The Combined Effects of Levothyroxine and Low Level Laser Therapy on Wound Healing in Hypothyroidism Male Rat Model

Introduction: Hypothyroidism is caused by inadequate production and storage of thyroid hormones. Hypothyroidism is associated with delayed wound healing. Laser therapy may stimulate wound regeneration. The aim of this study was to determine the combined effects of levothyroxine and low level laser therapy during the wound healing process on skin of hypothyroidism male rat model.Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: control group, hypothyroidism group, hypothyroidism group treated by laser, hypothyroidism group treated by levothyroxine, and hypothyroidism group treated by laser and levothyroxine. To induce hypothyroidism, methimazole was given at a dose of 4 mg/100 mL in their drinking water. After hypothyroidism was proven through immunoassay commercial kit, rats were generally anesthetized with ketamine and xylazine, then, an incisional skin wound was created in a length of 1.2 cm on the back of the ribcage. The surgical day is considered as the zero day. The third and fifth groups were treated with a pulse laser, 810 nm wavelength 80 Hz frequency and 0.2 J/cm2 energy densities for 200 seconds. Levothyroxine was injected to the fourth and fifth groups intraperitoneally. On the 14th day, a normal sample of each healing skin wound was harvested for biomechanical examination. The obtained data were analyzed by the SPSS software 21 and reported as a mean ± standard error of mean (SEM). P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: The results showed that the mean maximum force and the accomplished work (energy) made a significant difference in the group receiving both laser and levothyroxine synchronously rather than the other groups (P ≤ 0.05). The elasticity of the wound healing in the groups that received laser and levothyroxine synchronously was significantly higher in comparison with the control and hypothyroidism groups but the difference was not significant in comparison with the laser or levothyroxine groups.Conclusion: The results of our study showed that the application of laser and levothyroxine synchronously improves the biomechanical parameters of wound during healing in comparison to the use of laser and levothyroxine solel

Measuring Head Circumference in Neonates Weighing Less Than 2500 Grams

Background: Anthropometric measures are important research goals especially because of racial differences and also variation in measurement techniques. In this study, head circumference in neonates weighing less than 2500 grams in Emam-Hosein hospital in 2018 was assessed. Aim: The aim of this study was to Measuring Head Circumference in Neonates Weighing Less Than 2500 Grams. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 200 neonates weighing less than 2500 grams in Emam-Hosein hospital in 2018 were enrolled. The head circumference in neonates was determined and also was compared according to gestational age, birth weight, and sex. Results: There were 53% males and 47% females. There were 85.5% preterm neonates. Birth weight was less than 2000 gram in 12.5%. Head circumference was low in 148 cases (74%). The head circumference was not differed by gestational age, birth weight, and sex (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Totally, it may be concluded that head circumference is normal only in ¼ of neonates weighing less than 2500 grams and it is not an optimal goal for growth pattern monitoring

Effects of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on Mouse Sperm Parameters and Testicular Tissue

Background: Iron oxide nanoparticles are commonly used for various purposes, such as biomedical, medical, and cosmetic services and research. However, there is a little information about the effects of the nanoparticles on human health. The current investigation was conducted to evaluate the adverse effects of iron oxide nanoparticles (FeNP) on the reproductive organs of mice, such as the testicular tissue and sperm cells. Methods: Twenty-eight male NMRI mice were randomly divided in four groups (N=7). The control group received only a regular diet. The experimental groups were administered FeNP in doses of 50, 150 and 300 mg/Kg intraperitoneally (IP), over four days. Epididymal sperm parameters, such as sperm number and motility were assessed by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). Stereological analysis was also conducted on the histological sections. Results: The results demonstrated that FeNP (300 mg/Kg/day) caused a significant decrease in the sperm parameters, such as motility, spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, spermatid, Sertoli, Leydig cells, total length of seminiferous tubules, and testicular interstitial tissue volumes. Conclusion: In summary, FeNP affected several reproductive tissue and cellular parameters at the administered dosage. Further research is required to examine the mechanism of action of FeNP the mice reproductive system

Combined Effect of Low-Level Laser Treatment and Levothyroxine on Wound Healing in Rats With Hypothyroidism

