effect of hydro ethanol extract of parsley leaves [petroselinum crispum] on spermatogenesis in male wistar rats receiving lead acetate

Background: Lead [Pb] is a one of the well-known dangerous contaminant Lead can cause disorders in the .process of spermatogenesis. Using medicinal plants to cure impotence and lack of sex cells can have a positive effect. In this study, parsley extract on spermatogenesis in male rats which have received lead acetate is investigated

Methods: In the present study, 36 rats were divided into 6 groups of 6. Animals received lead acetate and extract of parsley for a period of 28 days. After 28 days, animals were weighted and were anesthetized by ether, then the body and testis were weighted and numbers of spermatocytes, spermatogonia, Leydig cells were studied. The obtained results were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey tests

Results: Lead acetate significantly decreased the spermatocytes, spermatogonia, Leydig cells. Parsley extract with 200 mg/kg dose could lead to a significant increase of sperms in the tube lumen [p<0.05]

Conclusion: Parsley's extract effect on spermatogenesis in male rats which received lead acetate was justified

Effects of crocin supplementation during in vitro maturation of mouse oocytes on giutathione synthesis and cytoplasmic maturation

Background: Crocin is an active ingredient of saffron [Crocus sativus L] and its an-tioxidant properties have been previously investigated. This carotenoid scavenges free radicals and stimulates glutathione [GSH] synthesis; consequently, it may protect cells against oxidative stress. The aim of this research is to protect oocytes from oxidative stress by the addition of a natural source antioxidant

Materials and Methods: In the present in vitro experimental study, we collected cumulus oocyte complexes [COCs] from mouse ovaries of euthanized, 6-8 week-old female Naval Medical Research Institute [NMRI] mice. Oocytes were subjected to in vitro maturation [IVM] in the presence of either crocin [5 or 10 microg/ml], 5 mM buthionine-[S-R]-sulfoximine [BSO], or the combination of crocin plus BSO. Oocytes that matured in vitro in a medium without crocin or BSO supplements were considered as controls. Following 16-18 hours of IVM, matured oocytes [n=631] were fertilized by capacitated sperm from NMRI male mice, and cultured in vitro for up to 96 hours to assess preimplantation embryonic development. The levels of GSH in metaphase II [Mil] oocytes after IVM [n=240] were also assessed by the 5, 5-dithio-bis [2-nitrobenzoic acid] [DTNB]-GSH reductase recycling assay

Results: Supplementation of IVM media with 10 microg/ml crocin significantly [P<0.05] increased nuclear maturation, preimplantation development and GSH concentrations compared with the control group. Maturation of oocytes in IVM medium supplemented with BSO alone or the combination of microg/ml crocin and BSO drastically decreased GSH concentrations and subsequently resulted in low rates of maturation, fertilization and blastocyst development. However, the combination of 10 microg/ml crocin with 5 mM BSO increased the level of nuclear maturation which was comparable to the control group

Conclusion: Supplementation of IVM media with crocin can improve nuclear maturation rates and subsequent developmental potential of mouse oocytes. This may occur by its beneficial effect in increasing GSH concentrations in Mil oocytes

Cellular apoptosis and blood brain barrier permeability changes in the pre-incubated chicken embryo's brain by effect of electromagnetic fields

Electromagnetic fields [EMF] have teratogenic effects during the embryonic development. In current study, histopathological and physiological effects of sinusoidal EMF on the brain were investigated. We sought to determine the apoptosis level and changes in blood brain barrier permeability in brain tissue of pre-incubated white leghorn hen eggs in the field of EMF. In this experimental study, 300 healthy, fresh, and fertilized eggs [55-65 g] were divided into experimental [3 groups, N=50], control [N=75] and sham [N=75] groups. Experimental eggs [inside the coil] were exposed to 3 different intensities of 1.33, 2.66 and 7.32 mT and sham groups were also located inside the same coil but with no exposure, for 24 hrs before incubation. Control, sham and experimental groups were incubated in an incubator [38 +/- 0.5[degree]C, 60% humidity]. Brains of 14-day old chicken embryos of all groups were removed, fixed in formalin [10%], stained with H and E and TUNEL, apoptotic cells were studied under light microscope. Brains of other embryos were prepared for scanning electron microscope. By injections of Evans blue, any possible changes in brain vessels were also investigated. Our results showed electromagnetic fields have toxic effects on cell organelles and cell membranes. EMF would increase the level of cellular apoptosis in the brain. They also would tear up the blood vessels. Thereafter, they would affect the permeability of blood brain barrier of exposed chicken embryos. These findings suggest that electromagnetic fields induce different degrees of brain damages in chicken embryos brain tissue

