What is the effectiveness of beta-glucan for treatment of acute otitis media? / Qual é a eficácia do beta-glucano no tratamento da otite média aguda?

Abstract Introduction: As a supplement, beta-glucan has various therapeutic healing effects generated by the immune cells. It has been scientifically approved and proven to be a biological defense modifier. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of beta-glucan on treatments administered in an acute otitis media model Objectives: This study investigated the effect of beta-glucan on the treatment of acute otitis media in an acute otitis media -induced animal model. Efficacy was evaluated both immunologically and histologically. Methods: The study sample comprised 35 adult rats, randomly separated into 5 groups of 7: Group 1 (control), Group 2 (acute otitis media, no treatment), Group 3 (acute otitis media + antibiotic), Group 4 (acute otitis media + beta-glucan) and Group 5 (acute otitis media + beta-glucan + antibiotic). Analyses were made of the histopathology and immunology examination results in respect of thickening of the tympanic membrane, epithelium damage, inflammation, and sclerosis. In all groups the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-1β were evaluated. Results: All serum cytokine levels were significantly lower in the beta-glucan and antibiotictreated groups compared to the acute otitis media Group. Significant differences in tympanic membrane thickness, inflammation, epithelium damage, and sclerosis values were observed between the acute otitis media + antibiotic and acute otitis media + beta-glucan Groups. According to these parameters, the values in aute otitis media + antibiotic + beta-glucan Group were markedly lower than those of the other groups. There was a significant difference in the acute otitis media + antibiotic + beta-glucan Groups compared to acute otitis media Group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Both antibiotic and beta-glucan treatment reduced acute otitis media signs of inflammations in an acute otitis media-induced rat model, decreasing histological damage and cytokine levels. Co-administration of antibiotic and beta-glucan led to a significant reduction in tympanic membrane thickness, inflammation, and epithelium damage. Antibiotic + beta-glucan treatment resulted in a greater decrease in tympanic membrane thickness, inflammation, and epithelium damage than in the other groups. From these results, it can be suggested that beta-glucan, in combination with antibiotics may provide an alternative for the treatment of acute otitis media.

Resumo Introdução: Como suplemento, o beta-glucano apresenta vários efeitos terapêuticos gerados pelas células imunológicas. Cientificamente aprovado, mostrou ser um modificador de defesa biológica. Objetivo: Investigar os efeitos do beta-glucano nos tratamentos administrados em um modelo de otite média aguda induzida em um modeloanimal. A eficácia foi avaliada imunológica e histologicamente. Método: A amostra do estudo foi composta por 35 ratos adultos, divididos aleatoriamente em 5 grupos de 7: grupo 1 (controle), grupo 2 (otite média aguda, sem tratamento), grupo 3 (otite média aguda + antibiótico), grupo 4 (otite média aguda + beta-glucano) e grupo 5 (otite média aguda + beta-glucano + antibiótico). Foram feitas análises dos resultados dos exames histopatológicos e imunológicos em relação ao espessamento da membrana timpânica, dano ao epitélio, inflamação e esclerose. Os níveis séricos de TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6 e IL-β foram avaliados em todos os grupos. Resultados: Todos os níveis séricos de citocinas foram significativamente mais baixos nos grupos tratados com beta-glucano e antibióticos em comparação com o grupo otite média aguda. Diferenças significativas na espessura da membrana timpânica, inflamação, dano do epitélio e esclerose foram observadas entre os grupos otite média aguda + antibiótico e otite média aguda + beta-glucano. De acordo com esses parâmetros, os valores no grupo otite média aguda + antibiótico + beta-glucano foram acentuadamente inferiores aos dos demais grupos. Houve uma diferença significante no grupo otite média aguda + antibiótico + beta-glucano em comparação ao grupo otite média aguda (p < 0,001). Conclusão: Ambos os tratamentos com antibiótico e com beta-glucano reduziram os sinais de inflamação da otite média aguda em um modelo de rato com otite média aguda induzida, diminuíram os danos histológicos e os níveis de citocinas. A administração concomitante de antibiótico e beta-glucano levou a uma redução significativa na espessura da membrana timpânica, inflamação e danos ao epitélio. O tratamento com antibióticos + beta-glucano resultou em maior diminuição na espessura da membrana timpânica, inflamação e danos no epitélio do que nos outros grupos. A partir desses resultados, pode-se sugerir que o beta-glucano, em combinação com antibióticos, pode fornecer uma opção para o tratamento da otite média aguda.

The therapeutic effects of curcumin and capsaicin against cyclophosphamide side effects on the uterus in rats

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the impact of systemic cyclophosphamide treatment on the rat uterus and investigate the potential therapeutic effects of natural antioxidant preparations curcumin and capsaicin against cyclophosphamide side effects. Methods: A 40 healthy adult female Wistar albino rats were used in this study. Rats were randomly divided into four groups to determine the effects of curcumin and capsaicin against Cyclophosphamide side effects on the uterus (n=10 in each group); Group 1 was the control group (sham-operated), Group 2 was the cyclophosphamide group, Group 3 was the cyclophosphamide + curcumin (100mg/kg) group, and Group 4 was the cyclophosphamide + capsaicin (0.5 mg/kg) group. Results: Increased tissue oxidative stress and histological damage in the rat uterus were demonstrated due to the treatment of systemic cyclophosphamide chemotherapy alone. The level of tissue oxidant and antioxidant markers and histopathological changes were improved by the treatment of curcumin and capsaicin. Conclusion: Cytotoxic effects of natural alkylating chemotherapeutic agents like cyclophosphamide on the uterus can be prevented by curcumin and capsaicin.

The beneficial effects of Montelukast against 2 3 7 8 tetrachlorodibenzo dioxin toxicity in female reproductive system in rats

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To determine the toxic effect of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on reproductive system and the beneficial effects of Montelukast (ML) with histological and biochemical analysis. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into four equal groups (control, TCDD, ML and TCDD+ML). Tissue samples were collected on day 60 and oxidative status and histological alterations were analyzed. RESULTS: The results showed a significant increase in oxidative and histological damage on uterine and ovarian tissues. Otherwise, the oxidative and histological damages caused by TCDD were prevented with ML treatment. CONCLUSION: The toxic effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on female reproductive system were reversed with Montelukast treatment. Therefore, we claimed that ML treatment might be useful for TCDD toxicity.