Mesenchymal Stem Cells and the Prospect of its Application in the Treatment of stroke

Despite extensive medical advances, stroke is still one of the major problems in health care system. Researchers are seeking novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of stroke, such as cell-therapy. In this regard, mesenchymal stem cells are the most used cells in stroke cell-therapy researches. Mesenchymal stem cells are multipotent cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation, which can be derived from various tissues, such as bone marrow, skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, umbilical cord, and synovium. In this review article, after description of mesenchymal stem cells, the studies related to use of these cells in stroke as well as the challenges ahead in the field of stroke cell therapy, were mentioned. According to existing studies, although it seems that use of mesenchymal stem cells transplantation has a bright prospect in the treatment of stroke, there are still some issues, such as apoptosis of grafted cell, neural differentiation of stem cell, likelihood of malignancy of transplanted cell, unwanted cell differentiation, and migration to ischemic region, have overshadowed its clinical application

Bone Marrow Stromal Cells With Exercise and Thyroid Hormone Effect on Post-Stroke Injuries in Middle-aged Mice

Introduction: Based on our previous findings, the treatment of stem cells alone or in combination with thyroid hormone (T3) and mild exercise could effectively reduce the risk of stroke damage in young mice. However, it is unclear whether this treatment is effective in aged or middle-aged mice. Therefore, this study designed to assess whether combination of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells (BMSCs) with T3 and mild treadmill exercise can decrease stroke complications in middle-aged mice.  Methods: Under laser Doppler flowmetry monitoring, transient focal cerebral ischemia was produced by right Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO) for 45 min followed by 7 days of reperfusion in middle-aged mice. BMSCs (1×105) were injected into the right cerebral ventricle 24 h after MCAO, followed by daily injection of triiodothyronine (T3) (20 µg/100 g/d SC) and 6 days of running on a treadmill. Infarct size, neurological function, apoptotic cells and expression levels of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) were evaluated 1 week after stroke. Results: Post-ischemic treatment with BMSCs or with T3 and or mild treadmill exercise alone or in combination did not significantly change neurological function, infarct size, and apoptotic cells 7 days after ischemia in middle-aged mice (P>0.05). However, the expression of GFAP significantly reduced after treatment with BMSCs and or T3 (P<0.01).   Conclusion: Our findings indicate that post-stroke treatment BMSCs with exercise and thyroid hormone cannot reverse neuronal damage 7 days after ischemia  in middle-aged mice. These findings further support that age is an important variable in stroke treatmen

Effects of the Oral Ingestion of Probiotics on Brain Damage in a Transient Model of Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Mice

Background: Probiotics are microorganisms that may influence brain function via altering brain neurochemistry. New research evidence suggests that probiotic bacteria might protect tissue damage through diminishing the production of free radicals and/or inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of probiotic bacteria on the prevention or reduction of brain damage in an experimental model of stroke in mice. Methods: In this study, 30 male BLC57 mice were randomly divided into 6 equal groups. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced via middle cerebral artery occlusion for 45 minutes, followed by 24 hours of reperfusion, in the mice. Probiotics at a concentration of 107 CFU/mL were administered by oral gavage daily for 14 days before ischemia. Infarct size, neurological outcome, and biochemical markers were measured 24 hours after brain ischemia. Statistical analysis were performed using the one-way ANOVA and/or Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA on rank by Sigma Stat (2.0; Jandel Scientific) software. Results: Our results indicated that pretreatment with probiotics significantly reduced infarct size by 52% (P=0.001) but could not improve neurological function (P=0.26). Moreover, the administration of probiotics significantly decreased the malondialdehyde content (P=0.001) and the tumor necrosis factor-alpha level (P=0.004) in the ischemic brain tissue. Conclusion: The findings of the present study showed that probiotic supplements might be useful in the prevention or attenuation of brain ischemic injury in patients at risk of stroke. Probiotics may open new therapeutic alternatives for the prevention of stroke. More preclinical and clinical studies are, however, needed to clarify their efficacy in cerebral stroke

Factors Affecting Learning of Anatomy: Students\' Viewpoints

Introduction: Anatomy is of outmost importance for medical students because of its application in medical practice. Students are a main source of information for quality and effectiveness of education and their views can be used to improve teaching and learning. This study was performed to determine factors affecting anatomy learning from the opinion of medical students of Semnan University of Medical Sciences (SEM-UMS). Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed on 113 medical students of SEM-UMS at the basic science (fourth semester or higher), clerkship and internship levels. A valid and reliable researcher-made questionnaire, containing demographic data and factors influencing anatomy learning was completed by students. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: According to the students, use of anatomical manikins(4.59±0.55), teacher’s fluency (4.58±0.56), teaching clinical applications of anatomy (4.53±0.68), reviewing theoretical topics in practical classes (4.50±0.6) and utilizing educational images (4.42±0.67), respectively, had the greatest effect on learning anatomy. There were significant differences between male and female views regarding the effect of teaching clinical applications (t=2.56, p=.01). Also students of different educational levels had different views on the role of pre-class self-study in anatomy learning (t=6.67, P=0.036). Conclusion: Students believed that the use of new teaching methods and applying several educational devices, teaching of theory together with practical anatomy courses, developing an understanding about the importance of anatomy in medicine, along with the lecturers’ fluency in speech are most effective on learning anatomy. Therefore it is suggested that new teaching methods and simultaneous theoretical and practical anatomy teaching be included in educational programs

