Beta-glucan attenuates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion-induced neuronal injury in a C57BL/J6 mouse model

Beta-glucans (βg), that have many useful effects on human health, are natural polysaccharides. Our aim in this study was to determine useful effect of βg against oxidative and neuronal damage caused by global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (IR) in stroke imitated mice via surgical operation. A total of 40 mice divided into four equal groups randomly. The group 1 (sham operated) was kept as control. Bilateral carotid arteries of subjects in group 2 (I/R) and group 4 (I/ R + βg) were clipped for 15 min, and the mice in group 4 (I/R + βg) were treated with βg (50 mg/kg/day), while the mice in group 2 (I/R) were treated with only vehicle for 10 days. The mice of group 3 (βg) were treated with βg for 10 days without carotid occlusion. Global cerebral I/R significantly increased oxidative stress and decreased members of antioxidant defense system. In addition, I/R caused histopathological damage in the brain tissue. However, βg treatment ameliorated both oxidative and histopathological effects of I/R. Our present study showed that βg treatment significantly ameliorated oxidative and histological damage in the brain tissue caused by cerebral I/R. Therefore, βg treatment can be used as supportive care for ischemic stroke patients

Effects of methylprednisolone in the treatment of spinal cord injuries by evaluation of microRNA-21: An experimental study

Background and Study Aims Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most complicated pathologies that affect active young males. miR-21 primarily regulates several cellular processes. We aimed to elucidate the regulatory role of miR-21 and test methylprednisolone as a disease-modifying agent on experimental SCI tissues. Methods A total of 36 8- to 10-week-old adult female Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250 to 300 g were used. Animals were randomly divided into six groups. Except for groups 1 and 4, the spinal trauma model was applied to all animal groups using the clipping method. In groups 3 and 6, methylprednisolone was given. For real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) investigations, rats in groups 1, 2, and 3 were reoperated on after the first postoperative day, whereas those in groups 4, 5, and 6 were reoperated on after postoperative day 7 and spinal cord samples from the laminectomy area were removed for gene expression analysis. Relative gene expression of miR-21, Gfap , Vim , Stat3 , Faslg , Pten , Bax , Bcl2 , Cox2 , and Il6 were determined with quantitative reverse transcription (qRT) PCR. Results In group 3, the miR-21 expression significantly increased compared with groups 1 and 2. When compared with group 3, a decrease in miR-21 expression was observed in group 6 ( p < 0.05). When compared with group 4, group 6 had lower levels of Gfap , Pten , Stat3 , and Bax ( p < 0.05). Conclusions miR-21 supports the beneficial aspects of the body's healing mechanisms following SCI. In the acute phase, the use of methylprednisolone increases miR-21 expression in the early period of trauma. Methylprednisolone increases some astrogliosis and inflammation biomarkers' levels; however, it did not affect the apoptotic biomarkers