healing effect of Arnebia Euchroma in second degree burn wounds in rat as an animal model

Finding more efficient agents with fewer side effects for treatment of burns has always been a concern for researchers. Silver sulfadiazine [SSD], apparently due to its antimicrobial effect, is still one of the most common prescribed agents. Previous studies suggested that Arnebia euchroma [AE] has shown antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. This study investigates the healing effect of AE extract in comparison with SSD in second degree burn wounds. Forty eight female Wistar rats [220 +/- 20 g] were divided into four groups. Standard second degree burn wounds were induced on the back of their necks. One group was treated with SSD; two groups were treated with AE cream at concentrations of 10% [AE10] and 20% [AE20] and the control group which received no treatment. The duration of treatment was 28 days. This study revealed that AE and SSD noticeably improved re-epithelization, fibroblasts proliferation, and collagen bundle synthesis and had a noticeable anti-inflammatory effect compared with the control group. Results of the present study revealed that Arnebia euchroma herbal extract was an effective treatment for second degree burn wounds when compared with SSD

Thioacetamide-Induced acute hepatic encephalopathy in rat: behavioral, biochemical and histological changes

As a serious neuropsychiatric disease, hepatic encephalopathy [HE] is a clinical condition with several types regarding chronicity and clinical diversity that can develop as a complication of both acute and chronic liver failure. This study evaluates changes in thioacetamide [TAA]-induced acute hepatic encephalopathy [AHE] in rat as an animal model. Both genders of C57BL6, BALB/C mice and Sprague Dawley rats; [10 animals in each group] were compared for induction of AHE to clarify which animal and gender were appropriate. The animals [10 male rats in each group] were categorized in 4 groups according to the dose of the TAA administered [200, 300 and 400 mg/kg of TAA at 24 h intervals for 4 days]. A control group was treated with solvent of TAA which was water [5 ml/kg/day]. The behavioral, biochemical markers of hepatic failure and histological aspects of thioacetamide [TAA] induced AHE and the correlation between the clinical severity and liver failure biomarkers were evaluated. Rat was shown to be an animal model of choice for AHE while the optimum dosage of TAA to induce AHE was 300 mg/kg/day at 24 h intervals for 4 days. The behavioral score was partially correlated with the rising of some biomarkers and pathological findings. Rat can be introduced as the animal of choice for AHE to study the pathophysiology, pharmacology and the survival rate of disease in liver transplant patients

healing effect of bioglue in articular cartilage defect of femoral condyle in experimental rabbit model

The full-thickness articular cartilage defects of knee have a poor healing capacity that may progress to osteoarthritis and need a knee replacement. This study determines the healing effect of bioglue in full-thickness articular cartilage defect of femoral condyle in rabbit. Forty-eight male rabbits were randomly divided into four equal groups. In group A, 4 mm articular cartilage defects were created in the right and left medial femoral condyles. Then a graft from xiphoid cartilage was transferred into the defect together with a designed bioglue and the knees were closed. In group B, an articular cartilage defect was created identical to group A, but the defect size was 6 mm. In group C, 4 and 6 mm articular cartilage defects were created in the right and left medial femoral condyles respectively. The graft was transferred into the defect and the knees were stitched. In group D, articular cartilage defects were created similar to group C, just filled with bioglue and closed. The rabbits were euthanized and subgroups were defined as A1, B1, C1 and D1 after 30 days and A2, B2, C2 and D2 after 60 days. The cartilages were macroscopically and histologically investigated for any changes. Microscopic and macroscopic investigations showed that bioglue had a significant healing effect in the femoral condyle. Addition of bioglue can effectively promote the healing of articular cartilage defects

effect of calendula officinalis in therapy of acetic acid induced ulcerative colitis in dog as an animal model

In patients with ulcerative colitis [UC], the repeated cycle of injury and repair of intestinal mucosa has been reported to increase the risk of colon cancer. So, a safe and efficient therapy is required for the treatment and prophylaxis for the disease. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of Calendula officinalis extract in treatment of experimentally induced ulcerative colitis in dog animal model. During fall 2010, 10 out-bred female German dogs [1-2 years old; weighs of 20-25 kg] were enrolled. Ulcerative colitis was induced with 6% acetic acid as enema and method of treatment was retrograde [via enema] too by C. officinalis. Loose stools, diarrhea, gross bleeding and loss of body weight happened after administration of acetic acid and crypt damage, loss of epithelium, infiltration of inflammatory cells and depletion of goblet cells were noticed histologically. C. officinalis could successfully resolve the damages of UC. Treatment with C. officinalis can broaden the current therapy options for UC

Helminthic infections of laboratory animals in animal house of Shiraz University of medical sciences and the potential risks of zoonotic infections for researchers

