Evaluation of the protective effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of raspberry fruit on aquaporin1 expression in rats kidney treated by methotrexate

Objective: Methotrexate [MTX] is an antimetabolite drug commonly prescribed for the various cancers and autoimmune diseases. Despite its considerable therapeutic effects, nephrotoxicity is the most important side-effect of treatment with MTX. Aquaporin1 [AQP1] is a water channel proteins which is present in mammalian kidney. Raspberry fruit with antioxidant properties is able to protect biological systems from the harmful effects of free radicals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of raspberry extract on expression of AQP1 and the MTX-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 60 adult male Wistar rats were divided into nine groups including control, sham, MTX treated group [single dose of 20 mg/kg of body weight [BW] MTX at the third day], raspberry treated groups [intraperitoneal [I.P] injection of 100, 200, 400 mg/kg of BW raspberry extract for ten consecutive days], MTX and raspberry treated groups. At day 11, rats were sacrificed via chloroform inhalation and kidney tissues were fixed in formalin solution for histological and immunohistochemistry analysis. The serological assays for urea, creatinine, uric acid and interleukin-6 [IL-6] levels were also performed

Results: MTX elevated serum level of the urea, creatinine, uric acid, IL-6, renal tissue damage and decreased the AQP1 expression level. Raspberry fruit extract improved the kidney function and reduced side effects of MTX in treated rats. Expression of AQP1, in a dose dependent manner was also ameliorated, as compared to control group

Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, it can be concluded that biological activity of compounds presented in raspberry fruit extract especially anthocyanins may have chemo-protective effect on kidney function and AQP1 expression in rats treated by MTX

adverse effects of the methoxsalen and ultraviolent A radiation on spermatogenesis in mice

Different investigation showed that 5-methoxypsoralen and 8- methoxypsoralen reduce birth rates in the rats. In this study we worked out the effect of methoxsalen together with ultraviolent A [UVA] radiation on mature Balb/C mice spermatogenesis. The LD50 standard was determined 160 mg/kg and the UVA dose which causes erythema was calculated 0.046 J/cm2. A sub-lethal dose of 80 mg/kg of methoxsalen solution was injected intrapritoneally to mature mice and after one hour they were exposed to UVA radiation for 20 minutes. Experiments applied included methoxsalen alone, methoxsalen with UVA, UVA alone, sham group [a group received Tween 80], and control group [N=6]. In all experimental groups except UVA alone group, injections were carried out, during two consecutive weeks. Serial cross sections [5 [micro]m thickness] were prepared for morphological and histological studies. Tunica albuginea diameter, and number of type A and type B spermatogonia and histological investigation of the testes were measured. Microscopical and statistical analyses showed significant anomalies among the experimental groups compared to control and sham group. These anomalies included decrease the body weight; increase the relative testis weight; and decrease the number of spermapogonia [type A and B], primary spermatocytes, spermatids and sperms in experimental groups I and II compared to control group. Our results showed the number of spermatozoa in experimental group I was 22.6 +/- 2.12, in experimental group II was 33.6 +/- 2.05 and in control group was 44.3 +/- 2.77 [p<0.05]. Moreover in some experimental groups [I and II] shrinkage of seminiferous tubules and release of primary spermatocyte and spermatids were observed to the lumen of them. It is concluded from the results of this work that treatment with methoxsalen with UVA can damage and disorganize seminiferous tubules and decrease spermatogenic cells

Evaluation of Oogenesis aspects in neonatal and adult mice after toloaldoxime treatment

Objective: Oximes are important materials in organic chemistry. Synparamethyl benzaldehyde oxime [toloaldoxime] is structurally similar to other oximes, hence we have studied its effects on the neonatal and adult female Balb/c mice reproductive systems in order to provide a platform for future studies on the production of female contraceptive drugs

Materials and Methods: In experimental study, we studied the effects of toloaldoxime on ovary growth and gonadal hormones of neonatal and adult Balb/c mice. A regression model for prediction was presented

Results: The effects of toloaldoxime on neonatal mice were more than adult mice. The greatest effect was on the number of Graafian follicles [59.6% in adult mice and 31.83% in neonatal mice]. The least effect was on ovary weight, and blood serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone [FSH] and luteinizing hormone [LH]

