Effect of hydroalcoholic extract oi Melia azedarach L. seeds on serum concentration of sex hormones in polycystic ovary syndrome induced infemale wistar rats

Polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS] is one of the most common hormonal disorders among the women. Abnormal ovarian cycle is the result of increased LH and relatively decreased FSH along with overproduction of ovarian androgens. According to the previous studies, Melia azedarach L seed has anti-steroidogenic properties. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of these seeds on the PCOS induced in female rats. In this experimental study, PCOS was induced in 30 adult female Wistar rats using the subcutaneous injection of estradiol valerate. The extract of plant material was made using the percolation method. Rats were divided into PCOS, sham and 3 experimental groups [n=6]. Rats in the experimental groups were treated with 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg/ip injections of Melia azedarach L seed hydro-alcoholic extract for 10 days. The sham group received NaCl 0.9% as the vehicle. Serum concentrations of LH, FSH, testosterone [T] and estradiol [E[2] were measured using the ELISA method. Serum concentrations of LH in all experimental groups [P<0.01], and T concentrations in the group with the highest dose [P<0.05] were significantly decreased compared to those of the PCOS group. While the FSH concentrations in two groups [50 and 75 mg/kg] were increased compared to the PCOS group [P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively], and E2 concentrations were decreased in the two groups [T<0.01]. It seems that the hydroalcoholic extract ofMelia azedarach L seed may lead to a normal ovarian cycle through reducing the androgen concentration

High neuronal/astroglial differentiation plasticity of adult rat hippocampal neural stem/progenitor cells in response to the effects of embryonic and adult cerebrospinal fluids

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

[Effect of the adenosine A1 receptor agonist on demyelination and remyelination processes in lysolecithin induced demyelination in rat optic chiasm]

Demyelination in central nervous system is usually followed by remyelination; however, chronic lesions with subsequent functional impairment result from the eventual failure of remyelination process, as seen in multiple sclerosis. Remyelination is the process through which oligodendrocyte-progenitor cells [OPCs] restore new myelin sheathes around demyelinated axons. This study aimed to investigate the effect of A1 receptor agonist, N6-cyclohexyladenosine [CHA], on the demyelination and remyelination processes in rat optic chiasm following lysophosphatidylcholine [LPC]-induced demylination. In this experimental study, LPC was injected into the optic chiasm of three groups of rats [n=6]. Control group received aCSF on different days following LPC injection. Two groups of animals received CHA on days 0-14 or 14-28 post-lesion. Demyelination and remyelination levels were evaluated by recording visual evoked potential [VEP] from the scalp. The highest level of demyelination was occurred on day 7 post-lesion LPC injection and gradually reduced during the days 7-28. The P-wave latency was significantly increased on day 7 and then partially restored during the days 7-28 post-lesion. CHA administration during the days 0-14 attenuated demyelination process. In addition, CHA administration in remyelination phase [days 14-28] was able to potentiate the endogenous myelin repair. Injection of CHA could prevent the lysolecithin-induced variations in VEP. The effects of CHA may be mediated through increment of OPCs proliferation and their differentiation into myelinating oligodendrocytes

[Effect of oral morphine consumption on lacunas development in ten day placenta pregnant wistar rats]

Previous studies indicated that morphine consumption during pregnancy could inhibit embryos development. Present study further evaluated the effects of oral morphine consumption on the placenta lacunas development in ten day pregnant Wistar rats. Female Wistar rats [W: 170-200 gr] were used in the present study. Experimental group were received morphine [0.05 mg/ml of tap water] after one night coupling with male rats for mating. On the day 10th of pregnancy, the pregnant animals were killed with chloroform and the placentas and uterus were removed surgically and fixed in 10% formalin for twenty days. The fixed placentas were processed and stained by H and E method and evaluated for their development. Thickness of layers, surface area of lacuna, as well as the number of cells in both maternal and fetal parts of the placentas was assessed by light microscopy. Our results indicated that the layer thickness of fetal portion and surface area of lacuna of the fetal and maternal portion of placenta reduced in experimental group. In addition, maternal portion layer thickness and cell number of the fetal and maternal portion of placenta increased in the experimental group. Our results showed that oral morphine consumption could inhibit natural function of placenta lacuna and fetal cell development

