The Effect of Curcumin on Penile Fibrotic Plaque in Rats with Experimental Peyronie's Disease

Objective: No effective medical approach for the treatment of Peyronie's disease (PD) has to date been described. This study was intended to evaluate the antifibrotic, antioxidant, and antiinflammatory effects of curcumin on fibrotic tissue in the tunica albuginea (TA) in a rat model of PD. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four male Sprague Dawley rats aged 10 months were randomized into three groups (n = 8 in each). No PD model was induced in the control group. The PD+saline (PD+Ps) group received fibrin injection, followed two weeks later by saline administration by oral gavage for 14 days. The PD+Curcumin (PD+Cur) group received fibrin injection into the TA followed two weeks later by curcumin administration by oral gavage for 14 days. At the end of the experiment, fibrotic activity was evaluated using stereological and histopathological methods. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), one of the most fibrogenic cytokines, was evaluated using immunohistochemistry with an anti-TGF-β1 rabbit monoclonal antibody. Results: Stereological analysis revealed significantly greater Peyronie-like plaque areas in the TA in the PD+Ps group than in the control and PD+Cur groups (p<0.0001). No significant difference was observed between the control and PD+Cur groups (p=0.35). The PD+Ps group exhibited strong TGF-β1 immunoreactivity with increased expression in the collagenous connective tissues and fibroblasts around the TA. Conclusion: Curcumin reduced fibrotic tissue in the TA and may represent a novel therapeutic option in the treatment of PD

The effects of curcumin and blueberry on axonal regeneration after peripheral nerve injury

The purpose of this study was to analyze the axonal regeneration and therapeutic effects of curcumin and blueberry administration following peripheral nerve injury using stereological, electron microscopic and electrophysiological methods. Animals in were assigned into one of four groups - control (Cont), injury (Inj), injury+curcumin (Cur) and injury+blueberry (Blue). Following the induction of sciatic nerve crush injury (75 Newtons for 5 s) in the Inj, Cur, and Blue groups, the rats in the Cur group received intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg curcumin (Sigma C1386) and the rats in the Blue group received 4 g/kg blueberry by gavage over a four-week period. The rats in the Cont and Inj groups were not exposed to any substance. All animals were given standard chow. Sciatic functional index analyses were performed on the 14th and 28th days after injury, and electromyography (EMG) results were recorded. Stereological analysis of the nerve was performed under light microscopy. Light and electron microscopies were used for the histopathological evaluation of the sciatic nerve. Analysis of myelinated axon numbers revealed no significant differences between the Inj group and the Cur and Blue groups. However, a significant difference was observed between the Blue and Inj groups in terms of axonal areas. EMG test results differed between the Blue and the Inj groups (p < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed between the Inj and Cur groups. Electron microscopic analysis revealed protective effects of curcumin and blueberry treatment after injury. The use of the curcumin and blueberry may represent a supportive approach to the protection of nerve fibers after peripheral nerve crush injury.Ondokuz Mayıs UniversityOndokuz Mayis University project management office, Samsun, Turke

Is vagal stimulation or inhibition benefit on the regulation of the Stomach Brain Axis in Obesity?

Objective: Possible effects of the vagus inhibition and stimulation on the hypothalamic nuclei, myenteric plexes and the vagus nerve were investigated. Methods: The female rats divided to the inhibition (INH), stimulation (STI) and, sham (SHAM) groups were fed with high fat diet (including 40% of energy from animal fat). After nine weeks, the rats were allowed to recover for 4 weeks in INH group. In STI group, the left vagus nerve stimulated (30 Hz/500 msn/30 sec.) starting 2nd post operative day for 5 minutes during 4 weeks. Healthy female rats used as control (CONT). Then, tissue samples were analyzed by biochemical, histological and stereological methods. Results: The mean number of the neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the INH group was significantly less; but, that is significantly more in the STI group compared to the other groups. The neuronal density of ventromedial nucleus in the STI group was higher; while the density in the INH group was lower than the other groups. In the dorsomedial nucleus, neuron density of the INH group was lower than the other groups. In terms of the myenteric plexus volumes, that of the INH group was lowest. The myelinated axon number in the INH group was significantly highest. The myelin sheath thickness and axon area of the INH group was significantly lower than the other groups. Discussion: The results of the study show that the vagal inhibition is more effective than the vagal stimulation on the weight loss in the obesity

