Nano-hesperetin attenuates ketamine-induced schizophrenia-like symptoms in mice: participation of antioxidant parameters.

RATIONALE: Antioxidant natural herb hesperetin (Hst) offers powerful medicinal properties. Despite having noticeable antioxidant properties, it has limited absorption, which is a major pharmacological obstacle. OBJECTIVES: The goal of the current investigation was to determine if Hst and nano-Hst might protect mice against oxidative stress and schizophrenia (SCZ)-like behaviors brought on by ketamine (KET). METHODS: Seven treatment groups (n=7) were created for the animals. For 10 days, they received distilled water or KET (10 mg/kg) intraperitoneally (i.p). From the 11th to the 40th day, they received daily oral administration of Hst and nano-Hst (10, 20 mg/kg) or vehicle. With the use of the forced swimming test (FST), open field test (OFT), and novel object recognition test (NORT), SCZ-like behaviors were evaluated. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione levels and antioxidant enzyme activities were assessed in the cerebral cortex. RESULTS: Our findings displayed that behavioral disorders induced by KET would be improved by nano-Hst treated. MDA levels were much lower after treatment with nano-Hst, and brain antioxidant levels and activities were noticeably higher. The mice treated with nano-Hst had improved outcomes in the behavioral and biochemical tests when compared to the Hst group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study's findings showed that nano-Hst had a stronger neuroprotective impact than Hst. In cerebral cortex tissues, nano-Hst treatment dramatically reduced KET-induced (SCZ)-like behavior and oxidative stress indicators. As a result, nano-Hst may have more therapeutic potential and may be effective in treating behavioral impairments and oxidative damage brought on by KET.

Histological and histochemical study of the proventriculus (Ventriculus glandularis) of common starling (Sturnus vulgaris).

The histological and histochemical structures of the proventriculus of starling (Sturnus vulgaris) were examined using haematoxylin and eosin and special staining, that is periodic acid schiff (PAS), Masson's trichrome, Alcian blue, Orcein and Reticulin. All three cranial, middle and caudal parts of the proventriculus were also studied. The study results showed that the wall of the proventriculus consisted of mucosal, submucosal, muscular and serosal tunics. The mucosal tunic presented folds and sulci on its luminal surface. In the first third of the proventriculus, the tunica mucosa characterized by presence of folds lined by stratified squamous epithelium and presence of simple tubular glands in the lamina propria. In the middle and caudal thirds of the proventriculus, the surface was covered by a columnar epithelium, and the branched tubular glands were extended through the lamina propria. From the base of the branched tubular glands, the deep proventricular glands were observed that were compound tubuloalveolar lobules. The surface epithelium of the tunica mucosa and the cells lining the proventricular glands showed a positive reaction to PAS and Alcian blue stainings. In addition, the epithelial cells of the tubular and branched tubular glands showed Masson's trichrome-positive reaction. The submucosal tunic was thin in the proventricular wall. The tunica muscularis was formed by a thin inner layer of longitudinal smooth muscle fibres and a thick outer layer of circular fibres. The serosa consisted of loose connective tissue, rich in blood vessels and covered by mesothelium.

Effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and vitamin E on histopathological lesions induced in bursa of Fabricius of broiler chicks by salinomycin.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of the turmeric in comparison to vitamin E on bursal damages induced by salinomycin in broiler chickens. In this study, forty one day-old broiler chicks were randomly divided into four treatment groups: 1- basal diet as control, 2- basal diet plus salinomycin, 3- basal diet plus salinomycin (SLM) and vitamin E (Vit. E) and 4- basal diet plus salinomycin and turmeric powder. The chicks were treated for two weeks. At the end of the experiment, the bursal tissues were removed and fixed in 10% formalin solution. Tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin stain for histopathological studies. Light microscopic observations showed that, SLM diminished cortex thickness of bursal tissue, enhanced its medulla zone and caused severe lymphocytic necrosis. In addition, SLM led to fibrosis of interstitium along with sever edema of medulla zone in the bursal tissue of the chicken. Administration of Vit. E and TP significantly inhibited the SLM-induced derangements and comparing the Vit. E and TP showed no significant differences. The results of this study indicated that the turmeric may protect bursa of Fabricius against toxicity induced by salinomycin in chicks.

Safety assessment of rice bran oil in a chicken embryo model.

OBJECTIVE: Rice Bran Oil (RBO) is extracted from the outer layer of rice. Little information is available regarding its safety. The present study was conducted to assess its safety in chicken embryo model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RBO was injected on day 4 of incubation of chickens. The tissues and serum samples were collected. Oxidative stress parameters in the liver, kidney and brain and biochemical parameters of serum were measured. The deformities were also investigated. RESULTS: The changes in the liver enzymes activity were not statistically significant. There was significant decrease and increase in lipid peroxidation and glutathione level, respectively. It is suggested that RBO is a natural antioxidant source. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) also decreased. No abnormal findings were observed in the chickens. CONCLUSION: No toxic effect was observed following RBO administration in chicken embryos. This study showed that RBO is not a safety concern.

Adverse effects of long-time exposure to formaldehyde vapour on testicular tissue and sperm parameters in rats.

Formalin is widely used in industry and in medicine (as tissue fixative and disinfectant).It contains reactive molecules which have been known for its cytotoxic effects. To evaluate the effect of formalin exposure on the testicular tissue and sperm parameter from neonatal period through physical and sexual maturity, 28 male Wister rats were assigned into two equal test and control groups. The test group was exposed to 1.5 ppm of the vapor of 10% formaldehyde in a special chamber for 2 hr per day at 20-26 ˚C and the air pressure of 760-763 atm. After 55 days, the tubular differentiation (TDI) and repopulation (RI) indexes in testicular tissue, sperm quality parameters, serum total antioxidant capacity and testosterone level were determined. The formaldehyde-exposed animals showed severe seminiferous tubules atrophy, edematous connective tissue, arrested spermatogenesis with negative TDI and RI and vascular thrombosis compared to control group. Histomorphological studies showed a high sperm mortality and abnormality associated with a remarkable decrease in sperm count. Formaldehyde-exposed animals revealed with decreased serum level of testosterone (p < 0.05) and down-regulated antioxidant status versus control group. In conclusion, the current data provide inclusive histological and biochemical information about the chronic exposure to formaldehyde with emphasizing on reproductive disorders including histological adverse effects on the testicular tissue, spermatogenesis, sperm viability, count and the abnormalities which can potentially cause infertility after sexual maturation.