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Abstract Background and Aim: Glutathione and components involved in its cycle play an important role in many physiological processes. This study evaluates the influence of regular exercise on the glutathione cycle components in rat heart. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 104 rats were divided into two groups of exercise and control. The exercise group was divided into six subgroups each of which was considered for one, two, three, six, nine and twelve-month exercise periods (n=8, in each subgroup). Rodents Treadmill was used for training (25 meters per minute, an hour per day, and 6 days per week). For each exercise subgroup, a control subgroup (n=8, in each subgroup) was assigned. The data were analyzed through a two-way analysis of variance using SPSS software V.16.0. Results: GSH levels in 1, 9 and 12 months of training were higher than those in the corresponding control groups (p<0.05, for all cases). Although exercise had no significant effect on GSSG levels, GSH/GSSG ratio in 1, 9 and 12 month training groups were higher than those in corresponding control groups (p<0.05, for all cases). The effect of exercise on GPX enzyme activity was exactly similar to its effect on GSH levels. On the other hand, in 9 and 12 month trained groups compared with corresponding control groups, the levels of lipid peroxidation were higher (p<0.05, for both). Conclusion: Regular exercise increased GPX activity and GSH levels to prevent oxidative stress probably through continuously stress

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Background and Aim: Nursing is one of the most stressful jobs and the stress involved leads to the nurses' dissatisfaction and abandoning their occupation. The purpose of this study is to determine the level of stress and stress management methods among nurses based on PRECEDE model Materials and Methods: A descriptive-analytical design was used in this study. The sample size was 237 nurses from Hamadan hospitals who completed the scales of PRECEDE, NSS, PSS and Job Satisfaction. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-square, Spearman coefficient of correlation and ANOVA) through SPSS software V.13. Results: The results showed that 51.5% of nurses perceived intermediate level of occupational stress and 5.9% of them had high job stress levels. 40% of the subjects had high level of psychological stress and 75.1% of them were dissatisfied with their jobs. Reverse correlation between job satisfaction and perceived stress was seen (r=-0.231). The level of knowledge was average and enabling factors were low. The majority of subjects (90%) didn't have any reinforcing factors. Conclusion: Due to the nature of nursing job and the results of this study, designing and implementing job stress management programs based on PRECEDE model to decrease job stress and increase job satisfaction are suggested.

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Aims: Burned survivors encounter with painful processes and malformations due to injuries. The purpose of this study was to explore the relations between PSTD and defense mechanisms among burn patients.

Methods: This after event correlative cross-sectional study was performed in 90 hospitalized patients in Velayat center of burn accidents and plastic surgery of Rasht city, Iran in 2011 and 63 patients were selected by random sampling method and entered to research. Demographic characteristics form, Mississipi Post Traumatic Stress Disorder scale and Defense Styles Questionnaire were used for gathering data. Data analysis was done by Pearson correlation and regression analysis tests by using SPSS 16 software.

Results: Severity of burn had positive correlation with burned parts of body, PSTD, neurotic and immature defense style and had negative correlation with mature defense style. Burned parts of body also had direct relation with PSTD and PSTD had reversed relation with mature style and had direct relation with neurotic and immature styles. 17.7% of variance of PSTD was predicted by mature defense style, 44.3% by neurotic defense style and 73% by immature defense style variables.

Conclusion: There is a relation between severity of burn, PSTD and defense styles.

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Aims: Urinary incontinence is a common health problem in women and its most common type is urinary stress incontinence. The disease has a significant impact on various aspects of life and leads to reduced quality of life for women. One way of improving health level is focusing on life quality level in individuals. So, in this study, the impact of family-centered empowerment model on quality of life in women with stress urinary incontinence is discussed. Methods: This study is a clinical trial. After sampling through convenience method, the subjects (N=64) were divided into experimental and control groups, using blocked random method. For the experimental group, the interventions based on family-centered empowerment model which included four stages (perception of threat, efficacy promotion, self-esteem and evaluation) were performed using group discussion, representation, and training participation. Research instruments included questionnaires of demographic and disease basic information, assess quality of life in patients with urinary incontinence (IQOL), knowledge, self-esteem, and health behaviors. The questionnaires were ccompleted before and after the intervention. The data were analyzed with SPSS version 20 using descriptive statistics and analytical tests. Results: The statistical tests showed that the two groups of experimental and control were matched in terms of demographics and severity of incontinence. Moreover, based on independent t-test, there was no significant difference between the mean score of quality of life, knowledge, self-esteem and health behaviors in the two groups before the intervention (P>0.05), while there was a significant difference between the two groups with respect to these variables after the intervention (P<0.001). Also, Chi-square test showed a significant difference in the occurrence of urinary incontinence before and after the intervention in the experimental group (P<0.001). Conclusion: Family-centered empowerment health model can be used by nurses for the management of behavioral techniques, as the first level of provided intervention to improve the stress urinary incontinence. Moreover, it can increase the life quality of women with stress urinary incontinence who are not hospitalized and reside in the community.

