ABSTRACT
Hippocampal neural stem/progenitor cells [hipp-NS/PCs] of the adult mammalian brain are important sources of neuronal and gial cell production. In this study, the main goal is to investigate the plasticity of these cells in neuronal/astroglial differentiations. To this end, the differentiation of the hipp-NS/PCs isolated from 3-month-old Wistar rats was investigated in response to the embryonic cerebrospinal fluid [E-CSF] including E13.5, E17-CSF and the adult cerebrospinal fluid [A-CSF], all extracted from rats. CSF samples were selected based on their effects on cell behavioral parameters. Primary cell culture was performed in the presence of either normal or high levels of KCL in a culture medium. High levels of KCL cause cell depolarization, and thus the activation of quiescent NSCs. Results from immunocytochemistry [ICC] and semi-quantitative RT-PCR [sRT-PCR] techniques showed that in ECSF-treated groups, neuronal differentiation increased [E17>E13.5]. In contrast, A-CSF decreased and increased neuronal and astroglial differentiations, respectively. Cell survivability and/or proliferation [S/P], evaluated by an MTT assay, increased by E13.5 CSF, but decreased by both E17 CSF and A-CSF. Based on the results, it is finally concluded that adult rat hippocampal proliferative cells are not restricted progenitors but rather show high plasticity in neuronal/astroglial differentiation according to the effects of CSF samples. In addition, using high concentrations of KCL in the primary cell culture led to an increase in the number of NSCs, which in turn resulted in the increase in neuronal or astroglial differentiations after CSF treatment
Subject(s)
Animals, Laboratory , Stem Cells , Hippocampus , Astrocytes , Neurons , Cerebrospinal Fluid , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone [GnRH] has neuromodulatory roles in central and peripheral nervous systems. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of GnRH analog [buserelin] on peripheral nerve regeneration. Forty adult male rats were divided into buserelin-treated, normal saline, sham surgery, and castrated + buserelin groups. The left sciatic nerve was crushed by a fine forceps and all animals were evaluated by sciatic functional index [SFI], electrophysiology, histology and immunohistochemistry testing. On post operation days 21 and 28, the difference between buserelin and normal saline groups was statistically significant [P<0.05], but no significant difference was found between the buserelin and castrated + buserelin groups[P>0.05]. At the 28th day after operation, the diameters [microm] of the regenerated myelinated fibers of the buserelin group were significantly greater than those of the normal saline group [P<0.05]. Although nerve conduction velocity [NCV] of the buserelin group was faster than the normal saline group, the difference was not statistically significant. The present study suggests that buserelin treatment might accelerate peripheral nerve regeneration
ABSTRACT
The epididymis is a tubule that processes the maturation, storage, and transfer of sperm. Growth and maintenance of epididymal structures depend on testosterone release, which is directly controlled by pituitary gonadotropins. Furthermore, gonadotropins are controlled by hypothalamic releasing hormones. Using gonadotropin releasing hormone [GnRH] analogs can stop the pituitary-gonadal axis. This study aimed at determining the effect of a GnRH agonist [buserelin] on prepubertal rat epididymal tissue. In this experimental, 20 rats on the 25[th] day after birth, provided by the Department animal house, were divided into 4 groups. The first and second study groups received 0.1 mg/kg GnRH agonist for 5 days and were dissected on the 30th and 35[th] day after birth, respectively. Animals in the control group received physiologic serum 0.1 mg/ml for 5 days and were dissected like the study groups. Measurements were performed using a calibrated microscope. The findings reveal a significant increase in epithelial height and lumen diameter in the first and second study groups as compared with the first control group [p