Nasra Naeim Ayuob

The antidepressant effect of musk in an animal model of depression: a histopathological study

Depression is a significant public health concern all over the world, especially in modern communities. This study aims to assess the efficacy of musk in alleviating the behavioral, biochemical and histopathological changes induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) in an animal model of depression and to explore the underlying mechanism of this effect. Male Swiss albino mice were divided into four groups (n = 10): control, CUMS, CUMS+fluoxetine and CUMS+musk. At the end of the experiment, behavioral tests were administered and serum corticosterone and testosterone levels were assessed. Surface markers, proteins and gene expressions of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) in the hippocampus were assessed. The immunoexpression of glial fibrillary acidic protein, Ki67 and caspase-3 was also assessed. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and a P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Musk alleviated the behavioral changes caused by CUMS and reduced elevated corticosterone levels. It reduced CUMS-induced neuronal atrophy in the CA3 and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus and restored astrocytes. Musk reduced the neuro- and glial apoptosis observed in stressed mice in a manner comparable to that of fluoxetine. Musk induced these effects through up-regulating both BDNF and GR gene and protein expressions. Musk has an antidepressant-like effect in an animal model of depression, so it is advisable to assess its efficacy in people continually exposed to stressors.

Experience of establishment of multiple mini structure interview as part of student admission policy at Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, 2011-2012.

Faculty of Medicine (FOM), King Abdulaziz University (KAU), requested for international recognition by the Laison Committee of Canadian Medical Education (LCME) during the period 2008–2010. Selection of medical students was a must standard in LCME. After obtaining a written permission from higher administration at KAU, a committee for the establishment of multiple-mini-interview (MMI) was formed and they conducted workshops to train faculty members at FOM on such process. The interviews were set up in a manner similar to that of an objective-structured clinical evaluation (OSCE), with the applicant moving from one station to another. The applicant was either asked to discuss a scenario or respond to direct questions. The interviewers used a standardized scoring form to rate candidates. When the data were analyzed, it was found that the performance of men students was insignificantly higher than that of women students in stations concerned with personnel character and professionalism. The performance of women students was significantly higher in all other stations (those considered motivation, morals and bioethics, team work and communication skills and behaviors). The womens overall performance was significantly higher than men.

Can vitamin E and selenium alleviate the immunologic impact of aluminium on pregnant rats’ spleens?

This study aimed to assess if simultaneous administration of vitamin E, selenium and aluminium could alleviate the latters immunologic impact on the spleen. Twenty eight virgin albino Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into two main groups: control (n=12) and experimental (n=18). These groups were divided into two subgroups each. The first control group received distiled water and the second one vitamin E and selenium for 3months through intragastric tubes. Of the two experimental subgroups, the first received oral aluminium chloride (AlCl3) at a dose 150mg/kg of body weight/day, and the second received AlCl3 plus vitamin E and selenium for 3months. Sixteen (out of eighteen) subject rats became pregnant. At day 20 of gestation, dams were sacrificed, and spleens were dissected and processed for histologic examination with routine and immunohistologic staining and semi-quantitative assessment. Aluminium administration induced a significant decrease in the number and density of T-lymphocytes and macrophages in the spleen as well as splenic fibrosis during pregnancy. Vitamin E and selenium reduced but did not completely prevent these changes.

Impaired expression of sex hormone receptors in male reproductive organs of diabetic rat in response to oral antidiabetic drugs

INTRODUCTION Few oral antidiabetic drugs have been evaluated for their reproductive complication. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of metformin, pioglitazone and sitagliptin on the structure of male reproductive system through an immunohistopathological study. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sprague-Dawley male rats were injected with streptozotocin. The diabetic rats were divided into four groups (n = 8/each group); diabetic control, metformin-, pioglitazone- and sitagliptin-treated groups in addition to a normal control group (n = 8). At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected for biochemical assessment. Testis, epididymis and seminal vesicle were dissected and processed for histopathological examination using routine and immune-staining. RESULTS All drugs significantly (p < 0.05) decreased fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglycerides and malondialdehyde compared to the diabetic control group. Metformin has induced the least pathologic changes on the structure of the testis, epididymis and seminal vesicle among the studied drugs. Metformin succeeded to restore weights of testis, epididymis and seminal vesicle as well as testosterone hormone level back to values of the NC group while the pioglitazone and sitagliptin failed to do that. A significant reduction (p < 0.05) in testicular ERa and ERb immunoexpression of pioglitazone-treated group as well as suppression of ERb and AR immunoreactivity in in epididymus and seminal vesicles of pioglitazone- and sitagliptin-treated rats were observed compared to the control animals. CONCLUSIONS Histological structure as well ER and AR expression in the system organs were negatively and significantly affected with all studied drugs. Metformin has the least effect on the structure of the studied male reproductive organs. Thus, pioglitazone and sitagliptin treatment should be avoided in young male diabetic patients.

