Background:This study was performed in response to the rapid propagation of HIV/AIDS across Iran and its status in this region. Accordingly, an evidence-based program is required to combat this disease.Objectives:The present study estimated the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in East Azerbaijan (population: 3,724,000).Materials and Methods:We created a database of all positive cases from 1987 to 2012. We also analyzed and described the epidemiological status of HIV/AIDS during a 25-year period by using SPSS.Results:In East Azerbaijan, 371 HIV/AIDS cases have been reported, i.e. 1 case per 10,000 population. The vast majority of reported cases (91%, n =338) were men, whereas only 9% (n = 33) were women. The mean age of patients was 30.8 ± 12.3 years. Unsafe drug injection (59%, n = 219) and sexual interaction (13%, n = 48) were the two major modes of HIV transmission. In addition, 7% (n = 25) of patients have been diagnosed with HIV, hepatitis B Virus, and hepatitis C virus simultaneously. Moreover, 60% (n = 205) of men were infected via drug injection, while 82% (n = 27) of women were infected via unprotected sexual interaction (P < 0.001).Conclusions:The results indicate a rapid increase in the number of HIV/AIDS cases in East Azerbaijan, necessitating immediate attention and strategies to combat the rapid spread of the disease. Development of provincial and national HIV/AIDS strategies demands more accurate and comprehensive HIV/AIDS surveillance.

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P-glycoprotein (P-gp), the efflux membrane protein found in the upper exterior of epithelial cells in human intestine, is capable of exhibiting variations in the intestinal transport. This study was set with the purpose of testing the capability often pharmaceutical excipients namely Carbopol, Xanthan, Tragacanth, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Methylparaben, Methylcellulose, Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and Vitamin E in regulating P-gp protein expression and the multidrug resistance (MDR1) gene, by means of a monolayer of human colon cancer cell line (Caco-2). Using MTT test, the least sub-toxic concentrations of mentioned excipients were assessed in Caco-2 cells. Subsequently the impact of the excipients on P-gp activity was evaluated by quantifying the amount of Rhodamine-123 uptake into cells. Besides, P-glycoprotein expression was scrutinized via Western-blotting. Among the tested excipients, Tragacanth and Xanthan showed a similar western blotting and Rhodamine-123 assay results as the control group. Carbopol 934, Vitamin E, and Methylcellulose showed 27.2%, 43% and 50.9% increase in Rhodamine accumulation, respectively. According to the obtained results it is concluded that using appropriate concentrations of the Carbopol 934, Vitamin E and Methylcellulose can attenuate the P-gp activity and expression where such reduction ought to be taken into consideration due to its role in the changes of permeability and absorption of the pharmaceutical compounds.

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Oral drug administration is used for a large number of medications, intended to create a systemic effect in the body. Over the recent years, an increasing attention has been directed by pharmacists toward the development of successful formulations for oral drug delivery. However, this issue is still controversial in pharmaceutical technology with many limitations due to the numerous barriers against the absorption and permeability in the gastrointestinal tract. On the other hand, drug carriers play an important role in providing prolonged release and delivery and overcome the multiple barriers of maintaining appropriate bioavailability. Nano scaling of the particles, carriers, and polymers has also provided the capability to characterize and control materials in order to produce unique pharmaceutical components and structures. Furthermore, personalized healthcare, rational drug design, and site-specific targeted drug delivery are some of the profits gained from a nano-based formulation approach. This review aimed to evaluate the evidence on some different types of nanoscaled drug delivery systems, which allow for the delivery of smallmolecule drugs and facilitate the merging of larger particles, such as nucleic acids, peptides, and proteins. The delivery of these molecules to the exact target areas inside the body can be accomplished, which would decrease systemic adverse effects and allow for more effective application of the pharmaceutical preparations.