Different parasitic diseases may be transfered from laboratory animals to human [zoonoses]. The current study was designed to determine the helminthic infections in animal house of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences to prevent the possible transmission of zoonotic ones from laboratory animals to the staff and researchers. Sixty laboratory animals including mouse, rats, Guinea pigs and rabbits were randomly selected and examined for any helminthic infections. 83.33% rats were infected with Syphacia muris and Aspiculuris tetraptera, 100% of Guinea pigs were infected with Paraspidodera uncinata, rabbits were infected with Passalurus ambiguous [40%], inbred BALB/C mice were infected with Hymenolepis nana [50%], Aspiculuris tetraptera [90%] and Syphacia obvelata [90%], outbred BALB/C mice were infected with Hymenolepis nana [50%], Aspiculuris tetraptera [90%], Syphacia obvelata [90%] and C57BL/6 mice were infected with Hymenolepis nana [66%], Aspiculuris tetraptera [100%] and Syphacia obvelata [100%]. Our study was revealed minimum and maximum infection frequency in rabbits and guinea pigs respectively. It seems that low and unsuitable space of infected animals in mentioned research center was the main cause of distribution of infection among rats and mice in Animal House of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

healing effect of vitreous body on repair of cartilage defects of knee joint in dog as an animal model

To investigate the healing effects of vitreous body in repair of cartilage defects of the knee joint in dog as an animal model. Ten mature cross-bred female dogs weighing 20-35 kg entered our study. The right and left knees underwent a medial parapatellar incision arthrotomy. A cartilage defect was created by a six mm drill to subchondral bone in the right knee and the two borders of the fascia were fixed to the space of the joint defect. The vitreous was provided through a clear corneal incision to completely fill the joint defect. In the left knee, the cartilage defect was left untreated. The dogs were sacrificed after 3 months post-operation and the samples were studied for any sign of repair. The defects of the right knee showed more signs of repair compared to the left knee after 12 weeks. Fibrous and hyaline tissues, new bone and blood vessels formation were significantly more visible in the right knee. Modified histological scoring scale in the right and left knees were 5.8 and 11, respectively. The results imply the promising effect of vitreous body implantation in the healing of a cartilage defect in the knee joint

effect of diclofenac on tendon healing: An experimental study in guinea pigs

Whether non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have a detrimental effect on tendon regeneration is still a matter of debate. As such, the purpose of this study is to determine the effect of diclofenac on tendon healing. Sixty four guinea pigs were randomly divided into two main groups [group A: histological study, group B: biomechanical study]. Then tenotomy and repair of right Achilles tendon were done. Half of the animals in each group received diclofenac [1 mg/kg/bid] and the other half received placebo. Half of the animals in each group were sacrificed at 2 weeks and the remaining animals at 6 weeks post-operation. In group A, histological study for determining maturity of healing of tendons in diclofenac and control groups was done, and in group B, tensile force to failure of tendons at two and six weeks of post tenotomy was determined. After two weeks, of the group A1, four animals in the experimental and five in the control group were labeled as relative immature. Four of the animals in the experimental and two in the control subgroups were labeled as relative immature. These differences were not significant. In group A2, five animals in the experimental and three in the control group were in the relative mature and three of those in the experimental and four of the control group were labeled as relative immature group. In group A1, the tensile force to failure was 24.175 N and 25.371 N in the experimental and control groups, respectively. In group B2, mean force to failure was 41.019 N in the experimental and 39.743 N in the control group. There was no significant difference between both groups. Diclofenac at the dosage of 1 mg/kg/bid did not appear to affect histological and biomechanical characteristics of tendon healing

effect of Cyclosporine A on the orthodontic tooth movement in rats

Immunosuppressive drugs have special effects on bone remodeling during orthodontic tooth movement. This study aimed at investigating the effect of oral Cyclosporin A, an immunosuppressive drug, on the orthodontic tooth movement in rats. Eighty male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighting 220-280 gm, were used. The animals were randomly assigned into control and experimental groups, each one containing 40 rats. Each group included four subgroups, each of 10 rats. Four groups of rats were selected for the assessment of the effect of olive oil and stripping stress of the lower incisors for a period of 15 and 30 days. The two experimental sub-groups received 10 mg/kg Cyclosporine A by gastric gavages every 24 hours for 15 and 30 days. The other two experimental sub-groups received 30 mg/kg cyclosporine-A by gastric gavages every 24 hours for 15 and 30 days. A fixed orthodontic appliance consisting of nickel - titanium closed coil spring, was ligated between the maxillary right incisor and the first molar. The initial activating force was 60 gm. One way Analysis of Variance and Tukey were used for comparing tooth movement between the two groups and eight sub-groups. The results showed that oral Cyclosporine A [30 mg/kg/30 day] could accelerate the rate of orthodontic tooth movement in rat [0.635 +/- 0.22 mm] [P<0.05]. Also, its administration period was more effective than the dose itself. Olive oil and stripping stress could not increase the rate of tooth movement. Due to the findings of this study and predominant effect of Cyclosporine A on orthodontic tooth movement in rats, the patients using Cyclosporine A may have the chance of more tooth movement. Further studies are requested for evaluating the effect of Cyclosporine A on increasing tooth movement in accordance with its dose and duration

