Raisins Preserve Thyroid Gland Function and Structure in an Animal Model of Hypercholesterolemia.

Background: Statins are among the first line of pharmacological treatment of lipid disorders and lowering serum cholesterol, but they have many side effects. Aim: The study aim was to evaluate the role of raisins in protecting the thyroid function and structure in a rat model of hypercholesterolemia, through biochemical and histopathological investigation. Materials and Methods: Thirty male rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10 each) of albino rats included the control, high cholesterol diet (HCD)-fed for 13 weeks and HCD plus Raisins were included in this study. Blood levels of glucose, insulin, cholesterol, lipids, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), T3, T4, oxidants/anti-oxidants were assessed. Thyroid gland was processed and examined histopathologically using light and electron microscopy. Results: Feeding HCD resulted in hypercholesterolemia in rats after 13 weeks as evidence by lipid profile. Ingestion of raisins along with HCD resulted in a significant (P < 0.001) decrease in the levels of insulin, blood glucose, thyroxine (T4) and malondialdehyde (MDA), while the levels of TSH, T3 and total anti-oxidant capacity significantly (P < 0.001) elevated. Raisins histologically alleviated the HCD-induced structural changes in the thyroid glands that included degenerated mitochondria and increased lipid droplets in the cytoplasm. Conclusions: Simultaneous administration of raisins along with HCD, administrated for a short time, could modulate the negative effect on thyroid gland structure and function.

L. Cucurbita pepo modulates contact dermatitis in depressed rats through downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and upregulation of antioxidant status.

Introduction: The link between psychological stress and skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis is established. Pumpkin was proved to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and accelerating wound healing potential. Aim: To assess the efficacy of pumpkin fruit (Cucurbita pepo L.) extract (PE) in relieving contact dermatitis (CD) in depressed rats compared to a standard treatment of CD and explore the mechanism behind this effect. Material and methods: Thirty male albino rats were exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) for 4 weeks for induction of depression, then exposed to 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) for 2 weeks for induction of CD. The rats were then divided into 3 groups (n = 10 each); the positive control, Betamethasone-treated, and PE-treated groups. Depression was confirmed by the forced swim test and measuring the serum corticosterone level. Proinflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were measured in the skin and serum and their mRNA levels were assessed using qRT-PCR. Oxidant/antioxidant profile including levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase (CAT) was assessed in the skin and serum. Histopathological assessment of skin samples was performed and CD4 and CD68 immunoexpression was assessed. Results: The used PE included a large amount of oleic acid (about 56%) and a small amount of linoleic acid (about 1%). The topical application of PE significantly attenuated inflammation and oxidative changes attributed to CD associated with chronic stress-induced depression comparable to the standard treatment of CD. PE significantly alleviated signs and histopathological score of CD (p < 0.001) through the significant down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the significant up-regulation of antioxidants in the skin. Significant down-regulation (p < 0.001) of TNF-α, IL-6, COX-2 and iNOS gene expression in the PE-treated group confirmed the anti-inflammatory action of PE. Conclusions: The pumpkin extract, applied topically in CD associated with depression, could be an alternative as well as preventive approach in treating CD. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidants activity of pumpkin is a proposed mechanism behind this effect. Further studies to test this effect on volunteer patients of CD are recommended.

A Possible Novel Protective Effect of Piceatannol against Isoproterenol (ISO)-Induced Histopathological, Histochemical, and Immunohistochemical Changes in Male Wistar Rats.

Dry mouth is characterized by lower saliva production and changes in saliva composition. In patients with some salivary gland function remaining, pharmaceutical treatments are not recommended; therefore, new, more effective methods of promoting saliva production are needed. Hence, this study aimed to provide an overview of the histological changes in the salivary gland in the model of isoproterenol (ISO)-induced degenerative changes in male Wistar rats and to evaluate the protective effect of piceatannol. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: the control group, the ISO group, and the piceatannol (PIC)-1, and -2 groups. After the third day of the experiment, Iso (0.8 mg/100 g) was injected intraperitoneally (IP) twice daily into the animals. PIC was given IP in different daily doses (20 and 40 mg/kg) for three days before ISO and seven days with ISO injection. The salivary glands were rapidly dissected and processed for histological, histochemical, immunohistochemical (Ki-67), and morphometric analysis. Upon seven days of treatment with ISO, marked hypertrophy was observed, along with an increased number of positive Ki-67 cells. Proliferation was increased in some endothelial cells as well as in ducts themselves. Despite the significant decrease in proliferation activity, the control group did not return to the usual activity level after treatment with low-dose PIC. Treatment with a high dose of PIC reduced proliferative activity to the point where it was substantially identical to the results seen in the control group. An ISO-driven xerostomia model showed a novel protective effect of piceatannol. A new era of regenerative medicine is dawning around PIC's promising role.

