Brain derived neurotrophic factor modification of epileptiform burst discharges in a temporal lobe epilepsy model

Introduction: Transforming Growth Factor-Beta 1 [TGF-beta1] is a pleiotropic cytokine with potent anti-inflammatory property, which has been considered as an essential risk factor in the inflammatory process of Ischemic Stroke [IS], by involving in the pathophysiological progression of hypertension, atherosclerosis, and lipid metabolisms. -509C/T TGF-beta1 gene polymorphism has been found to be associated with the risk of IS. The aim of this meta-analysis was to provide a relatively comprehensive account of the relation between -509C/T gene polymorphisms of TGF-beta1 and susceptibility to IS

Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into sham [receiving phosphate buffered saline within dorsal hippocampus], pilocarpine [epileptic model of TLE], single injection BDNF [epileptic rats which received single high dose of BDBF within dorsal hippocampus], and multiple injections BDNF [epileptic rats which received BDNF in days 10, 11, 12, and 13 after induction of TLE] groups. Their electrocorticogram was recorded and amplitude, frequency, and duration of spikes were evaluated

Results: Amplitude and frequency of epileptiform burst discharges were significantly decreased in animals treated with BDNF compared to pilocarpine group

Conclusion: Our findings suggested that BDNF may modulate the epileptic activity in the animal model of TLE. In addition, it may have therapeutic effect for epilepsy. More studies are necessary to clarify the exact mechanisms of BDNF effects

Evaluation of attention bias in morphine and methamphetamine abusers towards emotional scenes during early abstinence: an eye-tracking study

Introduction: We hypothesized that inappropriate attention during the period of abstinence in individuals with substance use disorder can result in an inadequate perception of emotion and unsuitable reaction to emotional scenes. The main aim of this research was to evaluate the attentional bias towards emotional images in former substance abusers and compare it to healthy adults

Methods: Paired images of general scenes consisting of pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral images were presented to subjects for 3 s while their attentional bias and eye movements were measured by eye tracking. The participants were 72 male adults consisting of 23 healthy control, 24 morphine former abusers, and 25 methamphetamine former abusers. The former abusers were recruited from a private addiction quitting center and addiction rehabilitation campus. The healthy individuals were selected from general population. Number and duration of first fixation, duration of first gaze, and sustained attention towards emotional scenes were measured as the main variables and the data were analyzed using the repeated measures ANOVA

Results: A significant difference was observed between former morphine abusers and healthy control in terms of number and duration of first fixations and first gaze duration towards pleasant images

Discussion: Individuals with morphine use disorder have more problems with attending to emotional images compared to methamphetamine abusers and healthy people

Endothelium-dependent effect of sesame seed feeding on vascular reactivity of streptozotocin-diabetic rats: underlying mechanisms

Cardiovascular disorders continue to constitute major causes of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. In this study, the effect of chronic administration of sesame [Sesamum indicum L] seed feeding was studied on aortic reactivity of streptozotocin [STZ]-diabetic rats. Male diabetic rats received sesame seed-mixed food at weight ratios of 3% and 6% for 7 weeks, one week after diabetes induction. Contractile responses to KCl and phenylephrine [PE] and relaxation response to acetylcholine [ACh] and sodium nitroprusside [SNP] were obtained from aortic rings. Maximum contractile response of endothelium-intact rings to PE was significantly lower in sesame-treated diabetic rats [at a ratio of 6%] relative to untreated diabetics and endothelium removal abolished this difference. Endothelium-dependent relaxation to ACh was also significantly higher in sesame-treated diabetic rats [at a ratio of 6%] as compared to diabetic rats and pretreatment of rings with nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N[G]-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester [L-NAME] significantly attenuated the observed response. Two-month diabetes also resulted in an elevation of malondialdehyde [MDA] and decreased superoxide dismutase [SOD] activity and sesame treatment significantly reversed the increased MDA content and restored activity of SOD. We thus conclude that chronic treatment of diabetic rats with sesame seed could in a dose- manner prevent some abnormal changes in vascular reactivity through nitric oxide and via attenuation of oxidative stress in aortic tissue and endothelium integrity is necessary for this beneficial effect

Co- transplantation of bone marrow stromal cells with schwann cells evokes mechanical allodynia in the contusion model of spinal cord injury in rats

