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Background and Aim: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multi potential and capable of differentiating into specialized tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate the induction of differentiation of the bone marrow MSCs of rat into hepatocytes by use of fibroblast growth factor-2 (bFGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and oncostatin M (OSM) in order to find a suitable source of hepatoecytes for bioartificial liver or liver transplantation. Material and Methods: In this research MSCs were obtained from the bone marrow of rat and cultured in DMEM-LG medium supplemented with 15% FBS. These cells were treated with differential medium supplemented with HGF, bFGF and OSM for 24 days. Morphology, RT-PCR and Biochemical assays were used to identify the differentiation of stem cells into hepatic cells. Result: MSCs took a round shape after differentiation, while undifferentiated cells had fibroblast-like morphology. Albumin, urea and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were detected in differentiated cells. Alkaline phosphatase activity was confirmed by biochemical tests. The mRNA expression of CK-18 and tyrosine amino transferase (TAT) in differentiated cells was demonstrated by RT-PCR after induction. Conclusion: The rat MSCs from bone marrow can differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells in the presence of HGF, bFGF and OSM in vitro. Cytokines may play an important role in differentiation of bone marrow MSCs of rat into hepatocytes. Bone marrow derived MSCs are a new source of cell types which can be used for cell transplantation in hepatic diseases. Conflict of Interest: Nill Received: Feb 8, 2009 Accepted: March 8, 2009

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ABSTRACT Background and Aim: Chronic opiate administration induces tolerance to the analgesic effect. Despite extensive investigations in this ground, the precise cellular mechanisms underlying opioid tolerance and dependence remain controversial. Several studies have indicated that glutamatergic transmission and nitric oxide/ N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) pathway could play an important role in morphine-induced tolerance. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of intra-cerebro-ventricular (ICV) administration of minocycline (a second-generation tetracycline) on morphine-induced tolerance and elevation of glutamate level in cerebral cortex and lumbar region of spinal cord of rats after administration of morphine. Material and Methods: Different groups of rats received either morphine (IP) and distilled water (ICV) or morphine (IP) and different doses of minocycline (ICV) or minocycline alone once per day. Nociception was assessed using a hot plate apparatus. The glutamate concentration in both regions was measured with a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) apparatus. Results: The results indicated that ICV administration of minocycline with doses of 60, 120, 240 µg/10µl/rat attenuated the morphine-induced tolerance and decreased glutamate level in the cerebral cortex. But glutamate level in the lumbar spinal cord decreased after administration of minocycline with doses of 120, 240 µg/10µl/rat. Conclusion: We found that central administration of minocycline attenuated morphine-induced increase of glutamate level in the cortex and lumbar spinal cord of rats which can be regarded as a possible mechanism for effect of minocycline on morphine-induced tolerance. Key words: Morphine, Minocycline, Glutamate, Tolerance, Intra-cerebro-ventricular Conflict of Interest: Nill Received: July 6, 2010 Accepted: Sept 27, 2010

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ABSTRACT Background and Aim: Wheat flour is a complex organic particle containing an array of different allergic and antigenic components. Exposure to flour dust may result in a variety of respiratory problems such as allergic responses, occupational asthma and allergic rhinitis. The aim of the present study was to assess the concentration of inhalable dust and gliadin of flour dust as an important wheat flour allergen and to determine the relationship between concentrations of flour dust and that of gliadin in the air breathed by the workers in different workstations of wheat flour mill factories. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. 64 air samples were collected by means of universal air sampling pumps. Inhalable flour dust density was measured by gravimetric method and flour dust gliadin concentration was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The mean flour dust density was higher than that of permissible limit in all wheat flour mill factories (1.64 4.68 mg/m3) and showed a significant positive relation with gliadin concentration (R2 = 0.708, p<0.05) in all factories. In addition, Inhalable dust density and gliadin concentration have been different in different stations of the factories and were highest in flour packing workstation. Conclusion: This study revealed the density of Inhalable flour dust had been higher than the level of permissible limit (0.5 gr/m3) and the workers in Hamadan flour mills are exposed to a dangerous level of flour dust, and inhale a high level of gliadin in all flour packing unites of the factories in Hamedan. Key words: Exposure, Antigen, Flour, Gliadin Conflict of Interest: Nill Received: June 10, 2010 Accepted: Aug 11, 2010

