies revealed their wide potential in biomedicine. Research on phages showed that these viruses have the potential to develop new treatments، encompassing phages as anti-cancer solutions، transporters of imaging substances، tissue repair، medication distribution، vaccine formulation، and addressing COVID-19. The bactericidal effect of phage via CRISPR-Cas technology is also used to treat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In this review study، we will explore the key role of phages in the research and development of future treatments.

Conclusion: Phages have arisen in the field of bioengineering with great potential in tissue engineering، vaccine development، and immunotherapy. The genetic composition of phages can be utilized to develop new vaccines and antigen display systems. Phages have opened new opportunities to target specific molecular determinants of cancer cells.

Elective Oocyte Cryopreservation

Saeideh Dashti — 2025-02-03

Introduction: In recent years, techniques for oocyte cryopreservation have aided in preserving women's fertility. Initially, oocyte cryopreservation was implemented for females with diminished ovarian reserves. This approach is appropriate for women who are at risk of diminished ovarian reserves, including those undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or other conditions impacting ovarian reserve. It provides them the opportunity to have biological children later on. As more women choose to delay pregnancy and face declining ovarian reserves with age, oocyte cryopreservation has been made available to healthy women. Research did not demonstrate any difference in fertilization and pregnancy rates between fresh and frozen-thawed oocytes. Assessing ovarian reserve is essential prior to this procedure. Anti-Müllerian hormone levels and antral follicle counts are regarded as the most accurate indicators for forecasting ovarian response. Age is recognized as the key factor influencing oocyte quality and success rate. There is no agreement on the optimal age and quantity of oocytes for oocyte cryopreservation. Certain researchers have suggested an age limit of less than 35 years. Each additional frozen oocyte holds significance. Having 25 oocytes is linked to a 95% cumulative live birth rate in women under 35 years old.

Conclusion: Elective oocyte cryopreservation provides an opportunity for women to preserve their fertility in future. Cryopreserved oocyte can lead to decreased risk of oocyte donation in the future and allows women to have their own genetic child. It is important that providers ensure that these women are informed about efficacy, safety and help them to make the best decisions. Some researchers have recommended an age below 35 years.

Comparison of the Effect of Resistance, Swimming, and Combination Training Patterns on Bone Density in Female Osteoporotic Rats

Fatemeh Zeidabadi — 2025-02-03

Introduction: The aim of the study was to compare the effects of resistance, swimming, and combined training patterns on L5 vertebral mineral density in osteoporotic rats.

Methods: In this experimental study, 36 female Wistar rats, each weighing between 170-190 grams, were selected as samples. To verify the induction of osteoporosis, 12 rats were randomly divided into two groups: healthy and alcohol-injected (6 rats). Osteoporosis induction was induced through intraperitoneal injection of a saline solution combined with ethanol over a period of 3 weeks. 24 rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (6 rats): 1. Resistance training, 2. Swimming training, 3. Combined training, and 4. Control. Swimming training (90 minutes per day, 5 days in 12 weeks) and resistance protocol (5 days in 12 weeks, each session 8 sets with 8-12 repetitions of climbing the ladder) and the combined group performed resistance training in 4 sets with 8-12 repetitions of climbing the ladder and swimming training with half the duration of the swimming group. After 12 weeks, samples were collected from the spine and the density of L5 was evaluated using a DEXA machine. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey's test with a significance threshold of less than 0.05 in SPSS-16 (P<0.05).

Results: In the intragroup comparison, resistance training and combined training significantly increased L5 density (P=0.00). In the intergroup comparison, L5 density of the combined group showed a significant increase compared to the training and control groups (P=0.00). The resistance group showed a significant increase in this variable compared to the swimming and control groups (P=0.00).

Conclusion: Using combined exercise as a therapeutic approach can increase bone density; therefore, it serves as an effective strategy for improving osteoporosis.

