Effects of Naringenin on Experimentally Induced Rheumatoid Arthritis in Wistar Rats.

Naringenin is one of the most important and abundant known flavonoids found in grapefruit and other citrus fruits. This experimental study aimed to assess the clinical effects and immune responses of naringenin in the animal model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) according to various reports on its anti-inflammatory effects and modulation of the immune system. To this end, 40 Wistar rats in the weight range of 160-180g were randomly assigned to four groups (n=10) including healthy, control, naringenin, and methotrexate orally treated groups. To induce RA disease, a compound of 200 µl of Freund's adjuvant and collagen type II was injected subcutaneously into the rear footpads of rats. The severity of RA clinical signs was assessed based on a standard scoring method. The treatment lasted for three weeks (days7-28 after induction). The obtained data pointed out that the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide, IL-17, and IFN-γ cytokines significantly increased in the RA rats, while the level of their serum antioxidants significantly reduced, compared to the healthy rats. The inflammation of the paws and the level of CRP decreased similarly in both methotrexate and naringenin-treated groups. In the naringenin-treated group, a further decrease was detected in serum myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide, and the total antioxidant capacity occurred, as compared to the methotrexate-treated rats. Nonetheless, IL-17 and IFN-γ cytokines levels were further decreased in the methotrexate-treated group. Accordingly, it can be concluded that naringenin can be effectively used for the reduction of inflammatory effects and control of RA disease.

The effects of farming system and season on the prevalence of lameness in sheep in northwest Iran.

AIMS: To determine the prevalence of lameness in sheep in Urmia, northwest Iran, and compare the effects of production system and season on prevalence. METHODS: A cross-sectional study, using cluster sampling, was conducted. The selected flocks included 18 with 2,315 sheep from farmed production and 28 with 7,619 sheep from semi-migratory systems, and were visited once in summer (grazing season) and once in winter (housing season). Sheep showing signs of lameness were examined to detect the causes of lameness. Bacteriology and histopathology were also performed if required. RESULTS: The probability of overall lameness was not affected by farming system (p = 0.40), but in the grazing season was less (OR = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.56-0.69) than in the housing season. Footrot was most the common cause of lameness, occurring in 1,047/1,880 (56%) cases. Among flocks, 40/46 (87%) had ≥ 1 case of footrot. Farming system had no effect on occurrence of footrot (p = 0.85), but the probability of footrot in the grazing season was less (OR = 0.21; 95% CI = 0.18-0.25) than in the housing season. Semi-migratory flocks had less hoof overgrowth (OR = 0.30; 95% CI = 0.16-0.56) than farmed flocks, and the probability of hoof overgrowth in the grazing season was less (OR = 0.19; 95% CI = 0.12-0.29) than in the housing season. The probability of digital abscess was less in semi-migratory flocks (OR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.46-0.88) than farmed flocks, and in the grazing season was more (OR = 2.14; 95 CI = 1.61-2.85) than in the housing season. The probability of interdigital gland infection was higher (OR = 7.15; 95% CI = 5.36-9.55) in the grazing season than in the housing season. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 9/11 (82%) sheep affected with interdigital gland infection. CONCLUSIONS: Footrot was the main cause of lameness in sheep in both farmed and semi-migratory farming systems in this study, especially in the housing season. In the grazing season, digital abscess and interdigital gland infection should be considered as common causes of sporadic lameness in sheep. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In practice, lameness in sheep can be a major concern both in farmed and semi-migratory farming systems, with a high occurrence in the housing season. Footrot was a main cause of lameness in sheep in northwest Iran.

Nitric oxide and acute phase proteins are involved in pathogenesis of mycophenolate mofetil-induced gastrointestinal disorders in rats.

This study was designed to clarify the molecular mechanism(s) of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)- induced gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Forty-two adult Wistar rats were assigned to 7 groups including control and test hosts. The control animals received normal saline and the test animals various doses of MMF (10, 20, or 40 mg/kg) for 14 days, or MMF, aspirin, or lipopolysaccharide as single high doses (40, 200, and 1 mg/kg, respectively). To evaluate the GI disorders, are determined body weight gain, serum level of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), nitric oxide (NO), and acute phase proteins (APP). Additionally, we measured the duodenal NO content and myeloperoxidase activity. MMF administration resulted in a significant (P < .05) body weight loss and elevation of serum levels of ALP and NO. The duodenal NO content increased in the test groups with the highest levels among the aspirin-treated cohort. The myeloperoxidase activity and the serum level of APP were elevated among MMF- and aspirin-treated animals. Histopathologic examinations showed villous atrophy and inflammatory cells infiltration among MMF-treated animals. Our data suggested that the MMF-induced GI disorders were likely related to local inflammatory reactions, which may be attributed to elevated NO and myeloperoxidase activities that result in pathological injuries. Moreover, the biochemical alterations and histopathologic injuries due to MMF administration were similar to aspirin-induced local disorders rather than to lipopolysaccharide-induced systemic damage.