Cardioprotective effect of royal jelly on paclitaxel-induced cardio-toxicity in rats.

OBJECTIVES: Paclitaxel is a potent chemotherapy agent with severe side effects, including allergic reactions, cardiovascular problems, complete hair loss, joint and muscle pain, which may limit its use and lower its efficiency. The cardioprotective effect of royal jelly was investigated on paclitaxel-induced damages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats were divided into control and test groups (n=8). The test group was assigned into five subgroups; 4 groups, along with paclitaxel administration (7.5 mg/kg BW, weekly), received various doses of royal jelly (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg BW) for 28 consecutive days. The last group received only royal jelly at 100 mg/kg. In addition to oxidative and nitrosative stress biomarkers, the creatine kinase (CK-BM) level was also determined. To show the cardioprotective effect of royal jelly on paclitaxel-induced damages, histopathological examinations were conducted. RESULTS: Royal jelly lowered the paclitaxel-elevated malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels in the heart. Royal jelly could also remarkably reduce the paclitaxel-induced cardiac biomarker of creatine kinase (CK-BM) level and pathological injuries such as diffused edema, hemorrhage, congestion, hyaline exudates, and necrosis. Moreover, royal jelly administration in a dose-dependent manner resulted in a significant (P<0.05) increase in the paclitaxel-reduced total antioxidant capacity. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the paclitaxel-induced histopathological and biochemical alterations could be protected by the royal jelly administration. The cardioprotective effect of royal jelly may be related to the suppression of oxidative and nitrosative stress.

Sex determination of ovine embryos by SRY and amelogenin (AMEL) genes using maternal circulating cell free DNA.

Simple and precise methods for sex determination in animals are a pre-requisite for a number of applications in animal production and forensics. Some of the existing methods depend only on the detection of Y-chromosome specific sequences. However, the detection of Y and X-chromosome specific sequences is advantageous. In the present study the accuracy of sex determination by SRY (sex-determining region Y) and AMEL (Amelogenin) gene detection was assessed using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of DNA extracted from free fetal cells in maternal blood, which is noninvasive for fetus and easier to collect. The PCR amplification of SRY primers produced a single band of 171bp from ewes bearing a male fetus, whereas no band was amplified from the DNA extracted from ewes pregnant to a female fetus. Moreover, two bands of 182 and 242bp in male and a single band of 242 in female fetuses were produced by AMEL gene primers in the PCR reaction. Using this technique 100% of samples were successfully sexed, excluding twins. In conclusion, we demonstrated that sex determination using DNA of free fetal cells in maternal plasma is efficient using both SRY and AMEL gene sequences. It also is evident that this method is not suitable for sex determination of twin pregnancies.

Stromal vascular fraction combined with silicone rubber chamber improves sciatic nerve regeneration in diabetes.

PURPOSE: To study the effects of transplantation of characterized uncultured stromal vascular fraction (SVF) on sciatic nerve regeneration. METHODS: A 10-mm sciatic nerve defect was bridged using a silicone conduit filled with SVF. In control group, silicone conduit was filled with phosphate-buffered saline alone. In sham-operated group, the sciatic nerve was only exposed and manipulated. The regenerated nerve fibers were studied 8 and 12 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: Behavioral and functional studies confirmed faster recovery of regenerated axons in SVF transplanted animals than in control group (p<0.05). Gastrocnemius muscle mass in SVF transplanted animal was found to be significantly more than that in control group. Morphometric indices of the regenerated fibers showed the number and diameter of the myelinated fibers to be significantly higher in SVF transplanted animals than in control group. In immunohistochemistry, the location of reactions to S- 100 in SVF transplanted animals was clearly more positive than that in control group. CONCLUSION: SVF transplantation combined with silicone conduit could be considered as a readily accessible source of stromal cells that improves functional recovery of sciatic nerve. It may have clinical implications for the surgical management of acute diabetic patients after facial nerve transection.

Repair of nerve defect with chitosan graft supplemented by uncultured characterized stromal vascular fraction in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

Regenerative properties of stem cells at the service of nerve repair have been initiated during recent decades. Effects of transplantation of characterized uncultured stromal vascular fraction (SVF) on peripheral nerve regeneration were studied using a rat sciatic nerve transection model. A 10-mm sciatic nerve defect was bridged using a chitosan conduit filled with SVF. In control group, chitosan conduit was filled with phosphate-buffered saline alone. The regenerated nerve fibers were studied 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks after surgery. In sham-operated group, the sciatic nerve was only exposed and manipulated. Behavioral and Functional studies confirmed faster recovery of regenerated axons in SVF transplanted animals than in control group (P < 0.05). Gastrocnemius muscle mass in SVF transplanted animals was found to be significantly more than that in control group. Morphometric indices of the regenerated fibers showed the number and diameter of the myelinated fibers were significantly higher in SVF transplanted animals than in control group. In immunohistochemistry, location of reactions to S-100 in SVF transplanted animals was clearly more positive than that in control group. SVF transplantation combined with chitosan conduit could be considered as a readily accessible source of stromal cells that improve functional recovery of sciatic nerve.

Vascular endothelial growth factor promotes peripheral nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve transection in rat.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the local effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on transected sciatic nerve regeneration. METHODS: Sixty male white Wistar rats were divided into four experimental groups randomly (n equal to 15). In transected group the left sciatic nerve was transected and the stump was fixed to adjacent muscle. In treatment group the defect was bridged using a silicone graft filled with 10 microlitre VEGF. In silicone group the graft was filled with phosphate-buffered saline. In sham-operated group the sciatic nerve was exposed and manipulated. Each group was subdivided into three subgroups with five animals in each and nerve fibers were studied 4, 8 and 12 weeks after operation. RESULTS: Behavioral test, functional study of sciatic nerve, gastrocnemius muscle mass and morphometric indices confirmed a faster recovery of regenerated axons in VEGF group than in silicone group (P less than 0.05). In immunohistochemical assessment, reactions to S-100 in VEGF group were more positive than that in silicone group. CONCLUSION: Local administration of VEGF will improve functional recovery and morphometric indices of sciatic nerve.

Improvement of peripheral nerve defects using a silicone conduit filled with hepatocyte growth factor.

OBJECTIVE: To assess local effects of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on peripheral nerve repair in a rat sciatic nerve transection model. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty male, healthy, white Wistar rats were randomized into 4 experimental groups: In the sham-operated group, sciatic nerve was exposed and manipulated. In the transected control group, the left sciatic nerve was transected. In the silicone graft group (SIL), a 10-mm defect was made and bridged using a silicone tube. The graft was filled with phosphate-buffered saline in the SIL group and with HGF in the SIL/HGF group. RESULTS: Behavioral testing, sciatic nerve functional study, gastrocnemius muscle mass measurement, and morphometric indices found earlier regeneration of axons in the SIL/HGF than in the SIL group (P < .05). Immunohistochemical study clearly found more positive location of reactions to S-100 in the SIL/HGF group than in the SIL group. CONCLUSIONS: HGF may have clinical implications for the surgical management of patients after facial nerve transection.