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Introduction: The  purpose  of  this  research  is  to  examine  depression  rate  in  nursing, midwifery  and  health  students  and  its  relation  with  individual  perception  about  being  religious  in  Hormozgan  University  of  Medical  Sciences  and  Health  Services.
Materials  and  Methods: In  this  study  299  students (105  male  and  194  female)  were  examined  with  non-random  and  easy  sampling  method. They  examine  with  Beck  Depression  Test  and  Alport  Religious  Guidance.
Results: On  the  basis  of  Beck  Depression  Test  55.5%  were  without  depression, 32.1%  mild  depression, 11%  moderate  depression  and  1.3%  sever  and  very  sever  depression. Also  with  use  of  two  dimension  Alport  Religious  Guidance, 8.7%  of  subjects  had  external  and  91.3%  internal  religion.  On  the  basis  of  other  classification  of  Alport  Religious  Guidance  70.9%  of  subjects  had  high, 21.4%  moderate  and  7.7%  low  religion.  By  the  means  of  x2  Test  it  shows  the  rate  of  depression  between  girls  and  boys  have  not  significant  difference (p>0.05). In  order  to  access  relationship  between  the  rate  of  depression  and  religious  viewpoint, Pearson  Correlation  Test  was  used  that  results  show  that  it  is  reverse  correlation  between  them. So  that  with  increased  religious  viewpoint  the  rate  of  depression  was  decreased (r=-0.6, p<0.05)
Conclusion: In  low  religion  subjects, the  rate  of  depression  was  more  than  religion  subjects.

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Introduction: Compensatory renal growth (CRG) is growth of the remaining functional nephrons and interstitium alter some nephrous have been surgically removed or damaged due to disease. This growth includes the increase of kidney weight caused by hepertrophy and hyperplasia. Although uremic patients are often treated with growth hormone (GH), it is thought that GH may actually increase the degree of renal hypertrophy and the progress of CRG to the scarring and therefore accelerate renal failure. The aim was ultrastructural study of the effects of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on the renal tubulointerstitial changes following 5/6 nephrectomy (SNX).
Materials and Methods: For this 48 rats from mule Lewis and Dwarf Lewis rats strains were used. Each strain was divided to control, control+rhGH, SNX and SNX+rhGH groups. Dwarf rats strain have only 10% of circulating GH compared to the normal strain one month later the rats were injected with exogenous growth hormone (thGH) or saline two times per day for 30 consecutive days.
Results: The results showed tubular basement membranes was partially thickened in control thGH group and it was too thickened and multi-layered in the SNX groups. Tubular basement membrane was too thickened in the SNX-TGH group in compared to SNX only. Many of Convoluted tubules lost their apical architecture and mitochondria often appeared damaged and cytoplasm contained increased numbers of lysosomes. After SNX areas of focal fibrosis were common. These areas were become infiltrated with modified fibroblasts and myofibroblasts were present. The interstitium become filled with extracellular fibres and amorphous material.
Conclusion: It is evident that many of these changes were made more sever by treatment with thGH in both strains following SNX. So it seems GH caused more synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins and ultrastructural changes of the renal tubulointerstitial.

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Introduction: Diabetes  during  its  progress can  result  in  nephropathy.  Some  of  its  symptoms  are  increasing  kidney  size  and  weight  and  its  components.  Regarding  useful  components  of  onion  and  its  antioxidant, decreasing  stress  oxidative  and b decreasing  blood  glucose  effects. This  investigation  is designed  to  study  the  effect  of  onion  water-alcohol  extract  in  preventing  nephropathy  and  its  effect  on  kidney  structure  based  on  stereology  method.
Materials  and  Methods: Four  groups  of  matured  vistar  rats (n=8)  were  selected randomly (control  group, control + extract  group, diabetic  only  group, diabetic + extract  group). Diabetes  was  induced  by  injecting  interperitoneal  sreptozotocin  (60mg/kg). The  control+ extract group  and  diabetic + extract  group  were  treated  by  onion-water  extract (50 mg/rat)every day  for  four  weeks. Then  all  groups  were  anesthetized  and  their  left  kidney  was  removed  and  fixed  in  Bouin  fixative. After  histologic  passage  and H & E  dying, using  stereologic  techniques, qualitative  measurement  was  performed  by  Cavalier  method  for  cortex, medulla, glomerulus  and  kidney  size.  Data analysis  was  done  by  SPSS  software  using one  way  anova, tukey  and  paired  test. p<0.05  was  considered  significant.
Results: The  primary  and  secondary  weight  of  rats  in  only  diabetic  group  and  diabetic  + extract  group  was  not  different, but  in  control  group  and  control  + extract  group  was  significantly  different (p<0.05). Medulla, cortex  and  whole  kidney  size  in  only  diabetic  group  in  comparison  with  diabetic+ extract  group  had  no  difference, but  total  glomerular  size  in  diabetic  only  group  and  diabetic + extract  group  was  significantly  different (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Experimental  induction  of  diabetes  by  STZ  in  a  short  period  showed  that  onion  extract  can  prevent  glomerular  hypertrophy  and  increasing  kidney  weight  in  diabetic  rats, but  had  no  effect  on  overall  kidney  size. So  the  study  of  onion  extract  effects  on  kidney  structure  during  a  long  period  is  recommended.      
 
