Cinnamaldehyde Regulates Insulin and Caspase-3 Signaling Pathways in the Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease Model: Involvement of Hippocampal Function via IRS-1, Akt, and GSK-3β Phosphorylation.

Insulin signaling disruption and caspase-3 cleavage play a pathologic role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Evidence suggested that cinnamaldehyde (Cin), the major component of cinnamon, has the ability to act as a neuroprotective agent. However, little evidence is available to demonstrate its effectiveness in regulating the insulin and caspase-3 signaling pathways and underlying molecular mechanisms.

Behavioral and Molecular Effects of Thapsigargin-Induced Brain ER- Stress: Encompassing Inflammation, MAPK, and Insulin Signaling Pathway.

Accumulation of misfolded proteins, known as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, is known to participate in Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD is also correlated with impaired central insulin signaling. However, few studies have probed the relationship between memory, central ER stress, inflammation, hippocampal mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity and insulin resistance.

Imipramine alleviates memory impairment and hippocampal apoptosis in STZ-induced sporadic Alzheimer's rat model: Possible contribution of MAPKs and insulin signaling.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common age-related neurodegenerative disease, associated with several pathophysiological complaints. Impaired insulin signaling in the brain, is one of the important characteristic features of AD which is accompanied by cognitive deficits. According to the multifactorial and complicated pathology of AD, no modifying therapy has been approved yet.

The chemical chaperon 4-phenyl butyric acid restored high-fat diet- induced hippocampal insulin content and insulin receptor level reduction along with spatial learning and memory deficits in male rats.

This study assessed the effect of a chronic high-fat diet (HFD) on plasma and hippocampal insulin and corticosterone levels, the hippocampus insulin receptor amount, and spatial learning and memory with or without receiving 4-phenyl butyric acid (4-PBA) in male rats. Rats were divided into high-fat and normal diet groups, then each group was subdivided into dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and 4-PBA groups. After weaning, the rats were fed with HFD for 20 weeks.

Potential role of exosome in post-stroke reorganization and/or neurodegeneration.

Currently, stroke is a common and devastating condition, which is sometimes associated with permanent cerebral damages. Although in early time after stroke, the related treatments are mainly focused on the restoration of cerebral blood flow (CBF), at the same time, some changes are commencing that continue for a long time and need to be specially noticed. Previous studies have proposed several molecular mechanisms in these post-stroke events.

Cardioprotective effects of acute sleep deprivation on ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Objectives: Modulation of sympathetic activity during acute sleep deprivation can produce various effects on body functions. We studied the effects of acute sleep deprivation before ischemia/reperfusion on myocardial injury in isolated rat hearts, and the role of sympathetic nervous system that may mediate these sleep deprivation induced effects.

Methods: The animals were randomized into four groups (n = 11 per group): Ischemia- Reperfusion group (IR), Acute sleep deprivation group (SD), Control group for sleep deprivation (CON-SD) and Sympathectomy + ASD group (SYM-SD).

Seasonal Variations of Serum Zinc Concentration in Adult Population: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study.

Background: Zinc, an essential trace element, plays a key role in many biological human body functions. Serum zinc concentration is the most widely used indicator of zinc status for general populations. Considering the limited data available on seasonal fluctuation of serum zinc concentration, we aimed at determining seasonal variations in serum zinc concentrations of Tehranian adults.

Knowledge of Thyroid Disorders during Pregnancy among General Practitioners in Iran.

Background And Objectives: Thyroid disorders during pregnancy are important health problems worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of general practitioners (GPs) about thyroid disorders during pregnancy.

Methods: In this cross sectional study, 120 GPs were randomly selected among participants of a continuous medical education (CME) program, entitled "practical endocrinology".

The relationship between environmental exposures and hormonal abnormalities in pregnant women: An epidemiological study in Yazd, Iran.

Problem: The process of industrialization and lifestyle changes have gradually exposed human ‎societies to a larger number of environmental risk factors, which may cause hormonal ‎abnormalities and congenital anomalies.

Background: The current study aimed to investigate the relationship ‎between environmental factors and hormonal abnormalities among pregnant women in Yazd, ‎Iran.

Methods: A hundred participants were randomly selected from among a group of pregnant women.

Effect of Lactation on myocardial vulnerability to ischemic insult in rats.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality and long-term disability worldwide. Various studies have suggested a protective effect of lactation in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Objective: This study was designed to assess the effects of pregnancy and lactation on the vulnerability of the myocardium to an ischemic insult.

Reliability and validity of the modifiable activity questionnaire for an Iranian urban adolescent population.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability on the Persian translation of the Modifiable Activity Questionnaire (MAQ) in a sample of Tehranian adolescents.

Methods: Of a total of 52 subjects, a sub-sample of 40 participations (55.0% boys) was used to assess the reliability and the validity of the physical activity questionnaire.

Seasonal variations of blood pressure in adults: Tehran lipid and glucose study.

There is no comprehensive report on seasonal variations in individuals' blood pressure (BP) in Iranian subjects. The aim of this study is to evaluate individuals' BP during the four seasons of the year in a large number of adults in Tehran. In a population-based study in Tehran, over a period of ten years (from 1998 to 2011) during the follow up of the four phases of the TLGS, data from a total of 29777 participants aged 20-80 years (42.

Identification and determination of synthetic pharmaceuticals as adulterants in eight common herbal weight loss supplements.

Background: Adulterated herbal weight loss products with containing undeclared synthetic drugs are common and responsible for many serious health damages.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to determine five synthetic adulterants in eight common herbal weight loss supplements, which are currently sold in Iran markets, to verify their presence in supplements, without mentioning on the labels.

Materials And Methods: Eight common herbal weight loss samples were obtained from the Iran pharmaceutical market after advertising in the Persian language on satellite channels and internet.

Trimester-specific reference ranges for thyroid hormones in Iranian pregnant women.

Background. Due to many physiological changes during pregnancy, interpretation of thyroid function tests needs trimester-specific reference intervals for a specific population. There is no normative data documented for thyroid hormones on healthy pregnant women in Iran.

Establishment of the trimester-specific reference range for free thyroxine index.

Background: Accurate assessment of thyroid status during pregnancy is vital for maternal and fetal health. Because free thyroxine (FT4) values in pregnancy vary widely between methods, assessment of total T4 (TT4) and FT4 index (FT4I) may be superior to FT4 in pregnant women. However, trimester-specific reference intervals for FT4I have not yet been established.