[ effect of oral morphine consumption on choroid plexus and 4[th] ventricle development in embryos of 14-day wistar rats]

Previous studies have shown that morphine consumption during pregnancy may delay embryo development or cause the nervous system to function abnormally. The present study focused on the effects of maternal morphine consumption on fourth ventricle and choroid plexus development in Wistar rats. Wistar rats weighing between 170 and 200 grams were selected for this study. The experimental group after pregnancy received 0.05mg/ml of morphine in their drinking water daily. The control group received only tap water. On day fourteen of pregnancy, the pregnant animals were anesthetized by chloroform and the embryos were removed surgically. The embryos were fixed in 10% formalin for 4 weeks. Then, tissue processing, sectioning and staining hematoxylin and eosin [HandE] were applied on the embryos. The sections were examined for fourth ventricle and choroid plexus development by light microscope and MOTIC software. The results of the study indicated the choroid plexus area in the experimental group increased. Moreover, the fourth ventricle area reduction in the experimental group was significant in comparison with that in control group. This study showed that oral morphine consumption has can decrease the fourth ventricle and increase choroid plexus area. This defect may delay the functioning and development of central neuron system. such as, changes observed in the fetus born by opioid addicted women

[Effect of fibroblastic growth factor on resumption of meiosis, in vitro maturation and embryo development of immature mouse oocytes]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of fibroblastic growth factor on resumption of meiosis, in vitro maturation of immature mouse oocytes and resulting embryo development with and without basic fibroblastic growth factor-4 [bFGF-4].Cumulus - oocyte complex [COCs] and germinal vesicle [GV] were obtained from female NMRI mice 46-48 hours after administration of an intra-peritoneal injection of 5 IU PMSG. COCs were cultured in TCM199 supplemented with different dosages of bFGF-4. After 24 hours, metaphase II [MII] oocytes were co-incubated with sperms for 4-6 hours in 16 medium. For all groups, the rate of cleaved embryos was assessed in the T6 medium until blastocyst stage. In all compared groups, the percentage of matured MII oocytes in the 10 ng/ml [%94.4] and 20 ng/ml [%92.5] of bFGF-4 treatment groups, was significantly higher [P<0.05] than those of the control group but the percentage of embryos that developed to blastocyst in 20 ng/ml bFGF-4 treatment group was significantly higher than those of the control group [P<0.05]. Exogenous bFGF-4 improved the oocyte maturation and embryo development

[ effects of orally administrated magnesium on isolated aorta contractility in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats]

Some studies suggest that magnesium deficiency contributes to the cardiovascular complications associated with diabetes mellitus. Hence the present study investigated the effects of orally administrated magnesium on isolated aorta contractility in response to KCI and Phenylephrine [Phe]. Sixty male Wister rats [180-250 g] were divided into two diabetic and two control groups. One sub group of each received magnesium sulfate in their drinking water, while two other groups, had only tap water. After 8 weeks, thoracic aorta was isolated, cut into 2-3 mm rings and mounted in an organ bath. The tissue was then exposed to cumulative doses of KCI [10, 20, 40, 60 and 80mM] and Phe [10-9, 10-8, 10-7, 10-6, and 10-5M] and contractions were measured by an isometric transducer. During the mentioned time, fasting blood samples were drawn every 2 weeks to measure plasma glucose level. Vasoconstrictive responses to KCI and Phe were significantly higher in control groups, compared to diabetic groups [P<.05] and there were no significant differences between Mg-treated and non Mg-treated rats. Maximal contractions to KCI were 2.91 +/- 0.31, 2.79 +/- 0.18, 2.37 +/- 0.16 and 2.42 +/- 0.11 and the maximal responses to Phe were 3.25 +/- 0.17, 3.12 +/- 0.25, 2.57 +/- 0.33 and 2.73 +/- .21 in control, Mg-treated control, diabetes and Mg-treated diabetic groups, respectively. No significant difference was found in plasma glucose between Mg-treated groups and non mg-treated groups. Oral administration of magnesium for 8 weeks has no effect on isolated aorta contractility in diabetic rats

