[Effects of drug substance crystal (methamphetamine) on histopathology and biochemical parameters of kidney in adult male mice]

Background and Aim: Methamphetamine causes damage in different body organs. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of methamphetamine on morphometric changes and biochemical parameters in kidney of adult mice

Material and Methods: In this experimental study, 56 mice were randomly divided into 7 groups: control and 6 experimental groups. Experimental groups 1, 2 and 3 received methamphetamine 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg respectively for 10 days. Experimental groups 4, 5 and 6 received methamphetamine [5, 10 and 20 mg/kg] respectively for 40 days. After 10 and 40 days, kidneys of the mice of the experimental groups were removed and after tissue processing and imaging, volume of kidney and glomerulus were measured by using cavalieri's principle. In addition blood urea and creatinine levels were measured. Using SPSS software, data were analyzed by means of ANOVA

Results: Histopatological study showed that methamphetamine increased renal damage in a dose dependent manner. High doses of methamphetamine caused a moderate lobulation, glomerulosclerosis and kidney congestion. There was also a significant difference between the experimental [groups 3 to 6] and control groups in regard to the volumes of kidney and glomerulus [P=0.000]. Significant differences were found in the level of urea in group 6 and creatinine levels in all experimental groups compared to those of control group [P=0.000]

Conclusion: Use of 10 mg/kg of methamphetamine for 40 days led to destructive effects on kidney tissue. Also, it increased serum levels of urea and creatinine

Effects of Vitamin-E treatment on CatSper genes expression and sperm quality in the testis of the aging mouse

CatSper genes are a novel family of four sperm-specific calcium channels, which indicate testis-specific expression patterns. Despite the crucial role of CatSper genes in the male reproduction, very little is known about the factors that regulate their expression. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamin E treatment on the expression of CatSper 1 and CatSper 2 genes as well as sperm quality in the aged male mice. Twenty four 11-12 months old aged male mice and twenty four 2-3-months old young male mice were randomly divided into four groups. Control groups received no injection. The experimental groups of male mice were received intraperitoneal injection of 106 mg/kg vitamin E daily for 35 days. Left testis and cauda epididymides from each mouse were collected on the days 21, 28 and 35 following vitamin E treatment and were used for Real-Time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Also, sperm analysis was performed according to the WHO guidelines given for human sperm examination. Data were analyzed using SPSS software Administration of vitamin E improved sperm parameters in the aged as well as young adult male mice. In addition, the expression of CatSper genes increased following vitamin E treatment. Also, intensity of signal for CatSper1 and CatSper2 increased in the head and middle piece of sperm in experimental group as compared to those of control ones. The vitamin E treatment significantly improved the sperm quality, especially in terms of sperm motility, count and morphology rate. Furthermore, CatSper genes expression could be up-regulated by the vitamin E treatment

Report of a Rare Variation of the Radial Artery

Radial artery is used for microsurgery as well as coronary artery grafting. Operators and cardiologists may encounter by anomalies of this artery during surgery. Hence, it is important to identify these anomalies. During a routine dissection in our department, we observed a variation of radial artery on the left upper limb of an adult male cadaver. Because of the importance of the unusual patterns of the arteries for surgery and clinical procedures, we present a case of radial artery duplication in the upper limb.

Maternal nicotine induces collagen type IV changes in the mice lung parenchyma and its vessels

One of the undesirable effects of maternal nicotine exposure during pregnancy is pulmonary hypertension. Since nicotine binds to its receptors on pulmonary vessels the hypothesis of this research was the possible structural changes that nicotine may cause on newborn vessels. Twenty-four female BALB/c mice were mated and finding vaginal plug was assumed as day zero of pregnancy. Pregnant mice were divided into 2 experimental and 2 control groups. Experimental group 1 received 3 mg/kg nicotine intraperitoneally from day 5 of gestation until the last day of pregnancy. Experimental group 2 received the same amount of nicotine during the same gestational days as well as the first 2 weeks after birth [lactation]. The control groups received the same volume of normal saline during the same periods. At the end of exposure times, all the newborns [experimental and control] were anesthetized, their lungs were removed and immunohistochemical studies were carried out for tracing collagen. Our findings indicated that collagen reaction in the bronchial basement membrane [BBM] and extracellular matrix [ECM] of the lung parenchyma in experimental groups increased significantly compared to the control groups but these changes were not observed in BM of lung vessels in the experimental groups. These data indicate that nicotine exposure during pregnancy does not cause a significant change in collagen type IV in BM of lung vessels. But this does not mean that other types of collagen fibers do not indicate change because the wall thickness of pulmonary vessels in experimental groups increased significantly compared to the control groups

Therapeutic potential of umbilical cord blood stem cells on brain damage of a model of stroke

Human cord blood-derived stem cells are a rich source of stem cells as well as precursors. With regard to the researchers have focused on the therapeutic potential of stem cell in the neurological disease such as stroke, the aim of this study was the investigation of the therapeutic effects of human cord blood-derived stem cells in cerebral ischemia on rat. This study was carried out on young rats. Firstly, to create a laboratory model of ischemic stroke, carotid artery of animals was occluded for 30 minutes. Then, umbilical cord blood cells were isolated and labeled using bromodeoxyuridine and 210[5] cells were injected into the experimental group via the tail vein. Rats with hypoxic conditions were used as a sham group. A group of animals did not receive any injection or surgeries were used as a control. Obtained results were evaluated based on behavioral responses and immunohistochemistry, with emphasis on areas of putamen and caudate nucleus in the control, sham and experimental groups. Our results indicated that behavioral recovery was observed in the experimental group compared to the either the sham or the control group. However, histological studies demonstrated a low percent of tissue injury in the experimental group in comparison with the sham group. Stem cell transplantation is beneficial for the brain tissue reparation after hypoxic ischemic cell

immunohistochemical study of retinal collagen IV expression during pre- and postnatal periods in Balb/c mice

