Background: This study aimed to examine the antibacterial effect of Polyamidoamine-G4 dendrimer on Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the antibacterial effects of Polyamidoamine-G4 dendrimer were studied by disc diffusion and micro-dilution method. Different concentrations of Polyamidoamine-G4 inoculated onto blank disks and were placed in Mueller-Hinton agar media. Zone of inhibition was investigated by bacterial inoculation according to the McFarland standard 0.5. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of Polyamidoamine-G4 dendrimer were determined by micro-dilution method in nutrient broth culture.

Results: Zone of inhibition in concentration 500 &mug/ml of Polyamidoamine-G4 dendrimers for Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus were 14, 0, 35 and 29mm, respectively. Concerning the Zone of inhibition in gram negative bacteria with gram positive ones was p<0.05 and had significant difference. The minimum inhibitory concentration of Polyamidoamine-G4 dendrimer for Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus were 1250, 2.5, and 1 &mug/ml, respectively. The minimum bactericidal concentration of Polyamidoamine-G4 dendrimer belonged to Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus were 2500, 5 and 5 &mug/ml, respectively. Polyamidoamine-G4 dendrimer had not bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects on Enterobacter cloacae.

Conclusion: According to the results, Polyamidoamine-G4 dendrimer can eliminate Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis effectively. It is suggested in the rest of this study that the probable toxicity of nanostructured compounds examined in drinking water and, economic studies is done for synthesis and their applications in case of prevention of using.

Background: Nanomaterials have gained increasing attention because of their novel properties, including a large specific surface area and high reaction activity. This study was designed to investigate the cytotoxic effects of CuO nanopaticles on brain, spleen, and embryo NMRI pregnant mice.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, forty two female NMRI mice of (weighting 30±3.0 g) were randomly divided into six groups (four experimental groups, one sham group and one control group).The experimental mice on days 3 and 12 of pregnancy received CuO nanoparticle with concentrations 50, 100, 150, 200 mg/kg intraperitoneal injection. On day 17 pregnancy, brain, spleen and fetus weights were measured.Tissues for histopathological evaluation were stained with hematoxylin and eosin.

Results: Based on the macroscopic observations of embryos weight with increasing concentration of nanoparticle compared to control reduces its toxicity increased (p&le0.05). Spleen only at concentration of 600 mg/kg showed significant changes compared to control (p&le0.05). Histopathologic examination on brain and spleen following IP administration of CuO nanoparticle showed signs of cytotoxicity (congestion, necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, vacuolar degeneration) and (congestion, necrosis, increased hemosiderin) compared to control group, respectively.

Conclusion: The present study clearly showed that CuO-NPs can produce the histopathological abnormalities on brain and spleen tissues of NMRI mice in a dose-dependent manner.

Background: Maturation of oocytes and fertilization in vitro can be considered as one of the most important steps to treat infertility. In this study maturation medium was enriched with Platelet extraction (PL) which has high concentration of growth factors. Meiosis resumption and maturation was monitored after 18 hours of maturation.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, oocytes at germinal vesicle stage were obtained from mature NMRI female mice. Maturation medium was &alphaMEM and the control groups had 5-10% FBS and the medium in the experimental groups was enriched by 5, 10% PL and the combination of 5% PL and 5% FBS. Meiosis resumption and maturation were observed after 18 hours.

Results: The rate of matured oocytes in the experimental group 5% PL for both COC and DO group was significantly higher than the control groups (P<0.05). The maturation rate for 5% PL was 61% for the COC group and 72% for the DO group while this rate for 5% FBS control group was 53% and 50% respectively.

Conclusion: PL had a significant effect on meiosis resumption and maturation of oocyte at germinal vesicle stage. Based on these results, PL could be used as a maturation promoting factor.

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.

Background: Phacoemulsification is a modern cataract surgery that developed surgery from large incisions into smaller incision size and lead to faster wound heal and earlier visual rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes and complications of 3.2 and 2.65 mm main Incisions in phacoemulsification .

Materials and Methods: In this clinical study in Amir Kabir Hospital of Arak, 78 patients with senile cataract were divided into two groups. Half of them experienced 3.2 mm main incision (first group) and the others were under main incision with 2.65 mm (group 2). Immediately after operation if patients had a wound leak, the standard stromal hydration was used and a suture was placed. A day after operation, the patients were examined in the light of iris prolapse, if it existed, then a suture would be palced.