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ABSTRACT Background and Aim: Different studies have indicated that glutamate and dopamine are involved in producing anxiety. Furthermore, interaction between NMDA and dopamine receptors has been demonstrated in the modulation of some behaviors. In the present study, the role of dopaminergic D2 receptor in producing anxiety-like behavior induced by inhibition of NMDA receptors was investigated in male wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Rats were anesthetized with intra-peritoneal injection of ketamine hydrochloride, plus xylazine and then placed in a stereotaxic apparatus. Two stainless-steel cannuale were placed in the CA1 region of hippocampus. All animals were allowed to recover for one week before beginning behavioral test. The elevated plus maze test was used to test anxiety-like behaviors. Results: The results of this study showed that intra-CA1 injection of MK801 (2 µg/rat) induced anxiolytic effects. Intra-CA1 injection sulpiride (0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 µg/rat) by itself had no effect on anxiety-like behaviors, but administration of the same doses of sulpiride 5 mins before injection of the effective dose of MK801 (2 µg/rat, intra-CA1) inhibited anxiolytic effects of MK801. Conclusion: The results indicated that CA1 region of hippocampus have an important role in anxiolytic effects of MK801 and anxiolytic effect of NMDA receptors antagonist is at least partly mediated via D2 receptors of the dorsal hippocampus. Key words: Dorsal hippocampus, Mk801, Sulpiride, Anxiety, Elevated plus-maze Conflict of Interest: Nill Received: Jul 4, 2010 Accepted: Oct 23, 2010

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ABSTRACT Background and Aim: Since no study on the prevalence of refractive errors had been performed in this optometry clinic, this study was designed to determine the prevalence rate of refractive errors among the patients examined in this clinic in 2008/2009. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the files of the patients examined in optometry clinic in 2008/2009 were reviewed. Variables included age, sex, rate and type of refractive errors and health of anterior and posterior eye segments. Results: The prevalence rates of myopia, hypermetriopa, astigmatism and emmetropia were 11.83%, 15/38%, 45%, 27/34% respectively. The respective prevalence rates of refractive errors in men and women were: 10/3% and 13/1% for myopia, 16.7%, 15.1% for hypermetropia, 45.6% and 44.5% for astigmatism, and 27.4% and 27.3% for emmetropia. The mean ages of the patients with myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism were 36.1±19.36, 41.27±22.06 and 32.16±20.98. Respectively Difference of the ratios of the patients with different ages suffering from refractive errors was significant (P<0.0001). There was no significant difference in the male to female ratio in the patients with refractive errors (P<0.741). Conclusion: This study showed that the prevalence rate of myopia increased up to the age of 20-30 years but that of hypermetropia decreased, and prevalence rates of myopia and hypermetropia in some age groups increased after the age of 40. In addition, the prevalence rates of refractive errors in different age groups were not similar and gender had no effect on the prevalence of refractive errors. These results are compatible with the results of other studies. Key words: Refractive error, Myopia, Hypermetropia, Astigmatism, Age and sex. Conflict of Interest: Nill Received: May 24, 2010 Accepted: Oct 14, 2010

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ABSTRACT Background and Aim: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is considered a major problem in the world. This strain colonizes nose and causes increased incidence of nosocomial infections, mortality and morbidity. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a herbal medicine widely used all over the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of rosemary essence on MRSA isolated from patients and food. Methods and Material: 200 strains of MRSA, 100 from patients and 100 from food samples, were collected and analyzed in Tehran, during the last year. 28 MRSA strains and multi drug resistant (MDR) strains were isolated. The antimicrobial activity of the rosemary essence against different isolates of the microorganism was evaluated by disk diffusion and macro broth dilution methods. Resualts: MRSA isolates belonged to 25% and 60% of food and clinical samples, respectively. The results showed effective and similar antimicrobial activity of Rosmarinus officinalis on both clinical and food samples with an inhibition zone of 20mm in diameter. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) in our study were 1.40 mg/ml and 2.81 mg/ml, respectively. Conclusion: Overuse of antibiotics has led to extensive bacterial resistance to antibiotics, which demonstrates the need for use of new antimicrobial agents. Considering increasing prevalence of MRSA strains and the beneficial effect of rosemary essence on these strains, this essence can be recommended for the treatment of MRSA infections. Key words: Rosmarinus officinalis MRSA Antimicrobial activity Conflict of Interest: Nill Received: Dec 1, 2010 Accepted: Jan 30, 2011

