Effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the stereological parameters of the dentate gyrus and the morphology of granular hippocampal neurons in mice / Efecto de las nanopartículas de dióxido de titanio sobre los parámetros estereológicos del giro dentado y morfología de las neuronas granulares del hipocampo en ratones

SUMMARY: This study aims to investigate the Effects of Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) on the stereological parameters in the dentate gyrus and the morphology of granular hippocampal neurons in adult mice. Adult male mice (n=20, weight average: 45 g) were randomly divided into four groups including: group receiving saline (controls), low-dose (LD) 2.5 mg/kg TiO TiO2 NPs, medium-dose (MD) 5 mg/kg TiO2 NPs and high-dose (HD) 10 mg/kg TiO2 NPs, daily using gavage for 35 days. To estimate the volume of the hippocampus, dentate gyrus, and sub-layers of dentate gyrus the Cavalieri principle was used. The physical dissector was used to determine the numerical density of dentate gyrus granular cells. For analyzing the morphology of dentate gyrus granular cells the qualitative Golgi staining was used. Our data showed that the total volume of the hippocampus, dentate gyrus and its sublayers including molecular, granular and polymorph in TiO2 treated mice decreased significantly compared to the control group. Moreover, the total number and numerical density of dentate gyrus granular sub layer cells showed a significant reduction in all three experimental groups compared to the control group. The granular cells of the dentate gyrus had shorter dendritic length and decreased dendritic branches in the TiO2-treated in comparison with the control mice. These data can justify the disorders related to memory, learning and hippocampus neurons damages due to using of TiO2 NPs.

RESUMEN: En este estudio se analizaron los efectos de las nanopartículas de dióxido de titanio (TiO2 NP) sobre los parámetros estereológicos en el giro dentado y la morfología de las neuronas granulares del hipocampo en ratones adultos. Se dividieron aleatoriamente ratones machos adultos (n = 20, promedio de peso: 45 g) en cuatro grupos: grupo que recibió solución salina (controles), dosis baja (LD) 2,5 mg/kg NP de TiO2, dosis media (MD) 5 mg/kg de NP de TiO2 y dosis altas (HD) de 10 mg/kg de NP de TiO2, por vía utilizando sonda durante 35 días. Para estimar el volumen del hipocampo, el giro dentado y las subcapas del giro dentado se utilizó el principio de Cavalieri. Se utilizó el disector físico para determinar la densidad numérica de las células granulares del giro dentado. Para analizar la morfología de las células granulares del giro dentado se usó la tinción cualitativa de Golgi. Nuestros datos mostraron que el volumen total del hipocampo, el giro dentado y sus subcapas, incluyendo la molecular, granular y polimorfos, en ratones tratados con TiO2, disminuyó significativamente en comparación con el grupo de control. Además, el número total y la densidad numérica de las células de la subcapa granular del giro dentado mostró una reducción significativa en los tres grupos experimentales en comparación con el grupo control. Las células granulares del giro dentado tenían una longitud dendrítica menor y ramas dendríticas disminuidas en los ratones tratados con TiO2 en comparación con los ratones del grupo control. Estos datos pueden justificar los trastornos relacionados con la memoria, el aprendizaje y los daños en las neuronas del hipocampo debido al uso de NP de TiO2.

Effect of Ferula assa‑foetida oleo gum resin on spermatic parameters and testicular histopathology in male wistar rats.

Background: In Ayurveda and traditional medicines of different countries such as Iran, America and Brazil, asafoetida has been used as an aphrodisiac agent. Objective: The present study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of asafoetida on spermatic and testicular parameters in treated rats. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 male Wistar rats divided equally to five groups (one control and four test groups receiving 25, 50,100 and 200 mg/kg asafoetida respectively). After 6 weeks, a small part of the cauda epididymis of each rat was dissected, and the spermatic parameters were evaluated for at least 200 spermatozoa of each animal. Testis of all rats was harvested for pathologic examination. The testosterone concentration of serum was also determined. Data were statistically assessed by one‑way ANOVA and value of P < 0.05 was considered as the level of significance. Results: This study indicated that the asafoetida significantly increased the number and viability of sperms (P < 0.05). Histological study showed that spermatogenesis process and numbers of Leydig cells were increased with increasing the dose, but the Leydig cells become vacuolated. Johnsen score in experimental groups was increased compared to control although this difference was not significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Asafoetida showed a positive effect on spermatic parameters although the histopathological effects on the testis were observed, particularly at high doses.