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Background and Objective: Colonoscopy is the best method for management of patients with Hematochezia or lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB). This study was conducted to assess the endoscopic and histopathologic findings in patients with hematochezia. Methods: This descriptive –analytical study was done on 117 (50 males, 67 females) patients whom referred to 5th Azar hospital in Gorgan, northern Iran during 2010. Demographic characteristics, medical history and colonoscopic and histopathologic findings were recorded for each patient. Results: Hemorrhoid was the most common finding in colonoscopic examination. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and cancer were the most common feature in the under and higher than 43 age old patients, respectively (P<0.05). Ulcerative colitis (22.2%) was the most common finding in histopathological examination. Rectosigmoid was the most common anatomical location of involvement in IBD cases. Cancer and IBD were occurred in the left colon. Conclusion: Flexible sigmoidoscopy can be a selected procedure for evaluation of hematochezia in the <43 age old patients but in >43 age old subjects sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy should be made based on patients' status.

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Background and Objective: Overweight and obesity are increasing in the last three decades indicates the strong influence of environmental factors. Fats are the most important sources of human food which is considered as one of the reason for obesity. Among the components of the diet, poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are resulting in obesity. This study was done to evaluate the effect of diets containing poly unsaturated fatty acid on body weight and colon macroscopic properties in rabbit. Methods: In this experimental study, 24 female rabbits were allocated into three experimental groups including short, medium and long term and control groups (three subgroups). Animals in experimental groups were received diet containing corn oil for one month (short term), two months (medium term) and three months (long term). Animals at the end of the first, second and third months, were weighed and dissected and taken biopsy from colon. The macroscopic properties of the samples including shape and arrangement of Haustration were evaluated. Results: Over weight was not in the long – term consumption of corn oil in comparison with controls, but Haustra organization in different parts of the colon were disappeard in experimental animals. Conclusion: The diet containing poly unsaturated fatty acid causes macroscopic alteration in rabbit colon.

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Background and Objective: Hydroalcholic extract of Peppermint is traditionally used for gastrointestinal disorders. This study was done to evaluate the effect of Peppermint extract on the mice colon motor activity following immobilization stress.

Methods: In this experimental study, 30 male Albino mice were randomly allocated into the three groups; including control, stress and stress + Peppermint oil groups (n=10). The second group as a stress group exposed to immobilization stress for four hours during three days. Third group as stress plus Peppermint oil group was exposed to stress in addition to administration of 27 mg/kg/bw Peppermint oil intraperitoneally prior to stress. After three days, intestinal and peristaltic activity was recorded using pressure transducer from in vitro segments of colon (4-5 cm in length. Also, fecal weight, food intake and body weight was measured for each mouse for in vivo condition.

Results: The mean±SD of fecal weight after three times stress immobilization was 1.36±0.71, 1.06±0.6 and 0.47±0.39 gr in control, stress and Stress + Peppermint oil groups, respectively (P<0.05). The mean±SD of internal luminal pressure after three times stress immobilization was 4.47±1.15, 3.48±1.25 and 0.77±0.37 mm/hg in control, Stress and stress + Peppermint oil groups, respectively (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Peppermint oil is a strong inhibitor for colon motor activity following immobilization stress.

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Background and Objective: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF) and its receptor express in developing follicles, fetal and reproductive tissues. The serum G-CSF concentration significantly increases during the ovulatory phase in comparison with other phases, so G-CSF may have an important role in ovulation and the early cross-talk between mother and conceptus in both human and animal models. This study was done to evaluate the Effect of exogenous G-CSF on ovulation and pregnancy rate in NMRI mice.

Methods: In this experimental study, 40 mature female and 10 male NMRI mice were randomly allocated into the control and treatment groups. All Ovaries were stimulated with intraperitoneal injections (IP) of 10 IU PMSG and after 48 hour by 10 IU hCG per mouse. The treatment group were recieved G-CSF (50mg/kg i.p.), at the time of PMSG administration, while the control group had the same volume of normal saline instead of G-CSF at the same time. 16-18 hours post-hCG administration, twenty female mice of both groups were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and ovulated oocytes were assessed. On day 16 post coitus, the rest of female mice of both groups were scarificed for withdrawing their fetuses to determine the effect of G-CSF on pregnancy rates.

Results: The ovulation rate in the treatment group (18.5±1.25) were significantly more than that of control (12.1±1.32) (P<0.05). The number of fetuses had no significant difference between control and treatment groups.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that exogenous G-CSF may affect on folliculogenesis and ovulation but the following pregnancy outcome was not impressed.

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Background and Objective: The diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is performed by colonoscopy, sampling, and histopathology. Stool calprotectin is a test showing the presence of inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. This study was done to determine the relationship between the calprotectin level in the feces and endoscopic findings in ulcerative colitis patients referred to the gastroenterology clinic in Gorgan, Iran.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 100 patients with ulcerative colitis referred to the gastroenterology clinic of Sayad Shirazi Hospital, Gorgan, north of Iran during 2020. The patients were asked to collect their stool samples one day before the procedure (just after taking the drug for bowel cleansing). Bowel cleansing was done by administering polyethylene glycol solution dissolved in water. The activity of ulcerative colitis was measured using the disease activity score. According to this criterion, a score greater than or equal to 5 is considered an active disease. Patients were classified into two groups: extensive or pan-colitis and left-sided colitis. Stool samples were evaluated for calprotectin in a single laboratory using a commercially available kit (Calprest- EuorociationspA. Trieste) at normal values of less than 50mg/g. The relationship between stool calprotectin with colonoscopic findings was evaluated.
Results: The average duration of infection was 4±3.1 years in the time range of 1-14 years. The calprotectin level was less than 50 μg/g in 16 patients. Stool calprotectin less than 50 µg/g was seen in only 16 patients. There was no significant relationship between the level of calprotectin and the either age or gender of patients. Most patients (84%) had active disease based on colonoscopic findings. Left-sided involvement was seen in 60% of patients. Fecal calprotectin level was significantly higher in those with acute phase and those with severe disease (P<0.05). Additionally, the calprotectin level had no significant relationship with the location of bowel involvement, extension, and disease duration.
Conclusion: This study showed that the fecal calprotectin level in patients with ulcerative colitis had a significant relationship with the severity and activity of the disease in north of Iran.