Silymarin induces a multi-targeted cell death process in the human colon cancer cell line HT-29.

This study investigated the Silymarin (SM) effects on growth of HT-29 human colon cancer cell line and its cellular death mechanism. HT-29 cells were treated by 25µM/ml of SM for 48h. HT-29 cells were also pretreated with 10mmol zVAD (apoptosis inhibitor), 10mmol 3-MA (autophagy inhibitor) and 3mmol Nec (necroptosis inhibitor) for evaluation cell death induced by apoptosis, outophagy and necroptosis. MTT and clonogenicity assays revealed that the SM without inhibitors induced a significant decrease in cell viability and proliferation of HT-29 cells (p<0.05). SM in presence of Nec and 3-MA significantly decreased viability and proliferation of HT-29 cells. Apoptotic indexes were significantly increased compare to other groups. SM in presence of zVAD and 3-MA significantly decreased viability and proliferation of HT-29 cells, and expression of RIPK1 and RIPK3 in compare to absence the inhibitors. Necroptotic index was also increased. zVAD could not completely blocked apoptosis. This indicate that SM may stimulate both caspase-dependent and caspase-independent apoptotic pathways. SM in presence of zVAD and Nec significantly decreased cell viability and proliferation of HT-29 cells in compare to control and other experimental groups. LC3-II positive cells were significantly increased in this group in compare to the control and SM without inhibitors treatment. Our results revealed that the high SM toxicity to HT-29 cells depends on multiple cell death pathways, which involved mainly autophagy.

Gallic acid improves cognitive, hippocampal long-term potentiation deficits and brain damage induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in rats.

Abstract: Cerebral Hypoperfusion Ischemia (CHI) has important role in neuronal damage and behavioral deficits, including memory and Long-term Potentiation (LTP) impairment. Protective effects of Gallic Acid (GA) on memory, hippocampus LTP and cell viability were examined in permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion in rats. Animals were divided into 9 groups: Control (Cont); sham operated (Sho); Cerebral Hypoperfusion Ischemia (CHI); CHI received normal saline (CHI +Veh); CHI treated with different doses gallic acid (50, 100, 200 mg kg(-1) for 5 days before and 5 days after CHI induction, orally); CHI treated with phenytoin (50 mg kg(-1), ip) (CHI+Phe); and sham operated received 100 mg kg(-1), orally (Sho+GA100). CHI was induced by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (2VO). Behavioral, electrophysiological and histological evaluations were performed. Data were analyzed by one-way and repeated measures ANOVA followed by tukey's post-hoc test. GA improved passive avoidance memory, hippocampal LTP and cell. viability in hippocampus and cortex of ischemic rats significantly (p < 0.01). The results suggest that gallic acid via its antioxidative and free radicals scavenging properties attenuates CHI induced behavioral and electrophysiological deficits and has significant protective effect on brain cell viability. Dose of 100 mg kg(-1) GA has affected the ischemic but not intact rats and its effect was more potent significantly than phenytoin, a routine drug for ischemic subjects.

Follicular dynamics in neonate vitrified ovarian grafts after host treatment with melatonin.

This study evaluates the effect of melatonin on follicular dynamics in neonate vitrified ovarian grafts. Vitrified ovaries from neonate F1 hybrid mice, candidates for transplantation to treated or non-treated groups, were thawed under standard conditions with or without the addition of 100 µM melatonin, respectively. Following transplantation, melatonin (20 mg/kg/day) or saline solution was injected i.p. into the treated and the non-treated groups, respectively. Vaginal cytology to monitor estrogenic activity together with follicle survival and development in the ovary grafts was examined. The results showed that the sites of transplantation became obvious within the oestrous phase. Histological analysis showed that there was a dynamic of the ovogenesis process in the vitrified ovary grafts. However, in the ovary graft the empty cavity together with jumbled oocyte-granulosa complex in the non-treated group was higher than in the melatonin treated group. Overall, the number of primary follicles in the ovary grafts of both groups remained constant throughout the oestrous period. However, the treated ovary grafts contained more secondary follicles throughout the oestrous period in comparison to non-treated ovary grafts. The antral follicle rates were more marked in the melatonin treated group than in the non-treated group during the oestrous period, whereas at other days of the cycle no significant difference was observed. The fresh corpora lutea rates were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the non-treatment group. The study showed that there is a positive effect with melatonin resulting in more grafts restoring puberty. Furthermore, the associated increase in healthy follicles suggests that melatonin has a preventative ischaemia/antioxidant action and may be useful to follicles.

Effects of methyl-beta-cyclodextrin and cholesterol on cryosurvival of spermatozoa from C57BL/6 mouse.

MBCD and Cholesterol-Loaded-Cyclodextrin (CLC) were examined for their abilities to increase the cryosurvival of C57BL/6 mouse sperm, the main strain of genetically engineered mice. The intactness of acrosome and motility of frozen/thawed spermatozoa were used to monitor cryosurvival. In this experimental study, male mice were randomly divided in 6 groups: control 1, experimental 1, experimental 2, control 2, experimental 3 and experimental 4. In experimental groups 1 and 2 spermatozoa were exposed to 0.75 and 1 mM MBCD and in experimental groups 3 and 4 were exposed to two different concentrations of CLC (1 and 2 mg mL(-1)) over a period of 1 h and were subsequently cryopreserved. Spermatozoa in control 1 group were frozen without any exposure to CLC or MBCD and in control 2 (vehicle), sperms were incubated with 4 mM MBCD. The post-thaw sperms were evaluated for their motility and acrosomal status. The values of the intact acrosome and motility increased significantly with concentration of CLC compared to controls and MBCD experimental groups (p<0.05). These results indicate that cryosurvival of C57BL/6 mouse spermatozoa is enhanced by exposure to MBCD which loaded with cholesterol (CLC) before freezing and MBCD alone can not protect sperm from freeze-thaw damage efficiently compare to CLC.