Conclusion: According to the data obtained, toloaldoxime can be considered an anti-pregnancy substance

adverse effects of methoxsalen on the oogenesis of Balb/C mice

Methoxsalen is a natural photoactive compound which is found in many seed plants. A number of epidermal proliferative disorders can be treated by methoxsalen along with long wave ultraviolet A [UVA]. In an experimental study, we aimed to demonstrate the effect of methoxsalen, UVA and their combination on oogenesis Balb/C mice. There were two experimental groups and a control group. The experimental groups were composed of i. a short term group with treatment duration of 15 days and ii. a long term group with treatment duration of 5 weeks. Both the long term and short term experimental groups were further subdivided into a UVA group, a methoxsalen group and a methoxsalen plus UVA group. After treatment, mature females in prosterus phase of ovarian cycle were scarified with ether, while their ovaries were removed and prepared for histological studies. Both macro and microscopic studies showed significant anomalies [p<0.05] among experimental group ovaries as compared to control group. The obtained results showed a significant decrease in the following factors: number and diameter of corpus lutei, Graafian follicles, diameter of granulosa cell layer and oocytes, number of primordial primary and growing follicles, while we observed an increase in number of atretic follicle. Furthermore, our findings confirmed an increase in theca diameter only through UVA treatment. Methoxsalen also reduced circulating estrogen levels in blood serum, significantly. Other cases of teratogenecity, such as follicles with three oocytes and disorganization in corpus luteum cells were observed. The result suggests that UVA, methoxsalen and their combination cause health problems and cell injuries

[Studying cytotoxit effects of tolualdoxime on immature Balb/C mice spermatogenesis]

Familial Mediterranean fever [FMF] is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of fever and inflammation in the peritoneum, synovium, or pleura, accompanied by pain. In this study, we examined all 10 exons to determine the most common mutations in MEFV gene as a single gene associated with FMF. In this basic study, 51 clinically diagnosed Iranian FMF patients referred to Taleghani hospital were studied. Peripheral blood was gained from them and genomic DNA was extracted according to phenol chloroform standard protocol. They were screened for the MEFV mutation using bidirectional sequencing and finally, the sequences were analyzed by related soft wares. Of 51 patients suspected to FMF, 24 [47.05%] were positive for mutation and 27 [52.95%] had no mutations. 14 patients had M694V mutation in exon10 including 4 homozygote mutation, 8 heterozygote and 4 compound heterozygote. Moreover, we could find 6 patients with M680I mutation and 2 individual [8.3%] with V721I mutation in exon 10. Only one person carried E148Q heterozygote mutation in exon 2. Our finding were compatible with others investigation that M694V mutation is the most common mutation in different populations

[Effect of vibration stress on the sexually dimorphic nucleus [SDN] of hypothalamus of immature male wistar rat]

The sexually dimorphic nuclei in the preoptic area [SDN-POA] of hypothalamus are a cluster of cells which size, shape and their cellular morphology are related to gender and age. Different stressors affect on hypothalamus nuclei. In this study, effect of vibration stress was studied on endocrine system and sexually dimorphic nucleus [SDN] of hypothalamus. In this experimental study, male immature Wistar rats [15 days old] were divided into 3 groups Control, Experimental E350 and E500. Experimental groups were exposed to vibration stress by shaker with frequency 350mot/min and 500mot/min, 15 minutes daily for 3 weeks. At the end of this period, serum plasmic hormones, such as cortisol, testosterone, estradiol and progesterone, were evaluated. Sections of the brain tissue were prepared for histological and microscopic studies. Cortisol levels increased significantly in experimental E350 [p<0.05] and E500 [p<0.001] groups. Testosterone level decreased significantly in experimental E500 [p<0.01] group. Progesterone increased significantly in experimental E500 [p<0.01]. Estradiol did not show a significant decrease. Microscopic studies of brain showed significant decrease of number and density of sexually dimorphic nuclei in the preoptic area [SDN-POA] of hypothalamus in male immature Wistar rats with vibration stress. Vibration stress induces dysfunction of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis which can lead to homosexuality and other sexually behavioral disorders