[Evaluation of the protective effect of curcumin on liver tissue in NMRI mice treated with sodium arsenite]

Background and Aim: arsenic [As] compounds are environmental toxicants which are among human carcinogens. Sodium arsenite exposure leads to its accumulation in the liver resulting in liver disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of curcumin, as an antioxidant, on the liver tissue in the mice exposed to sodium arsenite

Material and Methods: thirty NMRI mice with mean body weight of 31+/-2 g. were randomly divided into 5 groups: control, scheme [receiving DMSO], curcumin [15mg/kg/day], sodium arsenite [5mg/kg/day] and sodium arsenite+curcumin groups. Every group consisted of 6 mice. The exposure was by intraperitoneal injections and carried out for 5 weeks. Then the mice were killed and the liver tissue was removed and weighed. Histopathological and stereological analyses were performed and the incidence of hepatocyte cells apoptosis [by the TUNEL method] was determined. Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA, and the differences among mean values were considered significant at P<0.05

Results: a significant increase in the mean relative weight of liver, total volume of sinusoids, bile ductules [p<0.001] and total number of hepatocytes [p<0.03] and a significant decrease in the total volume of the central veins [p<0.001], the mean volume of the hepatocytes [p<0.04] and their nuclei [p<0.001] were observed in sodium arsenite group compared to those in control and scheme groups. Histopathological examination also revealed parenchymal disorganization, inflammatory cell infiltration, necrosis of hepatocytes and destruction of reticulin fiber scaffold in the mice liver treated with sodium arsenite. Most of sodium arsenite-induced liver damage improved in the sodium arsenite + curcumin group to the same extent as control group [p<0.05]

Conclusion: treatment with curcumin reduced liver damage induced by sodium arsenite

[Effect of Nigella sativa oil against Bisphenol A induced toxicity on the tissue of male NMRI mice kidney: a stereological study]

Background and Objective: Bisphenol A [BPA] is an endocrine disruptor chemical and as an environmental pollutant is able to generate free radicals causing tissue damage. This study was done to investigate the effect of Nigella sativa oil against BPA induced toxicity on the tissue of male NMRI mice kidney by stereological method

Methods: In this experimental study 24 adult male NMRI mice [32 +/- 3 g] were randomly allocated into control, BPA [200 mg/kg/day], BPA [200 mg/kg/day] plus Nigella sativa oil [5 ml/kg/day] and Nigella sativa oil [5 ml/kg/day] groups and treated for 5 weeks, orally. At the end, animals were sacrificed, their left kidneys were removed, fixed, sectioned, processed and stained with Heidenhain' azan staining method. Then, the kidney tissue sections were evaluated using stereological method and serum malondialdehyde [MDA] level was also measured

Results: The total weight and volume of kidney, volume of cortex, volume of proximal and distal tubules and volume of their lumen, volume of interstitial tissue, volume of glomeruli, tuft, as well as serum MDA level significantly increased in BPA treated group compared to the controls [P<0.05]. These parameters were significantly reduced in BPA plus Nigella sativa oil group compared to BPA ones [P<0.05]

Conclusion: This study revealed that Nigella sativa oil can reduce the oxidative stress toxicity induced by BPA in the mice renal tissue

Effect of green tea extract [Camellia sinensis] on kidney toxicity induced by sodium arsenite: a stereological study

Background and Objective: Sodium Arsenite is an environmental pollutant which can generate free radicals causing tissue damage. This study was done to evaluate the effect of Green Tea [GTE], as a strong antioxidant, on kidney tissue in mice treated with Sodium Arsenite

Methods: In this experimental study 24 adult male NMRI mice were randomly allocated into four groups including: control, GTE [l00mg/kg/day], Sodium Arsenite [5mg/kg/day] and Sodium Arsenite + GTE, for 34 days, orally. Animals were scarified and left kidney was taken out, fixed, sectioned, processed and stained using Heidenhain'azan method. Using stereological technique the total volume of kidney, volume of cortex, medulla, proximal and distal tubule, renal corpuscle, gelomerelus, tuft and capillary, membrane and space of Bowman's capsule and length of proximal and distal tubule were determined. Creatinine, BUN and MDA serum samples were measured

