Effects of thymoquinone in a rat model of reserpine-induced depression

The objective of this study is to examine the antidepressant and antioxidant effects of thymoquinone (TQ) on reserpine-induced depression, and to investigate the antidepressant and antioxidant activity of combined treatment of TQ+citalopram. In total, 36 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: 1)control1, 2)control2, 3)reserpine, 4)reserpine+TQ 5)reserpine+citalopram and 6)reserpine+TQ+citalopram. Depression was induced by administering intraperitoneal reserpine of 0.2mg/kg/14days. For antidepressant effects, 10 mg/kg TQ and/or 10 mg/kg citalopram was administered intragastrically 30 minutes prior to the administration of reserpine. Rat behavior was examined using the Behavioral Test following the completion of treatment protocol. Total nitric oxide (NOx) levels, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, total oxidants status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS) in brain cortex, plasma as well as brain cortex glutathione (GSH) and levels of plasma total sulfhydryl groups (RSH) were examined. Treatment with TQ ameliorated the reserpine-induced changes in the Behavioral Test (p<0.05). TQ treatment significantly increased dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NA) expressions when compared to the R group (p<0.01). Serotonin (5-HT) expression also increased significantly (p<0.05). Brain cortex and plasma TOS, MDA and NOx levels decreased, whereas TAS, GSH and RSH levels increased (p< 0.05). TQ has the ability to prevent depression induced by reserpine. The combination of TQ+citalopram can be used in the treatment of depression with a stronger antioxidant effect

Effects of 2600 MHz Radiofrequency Radiation in Brain Tissue of Male Wistar Rats and Neuroprotective Effects of Melatonin.

The debate on the biological effects of radiofrequency radiation (RFR) still continues due to differences in the design of studies (frequency, power density, specific absorption rate [SAR], exposure duration, cell, tissue, or animal type). The current study aimed to investigate the effects of 2,600 MHz RFR and melatonin on brain tissue biochemistry and histology of male rats. Thirty-six rats were divided into six groups randomly: cage-control, sham, RFR, melatonin, sham melatonin, and RFR melatonin. In RFR groups, animals were exposed to 2,600 MHz RFR for 30 days (30 min/day, 5 days/week) and the melatonin group animals were subcutaneously injected with melatonin (7 days/week, 10 mg/kg/day) for 30 days. SAR in brain gray matter was calculated as 0.44 and 0.295 W/kg for 1 and 10 g averaging, respectively. RFR exposure decreased the GSH, GSH-Px, and SOD levels and increased the MPO, MDA, and NOx levels (P < 0.005) significantly. RFR exposure also led to an increase in structural deformation and apoptosis in the brain tissue. This study revealed that exogenous high-dose melatonin could reduce these adverse effects of RFR. Limiting RFR exposure as much as possible is recommended, and taking daily melatonin supplements may be beneficial. Bioelectromagnetics. © 2021 Bioelectromagnetics Society.