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Aims: Due to different types of stress, it is important to recognize its adverse effects on the nervous system. This study was done to investigate the effect of three types of common stresses in modern living environment i.e. electromagnetic waves, immobilization and disturbance, individually and combined on pain threshold in infant rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 40 pregnant female Sprague rats and all their male infants were studied. Female rats were divided into 5 control, electromagnetic stress, immobilization stress, disturbance stress and combined stress groups. From eighth day of gestation, pregnant rats of stress groups were exposed to stress for 10 consecutive days. 75 days postpartum (after maturity), male rats were subjected to formalin pain test. Measuring the pain intensity was done via scale "zero" (putting the feet on the ground completely), "1" (putting the paw on the ground), "2" (raising the feet) and "3" (biting or licking the feet). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests. Results: The mean of pain severity at the acute phase of the formalin test between each stress groups and the control group was not significant (p>0.05). The mean of pain severity of the interphase stage of the formalin test was significant only between the electromagnetic stress and the control groups (p<0.05). The mean of pain severity at the chronic stage of formalin test was significant between each of the combined stress (p<0.01) and the immobility stress (p<0.05) groups and the control group. Conclusion: Stress during pregnancy affects the pain behavior of the mature rats.

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Aims: Alpha tumor necrosis factor and Hydrogen peroxide increase in neurotrophins expression in several brain structures. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interactive effect of Hydrogen peroxide and neurotrophic tumor necrosis factor with brain-derived neurotrophic factor by glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor after severe exercise. Materials & Methods: This experimental study was done on 16 adult Wistar albino rats 280g and 3months old. Animals were divided into two intense exercise and sedentary control groups. Animals ran for 6 weeks, 6 days a week, at the speed of 27m per minute and on treadmill for 60 minutes daily. Using kit, the content of BDNF, GDNF, and TNF-α were measured using sandwich ELISA and hydrogen peroxide levels was analyzed by colorimetric assay. Data analyzed by SPSS 16 and Independent-T test. Findings: Hydrogen peroxide levels in the brain, in intense exercise group increased significantly compared with control group (p= 0.006). TNF-α, GDNF and BDNF Levels in the brain in intense exercise group significantly increased compared with control group (p=0.001). Conclusion: Intense running on treadmill increase BDNF and GDNF content in brain of albino Wistar rats through increasing the H2O2 and TNF-α levels.

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Aims: Organophosphates such as diazinon (DZN) induce the production of free radicals and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of vitamins E and C as antioxidants in reduction of DZN-induced oxidative stress in rat heart. Materials & Methods: In present experimental study, 36 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups control (corn oil as DZN solvent), DZN (100mg/kg), vitamin E (150mg/kg), vitamin C (200mg/kg), vitamin E+DZN and vitamin C+DZN. 24 hours after intraperitoneal injection, animals were anesthetized by ether, and heart tissue was quickly removed. After tissues hemogenation, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, as well as glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined by biochemical methods. The data were statistically analyzed using Instat 3.3 by analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post hoc Tukey test. Findings: DZN increased SOD, CAT and GST activities (p<0.01) and MDA level (p<0.05), while decreased LDH activity (p<0.05) and GSH content (p<0.01) in heart compared with the control group. Administration of vitamins E and C inhibited changing of these parameters. Conclusion: Administration of vitamins E and C as antioxidant decreases DZN-induced oxidative stress by scavenging free radicals.

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Aims: Nowadays, with the aim of reducing conflicts or inconsistencies between couples, different methods of couples therapy are introduced. Self-regulation couples therapy pattern is the application of self-control behavioral theory in the relationship problems. This model is a development of cognitive behavioral couples therapy and also is an attempt to provide an eclectically integrated framework for the use of different methods of couple therapy. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of self-regulatory brief couples therapy on reducing the couples' marital stress. Materials & Methods: In this quasi-experimental study and with the pretest-posttest model 16 couples which were referred to Golha House Health in the 6th district of Tehran City in Summer 2014 were selected by accessible sampling method and were divided to 2 experimental and control groups (each of 8 couples). The research tool was Stockholm- Tehran Marital Stress Scale (STMSS) which completed in the pretest and posttest by the samples. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS 20 software. Findings: The average score of marital stress in experimental group was significantly reduced according to control group in posttest (p=0.0001). Conclusion: Self-regulatory brief marital therapy is effective in reducing couple’s marital stress.

