International Journal of Medical Laboratory

Backgrounds and Aims: Stroke incidence rate has increased during the past 2 decades. The question of whether calcium, chloride, potassium, sodium levels are associated with stroke has remained controversial. The present study aimed to evaluate the serum levels of potassium, sodium, calcium, and chloride within stroke patients.

Materials and Methods: The study participants consisted of 53 cconsecutive stroke patients as well as 53 healthy subjects.The stroke was defined by focal neurological signs. After collection of blood samples, serum levels of calcium, chloride, potassium and sodium concentration were measured by standard laboratory method.

Results: Serum calcium level in the patient group was significantly increased as compared to the control group [11.0±1.3) vs. 9.4±0.7, mg/dl], whereas serum potassium level in the patient group was decreased as compared to the control group [3.5±0.6 vs. 3.9±0.4, mmol/L]. Serum sodium level in the patient group was slightly low as compared to the control group [136.3 ±0.6 vs. 136.7 ±5.5, mmol/L]. Moreover, serum chloride level in the patient group was slightly high as compared to the control group [102.4±7.9 vs. 100.7±6.2, mmol/L].

Conclusions: The study results demonstrated that a statistically significant positive correlation was observed between serum electrolytes or ionic levels and stroke status. Changes in calcium, chloride, potassium and sodium levels during stroke may be a good biochemical marker of diagnosis for this disease. Therefore, these biochemical factors could play a useful role in the stroke. However, further studies are demanded to confirm the validity of study.

Background and Aims: Portulaca oleracea (purslane) herb has renewed an interest in medicinal plants because its aerial parts usage generally does not elicit any side effects. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the anti-diabetic effect of hydro-ethanolic extract of P. oleracea seeds in alloxan- induced diabetic rats.

Materials and Methods: In the test group, diabetic rats received hydroethanolic extract at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, intraperitoneally for 14 days while in the control group, they received just saline vehicle. Then, biochemical analysis was performed to evaluate serum profiles in diabetic treated rats. After that, liver sections were prepared for histopathological analysis.

Results: In comparison to the control group, the serum profiles of the test group exhibited significant changes. In the control diabetic group, the serum levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, urea and uric acid were 494, 122, 220, 163, 492 and 94 mg/dL and aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were 3215, 3394 and 1527 UI/l reduced respectively to 165, 18, 120, 63, 36 and 52 mg/dL and 1219, 1229 and 1717 UI/l in the test groups. Also, the administration of the purslane extract significantly increased high-density lipoproteins and total protein levels and attenuated hispathological damage in liver tissue in alloxan- induced diabetic rats.

Conclusions: The present data indicated that hydro-ethanolic extract of P. oleracea seeds has anti-diabetic effect in diabetic animals. So, this plant should be considered in future therapeutic researches.

Background and Aims: Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancers among men in Iran. Since changes in the regulation of proto-oncogenes expression are the main causes of most human cancers, including PCa, evaluating the expression of marker genes can be helpful for early diagnosis of cancer and better understanding of its etiology. The present study compared c-Myc expression level in prostatic adenocarcinoma and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Material and Methods: Paraffin-embedded prostatic tissues from patients with prostate adenocarcinoma (n=38) and BPH (n=38) were selected. The samples were included only if the patients underwent radical prostatectomy and had no history of hormone therapy, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy. After RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, c-Myc expression in the samples was compared using SYBR green-based real-time polymerase chain reaction.
Results: Significantly higher c-Myc mRNA expression was observed in adenocarcinoma samples than in BPH group (p=0.001). No significant correlation was observed between c-Myc expression and Gleason Score (p>0.05). There were no significant correlations between c-Myc expression and prostate-specific antigen levels and age (p>0.05).
Conclusions: The c-Myc mRNA expression increased in the PCa samples compared with the BPH group. It seems that c-Myc expression can be introduced as a prognostic marker for determination of the invasive potential of tumor cells. Further tests and studies conducted with larger sample sizes may help to use this marker in differentiating malignant from benign samples.

Background and Aims: Identification of different allergens is a major challenge in allergic diseases. Avoiding these allergens is known as one of the best types of treatment. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of aeroallergens and food allergens in patients with allergy by Skin Prick Test.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 255 patients with allergic diseases who had referred to the Khorshid Allergy and Immunology Clinic. Skin Prick Test was performed using 82 allergen extracts to determine the patients' sensitivity to food and aeroallergens.
Results: One hundred percent of the patients were sensitive to at least one allergen. Allergy to food allergens and aeroallergens was 49% and 51 %, respectively. Most sensitivity to food allergens included hazelnut (26.27%), bananas (21.96%), egg yolk (21.56%) and wheat (20.39%). Among the aeroallergens, grass with a frequency of 87% and fungi with a frequency of 34% had the highest and lowest frequencies.
Conclusions: Depending on the nutrition, cultural habits, environmental conditions, and life style, prevalence of the allergens in each area may be different. Therefore, early identification and avoidance from these allergens can be suggested.