ABSTRACT
Objective: Although stem cell transplantation has beneficial effects on tissue regeneration, but there are still problems such as high cost and safety issues. Since stem cell therapy is largely dependent on paracrine activity, in this study, utilization of transplantation of bone marrow stromal cells [BMSCs]-secretome instead of the cells, into damaged ovaries was evaluated to overcome the limitations of stem cell transplantation
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, BMSCs were cultured and 25-fold concentrated conditioned medium [CM] from BMSCs was prepared. Female rats were injected intraperitoneally with cyclophosphamide [CTX] for 14 days. Then, BMSCs and CM were individually transplanted into bilateral ovaries, and the ovaries were excised after four weeks of treatment. The follicle count was performed using hematoxylin and eosin [H and E] staining and the apoptotic cells were counted using TUNEL assay. Ovarian function was evaluated by monitoring the ability of ovulation and the levels of serum estradiol [E2] and follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH]
Results: Evaluation of the ovarian function and structure showed that results of secretome transplantation were almost similar to those of BMSCs transplantation and there was no significant differences between them
Conclusion: BMSCs-secretome is likely responsible for the therapeutic paracrine effect of BMSCs. Stem cell- secretome is expected to overcome the limitations of stem cell transplantation and become the basis of a novel therapy for ovarian damage
ABSTRACT
Background: Apigenin is a plant-derived compound belonging to the flavonoids category and bears protective effects on different cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of apigenin on the number of viable and apoptotic blastomeres, the zona pellucida [ZP] thickness and hatching rate of pre-implantation mouse embryos exposed to H2O2 and actinomycin D
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 420 two-cell embryos were randomly divided into six groups: i. Control, ii. Apigenin, iii. H2O2, iv. Apigenin+H2O2, v. Actinomycin D, and vi. Apigenin+Actinomycin D. The percentage of blastocysts and hatched blastocysts was calculated. Blastocyst ZP thickness was also measured. In addition, viable blastomeres quantity was counted by Hoechst and propidium iodide staining and the number of apoptotic blastomeres was counted by TUNEL assay
Results: The results of viable and apoptotic blastomeres quantity, the ZP thickness, and the percentage of blastocysts and hatched blastocysts were significantly more favorable in the apigenin group, rather than the control group [P<0.05]. The results of the apigenin+H2O2 group were significantly more favorable than the H2O2 group [P<0.05]; and the results of apigenin+actinomycin D group were significantly more favorable than actinomycin D group [P<0.05]
Conclusion: The results suggest that apigenin may protect mouse embryos against H2O2 and actinomycin D. So that it increases the number of viable blastomeres and decreases the number of apoptotic blastomeres, which may cause expanding the blastocysts, thinning of the ZP thickness and increasing the rate of hatching in mouse embryos
ABSTRACT
Objective: Lavender is used in herbal medicine for different therapeutic purposes. Nonetheless, potential therapeutic effects of this plant in ischemic heart disease and its possible mechanisms remain to be investigated
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, lavender oil at doses of 200, 400 or 800 mg/kg was administered through gastric gavage for 14 days before infarct-like myocardial injury [MI]. The carotid artery and left ventricle were cannulated to record arterial blood pressure [BP] and cardiac function. At the end of experiment, the heart was removed and histopathological alteration, oxidative stress biomarkers as well as tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] level were evaluated
Results: Induction of M.I caused cardiac dysfunction, increased levels of lipid peroxidation, TNF-alpha and troponin I in heart tissue [P<0.001]. Pretreatment with lavender oil at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly reduced myocardial injury, troponin I and TNF-alpha. In addition, it improved cardiac function and antioxidant enzyme activity [P<0.01]
Conclusion: Our finding showed that lavender oil has cardioprotective effect through inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory pathway in the rat model with infarct-like MI. We suggest that lavender oil may be helpful in prevention or attenuation of heart injury in patients with high risk of myocardial infarction and/or ischemic heart disease