1 2588-4042 Iranian association of Physiology and Pharmacology 755 Others... The role of animal models in identifying different aspects of multiple sclerosis as a heterogeneous disease of the central nervous system Omidi Ameneh b Pegah Hazrati c Salmani Siboni Atefeh d Mirab S. Mohammadhadi e b Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran c Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran d Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran e Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran 1 9 2025 9 1 16 01 07 2025 01 09 2025 Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system associated with myelin destruction and inflammation. Due to its complexity, animal models play a crucial role in understanding the pathological mechanisms and developing new, effective treatments for MS. Several animal models are utilized to demonstrate different aspects of MS. One of the most common animal models of MS is experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), in which an immune response against myelin components is induced, causing MS-like symptoms in animals. Another common animal model of MS is cuprizone, which is widely used to induce MS models and study the processes of demyelination and remyelination in animals. Moreover, emerging models such as the combined experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)/Cuprizone model have been developed, demonstrating a high capacity to replicate various aspects of multiple sclerosis (MS). These models have proven to be more effective not only in simulating pathological mechanisms but also in exhibiting clinical events that more closely resemble the disease. However, each animal model of MS, while having different advantages, has its limitations and may not simulate all aspects of the disease. Notably, each of these animal models effectively mimics specific sensory, motor, and cognitive symptoms of MS, as well as its molecular and immunological characteristics. Consequently, studying various types of animal models has proven invaluable in advancing our understanding of MS and developing more effective treatments. This review highlights recent advances in animal models of MS and the mechanisms of myelin destruction within them, with a particular emphasis on widely used models, such as EAE and cuprizone.  
759 Others... Five choice serial reaction time task for assessing cognitive functions in animal models Baradaran Saeideh f Alaee Elham g Gholami PourBadie Hamid h Azizi Hossein j Sayyah Mohammad k f Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran g Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran h Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran j Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran k Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran 1 9 2025 9 17 30 19 07 2025 01 09 2025 Investigating deficits in attention and response inhibition, and their role in psychiatric disorders, requires precise laboratory techniques. The 5-Choice Serial Reaction Time (5-CSRT‌) task is a common method for measuring visual attention processes in rodents and is frequently used to study impulsivity and attentiveness in these animals. This test evaluates the effects of pharmacological treatments and neurodegenerative damage on various aspects of attentional control, including sustained, selective, and divided attention. It also explores the involvement of neural systems linked to attention and their relevance to behavioral-psychological disorders. Collected data can determine whether other factors—such as sedatives, motivational deficits, or motor impairments—contribute to functional changes. The adaptability of this test can be enhanced through pharmacological, molecular, and genetic techniques. In this paradigm, subjects must detect random visual stimuli presented in one of five locations in a chamber over numerous trials. Animals undergo daily 30-minute training sessions for 30–40 days to learn appropriately timed responses for reward acquisition. Incorrect responses—such as failing to respond, selecting the wrong location, or responding at inappropriate times—result in a brief time-out period of darkness (as punishment‌) with no reward provided. Results from this task clarify the role of specific neural systems in regulating attention and impulsivity, as well as their association with disorders such as ADHD and neurodegenerative diseases. This review examines the historical development of the 5-CSRTT as a robust tool in clinical and laboratory research, the neurobehavioral parameters it assesses, and its experimental design and procedural stages.   763 Endocrine Protective effects of ghrelin against hypoxia, apoptosis, and inflammation in various tissues and stem cells Feizi Hadi l Alipour Mohammad Reza m Alipour Mohsen n l Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences m Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences n Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences 1 9 2025 9 31 40 27 07 2025 01 09 2025 Ghrelin is a 28-amino-acid peptide that is primarily secreted from the fundus of the stomach. Initially, it was introduced as a stimulant for growth hormone secretion and a regulator of appetite and metabolism. Later studies showed that ghrelin receptors are expressed in various tissues and can have more diverse effects. In in vitro studies, it has been found that ghrelin can prevent tissue damage. Administration of ghrelin to laboratory animals under hypoxic conditions demonstrated that it could reduce the complications of environmental hypoxia, especially in the lungs of animals. The anti-apoptotic effects of ghrelin have been well established in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Ghrelin, in addition to its proliferative effects on stem cells, can also induce their differentiation, which has led a wide range of researchers to focus on its application in cell therapy. Due to its protective, anti-apoptotic, and inductive properties, it has attracted attention as a co-treatment option in stem cell transplant.     