Caraway extract alleviates atopic dermatitis by regulating oxidative stress, suppressing Th2 cells, and upregulating Th1 cells in mice

Objective: To explore the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of caraway on atopic dermatitis (AD) in mice. Methods: AD was induced in two stages, including sensitization and challenge with the application of 2,4 dinitrochlorobenzene 2% and 0.2%, respectively. Clinical symptoms and histological analysis of the skin were assessed. The effects of caraway on oxidant/ antioxidant parameters as well as Th1- and Th2-related cytokines were also evaluated. Results: Caraway reduced the severity of dermatitis in AD-induced mice, as evidenced by significant inhibition of Th2-related cytokines (IL-4 and IL-13) and increased Th1-related cytokine (IFN-γ). Additionally, treatment with caraway significantly increased superoxide dismutase and catalase activity and decreased the malondialdehyde level in the serum of AD mice. Furthermore, caraway inhibited the differentiation of Th2 cells while favoring Th1 cell differentiation in the spleen via regulating their master transcription factors GATA3 and T-bet. Conclusions: Caraway could improve AD autoimmune responses and could be considered a potential candidate to treat AD disease.

Orexin-A inhibits capsaicin-induced changes in cyclooxygenase-2 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in trigeminal nucleus caudalis of rats

BACKGROUND: The trigeminal nucleus caudalis (Vc) is a primary central site for trigeminal transmitting. Noxious stimulation of the trigeminal nociceptors alters the central synaptic releases and neural expression of some inflammatory and trophic agents. Orexin-A and the orexin 1 receptor (OX1R) are expressed in pain pathways including trigeminal pain transmission. However, the the mechanism(s) underling orexin-A effects on trigeminal pain modulation have not been fully clarified. METHODS: Trigeminal pain was induced by subcutaneous injection of capsaicin in the upper lip in rats. The effect of trigeminal pain on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the Vc of animals was determined by immunofluorescence. Subsequently, OX1R agonist (orexin-A) and antagonist (SB-334867-A) was administrated in the Vc to investigate the possible roles of the Vc OX1R on changes in COX-2 and BDNF levels following pain induction. RESULTS: The data indicated an increase in COX-2 and decrease in BDNF immuno-reactivity in the Vc of capsaicin, and capsaicin- pretreated with SB-334867-A (80 nM), groups of rat. However, the effect of capsaicin on COX-2 and BDNF expressions was reversed by a Vc microinjection of orexin-A (100 pM). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the present data reveals that orexin-A can attenuate capsaicin-induced trigeminal pain through the modulation of pain effects on COX-2 and BDNF expressions in the Vc of rats.

Coadministration of atorvastatin and amiodarone increases the risk of pulmonary fibrosis in rats

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of atorvastatin administration on amiodarone-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats

Materials and Methods:Thirty-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. The control group [CTL] received distilled water [0.3 ml intratracheally on days 0 and 2 and 0.5 ml orally from day 0 for 3 weeks]. The atorvastatin group [AT], in addition to intratracheal distilled water, received 1 mg/kg of atorvastatin orally from day 0 for 3 weeks. The amiodarone group [AMI] received 2 intratracheal instillations of amiodarone [6.25 mg/ kg in 0.3 ml of water] on days 0 and 2 and 0.5 ml of distilled water [like the CTL]. The amiodarone plus atorvastatin group [AMI + AT] received both these drugs [same doses and methods as for the AMI and AT]. After 28 days, the rate of lung fibrosis was estimated according to pathological criteria of lung sections and measurements of hydroxyproline in pieces of left lung tissue

Results:The lung hydroxyproline content was higher in the treated groups [CTL: 0.35 +/- 0.017, AT: 0.38 +/- 0.012, AMI: 0.375 +/- 0.018 and AMI + AT: 0.38 +/- 0.012 unit/mg protein], but did not reach significance when com- pared with the CTL [p = 0.56]. Amiodarone administration significantly increased the score of pulmonary fibrosis [0.5] in comparison with the AT [0.125] and CTL [0] [p < 0.5]. The combination of amiodarone and atorvastatin exacerbated the pulmonary fibrosis [1.5; p < 0.01] compared to the AMI [0.5; p < 0.001], AT [0.125] and CTL [0]

Conclusion:In this study, the concomitant administration of amiodarone and atorvastatin increased pulmonary fibrosis in rats

[ study of matrix metalloproteinase 9 and CD31 expression through immunohistochemistry in invasive breast cancer]