Results: The occurrence of anterior chamber wound leak was 7.7% and 2.6% in group 1 and group 2, respectively. Stromal hydration was needed 5.1% and 3.2% in group 1 and group 2 respectively. In fact, suture was needed 2.6% and 0.0% in group 1 and group 2, respectively. There was no iris prolapse in both groups.

Conclusion: There was no statistically significant difference between two groups from the point of view of wound leak and the need for suture and the rate of iris prolapse (p>0.05). Also, in low or intermediate nuclear density grade, the smaller and the more permanent incision with 2.65 mm is preferred.

Background: It seems that using shuttle balance which has recently been produced in Iran would be beneficial in exercise prescription for preventing sports injuries and recovery. The purpose of this study is comparing the amount of the electromyography activity of involved muscles in ankle strategy while standing on one leg on shuttle balance versus wobble board.

Materials and Methods: This study is a functional and cause-compare study. 15 female students 20-22 years of age having the enterance standards were selected meaningfully. The amount of EMG activity of selected muscles (Tibialis Anterior, Gastrocnemius, Rectus Femoris and Hamstring) was measured while standing on one leg on two devices. The difference in means of muscles activity in both of devices was estimated using multivariate analysis of variance.

Results: The results showed a significant difference between the amount of EMG activity of involved muscles (p=0.001). Also, the results of the intragroup effects showed that the electromyography activity of Tibialis Anterior, Rectus Femoris and Hamstring while standing on shuttle balance was significantly more than the activity while standing on wobble board (p<0.05). While the amount of activity on shuttle balance was higher as compared to wobble board, but there was no significant difference in Gastrocnemius EMG activity between two devices (p>0.05).

Conclusion: It seems that standing on shuttle balance can make higher electromyography activity in the muscles that are involved on ankle and thigh joints, i.e. Tibialis Anterior, Rectus Femoris and Hamstring. So it is recommended that shuttle balance can be used in balance training program.

Background: Medicinal plants are primery source of many drugs to cure different diseases. The genus Prangos, (Umbelliferae family) consists of several medicinal plants that their desirable dffects have been approved. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of methanol extract in different parts of prangos ferulacea and prangos acaualis on human lymphocytes proliferation and their mutagenicity in salmonella typhimurium TA98.

 Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the plants were collected from different areas of Kurdistan. Then, samples were air dried and powdered and methanol material of plants was extracted. The extracts were diluted to give concentrations of 10, 100, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 &mug/ml. Finally, the effects of these extracts on human lymphocytes proliferation and their mutagenecity have been investigated by the MTT and Ames test.

 Results: The results showed that different organs extract from both tested plants caused a significant increase in lymphocytes proliferation, specially in concentrations of 500 to 2500 &mug/ml. Of studied excrtacts, the highest and lowest effect on lymphocytes proliferation was obtained in presence of flower and seed, respectively. In total, the levels of proliferation resulted of prangos ferulacea as compared with prangos acaulis were higher. Also, the results of study showed no mutagenicity of studied plant exctracts with considered concentrations.

 Conclusion: The findings revealed that both species of prangos can increase immune system function and were used as an safe medicinal plant to cure patients with immune deficiencies and microbial infections.

Background: Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that broadly is used to treat gram negative bacteria infections, although it has side effects such as nephrotoxicity. According to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory properties of Zataria Multiflora, the effects of co-treatment with zataria Multiflora and hydroalcholic extract on gentamicin induced nephrotoxicitj were investigated.

Materials and Methods: In this study, male rats of Vistar race were divided into 4 groups: control group, co-treatment with gentamicin and vehicle group, co-treatment with gentamicin and zataria Multifiora extract group, and co-treatment with zataria Multiflora extract and normal saline solution group. Zataria Multiflora hydroalcoholic extract was added to drinking water as 800 PPm concentration. They, systolic blood pressure and renal blood flow (RBF) were measured. Also, the amounts of urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium and osmolarity were measured in plasma and urine samples

 Results: In co-treatment group with zataria Multiflora extract, the amounts of urea, creatinine, absolute sodium excretion and relative sodium and potassium excretion and malondialdehyde (MDA) that have been inceased in treatment with gentamicin, significantly were reduced. Creatinine clearance, urine osmolarity, RBF and FRAP that was decreased in gentamicin group in compare to control group, significantly increased.

Conclusion: Co-treatment prevents nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin and attenuates oxidative-stress associated renal injury by reducing oxygen free radicals and lipid peroxidation, So it can be effective to cure rats receiving gentamicin.