 
 

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Introduction: Investigations has showed that prenatal exposure to Morphine causes drug dependency and behavioral complications in new born rats. In this study effect of prenatal Morphine on the development of basal ganglia in rat embryos is investigated. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 36 female rats with body weight between 250-300 grams were selected. After crossing with male rats they were divided into six groups of 12days control-Morphine, 14days control-Morphine and 17days control-Morphine groups. Morphine groups received 0.01mg/ml Morphine through their drinking water until the 12, 14 and 17th day of pregnancy (20ml each rat). Then rats were anesthetized and embryos were taken out and fixed. Their body weight and crown-rump length were measured. Then 5 micrometers sections were provided and stained using H & E method which were then evaluated using mutic program. Results: Body weight and length of embryos were reduced significantly in the 12&14th day of Morphine group rats in compare to their controls. The significant reduction of Basal Ganglia thickness was also found in all Morphine groups compared to their controls. Conclusion: Results showed that prenatal Morphine exposure may cause impairment in change development of Basal Ganglia.

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Introduction: One of the severe forms of affective disorders, defined in DSM-IV-TR, is bipolar disorder type1. This is a psychotic disease that coexists with structural and biochemical changes of CNS. It is probably under influence of environmental and/or genetic factors. Finger and hand prints are formed during the late first and second trimester of fetal development, and then remain unchanged. There are some suggestions that disturbance in dermatoglyphic patterns probably are in relation with appearance of bipolar disorder. It seems that this disturbance is appeared at the first and second trimester of fetal development, which is a critical period for CNS growth. This study is done to investigate the dermatoglyphic patterns in bipolar disorder. Materials and Methods: This is a case-control study in which we have studied the dermatoglyphic changes in 30 bipolar disorder patients and compared to those of 72 healthy controls. The χ2 test was used for quantitative and T-test for qualitative data analysis. Results: Results showed that TABRC in patients was decreased in comparison to healthy people but this decrease was not significant. Regarding the type of patients, fingerprints, Loop and Whorls forms were heterogenous and were significantly different in comparison to control group (p=0.001, p=0.003). Conclusion: It seems that dermatoglyphic patterns can be an interesting and probably suitable procedure in determining the prognosis of bipolar disorder type 1 and other psychiatric disorders.

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Introduction: Streptolysin O (SLO) is an antigenic protein that is secreted by Streptococcus pyogenes. Streptococcal infections are diagnosed with anti streptolysin O. At present, streptolysin O is produced by vectors that have fusion protein. In this study streptolysin O without fusion protein vectors is produced. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, Streptolysin O gene was amplified by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and subcloned to prokaryotic expression vector pET28a. Escherichia coli BL21-DE3-plySs were transformed with pET28a-SLO and gene expression was induced by IPTG. Then it was purified by Ni-NTA kit. The concentration of SLO was assayed by Bradford method. To confirm recombinant SLO Western Blot was used. Results: The sequencing result was confirmed by Sanger method and was the same as SLO gene. Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) pLysS was transformed with pET28a-SLO and gene expression was induced by IPTG. The expressed protein was purified by affinity chromatography with Ni-NTA resin. The concentration of purified protein was 100µg/ml. The integrity of product was confirmed by Western Blot analysis using a mouse anti streptolysin O. Conclusion: Data showed that recombinant SLO protein can be produced by pET28a in Escherichia coli. This protein maintains its antigenic effect very well. Therefore, recombinant SLO has same epitopes with natural form of this antigen.

