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Increase blood level of thyroid hormones due to hyperthyroidism can change the balance between resorption and bone formation and result in hypercalcemia, increase Alkaline Phosphatase and increase in urinary Calcium excretion. Due to these finding and the nutritional conditions of our country in Calcium containing food, we decided to evaluate some of bone indexes in hyperthyroid patients. 30 women, 6 men between 17-40 years (23 patients) and more then 40 years (13 patients) were the sample populations. The control subjects were 35 healthy people 17-40 years (25 persons) and more than 40 years (10 persons). The serum Calcium, phosphorus and Alkaline Phosphatase were determined in these hyperthyroid patients. There were a meaningful correlation between the Alkaline Phosphatase of hyperthyroid patients compared to normal subject (P<0.05) in the patients more than 40 years old, and (P<0.01) in the 17-40 years patients. There were no differences between serum Calcium of hyperthyroid patients and normal subjects. The results from this investigation indicate that in hyperthyroid patients the average Alkaline Phosphatase level is higher than normal subjects. On the other hand the reason for not having a meaningful differences in Calcium level between the hyperthyroid patients and normal population may be due to low dietary intake of dairy produce and proteins in daily diet, which results in low amount of Calcium in nutrition.

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Background and Objective: Ecstasy [3,4 Methylendioxy Meth Amphetamine (MDMA)] exerts destructive effects on body organs particularly on the nervous system. The current study was carried out to measure the adverse effects of MDMA on hepatocyte and liver-specific enzymes. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 50 male Wistar rats were randomly divided in equal numbers into 5 groups: control, sham, experimental 1, 2, and 3. Animals in the experimental groups were received, intraperitoneally 2, 4 and 8 mg/kg of MDMA, respectively. The sham group were received normal saline but the control group was not subjected to any injection. Serum samples were collected and levels of three enzymes under study: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured. The sections from the liver tissue were prepared counting the hepatocytes. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 and One-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD tests. Results: Data indicated the levels of all three enzymes had been elevated in the animal groups that received MDMA and that the increase was statistically significant compared to sham and control groups (P<0.05). Also, in experimental groups the number of hepatocyte were reduced in comparison with controls (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that the MDMA significantly increased ALT, AST, ALP and reduced the number of hepatocytes and these effects are dose depended.

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Background and Objective: Many studies have showed malformation of low frequency of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on different tissues. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of low frequency electromagnetic fields on the heart of white-leghorn chicken embryo. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 90 healthy, fresh and fertilized eggs were allocated into 6 groups including control, sham, and four preincubated experimental groups. Experimental groups I, II, III and IV (1.33, 2.66, 5.52 and 7.32 mT) were located in the electromagnetic device, sham group was located into the same coil with no exposure for 24h before incubation. Control, sham and experimental groups incubated (37±0.5 ºC, 60% humidity) for 14 days. Results: Disassembling cell regulation in experimental group I, dense nucleus of myocytes and increase of intercellular spaces in experimental group II, necrosis and bleeding in the heart tissue in experimental groups III and IV were seen in compare to control and sham groups. There was a significant increase in the level of activity of alkaline phosphatase in the heart of experimental groups in compare to control and sham groups. Conclusion: Low frequency of electromagnetic fields caused alternations in cardiac tissue and elevation of Alkaline phosphatase activity in chicken embryos.

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Background and Objective: The liver is the main organ involved in the metabolism of various drugs and toxins. Thus, it is highly vulnerable to damage caused by drugs and toxins. Alpinia officinarum belongs to the Ginger family and has been used in traditional Iranian medicine for its therapeutic effects on the digestive system, including strengthening the function of the stomach and organs, improving digestion and reducing bloating. In addition, the plant has anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, anticancer and antioxidant properties. This study investigated the hepatotoxic effects of Alpinia officinarum rhizomes aqueous extract in male Wistar rats.
Methods: This experimental study was performed on 35 male Wistar rats that were randomly allocated into 5 groups of 7. Four groups received 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg of the extract for 28 days, while a group did not receive the extract (control group). Tissue sections (5 microns) were stained by hematoxylin and eosin at the pharmacology laboratory of Golestan University of Medical Sciences. The groups were examined for liver tissue pathology, and the level of liver enzymes including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was measured by Pars Azmoun ELISA kit.
Results: Administration of the aqueous extract of Alpinia officinarum rhizome for 28 days by gavage increased the level of AST, ALT and ALP in the serum of rats. Tissue damage was observed in most groups receiving the extract.
Conclusion: The results show that consumption of the aqueous extract of Alpinia officinarum rhizome at a dose of more than 100 mg/kg can cause liver damage and is lethal at a dose of 800 mg/kg.
 

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Background and Objective: Alkaline phosphatase, BMP, and GATA proteins are important factors in the process of spermatogenesis. This study aims to investigate the effect of alkaline phosphatase, GATA, and BMP expression on spermatogenic stem cells, embryonic cells, and embryonic stem-like cells (ES-like) in C57BL mice.
Methods: In this experimental study, spermatogonial stem cells were isolated from three heads of 4-week-old C57BL mice, and embryonic stem cells and ES-like cells were prepared. Alkaline phosphatase staining test was performed on spermatogenic stem cells, embryonic cells, and ES-like cells. The expression of BMP and GATA genes was analyzed using Fluidigm PCR. Protein-protein interaction networks were isolated and drawn using databases.
Results: Positive alkaline phosphatase expression in stem cells and negative expression in testicular Sertoli cells indicated the presence of this enzyme in pluripotent cells. The gene expression of BMP and GATA in spermatogonial stem cells (6.3 and 2.7, respectively), embryonic cells (3.2 and 4.4, respectively), and ES-like cells (8.5 and 2.5, respectively) was positive, but not statistically significant. Bioinformatics studies showed the regulatory role of these genes and their direct effect on alkaline phosphatase.
Conclusion: BMP and GATA genes, along with alkaline phosphatase enzymes, play a crucial role in controlling embryonic and spermatogonial stem cells, maintaining their pluripotency, and guiding them towards differentiated cells.
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