Protective effect of loboob (a Persian traditional remedy) on sexual hormones, antioxidant activities and stereological changes of testis tissue on busulfan induced oligospermia in rats

Loboob as a traditional drug in Iranis known for its beneficial effects on busulfan-induced oligospermia. In this experimental study, protective effects of loboob (a Persian traditional remedy) on sexual hormones, antioxidant levels and stereological changes of testis tissue were evaluated in an oligospermia rat model induced by busulfan. Fifty male rats were randomly divided into five different groups: control, received no treatments; and the other groups administrated with a single dose of busulfan (10 mg/kg body weight). After 30 days, these groups were treated with 0, 35, 70 or 140 mg/kg/day of loboob for 60 days. Blood samples were collected for hormone and antioxidant enzyme assays. Unbiased stereology was performed on testis tissues to evaluate the volume of different parts of the testis and the number of various testis cells. Data indicated that FSH, LH and MDA were increased, and testosterone, catalase, SOD were decreased in the busulfan group, while treatment with loboob at 70 and 140 mg/kg significantly improved these parameters (P <0.05). Treatment with 70 and 140 mg/kg of loboob ameliorated the germinal epithelium volume, types A and B spermatogonia, spermatocytes, elongated and round spermatids, and Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubules (P <0.05). High concentration of loboob also improved testis weight and volume, and leydig cell number (P <0.05). Thus, loboob is more effective for the recovery of seminiferous tubules and their cells than for the interstitial tissue. Loboob with various antioxidants, minerals and vitamins could overcome the side effects of busulfan.

Cephalometry in 14-18 years old girls and boys of Shiraz-Iran high school / Cefalometría en niñas y niños de 14-18 años de la secundaria de Shiraz, Irán

Cephalometry or skull measurement are used in pediatrics, forensic medicine, plastic surgery, oral surgery and diagnostic comprehension between patient and normal populations. Cephalic index is an important parameter for detecting the race and sex of an individual whose identity is unknown. The most important of cephalometric dimension are height and width of head which determine cephalic index. On the basis of cephalic index four head shapes are determined in international categories, that including dolichocephal, brachycephal, mesocephal and hyperbrachycephal. With noticing the lack of documented research about 14-18 years old girls and boys in this area, this study was planned for determining normal range of head shapes in 867girls and 960 boys in the age of 14-18 in fars-Iran. In regards of cephalic index our results showed that dominent type of head in girls was brachycephalic with 42.5 percent and in boys was hyperbrachycephalic with 34.3 percent, rare type of head shape in girls was dolicocephalic with 4.80 percent and in boys was 7.5 percent. There is significant difference between boys and girls cephalic index.

La cefalometría o medición del cráneo se utiliza en pediatría, medicina forense, cirugía plástica, cirugía oral, diagnóstico del paciente y el entendimiento de las poblaciones normales. El índice cefálico es un parámetro importante para la detección de la raza y el sexo de una persona cuya identidad se desconoce. Las dimensiones cefalométricas más importantes son la altura y peso de la cabeza que determinan el índice cefálico. En base al índice cefálico cuatro formas de la cabeza son clasificadas en categorías internacionales: dolicocefálica, braquicefálica, mesocefálica e hiperbraquicefálica. Debido a la falta de información sobre las niñas y niños de 14-18 años, en este ámbito, se planificó el presente estudio para la determinar el rango normal de la forma de la cabeza, en 867 niñas y 960 niños, de 14 al 8 años de edad en Fars, Irán. Los resultados mostraron que el tipo dominante de cabeza en las niñas fue braquicefálico (42,5 por ciento) y en niños fue hiperbraquicefálico (34,3 por ciento). El tipo de cabeza de forma dolicocefálico en niñas en un 4,80 por ciento y en niños en el 7,5 por ciento. Existen diferencias significativas entre el índice cefálico de niños y niñas.

Early stereological changes in liver of Sprague-Dawley rats after streptozotocin injection.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is associated with biochemical, physiological and pathologic alterations in the liver. We measured changes in structure of rat liver after streptozotocin injection, using stereology. METHODS: Livers of 36 streptozotocin-injected rats were removed after 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Liver volume and weight were measured, and volume-weighted mean volume of hepatocytes and their nuclei were estimated in periportal (Z1), interstitial (Z2) and perivenous (Z3) zones of liver acini. Volume of liver sinusoids was also estimated. RESULTS: Mean volume and weight of the liver were reduced by 15% and 12%, respectively at 4 and 8 weeks after injection. Mean hepatocyte volumes were reduced by approximately 30%, 31% and 24% in Z1, Z2 and Z3 at 4 weeks, 19% and 24% in Z2 and Z3 at 8 weeks, and 14% in Z1 at 12 weeks. Mean volume of hepatocyte nuclei was reduced by approximately 18% and 20% in Z2 and Z3 at 4 weeks, 23% in all three zones at 8 weeks, and 18%, 15% and 13% in Z1, Z2 and Z3, respectively, at 12 weeks. The absolute volume of the sinusoids decreased by 16.5% only at 4 weeks. CONCLUSION: Streptozotocin injection leads to early reduction in volume of hepatocytes, their nuclei and sinusoids in rat liver.