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Introduction: Sodium arsenite is an environmental pollutant which its amounts in industrial cities are more than other places because of its use in chemical industry. Human populations are exposed to this chemical compound through food, soil, air and water which has toxic and histopathological effects on different body organs including kidney. The aim of this investigation is to study the quantitative histopathological effects of sodium arsenite on the kidney structure of rats. Materials and Methods: 12 male Wistar rats with mean body weight of 200±20 g were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=6). One treated with sodium arsenite (8 mg/kg/day in drinking water) and the other one (the control group) received drinking water only. 2 months after treatment the rats were weighed, anesthetized with ether and dissected. The left kidney was taken out, cleaned, weighed and then fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution. After obtaining 1mm thick slices, tissue processing was carried out, then 5µm thick sections were prepared and stained using H&E method. Slides were finally studied stereologically and data was statistically analyzed using paired sampled t-test and the means were considered significantly different at p<0.05. Results: The results of this investigation indicated significant reduction in the total mean volume of kidney (p<0.001), cortex (p<0.001), and medulla (p<0.003) in sodium arsenite treated group compared to the control rats. The mean volume of tubules and interstitial tissue as components of cortex reduced significantly compared to the control group (p<0.003).The mean volume of glomeruli and Bowman's capsule was significantly reduced in treated group (p<0.001), while the other components did not show a significant reduction in volume. A significant reduction was also found in the kidney (p<0.002) and the body weight (p<0. 01) in the treated group compared to the control ones at the end of the experiment. Conclusion: It was concluded that exposure to sodium arsenite leads to histopathological changes in kidney structure, however more studies are needed to determine the effects of these structural changes on the kidney function.

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Background: One of the best examples of epimorphic regeneration in the mammals is the formation of new tissues formed from blastema in holes punched in the ears of rabbits. The aim of this research is to investigate speed and percentage of regeneration in different geometrical shaped holes and different regions of rabbit's ear. Methods and Materials: In this experimental research different region of rabbit's ear (proximal, medial and distal) were punched as different geometrical shaped holes (circlc, quadrangle and triangle) with the same area (50 mm2) Ubyg a puncher which designed for this purpose. The regeneration of wounds was evaluated and the percentage of regeneration was calculated. After punching, each 3 days (36-40 days). Results: Results showed speed and percentage of regeneration in circular holes was significantly (P<0.05) more than quadrangular and triangular holes. In addition, regeneration speed of holes located in proximal regions of ear, was more than peripheral holes. Conclusion: Wound regeneration in rabbit's ear is related to the geometrical shape of holes. Speed and the percentage of regeneration in circular shapes is more than angular shapes.

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Abstract Background: Spinal cord slices culturing from adult mammals could be considered as a suitable in-vitro model for evaluating cellular viability, spinal cord injury and cell death mechanisms. In present study, determining of cell death in motor neurons of cultured spinal cord slices in adult mouse was done. Materials and Methods: In a experimental- laboratory study, thoracic regions of spinal cords from 4 Balb/c mice were cut into 400-µm slices using tissue chopper and incubated in a Co2 incubator at 37˚C for different periods of time. Freshly prepared slices (0h) and cultured slices were fixed and sectioned using cryostat. To study morphological and biochemical features of cell death, fluorescent staining, TUNEL method and agarose gel electrophoresis were used. Results: In freshly prepared slices of motor neurons showed no apoptotic changes. While, 6, 12 and 24h after culturing, this neurons displayed morphological features of apoptosis including cell shrinkage as well as nuclear and chromatin condensation. Also, 6 and 12h after culturing were TUNEL positive. In addition, extracted DNA from cultured slices for 24h were indicated the nucleosomal DNA fragmentation on agarose gel electrophoresis. Conclusion: Results were showed the occurrence of apoptosis in motor neurons of cultured adult mouse spinal cord slices.