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ABSTRACT Background and Aim: In the recent century, rapid growth of population is a threat to human life. Family planning has been of great benefit to family health. Thirteen million women in the world use Depo-Provera as a contraceptive method. Different studies have reported development of depression in Depo-Provera users, and some articles reported that they are ineffective on mood. Therefore assessment of Depo-Provera effects on mood is important. Depression in women can lead to physical, psychological and social reactions. Therefore we decided to assess the effect of Depo-Provera on depression rate in the health center of Babol City. Materials and Methods: This Study was a Quazi-experimental study. 64 women completed a questionnaire consisted of demographic data before Depo-Provera injection and also Beck Standard Questionnaire before and 3 months after Depo-Provera injection at the health center of Babol City. For data analysis we used Wilcoxon and Fisher`s exact tests. Results: Mean score of depression symptoms before Depo-Provera injection was 6.50±8.2 but three month after injection it was 4.50±6.6 which had a significant difference (p=0.001). Age, education, satisfaction of husband’s job, husband’s literacy, husband’s aid at home, satisfaction with the marital life, family class, family income, child abortion history, outcome of recent pregnancy, satisfaction in relationship with parents in childhood, satisfaction in relationship with family members, support from the family and relatives, satisfaction in relationship with friends and worrisome events during the last year showed no significant relationship with depression before and after Depo-Provera injections. But satisfaction with husband’s family (p=0.034) and history of depression (p=0.026) had a significant relationship with depression before Depo-Provera injection. Also there was a significant relationship between loss of independency and depression before and after Depo-Provera injection (p=0.024, p=0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed lack of deterioration of depression by Depo-Provera injections. Therefore appropriate consultation can lead to increased use of Depo-Provera. Key Words: Depression, Beck Test, Depo-Provera (Depot medroxy Progesterone Acetate). Conflict of Interest: Nill Received: May 22, 2010 Accepted: May 15, 2011

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Background and Aim: Methicillin –resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have created a major problem in the treatment of diseases. MRSA colonization in nose can lead to increased rate of nosocomial infections and mortality. Zataria multiflora is a plant which is widely used in the world for medical purposes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial effect of zataria multiflora extract on MRSA strains isolated from food. Material and Method: In this in vitro study the antimicrobial effect of Shirazi Zataria multiflora extract on MRSA and other Staphylococcus aureus strains resistant to tetracycline, erithromycine, trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazol, and methiclline, together with its MIC and MBC were determined. Results: Shirazi zataria multiflora, had a significant affects against MRSA, and other Staphylococcus aureus resistant to methicillin, tetracycline, erithromycine, trimethoprim, and sulfametoxazol, isolated from food. Conclusion: Production of a suitable herbal medicine with few side effects will give rise to a promising out-look in the treatment of infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

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ABSTRACT Background and aim: Hemoglobin screening methods before blood donation need to be not only simple, rapid and inexpensive but also sensitive for detection of both low and high hemoglobin levels to prevent false rejection of potential donors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of two methods of hemoglobinometry in blood donors. Material and Method: In this cross sectional study, 198 blood donors were randomly selected. The hemoglobin levels of two blood samples taken by means of a single finger stick were determined by Hemocue 201+ and Hemocontrol and hemoglobin level of a venous blood sample was measured by Cobas hematology analyzer as standard method. Venous hemoglobin range of 12.5-17.9 g/dl was regarded as inclusion criteria for blood donation. The sensitivity, specificity and correlation between reference method and each of the hemoglobinometers were assessed. Data analysis was performed by means of correlation tests, regression analysis and paired t-test. Results: Mean hemoglobin levels measured by Cobas, Hemocue and Hemocontrol were 15.9±1.68, 16.28±1.91 and 16.30±196 g/dl, respectively. Hemoglobin levels measured by hemoglobinometers were higher than that measured by the standard reference. This difference was not significant in low hemoglobin levels, contrary to high hemoglobin levels. Each of the two methods showed significant correlation with standard method when hemoglobin levels were lower than normal limit. Increased hemoglobin levels led to decreased correlation coefficient which was not significant with hemoglobin levels higher than 18g/dl. Conclusion: Our study results showed that these heomoglobinometers were not valid for screening high hemoglobin levels in blood donors and a large number of potential donors would be falsely rejected. Further studies to find valid methods are recommended. Key words: Validity, Hemoglobin, Sensitivity, Specificity, Blood donors. Received: Aug 5, 2012 Accepted: Jun 18, 2013 Conflict of interest: None declared

