ABSTRACT
@#Background: Auraptene is a simple coumarin that exhibits multiple protective activities in the brain. Alzheimer’s disease is a complex, multifactorial, and progressive neurodegenerative disease. Microinjection of the β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) into the hippocampus of rat has been recognized as a reliable and stable animal model of Alzheimer’s disease, which mimics the memory deficits. In the present study, the memory enhancing effects of auraptene were studied in rats that Aβ was injected into their hippocampus to create a model of Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: Different doses of auraptene (5, 10 and 25 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally to male Wistar rats. The spatial memory performance was tested by Morris water maze after Alzheimer`s induction. The hippocampal expression of pro-apoptotic Bax and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins were calculated for evaluating the neuroprotective and anti-apoptotic effects of Auraptene in the brain tissue. Results: In comparison with the control group, auraptene significantly decreased the escape latency time in the treated rats. In addition, auraptene increased the percentage of time spent and traveled pathway in the target quadrant. Molecular data showed that auraptene attenuated the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in the hippocampus of rats. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the memory enhancing effect of Aur after Aβ injection, which could be through inhibiting the apoptotic pathways in the hippocampus of rats.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: This study set out with the aim of evaluating the effect of conjugated linoleic acid [CLA] supplementation on quality of life in rectal cancer patients undergoing to preoperative chemoradiotherapy
Methods: In this study, 33 volunteer patients with rectal cancer treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy were allocated in the CLA [n=16] and the placebo groups [n=17]. The CLA group and placebo groups received 3 gr CLA/d and 4 placebo capsules for 6 weeks respectively. Before and after intervention, quality of life of patients was assessed by EORTC QLQ-C30
Results: At the end of study, the mean scores of physical function, role function, and cognitive function enhanced significantly in the CLA group while reduced remarkably in the placebo group. Symptom scales improved in the CLA group at the end of study. Comparison of changes in fatigue, pain and diarrhea scores were statistically significant between two study groups [P<0.05]. When we compared the global health status scores between two groups, significant changes were observed [P<0.001]
Conclusion: It appears that CLA may be helpful in rectal cancer patients by improving global quality of life. Although, other clinical trials with large sample size are needed to achieve more precise results
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Minocycline has anticonvulsant effects. Since some antiepileptic drugs increase the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain, the aim of this study is the effect of minocycline on gene expression of GABAA receptor in hippocampus and piriform brain areas on amygdale kindling acquisition in rat.
Methods: In this experimental study, three group [24 Wistar rats], after stereotaxic surgery and 1 week recovery period, received kindling stimulations[twice daily at 6 hours interval]. Group 1[n=8] did not receive daily kindling stimulations. Group 2 [n=8] received intraperitoneal saline [1ml/kg] and Group 3 [n=8] received intraperitoeneal minocycline [25 mg/kg] 60 min before kindling stimulation and respectively. Two hours after the last stimulation, animals' brains were removed and the changes of gene expression by ?2 subunit of GABAAreceptor in the hippocampus and piriform cortex were measured and compared with the control group. Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests [P<0/05].
Results: In Group 3 intraperitoneal administration of minocycline for 10 days reduced cumulative ADD significantly reduced in comparison with the control group [Group 2] [P<0.001]; also, it increased significantly the delay time of stage 4 [p<0.01] and stage 5 [p<0.001] of the seizures. In addition, the injection of minocycline before kindling stimulations removed the electrical stimulation induced an increase in mRNA of ?2 subunit of GABAA receptor in hippocampus and piriform cortex of amygdale kindling.
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that minocycline administration before electrical stimulation acts as an anticonvulsant, and this effect occurs via reducing GABAA receptors.