The potential protective effect of Camellia Sinensis in mitigating monosodium glutamate-induced neurotoxicity: biochemical and histological study in male albino rats.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is the sodium compound derived from glutamic acid. Excessive daily ingestion of MSG leads to elevated amounts of glutamic acid in the bloodstream, which can be detrimental to brain structures. Camellia sinensis, often known as green tea (GT), is a rich source of essential hexogen antioxidants that are necessary for the body. Thirty-two adult male albino rats were divided into four groups (n = 8). Group 1 served as a control -ve group. Group 2 was given GT (1.5 ml/rat/day). Group 3 was given MSG (600 mg/kg/day). Group 4 was given MSG (600 mg/kg/day) and GT (1.5 ml/rat/day). All treatments were given orally for 28 days. MSG administration resulted in significant neurotoxicity in rats that was revealed by the significant reduction of serum concentration of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and nitric oxide (NO), and the significant elevation of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) accompanied by the significant reduction of levels of serum monoamines (dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine) and histological changes in the hippocampus area CA1, dentate gyrus, and cerebellar cortex and positive immunohistochemical staining of glial fibrillary acidic proteins (GFAP) and calretinin. Administration of GT with MSG counteracted the MSG-mediated oxidative stress by significantly increasing serum concentrations of GPX and NO and significantly decreasing concentrations of TAC. Furthermore, GT significantly increased levels of serum monoamines (dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine). Moreover, it ameliorated the histological changes, GFAP, and calretinin immunostaining in brain tissues. It is envisaged that GT will serve as a viable protective choice for the inclusion of the neurotoxicity treatment procedure.

Sitagliptin's renoprotective effect in a diabetic nephropathy model in rats: The potential role of PI3K/AKT pathway.

Management of diabetic nephropathy (DN) is far from satisfactory. There is a rising role of the involvement of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway in the pathogenesis of DN. This study aimed at investigating the renoprotective effects of PI3K/AKT pathway via sitagliptin in a rat model of DN. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (eight rats each): (I) control, (II) sitagliptin, (III) DN, and (IV) DN + sitagliptin. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), kidney index, and kidney function tests in both blood and urine were measured. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) and gene expressions of PI3K, pPI3K, AKT, and pAKT in renal tissue were detected. Renal histopathological and immunohistochemical studies were evaluated. DN + sitagliptin group showed significant decrease in FBG and kidney index, improvement in kidney function tests, and a decrease in levels of TNF-α and TGF-ß in renal tissues compared with DN group. This was associated with significant increase in SOD and gene expressions of PI3K and AKT and their phosphorylated active forms in renal tissue in DN + sitagliptin group compared with DN group. Moreover, DN + sitagliptin group showed apparent decrease in amount of collagen fibers and expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) compared with DN group. This work shows that sitagliptin improved renal functions and histopathological changes, impeded inflammation, and oxidative stress and upregulated PI3K/AKT pathway which highlights its renoprotective effects in a rat model of DN.

Comparative Study on Acellular Dermal Graft Versus Propylene Mesh Both Either Loaded or Unloaded with BM-MSCs in Healing of Skull Bone Defect in Rats: Histological and Immunohistochemical Study.

Bone defect occurs as a consequence of many conditions. Diseased bones don't heal properly and defects in face area need proper bone reconstruction to avoid psychological and social problems. Tissue engineering is an emerging new modality of treatment. We thought to study different methods to fill skull bone defect in rats in order to find the most safe and effective method. So, this study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of acellular dermal graft (ADM) versus propylene mesh both either loaded or unloaded with bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) in healing of skull bone defect of a 5 mm diameter. The study included 36 adult male Wistar albino rats that were divided into three groups according to the way of filling skull bone defect. Group I: Ia (sham control), Ib (negative control). Group II: IIa (unseeded propylene), IIb (seeded propylene) and Group III: IIIa (unseeded ADM), IIIb (seeded ADM). The trephine operation was done on the left parietal bone. Specimens were collected four weeks postoperative and processed for H&E, osteopontin immunohistochemistry and scanning electron microscope. Morphometric and statistical analysis were also performed. After studying the results of the experiment, we found that propylene mesh and ADM were suitable scaffolds that could support new bone formation in clavarial bone defect. Healing of skull bone defect was better in rats that received seeded scaffolds more than rats with unseeded scaffolds. The seeded ADM showed significant increase in bone forming activity as confirmed by histomorphometric and statistical results.