767 Neuroscience Investigating the effect of atorvastatin on development of morphine tolerance evaluated by Hargreaves test in male rats Shahsavari-Asl Mohammadreza o Azizi Hossein p Semnanian Saeed o 1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran p 1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran 2Institute for Brain and Cognition, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran 1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran 2Institute for Brain and Cognition, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran 1 9 2025 9 41 49 20 08 2025 01 09 2025 Introduction: Opioids such as morphine are highly effective analgesics; however, their prolonged use is often accompanied by adverse effects such as tolerance, dependence, and addiction. These side effects pose significant limitations on long-term opioid therapy. Considering the critical need for better pain management, identifying strategies to slow the development of morphine tolerance is essential. Neuroinflammation is a known contributor to opioid tolerance, and recent evidence suggests that statins, exert anti-inflammatory effects within the central nervous system. This study aimed to investigate whether atorvastatin influences the development of morphine tolerance in male rats. Methods: Male rats received intraperitoneal morphine (10 mg/kg, twice daily) for seven days in order to induce tolerance. Also, to investigate the effect of atorvastatin on the development of morphine tolerance, rats received atorvastatin (1& 5 mg/kg, once a day) about one hour before morphine injection. Hargreaves test was used on alternate days to assess changes in morphine-induced analgesia. Results: Behavioral assessment using the paw withdrawal test revealed that chronic administration of atorvastatin at both 1 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg doses prior to each morphine exposure significantly attenuated the development of tolerance to the analgesic effects of morphine. Notably, the 5 mg/kg dose of atorvastatin also significantly maintained a higher percentage of maximum possible analgesic effect on day seven, whereas no significant difference was observed on this day between the atorvastatin 1 + morphine group and the morphine + saline group. Conclusion: The results indicate that administration of atorvastatin prior to morphine exposure slows the development of tolerance to the analgesic effects of morphine. This effect of atorvastatin may be attributed to its ability to prevent inflammation induced by repeated morphine use. These findings suggest the potential role of statins as adjuvant agents in enhancing the analgesic efficacy of morphine.     770 Cardiovascular System The effect of high-intensity interval training combined with selenium nanoparticles on the levels of myocardial NF-kB and TNF-α proteins in diabetic rats Babaei Goshlondani Reza Mohamadzadeh Salamat Khalid Etemad Zaher Saidie Payam 1 Department of Exercise Physiology, Sa.C, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran 1 Department of Exercise Physiology, Sa.C, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran 1 Department of Exercise Physiology, Sa.C, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran Department of Exercise Physiology, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran 1 9 2025 9 50 59 25 08 2025 01 09 2025 Background: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that results in tissue hyperglycemia leading to tissue damage such as the myocardium. It seems that exercise and antioxidant agents play an important role in improving the myocardial cell apoptosis pathway in diabetic patients through inflammatory mechanisms, but the simultaneous effects of these two interventions are not clearly defined. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) combined with selenium nanoparticles on the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and nuclear factor kappa (NF-κB) in the myocardium of diabetic rats. Methods: Thirty-one 8-week-old male Wistar rats (weighing 250 ± 50 g) were randomly divided into 5 groups: diabetic control (DC), diabetic control solvent (CDS), diabetic exercise (DT), diabetic selenium (DS), and diabetic exercise + selenium (DST). Rats were made diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of 65 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). Selenium nanoparticles (0.1 mg/kg) were administered to the rats by gavage every other day. Rats in the training group performed an intense interval training program (80 to 95% VO2max) for 8 weeks, 5 days a week. Two-way ANOVA was used to analyze the levels of TNF-α and NF-κB in the myocardial tissue of rats, with a significance level of α = 0.05. Results: The results showed that NF-ĸB was significantly different between the diabetic control and solvent groups with the exercise, selenium, and exercise + selenium groups (p = 0.001). Also, NF-ĸB and TNF-α showed the lowest values ​​in the exercise + selenium group. However, no significant difference was observed between the exercise, selenium, and exercise + selenium groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that all three interventions of HIIT training, selenium nanoparticle consumption, and training + selenium had a significant effect on inflammatory factors. However, although the simultaneous use of selenium nanoparticle during HIIT training caused a greater reduction in systemic inflammation, there was no significant difference compared to any of the training interventions and selenium nanoparticle consumption alone.     