Nitric oxide(NO'), a freeradical thatis generated fromL-arginine bystimulated endothelial cells, neutrophils, activated macrophages, andothercelltypes, reacts withsuperoxide anion(O°-)toformperoxynitrite, which itself maybetissue toxic orcanthenreact further toform thehighly reactive andtoxic hydroxyl radical (HO-). Because vascular injury produced bytissue deposition ofimmune complexes islinked toformation oftoxic products derived from activated neutrophils, wehaveassessed whether immunecom- plex-induced injury ofratlunganddermalvasculature is arginine dependent. Thearginine analogue, NG-monomethyl- L-arginine (N-MeArg), whichblocks NO-formation, protects against immunecomplex-induced vascular injury inrats. The protective effects ofN-MeArgarereversed bythepresence of L-arginine butnotD-arginine. Additionally, intheabsence of N-MeArg, injury isenhanced bythepresence ofL-arginine but notbyD-arginine. Protection byN-MeArgisnotassociated withdiminished recruitment ofpolymorphonuclear

Tissue injury caused bydeposition ofimmunecomplexes is L-arginine dependent

Dynamic safety assessment of natural gas stations using Bayesian network.

Background
Saffron, a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, has now undergone several trials examining its antidepressant effects and, in a recent meta-analysis, was confirmed to be effective for the treatment of major depression.

Objective
To provide an expanded systematic analysis of the completed clinical studies on saffron and depression, detailing dosages, extract sources, standardisations, safety profile and treatment duration; and, through a narrative review, to examine its potential antidepressant mechanisms of action.

Design
In the systematic review of clinical trials, electronic databases were searched for high-quality, randomised, double-blind studies, with placebo or antidepressant controls. A narrative review of in vivo and in vitro studies was conducted to examine its potential antidepressant mechanisms of action.

Results
In the systematic review, six studies were identified. In the placebo-comparison trials, saffron had large treatment effects and, when compared with antidepressant medications, had similar antidepressant efficacy. Saffron's antidepressant effects potentially are due to its serotonergic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuro-endocrine and neuroprotective effects.

Conclusions
Research conducted so far provides initial support for the use of saffron for the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression. Further research is required to expand our understanding of the role and actions of saffron in major depression.

Saffron (Crocus sativus) for depression: a systematic review of clinical studies and examination of underlying antidepressant mechanisms of action

Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine-disrupting chemical, has been considered as a possible risk factor for diabetes and its complications. However, the underlying mechanisms of BPA-induced diabetes are not clear. The present study was performed to evaluate the effects of BPA on the hyperglycemia, lipid abnormalities and oxidative stress. In this study, the mice were divided into three groups of six animals each: One group as a control (C) and two other groups which exposed to 0.5 and 2 mg/kg concentrations of BPA. BPA powder was dissolved in sterile extra virgin olive oil and injected intraperitoneally to the tested groups, while the control group only received pure olive oil for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, the changes of glucose, lipid profile reduced, total protein, glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant status (TAS), catalase (CAT) and super oxide dismutase (SOD) were determined in serum and pancreas. The results indicated that BPA dose-dependently increased the levels of blood glucose, lipid profile and MDA in the tested groups compared with the control group (p < 0.001). BPA reduced significantly the levels of HDL-C and GSH in dose-dependent manner (p < 0.001). BPA injection increased the levels of MDA and decreased the levels of GSH and TAS, and also the activities of SOD and CAT in the pancreas of exposed mice compared with the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, body weight increased in the mice exposed to BPA compare to control animals. These results suggest that BPA exposure might induce hyperglycemia and its complications in adult male mice by induction of oxidative stress.

Effect of bisphenol A on blood glucose, lipid profile and oxidative stress indices in adult male mice.

A novel extension of DEMATEL approach for probabilistic safety analysis in process systems

Purpose. Clinical research has confirmed the efficacy of several plant extracts in the modulation of oxidative stress associated with diabetes mellitus. Findings indicate that safranal has antioxidant properties. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of possible protective effects of safranal against oxidative damage in diabetic rats. Methods. In this study, the rats were divided into the following groups of 8 animals each: control, untreated diabetic, three safranal (0.25, 0.50, 0.75 mg/kg/day)-treated diabetic groups. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) in rats. STZ was injected intraperitoneally at a single dose of 60 mg/kg for diabetes induction. Safranal (intraperitoneal injection) was administered 3 days after STZ administration; these injections were continued to the end of the study (4 weeks). At the end of the 4-week period, blood was drawn for biochemical assays. In order to determine the changes of cellular antioxidant defense systems, antioxidant enzymes including glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were measured in serum. Moreover we also measured serum nitric oxide (NO) and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, a marker of lipid peroxidation.  Results. STZ-induced diabetes caused an elevation ( p < 0.001) of blood glucose, MDA, NO, total lipids, triglycerides and cholesterol, with reduction of GSH level and CAT and SOD activities. The results indicated that the significant elevation in the blood glucose, MDA, NO, total lipids, triglycerides, cholesterol and reduction of glutathione level and CAT and SOD activity were ameliorated in the safranal–treated diabetic groups compared with the untreated groups, in a dose dependent manner ( p < 0.05, p <0.01, p < 0.001). Conclusion. These results suggest that safranal has antioxidant properties and improves chemically-induced diabetes and its complications by modulation of oxidative stress . This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW . Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.

/pdf/safranal-treatment-improves-hyperglycemia-hyperlipidemia-and-2taiszdezo.pdf

Safranal treatment improves hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Despite the wide spread of lead environmental pollution, the effect of this heavy metal on respiratory disease was not shown yet. In respect to increased oxidative stress is an important mechanism in the pathogenesis of respiratory disease, the present study was designed to examine the association between lead toxicity and lung disease via measuring oxidative stress biomarkers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue of rat. For this aim, 32 rats were divided into the following groups of eight animals each: control, three lead tested (received lead acetate in the drinking water for a period of 14 d at concentrations of 250, 500 and 1000 ppm) groups. At the end of the 2 week period, malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and reduced glutathione (GSH) contents were measured to assess free radical activity in the BALF and lung tissue. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) was also determined. A significant dose-dependent increase in the BALF supernatant and lung homogenate levels of MDA and NO with decrease GSH level and SOD activity were observed in the lead-treated groups compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Thus, lead acetate may be contributed to respiratory disorders via increased oxidative stress.

The effect of lead acetate on oxidative stress and antioxidant status in rat bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue.

In recent years in the process industries much attention has been paid to the quantitative risk analysis (QRA). This study describes a QRA evaluating the risk from the operation of an LPG installation. Both individual and societal risks to the installation personnel, customers, and neighbors/passer-bys are evaluated. The study showed that the largest effect is caused by a jet fire and flash fires. Unacceptable individual risk is being imposed on personnel, consumers, and third parties. Societal risks are also unacceptable in comparison with the Installation's acceptable risk criteria. Risk reductive measures proposed for the Installation include the application of smaller pipes and fewer flanges in Compressor room, the use of smaller vessels in Storage units and the use of Emergency shutdown valve. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 33: 77–84, 2014

Mohammad Bagher Delkhosh

Papers

Safranal treatment improves hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The effect of lead acetate on oxidative stress and antioxidant status in rat bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue.

Risk Analysis by Means of a QRA Approach on a LPG Cylinder Filling Installation

A survey of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Physicians Related to Evidence-Based Medicine in Hakim and 22 Bahman Hospitals of Neyshabur