Results: The mean of total volume of cortex, proximal tubule, distal tubule, renal corpuscle and gelomerolus, taft, Bowman's capsule space, size of epithelium and lumen of proximal and distal tubule were significantly reduced in Sodium Arsenite group compared to control [P<0.05]. These parameters were significantly increased in the Sodium Arsenite + GTE group in comparison with Sodium Arsenite group [P<0.05], The creatinine, Blood urea nitrogen [BUN] and MDA were significantly increased in the Sodium Arsenite group in compared to the control group [P<0.05]. These parameters were significantly reduced in the Sodium Arsenite + GTE group in comparison with Sodium Arsenite group [P<0.05]

Conclusion: Green tea has a protective role in Sodium Arsenite induced nephrotoxicity

[ cytotoxic effects of glycyrrhiza glabra L. root extract on 4T1 cell line derived from BALB/c mice mammary tumors]

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. [G. glabra] root has been used in traditional medicine for treatment of several diseases. The main active constituent of G. glabra is glycyrrhizic acid with antioxidant property. The cytotoxic effects of several compound isolated from different plants have been attributed to their antioxidant properties. The present work was aimed to investigate the in-vitro cytotoxic screening of G. glabra root extract against 4T1 cell line derived from BALB/c mice mammary tumors. 4T1 cells were cultured in RPMI-1640 medium with 10% FBS and penicillin/streptomycin. Then cells treated with different concentration of G. glabra extract [50, 100, 200, 400, 800 micro g/ml], taxol [1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 20 nM] alone and in combination G. glabra and taxol for 24, 48, 72 hrs. Viability of the cells was measured through trypanblue and MTT staining. The cells morphology was studied using fluorescent dye. G. glabra root extract and taxol showed significant cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cells. Condensation and deformation of the nuclei were also observed similarly for both treatments. Moreover in combination therapy, G. glabra extract enhances taxol induced cytotoxicity in cancerous cells. G. glabra root extract and taxol showed cytotoxicity effects and morphological changes in 4T1 cells. This reduction in the viability of the cells was dependent on dose and time

[Protective effect of vitamin E on the para-nonylphenol induced-testicular toxicity in adult rats: a stereological study]

Para-nonylphen as an environmental pollutant has weak estrogenic activity and causes oxidative stress in different organs including testis. This study was done to determine the protective effect of vitamin E on the para-nonylphenol induced-testicular toxicity in adult rats. In this experimental study, 24 Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups including control, vitamin E [100 mg/kg/day, orally], para-nonylphenol [250mg/kg/day, orally] and finally para-nonylphenol [250mg/kg/day, orally] plus vitamin E [100mg/kg/day, orally]. After 56 days of treatment, removal of the right testis, tissue processing and staining with Heidenhain's Azan, the morphometric parameters of testicular tissue was evaluated using stereological method. The mean volume of seminiferous tubules, height of the germinal epithelium, seminiferous tubules diameter, thickness of the basement membrane, number of spermatocyte, spermatid and sertoli cells significantly reduced in para-nonylphenol group compared to the controls [P<0.05]. These parameters were significantly increased in the para-nonylphenol plus vitamin E group compared to para-nonylphenol group [P<0.05]. In the histopathological examination, atrophy of seminiferous tubules, germinal epithelium vacuolation and epithelial disarrangement were observed in para-nonylphenol group. Histopathological alterations reduced in para-nonylphenol plus vitamin E group compared to para-nonylphenol group. Co-administration of vitamin E with para-nonylphenol can prevent the adverse effects of para-nonylphenol on the testicular tissue in adult rats

Effect of morphine on glucoregulatory hormones [insulin, cortisol and epinephrine] in diabetic and non-diabetic mice

The role of morphine in blood glucose changes has been documented. The aim of the present study was to investigate the hormonal mechanisms involved in changes caused by morphine on blood glucose in diabetic and non-diabetic mice. Animals were divided into two, the diabetic and non-diabetic, groups. Each group was further divided into subgroups: 1. Saline+saline 2. Naloxone+morphine and 3. Control [saline+saline]. Blood samples were used for determining the blood glucose as well as for hormonal [insulin, cortisol and epinephrine] analyses. In non-diabetic and diabetic mice, blood glucose was significantly decreased in the saline+morphine group, compared to controls at 3h and 1h respectively, a decrease which compensated in the naloxone+morphine group, compared to saline+morphine group. After 3h, the level of insulin in non-diabetic mice was significantly decreased compared to the controls and was compensated in the naloxone+morphine group. At this time, the level of insulin showed no changes in diabetic animals. The level of cortisol remained constant both in diabetic and non-diabetic animals at 3h. The level of epinephrine displayed a significant decrease in diabetic and non-diabetic mice at 3h when compared to the controls and was compensated in the naloxone+morphine compared to the saline+morphine group. The administration of subcutaneous morphine caused hypoglycemia in diabetic and non-diabetic mice. The hypoglycemia and the decrease of insulin level in non-diabetic mice as well as the unchanged level of this hormone in diabetic animals may suggest an insulin-independent hypoglycemia induced by morphine

