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Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences Feb 2023Paclitaxel is a widely used drug for the treatment of cancer, but it possesses toxic effects on male reproductive system. Administering paclitaxel with an antioxidant...
BACKGROUND
Paclitaxel is a widely used drug for the treatment of cancer, but it possesses toxic effects on male reproductive system. Administering paclitaxel with an antioxidant has become a strategy for preventing the side effects of paclitaxel. Although curcumin is an antioxidant, data concerning the effect of curcumin on paclitaxel-induced testis tissue are lacking. The present study was established to examine the protective impact of curcumin against testicular damage induced by paclitaxel.
METHODS
In the study, 40 Wistar albino male rats were used and randomly divided into 4 groups (n:10). The control group received only saline solution; the curcumin group received curcumin throughout the experiment; the paclitaxel group received a total of four doses of paclitaxel on days 1, 7, 14, and 21 of the experiment; curcumin + paclitaxel group received curcumin throughout the experiment and a total of four doses of paclitaxel on days 1, 7, 14, and 21 of the experiment. At the end of the experiment, the rats were decapitated under xylazine and ketamine anesthesia and their testicles were removed. The sections obtained from the testicles were stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin and histopathological damage was evaluated. The TUNEL method was applied to determine apoptotic cells. Testosterone levels were measured in the blood serum. The Johnsen testicular biopsy score (JTBS) was used to evaluate testicular tubules. DNA damage was evaluated in sperm samples taken from the ductus epididymis using the comet assay technique.
RESULTS
Testicular tissue was severely damaged in the paclitaxel group. In the curcumin + paclitaxel group, it was determined that the administration of curcumin with paclitaxel reduced the histological damage in the testicular tissue. Moreover, according to the JTBS, the value was significantly higher in the testicular tubules (p < 0.05). Testosterone levels were higher in curcumin + paclitaxel group than in paclitaxel group. DNA damage also decreased significantly in curcumin + paclitaxel group when compared to paclitaxel group (p < 0.05).
DISCUSSION
The results showed that curcumin may be protective against damage caused by paclitaxel in the testicles of rats.
Topics: Rats; Male; Animals; Testis; Antioxidants; Curcumin; Cuminum; Rats, Wistar; Paclitaxel; Oxidative Stress; Seeds; DNA Damage; Testosterone
PubMed: 36945945
DOI: 10.55730/1300-0144.5556 -
International Journal of Biochemistry... 2023Acute paracetamol toxicity is a common and potentially life-threatening emergency causing liver failure that may necessitate liver transplantation. Unfortunately,...
BACKGROUND
Acute paracetamol toxicity is a common and potentially life-threatening emergency causing liver failure that may necessitate liver transplantation. Unfortunately, current therapies are still defective.
OBJECTIVES
To investigate the protective effects exerted by Aleppo galls (Quercus infectoria Olivier) extract against acute paracetamol toxicity in mice.
METHODOLOGY
Eighteen mice were divided into three experimental groups, each included six mice in each group. The groups included: negative control group, paracetamol toxicity group that received an acute toxic intraperitoneal dose of paracetamol (250 mg/kg) for four consecutive days, and treatment group (received 250 mg/kg paracetamol followed few hours later by Aleppo galls extract for the same duration). Animals were anaesthetized using ether anaesthesia. Animals were sacrificed by decapitation and blood samples were drawn. Paracetamol toxicity effects versus Aleppo galls protection were evaluated on liver function tests, liver histology, serum cholesterol and serum triglycerides.
RESULTS
Acute paracetamol toxicity caused significantly elevated serum transaminases (ALT and AST), decreased serum albumin, and increased serum cholesterol and triglycerides. Aleppo galls extract exerted significant protective effects and restored near normal serum levels of the previously-mentioned parameters. Upon histopathological evaluation, mice in the control group showed normal hepatic architecture with preserved hepatic cords and sinuses. Acute paracetamol toxicity induced peripheral zonal degeneration with focal necrosis of the hepatic tissue. The hepatocytes showed cytoplasmic vacuolation with indistinct cell borders. Central hepatic venules were congested. Administration of Aleppo galls extract reduced the tissue damaging effects induced by paracetamol toxicity with only minimal residual degenerative changes that were observed with absent necrosis.
