[Effect of electromagnetic field [3mT frequency] on heart ulatrastructure in mice]

Background and aim: Due to the conditions provided by the modern life, the human being is exposed to electromagnetic field [EMF]. Appliance such as microwave oven, mobile phone, computer and power producing systems which have an extensive role in human life are the source of EMF. Epidemiological and experimental studies have shown the adverse effect of EMF on biological systems. Previous works, using light microscopes have shown that EMF could produce morphological changes in cardiovascular system. However, there are few studies regarding ultrastructural effect of EMF on living tissues. The aim of the present study was to investigate ultrastructural changes of cardiovascular system in EMF-exposed rats

Methods: Wistar rats were exposed to 3mili tesla EMF for 4 months, 4 hours/ day. After the experimental period, rats in control and experimental groups were sacrificed and tissue samples were prepared from the heart for electronmicroscopic studies

Results: The studies on the endocardium revealed that there was nuclear condensation and destruction of subendocardial layer in experimental group. In myocardium, in addition to nuclear condensation the mitochondria were also vague. There was a remarkable gap between the endothelial cells and basement membrane in the vessels of heart tissue. Epicard layer in EMF-exposed group was thinner than the control group

Conclusion: The obtained changes in the present study indicate the harmful effect of EMF on cardiovascular system after long-term exposure. It demands a protective policy for human being from probable effects of EMF

Effects of polygonum aviculare herbal extract on proliferation and apoptotic gene expression of MCF-7

One of the most common malignancies in women is breast cancer. Although several treatments for breast cancer are available, application of herbal medicine as a supplementary treatment is a new option to help curing the disease. In this study anticancer effects of Polygonum avicular herbal extract was investigated. Polygonum avicular extract was obtained by methanol. MCF-7 cell line was treated with different concentrations of Polygonum avicular [50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300,350 400 ng/ micro l] for different time lengths [6, 12, 24, and 48 hrs]. MTT assay and Flow Cytometry were used to evaluate cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. RT-PCR was also carried out to evaluate the expression of apoptotic genes. Results showed that Polygonum avicular induced cytotoxicity in MCF- 7 cell line at concentrations higher than 300 ng/ micro l and this was confirmed by the highest rate of cell death as measured by Trypan Blue and MTT assays. RT-PCR results showed up-regulation of P53 and down-regulation of Bcl-2 proteins which implied the ability of Polygonum avicular to induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells and confirmed its anticancer property. Further studies are required to evaluate effects of the extract on other apoptotic genes

[Buserelin inhibits apoptosis in male germ cells induced by busulfan in mouse testis]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of buserelin on apoptosis of male germ cells induced by busulfan in adult male mice. Male adult NMRI mice were divided into four group of eight each. Group 1 [control] administered PBS for 21 days subcutaneously, group 2 given 0.4 micro g buserelin for 21 days subcutaneously, group 3 given single dose of 30 mg/kg busulfan intraperitoneally and group 4 given both busulfan and buserelin for 21 days. The animals were sacrificed and their testes were dissected 35 days after the treatment. Evaluations were made by determining Johnson's score and apoptosis were assayed by terminal- deoxynucleotidyl- transferase-mediated dutp nick end labeling [TUNEL]. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA test. Recovery status and Johnson's score in group 4 were significantly higher than those of busulfan treated group 7.71 +/- 0.69 VS 4.46 +/- 0.56 [p< 0.001]. Apoptotic cells number cells were significantly more numerous in busulfan treated group than those of control 23.28 +/- 7.10 VS 3.54 +/- 1.02 [p<0.001]. While buserelin substantially reduced germ cell apoptosis in fourth group 10.50 +/- 2.91 in comparison with third group 23.28 +/- 7.10, [p<0.001]. Administration of buserelin after testicular damage by busulfan enhances the regeneration of spermatogenesis in mouse through inhibition of apoptosis in germ cells

[ potentiating effects of citrullus colocynthis extract on immune system]

The stimulating effects of medicinal plants on immune system were taken into consideration. In this relation, saponins and flavonoids are well known compounds. The presence of these compounds in Citrullus colocynthis [CC], also a report based on leucocytosis activity of C.C, it caused that we were going to investigate the effect of this plant on immune system. In the present paper, the histologic effects of pulps and seeds extracts of CC on gastrointestinal mucosal from the point of view of immunity were investigated. Aerial parts of CC were extracted with MeOH 70% and the presence of different groups of natural compounds were assessed by phytochemical methods. Then 30 male rabbits are used, they divided into 5 groups. One group is kept as diabetic control and from the other 4 groups, 2 groups were received 100 and 200 mg/kg/day of pulp extract and two groups were received 100 and 200 mg/kg/day of seed extract of C.C by gavage. After 1 month of experimental period, rabbits were sacrificed by chloroform and specimens from intestine were fixed in 10% formalin and studied with light microscopy. The number of penetrating lymphocytes to intestinal epithelium observed in morphometery were criteria of immune system functional marker. All of animals that received 200mg/kg/day pulp extract of C.C, and 46% of animals that received 100 mg/kg /day of pulp extract died. The number of intestinal mucosal lymphocytes enhanced in group of received 100 mg/kg/day pulp extract. Mean of penetrating lymphocytes was significant in 100 mg/kg/day pulp extract group in comparison to control group[p< 0.05]. Increasing of lymphocytes was significant in 100 mg/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day of seed extract and mean of penetrating lymphocytes was significant in comparison to control group [p<0.005]. Immunostimulant effect of the extract of CC seed is higher than the extract of CC pulp but the toxicity of the pulp extract is more than the toxicity of the seed extract

[Effect of vitrification on apoptosis in mouse blastocysts]

In recent years there have been a great advances in vitrification of embryos. However, there is no reliable vitrification protocol to ensure a high embryo survival rate, Because the mechanisms of embryo injury has not been discovered precisely. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of vitrification on apoptosis in mouse blastocysts. Ninety five mouse blastocysts were obtained by flushing from Swiss Albino mouse and randomly divided into control and experimental groups. Blastocysts in the control group [52] were cultured in Ml6 media for 2 hours and then the apoptotic index were obtained after staining by TUNEL technique with PI. Blastocysts in the experimental group [43] were vitrified just after flushing in EFS40 solution and kept in LN2 for one month. After thawing and culture in M16 for 2 hours, the apoptotic indices were obtained by TUNEL staining. The results showed that the mean number of blastomers in the vitrified blastocysts group [44.91 +/- 2.47] was not significantly different [P=0.176] from those that seen in the control group [50.23 +/- 2.9], while the mean number of apoptotic blastomers in vitrified blastocysts group [4.08 +/- 0.28] was significantly higher [P=0.02] as compared to the control group [4.93 +/- 0.22]. The mean apoptosis Index in vitrified blastocysts [11.87 +/- 0.63] was significantly higher [P<0.004] than the control group [9.12 +/- 0.67]. We can conclude that the vitrification can increase apoptotic cell death in mouse blastocysts