Farzaneh Rooshenas, Mahboobeh Ashrafi, Saeed Nazifi, Mahmoud Aminlari, Sara Talebanzadeh,
Volume 21, Issue 5 (10-2018)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Medicinal plants possessing antioxidant activity may reduce oxidative stress and improve the functions of various organs that affected by hyperglycemia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of saffron aqueous extract (SAE) administration to diabetic rats by measuring the oxidative stress parameters and important biochemical enzymes in liver tissue.
Materials and Methods: 72 hours after STZ administration (60 mg/kg body weight), the animals with fasting blood glucose over of 250 mg/dl were considered to be diabetic rats and experimental groups were: control (1), control drug (2), diabetes (3) and diabetes drug (4). The treatment was started on the 7th day after STZ injection with i.p injection of SAE (200mg/kg body weight), five doses and weekly to groups 2 and 4. At the end of the experimental period, biochemical factors were measured after bleeding and harvesting of tissues.
Findings: Results indicated the perturbation in the activity of important liver enzymes in diabetic group (3) and SAE adjusted and normalized their levels activity. In addition, SAE with increases in the activity of antioxidant enzymes alleviated diabetes induced oxidative stress and thus reduced MDA levels in group 4 compared to group 3.
Conclusion: SAE is not only useful in the controlling of blood glucose, but also has antioxidant potential to protect the liver tissue of diabetic rats against damage caused by hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress.
Nooshin Dalili, Fatemeh Pour-Rezagholi, Maryam Mousavi, Morvarid Alinezhad, Sadra Ashrafi,
Volume 25, Issue 5 (December & January 2022)
Abstract
Introduction: Years after the first successful kidney transplant, there are still many questions about the best immunosuppression regimen for these patients. Various studies have shown that long-term use of calcineurin inhibitor drugs can be associated with chronic nephrotoxicity and lead to irreversible damage to the transplanted organ. Therefore, the goal is to use immunosuppressive drugs and reduce the dose of calcineurin inhibitors as much as possible without increasing the risk of transplant rejection. This study aims to compare renal function, the rate of viral infections, and the occurrence of rejection after kidney transplantation in patients on two different treatment regimens including everolimus plus a low dose of calcineurin inhibitor against the standard protocol of calcineurin inhibitor along with mycophenolic acid in 60 kidney transplanted patients.
Methods: This clinical trial was conducted at Labbafinejad Hospital in Tehran between 2018-2019 on 60 kidney transplant patients aged 18 to 65 years and for 12 months.
Results: In terms of kidney function status based on GFR, except for the first month (P=0.02), there was no significant difference between the two groups in any of the time periods (P>0.05). Also, there was no statistically significant difference between the two study groups in terms of hospitalization length after transplantation and re-hospitalization during the study (P>0.05).
Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the everolimus regimen and low dose of calcineurin inhibitor can be used de novo in transplant patients without increasing the risk of rejection in them and at the same time it may be able to reduce the incidence of viral infections after transplantation.
Davoud Shamsi, Mohsen Mohammadian Saravi, Khalil Ali Mohamadzadeh, Azadeh Ashrafi,
Volume 28, Issue 2 (4-2025)
Abstract
Introduction: Good governance, as one of the fundamental concepts in healthcare system management, plays a key role in enhancing the efficiency, effectiveness, and equity of healthcare services. This concept, Emphasizing principles such as transparency, accountability, participation, and legality, has been considered as a framework for improving policymaking and management in Iran's healthcare system.
This study conducted in 2024 aimed to design and present a model of good governance in the healthcare system using a mixed approach of thematic analysis and Partial Least Squares (PLS) method.
Methods: The research method included both qualitative and quantitative components. The qualitative phase, involved managers, health policy experts, specialists from the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, and academic scholars. Sampling was done using purposive and snowball sampling methods, with 17 participants selected until theoretical saturation was reached. In the quantitative phase, the Partial Least Squares (PLS) method was used for model fitting. The statistical population for this section included all experts and managers in Iran's healthcare sector, with a minimum sample size of 384 determined based on Cochran's formula.
Results: The results of thematic analysis of the qualitative data and model fitting showed that the final good governance model in the healthcare system consists of seven main dimensions: effectiveness, efficiency, equity, transparency and accountability, participation, legality, and leadership. Each dimension comprised specific components, and the importance of each was confirmed in strengthening good governance.
Conclusions: This study presents a comprehensive good governance model for the healthcare system, offering a framework for improving policymaking, management, and performance in this sector. The proposed model can be used as a strategic decision-making tool and improving management structures.