CONCLUSION
(Aleppo galls) is a promising source of phytochemicals and future therapeutics.
PubMed: 36936610
DOI: No ID Found -
Food Science & Nutrition Mar 2023The integrity of the distal alveolar epithelium is crucial for lung regeneration following an injury. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of extract;...
The integrity of the distal alveolar epithelium is crucial for lung regeneration following an injury. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of extract; cross-talk of epidermal growth factor () and erythropoietin () genes in a smoke-induced lung injury rat model. For experimentation ( = 27), albino rats were divided equally into three groups, i.e., negative control (NC), positive control (PC), and treatment group (TG). Cigarette smoke was exposed to PC and TG (4 CG/day). was given orally (350 mg/kg body weight) for 21 days. Decapitation ( = 3) was done on 14th, 18th, and 21st days, respectively. Analyses (hematology, biochemical, high performance liquid chromatography [HPLC], histology, and gene expression) were carried out and results were statistically analyzed by two-way analysis of variance. HPLC analysis of ethanolic extract of was done to identify the presence of phenolic constituents which showed high concentrations of quercetin and P-coumaric acid. Serum oxidative parameters such as total oxidant status, malondialdehyde, and hematological parameters such as red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and white blood cells were significantly ( < .05) elevated in the PC group; however, these parameters were significantly ( < .05) improved in TG. While total antioxidant capacity and serum parameters such as total protein, albumin, and globulin were significantly ( < .05) reduced in the PC group but significantly improved ( < .05) in TG. Histological analysis revealed that smoke exposure resulted in a measurable increase in alveolar septal thickening while ethanolic extract of greatly ameliorated the histopathological changes in the lung alveoli. The gene expression analysis of and genes showed a significant upregulation ( < .05) of both genes in PC group while in TG, the level of both genes downregulated, in which lung damage was ameliorated due to cytoprotective effects of ethanolic extract of
PubMed: 36911850
DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.3188 -
International Journal of Environmental... Feb 2023Due to the many health-promoting properties of bee pollen and whey protein, both products are widely used as dietary supplements. According to these reports on their...
Due to the many health-promoting properties of bee pollen and whey protein, both products are widely used as dietary supplements. According to these reports on their health-promoting properties, the aim of our study is to assess whether these products can influence the structure and function of the adrenal glands in rats. Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into six equal groups. Among them, there were three groups which included non-running rats and three groups which included running rats. Both of these running (n = 3) and non-running (n = 3) groups included non-supplemented (control groups), bee-pollen-supplemented groups, and whey-protein-supplemented groups. After 8 weeks, the rats were decapitated, their adrenal glands were collected, and paraffin slides were prepared. Then, staining according to the standard H&E and Masson's trichrome protocols was performed. Fecal and urine samples were collected prior to the end of the study to measure corticosterone levels. In the group of non-running rats, the consumption of bee pollen was noted to be significantly higher when compared to the group of running rats ( < 0.05). The thickness of the particular adrenal cortex layers was similar among all of the groups ( > 0.05). The statistically significant changes in the microscopic structure of the adrenal glands, especially regarding cell nuclei diameter and structure, as well as the architecture of sinusoids, were observed between the groups. Moreover, urine corticosterone concentrations were found to vary between all of the analyzed groups ( < 0.05). These results indicate that both bee pollen and whey protein have limited stress-reducing potential.
Topics: Rats; Male; Bees; Animals; Rats, Wistar; Whey Proteins; Corticosterone; Dietary Supplements; Adrenal Glands
PubMed: 36901116
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054105 -
Archives of Razi Institute Aug 2022Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses. Herbal medications such as ginseng and peony have recently gained popularity in treating depression due to their...
Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses. Herbal medications such as ginseng and peony have recently gained popularity in treating depression due to their safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the actions of Cordia myxa () fruit extract on the model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and antioxidant enzymes system in male rats' brains. Sixty male rats were divided into six groups (n=10). Group 1 (control) was neither exposed to CUMS nor received any treatment, while group 2 was exposed to CUMS for 24 days with normal saline treatment for 14 days, group 3 was exposed to CUMS for 24 days and received 10 mg/kg fluoxetine daily on day 10 for 14 days, and group 4, 5, and 6 were exposed to CUMS for 24 days and received extract (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg, respectively) on day 10 for 14 days. The antidepressant effect of fluoxetine and extract was evaluated using a forced swim test (FST). At the end of the experiments, animals were sacrificed by decapitation; and antioxidant enzyme levels, catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays kits (ELISA) on rats' brain tissues. All groups subjected to CUMS showed a significant rise in duration of immobility on the tenth day compared to day zero. The CUMS showed a decrease in antioxidant enzyme levels, and groups treated with extract showed significant rise in enzyme levels (SOD and CAT) compared to group 2. According to this recent study, may have an antidepressant-like action.
Topics: Animals; Male; Rats; Antioxidants; Cordia; Depression; Fluoxetine; Fruit; Plant Extracts; Superoxide Dismutase; Chronic Disease; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 36883145
DOI: 10.22092/ARI.2022.357642.2082 -
Veterinary Sciences Jan 2023MSG is the most ubiquitous food additive in the food industry. The aim of this report was to investigate the effects of in ovo MSG administration on embryonic chicken...
MSG is the most ubiquitous food additive in the food industry. The aim of this report was to investigate the effects of in ovo MSG administration on embryonic chicken eye development using histological and histometric methods. A total of 410 fertilized eggs obtained from Babcock Brown laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus) were used and divided into 5 groups: I (untreated control), II (vehicle control), III (0.12 mg/g egg MSG), IV (0.6 mg/g egg MSG), and V (1.2 mg/g egg MSG), and injections were performed via the egg yolk. At incubation day 15, 18, and 21, 6 embryos from each group were sacrificed by decapitation and pieces of eye tissue were obtained. In all MSG groups, it was determined that both corneal epithelium thickness and total corneal thickness decreased at incubation time points 15, 18, and 21 days compared with the controls ( < 0.05). The total retinal thickness, thickness of the outer nuclear layer (ONL), inner nuclear layer (INL), ganglion cell layer (GL), and nerve fibre layers (NFL), as well as the number of ganglion cells decreased significantly at incubation days 15, 18, and 21 ( < 0.05), and degenerative changes such as vacuolar degeneration and retinal pigment epithelial detachment were also observed. In conclusion, MSG in ovo administration can affect the cornea and distinct layers of retinal cells.
PubMed: 36851403
DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10020099 -
Toxics Jan 2023Arsenic (As) is a toxic contaminant present in organic and inorganic forms in the environment. Nobiletin (NOB) is a polymethoxy flavone that has recently gained...
Arsenic (As) is a toxic contaminant present in organic and inorganic forms in the environment. Nobiletin (NOB) is a polymethoxy flavone that has recently gained substantial consideration due to its curative impacts. The present experiment was conducted to assess the hepatoprotective efficiency of NOB on As-generated hepatotoxicity. Twenty-four adult rats were equally distributed into four groups and designated as control, As (50 mg/kg)-treated, As + NOB (50 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg, respectively), and NOB (25 mg/kg)-treated groups. After 30 days, experimental animals were decapitated, then blood and tissue samples were collected for further analysis. The group treated with As showed a significant decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes, including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GSR), and total antioxidant status (TAS), and a substantial increase in the accumulation of As in liver tissues, levels of total oxidant status (TOS), hydrogen peroxide (HO), and lipid peroxidation (TBARS). Significant increases in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were observed in As-treated rats. Moreover, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, interleukin (IL)-6, and cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 activity, as well as the levels of pro-apoptotic markers (Bax, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9) were increased on exposure to As. In contrast, the anti-apoptotic marker (Bcl-2) level was significantly decreased. As administration showed a significant disturbance in hepatic tissue histology. However, cotreatment of NOB with As considerably increased the antioxidant enzyme activity, with a noteworthy reduction in the deposition of As in hepatic tissues, TBARS, and HO levels. NOB-administrated rats showed considerable recovery in terms of inflammation, apoptosis, and histological damage. Hence, NOB can be considered a useful curative compound due to its medicinal properties against As-prompted hepatotoxicity.
