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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: Agricultural toxins including organochlorine and organophosphorus families cause damages in the various tissues in humans. Diazinon is a non-systemic organophosphate insecticide. This study was carried out to determine the effect of Diazinon on sex hormone, interferon gamma, interleukin-4 and 10 in male rats. Methods: In this experimental study 24 adult male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups. Three experimental groups were received Diazinon 5 days per week for one month at 0.3, 3 and 30 mg/kg/bw intraperitoneally, while controls received nothing. Seven days after the last injection, blood samples were obtained and the serum testosterone, FSH, LH, interferon gamma, interleukin-4 and interleukin-10 were measured. Results: Serum level of Interleukin-10 significantly increased in experimental group (30 mg/kg/bw of Diazinon) compared to controls (P<0.05). Serum level of Interleukin-10 significantly decreased in 0.3 mg/kg/bw and 3mg/kg/bw of Diazinon groups compared to controls (P<0.05). Interleukin-4 level was only significant in the group receiving 30 mg/kg/bw of Diazinon (P<0.05). Reduction in interferon-gamma level was not significant between control and experimental groups. FSH significantly reduced in the three experimental groups in comparison with controls (P<0.05). Testosterone level was significantly increased in experimental groups compared to control (P<0.05). Conclusion: Diazinon increases interleukin-10 and testosterone and reduces FSH hormone in the rat.

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Background and Objective: Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus to antibiotics is one of the major global health problems in human societies. Thus, evaluation of pattern of antibiotic resistance in its different strains is very important. This study was carried out to evaluate the antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from clinical samples by disk diffusion and PCR methods.

Methods: In this laboratory- descriptive study, 50 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus to be identified from clinical specimens. Methicillin resistance was examined using PCR and antibiotic susceptibility of isolates was tested by disk diffusion method.

Results: 50 isolates were resistant to methicillin, ampicillin and penicillin. The resistance of isolates to erythromycin, Gentamicin, Clindamycin and Ciprofloxacin were 48%, 34%, 34%, 34%, respectively. The PCR method showed that 98% of Methicillin Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolates carried the methicillin resistant gene.

Conclusion: This study indicated that 98% isolates harbor mecA genes and more resistant to methicillin related mecA genes.