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Aims: One of the most prevalent gastrointestinal functional disorders is the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Different medical and psychological treatments are conducted to control the symptoms of the disease. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the cognitive-behavioral stress management training on the severity of the symptoms and emotional welfare of patients with IBS.

Materials & Methods: In the controlled pretest-posttest clinical trial study, 30 patients with IBS were studied in Ardabil in 2012. The subjects, selected via available sampling method, were randomly divided into two groups including experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. Data was collected using the IBS severity questionnaire, the characteristic positive and negative affection scale, and the life satisfaction scale. Ten 90-minute group cognitive-behavioral stress management treatment sessions were conducted in experimental group. The subjects were assessed at both pretest and posttest steps. Data was analyzed by SPSS 20 software using multivariate covariance analysis test.

Findings: The mean scores of positive affection, negative affection, life satisfaction, and IBS symptom severity of experimental and control groups were significantly different at the posttest step (p<0.001). 51%, 55%, 89%, and 57% of positive affection component, negative affection component, life satisfaction, and IBS symptom severity variances could be determined by the cognitive-behavioral stress management training, respectively.

Conclusion: The cognitive-emotional stress management treatment can reduce the severity of the symptoms, while it can increase the emotional welfare, in the patients with IBS.

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Aims: Oxidative stress plays an important role in the initiation and progression of diabetes. Noticing the antioxidant and antidiabetes effects of Launaea acanthodes, the aim of the study was to determine the effects of the aqueous extract of the herb on DNA oxidative damage and the activities of antioxidant enzyms in the testicular tissue of diabetic rats. 

Materials & Methods: In the experimental study, 32 male Wistar rats were studied. The rats were randomly divided into four 8-rat groups including healthy control, diabetic control, and experimental diabetic groups treated by aqueous extract of Launaea acanthodes. Diabetes was induced in diabetic control and diabetic experimental groups via one alloxan intraperitoneal injection. 100 and 200mg/Kg aqueous extract of Launaea acanthodes were injected as intraperitoneal in diabetic experimental groups at alternate days for one month, while the control groups received only strile distilled water via injection. At the end of the study, the activities of antioxidant enzyms and the levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and malondialdehyde were assessed in the testicular tissue. Data was analyzed by SPSS 20 software using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc tests. 

Findings: The tissue activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase enzymes significantly increased in the experimental groups treated by 100 and 200mg/Kg aqueous extract of Launaea acanthodes as dose-dependent compared to diabetic control group, while the levels of 8-hydroxideoxiguanosine and malondialdehyde significantly decreased (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Dose-dependent administration of aqueous extract of Launaea acanthodes increases the antioxidant capacity, while reducing lipidic peroxidation and DNA oxidative damage in the testicular tissue of rats.

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Aims: Silver nanoparticles, through free radical production, can cause oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of crocin on Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes activity in liver tissue of chick embryo treated with silver nanoparticles.
Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, 45 Ross 308 Fertilized chicken eggs were randomly divided into five groups (control and experimental groups). On day 10 of incubation, the control group received 0.5 ml of saline solution in an amniotic sac of embryos and experimental groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 were treated with one injection of 0.5 ml of silver nanoparticle 200 ppm and a size of 60 nm. On day 12 of incubation, the experimental groups 2, 3 and 4 were treated with crocin 0.5 mg/ml in concentrations of 100, 200 and 300 μg/ml. On day 20 of incubation, levels of Bax, Bcl-2, malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzymes of the liver tissue were measured. Data were analyzed by SPSS 20 software, using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test.
Findings: In the group of silver nanoparticles compared to the control group, the levels of Bcl-2 and antioxidant enzymes decreased and Bax and malondialdehyde levels increased. In groups of silver nanoparticles with concentrations of 100, 200 and 300 μg/ml of crocin compared to the group of silver nanoparticles alone, the levels of Bcl-2 and antioxidant enzymes increased in dose-dependent manner, and Bax and malondialdehyde levels decreased in dose-dependent manner (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Dose-dependent injection of crocin decreases oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and apoptosis in liver tissue of chick embryo by decrease of toxicity of silver nanoparticles.
 