  Background: In various researches, ICA is used for detecting and removing eye artifacts but here, for innovation, ICA algorithm is used not only for detecting eye artifacts, but also for detecting brain signals of two conceptual categories of the words Danger and Information.

  Materials and Methods: In this descriptive- analytical study, recording is done by using a Micromed device and a 19-channel helmet in unipolar mode that the Cz electrode is selected as reference electrode. The statistical community included four men and four women in the age range of 25-30. In the designed task, three groups of traffic signs are considered in which two groups refered to the concept of danger and the other one refered to the concept of information.

  Results: For two of the eight volunteers, alpha waves were observed with a very high power from back of the head in the test time, but it was different in thinking time. According to this alpha waves, in changing the task from thinking to rest, it takes at least 3 and at most 5 seconds for two volunteers till they go to the absolute rest. For seven of the eight volunteers, danger and information signals well separated that these differences for five of the eight volunteers observed in the right hemisphere and for the other three volunteers in the left hemisphere.

  Conclusion: ICA algorithm as one of Blind Source Seperation (BSS) algorithms is suitable for recognizing the word’s concept and its place in the brain. Achieved results from this experiment are the same as the results from other methods like fMRI and methods based on electroencephalograph (EEG) in vowel imagination and covert speech.

  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 .

Background: Aflatoxins are known as the most important toxins which their consumption could cause acute poisoning and create carcinogenic effects. Moreover, previous studies demonstrated the ability of lactic acid bacteria to connect to aflatoxin in food material. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of the native probiotic Lactobacillus para casei strains TD3 against toxicity induced by aflatoxin B1 in vivo.

Materials and Methods: 24 wistar male rats (250±10 g) were divided into 3 groups including: one negative control group and two groups treated with aflatoxin (170 µg/kg) and Lactobacillus para casei strain TD3 isolated from Tarkhine with aflatoxin (10⁹ cfu/day) for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the blood and tissue samples were collected for histopathological and biochemical studies.

Results: The results indicated that treatment with Aflatoxin leads to a significant increase in the amount of liver enzymes such as AST, ALP and also liver damages.  Furthermore, the group that received Lactobacillus para casei strain TD3, the level of these enzymes was reduced and liver damages due to aflatoxin were improved.

Conclusion: The present study showed that aflatoxin can lead to liver damages and native Lactobacillus para casei strain TD3 which isolated from Tarkhine, probably leads to protective effects by binding to aflatoxin. Thus, it is considered as a biologic agent to remove aflatoxin in vivo.

Background: Corticosteroids as dexamethasone are used for treating non-specific inflammatory diseases, however, may result in delayed wound healing due to its catabolic effects in skin. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of quercetin on delayed wound healing in dexamethasone-treated rats.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were used. After dermal incisions within a distance of 1.5 mm to the spinal column (30 mm length), rats were treated with 0.17 mg/kg dexamethasone, 50 mg/kg quercetin or both until 21 days. Wound healing was evaluated by measuring surface area, percentage of healing, wound length, duration of healing, and wound tensile strength.

Results: Our results showed that the duration of wound healing was significantly increased in dexamethasone treated rats in comparison with control group. In contrast, the rate of healing and skin tensile strength in dexamethasone treated rats receiving quercetin was significantly greater than dexamethasone treated group. In addition, the duration of wound healing in the dexamethasone treated group receiving quercetin was less than dexamethasone group.

Conclusion: This study provides some evidence to support the use of quercetin to accelerating wound healing in dexamethasone treated animals. However, Further research is needed to determine the quercetin mechanisms in acceleration of wound healing.

Background: Recently it is accentuated on the role of psychological symptoms in the course of chronic diseases and applying psychological interventions as complementary interventions. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of cognitive-behavioral stress management, optimism training and conevntional medical therapy on somatic symptoms, perceived stress, illness perception and quality of life in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Materials and Methods: In this study, thirty female patients were selected accidentally, and randomly assigned into three groups including cognitive-behavioral stress management(n=10), optimism training(n=10) and conventional medical therapy(n=10). All patients completed Perceived Stress Scale, Illness Perception questionnaire, WHO Quality of Life questionnaire, and Lichtiger Colitis Activity Index. Then, experimental groups participated in 9 sessions of  cognitive-behavioral stress management and optimism training group interventions. Thereafter, three groups answered to scales again. This course was repeated in a 6-mounth follow-up. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to analyze the data.

Results:  The findings indicated that the effects of two interventions were significant on patient´s illness perception, perceived stress and quality of life however, these interventions did not change somatic symptoms.