Several studies have shown that, although transplantation of neural stem cells into the contusion model of spinal cord injury [SCI] promotes locomotor function and improves functional recovery, it induces a painful response, Allodynia. Different studies indicate that bone marrow stromal cells [BMSCs] and Schwann cells [SCs] can improve locomotor recovery when transplanted into the injured rat spinal cord. Since these cells are commonly used in cell therapy, we investigated whether co-transplantation of these cells leads to the development of Allodynia. In this experimental research, the contusion model of SCI was induced by laminectomy at the T8-T9 level of the spinal cord in adult female wistar rats [n=40] weighting [250-300g] using the New York University Device. BMSCs and SCs were cultured and prelabeled with 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine [BrdU] and 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate [DiI] respectively. The rats were divided into five groups of 8 including: a control group [laminectomy only], three experimental groups [BMSC, SC and Co-transplant] and a sham group. The experimental groups received BMSCs, SCs, and BMSCs and SCs respectively by intraspinal injection 7 days after injury and the sham group received serum only. Locomotion was assessed using Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan [BBB] test and Allodynia by the withdrawal threshold test using Von Frey Filaments at 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49 and 56 days after SCI. The statistical comparisons between groups were carried out by using repeated measures analysis of variances [ANOVA]. Significant differences were observed in BBB scores in the Co- transplant group compared to the BMSC and SC groups [p< 0.05]. There were also significant differences in the withdrawal threshold means between animals in the sham group and the BMSC, SC and the Co-transplant groups [p<0.05].BBB scores and withdrawal threshold means showed that co-transplation improved functioning but greater Allodynia compared to the other experimental groups. The present study has shown that, although transplantation of BMSCs, SCs and a combination of these cells into the injured rat spinal cord can improve functional recovery, it leads to the development of mechanical Allodynia. This finding indicates that strategies to reduce Allodynia in cell transplantation studies are required

Evaluation of Bcl-2 family gene expression in hippocampus of 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine treated rats

3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine [MDMA] is an illicit, recreational drug that causes cellular death and neurotoxicity. This study evaluates the effects of different doses of MDMA on the expression of apoptosis-related proteins and genes in the hippocampus of adult rats. In this experimental study, a total of 20 male Sprague Dawley rats [200-250 g] were treated with MDMA [0, 5, 10, 20 mg/kg i.p. twice daily] for 7 days. Seven days after the last administration of MDMA, the rats were killed. Bax and Bcl-2 genes in addition to protein expressions were detected by western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR].Results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and p

Delivery of epidermal neural crest stem cells [EPI-NCSC] to hippocamp in Alzheimer's disease rat model

Alzheimer's disease [AD] is characterized by progressive neuronal loss in hippocamp. Epidermal neural crest stem cells [EPI-NCSC] can differentiate into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of transplanting EPI-NCSC into AD rat model. Two weeks after induction of AD by injection of Amyloid-beta 1-40 into CA1 area of rat hippocamp, Y-maze and single-trial passive avoidance tests were used to show deficit of learning and memory abilities. EPI-NCSC were obtained from the vibrissa hair follicle of rat, cultured and labeled with bromodeoxyuridine. When Alzheimer was proved by behavioral tests, EPI-NCSC was transplanted into CA3 area of hippocamp in AD rat model. The staining of EPI-NCSC markers [nestin and SOX10] was done in vitro. Double-labeling immunofluorescence was performed to study survival and differentiation of the grafted cells. We showed that transplanted EPI-NCSC survive and produce many neurons and a few glial cells, presenting glial fibrillary acidic protein. Total number of granule cells in hippocamp was estimated to be more in the AD rat model with transplanted cells as compared to AD control group. We observed that rats with hippocampal damage made more errors than control rats on the Y-maze, when reward locations were reversed. Transplanted cells were migrated to all areas of hippocamp and the total number of granule cell in treatment group was equal compared to control group. Transplantation of EPI-NCSC into hippocamp might differentiate into cholinergic neurons and could cure impairment of memory in AD rat model

effects of Boswellia resin extract on dopaminergic cell line, SK-N-SH, against MPP[+]-induced neurotoxicity

Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are involved in neurodegeneration procedure in Parkinson's disease. Recently, neuroprotective potential of Boswellia resin has been demonstrated. Therefore, this study examined whether administration of Boswellia resin would attenuate MPP+- induced neuronal death in SK-N-SH- cell line, a human dopaminergic neurons- in vitro. Boswellia resin extract was added to culture medium [10microg/ml] before and after exposure of SK-N-SH cell line to MPP+ [1000microM]. Cell viability and apoptosis features were assessed using MTT and Hoechst staining, respectively. Treatment with Boswellia resin 2 and 3h prior to MPP ° exposure and up to 60 minutes after MPP ° exposure significantly increased cell viability compare to untreated cells. Apoptotic features were also reduced significantly by Boswellia resin [10 microg/ml] compare to that of control untreated cells. Boswellia resin has neuroprotective effects on dopaminergic neurons which can be applicable in Parkinson's disease