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Aims: The most common manifestations of chronic diseases are depression, anxiety and stress. Various complications such as physical, economic, social and psychological problems can result in psychopathological complications in dialysis patients. This study was conducted to determine depression, anxiety and stress in patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Materials & Methods: This cross sectional descriptive study was done in the hemodialysis section of Bohlool Hospital of Gonabad in 2017  using a census sampling on 46 hemodialysis patients who had the criteria for entering the study. The data gathering tools were a demographic questionnaire and a questionnaire of depression, anxiety and stress (DASS-21). Finally collected data was analyzed by SPSS software Version 16 And 95% confidence interval with descriptive and inferential statistics.
Findings: The findings of this study showed that depression was 63.5%, anxiety 65.20%, stress 67.4% in patients undergoing hemodialysis. There was no significant difference between depression, anxiety and stress with gender. (p=0.189, p=0.448, p=0.763)
Conclusion: According to the findings and because of high rates of depression, anxiety and stress, it is felt that there is a need to improve the quality of life of these patients.

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Aims: In this study, we investigated the effect of clove extract (Syzygium aromaticum) on liver cell damage and oxidative stress caused by diabetes in adult rats.
Methods & Materials: For this study, 28 female rats were collected and divided into four groups: A: Control group; B: Diabetic Control group (DC) which received 20% glycerol dissolved in normal saline as carriers; C: Diabetic rats (DSA) treated with cloves hydroalcoholic extract (4 mg/kg); d) diabetic rats (DG) treated with glibenclamide (5 mg/kg) as a standard drug.
Findings: The fasting blood sugar and serum triglyceride levels in the DC group increased significantly compared to the control group (P<0.05). In DC, DG, and DSA groups, high-density lipoprotein, and serum insulin levels decreased significantly compared to the control group (P<0.05). Also, in DG and DSA groups, high-density lipoprotein and serum insulin levels increased significantly compared to the DC group.
Conclusion: Cloves can affect fasting blood sugar, serum insulin levels, serum fat profile levels, and prevent liver tissue damage in diabetic rats caused by streptozotocin.

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Aims: Stress is one of the significant factors contributing to the onset, exacerbation, and recurrence of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) that imposes high costs on society and people. The present study aims to assess the role of spiritual intelligence, sense of coherence, and cognitive flexibility (internal resources) in predicting perceived stress in patients with MS.
Methods & Materials: In this descriptive/correlational study, 156 patients with MS were selected as samples using a convenience sampling method. The participants completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Spiritual Intelligence Self-Report Inventory (SISRI), Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC), and Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI). The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (stepwise regression analysis) in SPSS v. 24.
Findings: Transcendental awareness (a component of SISRI), meaningfulness (a component of SOC), and perception of controls and alternatives (components of CFI) predicted perceived stress in MS patients.
Conclusion: In stress management program, internal resources education can help reduce perceived stress in patients with MS.

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Aims: Patients with high blood pressure usually experience high levels of stress that affect their emotion regulation and self-care behaviors. The current study aimed to examine the cognitive-minded group therapy on perceived stress, emotional, cognitive regulation, and self-care behaviors in patients with hypertension. 
Methods & Materials: The study has a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test, follow-up, and a control group. The study population was all people with hypertension referred to medical centers in Kish Island, Iran, in 2010 (March to June). The research sample consisted of 32 qualified candidates who were selected using the purposive sampling method. Then they were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. Perceived stress, emotional and cognitive regulation, and self-care questionnaires of patients with hypertension were used to collect information in the pre-test, post-test, and follow-up stages. The experimental group underwent mindfulness-based group therapy, but the control group did not receive any intervention. The obtained data were analyzed with repeated measures analysis of variance in SPSS v. 22. The significance level of the tests was considered 0.05.
Findings: The results showed a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in the mean scores of positive stress (P=0.001), negative stress (P=0.001), positive emotion (P=0.001), negative emotion (P=0.001), medication regimen (P=0.003), diet (P=0.011), and disease management (P=0.026) in the post-test and follow-up. But there was no significant difference between the mean scores of food labels (P=0.195).
Conclusion: The effectiveness of mindfulness-based group therapy on reducing stress and negative emotion and improving self-care of patients with hypertension suggests that in addition to the physical components of chronic diseases, the psychological components of patients be considered to prevent recurrence diseases and increase adherence to treatment in them.

