Leila Zarei

Protective effects of intraperitoneal administration of nimodipine on ischemia–reperfusion injury in ovaries: Histological and biochemical assessments in a rat model

PURPOSE Ovarian torsion must be diagnosed and treated as much early as possible. The aim of the present study was to investigate effects of intraperitoneal administration of nimodipine on ischemia-reperfusion injury in ovaries. METHODS Thirty healthy male Wistar rats weighing approximately 250g were randomized into six experimental groups (n=5): Group Sham: The rats underwent only laparotomy. Group I: A 3-h ischemia only. Group I/R: A 3-h ischemia and a 3-h reperfusion. Group I/Nimodipine: A 3-h ischemia only and 1mg/kg intraperitoneal administration of nimodipine 2.5h after induction of ischemia. Group I/R/Nimodipine: A 3-h ischemia, a 3-h reperfusion and 1mg/kg intraperitoneal administration of nimodipine 2.5h after induction of ischemia. RESULTS Nimodipine treated animals showed significantly ameliorated development of ischemia and reperfusion tissue injury compared to those of other groups (P<0.05). The significant higher values of SOD, tGSH, GPO, GSHRd and GST were observed in I/R/Nimodipine animals compared to those of other groups (P<0.05). The damage indicators (NOS, MDA, MPO and DNA damage level) were significantly lower in I/R/Nimodipine animal compared to those of other groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Intraperitoneal administration of nimodipine could be helpful in minimizing ischemia-reperfusion injury in ovarian tissue exposed to ischemia.

The Extract of Lycium depressum Stocks Enhances Wound Healing in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

In diabetes, impaired wound healing and other tissue abnormalities are considered major concerns. The aim of the present study was to assess the wound-healing activity of methanolic extracts of the extract of Lycium depressum leaves. A total of 60 healthy male Wistar diabetic rats weighing approximately 160 to 180 g and 7 weeks of age were randomized into 10 groups for incision and excision wound models: sham surgery group (SHAM), including creation of wounds and no treatment; base formulation group (FG) with creation of wounds and application of base formulation ointment; treatment group 1 (TG1) with 1 g of powder extract of the plant material in ointment; treatment group 2 (TG2) with 2 g; and treatment group 4 (TG3) with 4 g of powder extract of the plant material in ointment. A wound was induced by an excision- and incision-based wound model in male rats. The mature green leaves of L depressum were collected and authenticated. Extractions of dried leaves were carried out. For wound-healing activity, the extracts were applied topically in the form of ointment and compared with control groups. The healing of the wound was assessed based on excision, incision, hydroxyproline estimation, and biomechanical and biochemical studies. The extract of L depressum leaves enhanced wound contraction, decreased epithelialization time, increased hydroxyproline content, and improved mechanical indices and histological characteristics in treatment groups compared with SHAM and FG (P < .05). These findings permit the conclusion the extract of L depressum benefits parameters of wound healing in a diabetes induced model

Systemic administration of curcumin nanoparticles protects ischemia-reperfusion injury in ovaries: An animal model study

OBJECTIVE Ovarian torsion must be diagnosed and treated as early as possible. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of intraperitoneal administration of nanocurcumin on ischemia-reperfusion injury in ovaries. METHOD Thirty-five (35) healthy female Wistar rats weighing approximately 250 g were randomized into seven experimental groups (n=5): Group SSG - The rats underwent only laparotomy. Group I: A 3-hour ischemia only. Group I/R: A 3-hour ischemia and 3-hour reperfusion. Group I/C: A 3-hour ischemia only, and 1 mg/kg intraperitoneal administration of curcumin 2.5 hours after induction of ischemia. Group I/R/C: A 3-hour ischemia, 3-hour reperfusion, and 1 mg/kg intraperitoneal administration of curcumin 2.5 hours after induction of ischemia. Group I/NC: A 3-hour ischemia only and 1 mg/kg intraperitoneal administration of nanocurcumin 2.5 hours after induction of ischemia. Group I/R/C: A 3-hour ischemia, 3-hour reperfusion and 1 mg/kg intraperitoneal administration of nanocurcumin 2.5 hours after induction of ischemia. RESULTS Nanocurcumin-treated animals showed significantly improved development of ischemia and reperfusion tissue injury compared to those in the other groups (p<0.05). Significant higher values of SOD, tGSH, GPO, GSHRd and GST were observed in I/R/NC animals compared to those in the other groups (p<0.05). The damage indicators (NOS, MDA, MPO and DNA damage level) were significantly lower in I/R/NC animal compared to those of other groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Intraperitoneal administration of nanocurcumin can be helpful in minimizing ischemia-reperfusion injury in ovarian tissue exposed to ischemia.