Basement membranes are specialized extracellular matrices which play important roles such as cell regulation, proliferation and migration. Collagen fibers, especially type IV, are the most important basement membrane constituents. As retina is one of the target organs in diabetes mellitus, and nephropathy is a major cause of end stage renal and retinal diseases resulting in increased morbidity and mortality, early diagnosis leads to better treatment. Hence, in this investigation, the appearance and distribution of collagen IV during gestational days and early postnatal periods were observed. 24 intact female Balb/c mice were kept under normal conditions. After mating, appearance of a vaginal plug was assumed as day zero of the pregnancy. From days 13-18 of gestation, the pregnant mice were euthanised and their embryos as well as pups from days 1 to 5 were collected. For histochemichal studies, heads of the specimens were fixed, serially sectioned and immunohistochemi-call studies were performed by using monoclonal antibodies for tracing of collagen type IV. Our findings revealed that the amount of collagen IV in the internal limiting membrane [ILM] and extra cellular matrix [ECM] of the retina, as well as vessels of the vitreus body appear on embryonic day 16. Also, a patchy distribution was observed in the pig-mented epithelium which continued to further develop until the end stage of embryonic life. Strong labeling was observed until postnatal day 3 but did not increase significantly thereafter. These findings establish the importance of collagen IV during the critical period of retinal development. In addition, this study indicates that high levels of collagen IV are present in the basal membrane [BM] of the inner limiting membranes and pigmented epithelium 3[rd] post natal on the 3[rd] postnatal day

Effects of crude onion extract on murine testis

Ancestral beliefs have tied onion consumption and its medicinal properties to increases in sexual desire. The present study tries to put this old belief to test. Therefore, this study has explored the effects of oral consumption of onion extract on the reproductive activity and testicular structure of adult male mice. In this study, twenty-four 40-day old male Balb/C mice were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups. The experimental group received daily doses of onion [Allium cepa] extract [lm/100gr/B.W.] for 10 days. The controls received the same volume of normal saline. At the end of the study, all the animals were anesthetized and scarified by cervical dislocation and their testes were harvested for histological study. For statistical analysis, t-tests were used to compare the means of the two groups while the significance level was set at p<0.05. The mean internal diameter of seminiferous tubules showed a significant increase in the experimental [56.32 +/- 1.42micro m, p<0.005] relative to the control group [31.27 +/- 3.16], whereas their mean external diameters did not show any significant difference. In addition, proliferation of spermatogonial cells and spermatocytes I and II increased significantly in the experimental group [264 +/- 14.11, p<0.0005]. It seems that administration of onion extract affects both structure and proliferation of cells in tubules and enhances spermatogenesis in the murine

role of type IV collagen in developing lens in mouse fetuses

Extracellular matrix [ECM] and basement membrane [BM] play important roles in many developmental processes during development and after birth. Among the components of the BM, collagen fibers specially type IV are the most important parts. The aim of this study was to determine the time when collagen type IV appears in the BM of lens structure during mouse embryonic development. In this experimental study, 22 female Balb/C mice were randomly selected and were kept under normal condition, finding vaginal plug was assumed as day zero of pregnancy. From embryonic day 10 to 20, all specimens were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and their heads were fixed, serially sectioned and immunohistochemistry study for tracing collagen type IV in lens were carried out. Our data revealed that collagen type IV appeared at the early stage of gestation day 12 in BM of anterior epithelial lens cells and the amount of this protein gradually increased until days 15-17 in ECM and posterior capsule epithelium. After this period, severe reaction was not observed in any part of the lens. These findings establish the important role of collagen IV in developing optic cup and any changes during critical period of pregnancy may be result in severe visual system defect

[Antioxidant effects of selenium on sperm parameters and testicular structure in young and aged mice]

Selenium, as an antioxidant, is essential for normal testicular function and spermatogenesis. It can reduce free oxidative radicals as a cofactor for antioxidant enzymes; therefore, it is expected to increase fertility. This experimental study was conducted to determine the effects of different doses of selenium on sperm parameters and testicular structure of aged and young mice. In this study, twenty 10 to 12-month and twenty 2 to 3-month old male mice were randomly divided into three control, sham and experimental groups. The control group received no injection but the sham and the experimental groups received daily intraperitoneal injectins of selenium solvent [Normal saline] and selenium, 0.2 mg/kg [Based on dose/response data], respectively over 5 weeks. Histological examinations as well as sperm analyses were performed on days 21, 28, 35 and 42 following the initiation of injections. Sperm analyses showed improvements especially in terms of normal morphology and viability rates in the experimental group [P<0.05]. Decreased sperm counts were evident in the aged mice at histological examination and some vacuoles were observable in the epithelium of seminiferous tubules. The results indicated that administration of 0.2 mg/kg selenium, improves some sperm parameters in the aged mice; thus, it seems that selenium effects are dose-dependent and appropriate amounts of the element can probably improve testicular function and sperm quality in the aged subjects