800 Neuroscience Neuroplasticity in addiction: From mechanistic insights to the design of future-oriented interventions Fatemizadeh Mahdi Ghavasi Farideh Farahmandfar Maryam Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran, Iran Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, Iran Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran, Iran 1 9 2025 9 60 73 09 11 2025 21 03 2022 Addiction is now recognized as a chronic brain disorder resulting from pathological reorganization within neural circuits responsible for reward, learning, and executive control. Neuroplasticity—including synaptic remodeling, gene expression changes, and the formation of new neural pathways—plays a critical role throughout all stages of addiction, from initiation and maintenance to relapse. Despite this, traditional treatment approaches have largely focused on symptom management and detoxification, often overlooking the underlying neurobiological processes. This review critically examines the gap between the neuroscience of addiction and current therapeutic strategies by highlighting neuroplasticity as a shared target across three emerging intervention domains: brain stimulation (e.g., deep brain stimulation), anti-inflammatory agents, and psychedelic compounds. These interventions influence neuroplasticity through different yet complementary mechanisms, such as increased BDNF expression and neurotransmitter rebalancing. Evidence suggests that enhancing neuroplasticity may not only reduce addictive behaviors but also contribute to the recovery of cognitive and emotional function. This paper concludes by emphasizing the need for future therapeutic models to integrate neuroplasticity-targeted strategies to achieve more durable and effective outcomes in addiction treatment. 802 Exercise physiology The effect of six weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), depression, and antisocial personality in women undergoing drug withdrawal Dahmardeh Forough Vahidian-Rezazadeh Majid Mohammaddoost Omid Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran Department of Sport Sciences, Montazeri Technical College of Mashhad, Technical and Vocational University, Mashhad, Iran Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran 1 9 2025 9 74 83 18 11 2025 01 09 2025 Background and Aim: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is a marker in psychiatric disorders. The study aimed to investigate the effect of six weeks of high-intensity interval training on brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels, depression, and antisocial personality in women undergoing drug withdrawal. Methods: The statistical population in the present semi-experimental study was women in the process of quitting traditional drug addiction, aged 30-35, in Zahedan. 20 of these women were purposefully selected and randomly assigned to two groups: high-intensity interval training and control. Six-week training protocol, three sessions per week, and included: (8-minute warm-up and four four-minute sets at an intensity of 85 to 95% of maximum heart rate; with a 3-minute rest between each set and finally, a 5-minute rest). An independent t-test was used to compare between groups, and a dependent t-test was used to examine the difference within groups using SPSS-26 with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference in BDNF levels (p = 0.01) and depression (p = 0.00) between the two groups at the post-test stage, but there was no difference in antisocial personality disorder and weight between the two groups at this stage (p = 0.05). There was a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test in BDNF levels, depression, antisocial personality disorder, and the weight of the subjects in each group (p = 0.00). Conclusion: In our study, six weeks of high-intensity interval training increased BDNF levels and reduced depression in women undergoing drug withdrawal, but had no significant effect on antisocial personality traits. These results highlight the potential effectiveness of high-intensity interval training as an intervention to improve mental health outcomes in this specific population.   