PubMed: 36850985
DOI: 10.3390/toxics11020110 -
Cureus Jan 2023Since the development of the infamous guillotine in the French Revolution, physicians have debated how long consciousness persists in decapitated heads. Fueled by... (Review)
Review
Since the development of the infamous guillotine in the French Revolution, physicians have debated how long consciousness persists in decapitated heads. Fueled by anecdotes of severed heads that blink, blush, and appear to retain intelligence, numerous experiments have investigated this macabre subject for nearly 250 years. In this paper, we examine the evidence, both historical and modern, and ultimately conclude that, while the truth may never be fully known, all evidence appears to indicate that loss of consciousness appears to occur within seconds of decapitation. The rumors that circulated through the European consciousness during the Terror of the French Revolution appear to be just that - curious urban legends from an awed and terrified public.
PubMed: 36819446
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.33830 -
FASEB BioAdvances Feb 2023Excitability and contraction of cardiac muscle from brain-dead donors critically influence the success of heart transplantation. Membrane physiology, Ca-handling, and...
Excitability and contraction of cardiac muscle from brain-dead donors critically influence the success of heart transplantation. Membrane physiology, Ca-handling, and force production of cardiac muscle and the contractile properties of coronary arteries were studied in hearts of brain-dead pigs. Cardiac muscle and vascular function after 12 h brain death (decapitation between C2 and C3) were compared with properties of fresh tissue. In both isolated cardiomyocytes (whole-cell patch clamp) and trabecular muscle (conventional microelectrodes), action potential duration was shorter in brain dead, compared to controls. Cellular shortening and Ca transients were attenuated in the brain dead, and linked to lower mRNA expression of L-type calcium channels and a slightly lower I,, current, as well as to a lower expression of phospholamban. The current-voltage relationship and the current above the equilibrium potential of the inward K (I) channel were altered in the brain-dead group, associated with lower mRNA expression of the Kir2.2 channel. Delayed K currents were detected (I, I) and were not different between groups. The transient outward K current (I) was not observed in the pig heart. Coronary arteries exhibited increased contractility and sensitivity to the thromboxane analogue (U46619), and unaltered endothelial relaxation. In conclusion, brain death involves changes in cardiac cellular excitation which might lower contractility after transplantation. Changes in the inward rectifier K channel can be associated with an increased risk for arrhythmia. Increased reactivity of coronary arteries may lead to increased risk of vascular spasm, although endothelial relaxant function was well preserved.
PubMed: 36816513
DOI: 10.1096/fba.2022-00104 -
Annals of Dermatology Feb 2023Syringocystadenoma papilliferum (SCAP) and apocrine hidrocystoma (AH) are benign apocrine neoplasms that usually occur separately. SCAP arises predominantly in head and...
Syringocystadenoma papilliferum (SCAP) and apocrine hidrocystoma (AH) are benign apocrine neoplasms that usually occur separately. SCAP arises predominantly in head and neck, while AH typically develop in periorbital area. We report a case of a 68-year-old male with an asymptomatic erythematous papulonodule that occurred on his back 3 years ago. Histologic examination showed cystic invagination extending from the epidermis into the dermis with some papillary projections. The invaginated portion was lined by epithelial bilayer composed of cuboidal and columnar cells, and decapitation secretion was observed in the inner epithelial layer. In the deep dermis, multiple cystic spaces with variable sizes were observed, and these cysts also presented double layers of the epithelium and decapitation secretion. According to such histologic features, the coexistence of SCAP and AH within a single lesion was demonstrated. The patient was recommended to completely remove the remaining lesion after punch biopsy, but he refused further surgical management. Herein, we report an unusual case of complex apocrine tumor with a rare composition in an atypical site.
PubMed: 36750461
DOI: 10.5021/ad.21.023