Saudi honey alleviates indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer via improving antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses in male albino rats.

Recent years have reported a rise in the occurrence of gastric ulceration especially among young children and adults. This study investigated the mechanism by which two types of Saudi honey: Alnahal Aljawal honey (Wadi) or Bin Ghaithan honey (Talh) exerted their antiulcer potential in indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration. Four cohorts of rats were used: Group 1; Healthy controls, Group 2; Ulcerative animals, Group 3; Ulcerative + Wadi honey treatment, Group 4; Ulcerative + Talh honey treatment. We profiled the levels of different indicators of oxidative stress including the activities of gastric mucosal glutathione superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), and lipid peroxidation (measured as malondialdehyde; MDA). CRP content, IL-10, and plasma tumor necrosis factor-α were also evaluated. The stomach was visually examined for macroscopic lesions and using light microscope for histopathological changes in the glandular mucosa. Wadi or Talh honey significantly reduced the ulcer indices, and essentially protected the glandular mucosa from lesions. Wadi or Talh honey also significantly reduced the gastric mucosal concentrations of GPx, SOD and GSH. In addition, the administration of Wadi or Talh honey decreased gastric mucosal plasma TNF-α and MDA, CRP content, and IL-10 levels. In conclusion, Wadi or Talh honey possibly exerted their antiulcer potential via restoring the homeostasis and stabilizing the enzymatic (SOD and GPx) and non-enzymatic (GSH) antioxidants as well as reducing the levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, CRP content, IL-10 and, NF-κB activity), and inhibiting the lipid peroxidation in the gastric mucosa. Consequently, Wadi or Talh honey may be of beneficial therapy for patients diagnosed with gastric ulceration. Clinical studies need to be conducted to further support these findings.

L. Cucurbita pepo Alleviates Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress via Modulation of Apoptosis, Neurogenesis, and Gliosis in Rat Hippocampus.

Pumpkin has received significant attention due to its nutritional compounds that have antioxidant, antifatigue, and anti-inflammatory effects. This study is aimed at assessing the antidepressant-like effect of L. Cucurbita pepo, sweet pumpkin, in an animal model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and investigating its effect on the histological structure of hippocampus compared to fluoxetine. Forty male albino rats assigned into the negative control, positive control (CUMS), and Flu-treated and pumpkin-treated groups (n = 10) were utilized in this study. Exposing rats to CUMS continued for 28 days, and treatments used were applied during the last 14 days of exposure. Behavioral, biochemical, and histopathological changes were assessed after 28 days. In this study, pumpkin significantly reduced the immobility time (p = 0.02), corticosterone (p < 0.001), TNF-α, IL-6 (p < 0.001), and malondialdehyde (p = 0.003), whereas it significantly increased the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in the serum of rats exposed to CUMS. Pumpkin markedly relieved the degenerative and atrophic changes observed in the CA3 region and the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. It significantly reduced caspase-3 and increased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoexpression in the CA3 and DG. In conclusion, administration of pumpkin extract improved the behavioral, biochemical, and hippocampal pathological alternations induced in rats after exposure to CUMS in a comparable pattern to fluoxetine. This study highlighted the potential efficacy of pumpkin in alleviating depression disorder either alone or in conjugation with conventional antidepressant therapy.

Cell talk: a phenomenon observed in the keloid scar by immunohistochemical study.

Keloid is a common complication of the wound healing process. Scarce histologic studies describing changes in keloid growth or progression, regarding detailed descriptions of cellular distribution, relationship, or interaction are available. This study aimed to describe the nature, types, and interactions of immune cells (lymphocytes, macrophages, and mast cells), which predominate in keloid complications and may play a role in fibroblastic activation. In this study, 44 samples of keloid were collected, processed, and examined using both light (including routine and immunocytochemical staining) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This histologic study showed the characteristic disposition of abnormally thick collagen bundles and newly formed blood vessels in the keloid tissue. The latter showed endothelial hypertrophy, thickened walls with the disposition of homogenous substances, and fibrillar collagen in the perivascular tissue. Numerous mast cells were also observed. Marked cellular infiltration in the perivascular regions and among abnormal collagen was observed. Immunohistochemistry showed the dominance of (CD3) T lymphocytes together with the macrophages (CD68). Among the interesting findings that this study focused on was the cellular interaction. The contact was noticed between the fibroblast and mast cell, the fibroblast and T lymphocyte, the macrophage and both fibroblast and lymphocyte. This cell-cell interaction or contact may explain what was called in literature "cell talk" via cytokines secreted by these cells or through direct gap junctions. In conclusion, cell talk is a phenomenon that was noticed in many pathologic lesions and could explain the mechanism by which different cytokines are secreted by different cells to initiate disease or promote healing.