[ effects of orally administrated magnesium on denuded aorta contractility in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats]

Some studies suggest that magnesium deficiency contributes to the cardiovascular complications associated with diabetes mellitus; hence the present study investigated the effects of long term orally administrated magnesium on isolated denuded aorta contractility in response to KCl and Phenylephrine [Phe]. Sixty male Wister rats [180-250 g] were divided into two diabetic and two control groups. One group of each received magnesium sulfate in their drinking water, while the two other groups, had only tap water. After 8 weeks, thoracic aorta was isolated, cut into 2-3 mm rings, endothelium removed and transferred to an organ bath. The tissue was then exposed to cumulative doses of KCl [10, 20, 40, 60 and 80 mM] and Phe [10-9, 10-8, 10-7, 10-6 and 10-5 M] and contractions were measured by an isometric transducer. During the study period, fasting blood samples were obtained every 2 weeks to measure Plasma Glucose level. Vasoconstrictive responses to KCl and Phe were significantly [p<0.05] higher in the control group as compared to the diabetic groups [p<0.05] and there were no significant differences between Mg-treated and non Mg-treated rats. Maximal contractions to KCl were 2.32 +/- 0.23, 2.76 +/- 0.19, 1.96 +/- 0.11 and 1.84 +/- 0.21 and the maximal responses to Phe were 2.94 +/- 0.24, 3.38 +/- 0.20, 2.24 +/- 0.27and 2.61 +/- .27 in the control, Mg-treated control, diabetics and Mg-treated diabetic groups, respectively. No significant differences were found in plasma glucose concentrations between the Mg-treated and non Mg-treated groups. Oral administration of magnesium for 8 weeks has no effect on isolated denuded aorta contractility in diabetic rats

[ effect of extracellular matrix on choronotropic characteristics of cardiomyocytes drived from embryonic stem cells]

Introduction: Extracellular matrix [ECM] components significantly influence the growth characteristics of cell, development of spontaneous contractile activity, and morphologic differentiation. The present study evaluates the effect of ECM on genotypic and physiologic characteristics of cardiomyocytes derived from embryonic stem [ES] cells

Material and Methods: Embryoid bodies derived from mouse ES cells line Royan B1 [C57BL/6] were cultured on commercial ECM [matrigel], a cardiac fibroblast-derived extracellular matrix [cardiogel], and control media [without ECM] for 21 days. The growth characteristics of cardiomyocytes were assessed by immunocytochemistery, RT-PCR, and chronotropic drugs

Results: The beating frequency of cardiomyocytes cultured on cardiogel increasedin comparison with cardiomyocytes cultured on matrigel and/or control during days 7-9 [p<0.05] The spontaneously beating cells expressed markers characteristic of cardiomyocytes including alpha-actinin, desmin, tropnin-I, sarcomeric myosin heavy chain [MHC], pan-cadherin, connexin 43, cardiac alpha -MHC, cardiacbeta-MHC, myosin light chain isoform-2V, and atrial natriuretic factor. In addition, spontaneousness of cardiomyocytes on both ECMs was enhanced by treatment of cells with isopernaline, while reduced more on matrigel and carbacol when compared with control and cardiogel. However, the change in beating was similar in all groups upon treatment with phenylephrine, propranolol and for Bay-K

Conclusions: We conclude that the ECM influences ES-derived cardiomyocytes, in terms of chronotropic characteristics