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Background: Microbial infections are important challenges to health, and health care officials have major difficulties dealing with them especially regarding their antibiotic resistance. The main aim of this study was to evaluate drug synergistic and anti-bacterial effects of cuminum cyminum essential oil on some pathogen bacteria. Materials and Methods: Cuminum cyminum essential oil was extracted from its fruit. For evaluation of antibacterial effects of the essential oil, disc diffusion method through the measurement of the inhibitory zone diameter and micro-broth dilution for determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) on several standard bacteria were used. In evaluation of the synergistic and antagonistic effects, standard bacteria were cultured in the media containing essential oil, and antibiotic discs were, then, placed on it. Results: According to the results of disc diffusion test in Agar, cuminum cyminum essential oil, with a 44 mm inhibition zone, had the greatest antibacterial activity against bacillus cereus. It had the greatest positive co-action with gentamicin (10 µg) on escherichia coli. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that cuminum cyminum essential oil alone or in combination with antimicrobial agents may be useful in treatment of bacterial infections. Additionally, this component can enhance the effect of some antibiotics this implies its application, especially in drug resistance cases.

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Background: Correct use of cuminum cyminum and finding its different applications in medicine and industry necessitates a more clear understanding of this medicinal plant. This study deals with identifying the effects of the essential oil of this herbal plant on macrophages and tumor cell lines. Materials and Methods:Cuminum cyminum essential oil was extracted from its fruit, and its effects on peritoneal macrophages and LPS stimulated macrophages were examined. MTT assay was done for evaluation of macrophages viability and the amount of nitric oxide (NO) in culture supernant was measured by Griess Reagent. WEHI-164 mice fibrosarcoma cell line was cultured with different concentrations of cuminum cyminum and cytotoxicity level was evaluated by MTT assay. Results: The viability of macrophages and also, the amount of NO production in 50 and 500 μg/ml cuminum cyminum essential oil was lower than that of the control group (p<0.001). MTT assay showed that cuminum cyminum essential oil in 50 and 500 μg/ml concentrations significantly inhibits tumor cells growth (p<0.001). Conclusion: Cuminum cyminum essential oil by having immune-modulatory properties can be used in treatment of many inflammatory and immunologic disorders. Also, it can be used as a therapeutic or complementary agent in tumor therapy.

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Background: Molybdenum is an essential trace element for both animals and plants. Molybdenum (Mo), which functions as a cofactor for a limited number of enzymes including xanthine dehyrogenase, aldehyde oxidase, and sulfite oxidase in mammals, is believed to be an essential trace element in animal nutrition. The aim of this study is to evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of sodium molybdate against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver damage. Materials and Methods: In an experimental study, adult male rats received daily oral administrations of different doses of sodium molybdate (0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 g/kg bw) along with intrapertioneal CCl4 (50% CCl4 in olive oil, 1 ml/kg bw) twice a week for 28 consecutive days. Results: Histopathological examinations in CCl4-treated rats showed extensive liver injuries characterized by extensive hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis, fat degeneration, and inflammatory cell infiltration while histopathological changes induced by CCl4 were significantly attenuated by sodium molybdate treatment. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that sodium molybdate could protect liver against the CCl4-induced oxidative damage in rats, and this hepatoprotective effect might be contributed to the protection of liver by preventing the toxic chemical reactions which generate oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and molecular changes which ultimately lead to liver tissue necrosis.

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Background: Trauma noise is one of the major physical pollutants in modern societies. Sound conditioning, on the other hand, is known as one of the mechanisms for protecting the hearing system. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 15 three month-old male white New Zealand rabbits were divided into three groups. The equipments used in this study included a sound generator, a loudspeaker, an exposure box, a sound level meter, and a distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) device. The rabbits were assigned to trauma noise exposure, conditioning noise exposure, and control groups. The conditioning and traumatic sound levels were respectively 80 and 105dB within the 500-3000 Hz frequency. Results: Conditioning noise at the level of 80 in combination with trauma noise enhanced the rabbits hearing system tolerance up to 13-17 dB so that in all frequencies there were significant differences between the trauma noise exposure group and the sound conditioning and trauma noise conditioning group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Sound conditioning can act as an effective factor in protecting the hearing system against trauma noise.