Renal Protective Effect of Resveratrol against Vincristine-Induced Oxidative Stress in Female Mice

Mohammadreza Nasirzadeh — 2025-02-03

Introduction: Vincristine (VIN) is a broad-spectrum anticancer drug used to treat various cancers. Resveratrol (Res) is a natural polyphenol found in numerous plant sources. Many studies have reported anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of resveratrol. In this study, the effect of resveratrol on kidney damage caused by vincristine in female mice has been investigated.

Methods: In this study, 36 female mice weighing 25-30 grams were randomly divided into four groups (n=9): 1) Control group, 2) Vin- group, 3) Vin-Res group and 4) Res group. The mice received vincristine at 3 mg/kg once a week for 4 weeks and resveratrol at 30 mg/kg daily for 28 days through gavage. At the end of the study, the fat peroxidation index (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in kidney tissue were measured. Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation, and the significant differences among groups were analyzed using SPSS16, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey's post hoc test.

Results: The findings indicated that in the vincristine group, levels serum of urea, creatinine, and MDA in kidney tissue were increased significantly compared to the control group (P=0.001).the TAC level and the activity level of GPX (P=0.001) and SOD (P=0.009) enzymes in the kidney tissue were significantly decreased in the vincristine group when compared to the control group (P=0.001).

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the protective effects of resveratrol were probably attributed to its antioxidant properties and that it could reduce the kidney damage induced by vincristine.

Comparison the Effect of Continuous and Interval Aerobic Training on IL-1 and TNF-α Expression in Cerebellum of Parkinson's Model Rats

Zahra Shamsi — 2025-02-03

Introduction: In Parkinson's disease, the balance between Pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines is disturbed, causing chronic neuroinflammation. The aim of present study was to compare the effects of continuous and interval aerobic training on the expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in cerebellum of Parkinson's model rats.

Methods: In this experimental study, 28 adult male Wistar rats (weighting 180-250 gr) were randomly divided into four groups (n=7 each): control, Parkinson, Parkinson+ continuous training, and Parkinson+ interval training. Rotenone was utilized to induce Parkinson's in rats. The continuous training lasted between 15 to 40 minutes, while the interval training consisted of two to six sets of running on the treadmill at a speed of 10- 20 meters per minute for six weeks and five sessions per week. At the end of the intervention, the levels of IL-1 and TNF-α in the cerebellum tissue were assessed by Bradford method. The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by post hoc LSD test, utilizing SPSS version 16 software, with a significant level set at P<0.05.

Results: The levels of IL-1 and TNF-α in the cerebellar tissue of the control group were significantly lower (P=0.0001) compared to the other groups, and in the Parkinson's group, they were significantly higher than the Parkinson's+ continuous training and Parkinson's+ interval training groups (both; P=0.0001). There was no significant difference in IL-1 levels between the two training groups (P=0.062); nontheless, interval training significantly reduced the level of TNF-α compared to continuous training (P=0.007).

Conclusion: Based on these findings, interval aerobic training is a more efficient method in modulating pro-inflammatory cytokines in the cerebellum of Parkinson's model rats compared to continuous training, which can slow down the progression of the disease.

Efficacy of Emotion-Focused Therapy of Emotional Components in Women with Migraine Headache: a Clinical Trial Study

Mozhgan Bakshi Nadushan — 2025-02-03

Introduction: Migraine disorder is a common psychosomatic disorder in which emotional and psychological factors are involved in its development. Emotion-focused therapy can be considered as an effective factor in the management of this disorder. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Emotion-focused therapy on emotional components in female patients with migraine.

Methods: It was conducted as a semi-experimental study featuring pre-test and post-test in two groups, one experimental and one control. The statistical population of the study comprised women experiencing migraine in Yazd City in 2024. Thirty patients were randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups. Prior to treatment, patients filled out the Emotional Belief Questionnaire (EBQ), Empathy Scale (PES), Depression, Anxiety and Stress Questionnaire (DASS-21) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS); this assessment was made in the post-test phase. The length of the intervention period of emotion-focused therapy for the experimental group comprised 8 sessions of 90 minutes each, scheduled weekly. Data analysis was performed utilizing multivariate analysis of covariance and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 16.