pathophysiology of brain ischemia and ischemic preconditioning

Ischemic tolerance can protect the brain against cerebral ischemia and neurodegenerative diseases. However, several studies demonstrate ischemic tolerance by various methods, the exact mechanisms of ischemic tolerance has not been clearly understood. In this study, we first studied brain ischemia-related mechanisms and then evaluated the outcomes of mitochondrial pathophysiology of ischemic tolerance in focal and full stroke animal models. In this study, mitochondrial and peroxisomal reactions are considered critical in ischemic tolerance. In rats and Syrian mice, the middle cerebral artery occlusion [MCAO] model was employed to represent cerebrovascular stroke. Ischemic tolerance exhibits different types of adaptation responses associated with a number of sub-cellular changes. Changes in the cellular non-genomic pathways are usually short and reversible; while, the consequences of genes expression are a long-term process and can lead to permanent alternations in the genes expression pattern. The ischemic tolerance can be clinically significant. Therefore, it is important to address the risks and advantages of ischemic tolerance in non-infarcted tissues such as transplanted ones

role of oxygen radicals in reducing cerebral edema caused by normobaric hyperoxia pretreatment in rat model of stroke

Recent studies have shown that normobaric hyperoxia compared with normobaric normoxia can reduce the damages resulting from the stroke. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of oxygen radicals in reduction of cerebral edema caused by normobaric hyperoxia in rat stroke models. Wistar rats were divided into two main experimental groups and were exposed to 90% oxygen [HO] for 4 hours/day during 6 days; the main control group was placed inside a special chamber and exposed to room 21% oxygen at 1 atmosphere pressure [RA]. Then, each group was divided into three subgroups half an hour before placing and treatment in the oxygen chamber, the first, second and third subgroups of both groups were received no substance [RA and HO], saline [RA-S and HO-S], and dimethylthiourea [RA-MT and HO-MT], respectively in order to evaluate the role of oxygen radicals. Then after 24 hours, they were exposed to ischemia through surgically occlusion of middle cerebral artery in order to create brain edema After 60 minutes of ischemia, the perfusion was reestablished for 24 hours. Then the neurological deficit scores and cerebral edema were analyzed. Based on Mann-Whitney U test, the median of recovery effect of neurological deficit was significant [p<0.05]. The extent of cerebral edema, based on one-way ANOVA test, was also significant [p<0.05]. This effect disappeared largely by consumption of dimethylthiourea. The reduction of cerebral edema resulting from normobaric hyperoxia treatment is largely mediated through oxygen radicals

Early postnatal mobile phone [900 MHz] exposure affects superoxide and catalase enzyme activity in rat brain tissue

Electro-magnetic radiation [EMR] is emitted from mobile phones. Various researches have shown relationships between mobile phone EMR exposure to cancer and neurologic damages. This study aims to investigate the effects of mobile phone EMR on brain antioxidant enzyme activity and the learning process. Rat pups and their dames were exposed to EMR for 3 h per day from P2 to P14. After separation of male and female rats on P22, the rats were housed in an air room under normal animal conditions. From P59 to P61, male rats were trained three times per day for a total of 3 days. On P62, their behavior was assessed. The rats were sacrificed by decapitation and the levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase in their brains were assessed. The amount of time to locate the hidden platform and time spent exhibiting freezing behavior increased in exposed group compared to the control group. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were reduced in the mobile phone group. Additional studies are necessary to clarify the relationship between mobile phone radiation and brain tissue with regards to antioxidant enzyme activities, learning and memory. Our results suggest that mobile phone radiation may lead to decreased learning that is induced by abnormalities in antioxidant enzyme activities

[Effect of dietary olive leaf extract on brain cholesterol, cholesterol ester and triglyceride levels and of brain edema in rat stroke model]

Brain injury by transient complete global brain ischemia [cardiac arrest] and regional incomplete brain ischemia [ischemic stroke] afflicts a very large number of patients with death or permanent disability. Recent studies suggest that olive extracts suppress inflammation and reduce stress oxidative injury. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of dietary Olive Leaf Extract [OLE] on brain cholesterol, cholesterol ester and triglyceride levels as well as brain edema in rat stroke model. Five groups, each consisting of 12 male Wistar rats, were studied. First and second groups [control and sham] received distilled water, while three treatment groups received oral olive leaf extract [OLE] for 30 days [50, 75 and 100 mg/kg/day, respectively]. Two hours after the last dose, each main group was subdivided to Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion [MCAO]-operated [n=6] and intact subgroups [n=6] for assessment of neuropathology [brain edema] and brain lipid analysis. The brain cholesterol, cholesterol ester and triglyceride levels were greater in experimental groups when compared to controls. Olive leaf extracts reduced brain edema in experimental groups of 75 and 100 mg/kg/day. Our data suggest that OLE may be cerebroprotective in a rat model of ischemia-reperfusion. Further work is required to extend these observations