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Background and Aim: Nowadays, because of the concern about risks of hormone-therapy, many physicians and women prefer phyto-estrogens for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Hop is a plant with potent phyto-estrogenic ingredients. However, its effect on the symptoms has been evaluated only in one clinical trial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of hop (Humuluslupulus L.) in the treatment of early menopausal symptoms and hot flashes (primary outcomes). Material and Method: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial, 60 perimenopausal women were randomly assigned to two equal groups (n=30). One group received hop tablets, 500 mg/day and other group received placebo tablets 500 mg/day, for 90 days. Early menopausal symptoms were assessed by means of Greene Scale (0-63) before and at the 4th, 8th and 12th weeks after intervention. ANOVA was used for data analysis. Result: There was no loss to follow-up during the 12 weeks of intervention. The mean Greene total score was significantly lower in the hop group in comparison to the placebo group at the 4th (adjusted difference: -8.3, 95% confidence interval: -9.7 to -6.9),8th (-14.6, -16.5 to -12.7) and12th (-18.2, -20.5 to -16.0) weeks after intervention. No side effects were reported in this study. Conclusion: Hop effectively reduced the early menopausal symptoms and the number of hot flushes in perimenopausal women. Therefore, phytoestrogens can be used for the treatment of climacteric symptoms in the perimenopausal women. Keyword: Early menopausal symptoms, Hop (Humuluslupulus L.), Perimenopause, Randomized clinical trials

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Background and Aim: Considering the physical and psychological benefits of aerobic exercise and complications of menstrual disorders as familial and social problems, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of 8 weeks of moderate intensity aerobic exercise on menstrual cycle disorders and levels of estrogen and progesterone in non athlete women.

Material and Methods: In this study, 20 women with menstrual disorder were randomly divided into two experimental (age: 23.6±3.1 years, height: 161.0±4.2 cm, weight: 58.2± 6.2 kg) and control groups (age: 23.4±3.2 years, height: 162±5.1cm, weight: 57.5± 7.1kg). The experimental group performed 8 weeks of moderate intensity aerobic exercise with 60-85% MHR. Before and after the training period, blood samples were taken from the subjects in the follicular phase to measure the levels of sex hormones. The subjects were asked to fill out the standard questionnaire for identification of the kind of menstrual disorders. Levels of progesterone and estrogen hormones were measured using electrochemiluminescence method. Data analysis was performed by using SPSS20. p<0.05 was considered significant.

Results: In the experimental group, we found a significant decrease in Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS Pain) after 8 weeks of moderate intensity exercise compared to pre exercise stage and also control groups (p<0.01). In addition, serum levels of progesterone and estrogen hormones significantly increased in comparison to pre exercise stage and control groups (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Regular moderate intensity endurance exercise decreases menstrual disorders probably due to increase in the estrogen and progesterone secretion. Therefore, these exercise training programs can be used as a preventive, therapeutic or adjunctive measure to control dysmenorrhea and other menstrual disorders.

Keywords: Endurance Training, Estrogen, Progesterone, Menstrual disorders.

Received: Nov 07, 2015      Accepted: Mar 06, 2016

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Background and Aim: Dermatomyositis in a rare inflammatory disease with incidence rates between 0.5 and 0.99 per 100.000. Its relationship with some cancers such as breast, lung and ovary is well established. It can be the first or one of the presenting features of ovarian cancer. Dermatomyositis is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome which has a very rare association with ovarian cancer. Here we report association of dermatomyositis as a paraneoplastic syndrome with ovarian cancer.
Material and methods: A 40 year old woman referred with scattered rash and pruritus espcially in extensor surfaces, myalgia and weakness from 40 days prior to referral. Bilateral ovarian cancer was diagnosed during follow up period.
Conclusion: We should consider the likelihood of underlying malignancies in the patients with dermatomyositis. Because, in case of malignancy different therapeutic measures should be considered.
Keywords: Dermatomyositis, Ovarian cancer, Paraneoplastic syndrome.
 
