Protective role of oleuropein against acute deltamethrin- induced neurotoxicity in rat brain

Deltamethrin [DM] is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide that can elicit neurotoxicity, leading to apoptosis. There is accumulating evidence that oleuropein [OE] has anti-apoptotic effect. The purpose of this study was to determine the anti-apoptotic effect of OE pretreatment in the neuronal cells of cerebral cortex. Rats were randomly divided into four groups each containing five rats: DM-treated group [12.5 mg/kg, a single dose], OE-treated group [20 mg/kg per day], DM + OE-treated group, and vehicle group. Sections of the brain were obtained 24 hours after DM injection and studied for histopathological and immunohistochemistry assessment. The histopathological assessments showed lesser characteristics of neural degeneration in DM + OE group compared with DM group. Greater Bcl-2 and attenuated Bax expression could be detected in the DM + OE treatedmice compared with DM group. The results suggested that DM-induced neurotoxicity can be subsided by OE

Natural polyphenols and spinal cord injury

Polyphenols have been shown to have some of the neuroprotective effects against neurodegenerative diseases. These effects are attributed to a variety of biological activities, including free radical scavenging/antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities. In this regard, many efforts have been made to study the effects of various well-known dietary polyphenols on spinal cord injury [SCI] and to explore the mechanisms behind the neuroprotective effects. The aim of this paper is to present the mechanisms of neuroprotection of natural polyphenols used in animal models of SCI

Hepatoprotective and hypolipidemic effects of satureja khuzestanica essential oil in alloxan-induced type 1 diabetic rats

In the present study, we examined the antioxidative activities of Satureja khuzestanica essential oil [SKE] and possible protective effect of SKE on lipid profile, atherogenic index and liver enzyme markers in Alloxan-induced Type 1 diabetic rats. Thirty male rats were randomly divided into three groups; group one as control, group two diabetic untreatment, and group three treatments with SKE by 500 ppm in drinking water, respectively. Diabetes was induced in the second and third groups by alloxan injection subcutaneously. After 8 weeks, the levels of fasting blood glucose [FBG], triglyceride [TG], cholesterol [C], low density lipoprotein [LDL], very low density lipoprotein [VLDL], high density lipoprotein [HDL], atherogenic index and the activities of alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and alkaline phosphatase [ALP] of all groups were analyzed. Data were analyzed through non-parametric Man Whitney test [using SPSS 13 software] and p < 0.05 was considered significant. SKE inhibited significantly the activities of ALT and ALP and decrease FBG, TG, C, LDL and VLDL. HDL level was significantly increased when treated with the extract. The activities of AST stayed unaltered. Moreover, total antioxidant capacity of SKE was 3.20 +/- 0.40 nmol of ascorbic acid equivalents/g SKE. This study showed that SKE is a source of potent antioxidants. The findings of the present study also suggest that SKE exert beneficial effects on the lipid profile, atherogenic index and liver enzymes activity in Alloxan-induced Type 1 diabetic rats

Effect of oleuropein on tissue myeloperoxidase activity in experimental spinal cord trauma

Neutrophil infiltration plays an important role in inflammatory reactions following spinal cord injury [SCI] and these cells cause substantial secondary tissue damage. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of oleuropein [OE] on myeloperoxidase [MPO] activity as an index of neutrophil infiltration. Rats were randomly divided into four groups of 7 rats each as follows: sham-operated group, trauma group, and OE treatment groups [20 mg/kg, i.p., immediately and 1 hour after SCI]. Spinal cord samples were taken 24 hours after injury and studied for determination of MPO activity. The results showed that MPO activity was significantly decreased in OE-treated rats. On the basis of our findings, we propose that OE may be effective in protecting rat spinal cord from secondary damage by modulating of neutrophil infiltration

Anti-inflammatory effect of the epigallocatechin gallate following spinal cord trauma in rat

Spinal cord injury [SCI] stimulates an inflammatory reaction that causes substantial secondary damage inside the injured spinal tissue. The purpose of this study was to determine the anti-inflammatory effects of epigallocatechin gallate [EGCG] on traumatized spinal cord. Methods: Rats were randomly divided into four groups of 12 rats each as follow: sham-operated group, trauma group, and EGCG-treatment groups [50 mg/kg, i.p., immediately and 1 hour after SCI]. Spinal cord samples were taken 24 hours after injury and studied for determination of myeloperoxidase [MPO] activity, histopathological assessment and immunohistochemistry of tumor necrosis factor-a [TNF-alpha], interleukin-1 beta [IL-1beta], Nitrotyrosine, inducible nitric oxide synthase [iNOS], cyclooxygenase-2 [COX-2], and poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase [PARP]. The results showed that MPO activity was significantly decreased in EGCG-treatment groups. Attenuated TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, Nitrotyrosine, iNOS, COX-2, and PARP expression could be detected in the EGCG treated rats. Also, EGCG attenuated myelin degradation. On the basis of these findings, we propose that EGCG may be effective in protecting rat spinal cord from secondary damage by modulating the inflammatory reactions

Effects of epigallocatechin gallate on tissue lipid peroxide levels in traumatized spinal cord of rat

Recent studies revealed the neuroprotective effects of epigallocatechin gallate [EGCG] on a variety of neural injury. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of EGCG on the tissue lipid peroxidation after spinal cord injury [SCI]. Rats were randomly divided into four groups of 7 rats each as follows: sham-operated group, trauma groups, and EGCG-treatment groups [50 mg/kg, i.p., immediately and 1 hr after SCI]. The rats were euthanized 24 hr after injury and then, spinal cord samples were taken for determination of malocialdehyde levels, as an indicator of lipid peroxidation. The results showed that MDA levels were significantly decreased in EGCG-treatment groups. On the basis of these findings, we propose that EGCG may be effective in protection of spinal cord tissue from injury

Effect of ovarian stimulation on the endometrial apoptosis at implantation period

Apoptosis is a process that plays an important role during early stage of implantation. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of apoptosis in mice endometrium after ovarian stimulation at implantation period. NMRI female mice were divided into two groups: 1] control group, which were rendered pseudopregnant by vaginal stimulation and 2] experimental group, which were stimulated using an intrapritoneal injection of 10 IU hMG followed by another injection of 10 IU hCG after 48 h. In the evening of the second injection, the mice were rendered pseudopregnant the same as control group. Samples were obtained from 1/3 middle part of uterine horns during implantation period. Apoptosis was assessed in two groups at implantation period using light and electron microscopic studies, TUNEL staining and semiquantitative RT-PCR. Our morphological and ultrastructural results showed apoptosis in both groups, while TUNEL analysis showed that the percentage of TUNEL-positive cells was higher in stimulated group than in the control group [P