Effect of genistein and oestradiol on the adrenal cortex of the ovariectomised adult female albino rats.

BACKGROUND: Genistein, a naturally occurring soy isoflavone, attracts interest as an effective and safe alternative to hormone replacement therapy for menopausal problems. The aim of the current study was to compare between the effect of genistein and oestradiol on the adrenal cortex of the ovariectomised adult female albino rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty rats were used in the current study and divided into four groups, 5 rats in each group; group 1 (control non-ovariectomised), group 2 (ovariectomised), group 3 (ovariectomised + genistein) and group 4 (ovariectomised + oestradiol). The rats were sacrificed after 4 weeks. Both adrenal glands were removed for light microscope using haematoxylin and eosin stain, ultrastructural study and immunohistochemical examination using proliferating cell nuclear antigen, caspase-3, and oestrogen receptor-b. RESULTS: Ovariectomised rats showed signs of degeneration in all zones of adrenal cortex. On the other hand, treatment with genistein showed restoration of the adrenal cortex with less proliferative effect than oestradiol. CONCLUSIONS: So, genistein can be used as effective therapy to decrease the symptoms of menopause without fear of cancer development.

Therapeutic role of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in diabetic neuronal alternations of rat hippocampus.

BACKGROUND: As the hippocampus is the main brain region for many forms of learning and memory functions and is acutely sensitive to blood glucose changes, diabetes mellitus, which is a serious metabolic disease, is often accompanied by learning and memory deficits. Through scientific literatures, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) promote functional recovery in rats with traumatic brain injury, so the present work was conducted to study MSCs as a possible treatment for the diabetic neuronal degeneration and functional impairment of rat hippocampus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was carried out using male albino rats: non-diabetic control groups (4, 8, 12 weeks) (n = 15), diabetic groups by i.v. injection of streptozotocin for (4, 8, 12 weeks) (n = 15) and MSCs treatment to diabetic groups for (8, 12 weeks) (n = 10). Hippocampal learning and memory functions were assessed by the Morris Water Maze test and its results were statistically analysed. The rat hippocampal regions (CA1 and CA3) were subjected to histological, ultrastructural examination and morphometrical analyse of pyramidal neurons. RESULTS: Neurons of the diabetic groups showed disturbed function and architecture; shrunken hyperchromatic nuclei and vacuolated eosinophilic cytoplasm (apoptotic changes) also MSCs treatment improved hippocampal learning and memory functions plus its architectural changes; increasing populations and normal regular distribution. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that diabetic hippocampal neuronal alternations and functional impairment can be ameliorated by MSCs treatment.