Comparison of transplantation of bone marrow stromal cells [BMSC] and stem cell mobilization by granulocyte colony stimulating factor after traumatic brain injury in rat

Recent clinical studies of treating traumatic brain injury [TBI] with autologous adult stem cells led us to compare effect of intravenous injection of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells [BMSC] and bone marrow hematopoietic stem cell mobilization, induced by granulocyte colony stimulating factor [G-CSF], in rats with a cortical compact device. Forty adult male Wistar rats were injured with controlled cortical impact device and divided randomly into four groups. The treatment groups were injected with 2 x 10[6] intravenous bone marrow stromal stem cell [n = 10] and also with subcutaneous G-CSF [n = 10] and sham-operation group [n = 10] received PBS and [bromodeoxyuridine [Brdu]] alone, i.p. All injections were performed 1 day after injury into the tail veins of rats. All cells were labeled with Brdu before injection into the tail veins of rats. Functional neurological evaluation of animals was performed before and after injury using modified neurological severity scores [mNSS]. Animals were sacrificed 42 days after TBI and brain sections were stained by Brdu immunohistochemistry. Statistically, significant improvement in functional outcome was observed in treatment groups compared with control group [P<0.01]. mNSS showed no significant difference between the BMSC and G-CSF-treated groups during the study period [end of the trial]. Histological analyses showed that Brdu-labeled [MSC] were present in the lesion boundary zone at 42[nd] day in all injected animals. In our study, we found that administration of a bone marrow-stimulating factor [G-CSF] and BMSC in a TBI model provides functional benefits

Morphological identification of cell death in dorsal root ganglion neurons following peripheral nerve injury and repair in adult rat

Axotomy causes sensory neuronal loss. Reconnection of proximal and distal nerve ends by surgical repair improves neuronal survival. It is important to know the morphology of primary sensory neurons after the surgical repair of their peripheral processes. Animals [male Wistar rats] were exposed to models of sciatic nerve transection, direct epineurial suture repair of sciatic nerve, autograft repair of sciatic nerve, and sham operated. After 1 and 12 weeks of the surgery, the number of L5 dorsal root ganglion [DRG] and ultrastructure of L4-L5 DRG neurons was evaluated by fluorescence and electron microscopy, respectively. Nerve transection caused sensory neuronal loss and direct epineurial suture but no autograft repair method decreased it. Evaluation of morphology of the neurons showed classic features of apoptosis as well as destructive changes of cytoplasmic organelles such as mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus in primary sensory neurons. These nuclear and cytoplasmic changes in primary sensory neurons were observed after the surgical nerve repair too. The present study implies that the following peripheral nerve transection apoptosis as well as cytoplasmic cell death contributes to neuronal cell death and reconnection of proximal and distal nerve ends dose not prevent these processes

Morphometeric study of primary sensory neurons following surgical repair of sciatic nerve

Peripheral nerve transection causes neuonal cell death. Effects of surgical nerve repair on survival of primary sensory neurons was to be studied. This is a morphometeric study of dorsal root ganglion neurons of adult rats by Hoechst staining conducted at Neuroscience laboratory and Cellular and Molecular Center, Medical faculty, Iran University of Medical Sciences. Models of direct epineurial suture and using of nerve guidance channel of polyvinilydin flourid [PVDF] were used and neuronal number and volume of dorsal root ganglion of L5 were evaluated by morphometeric method. Direct epineurial suture technique decreased sensory neuronal loss and both direct epineurial suture and using of nerve guidance channel decreased reduction of the ganglion volume. Present study showed distal segment of peripheral nerve is essential for neuronal survival, but surgical nerve repair could not completely prevent from neuronal cell death

Employment status of the elderly referring to the social security organization of Tehran

The aim of this study was to examine the employment status ofthe elderly over 60.A survey was carried out on the employment status of the elderly referring to the Social Security Organization in Tehran. A Questionnaire along with interview was used for data collection. The samples were chosen randomly and selected through the people referringto 30 social security offices inTehran, 15 people from each officeand totally 450. To analyse the data,descriptional statistics and Chisquaretest were applied.Based on the results, 86 percent ofthe elderly are unofficially employed.Also, 95.7 percent of the questioned people are working after retirementand 7.2 percent have two jobs at the same time. 70.9 percent declared that their income is not sufficient forlife expenses. 97.4 percent said that they are employed contract-based and temporary. 58.2 percent of the massumed that their main present problem is in ability to cover the life expenses.Therefore, different needs of the elderly should be studied to improvetheir living status by providing themnecessary support. This subject can be implemented under social policy Plan and through compiling a comprehensive welfare act for the elderly and providing proper services adapted to their needs