Conclusion: Totally, it can be said that psychological interventions such as stress management and optimism training can be effective on improving the psychological symptoms in patients with ulcerative colitis and their cure.

Background: Renal injury following ischemia - reperfusion (I/R) is still an unavoidable problem in many remedial and medical situations. Portulaca oleracea (PO) has been known for its anti-oxidative effects. Then, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of ethanolic extract of PO (EEPO) on the renal function and antioxidant status after induction of I/R injury in the rat kidney.

Materials and Methods: A total of 30 rats (Wistar) were divided into five groups (n = 6 each). Sham group: underwent laparotomy without I/R, EEPO group: EEPO administered 300 mg/kg then was operated like sham, I/R group: was underwent renal ischemia/reperfusion only, EEPO150+ I/R and AEPO300+ I/R groups: were administered PO 150 and 300 mg/kg then underwent I/R operation. PO extract was administered for 5 days in the relevant groups by gavage. Serum urea and creatinine (Scr), the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and total antioxidant activity (TAA) were determined. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and post hoc LSD test. P values of 0.05 or less were considered statistically significant.

Results: Induction of I/R and pretreatment with PO extract, increased the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in comparison with sham group (p<0.05, p<0.001). There were no significant differences in the levels of MDA, GSH and TAA among different groups. On the other hand, the Scr and serum urea of the I/R and treated groups were elevated compared to the sham group (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Ethanolic extract of PO did not strongly affect the renal antioxidant status and could not prevent the renal injury following I/R.

Background: Few studies have investigated the possible ways to prevent lead induced defects during gestation and lactation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of melatonin as a hormone with antioxidant properties on oxidative stress in the hippocampus and learning and memory impairment induced by administration of lead.

Materials and Methods: Pregnant rats were exposed to treatments of control, lead acetate (0.2% solution in water), lead acetate + melatonin and melatonin (10 mg / kg by oral gavage) from gestation day 6 until weaning. 21 days after birth, the activities of several antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase (CAT) as well as malondialdehyde levels in hippocampus of 23 male offspring rats were assayed. To behavioral studies, on postnatal day 30, 57 rats were trained 6 days in the Morris water maze and the probe test was performed 24 h later.

Results: The results showed that administration of lead during pregnancy and lactation could increase MDA levels and decrease glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase antioxidant enzymes activities in the hippocampus of male offspring. Also, this treatment significantly disrupted performance of the Morris water maze test and impaired learning and spatial memory in male offspring compared with control. Administration of melatonin attenuated lipid peroxidation and could improve learning and spatial memory deficits and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in lead exposure group.

Conclusion: Melatonin as a neuropotective drug can protect the hippocampus against the complications of lead exposure, in the course of development.

Background: Brucella is an intracellular bacterium that causes chronic infection in humans and domestic animals. The underlying mechanisms that cause prolonged illness are complex and not fully understood. Immune responses may have an important role in the chronicity of infection. Here, we evaluated the lymphocyte proliferation responses in patients with chronic and acute brucellosis.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive - analytical study was performed on 22 patients with acute brucellosis, 21 patients with chronic brucellosis and 21 healthy people with the similar age, sex and genetic background as control group. Peripheral lymphocytes were isolated using Ficoll and the cellular proliferation was quantified in presence of antigen and phytohemaglutinin-A by MTT method.

Results: The brucella antigen-specific stimulation index in patients with chronic brucellosis was significantly lower than the acute brucellosis patients (p=0.001). Also, stimulating the lymphocytes with phytohemaglutinin-A has shown that proliferative response in patients with chronic brucellosis was lower than the other groups (p=0.04).

Conclusion: The results indicated that chronic brucellosis inhibits lymphocyte proliferation. This inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation may be due to the induction of anergy.

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the cognitive emotional regulation strategies, sensory processing sensitivity and anxiety sensitivity in patients with multiple sclerosis and normal people.

Materials and Methods: Statistical population of this study was all of patients with multiple sclerosis that referred to M.S association of Iran in the Tehran. Sample of this study was 30 individuals of patients with multiple sclerosis selected by available sampling method and were matched with 30 individuals of normal people. Two groups completed cognitive emotion regulation, high sensory processing            sensitivity and anxiety sensitivity questionnaires. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Multivariate Analysis of Variance.