Received: May 24, 2017     Accepted: Oct 3, 2017

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Background and Aim: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is recognized as a metabolic liver disease in the world. The purpose of this study was to investigate the preventive effects of Punica granatum extract on fatty liver disease in the rats receiving high fat diet.
Material and Methods: In this study rats were divided into 6 groups: healthy control, feeding with high fat diet, feeding with high fat diet plus clofibrate and feeding with high fat diet plus Punica granatum extract with different doses for 6 weeks. At the end of the experiment biochemical indices including LDL, HDL, triglyceride and cholesterol, hepatic enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP) and concentrations of GPX, SOD, and CAT antioxidants in serum were measured. After histopathologic examinations and grading of fatty liver the groups were compared with one another.
Results: High-fat diet group showed statistically significant increase in hepatic enzymes, cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL compared to other groups. Whereas high dose extract and clofibrate groups showed statistically significant increase in HDL and antioxidant activity compared to other groups. The results of histopathological examination showed fatty liver changes of grade 4 in the high-fat diet, grade 1 in the extract and grade zero in the clofibrate groups.
 Conclusion: The results of this study showed the preventive effect of Kurdistan native Punica on fatty liver disease which is related to its antioxidant properties.
Key words: Punica extract, Fatty liver, Hepatic enzyme, Antioxidant, Biochemical studies.
 
Received: Jan 16, 2018     Accepted: May 22, 2018

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Bckground and Aim: Strenuous endurance activities induce oxidative stress and influences important tissues such as kidney and lung. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of curcumin supplementation on glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the kidney and lung tissues during 8 weeks of strenuous endurance training in male wistar rats.
Material and Method: In this experimental study, after one-week familiarization, 28 male Wistar rats (weight= 256.11±19.24 g, age= 8 weeks), were randomly divided into; Control (n=6), Curcumin (n=6), Endurance (n=8) and Endurance + curcumin (n=8) groups. Endurance training  was carried out 5 sessions per week for 8 weeks by using an animal treadmill. The speed and duration of running increased to 35 m/min and 70 min in the last week. The animals received intraperitoneal injections of curcumin supplement 30 mg/kg, 3 times per week for 8 weeks. GPX activity and MDA levels were measured in the kidney and lung tissues by spectrophotometric method. Data were analyzed by one way ANOVA test.
Results: There were no significant differences in GPX enzyme activity in the kidney (p=0.077) and lung (p=0.114) tissues between the groups. However, MDA levels in the kidney (p=0.029) and lung (p=0.037) tissues in endurance training group were significantly higher than those in the endurance+curcumin group.
Conclusion: It seems that strenuous endurance training in spite of inducing lipid peroxidation, can not disturb final line of antioxidant defense in the kidney and lung tissues. Also, strenuous endurance training induces oxidative stress in the kidney and lung tissues and curcumin supplementation can prevent oxidative stress

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Background and Aims: Chlorpyriphos is one of the most important widely used pesticides in agriculture, which is discharged into the water resources and is associated with various adverse effects on human health and the environment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate chlorpyriphos removal by chitosan graphene oxide composite form aquatic solution.
Materials and Methods: The characteristics of adsorptive material was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). First, the pHzpc was determined.Then, the effect of different parameters such as the amount of adsorbent, contact time, pH, initial concentration of chlorpyriphos and temperature were studied through batch method in order to obtain optimal conditions for the adsorption process. Then optimal pH under constant conditions was determined. Isotherm, kinetic and thermodynamic equations  of adsorption were investigated and concentration of chlorpyriphos was determined.
Results: The highest removal efficiency was 93% which was observed at pH=5, 60 minutes contact time and 0.8 g/L of adsorbent concentration and initial concentration of 1 mg/l for chlorpyriphos. The results showed that adsorption process followed pseudo-second order kinetics and equations data followed Langmuir isotherms model. Evaluation of thermodynamic parameters showed that the process of chlorpyrifos removal was endothermic and spontaneous.
Conclusion: According to the results of this study chitosan graphene oxide composite can be a suitable adsorptive material for removal of chlorpyrifos from aquatic solutions.