803 Neuroscience Connexins 36 and 43 in the Central Nervous System: From Neurophysiology to Neuropathology Motaghi Sahel Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran 1 9 2025 9 84 96 18 11 2025 01 09 2025 Connexins are vital membrane proteins that enable direct exchange of ions and small molecules between cells in the central nervous system (CNS) through the formation of gap junctions. Among them, Connexin 36 (CX36) and Connexin 43 (CX43) are most prominent in neurons and astrocytes, respectively, and play a key role in regulating the synchronicity of neural activities, maintaining ionic homeostasis, and metabolic and inflammatory responses. Mounting evidence suggests that alterations in the expression or function of these connexins are associated with a wide range of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, depression, anxiety, ischemic injury, and Huntington's disease. These changes can both exacerbate pathological consequences and offer promising therapeutic targets. This article, by comprehensively reviewing recent studies in the time frame of 1999 to 2025 in scientific databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus, along with the use of keywords Connexin 36, Connexin 43, CNS Neurodegenerative diseases, Epilepsy, Depression, Anxiety, Ischemia, Parkinson, and Huntington’s disease, elucidates the physiological and pathophysiological roles of Connexins 36 and 43 and explores future perspectives in the therapeutic exploitation of these proteins.   801 Neuroscience Correlation of ventral hippocampus-medial prefrontal cortex functional connectivity during social memory encoding with social discrimination ability in rats–a field potential study and behavioral model of social memory Barghi Sana Mirnajafi-Zadeh Javad Shojaei Amir Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran 1 9 2025 9 97 109 18 11 2025 01 09 2025 Introduction: The ventral hippocampus (vHip) and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) are key brain regions involved in social memory formation. However, the functional interaction between these two areas during encounters with a novel conspecific and the subsequent formation of social memory is not fully understood. This study investigated the relationship between the functional connectivity of these two regions during social memory formation and subsequent social memory performance. Methods: Male Wistar rats (weighing 260-270 g) underwent stereotaxic surgery for the implantation of electrodes into the vHip and mPFC. Following a recovery and habituation period, the animals were introduced to a novel conspecific for 10 minutes. Local field potentials were recorded from vHip and mPFC during social interaction in this period (social memory encoding phase) and frequency and time coupling between the two regions were calculated. Two hours later, a social memory test was conducted (social memory retrieval phase). A statistical correlation was then evaluated between the discrimination index from the social memory test and the degree of frequency and phase coupling that occurred during the initial interaction with the novel animal. Results: The results revealed a significant correlation between the discrimination index and frequency coupling in various frequency bands. Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between the discrimination index and time coupling in the theta, beta, and fast gamma frequency bands. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that social memory encoding is likely mediated by dynamic interactions between the ventral hippocampus and mPFC, through various frequency bands.   809 Endocrine The effect of a period of high-intensity interval training on serum levels of mitsugumin 53 (MG53) and its relationship with dyslipidemia and insulin resistance index in overweight/obese women Kazemi Fahimeh Teimouri Sahel Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran 1 9 2025 9 110 121 10 12 2025 01 09 2025 Introduction: Mitsugumin 53 (MG53) is a myokine associated with obesity. The present study aimed to determine the effect of a period of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on serum levels of MG53 and its relationship with dyslipidemia and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) in overweight/obese women. Methods: In a quasi-experimental study, 24 volunteer overweight or obese female students were randomly divided into two groups of 12: control and exercise. The training group performed HIIT for 7 weeks (three sessions per week). 24 hours before the experimental period and 48 hours after the last training session, BMI and blood samples related to MG53, glucose, insulin, and blood lipids, including triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and total cholesterol (TC) were measured; the relevant formula also estimated low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR). Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance and the Pearson correlation coefficient test were used to analyze the data. Results: MG53 of the training group decreased significantly in the post-test (0.65 ± 0.07) compared to the pre-test (0.74 ± 0.04) (p = 0.003). Also, there was a significant positive correlation between changes in MG53 and changes in BMI (p = 0.012), LDL-C (p = 0.059), and HOMA-IR (p = 0.041) in the exercise group, and a significant negative correlation between changes in MG53 and changes in HDL-C in the exercise group (p = 0.054), so that MG53 decreased in parallel with the decrease in BMI, LDL-C, and HOMA-IR and parallel with the increase in HDL-C. Conclusion: It seems that a period of HIIT can improve serum levels of MG53 in overweight/obese women, consistent with improvements in dyslipidemia and HOMA-IR.     820 Kidney and Urinary tracts Protective role of genistein against hepatic injury induced by renal ischemia–reperfusion in male rats Gholampour Firouzeh Malekmohammad Khojasteh Department of Biology, College of Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran Department of Biology, College of Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran 1 9 2025 9 122 133 29 12 2025 01 09 2025 Background: Renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury, characterized by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and depletion of cellular antioxidants, leads to acute kidney injury and impaired liver function. