Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

About: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences is a education organization based out in Tabriz, Iran. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Cancer. The organization has 11499 authors who have published 17525 publications receiving 241099 citations.

Solid lipid-based nanocarriers as efficient targeted drug and gene delivery systems

Abstract: Most of the active pharmaceutical ingredients are often prone to display low bioavailability, biological degradation and inadvertent intrinsic side effects. To circumvent such obstacles, the expansion of efficient and novel drug carrier system is of increasing importance in terms of their efficient applicability through different administration routes such as dermal, oral, topical, parenteral and pulmonary. To pursue such aims, as an effective strategy, targeted delivery of drugs/genes to specific tissues/cells has widely been investigated. Accordingly, colloidal delivery of nanosystems such as solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), liposomes, niosomes and transfersomes have materialized great means towards improved targeted delivery of drug/gene cargoes. The potential advantages of solid lipid-based nanocarriers applications over other nanoparticles (NPs) are because of their high biocompatibility, higher drug loading capacity and scalability. In this study, we review the utility of various targeted solid lipid-based nanocarriers and discuss their applications in drug and gene delivery systems.

Effects of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on serum adiponectin levels and some metabolic risk factors in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Abstract: Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common female endocrine disorder associated with several risk factors of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on serum adiponectin levels and some metabolic risk factors in PCOS patients. Methods: This double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 64 overweight or obese PCOS patients; aged 20-35 years. Subjects in omega-3 fatty acids (n=32) and placebo (n=32) groups were given 4 omega-3 fatty acids capsules (each one contained 180 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 120 mg docosahexanoic acid) or placebo daily for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples, anthropometric measurements and 3-day, 24-hour dietary recalls were collected at the baseline and at the end of the trial. Results: The study was completed by 61 subjects. Omega−3 fatty acids significantly increased serum levels of adiponectin (p=0.003) and decreased glucose (p＜0.001), insulin (p=0.002), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (p＜0.001), total cholesterol (p=0.002) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p=0.003) compared with placebo. Serum levels of triglyceride significantly decreased (p=0.024) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased (p=0.018) in the omega-3 fatty acids group, in comparison with baseline values. No significant changes were shown in serum high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in both groups. Conclusion: Omega-3 fatty acids had some beneficial effects on serum adiponectin levels, insulin resistance and lipid profile in PCOS patients and may contribute to the improvement of metabolic complications in these patients.

Anti-microbial activity of curcumin nanoformulations: New trends and future perspectives.

Abstract: Curcumin has been used in numerous anti-microbial research because of its low side effects and extensive traditional applications. Despite having a wide range of effects, the intrinsic physicochemical characteristics such as low bioavailability, poor water solubility, photodegradation, chemical instability, short half-life and fast metabolism of curcumin derivatives limit their pharmaceutical importance. To overcome these drawbacks and improve the therapeutic ability of curcuminoids, novel approaches have been attempted recently. Nanoparticulate drug delivery systems can increase the efficiency of curcumin in several diseases, especially infectious diseases. These innovative strategies include polymeric nanoparticles, hydrogels, nanoemulsion, nanocomposite, nanofibers, liposome, nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), polymeric micelles, quantum dots, polymeric blend films and nanomaterial-based combination of curcumin with other anti-bacterial agents. Integration of curcumin in these delivery systems has displayed to improve their solubility, bioavailability, transmembrane permeability, prolong plasma half-life, long-term stability, target-specific delivery and upgraded the therapeutic effects. In this review paper, a range of in vitro and in vivo studies have been critically discussed to explore the therapeutic viability and pharmaceutical significance of the nano-formulated delivery systems to elevate the anti-bacterial activities of curcumin and its derivatives.

Determinants of Skin Cancer Preventive Behaviors Among Rural Farmers in Iran: an Application of Protection Motivation Theory

Abstract: Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers, worldwide, which happens more among those with more sunlight exposure like farmers. The aim of this study was to explore the determinants of skin cancer preventive behaviors (SCPBs) among rural farmers using Protection Motivation Theory (PMT). In this cross-sectional study, multistage random sampling was employed to enroll 238 farmers referring to rural health houses (HH) in Chaldoran County, Iran. A valid and reliable instrument based on PMT variables was used. Significant correlations were found between all PMT variables with SCPBs (p 0.05) and PMT constructs (p < 0.001) explained 3 and 63.6 % of the observed variance in Protection Motivation, respectively. Also, no significant effect was found on SCPBs by demographic variables, in the first block (∆R 2 = 0.025); however, in the second block, Perceived Susceptibility (p = 0.000), Rewards (p = 0.022), Self-efficacy (p = 0.000), and Response Cost (p = 0.001) were significant predictors of SCPBs (∆R 2 = 0.432). Health care providers may consider PMT as a framework for developing educational interventions aiming at improving SCPBs among rural farmers.