Effects of electromagnetic fields exposure on the antioxidant defense system

Technological devices have become essential components of daily life. However, their deleterious effects on the body, particularly on the nervous system, are well known. Electromagnetic fields (EMF) have various chemical effects, including causing deterioration in large molecules in cells and imbalance in ionic equilibrium. Despite being essential for life, oxygen molecules can lead to the generation of hazardous by-products, known as reactive oxygen species (ROS), during biological reactions. These reactive oxygen species can damage cellular components such as proteins, lipids and DNA. Antioxidant defense systems exist in order to keep free radical formation under control and to prevent their harmful effects on the biological system. Free radical formation can take place in various ways, including ultraviolet light, drugs, lipid oxidation, immunological reactions, radiation, stress, smoking, alcohol and biochemical redox reactions. Oxidative stress occurs if the antioxidant defense system is unable to prevent the harmful effects of free radicals. Several studies have reported that exposure to EMF results in oxidative stress in many tissues of the body. Exposure to EMF is known to increase free radical concentrations and traceability and can affect the radical couple recombination. The purpose of this review was to highlight the impact of oxidative stress on antioxidant systems

Is vagal stimulation or inhibition benefit on the regulation of the stomach brain axis in obesity?

Objective:Possible effects of the vagus inhibition and stimulation on the hypothalamic nuclei, myenteric plexes and the vagus nerve were investigated. Methods:The female rats divided to the inhibition (INH), stimulation (STI) and, sham (SHAM) groups were fed with high fat diet (including 40% of energy from animal fat). After nine weeks, the rats were allowed to recover for 4 weeks in INH group. In STI group, the left vagus nerve stimulated (30 Hz/500 msn/30 sec.) starting 2nd post operative day for 5 minutes during 4 weeks. Healthy female rats used as control (CONT). Then, tissue samples were analyzed by biochemical, histological and stereological methods. Results:The mean number of the neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the INH group was significantly less; but, that is significantly more in the STI group compared to the other groups. The neuronal density of ventromedial nucleus in the STI group was higher; while the density in the INH group was lower than the other groups. In the dorsomedial nucleus, neuron density of the INH group was lower than the other groups. In terms of the myenteric plexus volumes, that of the INH group was lowest. The myelinated axon number in the INH group was significantly highest. The myelin sheath thickness and axon area of the INH group was significantly lower than the other groups. Discussion:The results of the study show that the vagal inhibition is more effective than the vagal stimulation on the weight loss in the obesity

A novel approach in the treatment of osteoarthritis: In vitro and in vivo evaluation of Allium sativum microemulsion

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent kind of joint disease, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Allium sativum L. was used as a therapeutic agent in the microemulsion system against osteoarthritis due to allicin's high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. HPLC was used to evaluate the chemical components of the Allium sativum methanol extract. Water-in-oil (w/o) type of microemulsions loaded with Allium sativum extract was produced. To create the microemulsions, a titration approach was employed. The microemulsions were prepared using isopropyl myristate (IPM) as oil, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan monolaurate 80 as surfactants, and Polyethylene glycol 400, ethanol as cosurfactants. The pH, droplet size, viscosity, polydispersity index values were measured to characterize of microemulsions. In addition, L929 healthy mouse fibroblasts and CHON-001 healthy human cartilage fibroblast cells were tested for cytocompatibility in vitro. The therapeutic potential of Allium sativum microemulsion was investigated in rats that had osteoarthritis surgically simulated. HPLC analysis revealed a significant concentration of allicin in the extract. The titration approach was used to create an A. sativum microemulsion (AS) with a narrow droplet size and PDI range. In L929 and CHON-001 cells, cytocompatibility experiments revealed that the maximum dosages of AS microemulsion 5% (v/v) exerted 93.41 +/- 3.11% and 75.59 +/- 2.69% cell viabilities, respectively. Different concentrations of AS (1.25%, 2.5%, and 5% v/v) demonstrated cytoprotective efficacy against H2O2-induced oxidative damage. When compared to the control group, in vivo investigations revealed fewer irregularities on the articular surface and typically arranged chondrocytes in the positive control and treated groups.Health Sciences University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Uni