Can Ocimum basilicum relieve chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depression in mice?

BACKGROUND Depression is one of the important world-wide health problems. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to assess the ameliorative effect of Ocimum basilicum (OB) essential oil on the behavioral, biochemical and histopathological changes resulted from exposure to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). It also aimed to investigate the underlying mechanism in an animal model of depression. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty male Swiss albino mice were divided into four groups (n=10): control, CUMS (exposed to CUMS for 4weeks), CUMS plus fluoxetine, and CUMS plus OB. At the end of the experiment, behavioral changes, serum corticosterone level, protein and gene expressions of brain derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR) in the hippocampus was all assessed. Immunoexpression of surface makers of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), Ki67, Caspase-3, BDNF and GR in the hippocampus were estimated. Data were analyzed by using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS). RESULTS OB alleviated both behavioral and biochemical changes recorded in mice after exposure to CUMS. It also reduced neuronal atrophy observed in the hippocampal region III cornu ammonis (CA3) and dentate gyrus and restored back astrocyte number. OB decreased apoptosis in both neurons and glial cells and increased neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus in a pattern comparable to that of fluoxetine. Increased BDNF and GR gene and protein expressions seems to be behind the antidepressant-like effect of OB. CONCLUSION Ocimum basilicum ameliorates the changes induced after exposure to the chronic stress. Assessing Ocimum basilicum efficacy on human as antidepressant is recommended in further studies.

Can garlic oil ameliorate diabetes-induced oxidative stress in a rat liver model? A correlated histological and biochemical study.

This study aimed to characterise the structural changes in liver of an alloxan-induced diabetic rat and to explain such changes in terms of the biochemical changes in free radicals and antioxidants. In addition, it aimed to determine the potential ability of garlic oil to alter these changes. The study groups were: control (n=12), alloxan-induced diabetic rats (n=10) and alloxan-induced diabetic rats treated with garlic oil (10 mg/kg body weight (n=10)). Markers of oxidative stress were assessed. Small pieces of the liver were processed for transmission electron microscopic study. Garlic oil caused a significant decrease in levels of LPO in plasma (0.26 vs 0.53), erythrocyte lysate (14.4 vs 24.8) and liver tissue homogenate (1.04 vs 2.08), whereas those of thiols were significantly elevated (1.2 vs 0.46), (24 vs 15) in plasma and erythrocyte lysate respectively. SOD activity and G-S-T activity were significantly elevated in erythrocyte lysate (5.7 vs 3.3) (377 vs 179) and liver homogenate (1.4 vs 0.5) (752 vs 623) respectively after garlic oil administration. Ultrastructural study of the liver confirmed the ability of garlic to retard lipid peroxidation of cellular membranes induced by oxidative stress associated with diabetes. Therefore, garlic could normalise oxidative stress in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Interdisciplinary integration of the CVS module and its effect on faculty and student satisfaction as well as student performance.

BackgroundBeyond the adoption of the principles of horizontal and vertical integration, significant planning and implementation of curriculum reform is needed. This study aimed to assess the effect of the interdisciplinary integrated Cardiovascular System (CVS) module on both student satisfaction and performance and comparing them to those of the temporally coordinated CVS module that was implemented in the previous year at the faculty of Medicine of the King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia.MethodsThis interventional study used mixed method research design to assess student and faculty satisfaction with the level of integration within the CVS module. A team from the medical education department was assembled in 2010/2011 to design a plan to improve the CVS module integration level. After delivering the developed module, both student and faculty satisfaction as well as students performance were assessed and compared to those of the previous year to provide an idea about module effectiveness.ResultsMany challenges faced the medical education team during design and implementation of the developed CVS module e.g. resistance of faculty members to change, increasing the percentage of students directed learning hours from the total contact hour allotted to the module and shifting to integrated item writing in students assessment, spite of that the module achieved a significant increase in both teaching faculty and student satisfaction as well as in the module scores.ConclusionThe fully integrated CVS has yielded encouraging results that individual teachers or other medical schools who attempt to reformulate their curriculum may find valuable.