[Determination of chromosomal changes in DMBA-induced skin cancer in SD rat strains]

Skin cancer is one of the most important cancers in the world. This cancer is more common in men than women. We survey chromosomal changes in DMBA-induced skin cancer in SD rat strains. In this fundamental study, 20 SD rat strains were randomly divided into case and contal group. DMBA [2.5 mg] was injected to SD rat strains subcutaneously; therefore skin cancer model for studies was created. Tumors became subjects for cell culture and metaphase chromosomal were prepared. Finally g-banding were stained. We have also transmitted genomic information from rat to human using suitable databases and Gene were determined. Data showed numerical and frequent structural changes in different number of chromosomes. For example; gain in chromosomes number 1, 15, 17 and loss in 1, 7, 15, and also structural changes like deletion was seen in chromosomes number 1, 4, 8, 10, 15, 17, and addition in chromosome number 15. it is predicted that CST6, PRKCDBP, PTCH1, DKK3, BRMS1, CDKN1C, CD81, DMP1, CDKN2B, EEF1A1, HRAS, CASP2, KLF4 probably cause skin cancer

Study of geometrical model of wound regeneration in New Zealand rabbit

One of the best examples of epimorphic regeneration in the mammals is the formation of new tissues formed from blastema in holes punched in the ears of rabbits. The aim of this research is to investigate speed and percentage of regeneration in different geometrical shaped holes and different regions of rabbit's ear. In this experimental research different region of rabbit's ear [proximal, medial and distal] were punched as different geometrical shaped holes [circle, quadrangle and triangle] with the same area [50 mm[2]] Ubyg a puncher which designed for this purpose. The regeneration of wounds was evaluated and the percentage of regeneration was calculated. After punching, each 3 days [36-40 days]. Results showed speed and percentage of regeneration in circular holes was significantly [P < 0.05] more than quadrangular and triangular holes. In addition, regeneration speed of holes located in proximal regions of ear, was more than peripheral holes. Wound regeneration in rabbit's ear is related to the geometrical shape of holes. Speed and the percentage of regeneration in circular shapes is more than angular shapes

[Quantitative study of the histopathological effects of sodium arsenite on kidney stracture in rats]

Sodium arsenite is an environmental pollutant which its amounts in industrial cities are more than other places because of its use in chemical industry. Human populations are exposed to this chemical compound through food, soil, air and water which has toxic and histopathological effects on different body organs including kidney. The aim of this investigation is to study the quantitative histopathological effects of sodium arsenite on the kidney structure of rats. 12 male Wistar rats with mean body weight of 200 +/- 20 g were randomly divided into 2 groups [n=6]. One treated with sodium arsenite [8 mg/kg/day in drinking water] and the other one [the control group] received drinking water only. 2 months after treatment the rats were weighed, anesthetized with ether and dissected. The left kidney was taken out, cleaned, weighed and then fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution. After obtaining 1mm thick slices, tissue processing was carried out, then 5 micro m thick sections were prepared and stained using H and E method. Slides were finally studied stereologically and data was statistically analyzed using paired samples t-test and the means were considered significantly different at p<0.05. The results of this investigation indicated significant reduction in the total mean volume of kidney [p<0.001] and cortex [p<0.001] and medulla [p<0.003] in sodium arsenite treated group compared to the control rats. The mean volume of tubules and interstitial tissue as components of cortex reduced significantly compared to the control group [p<0.003].The mean volume of glomeruli and Bowman's capsule significantly reduced in treated group [p<0.001]. While the other components did not show a significant reduction in volume. A significant reduction was also found in the kidney [p<0.002] and the body weight [p<0.01] in the treated group compared to the control ones at the end of the experiment. We concluded that exposure to sodium arsenite leads to histopathological changes in kidney structure however more studies are needed to determine the effects of these structural changes on the kidney function