Results: The findings demonstrated that regarding emotional beliefs and their dimensions, as along with anxiety, depression, and stress, the group undergoing emotion-focused treatment had a significantly lower mean than the control group (P≤0.05). Regarding the empathy variable and its dimensions, all except for the ability to recognize negative emotions in others, the emotion-focused treatment group attained a significantly higher mean compared to the control group (P≤0.05).

Conclusion: The Research findings indicated that individuals with migraine headaches have difficulty experiencing and processing their emotions and experience worry and self-blame. Accordingly, the emotional therapy protocol is applicable for migraine patients and can successfully enhance the emotional aspects of these individuals.

Frequency of Polymorphisms of rs2274907 of Omentin Gene and rs9770242 of Visfatin Gene in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in an Iranian Population

Mahnaz Mohammadi — 2025-02-03

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common chronic disease, frequently occurring in various instances; if left undiagnosed and untreated, it will progress to cirrhosis and, in some cases, result in death. This disease is related to obesity, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome and diseases and treatment. The Omentin gene consists of 8 exons and 7 introns, producing a protein made up of 313 amino acids. Visfatin is another adipokine. The Visfatin gene is located on the big arm of chromosome 7. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between rs2274907 omentin and rs9770242 visfatin polymorphisms with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in an Iranian population.

Methods: This study was carried out through a case-control study involving 70 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and 70 healthy individuals. The level of fasting blood sugar, triglyceride, cholesterol, HDL, and LDL was measured by standard methods; the amount of Omentin was measured with an ELISA kit. Genotype was determined by PCR-RFLP method. The data were analyzed by SPSS software version 16.

Results: The two investigated groups showed a significant difference in terms of age, BMI, LDL, HDL (P<0.05). The levels of triglycerides, omentin and average body mass profile were higher in the individuals with NAFLD; the level of HDL-C was lower than healthy individuals. Omentin had a significant relationship with the body mass level of LDL-C and HDL-C.

Conclusion: The current research demonstrated a notable connection between omentin and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This polymorphism of rs2274907 in the omentin gene has a significant relationship with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

The Effect of Aerobic Training along with Resveratrol Supplementation on Some Inflammatory Index Levels in the Spinal Cord Tissue of Rats after Spinal Cord Injury

Mohammad Ranaei — 2025-02-03

Introduction: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with increased inflammation in the spinal cord tissue of the injured individual. The purpose of present study was to examined how aerobic training along with resveratrol supplementation influenced on spinal IL-1β and IL-10 levels in rats suffering from SCI.

Methods: Forty-five male Wistar rats, eight weeks old, were divided into five groups: healthy, control, resveratrol, aerobic training and resveratrol+ training. Spinal cord injury was caused by dropping a ten-gram weight from a height of 25 mm on the spinal cord in the T10 segment. Resveratrol supplement with a dose of 10 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally and daily. The aerobic training was conducted utilizing the weight support system over a period of 4 weeks, with each session lasting 58 minutes and an intensity of 20 m/min. One-way ANOVA and the LSD post hoc test were applied at a significance level of p<0.05.

Results: The level of spinal IL-1β in the control group was significantly higher than healthy group (p=0.005). The level of this index was significantly lower in resveratrol (p=0.011), aerobic training (p=0.002), and resveratrol+training (p=0.016) groups than control group. The level of spinal IL-10 in control group was significantly lower than healthy group (p=0.011). The index in aerobic training and resveratrol+ training groups exhibited an elevation relative to the control group, although this difference was not statistically significant (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Aerobic training along with resveratrol supplementation can have positive effects on the inflammation of the injured area due to SCI and possibly prevent secondary injuries and side effects of SCI in the injured area of the spinal cord of these subjects.