Results:  The results indicated that there is significant difference between two groups in view of cognitive emotion regulation strategies in which the mean of scores of patients with multiple sclerosis in maladaptive strategies of self- blame, catastrophizing and other blame were more than normal people and mean of scores of them in adaptive strategies of positive refocusing, positive reappraisal and putting into perspective were less than normal people. The results also indicated that there is a significant difference between two groups in anxiety sensitivity and sensory processing sensitivity.

Conclusion:  The most of emotional problems in patients with multiple sclerosis can be the result of more application of maladaptive strategies of cognitive emotion regulation, high sensory processing sensitivity and high anxiety sensitivity. 

Abstract

Background: Aromatase is an enzyme converts androstenedione and testosterone to estrone and estradiol, respectively. According to the role of testosterone and zinc in reducing anxiety and the relation between androgenic system function and zinc supplementations, in this research, the effect of zinc chloride injection was analysed in rats which aromatase enzyme was inhibited by aromatase inhibitor (letrozole).

Materials and Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (weighing 225±25 g) were used. Animals were divided into 12 groups and based on their weight, aromatase inhibitor (letrozole) was injected (subcutaneously), and 30 minutes later, ZnCl₂ or its solvent (saline) was injected intra-peritoneal. Control group was received both solvents (DMSO and saline) respectively. Anxiety levels were tested in the elevated plus maze 30 minutes after the last injection, and thereafter, open field was used for measurement of the locomotors activity of animals.

Results: The results showed a significant decrease in the percentage of time spent in open arms in letrozole (1.25 mg/kg) treated group as compared to that of solvent group. The locomotors activity significantly decreased between letrozole (1.25 mg/kg) with the control group. The combined groups received letrozole (2.5 mg/kg) and different amounts of zinc chloride (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg), significantly reduced (p<0.05) the percentage of time spent in the open arm, comparing to the control group. Groups that received the combination of zinc chloride (2.5 mg/kg) and different amounts of letrozole (1.25, 5, 10 mg/kg), showed no significant difference in the percentage of entry and time spent in the open arms.

Conclusion: Totally, the present study suggests that letrozole alone increased anxiety and decreased locomotors activity and could interfere with anxiolytic effect of ZnCl₂ as well.

Abstract

Background: Operating room personnel are subject to occupational hazards which could lead to an increase in free radicals and develop various diseases. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of consuming green tea on the improvement of the blood oxidative biomarkers in operating room personnel who are exposed to anesthetic gases.

Materials and Methods: This study was a before-after clinical trial which was conducted on 24 operating room personnel. They were invited to consume 4 cups of a green tea beverage, prepared from 3 g of green tea leaves in 300 mL of boiled water (at 80˚ C), daily for 8 weeks. Then, Myeloperoxidase (MPO), DNA damage, Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) in the plasma were measured in order to evaluate the level of oxidative stress biomarkers before and after consuming green tea.

Results: Green tea consumption by operating room personnel brought about a significant increase in glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase and a considerable decrease in myeloperoxidase and DNA damage.

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, green tea consumption as an antioxidant supplement by operating room personnel, who are regularly exposed to anesthetic gases, can minimize oxidative stress and DNA damage considerably. Thus, it is advisable for operating room personnel to consume green tea as a natural antioxidant supplement.

Background: High blood pressure increases various cardiovascular events about 2 to 3 times in a person. The purpose of this study is to recognize the effect of a course of pilates exercise on hypertension, nitric oxide, and resting heart rate in the eldrlymen with hypertension.

Materials and Methods: Subjects of this quasi-experimental research included 30 elderly men with hypertension grade one(in the range of systolic-diastolic 140/90 to 159/99mm Hg) who participated voluntarily and accessibly in the study and were divided randomly into two experimental peer (15 people) and control (15 people) groups. Weight, height and BMI of subjects were 75±80, 170±175 and 25-26, respectively. The experimental group did selected exercise of Pilates for eight weeks (three one-hour sessions per week). Desired variables of the subjects of both groups were evaluated 24 hours before the start of exercise and 24 hours after the last session. Data analysis was conducted using dependent and independent t-test by SPSS16 statistical software at the significant level of p≥0.05.

Results: The research results showed that the eight-week pilates exercise gave rise to reduction in blood pressure(p≤0.05) as well as resting heart rate (p≤0.05) and to increase in nitric oxide of elderly men with hypertension (p≤0.05).

Conclusion: The eight-week pilates exercise reduced blood pressure and resting heart rate and increased the production of nitric oxide in elderly men. So, it seems that the regular physical exercise can be effective as a preventive factor in the outbreak of cardiovascular diseases of the elderly men.