Co-Administration of Progesterone and Melatonin Attenuates Ischemia-Induced Hippocampal Damage in Rats.

Stroke is the second leading reason for death worldwide and is one of the fundamental causes of long-term disabilities. The aim of this investigation was to assess the impact of combined administration progesterone (PROG) and melatonin (MEL) on stroke complications. Male Wistar rats (9-10 weeks) weighing 250-300 g were used as a part of this examination. They were randomly separated into eight groups (nine rats for every group). Common carotid arteries on the two sides clamped (BCCAO model) with non-traumatic clips for 20 min. At that point, the rats were treated with 8 mg/kg PROG, 10 mg/kg MEL, and vehicles (sesamoid and normal saline). Morris water maze testing was performed following 2 weeks. At that point, the rats were euthanized, and histological examination was directed. The outcome demonstrated that utilization of PROG and MEL in treatment groups essentially increases the quantity of pyramidal cells and enhances spatial memory compared to non-treatment groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, the neuroleptic factor gene expression and protein concentration were significantly enhanced in the treated groups (p < 0.05). As indicated by the outcomes, co-administration of PROG and MEL can enhance learning and memory by surviving the pyramidal neurons and diminishing neural death by means of increasing neuroleptic factors in the hippocampal CA1 zone.

Zinc and Selenium Co-supplementation Reduces Some Lipid Peroxidation and Angiogenesis Markers in a Rat Model of NAFLD-Fed High Fat Diet.

Studies have shown that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients are more prone to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Zinc and selenium deficiency are common in NAFLD. But the effects of zinc and selenium co-supplementation before and/or after disease progression on CVD markers are not clear in NAFLD patients. This study aimed to compare the effects of zinc and selenium co-supplementation before and/or after disease progression on some of the CVD markers in an experimental model of NAFLD. Forty male Sprague Dawley rats (197 ± 4 g) were randomly assigned into four dietary groups: control group (C; received 9% of calorie as fat), model group (M; received 82% of calorie as fat), and supplementation before (BS) or after (AS) disease progression. Animals were fed diets for 20 weeks in all groups. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin, HOMA-IR, ALT, AST, lipid profile, malondialdehyde (MDA) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were measured as CVD indices. Serum ALT, AST, FPG, insulin, MDA, VEGF and HOMA-IR were significantly higher in the M than C group. Co-supplementation reduced serum ALT and AST levels in the BS and AS groups compared with the M group. FPG, insulin, HOMA-IR, VEGF, MDA, LDL/HDL-c and TC/HDL-c ratio were significantly reduced in the AS compared with the M group. TG/HDL-c ratio was significantly reduced in the BS and AS compared with the M group. Serum MDA, VEGF, Insulin and HOMA-IR were significantly lowered in the AS than BS group (p < 0.05). Zinc and selenium co-supplementation after NAFLD progression reduced CVD risk indices in an experimental model.

The effect of time and temperature on viability and performance of Langerhans islets separated from Balb/c mouse after death.

BACKGROUND: Tissue transplantation plays a pivotal role in the treatment of diseases. Pancreatic beta cell transplantation is the best way to obtain normal blood glucose in patients with diabetes type 1. However, it is not clear how long endocrine pancreas cells can be used for transplantation after the donor's death. The present study was conducted to analyze the performance and viability of pancreatic islet cells after death. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pancreas was separated from Balb/c mice at different times (0, 1, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h after death) at temperatures of 4°C and 23°C, and was cultured in Roswell_Park_Memorial_Institute (RPMI) 1640. Insulin shock, MTT assay, aldehyde fuchsin staining, dithizone staining, and florescence microscopy methods were applied to analyze the performance of beta cells, cell viability, islets' diagnosis, islet cells' diagnosis, and viable and necrotic cells diagnosis, respectively. RESULTS: Islets of Langerhans and beta cells were diagnosed. By increasing the temperature and time, the viability and performance of beta cells decreased significantly (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The best condition for keeping the islets of Langerhans in terms of viability and performance is 4 h after death at temperature of 4°C.