Dietary saffron reduced the blood pressure and prevented remodeling of the aorta in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats

Objective(s):The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of nutritional saffron (Crocus sativus L.) stigma hydroalcoholic extract on blood pressure (BP) and histology of the aorta in normotensive and hypertensive rats. Materials and Methods:   Saffron (200 mg/kg/day) was given orally for 5 weeks to normotensive and hypertensive rats. Hypertension was induced by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 40 mg/kg/day) administration in drinking water, and BP was measured weekly. Histological examination of the thoracic aorta included staining with hematoxylin and eosin, orcein, and periodic acid Schiff methods. Results:  Saffron had no effect on normotensive rats, but on hypertensive rats, prevented BP elevation form the third week of treatment (

Acute and chronic effects of aqueous Ferula persica extract on blood pressure of normotensive rats

Introduction: Ferula persica (F. persica) have been used as lowering blood pressure (BP) in traditionalmedicine, but its therapeutic effects are not yet known in new medicine. So, in this study, the acute andchronic effects of F.persica aqueous extract were investigated on normal BP of rats.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male wistar rats (250-300gr) were randomlydivided to four acute groups (n=7). Femoral artery and vein was catheterized for BP recording and extractor vehicle injected in pentobarbital sodium anesthetized rats. To evaluate chronic extract of F.persicaeffects on BP, the F.persica extract (30 mg/kg/day) or vehicle was orally administrated in two groups (n=6)for a month. Systolic BP was recorded non-invasively from the tail at the beginning and the end of theexperiment.Results: Intravenous administration of aqueous F. persica extract with 15, 30 or 60 mg/kg dosagesignificantly reduced mean arterial BP of anesthetized rats by 32%, 42% and 55% respectively (p<0.001).Chronic oral administration of extract or vehicle for a month had no effect on systolic BP of conscious rats.Also there is no significant difference in heart rate in different experimental groups.Conclusion: The results of this study showed that intravenous injection of aqueous F. persica extractreduces BP. So, plant component identification and it can be used for hypertensive patient

Impact of combined alpha-lipoic acid and mitoquinone supplementation on myocardial infarction in aged rats: Heart performance and molecular mechanisms

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of combined alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) and mitoquinone (Mito Q) supplementation on cardiac function and the underlying mechanisms in aged rats with myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: The aged rats underwent left anterior descending artery (LADA) occlusion for 30 min, followed by reperfusion for 24 h. ALA (100 mg/kg, gavage) and Mito Q (10 mg/kg, IP) were administered daily for two weeks before ischemia. Cardiac function, inflammatory, and apoptotic markers were evaluated 24 h after ischemia. Results: The results of this study indicated that the administration of the combination of ALA and Mito Q significantly improved cardiac function. This improvement was linked to a reduction in the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β (P < 0.001) and apoptotic markers (Bax, caspase-3, and Cyt-c), as well as a decrease in the percentage of TUNEL-positive cells (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The study revealed that combined intervention synergistically mitigated cardiac dysfunction by suppressing inflammatory and apoptotic pathways in aged rats with MI. Further research is needed to validate the potential of ALA and Mito Q as therapeutic options for elderly people at risk of heart attacks

Lavandula Reduces Heart Injury via Attenuating Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha and Oxidative Stress in A Rat Model of Infarct-Like Myocardial Injury

Objective Lavender is used in herbal medicine for different therapeutic purposes. Nonetheless, potential therapeutic effects of this plant in ischemic heart disease and its possible mechanisms remain to be investigated. Materials and Methods In this experimental study, lavender oil at doses of 200, 400 or 800 mg/kg was administered through gastric gavage for 14 days before infarct-like myocardial injury (MI). The carotid artery and left ventricle were cannulated to record arterial blood pressure (BP) and cardiac function. At the end of experiment, the heart was removed and histopathological alteration, oxidative stress biomarkers as well as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) level were evaluated. Results Induction of M.I caused cardiac dysfunction, increased levels of lipid peroxidation, TNF-α and troponin I in heart tissue (P<0.001). Pretreatment with lavender oil at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly reduced myocardial injury, troponin I and TNF-α. In addition, it improved cardiac function and antioxidant enzyme activity (P<0.01). Conclusion Our finding showed that lavender oil has cardioprotective effect through inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory pathway in the rat model with infarct-like MI. We suggest that lavender oil may be helpful in prevention or attenuation of heart injury in patients with high risk of myocardial infarction and/or ischemic heart disease