Mmad Ali Bitaraf , Mazdak Alikhani, Hoshang Saberi , Hasan Hashemi, Amir Saeed Sedighi , Mehdi Zeinalizadeh ,
Volume 6, Issue 1 (6-2004)
Abstract
Background: Meningiomas are considered extra-axial and benign tumors. Though they are pathologically classified as benign, non-benign and other types, it seems that information derived from this classification cannot explain the behavior of the tumor. Pretumoral brain edema (PTBE) is one of the signs that has been less thoroughly studied, and still there is not a single consensus about its mechanism. Despite the benign and extra-axial manifestations of meningioma, in more than 60% of cases, these tumors have PTBE. The goals of this study were to show the role of the level of progesterone positivity in tumor cells as a behavioral factor and to find different features in the MRI and CT scans of meningioma patients that might be related to this issue and also to PTBE.
Materials and methods: In this study, 77 patients with intracranial meningiomas who referred to the Neurosurgery Department of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran were followed prospectivity between 1999-2003. Initial CT scans and MRIs (T1, T2) were performed on each patient, and certain imaging features of the tumors—including the diameter, volume, location, contour, presence or absence of PTBE, and the shape of tumor—were detected. Then a comprehensive comparison of these factors with surgical and pathological findings, clinical presentations, and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) were carried out.
Results: Tumors with higher PR levels had smaller sizes, and their contours were smoother. Images showed that these tumors were less invasive, in that in more than 50% of the cases, the arachnoid space (AS) around the tumor could be observed, and it was less probable to see PTBE. Instead, the duration of the disease was longer, and the intrasurgical bleeding was less.
Conclusions: The results of this study show that the future behavior of intracranial meningioma tumors cannot be predicted based on such features as diameter, location, contour, and volume. Instead, we must obtain more in formation about the tumors’ cells in order to predict the future behavior of these tumors.
Masoumeh Mohamadkhani, Farshad Ghazalian,
Volume 23, Issue 2 (5-2021)
Abstract
Background: Vascular endothelial cells play an important role in regulating vascular activity by producing vascular active substances such as endothelin-1 and nitric oxide. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of water resistance training with dark chocolate consumption on plasma levels of endothelin-1, nitric oxide and quality of life in elderly women.
Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 37 elderly women (mean ± standard deviation; age, 65.6 ± 3.1 years; weight 75.71 ± 7.7 kg) were purposefully divided into four complementary groups. Supplementation and exercise, exercise and control were included. The training protocol was performed for eight weeks of water resistance training. Supplementation of 30 grams of 83% dark chocolate daily was used for 8 weeks. Quality of life index was measured by SF-36 evaluation and plasma endolin-1 levels by ELISA and serum nitrite levels as the main metabolite of NO. One-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni’s post hoc test were used for statistical analysis.
Results: The results showed that the mean quality of life index in the water resistance training group was significantly higher than the control group in elderly women (p = 0.036). Also, the mean NO levels in the combined group were significantly higher than the control group (p = 0.001). But the mean levels of endothelin-1 in the combined group were significantly lower than the control group (p = 0.012).
Conclusion: Based on the present results, it can be concluded that resistance training in water along with consumption of dark chocolate may reduce endothelin-1 levels and increase NO levels to improve endothelial function and increase quality of life in elderly women.