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of genistein against liver injury induced by renal ischemia-reperfusion in male rats. Methods: Twenty-eight adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four equal groups: control, genistein (15 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, 30 minutes before and 1 hour after ischemia), IR (45 minutes of renal ischemia followed by 24 hours of reperfusion), and IR + genistein. Biochemical parameters including liver enzymes, triglycerides, cholesterol, low- and high-density lipoproteins, albumin, total protein, and bilirubin were measured. Hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and histopathological changes were also evaluated after reperfusion. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test. Results: Renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) caused a significant (p < 0.001) increase in hepatic tissue damage, liver enzyme levels, plasma lipids, low-density lipoprotein, and bilirubin, accompanied by a significant (p < 0.001) decrease in high-density lipoprotein, albumin, and total protein. Moreover, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels significantly (p < 0.001) increased, while catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities significantly (p < 0.001) decreased. Genistein treatment effectively modulated these alterations, improving liver function, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities, and alleviating histopathological damage. Conclusion: Genistein protects the liver against structural and functional damage caused by renal ischemia–reperfusion injury. This protective effect is mediated through attenuation of oxidative stress and enhancement of the antioxidant defense system.   821 Endocrine The effect of functional training and grapefruit supplementation on lipid profile in overweight women Abdollahi Sadegh Zarei Fatemeh Mohseni Kololi Khadijeh Dehghan Elham ¹Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Bushehr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bushehr, Iran ¹Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Bushehr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bushehr, Iran ²Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Literature, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, Iran ¹Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Bushehr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bushehr, Iran 1 9 2025 9 134 144 29 12 2025 01 09 2025 Background: Obesity and dyslipidemia are among the most significant risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of functional training and grapefruit supplementation on the lipid profile of overweight women. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, forty overweight women were randomly assigned to four groups: functional training/placebo, grapefruit supplementation, functional training + grapefruit supplementation, and control. The training groups performed functional exercises three sessions per week for eight weeks. Participants in the grapefruit groups consumed 5 mL of grapefruit juice per kilogram of body weight, 30 minutes before each training session, three times per week for eight weeks. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), LSD post‑hoc test, and paired t-test. Results: Levels of LDL, TG, and TC significantly decreased, while HDL levels increased, in the functional training, grapefruit supplementation, and combined intervention groups compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Moreover, between-group comparisons revealed that the combined functional training + grapefruit supplementation group produced significantly greater improvements in all lipid parameters compared with the other experimental groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Functional training combined with grapefruit supplementation may serve as an effective non-pharmacological strategy to improve blood lipid profile and promote cardiovascular health in overweight women.     822 Endocrine Optimization of the chemical synthesis of oxytocin Bijani Mojtaba Rajiasadabadi Malihe Attar Hossein Kaghazian Hooman Department of Chemical Engineering–Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Department of Chemical Engineering–Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Department of Chemical Engineering–Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran 1 9 2025 9 145 155 30 12 2025 01 09 2025 Background and Aim: Oxytocin is a cyclic nonapeptide containing a single intramolecular disulfide bond and plays a key regulatory role in physiological processes, including uterine contraction, lactation, and hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis activity. Due to its structural sensitivity and short half-life, achieving highly pure and pharmaceutically acceptable synthetic oxytocin requires rigorous and