Efficacy of compound therapy by ginseng and ciprofloxacin on bacterial prostatitis

Objective: Genitourinary tract infections play a significant role in male infertility. Infections of reproductive sex glands, such as the prostate, impair function and indirectly affect male fertility. The general aim of this study is to investigate the protective effect of Korean red ginseng [KRG] on prostatitis in male rats treated with ciprofloxacin [CIPX]

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, we randomly divided 72 two male Wistar rats into 9 groups. The groups were treated as follows for 10 days: i. Control [no medication], ii. Sham [[normal saline injection into the vas deferens and oral administration of phosphate-buffered saline [PBS]], iii. Ginseng, iv. CPIX, v. CIPX+ginseng, vi. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli [E. coli] [UPEC], vii. UPEC+ginseng, viii. UPEC+CIPX, and ix. UPEC+ginseng+CIPX. The rats were killed 14 days after the last injection and the prostate glands were removed. After sample preparation, routine histology was performed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling [TUNEL] method was used to determine the presence of apoptotic cells

Results: The severity score for acinar changes and inflammatory cell infiltration in the UPEC+CIPX group did not significantly different from the UPEC group. However this score significantly decreased in the UPEC+CIPX+ginseng group compared to the UPEC group. Apoptotic index of all ginseng treated groups significantly decreased compared to the UPEC and CPIX groups

Conclusion: These results suggested that ginseng might be an effective adjunct in CIPX treatment of prostatitis. The combined use ginseng and CIPX was more effective than ginseng or CIPX alone

Repressing of SOX6 and SOX9 in situ chondrogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow stromal cells

Introduction: SOX9 is a transcriptional activator which is necessary for chondrogenesis. SOX6 are closely related to DNA-binding proteins that critically enhance its function. Therefore, to carry out the growth plate chondrocyte differentiation program, SOX9 and SOX6 collaborate genomewide. Chondrocyte differentiation is also known to be promoted by glucocorticoids through unknown molecular mechanisms

Methods: We investigated the effects of asynthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone [DEX], on SOX9 gene expression in chondrocytes

Results: SOX9 mRNA was expressed at high levels in these chondrocytes. Treatment with DEX resulted in enhancement of SOX9 mRNA expression. The DEX effect was dose dependent [0·5 nM and 1 nM]

Conclusion: RT-PCR analysis revealed that DEX also enhanced the levels of SOX9 expression. It was observed that DEX had enhancing effect only on SOX9 the expression level was low for SOX6. It can thus be concluded that chondrocyte differentiation can be promoted by DEX via SOX9 enhancement

Stable transfection of pEGFP-N1-MOG plasmid to utilize in multiple sclerosis gene therapy

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis [MS] is a disease of the immune system: it attacks the myelin around the axons and leaves them exposed. Destruction of myelin weakens the electrical conduction of ions and thus leads to a lack of communication in the nervous system

Methods: In the present study, we constructed recombinant plasmid and then transformed to E. coli cell. The colonies containing plasmid were selected by Colony PCR. Enzyme digestion and sequencing were utilized to approve the accuracy of the extracted plasmid of these clones. Recombinant plasmid transfect in to mesanchymal stem cells

Results: Plasmid was verified correctly. After transfection, the transcription of MOG gene and the expression of MOG protein were proved by RT-PCR, western blotting and Elisa

Conclusion: Plasmid was constructed correctly and mesenchyme stem cells were successfully transfected by transfection and protein can be expressed well, setting a proper foundation for the future studies on the transplantation of gene modified mesanchymal stem cells in order to promote Multiple sclerosis

Toxic effects of cisplatin on hepatocytes and liver enzymes of rats

Introduction: Cisplatin is an antineoplastic drug, which is widely used for the treatment of solid tumors. However, its clinical usage is limited because of its side effects such as hepatotoxicity. This study aimed to identify toxic effects of cisplatin on hepatocytes of rats

Methods: A total of 45 adult Sprague Dawley rats weighing 200 +/- 30 g were randomly divided into experimental [n=30] and control [n=15] groups. Rats of experimental groups were divided into 2 subgroups; subgroup 1 received 2 consecutive 2.5mg/kg dose of cisplatin, intraperitoneally in the beginning of first and fifth weeks of the study. Subgroup 2 also received 2 consecutive 5mg/kg dose of cisplatin in the same manner of subgroup 1. After 8 weeks, rats of both groups were anesthetized and killed. Then, their blood and tissue samples were taken. Prepared sections were stained by HE method. Collected data from microscopic slides and blood samples were analyzed by SPSS using analysis of variance [ANOVA] and Tukey test

Results: Statistical analysis showed significant differences in the activity of enzymes [ALT, AST, ALP] between control and experimental groups [P<0.001]. Analysis of sinusoidal diameter also showed a significant difference between studied groups [P<0.001] too

Conclusion: Cisplatin disorganizes the architecture of hepatic lobules and increases sinusoidal diameter in rat liver

Curcumin prevents the structural changes induced in the rats' deep cerebellar nuclei by sodium metabisulfite, a preservative agent

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the the possible neurotoxic effects of sulfite and the protective potential of curcumin on the deep cerebellar nuclei using stereological methods.@*METHODS@#The rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups (n=6): Group I: distilled water, Group II: Olive oil, Group III: Curcumin (100 mg/kg/day), Group IV: Sodium metabisulfite (25 mg/kg/day), and Group V: Sodium metabisulfite+curcumin. At the end of 56 d, the right cerebellar hemispheres were removed and assigned to stereological studies. The total volume and total neuron number of deep cerebellar nuclei were assessed using Cavalieri and optical disector methods, respectively.@*RESULTS@#The data showed ∼20% and ∼16% decrease was respectively observed in the total volume and the total neuron number of the deep cerebellar nuclei of the sulfite-treated rats in comparison to the distilled water group (P<0.04). However, no significant change was observed in the total volume and neuronal number of the deep cerebellar nuclei in sulfite+curcumin-treated rats and curcumin played a protective role against sulfite. Curcumin or its vehicle (olive oil) did not induce any significant changes.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Curcumin, the main part of the turmeric, could prevent the structural changes induced in the deep cerebellar nuclei by sodium metabisulfite, a preservative agent, in rats.

Curcumin prevents the structural changes induced in the rats' deep cerebellar nuclei by sodium metabisulfite, a preservative agent

Objective: To evaluate the the possible neurotoxic effects of sulfite and the protective potential of curcumin on the deep cerebellar nuclei using stereological methods. Methods: The rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups (n=6): Group I: distilled water, Group II: Olive oil, Group III: Curcumin (100 mg/kg/day), Group IV: Sodium metabisulfite (25 mg/kg/day), and Group V: Sodium metabisulfite+curcumin. At the end of 56 d, the right cerebellar hemispheres were removed and assigned to stereological studies. The total volume and total neuron number of deep cerebellar nuclei were assessed using Cavalieri and optical disector methods, respectively. Results: The data showed ~20% and ~16% decrease was respectively observed in the total volume and the total neuron number of the deep cerebellar nuclei of the sulfite-treated rats in comparison to the distilled water group (P<0.04). However, no significant change was observed in the total volume and neuronal number of the deep cerebellar nuclei in sulfite+curcumin-treated rats and curcumin played a protective role against sulfite. Curcumin or its vehicle (olive oil) did not induce any significant changes. Conclusions: Curcumin, the main part of the turmeric, could prevent the structural changes induced in the deep cerebellar nuclei by sodium metabisulfite, a preservative agent, in rats.

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

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

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