Introduction: Hypothyroidism delays wound healing by reducing the synthesis of keratinocytes, fibroblast cells, and collagen. Methods for enhancement of wound healing include laser therapy and hormone therapy. The current study evaluated the combined effect of laser and levothyroxine therapy to cure wounds in male rats with hypothyroidism.Methods: Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: (1) healthy controls; (2) controls with hypothyroidism; (3) hypothyroidism + laser treatment; (4) hypothyroidism + levothyroxine treatment; (5) hypothyroidism + laser + levothyroxine treatment. Hypothyroidism was induced by dissolving 4 mg of methimazole in 100 mL of drinking water daily for 28 days. After hypothyroidism had been confirmed, a longitudinal incisional wound was created on the dorsal rib cages of the rats. The wounds that received laser treatment were divided into 12 sections and treated at 810 nm wavelength and 0.2 J/cm2 of energy density for 200 seconds. Levothyroxine was administrated in doses of 20 μg/kg/d i.p. All groups were divided into 3 subgroups for testing on days 4, 7 and 14. Samples were collected in all the subgroups.Results: The results showed that hypothyroidism reduced fibrous tissue volume, fibroblasts, and basal cell numbers. The combined effect of laser and levothyroxine improved all parameters.Conclusion: Combined laser and levothyroxine treatment showed the best effect on wound healing and accelerated the closure of the wounds

The effects of exogenous melatonin on morphological changes in locus ceruleus nucleus Characterized by REM sleep deprivation

Background: Neurodegeneration in the locus coeruleus (LC) has been documented in several central nervous system (CNS) neurodegenerative diseases and sleep deprivation. In this study, we investigated the possible role of melatonin in reversing cognitive dysfunction induced by SD in rats.Methods: The aim of this work was to determine if REM sleep deprivation would induce morphological changes in the brains of rats. The effects of REM sleep deprivation on the nuclear volume of neurons from the locus coeruleus, the main noradrenergic nucleus in the brain.Results: The results obtained showed that REM sleep deprivation significantly decreased the number of neurons in the locus coeruleus.Conclusion: A change in cell nuclear volume suggests a change in its metabolic activity, therefore, our data provide an anatomical basis for further studies of neuron’s morphology in brain structures after REM sleep deprivation

Effects of pentoxifylline and alendronate on fracture healing in ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats

Osteoporosis is determined by decreased bone strength that increases the threat of fractures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of pentoxifylline (PTX) and alendronate (ALN), on the stereological parameters, and gene expression in callus of fracture in an experimental rat model of ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis (OVX). The OVX was induced in 90 female rats. Fourteen weeks later, a complete fracture on the right femur was made. Rats were divided into five groups: 1) control: no treatment; 2) sham: received daily distilled water; 3) daily 3.00 mg kg(-1) ALN subcutaneously (SC); 4) daily 200 mg kg(-1) PTX (SC) and 5) daily PTX (SC) + ALN (same doses). The osteoclast count was significantly lower in all treatment groups, at 21 and 56 days post-surgery, compared to the control and sham groups. The PTX significantly increased total callus volume at 21 and 56 days post-surgery, compared to the other groups. The PTX+ALN treatment significantly increased both cortical bone volume on day 21, and osteocyte and osteoblast numbers on day 56, compared to the control and sham groups. It can be concluded that PTX and ALN have antiresorptive effects, in OVX rats. Also, PTX has increased the extracellular matrix on both 21 and 56 days after surgery, compared to the other groups. PTX+ALN elevated cortical bone volume on day 21, and osteocyte and osteoblast numbers compared to the control and sham groups on day 56. (C) 2019 Urmia University. All rights reserved

Insulin Can Improve the Normal Function of the Brain by Preventing the Loss of the Neurons

Background: Insulin promotes the expression of genes related to brain function, thus preventing the neurodegeneration process. The present study was designed to find the neuroprotective effect of insulin by reducing neuron loss in the brain. Materials and Methods: In this study, 20 adult male NMRI mice were divided into two groups: control and insulin. The control group was intact, and the insulin group received 100 µL of insulin at a 72-hour interval by intraperitoneal (I.P.) injection for 30 days. At the end of the study, the brain was removed. The volume of the brain and the total number of neurons and glia were estimated by stereological techniques, and also the gene expression of NSR, PI3K, AKT, IGF-1, and FOXO-1 was measured using real-time PCR. Results: The results showed that the total number of neurons decreased in the control group compared to the experimental group. Furthermore, the expression of NSR, PI3K, AKT, IGF-1, and FOXO-1 genes was lower in the control group than in the insulin group. Conclusion: The results showed that treating mice with insulin prevented reducing the number of neurons and gene expression related to normal brain function. So, insulin could have neuroprotective effects against neuron loss. Insulin may be beneficial as a new approach to avoiding neuron loss in regenerative medicine

Induction of a rat model of premature ovarian insufficiency using D-galactose feeding during the critical periods of development: A pilot study