optimized peptide synthesis strategies. The aim of this study was to optimize the solid-phase chemical synthesis of oxytocin and to evaluate the physicochemical quality attributes of the final product. Methods: Peptide assembly was performed on Rink amide resin using HATU as the coupling reagent and N,N-diisopropylethylamine as the organic base. Following chain elongation, the peptide was cleaved from the resin using a trifluoroacetic acid/triethylsilane/water mixture. The intramolecular disulfide bond between Cys¹ and Cys⁶ was formed under controlled alkaline conditions at pH≈8. Crude material was purified by preparative reversed-phase chromatography. Final analyses included analytical RP-HPLC, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, pH measurement, endotoxin testing, and visual inspection. Results: The synthesized peptide exhibited a purity of 99.6%, a single sharp chromatographic peak, and a molecular mass fully consistent with the theoretical value. Mass spectrometry showed a dominant ion at m/z 1007.2 ([M+H]⁺). The measured pH of a 1 mg/mL solution was 5.2 ± 0.1. Endotoxin levels were below 0.25 EU/mL, confirming microbiological safety and the absence of pyrogenic contaminants. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that the optimized process produced oxytocin with correct disulfide cyclization, structural integrity, and pharmaceutical-grade purity. Conclusion: Stepwise optimization of the solid-phase synthesis, specifically adjusting the activator/base ratio, extending coupling times, and employing mild controlled oxidation, resulted in high-purity oxytocin with a yield of 69.8% and accurate molecular mass. Shortening the total process time from 80 to 68 hours indicates improved efficiency without compromising quality. The final protocol represents a refined and reliable method with reproducibility and scalability suitable for research and semi-industrial peptide production.   823 Exercise physiology The effect of aerobic exercise on the prelipin 1 and tail-interacting protein of 47 (TIP47) levels in the liver tissue of obese male Wistar rats Sheikhi Seyed Mehdi Bostani Mehdi Department of Physical Education, Ahv.C., Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran Department of Physical Education, Ahv.C., Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran 1 9 2025 9 156 165 06 01 2026 01 09 2025 Background and Aim: Fat droplets are dynamic organelles that play an important role in body metabolism and energy balance. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of aerobic exercise followed by twelve weeks of high-fat diet on the levels of prelipin-1 and TIP47 proteins in the liver tissue of male Wistar rats. Methods: In the present experimental study, 21 male Wistar rats, with eight weeks old and an initial weight of 220 ± 20, were randomly divided into two groups: standard diet (n =7) and high-fat diet (n =14). After inducing obesity for 12 weeks, the rats fed a high-fat diet were randomly divided into two groups: high-fat diet control and high-fat diet aerobic exercise. The aerobic exercise program was performed for eight weeks, five sessions per week, based on the principle of progressive overload. 48 hours after the last training session, the rats were anesthetized with an intraperitoneal injection of a combination of ketamine and xylazine. Then, blood samples were taken directly from the heart, liver tissue was extracted and washed with sodium pentobarbital and stored at -80°C. The levels of perilipin 1 and TIP47 proteins were measured by Western blotting. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey's post hoc test at a significance level of 0.05 was used for statistical analysis of data using SPSS-23 software. Results: The results showed that in the high-fat diet group, the levels of perilipin 1 protein in the liver tissue were significantly increased, but there was a significant decrease in the levels of TIP47 protein (p < 0.05). Also, eight weeks of aerobic training resulted in a significant decrease in the levels of perilipin 1 protein and a significant increase in the levels of TIP47 protein in the liver tissue of obese male Wistar rats (p < 0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, aerobic exercise by regulating proteins associated with fat droplets can probably be used to adjust energy balance and reduce fat accumulation in obese individuals.   837 Others... The effects of sanctions on the development of pharmaceutical biotechnology (case study of Iran and Cuba) Kaghazian Hooman Shohani Ahmad Bijani Mojtaba Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran Department of Political Science, Faculty of Humanities, Payame Noor University, Tehran West, Iran Department of Chemical Engineering–Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran 1 9 2025 9 166 176 11 02 2026 01 09 2025 Health biotechnology has emerged over the past four decades as a strategic driver of medical innovation, vaccine development, and national health security. In countries subjected to prolonged international sanctions, this sector plays a critical role in enhancing technological resilience and reducing dependency on external supply chains. This narrative review analytically examines the impacts of economic and technological sanctions on the development trajectories of health biotechnology in Iran and Cuba, two countries that have experienced sustained external pressures