This study was performed to investigate possible relationships between the manifestation of stromal cells [fibroblasts and/or myofibroblasts] by focusing on expression of their matrix metalloproteinase 9 [MMP9] and possible angiogenesis based on CD31 and CD34 antigen expression during the various steps of hyperplastic changes to precancerous state and invasive breast cancer. Our study included 50 females with invasive ductal carcinoma. Samples were obtained by mastectomy or biopsy and were immunohistochemically stained for the MMP9, CD31, and CD34 antibody. microvessel count [MVC] was also carried out on samples. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using ANOVA and Student's t-test [P < 0.05]. Findings were compared with our "Breast Cancer Data Bank" for reevaluation of their clinical staging. Positive significant correlations were observed between expression of MMP9 and invasive ductal carcinoma in situ [DCIS] and fibrocystic disease +/- ductal intraepithelial neoplasia [FCD +/- DIN] areas [P=0.001]. MMP9 expression in invasive areas was more strongly positive than precancerous areas. Statistically significant correlations were observed between MMP9 expression and CD31 in grade II in invasive areas. MVC was evaluated by CD31 antibody. It was found to be inversely related to increased MVC from invasive areas, DCIS, DIN, and normal areas [P < 0.001]. No significant difference was observed in MVC based on age, tumor size or steroid receptors in stroma of an invasive cancer, DCIS, and FCD +/- DIN. MMP9 expression in invasive areas was more strongly positive than precancerous areas, and negative in normal areas. Angiogenesis can be observed before any significant changes in preinvasive breast lesions. The elevated content of microvessel count of the tumor may be an indicator for worse prognostic factor. The progression from epithelial hyperplasia toward DCIS, and then, invasive carcinoma seems too complex to be assumed a linear progression

Preventive effect of garlic [Allium sativum L.] on serum biochemical factors and histopathology of pancreas and liver in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Antidiabetic action of garlic is established in animal studies. Since all of the pervious studies have focused on the therapeutic role of garlic, this study investigated the preventive effect of garlic juice on biochemical factors and histological features in Streptozotocin [STZ]-induced diabetic rats. Forty male rats were divided into five groups [n = 8]: 1-Normal group [N], 2-Normal+Garlic group [N+G] received garlic juice [1 mL/100g BW] for 6 weeks, 3-Diabetic group [D] was injected with STZ [60 mg/kg, IP], 4-Diabetic+Garlic before group [D+G[b]] received garlic juice for 3 weeks before STZ injection and continued for another 3 weeks, 5-Diabetic+Garlic-after group [D+G[a]], three days after STZ injection, they received garlic juice for 3 weeks. Serum biochemical factors were measured by the enzymatic methods and H and E stained sections of pancreas and liver were prepared for light microscopy. In diabetic rats, elevated levels of glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides, the increment of the activities of ALT and AST, increased food and water consumption were observed. The abnormal increases were significantly [p < 0.05] decreased in D+G[b] groups compared to D group. In D group, scattered degeneration of the hepatocytes with lymphocytic infiltration in the portal areas, decrease of pancreatic islets numbers and diameter, atrophy of pancreatic islets were observed. These abnormal histological signs were dramatically ameliorated in D+G[b] group compared to D group. In D+G[a] group compared to D+G[b] group slighter effects of garlic juice on histopathological and biochemical changes were seen. These results indicate that garlic juice may help in the prevention of the complications of diabetes

Distribution of myofibroblast cells and microvessels around invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast and comparing with the adjacent range of their normal-to-DCIS zones

This study seeks to determine the relationships between manifestation of myofibroblast in the stroma tissue of hyperplastic pre-invasive breast lesions to invasive cancer by investigating clinicopathological data of patients, their effect on steroid receptor expression and HER2, and angiogenesis according to CD34 antigen expression. Handred cases of invasive ductal carcinoma were immunohistochemically investigated for the presence of smooth muscle actin [SMA], ER/PR, HER2, anti-CD34 antibody and microvessel count [MVC]. Patients were scored in four different zones of invasive areas: invasive cancer, DCIS, fibrocystic disease +/- ductal intraepithelial neoplasia [FCD +/- DIN], and normal tissue. There was a significant difference in stromal myofibroblast between all areas except for the stroma of DCIS and FCD +/- DIN [P < 0.001]. We observed positive significant correlations between stromal myofibroblast, HER2 expression, and the numbers of involved lymph nodes in invasive cancer, DCIS, and FCD +/- DIN [P < 0.001]. More myofibroblast were present in grade III cases, with the least frequent observed among grade I cases in the stroma of those with invasive disease, DCIS, and FCD +/- DIN [P < 0.001]. MVC was inversely related to stromal myofibroblast in invasive cancer [P < 0.001] and DCIS [P < 0.001], whereas there was a positive correlation in the stroma of FCD +/- DIN [P = 0.002] and normal areas [P = 0.054]. There was a significant difference in MVC observed in all areas except for DCIS and FCD +/- DIN [P < 0.001]. We noted significant inverse correlations between MVC, HER2 expression, and the numbers of involved lymph nodes in invasive cancer and DCIS [P < 0.001]. Most MVC were present in grade I, with the least frequent observed in grade III cases in the stroma of invasive cancer, DCIS and FCD +/- DIN [P < 0.001]. Angiogenesis can be observed before any significant myofibroblastic changes in the pre-invasive breast lesions. The elevated content of myofibroblast in stroma of tumor; probably may be a worse prognostic factor and the steps from atypical epithelial hyperplasia to DCIS and then to the invasive carcinoma do not appear to be always part of a linear progression