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Background and Aim:  Childbirth is one of the important events in women's life, and labor support is an important tissue, because the experience of giving birth may have a positive or negative impact on the women. Considering lack of a suitable questionnaire for measuring labor support behaviors, the present study aimed to translate and evaluate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the labor support questionnaire.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 213 midwives in maternity hospitals of selected medical universities in Tehran from January 2017 to September 2017. Midwives were requested to complete demographic and also labor support questionnaires. At first, we assessed the face and content validity of the instrument qualitatively, and then its construct validity was carried out by confirmatory factor analysis. In order to evaluate the reliability of the instrument, internal consistency and test-retest were used.
Results: Qualitative face and content validity of the Persian version of the labor support questionnaire were approved. Also, the construct validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.96 and the Pearson correlation coefficient of the t-test was 0.71, which were indicative of appropriate reliability of the Persian version of the questionnaire.
Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that the Persian version of the labor support questionnaire had the necessary validity and reliability. Therefore, this questionnaire can be used as an appropriate instrument for Iranian midwives.

 

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Background and Aim: Bladder cancer is the ninth most common cancer in the world. Also, it is the fourth most common cancer in men in Iran and the second most common genitourinary cancer after prostate cancer. This study deals with epidemiology of bladder malignancy in the patients treated by transurethral resection in Tohid Hospital in Sanandaj.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data were extracted from321 medical records of the patients with bladder malignancy treated by transurethral resection from 2012 to 2017. Data included age, gender, place of residence, occupation, smoking history, histopathology results, disease stage and type of treatment. Frequency and percentage of every variable was calculated. Stata software Ver. 14 was used for data analysis.
Results: The results of this study showed that mean ± standard deviation of age of the subjects was 65.6 ± 14 years. 264 (82.2%) patients were men and 247 (76.9%) lived in Sanandaj city. 172 patients (53.6%) had history of smoking and 20 patients (6.2%) had family history of bladder cancer. Histopathology reports of most patients were indicative of transitional cell carcinoma. 210 patients (65.4%) were at stage 1 and 8 patients (2.5%) at stage 4 of the disease. Treatment methods were TURBT in 207 patients (64.5%) and TURBT and BCG into the bladder in 74 patients (23%). Age, gender and disease stage showed no significant statistical association with one another (P>0.05).
Conclusion: The incidence of bladder cancer is on the rise, although this increase may be due to improved cancer registration system, as well as use of new diagnostic methods and increased patients' awareness, but change in lifestyle, adverse effects of job on health and other risk factors can lead to increased risk of bladder cancer. Therefore, planning for identification of the causes of this cancer can be helpful in prevention of this cancer.

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Background and Aim: Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women worldwide. Despite recent advances in cancer treatment, this disease remains one of the leading causes of death. Snake venom is a mixture of various molecules such as carbohydrates, nucleosides, amino acids, lipids, proteins and peptides. Previous studies have shown that the venom of some snakes have anti-cancer effects on human cell lines. In the present study, the effect of Vipera raddei kurdistanica venom on breast cell lines was investigated.
Materials and Methods: The effect of increasing concentrations of snake venom on breast cells viability was investigated using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay and lactate dehydrogenase measurement. Apoptotic cell death was evaluated by fluorescent dye staining and DNA fragmentation assay. Changes in the expression levels of some apoptotic-related genes were investigated by using real time PCR. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test. P <0.05 was considered significant.
Results: After 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours treatment, cell viability was significantly decreased in a time and dose dependent manner (P <0.05). The effect of venom was significantly less on normal breast cells than on cancer cells (P <0.05). Apoptotic cell death was significantly increased (P <0.05) in a dose dependent manner. Results of real time PCR confirmed the increase in apoptotic cell death due to venom treatment.
Conclusion: These data indicated that snake venom of Vipera raddei kurdistanica had anti-cancer properties through apoptosis cell death induction specifically in breast cancer cells.