but adopted distinct institutional responses. In Iran, sanctions have been predominantly technology-oriented, manifesting mainly through restrictions on technology transfer, access to advanced bioprocessing equipment, procurement of critical raw materials, and international scientific collaboration. Although banking, trade, and transportation sanctions have also affected Iran, their most pronounced influence in the health biotechnology sector has been exerted through technological bottlenecks. These pressures have stimulated forced innovation, domestic capability building, and the expansion of knowledge-based firms, albeit within a fragmented, multi-actor institutional landscape. In contrast, U.S. sanctions against Cuba have been comprehensive and structural, encompassing trade, finance, transportation, and scientific exchange at the national level. Cuba’s response has been the establishment of a highly centralized and state-integrated biotechnology system, in which research, development, production, and commercialization are institutionally aligned. This model has enabled Cuba to achieve international competitiveness in selected areas, particularly recombinant vaccine production, despite severe economic constraints. Comparative analysis suggests that technological resilience under sanctions is less dependent on access to external technologies than on internal institutional architecture, governance coherence, and strategic policy alignment. Based on these findings, the study proposes targeted policy recommendations for Iran, including strengthening research industry linkages and implementing guaranteed procurement mechanisms for domestically produced biotechnological products to enhance long-term sustainability and innovation capacity.   838 Exercise physiology Effect of tomato juice supplementation on muscle damage indices and liver enzymes following a session of exhausting exercise in female athletes Mohammaddoost Omid Madadi Jaberi Mitra Moghadam Eftekhari Soheila Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran 1 9 2025 9 177 184 11 02 2026 01 09 2025 Background and Aim: Some herbal supplements, due to their antioxidant compounds, can enhance athletes' performance during training by affecting liver enzymes and other body systems; the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of tomato juice supplementation on the response to an increasingly exhausting exercise session in muscle damage indices (CK and LDH) and liver enzymes (AST, ALP, ALT) in young female athletes. Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 20 female athletes aged 19-25 years were purposefully selected and randomly divided into two groups: supplement (10 subjects) and placebo (10 subjects); the supplement group received 330 ml of tomato juice daily for 7 days, after 7 days of supplementation, the subjects ran on a treadmill with a 10% incline at an intensity of 70% of maximum oxygen consumption for 45 minutes. 5 ml of blood was collected before receiving the supplement, seven days after receiving the supplement, immediately, and 60 minutes after the activity to evaluate the levels of creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and liver enzymes. An independent t-test was used to interpret the data, and a repeated measures analysis of variance test was used to compare changes between groups with a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Results: The results showed that the values ​​of muscle damage indicators (CK, LDH) and liver enzymes (AST, ALP, ALT) had significant differences between the different stages of the test (p = 0.000), So that it has caused the reduction of muscle damage indicators and liver enzymes after exercise. Conclusion: It seems that consuming tomato juice following exhausting exercise can reduce fatigue, reduce muscle damage indicators, and reduce liver enzymes produced after exercise, which can have a positive effect on athletes' athletic performance.   849 Others... Investigation of the anticancer effects of inhibiting the transcription factor Sox2 using niosomal nanocarrier containing decoy oligodeoxynucleotides on breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231) Johari Behrooz Farzad Salimi Vahide Soroushnasab Hasti Kaboli Saeed Gharbavi Mahmoud Zanjan Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Research Center (ZPNRC), Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran Student Research Committee, Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran Student Research Committee, Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran Student Research Committee, Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran Student Research Committee, Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran Nanotechnology Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran 1 9 2025 9 185 202 30 05 2026 01 09 2025 key transcription factors such as Sox2 in maintaining pluripotency, the “Differentiation Therapy” approach has been proposed as a targeted and less toxic strategy to disrupt the stemness state of cancer cells. In the present study, the Sox2 transcription factor was targeted and inhibited using decoy oligodeoxynucleotides encapsulated in niosomal nanocarriers, and its anticancer effects were subsequently investigated. Methods: Niosomes were prepared using the thin-film hydration method and encapsulated with decoy oligodeoxynucleotides for the Sox2 