[ role of oxygen radicals-scavenger in neuroprotection-induced by normobaric hyperoxia on infarct volume in the rat brain]

Recent studies have shown that the use of prolonged and intermittent normobaric hyperoxia [95%] decrease the infarct volume of stroke. The aim of current study was to study the effect of an oxygen radicals-scavenger applied during intermittent normobaric hyperoxia on infarct volume in the rat brain and neurologic deficit. Male Wistar rats [250-350 g] were divided to two main groups. These groups were respectively subjected to room air [21% O2; RA] or normobaric hyperoxia [95% O2; HO] 4 hours per day for 6 days. Each main group was divided to three subgroups which received nothing [RA and HO], normal saline [HO-S and RA-S] or Dimethyltiourea [HO-MT and RA-MT. Afterward, all rats were subjected to 60 min middle cerebral artery occlusion [MCAO]. After 24 h, neurologic deficit scores and infarct volume were assessed. The medians of neurologic deficit scores in RA, RA-MT, RA-S, HO-MT, HO-S, and HO were 2, 2, 2, 2, 0, 0, respectively. The infarct volume in RA, RA-MT, RA-S, and HO-MT versus HOS, and HO were increased. Above results showed that neurologic deficit score and infarct volume were restored by MT significantly. The effective neuroprotection induced by intermittent normobaric hyperoxia seems to be mediated at least partially by oxygen radicals

prevalence of clubfoot in the neonates who were referred to the emergency department of Mofid children hospital

Club-foot is one of the most prevalent congenital anomalies of the lower extremities. Since there is no epidemiologic study on the prevalence of this disease in Iran, we decided to assess it in a sample population in Tehran. We assessed all neonates who were referred to the emergency department of mofid children hospital between October 2007 and November 2008, due to a paediatric emergency problem. None of the patients had chief complaints of lower extremity deformity. During this time period [13 months], we could examine 682 neonates. None of the parents of these neonates had complaints regarding anomaly of lower extremities of their neonates at the time of the emergency referral. Of them, 371[54%] were female and 311 [46%] were male. The age of the mother at the time of pregnancy was < 20 yr in 124 [18%] neonates, between 20 and 35 yr in 472[69%] neonates and > 35 yr in 86 [13%] neonates. There was a previous history of clubfoot in the siblings of one of the neonates who was under orthopaedic treatment. Among all these neonates, we found two cases of clubfoot [0.3%], with bilateral involvement. In one of these cases, the older sibling also had clubfoot. The incidence of clubfoot has been reported between 0.39 and 6 cases in 1000live birth in the literature. In the present study, we found a prevalence of 0.3 for clubfoot in every 1000 neonates

[ report of a case with Gorham's disease]

Gorham's disease is rare and is associated with progressive bone destruction. The first case was reported in 1838 and until now 175 cases with Gorham's disease have been reported in the literature. In this article a patient with concurrent involvement of lumbar spine and trochanteric region is reported. A 32 years old woman with intensive back pain and paraplegia was admitted to our center. Radiological and laboratory studies were done. Spinal x-rays revealed L3 collapse and a potential metastatic lesion in L3 and trochanteric region. Patient underwent cord decompression and stabilization of the spine and biopsy was done. Histological studies demonstrated that the lesion is due to Gorham's disease. Gorham's disease can involve spine and cause paraplegia and in this conditions, decompression can be helpful. Also, our case portrayed that this disease can involve distant bones concurrently

study of normobaric hyperoxia preconditioning on superoxide dismutase activity in the rat stroke model

Ischemic preconditioning [IPC] is an endogenous phenomenon that can induce ischemic tolerance [IT] in variety of organs such as brain. In this study, we examined the intermittent and prolonged normobaric hyperoxia [HO] on neurologic deficit scores, infarct volume, and superoxide dismutase activity. The rats were divided to four main groups. First two main groups were exposed with HO in prolonged [24h; PrHO] and intermittent [4hx6 days; InHO] groups and second two main group acted as controls, and were exposed to 21% oxygen in the same chamber [room air, RA] continuously [24h; PrRA] and discontinuously [4hx6 days InRA]. Each group subdivided to three subgroups. After 24 h, first subgroup were subjected to 60 minutes MCAO followed by 24 h of reperfusion. Then, IT induced by InHO and PrHO were measured by neurologic deficit scores and infarct volume. Second and third subgroups were called sham-operated and intact subgroups for assessment of the effect of HO on superoxide dismutase activity. Our findings indicate that InHO and PrHO are involved in the induction of IT. Pretreatment with InHO and PrHO reduced neurologic deficit scores and infarct volume significantly. InHO and PrHO increase superoxide dismutase activity significantly. Although further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms of ischemic tolerance, InHO and PrHO seem to partly exert their effects via increase superoxide dismutase activity