Anatomical variations of neurovascular structures adjacent sphenoid sinus by using CT scan.

The aim of this research was to study of the relationship between anatomical variations of neurovascular structures adjacent sphenoid sinus with sex and position of appearance by using CT scan. In this retrospective study paranasal sinuses CT scan has been taken from 399 patients (210 male, 189 female) that referred to Imam Khomeini and Apadana Hospitals, Ahwaz, Iran. Furthermore, protrusion and dehiscence of Internal Carotid Artery (ICA), Maxillary Nerve (MN), Vidian Nerve (VN) and Optic Nerve (ON) into the sphenoid sinuses cavity have been investigated by using CT scan results. In 210 male patients the protrusion of interested variables were noticed as: ICA in 102 (48.5%) cases, ON in 80 (38%) cases, MN in 74 (35.5%) cases, and VN in 60 (28.5%) cases, respectively. Also in 189 female patients group the protrusion of ICA, ON, MN, VN were noticed in 65 (34.3%), 66 (34.9%), 62 (32.8%) and 43 (22.7%) cases, respectively. The statistical analysis show significant difference (p = 0.001) of protrusion of ICA between male and female groups. In 210 male patients the dehiscence of ICA, ON, MN, VN were noticed in 82 (39%), 60 (28.5%), 60 (28.5%) and 66 (31.4%) cases, respectively. Also in 189 female patients the dehiscence of interested variables were noticed as: ICA in 85 (44.9%), ON in 87 (46%), MN in 69 (36.5%), VN in 71 (37.5%) cases, respectively. The statistical analysis show significant difference (p = 0.03) of dehiscence of on variable in male and female groups. In order to increase the risk of intra-operative complications detailed preoperative investigation of neurovascular structures in sphenoid sinuses by use of CT scan images should be done properly.

Meta analysis of the leech as a live foreign body: detection, precaution and treatment.

Foreign body in the esophagus is a common emergency presentation. Foreign body aspirations comprise the majority of accidental deaths in childhood. Conventional x-ray imaging is usually obtained to aid the diagnosis during the initial evaluation. The decision for surgical intervention is usually based on a suspicious history, physical examination and radiologic findings. Rigid bronchoscopy is very effective procedure for inhaled foreign body removal with fewer complications. Proper use of diagnostic techniques provides a high degree of success and the treatment modality to be used depending on the type of the foreign body is mostly satisfactory. Live foreign body is a rare entity but common emergency presentation. The approach towards a patient with leech infestation comprises a thorough history and systematic examination followed by relevant investigations. However, there is considerable debate over the most appropriate treatment option for such patients. A living foreign body, or parasite, in the oro-or naso-pharynx is rare in Western countries, but in other parts of the world is a fairly common cause of problems. In the past 10 years 28 cases of foreign bodies due to infestation with leeches were treated in our departments. In all patients, 2-70 years old, the complaint was of recurrent episodes of epistaxis, blood-spitting, odynophagia, dysphagia, dyspnea and hemoptysis several days before admission. Examination showed a green-brown mass protruding from different naso- and oro-pharengeal areas, which is in every case, was a blood-engorged leech. Treatment consisted of removing the leech by applying a forceps to the middle of the leech's body and giving a quick pull. Bleeding ceased immediately after removal of the leech. This review aims to develop a comprehensive approach towards patients presenting with foreign body ingestion by developing clinical practice guidelines. These guidelines address not only the initial evaluation of the patient but also the various management alternatives and their advantages, limitations and applicability in various scenarios, based upon a review of the literature.

The neuroprotective effects of progesterone on experimental diabetic neuropathy in rats.

This study was conducted to investigate the neuroprotective effects of progesterone (PROG) on electrophysiological and histomorphometrical alternation in STZ-induced diabetic neuropathy starting from 4 weeks after the diabetic induction. Thirty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (with 10 rats in each), control (nondiabetic), untreated diabetic and diabetic PROG-treated. Diabetes was induced in adult male rats by a single dose injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 55 mg kg(-1), i.p.). In the PROG-treated group, 4 weeks after induce of diabetes; rats were treated with PROG (8 mg kg(-1), i.p., every two days) for 6 weeks. Diabetic rats showed a significant reduction in motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), mean myelinated fibers (MFs) diameter, axon diameter and myelin sheath thickness in the sciatic nerve after 6 weeks. In the untreated diabetic group endoneurial edema was observed in sciatic nerve and the numbers of MFs with infolding into the axoplasm, irregularity of fibers, myelin sheath with unclear boundaries and alteration in myelin compaction were also increased. Long-term treatment with PROG increased MNCV significantly and prevented all these abnormalities in treated diabetic rats. Our findings indicated that PROG as a therapeutic approach can protect neurophysiologic and histomorphologic alterations induced by peripheral diabetic neuropathy.