Impact of an Energy Drink on the Structure of Stomach and Pancreas of Albino Rat: Can Omega-3 Provide a Protection?

Background and Objectives A controversy developed between the benefits of energy drinks (EDs) versus the possible health threats since its revolution. Lack of information was a call to assess the effect of chronic consumption of Power Horse (PH) as one of the EDs, on the structure of pancreas and fundic mucosa of stomach in rats, and possible protective role of Omega-3. Materials and Methods Thirty two adult male albino rats were divided equally into 4 groups; control received group which only received a standard diet, Omega-3 group, PH group which given PH and PH plus Omega-3 group received both PH plus Omega-3 for 4 weeks. Biochemical assessment of blood glucose, serum insulin, gastrin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) was performed. The antioxidant activity and histopathological examination of both pancreatic tissue and fundic mucosa of stomach were assessed. Results Administration of PH significantly increased serum insulin and glucose levels while it significantly reduced serum gastrin level compared to control. PH also caused oxidants/antioxidants imbalance in both pancreas and fundic mucosa. The latter revealed degenerative changes and increased apoptosis which was evident by increased caspase-3 immunoexpression. Pancreas exhibited signs of β-cells overstimulation. Fundic mucosa showed reduced number of parietal cells, gastrin hormone expression compared to control group. Omega-3 administration could alleviate, to some extent, these changes. It significantly decreased TNF-α, iNOS and reduced glutathione (GSH) as well as significantly increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities compared to the group which received PH alone. Conclusion Power Horse intake significantly injures islet cells, pancreatic acini as well as the glandular cells of the fundic mucosa. Omega-3 decreases these detrimental effects mostly through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action.

Does the maternal age affect the mesenchymal stem cell markers and gene expression in the human placenta? What is the evidence?

BACKGROUND Although the human placenta is considered medical wastes, it has become a main source of stem cells. Due to their easy isolation, ability to resist immune rejection and ability to differentiate into different types of adult cells, placental stem cells are considered superior to other stem cells. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to assess the impact of the maternal age on the expression of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) markers CD105 and CD29 in different areas of a term human placenta and to identify the differential expression of these markers in different placental areas. SUBJECTS AND METHODS In this comparative cross sectional study, one hundred term placentas were collected after delivery from healthy mothers divided into five groups according to their age. Placentas were processed to assess both immune- and gene-expression of CD105 and CD29 surface antigen markers. Data of the different studied age groups was compared using the Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) software. RESULTS CD105 and CD29 immunoexpression in decidua basalis, fetal membrane and placental villi showed significant negative correlations with the maternal age. CD105- and CD29-positive MSCs were significantly abundant in the decidua basalis and placental villi. Real-time polymerase chain reaction results were consistent with those of the immunohistochemical study. CONCLUSION Labeling the placenta-driven MSCs with the specific area from which the cells were taken as well as the mothers age is advised and could be helpful in controlling the quality of the cell banks as well as the favorable outcome of the therapeutic applications.

Effects of maternal age on the expression of mesenchymal stem cell markers in the components of human umbilical cord

INTRODUCTION Although the human umbilical cord (UC) has been previously considered a medical waste, its use as a main source of fetal stem cells for regenerative medicine applications has increased over the past few years. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the maternal age on the expression of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) markers CD105 and CD29 in the different areas of human UC. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this comparative cross sectional study, one hundred term UCs from five maternal age groups (20-45 years) were collected after delivery from healthy mothers and were processed to assess both immuno- and gene expression of CD105 and CD29 surface antigen markers using immunohistochemical and RT-PCR techniques. RESULTS The immunoexpression of CD105 and CD29 in the amniotic membrane (AM) and Whartons jelly (WJ), the umbilical artery (UA) and the umbilical vein (UV) showed significant negative correlation with the maternal age (p < 0.001). Reduced amount of cells as well as the studied MSC markers and their gene expression levels were documented in older age mothers. CD105-positive MSCs were more abundant in the UA, whereas CD29-positive MSCs were more abundant in the AM and WJ. CONCLUSION The decreased expression of CD105 and CD29 MSCs markers with age suggests that selective isolation of MSCs from Whartons jelly, umbilical artery or umbilical vein of younger mothers should be recommended.