ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Microglia, small glial cells, i.e. mesodermal in origin and found in the brain and spinal cord, play a key role in the maintenance of neurons and immune defense. Haloperidol, an antipsychotic drug, is used to treat numerous neurological and neurodegenerative disorders. Its mechanism is not understood; however, haloperidol may result in Wnt signaling pathway activation. This study aimed to activate the Wnt signaling pathway using haloperidol and determining the effect of GSK3 inhibition on the expression of TGFB, NT-3, and BDNF genes in cultured rat microglia. METHODS: Microglia isolation was conducted, and the immunohistochemistry technique was performed to confirm microglia purity. The RNA extraction was followed by cDNA synthesis. Real-time RT-PCR was used to evaluate any significant changes in the expression level of these genes. RESULTS: The three gene expressions in microglia were proportional to the different concentrations of the drug. More concentration of drugs resulted in higher levels of expression of these genes. Besides, the haloperidol did not affect the expression of the beta-actin gene as the reference gene. CONCLUSION: The obtained results supported the beneficial use of haloperidol in targeted microglia therapy. This study can be a breakthrough in neurology research.
ABSTRACT
In the present study, protective effect of Teucrium polium L. (Labiatae) extract on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity was investigated in mice. Animals were divided into six groups, each group consist of 8 mice. Group one as the negative control group received normal saline, while group two received only crude extract of T. polium L. (500 mg/Kg) for five days and group three as the positive group received acetaminophen (500 mg/Kg). Groups four, five and six received crude extract in doses of 125, 250 and 500 mg/Kg, respectively, and on the fifth day, one hour after the last administration, acetaminophen was given orally (500 mg/Kg). Then on the 6(th) day, animals were sacrificed, their blood was collected to determine serum enzyme activities of ALT, AST and ALP to measure the serum levels of directed and total bilirubin. The livers were removed for histological examination. The results of this study showed the protective effect in all doses but the most significant protection was observed in doses of 250 and 500 mg/Kg (p < 0.05). Also these findings were supported and confirmed by histological examination.
