Mojtaba Keshavarz

Departments of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran

[ 1 ] - Anti-diabetic effects of Sargassum oligocystum on Streptozotocin- induced diabetic rat

Objective(s): Diabetes is a metabolic syndrome which is associated with the worldwide major public health problems. There are many natural compounds from the sea-market, as a valuable aquatic source, along with the variety of health and therapeutic benefits. In the present research, with respect to the traditional and ethnic uses of Sargassum oligocystum algae for healing of some diseases which...

[ 2 ] - Acute and chronic effects of lithium on BDNF and GDNF mRNA and protein levels in rat primary neuronal, astroglial and neuroastroglia cultures

Objective(s):Theneuroprotective effect of lithium has been attributed to its therapeutic action. However, the role of glial cells particularly astrocytes, and the possible interactions between neurons and astrocytes in neuroprotective effects of lithium have been disregarded. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the direct effects of lithium on brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) an...

[ 3 ] - CYP2A6 genetic polymorphism and its relation to risk of smoking dependence in male Iranians

Introduction: Nicotine is the psychoactive substance responsible for establishing and maintaining smoking dependence. CYP2A6 is the primary enzyme that inactivates nicotine to cotinine .Genetic variation in CYP2A6 accounts for some of the inter-individual variability in nicotine metabolism and has been indicated to influence smoking behavior and dependence. Therefore, the aim of this study was ...

[ 4 ] - The neuroprotective mechanism of cinnamaldehyde against amyloid-β in neuronal SHSY5Y cell line: The role of N-methyl-D-aspartate, ryanodine, and adenosine receptors and glycogen synthase kinase-3β

Objective: Cinnamaldehyde may be responsible for some health benefits of cinnamon such as its neuroprotective effects. We aimed to investigate the cinnamaldehyde neuroprotective effects against amyloid beta (Aβ) in neuronal SHSY5Y cells and evaluate the contribution of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), ryanodine, and adenosine receptors and glycogen ...

[ 5 ] - The contribution of S100B to the glioprotective effects of valproic and arundic acids

Objective(s): Valproic and arundic acids are astrocytes-modulating agents with potential effects in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). S100B is an astrocytic cytokine with a possible role in the pathogenesis of AD. In this study, we aimed to assess the glioprotective effects of valproic and arundic acids against amyloid-β-peptide (Aβ)-induced glial death and co...

[ 6 ] - Amelioration of Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Seizures by Modulators of Sigma, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate, and Ryanodine Receptors in Mice

Background: Sigma receptors, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, and modulators of intracellular calcium may be useful for seizure control. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the antiepileptic effects of opipramol, a sigma receptor agonist, against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures in mice and assess ketamine and caffeine interaction with the antiepileptic effects of opipramol.Methods:...

[ 7 ] - Glycogen synthase kinase-3β may contribute to neuroprotective effects of Sargassum oligocystum against amyloid-beta in neuronal SH-SY5Y cells

Glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β mediates amyloid-beta (Aβ) and oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity in neurodegenerative disorders. Natural products with antioxidant activity, such as Sargassum (S.) oligocystum may modulate GSK-3β enzyme and protect against Aβ-induced neurotoxicity. Therefore, we aimed to assess the neuroprotective effects of a methanolic extract of S. oligocystum against A...

[ 8 ] - Effects of spironolactone and fludrocortisone on neuronal and glial toxicity induced by N-methyl-D-Aspartate and chloroquine in cell culture

Spironolactone has produced beneficial effects in animal models of neurodegenerative disorders. However, the underlying mechanisms of this agent on neurons and glia are mostly unknown. Therefore, we aimed to show the effects of spironolactone and fludrocortisone, a mineralocorticosteroid receptor agonist, on neuronal and glial toxicity induced by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) activation and chlor...