No abstract

Background: Amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) is involved in the formation of senile plaques in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and causes neuronal cell death by inducing oxidative stress. Objective: We investigated the protective effect of Eremostachys labiosiformis extract against the Aβ-induced toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. Methods: Methanolic extract from the aerial parts of E. labiosiformis was prepared by percolation method at room temperature. SH-SY5Y cells were treated and incubated with different concentrations of the extract for 1 h, before addition of Aβ. Cytotoxicity was measured 24 h after the addition of Aβ to the medium using MTT and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays. Effective doses were evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction to evaluate expression of miR-212 and miR-132. The results were analyzed using SPSS software (16). Results: Exposure of ­SH-SY5Y cells to Aβ significantly affected the viability of cells and increased ROS levels. The results revealed that 1.2 and 2.5 μg/mL of the E. labiosiformis extract reduced Aβ-induced deterioration. Only 2.5 μg/mL of the extract could reduce ROS levels. In addition, 5 μg/mL of the extract increased the expression of the miRNAs, which was reduced after exposure to Aβ. Conclusion: Based on the antioxidant and protective effects of the E. labiosiformis extract on expression of miR-132 and miR-212 and ROS level, this herb could be used as a suitable candidate for future studies on neurodegenerative diseases including AD.

No abstract

ObjectivesThe main purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two regimens of metformin and insulin therapy on postpartum oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).MethodsIn this single-blind randomized clinical trial (RCT), a total number of 60 pregnant women meeting the inclusion criteria were assigned to two groups with a randomized block design (RBD): insulin therapy (IT) group (30 patients) and metformin therapy (MT) group (30 patients). At baseline, the data were comprised of prenatal maternal age, gestational age, GDM diagnosis, and maternal weight/height. During the postpartum period, 5-cc blood samples were taken from the pregnant women concerned to analyze their fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels. Then, the patients were asked to come back four days and six weeks later after delivery to check the OGTT results. At six weeks postpartum, in addition to OGTT, the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) test was performed for all mothers. Finally, six weeks after delivery, these mothers were evaluated with regard to weight loss and body mass index (BMI).ResultsSix weeks postpartum, the maternal weight and BMI significantly decreased in the MT group compared with the IT one, while there was no significant difference between both groups at baseline. On the fourth day, the OGTT results in the MT group were significantly lower in comparison with those in the IT group (p=0.012). At sixth weeks postpartum, the OGTT results were comparably lower in the MT group than those reported for the IT one; however, such a difference was not statistically significant (p=0.087).ConclusionsAccording to the study results, metformin could be an effective and safe treatment for pregnant women suffering from GDM instead of insulin therapy.

No abstract