Neuroprotection effect of female sex steroids after traumatic brain injury in rats: the role of inflammatory cytokines

Previous studies have demonstrated estrogen and progesterone decrease brain edema induced by TBI. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of female sex steroids on cytokines, and proinflammatory evaluation of the effects of cerebral edema of these hormones whether ovarian hormones decrease brain edema by change in concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines. In this experimental study, 98 ovariectomized female rats [except groups 1 and 2] were divided into groups of control, sham, vehicle, low does of estrogen [El], high dose of estrogen [E2], low dose of progesterone [PI] and high dose of progesterone [P2]. Vehicle and sexual steroid hormones were injected intraperitoneally at 0.5 h after Moderate and diffuse TBI induced by Marmarou method. Brain level of cytokines and ovarian hormones were measured 6 h after TBI by ELISA method. Both E2 and PI caused significant increase of 52.8% and 79.2% in brain level of IL-lp. P2 significantly decreased the levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha by 45.9% and 72% respectively. TGF-beta level seem to be increased by El up to 3.37 times significantly. Level of beta-Estradiol increased 4.58 times in E2 group and progesterone increased 1.56 times in P2 group significantly. This results suggested that ovarian hormones increased brain IL-lp and TGF-P and decreased IL-6 and TNF-alpha, this may be one mechanism by which hormones reduce cerebral edema

[Evaluation of fragile X syndrome in patients with moderate mental retardation in Rafsanjan city]

Fragile X syndrome [FXS] is the most common cause of inherited mental retardation. Patients are identified with different levels of mental disabilities, elongated ears, prominent foreheads and chins, enlarged testes, large skull and obesity. This syndrom is generally associated with a break on X chromosome [Xq27.3], which can be observed in cultured chromosomes in specific culture media at metaphase stage. Prevalence rates of FXS in different ethnic groups have been estimated to be about one per 1500 in males and one per 2500 in females. The aim of this study was to determine FXS prevalence in moderate mental retarded students of Zohreh Shamsaei school in Rafsangan city. Fifty two students with moderate mental retardation [IQ=55-75] who were clinically suspicious to have FXS were screened for fragile X chromosome by using cytogenetic methods. Blood samples were collected and cultured in specific culture media. G-Banding method was used for karyotyping. Patients consisted of 37 males [71.2%] and 15 females [28.8%] with mean age of 12.7 years [ranged 7-17 years] and mean IQ 65.3 [ranged 55-74]. 8.1% of male students and 6.6% of female students were found to have fragile X site at Xq27.3 [in total 7.7%]. The frequencies of fragile X-positive cells in males and females were 8-52% and 12-27%, respectively. The frequency of fragile X positive cases found in this study is equal to that is reported by other investigators who studied the frequency of fragile X syndrome in preselected patients

Ascorbic acid improves vascular permeability in experimental-induced diabetic rats

The most devastating manifestations of diabetes mellitus are vascular complications. Although there are many factors involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic vasculopathy, many studies suggest a role for glucose-induced oxidative stress. Studies in animal models, have demonstrated that the administration of antioxidants restores normal endothelial functions. The study was designed to examine the possible beneficial effects of ascorbic acid, which have antioxidant properties, on vascular permeability in the duodenum of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Female adult rats were divided into two control and three diabetic groups. Diabetes was induced by a single injection of streptozotocin [55 mg/kg, ip]. One control and two diabetic groups received ascorbic acid in drinking water [800 mg/kg]. Diabetic groups received ascorbic acid either as therapeutic for 4 weeks, starting after the induction of diabetes or as combination therapy for 8 weeks starting 3-4 weeks before the induction of diabetes. Vascular permeability was estimated by measuring the extravasations of Evans blue dye and water content of duodenal tissue. As compared to the control group, diabetic animals significantly increased both Evans blue extravasations and water content by 202%. Ascorbic acid, used as treatment or in combination therapy, similarly restored these two variables to normal level. The findings of this study suggest that ascorbic acid might have a role in restoring some dysfunctions of experimental diabetes

effect of Nifedipine and Verapamil on vasculopathy in chronic experimental diabetic rats

Since in diabetes the permeability of vessels is impaired, therefore late onset complications of diabetes originated from vascular changes. Calcium plays a major role in inducing and starting process that cause vascular injury and increased permeability. The aim of this study was to indicate whether calcium channel blockers [nifedipine and verapamil] could prevent vascular permeability. In this experimental interventional study, male rats, divided into seven groups randomly. Diabetes induced by subcutaneous injection of 50 mg/kg streptozotocin. Vasculopathy was evaluated by extravasations of Evans blue dye and water content of tissue. Animals received 40 mg/kg of verapamil and 10 mg/kg of nifedipine orally daily. Results of this study showed that extravasations of Evans blue dye was increased significantly [P<0.001] in diabetic group compare to control group, while verapamil decreased extravasations of Evans blue significantly compare to diabetic control group [P<0.01], however nifedipine had no inhibitory effect an water content of tissues did not change significantly. The body weight of animals in diabetic group decreased significantly [p<0.05] at the end of experiment compare to the beginning of experiment, but verapamil and nifedipine have prevented the decrease of body weight in diabetic group. The results of this study suggest that using calcium channel blockers particularly verapamil can inhibit diabetic vasculopathy and prevent the body weight reduction effectively