Effects of Metformin on Experimental Varicocele in Rats.

The current study aimed to determine the effect of metformin (MET) on histopathologic evaluation and antioxidant enzyme activity in experimental varicocele-induced rats. A total of 60 rats were randomly divided into six experimental groups. Group 1 (control) received no medication and underwent no surgery. In group 2 (sham), the rats received no medication and the abdominal cavity was opened; however, there was no varicocele induction. In group 3 (varicocele), the abdominal cavity was opened and the rats underwent varicocele induction and received no medication. In group 4, the abdominal cavity was opened and the animals received 25 mg/kg of MET for 42 days and were varicocele-induced. Groups 5 and 6 were similar to group 4 except that the animals received 50 and 100 mg/kg of MET, respectively. At the end of the 21st and 42nd days, the rats were euthanized and the left testis was removed for histological analysis and measurement of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and total antioxidant status levels. According to the results, a dose-dependent difference was observed in testis damage grade in the MET treated groups, compared to that reported for the varicocele group (p <0.05). No difference was observed between 25 and 50 mg/kg of MET (P>0.05). Tissue MDA levels significantly increased in varicocele rats (p <0.05); however, MET (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) in a dose-dependent manner decreased varicocele-induced MDA (p <0.05). Experimental varicocele significantly decreased SOD activity, compared to that reported for the control group (p <0.05). The administration of MET (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) significantly increased tissue SOD activity in varicocele rats (p <0.05). The MET (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) in a dose-dependent manner increased GPx activity in varicocele rats (p <0.05). There was no difference in MDA, SOD, and GPx levels between 25 and 50 mg/kg MET groups (P>0.05). The aforementioned findings suggested that MET treatment had beneficial effects on varicocele.

The Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Pathological, and Behavioural Effects of Medicago sativa L. (Alfalfa) Extract on Brain Injury Caused by Nicotine in Male Rats.

Nicotine is one of the most important compounds in cigarette which can cause changes in the concentration of neurotransmitters and damage to the nervous system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Medicago Sativa L. (alfalfa) on controlling nicotine-induced brain damage and anxiety behaviour in rats. Forty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six equal groups and treated daily as follows: a control group, T1 and T2 groups where animals were subcutaneously injected 250 and 500 mg/kg alfalfa extract, respectively, T3 and T4 groups where animals were injected subcutaneously 0.2 mg/kg nicotine and 250 and 500 mg/kg alfalfa extract, and T5 group in which only nicotine at the dose of 0.2 mg/kg was injected. At the end of the period after weighing, the elevated plus-maze test was taken from the animals. Serum assay was conducted to measure TCA, IL-1, and TNFα, and half of the brain tissue was used to measure oxidative stress parameters (GPx, SOD, TAC, and MDA) and the other parts were used for histopathological studies. Body weight in the T5 group was significantly different from that of the other groups. The time and number of open arms reduced in the T5 group. The duration and number of times in the open arm significantly decreased in the treated groups in a dose-depended manner. Malondialdehyde concentration was the highest in the nicotine group and the lowest in T2. The concentration of GPx and SOD was significantly increased in the presence of alfalfa extract in nicotine groups. TNFα and IL-1 in the T5 group showed a significant increase compared to the other groups. Moreover, the number of neurons and the level of necrotic neurons and gliosis significantly decreased and increased in the nicotine group, respectively, while these histopathological damages improved by treatment with alfalfa extract in T3 and T4 groups. Alfalfa extract can have a significant dose-dependent therapeutic effect on inducing oxidative damage and inflammatory responses of nicotine in the brain and reducing anxiety behaviours.

Evaluation of Apoptosis Induction by Newcastle Disease Virus LaSota Strain in Human Breast Carcinoma Cells.

The innovation of therapeutic modalities with better clinical efficacy is necessary for the treatment of patients with advanced cancers. Newcastle disease virus (NDV), an avian pathogenic virus, is one of the most promising oncolytic viruses that can replicate selectively in human cancer cells. In humans, NDV can cause transient conjunctivitis and mild flu-like symptoms. However, this virus poses no hazard to human health. The elucidation of the mechanisms of cancer cell killing by NDV is helpful for the clinical application of NDV in cancer patients. Regarding this, the present study was performed to evaluate apoptosis induction by NDV LaSota strain vaccine in human breast carcinoma cells. To this end, MCF-7 cells, a human breast adenocarcinoma cell line, were infected with NDV in vitro. Tumor cell cytotoxicity, apoptosis induction, and expression levels of apoptosis-related genes were examined in NDV-infected breast carcinoma cells. Tumor cell cytotoxicity was measured by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl]2,5-diphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay. The induction of apoptosis was assessed by annexin V/propidium iodide staining. In addition, the expression levels of apoptosis-related genes were evaluated using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The NDV showed cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 cells and induced apoptosis in the infected carcinoma cells. The gene expression levels of BAX, caspase-9, and caspase-3, but not BAK-1, were increased in NDV-infected cancer cells, compared to the gene expression levels in the non-infected cancer cells. These results suggest that the induction of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis is one of the mechanisms that can contribute to cancer cell killing by NDV. Additional studies are required to investigate other probable mechanisms involved in NDV-mediated cancer cell killing.

Effect of Oat (Avena Sativa L.) Extract on Experimental Sciatic Nerve Injury in Rats.