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Aims: Oxidative stress plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of seizures. In this study, we investigated the effect of ethyl acetate fraction of Tanacetum parthenium against oxidative brain damage in a pentylenetetrazole(PTZ)-induced seizure model in mice.
Methods & Materials: In this experimental study, mice were divided into 6 groups: control, PTZ, and 4 other groups that, besides PTZ, received 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of the fraction. PTZ (100 mg/kg) and a fraction (30 min before PTZ) were administered intraperitoneally for 3 weeks. Delay in the onset of the minimal clonic seizure (MCS), generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTCS), and the level of oxidative stress indexes in cortical and hippocampal tissues were measured.
Findings: Pretreatment with fraction resulted in postponing the onset seizures in the Fraction+PTZ groups compared to the PTZ group (P<0.05, P<0.01, and P<0.001). In addition, all doses of ethyl acetate fraction decreased the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased the level of tom thiol groups and the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes in the brain tissues compared to the PTZ group. 
Conclusion: Ethyl acetate fraction of Tanacetum parthenium attenuated PTZ-stimulated seizures through improving brain tissue oxidative stress.

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Aims: This study aims to evaluate the effect of Stress Inoculation Training (SIT) on Heart Rate Variability (HRV), salivary cortisol and psychological complications (anxiety, stress and depression) after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery.
Methods & Materials: This is a quasi-experimental study with a pretest/posttest/follow-up phase. The study population consists of all patients who had underwent CABG surgery and referred to the Cardiac Rehab center of Tehran Heart Hospital in Iran. Of these, 30 patients were selected using a random sampling method and divided into two intervention and control groups. The instruments were a cortisol salvia ELISA kit, a HRV monitor, and the 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale. The intervention group received SIT at 10 sessions of 90 minutes.
Findings: The results of multivariate analysis of covariance showed a significant difference in depression (P<0.001), anxiety (P<0.001), stress (P<0.001), salivary cortisol level (P<0.001) and HRV (P<0.001) between the two groups. The mean HRV was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group. In other variables, the mean scores were lower in the intervention group than in the control group.
Conclusion: Reduced negative emotions following SIT plays an important role in preventing the severe complications of heart disease. Interventions based on the SIT method are recommended for patients with heart disease.

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Aims: Nowadays, herbal medicine is commonly used due to the side effects and high costs of chemical medicines. Cinnamon appears to be effective in the prevention and treatment of a variety of diseases, which is used in both food industry and traditional medicine. This study aims to review the effects of cinnamon on the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases and their related risk factors. 
Methods & Materials: In this review study, the search was conducted using the keywords in English including Cinnamon, Cinnamomum, Cinnamaldehyde and Heart, Cardiac, and Cardiomyopathy based on MeSH terms and the keywords in Persian for the related articles in Web of Sciences, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Scientific Information Database (SID) databases published until March 2021. Out of 205 studies, 51 experimental and clinical human and animal studies were reviewed.
Findings: The results of studies reported the effects of cinnamon on the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension and oxidative stress.
Conclusion: The majority of human and animal studies have shown that cinnamon prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases by lowering oxidative stress and improving blood pressure and blood lipid parameters. 

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Background: Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide and oxidative stress (OS) is one of the most important factors of pathophysiology in the development of this disease. The use of antioxidant agents for preventing and treating NAFLD has been suggested in several studies. Due to the antioxidant function of curcumin, the effects of curcumin on serum level of malondialdehyde (MDA) as an oxidative stress marker and enzymes activity level of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were investigated in this study.
Methods: In this study, 70 patients with NAFLD were selected and distributed through randomized blocks in two groups of receiving curcumin 500mg plus piperine 5mg and placebo. CAT and SOD markers were measured by photometric method and MDA marker by calorimetric method before and after the intervention.
Findings: Comparison of the changes in the serum level of MDA factor and the activity of CAT and SOD enzymes in the serum of the studied patients after the intervention showed that the serum activity of catalase enzyme increased significantly due to the consumption of the combination of curcumin 500 mg and piperine 5 mg (p = 0.008) while SOD and MDA factors did not show any significant difference in the two studied groups.
Conclusion: The results indicate that daily use of curcumin in patients with NAFLD can increase the serum activity of catalase. According to the results of this study, the use of curcumin as a natural supplement, might be effective in blunting the negative effects of oxidative stress in patients with NAFLD.