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Background: Sodium arsenite has adverse effects on the reproductive system and vitamin E is a strong antioxidant and reproductive factor in the reproductive system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin E on the structure and the number of ovarian follicles during its development in rats treated with sodium arsenite. Materials and Methods: Pregnant Wister rats (n=4) were divided into 4 equal groups, including control, vitamin E (100mg/kg/day), sodium arsenite (8mg/kg/day), and sodium arsenite+vitamin E. Oral treatment of the pregnant rats started from the 7th day of pregnancy till the end of the weaning and continued till the age of 120 days. After the treatment period, the right ovary was removed and fixed, and then the mean number of ovarian follicles and atretic follicles, mean thickness of zona pellucida, and volume of oocytes and its nuclei in different types of follicle were determined. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and the mean difference was considered significant at P<0.05. Results: In the vitamin E+sodium arsenite group, significant increase(P<0.05) in the total number of follicles, mean number of primordial, primary, secondary, antral, and graafian follicles, significant reduction (P<0.05) in atretic follicles, and significant increase(P<0.05) in the thickness of zona pllucida in secondary and antral follicles as well as oocyte volume in parimordial and primary follicles and its nuclei in primary, secondary, antral, and graffian follicles were observed in comparison with the other groups. Vitamin E in the sodium arsenite+vitamin E group increased the number of different types of follicles and the thickness of the zona pllucida (P<0.05), decreased the number of atretic follicles, and increased the volume of oocyte and its nuclei to the level of the control group. Conclusion: Vitamin E can be administered as a supplement to compensate for the adverse effects of sodium arsenite.

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Background: Poly chlorinated biphenyls (PBCs) are the group of organic chemical materials that have a great chemical stability. These compounds are hazardous pollutants which pose various occupational and environmental problems. This study was conducted to determine the effect of microwave rays, hydrogen peroxide, Tio2 catalyst, and ethanol on the decomposition of PBCs. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, a vessel reactor (250ml volume)that was connected with a tube connector to thecondensor system was used. A microwave oven with a fixed frequency of 2450 MHZ was used to provide microwave irradiation and ray powers used at 540, 720 and 900w. pH and temperature of the samples were continuously monitored and the experiments were repeated three times. Askarel oils were analyzed by GC-ECD. Results: The mean of total PCBS degradation at 540, 720, and 900w was 83.88±1.63, 89.27±2.44, and 95.98±0.81%, respectively. The mean of total PCBS degradation in terms of ratio to solvent with oil transformer in 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1 was 53.8±3.26, 79.04±1.24, and 95.08±1.69%, respectively. The mean of total PCBS degradation in terms of not using H2o2/Tio2 and using H2O2 (20%) and 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2 g of Tio2 concurrently was 71.47±0.81, 87.9±2.16, 89.48±1.69, 91.7±1.24, and 93.07±3.09 %, respectively. Conclusion: Using microwave irradiation in the presence of H2O2 oxidant and Tio2 catalyst leads to the reduction of PCBS.

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Background: Mir-210 is proangiogenic microRNAis endothelial cells. This microRNA, causes the repression of some genes and proteins target so cause angiogenesis process. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on Mir-210 and EphrinA3 receptor genes expression in soleus muscles of male rats.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, Twelve Wistar male rats(ageof eightweeks, average weight of 210.5±9.77)were randomly divided into exercise(n=6)and control (n=6) groups. High Intensity Interval Training was formed five days a week for eight weeks to taly including three Intervals (four minutes with an intensityof 90 to 100%VO2max and two minutes with an intensityof 50 to 60%VO2max).24 hours after exercise protocol, the rats were dissected and separated soleusmuscle. Mir-210 and EphrinA3receptor genes expression was performed by Real Time-PCRtechnique. Mir-210 and EphrinA3receptor genes expression were calculated by using the2∆∆CT and in dependentt-test to determine the significance of variables.

Results: Results showed that HIIT there had no significant effects on Mir-210 gene expression (p=0.16) Whe ars EphrinA3 gene expression in the exercise group was statistically significant (p=0.000).

Conclusion: It seems that a non-significant increase of Mir-210 and reduce in EphrinA3 gene expres sion, causes proangiogenic Operation ofendothelial cells and an increase in VO2max of rats following eight weeks of HIIT performance can be due to increased angiogenesis process.

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Background: Arsenic as an environmental contaminant induces male infertility. Curcumin with potent antioxidant property is able to restrict oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of curcumin on testis tissue and sperm count in adult mice treated with sodium arsenite.

Materials and Methods: In an experimental study, animals were divided into four groups: control, sodium arsenite (5 mg/kg), curcumin (100 mg/kg) and curcumin+sodium arsenite. Treatments were performed by intraperitoneal injection for five weeks. After treatment period, body weight was recorded. Left testis was dissected, weighed and used for the histopathological study of seminiferous tubules. Left cauda epididymis was also used to count sperm number.