Assessment of synergistic effect of combining hyperthermia with irradiation and calcium carbonate nanoparticles on proliferation of human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7 cells)

Abstract The present study was undertaken to evaluate the synergistic effect of combining hyperthermia with irradiation and calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CC NPs) on proliferation of MCF-7 cells. The cells were randomly allocated to 19 groups: one negative control, three positive controls and 15 treatment groups. MCF-7 cells were treated with three concentrations of CC NPs (50, 100 and 150 μg/mL), gamma radiation (200 cGy), hyperthermia (41 °C for 1 h) and three concentrations of doxorubicin (200, 400 and 800 nm) and incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. Then the cell viability, the percentage of apoptosis and the levels of caspase-3, -8 and -9 proteins were measured. The results indicated that the combination group (150 µg/mL CC NPs + thermoradiotherapy) had a significant (p < .001) decrease in cell viability (48.65 ± 4.8%) and a significant (p < .001) increase in apoptosis percentage (45 ± 1.63%) of MCF-7 cells, as compared with the negative control and most of the other treatment groups. Moreover, a significant (p < .05) increase was observed in the activity of caspase-3 and caspase-9. Our findings revealed that CC NPs in combination with irradiation and hyperthermia could significantly reduce the cell viability and enhance the apoptosis of the MCF-7 breast cancer cells, the same as doxorubicin anti-cancer drug.

All-trans retinoic acid effectively reduces atheroma plaque sizein a rabbit model of high-fat-induced atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND Atherosclerosis (AS) is one of the most prevalent causes of death around the world. Since there are different types of risk factors, different types of medications focus on preventing atheromas and plaques from establishing or on preventing established plaques from growing. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) on AS in a rabbit model of fat-induced AS. MATERIAL AND METHODS Atherosclerosis was induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) for 75 days. Thirty rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups. Group 1 was the negative control group and received a normal diet. The animals in the other groups were fed a HFD. Group 2 (the AS positive control group) received no drugs, Group 3 received atorvastatin orally (20 mg/kg/day), Group 4 received atRA (5 mg/kg/day, orally), and Group 5 received both drugs. All medications were started on day 45 and continued until the end of the study. Fasting blood samples were obtained for lipid profile evaluation. The aorta sections were evaluated for maximum wall and intima thickness. RESULTS Oral administration of atRA, atorvastatin or their combination significantly improved serum lipid profile (p < 0.001). Atorvastatin and atRA significantly decreased serum total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels in HFD (p < 0.001). No difference was found in serum HDL-cholesterol levels among the studied groups. The HFD group (Group 2 - positive control) showed significant intima irregularities with fat deposition and foamy macrophage accumulation (atheroma). Administration of atRA and atorvastatin significantly decreased the size of atherosclerotic plaques (intima thickness). The maximum vessel wall and intima thickness were significantly decreased after atRA and atorvastatin administration (p < 0.001). No difference was found between atRA and atorvastatin effectiveness, but combination therapy significantly decreased AS size in comparison to using either of the drugs alone (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In reducing AS plaque size, atRA is as effective as atorvastatin. Additionally, the combination therapy of atRA and atorvastatin decreased AS size much more effectively, showing their synergistic effect. atRA can also improve the serum lipid profile.

Mast cells improve functional recovery of transected peripheral nerve: A novel preliminary study

BACKGROUND Employment of regenerative properties of cells at the service of nerve repair has been initiated during recent decades. Effects of local transplantation of bone marrow-derived mast cells on peripheral nerve regeneration were studied using a rat sciatic nerve transection model. MATERIALS AND METHODS A 10-mm sciatic nerve defect was bridged using a conduit chitosan-based hybrid conduit filled with BMMCs in BMMC group. In positive control group (Pos), the conduit was filled with phosphate-buffered saline alone. The regenerated nerve fibers were studied within 12 weeks after surgery. In sham-operated group, the sciatic nerve was only exposed and manipulated. In negative control (Neg) a 10-mm sciatic nerve defect was created and the nerve stumps were sutured to the adjacent muscles. The regenerated nerve fibers were studied functionally, biomechanically, histologically and immunohiscochemically. RESULTS Functional and biomechanical studies confirmed faster recovery of regenerated axons in BMMCs transplanted animals compared to Pos group (p<0.05). Morphometric indices of the regenerated fibers showed that the number and diameter of the myelinated fibers were significantly higher in BMMCs transplanted animals than in Pos group (p<0.05). In immunohistochemistry, location of reactions to S-100 in BMMCs transplanted animals was clearly more positive than that in Pos group. CONCLUSIONS BMMCs transplantation could be considered as a readily accessible source of cells that could improve functional recovery of transected sciatic nerve.