Background: Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) affects about 1% of women of reproductive ages (15-45 yr), with no curative treatment. Objective: We aimed to present a rat model of POI using a D-galactose enriched diet. Materials and Methods: In a pilot study, 4 pregnant Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups; 3 groups were fed galactose-enriched diets at days 3-15 of pregnancy (G1); on the 3rd day of pregnancy to parturition (G2), and the 3rd day of pregnancy until the end of the weaning period (G3). Also, group 4, as the control group (G0), was fed standard pellets during the study. After confirming the lack of adverse effects of dieting with galactose in terms of offsprings’ birth weight, we performed our study designed the same as the pilot study. A total of 40 pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. Ovarian histology, reproductive hormones, and immunological characteristics of the female offspring were examined in all experimental groups and compared. Results: The pilot study revealed no significant differences in the birth weight of the offspring of the 4 study groups (p = 0.96). The ovarian index in the female offspring of those with a gal-exposed diet was significantly lower than that of the control group offspring (p < 0.01). Conclusion: As the birth weights of the offspring of our experimental and control groups were similar, it can be concluded that the reduction of ovarian follicles after prenatal exposure to D-galactose is due to the ovotoxicity of galactose. The results of our final study will provide more information about the rat POI model induced by prenatal exposure to D-galactose. Key words: Premature ovarian insufficiency, Animal model, D-galactose

Evaluation of the effects of pulsed wave LLLT on tibial diaphysis in two rat models of experimental osteoporosis, as examined by stereological and real-time PCR gene expression analyses

Osteoporosis (OP) and osteoporotic fracture are major public health issues for society; the burden for the affected individual is also high. Previous studies have shown that pulsed wave low-level laser therapy (PW LLLT) has osteogenic effects. This study intended to evaluate the impacts of PW LLLT on the cortical bone of osteoporotic rats’ tibias in two experimental models, ovariectomized and dexamethasone-treated. We divided the rats into four ovariectomized induced OP (OVX-d) and four dexamethasone-treated (glucocorticoid-induced OP, GIOP) groups. A healthy (H) group of rats was considered for baseline evaluations. At 14 weeks following ovariectomy, we subdivided the OVX-d rats into the following groups: (i) control which had OP, (ii) OVX-d rats treated with alendronate (1 mg/kg), (iii) OVX-d rats treated with LLLT, and (iv) OVX-d rats treated with alendronate and PW LLLT. The remaining rats received dexamethasone over a 5-week period and were also subdivided into four groups: (i) control rats treated with intramuscular (i.m.) injections of distilled water (vehicle), (ii) rats treated with subcutaneous alendronate injections (1 mg/kg), (iii) laser-treated rats, and (iv) rats simultaneously treated with laser and alendronate. The rats received alendronate for 30 days and underwent PW LLLT (890 nm, 80 Hz, 0.972 J/cm2) three times per week during 8 weeks. Then, the right tibias were extracted and underwent a stereological analysis of histological parameters and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A significant increase in cortical bone volume (mm3) existed in all study groups compared to the healthy rats. There were significant decreases in trabecular bone volume (mm3) in all study groups compared to the group of healthy rats. The control rats with OP and rats from the vehicle group showed significantly increased osteoclast numbers compared to most other groups. Alendronate significantly decreased osteoclast numbers in osteoporotic rats. Concurrent treatments (compounded by PW LLLT and alendronate) produce the same effect on osteoporotic bone. © 2016, Springer-Verlag London

An evaluation of the effect of pulsed wave low-level laser therapy on the biomechanical properties of the vertebral body in two experimental osteoporosis rat models.

Osteoporosis (OP) increases vertebral fragility as a result of the biomechanical effects of diminished bone structure and composition. This study has aimed to assess the effects of pulsed wave low-level laser therapy (PW LLLT) on cancellous bone strength of an ovariectomized (OVX-d) experimental rat model and a glucocorticoid-induced OP (GIOP) experimental rat model. There were four OVX-d groups and four dexamethasone-treated groups. A group of healthy rats was used for baseline evaluations. The OVX-d rats were further subdivided into the following groups: control rats with OP, OVX-d rats that received alendronate, OVX-d rats treated with PW LLLT, and OVX-d rats treated with alendronate and PW LLLT. The remaining rats received dexamethasone and were divided into four groups: control, alendronate-treated rats, laser-treated rats, and laser-treated rats with concomitant administration of alendronate. PW LLLT (890 nm, 80 Hz, 0.972 J/cm(2)) was performed on the spinal processes of the T12, L1, L2, and L3 vertebras. We extracted the L1 vertebrae and submitted them to a mechanical compression test. Biomechanical test findings showed positive effects of the PW LLLT and alendronate administration on increasing bending stiffness and maximum force of the osteoporotic bones compared to the healthy group. However, laser treatment of OVA-d rats significantly increased stress high load compared to OVA-d control rats. PW LLLT preserved the cancellous (trabecular) bone of vertebra against the detrimental effects of OV-induced OP on bone strength in rats compared to control OV rats