Methylene blue prevents post-surgical adhesion formation in the rabbit

Peritoneal adhesions are challenging in abdominal surgery. In spite of different kinds of treatments still no definitive and effective treatment is suggested. To determine the prevention effects of intraperitoneal [ip] methylene blue in post surgical adhesion formation 44 rabbits were randomly divided in two groups of equal number. Group I received an intra peritoneal injection of a 1% suspension of methylene blue diluted with Talc powder, and group II received ip injection of diluted Talc powder. Five months later both rabbits of groups were evaluated for severity of adhesion. The mean scores for adhesions for groups I was 0.9 +/- 0.88 which was significantly lower than 3.72 +/- 1.32 for group II [p<0.05]. It is therefore, concluded that intraperitoneal administration of methylene blue decreases the rate of post surgical adhesion formation in the rabbit

Antireflux valve in post cholecystojejunostomy cholangitis: an animal study

One of the most important post-operation problems encountered with Hepaticojejunostomy [Kasai operation] in patients with biliary atresia is cholangitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of anti-reflux valve in decreasing the incidence of cholangitis after hepaticojejunostomy. Ten dogs were randomly divided into two groups of equal size. In group A Roux-en-Y cholecystojejunostomy was performer and in group B antireflux valve was also added. Three months later, liver biopsy was taken to evaluate histopatholic changes. The incidence of cholangitis was significantly reduced in dogs in which anti-reflux valve procedure was performed. Anti-reflux valve procedure effectively decreased post-Roux-en-Y cholecystojejunostomy cholangitis in dogs. Therefore it is plausible and might be beneficial for patients being treated for biliary atresia

[Effect of systemic dexamethasone premedication on short-term experimentally induced oral mucositis in hamsters]

Oral Mucositis [OM] is a frequent and well-known side effect of cancer chemotherapy as well as head and neck radiation therapy. Considering the proposed critical role of pro-inflammatory cytokines and an important cellular transcription factor [Nuclear Factor-kappaB] in pathogenesis of OM, an animal study was planned to evaluate the possible effects from powerful inhibition of the above-mentioned factors on OM. Evaluation of the effects of systemic dexamethasone [DEX] premedication on the course and severity of a short-term chemotherapy-induced OM in an animal model. In this trial, 75 male adult golden hamsters were recruited by random division to three groups as following: Group A: Received neither chemotherapy nor DEX premedication. Group B: Received chemotherapy and also normal saline as premedication. Group C: Received chemotherapy and also DEX as premedication in specified dosages for three sub-groups, each with 15 animals. Chemotherapy was administered by once daily injections of 5-Fluorouracil on the days 1 and 2 of the experiment. Premedications implied either as normal saline or DEX, were administered as once daily injections at the same time of days 1 to 9; those of the days 1 and 2 were followed one hour later by 5-FU injections. On the fourth day of the experiment, the cheek pouch mucosa of all animals were irritated by scratches of sterile needle tip to potentiate OM. On the days 6, 9 and 16, the cheek pouches were examined clinically and histopathologically for determination of definite macroscopic and microscopic scores in a blind fashion. Moreover, on the day 9, blood sampling for culture as well as histopathologic analysis for oral candidiasis were carried out respectively on randomized subsets of 2 and 5 animals per each group. The data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test. Comparison of macroscopic as well as microscopic scores among different groups, showed prominent protective role from DEX premedication at high and moderate dosages, seen clinically as less severe forms of OM. The most important negative outcome from DEX premedication was mortality in a number of animals, with the most occurring in the high-dosage subgroup. It seems that among the three dosages of DEX premedication in this trial, the moderate dose [0.1 mg/kg] showed good results, both in terms of less mortality and also remarkable effect on reducing the severity of OM

Effect of betamethasone with or without gentamicin on renal scarring in rat model of pyelonephritis

