Journal of Translational Medical Research

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Background and Aim: Smokers are exposed to significant quantities of oxidative factors. The effects of smoking on plasma concentrations of antioxidants and susceptibility to oxidative stress in young subjects are largely unknown. This study was done for comparison of uric acid concentration and plasma antioxidant capacity in young smokers and non-smokers. Materials and Methods: In an analytical observational study, a sample of 23 male smoker with history of at least 10 cigarettes per day for 5 years and 21 healthy non smoker male, all aged 40 or under 40 years old, were included voluntarily in the study. All participants were free of major signs and symptoms suggestive of any disease. Fasting blood samples (10 ml) were collected in heparinized tubes just before morning smoking. Plasma samples were isolated and stored at -60°C for later evaluating. In this study, uric acid concentration was measured by an enzymatic method. The main methods for evaluation of oxidative stress were: determination of the Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) by Ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, Ellman's reagent for measuring the amount of thiol groups, and concentration of 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) for determination of antiradical activities of plasma. Results: Uric acid concentrations (mg/dL) in smokers and non-smokers was 6.2±1.5 and 4.5±1.7 respectively (P<0.001). Determination of the TAC (µmol/L) level by FRAP assay showed 980.7±214.4 in smokers and 997.4±156.9 in nonsmokers (P=0.75). Quantitative determination of per-oxiradicals by DPPH assay revealed 12.6%±1.4 in smoker and 15.3%±2.2 in nonsmoker (P=0.37). The plasma levels of thiol groups (mmol/L) were 281.1±60.9 in smokers and 256.5±57.8 in non-smokers (P=017). Conclusion: Given the role of cigarette smoking as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and the role played by oxidative stress in them, measurement of uric acid in young smoker subjects represents a marker against tobacco-induced oxidative stress and recommends their timely giving up of smoking.

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Background and Aim: Aloe Vera gel, with strong antioxidant properties, is used in the treatment of many renal disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Aloe Vera gel (JA) on urea, uric acid and creatinine levels of serum, and tissue structure of kidneys of rats diagnosed with MS through Ethidium Bromide (EB).
Materials and Methods: This experimental study was performed on 48 female rats, which were divided into 6 groups of 8 samples, including control, sham (intraventricular treatment with saline), experimental treated with 14 μl of EB solution to the lateral ventricles with normal saline as a Gavage and receivers of 300, 600 and 1200 mg/ kg alcoholic extracts )JA(, as gavage with EB intraventricular  meditation. In this study, prescriptions were taken for 35 days. In the end, after blood sampling from animal’s heart, some amount of urea, uric acid, and creatinine are extracted, and with providing different cross- sections, the tissue structure of their kidneys was studied based on histologic measurements. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS software (Version 20) using ANOVA and Duncan tests at the level of P <0.05.
Results: The results showed that EB increased serum urea, uric acid, and creatinine levels, decreased the diameter of the medulla, glomerulus, renal corpuscle sections, and increased the diameter of the near and further curved tubes at the level of P≤0.05. Furthermore, the treatment with high-dose JA significantly reduced the serum urea, uric acid and creatinine levels, increased the diameter of medulla sections, glomerulus, renal corpuscle, and reduced the near and further curved tubes alone in comparison with the EB group at P≤0.05.
Conclusion: Aloe Vera gel, in dose-dependent forms, can reduce urea, uric acid, creatinine, and tissue modification of kidneys in animals with MS.