Peripheral nerve disorders are the most common neurological problems; therefore, it is important to intervene to treat or stop the resulting side effects. This study aimed to investigate the effect of oat extract on experimental sciatic nerve injury in rats. Totally, 50 adult male rats were divided into five groups (n=10). Group 1 was exposed to sham condition, and group 2 was regarded as the control group (nerve injury without treatment). Moreover, groups 3-5 were subjected to sciatic nerve injury, and they received oral gavages of the oat extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg), respectively. Subsequently, 2 and 4 weeks later, the rats were euthanized for pathological evaluation of nerve repair. The results showed an increase in the formation of the perineurium and epineurium dose in the oat-treated groups (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg), compared to the control group after 2 weeks (P<0.05). Furthermore, the presence of inflammatory cells in the oat extract-treated groups (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) decreased, compared to that in the control group after 2 weeks (P<0.05). In addition, the swelling of the axon significantly decreased in the oat extract-treated groups (200 and 400 mg/kg), compared to the control group (P<0.05). However, the axon dose-dependently increased in oat-treated groups (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg), compared to that in the control group after 4 weeks (P<0.05). These results suggest that oat extract has positive effects on sciatic nerve repair in rats.

Effects of Magnesium Sulfate Administration on Testicular Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats.

This study aimed at investigating the effects of intraperitoneal (IP) administration of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) on testicular ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in rats. In total, 50 adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. Group 1 received no injection (control); however, group 2 was subjected to 2 h of I and 24 h of R. Subsequently, group 3 was subjected to 2 h of 1, and after 1 h of I, 125 mg/kg MgSO4 was injected intraperitoneally followed by 24 h of R. Groups 4 and 5 were subjected to the same process as group 3, whereas the rats were injected with 250 and 500 mg/kg of MgSO4, respectively. After 24 h, the left testes of all rats were removed for histological analysis and antioxidant activities. According to the results, there was a significant increase in tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) among I/R rats (P<0.05), whereas MgSO4 decreased I/R-induced MDA (P<0.05). Furthermore, experimental I/R diminished glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels significantly (P<0.05). Moreover, MgSO4 (250 and 500 mg/kg) increased GPx and SOD activity significantly in I/R rats (P<0.05). Furthermore, seminiferous tubules degenerated, and few spermatocytes were observed in the testis tubules of the I/R rats. Regarding pathological parameters, seminiferous tubules and spermatocyte were normal in the testes of MgSO4 (250 and 500 mg/kg)-treated experimental I/R-induced rats. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the beneficial effects of MgSO4 on testicular IR injury in rats.

Ameliorative effect of Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) extract on oxidative status and histology of pancreas in alloxan induced diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: Many traditional treatments have been recommended in the alternative system of medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to assess oxidative stress and histological changes in the pancreas of alloxan-induced diabetic rats following Myristica fragrans seed (nutmeg) extract treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g were randomly divided into six groups of 8 rats each - group I, non-diabetic rats; group II, diabetic rats; groups III, IV and V, diabetic rats given orally nutmeg extract at levels of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively; and group VI, diabetic rats given orally metformin (100 mg/kg). The experiment lasted for 28 days. RESULTS: Data showed that nutmeg extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly decreased the blood glucose levels and increased the levels of serum insulin in diabetic rats. Administration of nutmeg extract to diabetic rats reduced oxidative stress and improved the antioxidant activities in pancreatic tissue. Histopathologic results of treated groups revealed marked improvement in the morphology of the pancreas compared with the control diabetic group. In addition, number of pancreatic islets and per cent of ß-cells increased significantly in these groups in comparison with diabetic untreated group. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that nutmeg extract has potent antidiabetic and ß-cell protection activities in alloxan induced diabetic rats, possibly via its antioxidant properties.

The relationship between basal and luminal cytokeratins with histopathologic characteristics of canine mammary gland cancer.

Neoplasia occurs mostly in mammary glands in female dogs and mammary gland cancer is one of the causes of death in these animals cytokeratins are one of the most important of tumor markers for identification of tumor prognosis. In this study, 120 canine malignant tumor samples of mammary glands were studied. From each sample, a section was taken for hematoxylin-eosin staining and two sections for immunohistochemical staining of markers CK5/6 and CK7. Histopathology slides was evaluated by light microscope. The results show that the presence of markers CK7 and CK5/6 had no significant relationship with tumor grade and type (p<0.05). However, it seems that unlike humans, CK5/6 and CK7 is not an independent prognostic factor in canine mammary gland tumors.

Pathogenicity of Clinostomum complanatum (Digenea: Clinostomidae) in piscivorous birds.

The present study is focused on the pathogenicity of a parasitic digenea, Clinostomum complanatum among dead piscivorous birds, collected after mass mortalities in northern Iran. A total of 126 birds (15 species) were examined for parasitic infections. Birds of four species belong to the family Ardeidae were found to be infected with immature and mature worms. C. complanatum was more prevalent in Ardea purpurea followed by Nycticorax nycticorax, Egretta alba and Egretta garzetta. Pathological study revealed acute inflammation of the submucosa of the oral cavity and oesophagus which can lead to impairment of deglutition and malnutrition which in turn can weaken the immune system. Immature parasites were found to penetrate the tissues sometimes to muscular layer but adults were seen attached to the oral cavity and the lumen side of the oesophagus suggesting parasite goes through a tissue migration after infecting the definitive host and prior to adult stage.