[Effects of Otostegia persica extract on serum level of glucose and morphology of pancreas in diabetic rats]

With respect to antioxidant effect of Otostegia persica [O. persica] extract and the role of antioxidant agents in diabetes improvement, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of methanolic extract of O. persica on serum level of glucose and morphology of pancreas in type I diabetic male rats. Type I diabetes was induced in male wistar rats [200-250 g] by injection of 65 mg/kg, i.p of streptozotocin. Before this and 5 days post-injection fasting blood samples were collected. Diabetes was confirmed in rats having fasting blood glucose level above 250 mg/dL. Diabetic rats were divided into 5 groups which received 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg/day O.persica extract, glibenclamide [600?g/kg] and distilled water [0.5 mL] for 14 days individually by gavage, respectively. After 14 days, fasting blood samples were collected and serum levels of glucose and insulin were measured using commercial kits by spectrophotometery and ELISA, respectively. Rats' pancreases disected out and used for histological studies after fixation, tissue preparation process and staining with hematoxylin-eosin dyes. The oral administration of O. persica extract in diabetic rats for 14 days significantly decreased glucose serum level, but it only at dose of 100 mg/kg significantly increased insulin serum level [p<0.05]. Furthermore, extract improved pancreas tissue as in all doses it increased number of islets and at doses of 200 and 300 mg/kg increased the mean diameter of islets [p<0.05]. Our study demonstrates that O. persica extract has a hypoglycemic effect by improving pancreas islets and increasing insulin secretion

Preventive effect of garlic juice on renal reperfusion injury

Renal reperfusion injury is associated with increased mortality and morbidity due to acute kidney failure. Oxidative stress induced with renal reperfusion affects glomeruli and tubular epithelium through reactive oxygen species; therefore, the use of medicinal plants appears rational for improvement of reperfusion effects. The aim of present study was to examine the preventive effect of garlic juice [Allium sativum] on renal reperfusion injury in rats. A total of 30 male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: control, garlic, sham [right nephrectomy], reperfusion, and reperfusion+ garlic groups. After right nephrectomy, renal ischemia and reperfusion were induced. At the end of the experiment, all rats were killed and kidney function tests and histopathological examination were performed. Reperfusion increased serum urea and fractional excretion of sodium levels, while it decreased urine potassium levels and creatinine clearance. However, garlic juice significantly decreased serum urea levels in the reperfusion+ garlic group compared with the reperfusion group [P < .001]. Preteatment with garlic juice also resulted in significant increase in urine potassium [P=.03] compared to reperfusion. Fractional excretion of sodium and creatinine clearance were also improved. On histological examination, rats pretreated with garlic juice had nearly normal morphology. The results of this study showed that garlic juice significantly prevented renal reperfusion-induced functional and histological injuries

Leiomyoma of the adrenal gland presenting as an incidentaloma

This was an unusual case of a primary leiomyoma tumor of the adrenal gland in a 26-year-old woman incidentally found during workup for mild, dull abdominal pain

Comparative histological and immunohistochemical changes of dry type cutaneous leishmaniasis after administration of meglumine antimoniate, imiquimod or combination therapy