To evaluate the effect of betamethasone in preventing renal scarring in rat model of pyelonephritis. Material and Sixty three female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into seven equal groups [A-G]. After exposing the left kidney under general anesthesia, direct inoculation of colonies of mannose-sensitive E.coli was done in groups C-G and normal saline in group B. No injection was done in group A. After 48 hours of bacterial inoculation, intramuscular [IM] injections of gentamicin [3 mg/kg/ day for 10 days] was used in groups C, E and F. Betamethasone [0.3 mg/kg/day IM] was used after two days [group D and E] and 5 days [group F] of bacterial inoculation. Normal saline as daily IM injections for 10 days in group B and no IM injection in group G was done. After 8 weeks of bacterial inoculation, the rats were sacrificed and the volume of renal scar was determined using a point- counting technique. Changes in the weight and volume of the kidneys were not statistically significant. No scar was detected in group A, but all the other groups with intrarenal injections [including group B with no bacterial inoculation] had scarring. The volume density and absolute volume of the scar in groups C-G were significantly more than group B [p < 0.001], but no statistically significant difference was observed in groups C-G. Betamethasone with or without gentamicin, when used 48 hours or more after induced pyelonephiritis is not effective to prevent renal scar

Nutritional status of preschool children infected with giardia intestinalis

Giardia intestinalis is the most common intestinal parasite in human worldwide. It can produce a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. In order to assess the nutritional status of preschool children infected with Giardia intestinalis, a cross sectional study was made in Marvdasht city, Fars Province, Southern Iran. A total of 337 preschool boys and girls aged 3-6 years were randomly selected for stool examination of intestinal parasites as well as measurement of height, weight, head and arm circumferences. A total of 77 individuals were infected with G. intestinalis. Seventy-one individuals who had only G. intestinalis and 229 with no parasitic infections were selected as infected and control groups, respectively. Z-Score of -2SD was used as cut off point of malnutrition. A total of 9 [12.7%] of infected children and 18 [7.9%] of non infected individuals had a height for age Z-score [HAZ] below -2SD. Eight [11.3%] of former group had a weight for age Z-score [WAZ] under-2SD. In control group 4.4% of preschool children had WAZ under-2SD. 4.2% of infected children had a weight for height Z-score [WHZ] under-2SD but none of the controls had it. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference in height, weight, head circumference, HAZ, and WAZ between infected and control children [P<0.05]. Also, HAZ and WAZ, was significantly different between these two groups, but not for WHZ. A higher infection with G. intestinalis in the children with lower parents' education was observed. However the distribution of malnutrition was not significantly different between boys and girls. In conclusion the present study indicated that giardiasis retarded growth of preschool children in this region

comparative study of dentin bridge formation following pulpotomy using calcium hydroxide and mineral trioxide aggregate in young dogs

The efficacy of dentin bridge formation of mineral trioxide aggregate [MTA] and calcium hydroxide were compared following pulpotomy in young dogs. Forty-two mandibular permanent premolars teeth of seven 6-month-old dogs were used in this study. Following anesthetizing the animals, rubber dams were applied and the teeth were pulpotomized. Then the wounds were dressed with either MTA or calcium hydroxide, respectively. The animals were perfused with 1 to 4 months later. The jaws containing the pulps and the surrounding dentins were prepared and examined histologically by two independent evaluators blinded to the treatment groups. Dentin bridges were formed in all of the examined pulps with the mean thickness of 246 microm for MTA and 244 microm for calcium hydroxide groups. Tunnel defects and porosities within the dentinal bridges in the calcium hydroxide cases were more evident than those of the MTA-treated cases. In this study, 2 of 33 MTA treated cases and 11 of 37 calcium hydroxide cases demonstrated acute and chronic inflammation of pulps. It appears that pulp reaction to MTA is more favorable and this material is more suitable than calcium hydroxide for pulpotomy in young permanent teeth

Treatment of staphylococcal joint infection in the rabbit by adminstration of sysemic antibiotics and Intra - articular corticosteroids

Background/objective: Despite the present routine treatment of septic arthritis with antibacterial agents, articular damage is persistent and frequently leads to loss of joint function. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of intra-articular corticosteroids added to systemic antibiotics in the treatment of experimental staphylococcal knee joint infection in rabbits. Thirty rabbits were injected in their knees by Staphylococcus aureus. The rabbits were divided into 3 equal groups. In group A, rabbits received no treatment. In group B, rabbits were treated with systemic antibiotics alone. Group C, received systemic antibiotics and intra-articular corticosteroids. After 16 days animals were killed and knee joint X-Ray as well as histopathological- histochemical parameters were assessed. All rabbits survived the experiment; the treated groups [B,C] had better histological-histochemical scores in comparison with the untreated group [A]. Group C had significantly better scores in joint sections in comparison with group B [mean SD = 6.7 +/- 2.3 v 4.0 +/- 2.4; P= 0.019]. Lower damage in the former group was expressed in lesser clustering of chondrocytes, proteoglycan depletion, and severity of synovitis. Radiological soft tissue scoring was significantly better in group C in comparison with group B. Three peri-articular abcesses were observed in group C but none in group B. Addition of intra-articularly administered corticosteroids to antibiotic treatment of septic arthritis improved histological histochemical parameters in this experimental setting, although on account of the clinical observation of three cases with peri-articular abcesses in this group, caution is warranted in interpretation of these results