transcription factor. Their physicochemical properties were evaluated using various assays such as FT-IR, DLS and ODNs release. Finally, the blood biocompatibility, cellular uptake rate, and cell viability of the synthesized oligo-containing nanocarriers on a triple negative breast cancer cell line were evaluated. Results: Physicochemical results showed that the niosomal nanocarrier containing the decoy oligos was successfully synthesized. Hemolysis and cellular uptake studies showed that the synthesized nanocarrier was biocompatible (hemolysis less than 10%) and entered the cells with high efficiency (97.7%), respectively. MTT assay on MDA-MB-231 cancer cells showed that the final formulation (NISM@BSA-DEC) at concentrations of 200 and 300 nM resulted in a significant decrease (p < 0.0001) in cell survival in a dose-dependent manner compared to other treatment groups. Conclusion: The NISM@BSA-DEC nanosystem can be used as a potential nanocarrier in drug delivery and differentiation therapy for breast cancer. Further cellular and in-vivo experiments are necessary to confirm the efficacy of these nanosystems in future research.   856 Exercise physiology The effect of four weeks of resistance training with and without blood flow restriction on serum cortisol levels in young male professional volleyball players Matloob Brahoui Shamsuddin Salehkia Abas Mohamaddoost Omid Banparvar Maryam Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran 1 9 2025 9 203 211 10 06 2026 01 09 2025 Background and Aim: Resistance training with blood flow restriction is a type of exercise that uses controlled pressure on the limbs to achieve similar or even superior results without the need for high training intensity. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of four weeks of resistance training with and without blood flow restriction on serum cortisol levels in young male elite volleyball players. Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test design with two control groups, in which 20 volleyball players in Zahedan were selected as samples and were divided into two BFR and NBFR groups. The BFR group underwent a blood flow restriction program, while the NBFR group did not have blood flow restriction in the training program. The training program of the NBFR group was performed at an intensity of 70%, and the BFR group at an intensity of 30% of one repetition maximum. Blood sampling was performed twice, pre- and post-test, under similar conditions. Cortisol was measured using a Canadian-made ELISA kit. Independent t-test and paired t-test were used to test the research hypotheses at a significance level of p < 0.05 in SPSS-25 software. Results: The results showed that cortisol levels increased significantly in both groups (p ≥ 0.005). The results also showed that there was a significant difference between the two groups in cortisol levels (p = 0.00). So, the average was higher in the BFR group. Conclusion: The use of acute resistance training as well as lower-intensity resistance training in conjunction with BFR protocols resulted in similar hormonal responses. Therefore, the use of resistance training in conjunction with BFR could be an alternative for athletes who cannot lift heavy loads but need to increase their catabolic hormones.   855 Exercise physiology The effect of four weeks of resistance training with and without blood flow restriction on serum cortisol levels in young male professional volleyball players Matloob Brahoui Shamsuddin Salehkia Abas Mohamaddoost Omid Banparvar Maryam Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran 1 9 2025 9 203 211 10 06 2026 01 09 2025 Background and Aim: Resistance training with blood flow restriction is a type of exercise that uses controlled pressure on the limbs to achieve similar or even superior results without the need for high training intensity. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of four weeks of resistance training with and without blood flow restriction on serum cortisol levels in young male elite volleyball players. Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test design with two control groups, in which 20 volleyball players in Zahedan were selected as samples and were divided into two BFR and NBFR groups. The BFR group underwent a blood flow restriction program, while the NBFR group did not have blood flow restriction in the training program. The training program of the NBFR group was performed at an intensity of 70%, and the BFR group at an intensity of 30% of one repetition maximum. Blood sampling was performed twice, pre- and post-test, under similar conditions. Cortisol was measured using a Canadian-made ELISA kit. Independent t-test and paired t-test were used to test the research hypotheses at a significance level of p < 0.05 in SPSS-25 software. Results: The results showed that cortisol levels increased significantly in both groups (p ≥ 0.005). The results also showed that there was a significant difference between the two groups in cortisol levels (p = 0.00). So, the average was higher in the BFR group. Conclusion: The use of acute resistance training as well as lower-intensity resistance training in conjunction with BFR protocols resulted in similar hormonal responses. Therefore, the use of resistance training in conjunction with BFR could be an alternative for athletes who cannot lift heavy loads but need to increase their catabolic hormones.