Study of neuroprotective effects of green tea antioxidant on spinal cord injury of rat

Recent studies revealed the neuroprotective effects of green tea antioxidant on experimental cerebral ischemia, but these effects on spinal cord injury [SCI] has not yet been studied. Rats were randomly divided into three groups of 18 rats each as follows: sham group [laminectomy], control group [SCI] and experimental group [EGCG]. Spinal cord samples were taken 24 h after injury and studied for determination of lipid peroxidation levels and TUNEL reaction. Behavioral testing was performed weekly upto six weeks post-injury. Then, the rats were euthanized for histopathological assessment. The results showed that lipid peroxidation levels were significantly decreased in experimental group. EGCG significantly reduced TUNEL-positive rate. Also, EGCG reduced significantly lesion area, and improved behavioral function more than the control group. EGCG treatment decreased secondary spinal cord injury

[Ultrastructural study of combined therapy effect of losartan and octreotide on inhibition of glomerular epithelial changes inuninephrectomized diabetic rats]

In diabetes mellitus the increase of Agll [Angiotensin II], IGF-1 [insulin like growth factor-1] and growth hormone induce kidney lesions especially changes in content and thickness of GBM and widening and fusion of podocyte pedicles. In this research for the first time the combination of Losartan [ATI receptor blocker] and Octreotide [Somatostatin analogue] were used in order to prevent glomerular epithelial lesions.In this experimental study 15 male rats [2 months age] were uninephrectomised from left flank and divided in 5 groups [3 per group]. 7 days later diabetes was induced in 2[th], 3[th], 4[th] and 5[th] group by Alloxan [120mg/kg] subcutaneously. 5 days after diabetes induction, the third group received Losartan [5mg/kg/day] orally, 4[th] group Octretide [10 ug/day] subcutaneously and 5[th] group both two drugs with the mentioned doses for 8 weeks. The 2[th] group was served as diabetic non treatment group. Kidneys of all groups were fixed by perfusion technique. After second fixation of 1 mm[3] cortex parts in Osmium Tetroxide, they were processed in TAAB812 resin for embedding. Thin sections [600 nm thickness] were prepared and investigated by transmission electron microscope qualitatively.Losartan inhibited fusion and thickening of podocyte pedicles but in some cases couldn't maintain the 3 layer form of GBM. Octreotide had little effect on inhibition of fusion and thickening of podocyte pedicles and no effect in 3 layer form maintaining of GBM. Combined therapy inhibited fusion and thickening of podocyte pedicles and maintained 3 layer form of GBM but in some cases the lamina rara near endothelium was not seen.Octreotide have little effect on prevention of glomerular epithelium lesions. However Losartan could prevent glomerular epithelium lesions well, but combined drug therapy showed better results comparing Losartan