This study compared histological and immunohistochemical changes of cutaneous leishmaniasis treated with meglumine antimoniate, imiquimod, and the combination of both therapies. Single blind clinicopathological studies of fifteen patients with old world cutaneous leishmaniasis in Kerman, Iran were included. A total of four patients received a combination of imiquimod [5% cream] and intra-lesional meglumine antimoniate weekly for four weeks. Monotherapy with imiquimod was given to seven patients and four patients were treated with meglumine antimoniate intralesionally. Histological confirmation was performed before and during therapy. Semi-quantitative histological parameters such as numbers of mixed inflammatory cells [cells/mm[2]] and percentages of Langerhans cells [CD1a+], T-cells [CD3+], B-cells [CD20+], and macrophages [CD68+] were calculated immunohistochemically in the dermis and adjacent epidermis. Topical imiquimod significantly reduced mean histiocytic cellular aggregation size [P<0.05]. Meglumine antimoniate reduced parasite load and infected activated histiocytes in the dermis [P<0.05]. Meglumine antimoniate therapy decreased epidermal CD3+ lymphocytes but increased them in the dermis, within the granulomas [P<0.05]. During topical application of imiquimod a depletion of CD1a+ dendritic cells in the epidermis [P<0.05] and slight predominance of dendritic cells in the dermis were observed. Combined therapy and imiquimod monotherapy decreased CD68+ macrophages in the dermis [P<0.05]. Meglumine antimoniate decreases parasite load with considerable effect on up-regulation of T-cells, which demonstrates that meglumine antimoniate works as parasitocidal and immunomodulator, which could be as the first line of treatment. Imiquimod, accentuates the host immune response and reduces granuloma size which could be effective immunomodulator for combination therapy. Monotherapy of imiquimod is less effective than the two other regimens in decreasing parasite load, inflammation and congestion at the inoculated site

comparative in vivo study of tissue reactions to four suturing materials

The purpose of this study was to compare the histopathologic reaction of four suturing materials: silk, polyvinylidene fluoride [PVDF], polyglycolic acid, and catgut in the oral mucosa of albino rabbits. The twenty-one male mature albino rabbits which were used in this study were randomly divided into three groups of seven each. Silk, PVDF, polyglycolic acid and catgut suture materials were tested in the oral mucosa of these animals. The animals were sacrificed 2, 4, and 7 days after suturing. Two pathologists evaluated the samples by determining the presence and level of inflammation, granulation tissue, and fibrosis formation. Data were statistically analyzed by Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Histological features of the samples showed that PVDF and plain catgut suture materials produced more fibrous tissue [favorable response] on the fourth day in comparison with silk suture [P=0.02]. Also, in the 7-day samples PVDF sutures produced the mildest inflammation when compared with the silk sutures [P=0.015]. According to the results of this study, it can be convey that PVDF suture materials created mild tissue reactions and can be a reasonable candidate for suturing oral tissues

Effects of garlic and nimodipine on cerebral blood flow and their neuroprotective effects after brain ischemia in rabbit

Nimodipine has been shown to have a neuroprotective effect. Garlic also displays features that are potentially effective in inhibiting ischemic damage. In this study the efficacy of both garlic and nimodipine in preventing ischemic brain injury were assessed. Twenty-four rabbits were divided into four groups: nimodipine-treated group [NP], garlic-treated group [GR], normal saline group [NS], and polyethylene glycol-treated as the vehicle group [VH]. All animals were subjected to 15 minutes of bilateral common carotid artery [CCA] occlusion. NP and GR groups received garlic and nimodipine 60 minutes before occlusion of the CCA respectively. Cerebral blood flow [CBF] was measured by Laser Doppler flowmetry, during and after the occlusion. Histopathology of the brain was blindly evaluated. The percentage of degenerated cells in the hippocampus was estimated and vascular congestion was graded on a 3-point scale [0, I, II]. After reperfusion, nimodipine and garlic increased the cerebral blood flow [CBF] by 41% and 24% respectively. Comparing these values to the extent of CBF increase in the VH and NS [2% in both] groups, the differences were statistically significant [p<0.05]. The percentage of degenerated neuronal cells in zone CA1 was 23%, 31%, 43% and 44% in NP, GR, VH and NS groups, respectively. NP and GR showed a higher grade of congestion compared to control groups [VH and NS][p<0.05]. This study demonstrates that neuronal damage to the rabbit hippocampus is reduced by garlic administration, although nimodipine can increase CBF more effectively

cytologic study of macrophages in cutaneous leishmaniasis

Exfoliative cytology smears from the lesions of 179 patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis due to L. tropica were studied with specific reference to cellular reactions and their effect on the parasite. Aggregates of the parasite [so-called Leishman bodies] were present within macrophages and in some fibroblasts. The nature of the inflammatory cells present in the smears was correlated with the number of Leishman bodies contained within them and the percentages of small lymphocytes, neutrophils and type I macrophages present. It is postulated that aggregates of activated macrophages [designated types II and III] and the Leishman milieu [sticky matrix] protect the Leishman parasites from being eradicated by the inflammatory and immune reactions