Results: Mice treated with sodium arsenite showed a significant decrease in the sperm count, the diameter of seminiferous tubules and a significant increase in the lumen diameter of tubules compared to control group. In curcumin+sodium arsenite group, curcumin significantly reversed the adverse effects of sodium arsenite on testis and sperm count. Whereas, the treated mice showed no significant difference in body and testis weight as well as morphology and nuclear diameter of spermatogonia between four groups.

Conclusion: Curcumin is able to compensate the toxic effect of sodium arsenite on sperm count and testis in adult mouse.

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Background: Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR) is the most common urologic anomaly in children. In spite of prescribing prophylactic antibiotics in children with VUR, in some cases breakthrough infection (BTI) occurs while receiving prophylactic antibiotics which may cause pyelonephritis that can ultimately lead in renal scarring.

Materials and Methods: In this discreptive-analytic study, 288 children with primary vesicoureteral reflux under Cotrimoxazole(2mg/kg) treatment have been under supervision for duration of at least one year. Based on the collected data, predictive effect of some factors like gender, mean age of VUR diagnosis, VUR grade, unilateral versus bilateral and presence of abnormal renal scar on the breakthrough infection under prophylactic treatment, were examined.

Results: Breakthrough infection while receiving prophylactic antibiotics was observed among 111(38.54%) patients consisting of 88 girls (79.28%) and 23 boys (20.72%). The moderate to high VUR grades (grade III-V), presence of renal scar and female gender were found to be the important risk factors for BTI. However, no statistically significant relationship between mean age of VUR diagnosis and unilateral versus bilateral VUR with BTI was found.

Conclusion: Results of the current study will help improving parents' and physicians' awareness of the risk factors associated with BTI which may potentially lead to renal damage.

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Background: The neutrophil-activating protein (HP-NAP) of Helicobacter pylori is a protective antigen and a major virulence factor of this bacteria. Stimulating the immune system for helicobacter infection treatment could have an important role. The aim of study is to assess the effect of recombinant Neutrophil activating protein (Hp-NapA) of helicobacter pylori on proliferation and viability of peritoneal macrophages from BALB/c mice.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, recombinant Hp-NapA of helicobacter pylori was produced in vitro. Mice peritoneal macrophages were purified and cultured. Different concentrations of recombinant Hp-NapA was used for macrophages stimulation. MTT assay was performed to assess the viability and proliferation of macrophages.

Results: The results elucidated that the increasing effect of stimulation with recombinant Hp-NapA was significant at the dose of 30 µg/ml  (p=0.01). The rate of viabitity was significantly higher than control group at the doses of 30 and 60 µg/ml and in the concurrency series of recombinant protein with lipopolysaccharid, there was a statistically significarit increase in proliferation at just these doses.

Conclusion: According to our findings, recombinant Hp-NapA has a positive effect on proliferation, viability and function of peritoneal macrophages. Therefore, it is proposed that recombinant Hp-NapA can be studied as an immunomodulator for immunotherapy.

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  Background: Alpha-tocopherol, as a strong antioxidant, plays an important role in testraining free radicals. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Alpha-tocopherol on cell proliferation and restraining apoptosis in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

  Materials and Methods: In this research study, the rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were extracted under sterile conditions using flashing-out method. At the end of the third passage, cells were divided into groups of control and Alpha-tocopherol with doses of 15 and 25 µM and were treated in the osteogenic media cell medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, 10 mM β-glycerol phosphate, 10 nM dexamethasone and 50 µg/ml ascorbic 3-phosphate] for a period of 21 days. Then, cell proliferation, DNA damage, expression of Bcl-2 and Bax genes and the morphologic changes of the cells were investigated during the procedure of osteogenesis. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and means difference was considered significant at p<0.05.

  Results: Cell proliferation, the size of nuclei diameter and expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 gene showed a significant increase in mesenchymel stem cells treated with Alpha-tocopherol (p<0.05) in a dose dependent manner compared to the control cells. Also, cytoplasm extension was seen in the cells treated with Alpha-tocopherol, compared to the control group. Since Alpha-tocopherol causes a significant decrease in DNA damage and the expression of apoptotic Bax gene, compared to the control group, therefore it can suppress apoptosis in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, in a dose dependent manner .