Chronically Pre-treatment of Pistachio Alters the Morphology of CA1 Hippocampus Neurons Following Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Male Wistar Rats.

BACKGROUND: Consumption of antioxidants is effective on reducing the damage caused by cerebral ischemia. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effect of Pistacia vera (pistachio) pretreatment on the morphology of the cornu ammonis (CA1) region of hippocampus neurons of the rats' hippocampus following transient focal cerebral occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). METHODS: In this study, 30  male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups of control, ischemia, and pretreatment with pistachio (fed with pistachio at 6% of the diet for a five-week duration before the right MCA occlusion). Neurological scores of the rats were assessed using Baderson rating. Thereafter, the animals' balance and muscle power were assessed by Rotarod and forelimb wire-grip strength tests, respectively. Finally, histopathological and morphometrical characteristics of hippocampal neurons were studied using Hematoxylin-Eosin method. RESULTS: Neurological scores of the ischemia group significantly decreased compared to the control group (p<0.05), while pretreatment with pistachio significantly improved Baderson rating scores compared to the ischemia group (p<0.05). Although stroke significantly decreased the balance and muscular strength in the studied rats compared to the normal rats (p<0.05), pistachio's exposure significantly increased the balance and muscular strength compared to the ischemia group (p<0.05). Additionally, a significant decrease was observed in the volume of stroke and neuronal degradation in the pistachio-treated rats compared with the ischemia group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pistachio consumption reduces the volume of infarction and neuronal damage and improves neurological disorders after ischemia. Therefore, pretreatment with pistachio would have a protective effect against stroke.

The effect of royal jelly and silver nanoparticles on liver and kidney inflammation.

OBJECTIVE: Royal jelly (RJ) is a honey bee product for which, anti-inflammatory properties were shown in vitro. Nanoparticles, including nano-silver (NS), are plausible inflammation inducers that act by activation of immune cells and consequent production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This project aimed to explore immunomodulatory effects of royal jelly and nano-silver on the kidney and liver. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this project, 40 male rats were grouped as follows: 10 rats as controls, 10 rats treated with RJ; 10 rats treated with both NS and RJ and 10 rats treated with NS. Liver and kidney interleukin (IL)-1ß, -2, -6, and -33 levels were determined using commercial ELISA kits. RESULTS: RJ reduced kidney IL-6 levels in comparison to control and NS--RJ groups. RJ and NS reduced kidney and liver IL-1ß levels. Kidney IL-33 levels were decreased in the RJ and nano-silver groups in comparison to the NS--RJ group. CONCLUSION: Based on this study, it may be concluded that RJ together with NS can play anti-inflammatory roles and may affect the function of immune cells.