Milad Ashrafizadeh; Zahra Ahmadi
Abstract
Statins are the inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A, which are extensively used to decrease the concentration of cholesterol in patients with hyperlipidemia. Statins are divided into two categories based on their own unique properties. Considering the pleiotropic effects of statins, they ...
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Statins are the inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A, which are extensively used to decrease the concentration of cholesterol in patients with hyperlipidemia. Statins are divided into two categories based on their own unique properties. Considering the pleiotropic effects of statins, they are applied as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, immunomodulatory, and plaque-stabilizing agents. In addition, statins affect the diversity and population of gut microbiota, which is a complicated microbial community remarkably involved in the regulation of metabolic responses, immune system, and human health. This community is also associated with age-related health problems, allergy, asthma, and inflammatory intestinal diseases. Therefore, evaluation of the interactions between statins and gut microbiota is essential to predicting the outcomes of these agents. The present study aimed to review the properties and pleiotropic effects of statins. Furthermore, the role of gut microbiota in health was discussed, and the significant effects of statins on gut microbiota and their interactions were described based on clinical and animal studies.
Zahra Ahmadi; Sahar Roomiani; Niloofar Bemani; Milad Ashrafizadeh
Abstract
In recent decades, special attention has been paid to cell death mechanisms, with the exception of apoptosis. This could be due to the resistance of cells, particularly cancer cells, to apoptosis. Among novel pathways, autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress have attracted the attention of researchers. ...
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In recent decades, special attention has been paid to cell death mechanisms, with the exception of apoptosis. This could be due to the resistance of cells, particularly cancer cells, to apoptosis. Among novel pathways, autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress have attracted the attention of researchers. A large number of antitumor drugs have been developed based on their modulatory effects on autophagy and ER stress. On the other hand, ER stress could stimulate autophagy and apoptosis, which is indicative of the dual role of this pathway. Therefore, the monitoring of these pathways could contribute to the treatment of pathological conditions. Among the multiple synthetic and natural modulators of autophagy and ER stress, natural agents are used more extensively owing to their few side-effects, valuable biological activities, and cost-efficiency. Honokiol as a lignin extracted from the bark of magnolia tree. This compound has been reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and antitumor effects. The present study aimed to first introduce honokiol, autophagy, and ER stress and assess the modulatory effects of honokiol on the autophagy and ER stress mechanisms so as to demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of this natural compound.
Milad Ashrafizadeh; Zahra Ahmadi
Abstract
Introduction: Today, smoking has become a common habit, and researchers have largely been concerned with the adverse health effects of smoking. Some approaches have been proposed to minimize these effects. Nicotine is an alkaloid, which is considered to be a detrimental agent in smokers. The present ...
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Introduction: Today, smoking has become a common habit, and researchers have largely been concerned with the adverse health effects of smoking. Some approaches have been proposed to minimize these effects. Nicotine is an alkaloid, which is considered to be a detrimental agent in smokers. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of astaxanthin against the adverse effects of nicotine.Methods: In this study, 42 BALB/c male mice were purchased from Mashhad University in Mashhad, Iran and randomly divided into six groups. Group one received one milliliter of normal saline daily, group two received nicotine (1.5 mg/kg), group three was administered with astaxanthin (25 mg/kg), group four also received astaxanthin (50 mg/kg), group five was administered with astaxanthin (25 mg/kg) and nicotine (1.5 mg/kg), and group 6 was administered with astaxanthin (50 mg/kg) and nicotine (1.5 mg/kg). After the experiments, the epididymis was collected, and the motility, viability, and count of the sperms were evaluated.Results: Nicotine at the dose of 1.5 mg/kg decreased the count, viability, and motility of sperm. In contrast, astaxanthin at the doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg was observed to diminish the destructive effects of nicotine.Conclusion: According to the results, astaxanthin is a potent antioxidant for the protection of the reproductive system against nicotine-induced toxicity.