The effects of interaction of Dopaminergic and Kisspeptin neural pathways on Ghrelin secretion in rats

Dopamine, kisspeptin and ghrelin are important factors for regulating the reproduction and food intake. Finding the effective central or peripheral factors on ghrelin secretion attracted the attention of most researches. In the present experimental study, the effects of dopamine, kisspeptin and the GPR54 receptor signaling pathway role in the mediating the dopamine effects  was determined on ghrelin secretion. Forty Wistar male rats weighing 220-250g in 8 groups received saline, 1nmol kisspeptin, 5, 15 or 45 microgram dopamine hydrochloride, simultaneous injections of 1nmol peptide 234 and kisspeptin, 15microgram dopamine and kisspeptin or peptide234 and 15microgram dopamine via third cerebral ventricle respectively. Blood samples were collected via tail vein. Mean serum ghrelin concentrations were determined by rat ghrelin kit and ELISA method. Kisspeptin significantly decreased mean serum concentration compared to saline group, while 15 or 45 microgram dopamine significantly increased mean serum ghrelin level compared to saline group. Kisspeptin significantly blocked the stimulatory effects of dopamine on ghrelin secretion compared to dopamine group. Dopaminergic and kisspeptin/GPR54 signaling pathways may interact to control the ghrelin secretion at hypothalamic level. Stimulatory effects of dopamine on ghrelin secretions could exert partly via decreasing the activity of hypothalamic kisspeptin neurons

Preliminary Evidence of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Death Anxiety in Iranian Clients Diagnosed with OCD

This study investigated the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on death anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) with eight adult females in Iran. The ACT protocol was conducted in 8 weekly solo sessions (45 minutes each). The results were analyzed by visual analysis method and improvement percentage. ACT resulted in decreases in death anxiety (60-80%) and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (51-60%), thereby indicating promise for ACT as a treatment for OCD and death anxiety

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of a few Penaiedae species (Crustacea, Decapoda) using RAPD

Penaiedae species, Penaeus canaliculatus Penaeus indicus, Metapenaeus dobsoni, Metapenaeus monoceros, Parapenaeopsis stylifera, Parapenaeopsis longipes and Trachypenaeus curvirostris from Arabian Sea (Mangalore Coast, India), were genetically examined using RAPD markers. Ten selective primers provided distinct and consistent RAPD profiles in all the seven species. A considerable amount of polymorphism was detected at the interspecific as well as intraspecific levels with all ten primers. A total of 105 fragments were scored. Of these 10 fragments, were monomorphic bands shared by all species. Out of 105 fragments, 95 (90%) bands were polymorphic and shared by at least two species. There are also some fragments, which are highly species specific for a particular primer, which are not at all shared by other species. The range of dissimilarity index is from 0.392 the lowest one to 0.599 the highest one. The least 1-F value is between Metapenaeus dobsoni and Metapenaeus monoceros and the highest dissimilarity index between Penaeus canaliculatus and Trachypenaeus curvirostris

Study on the Toxicity Effects of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Hematological and Serum Parameters in Mice

Abstract Background: Nanoparticles are used in various applications due to unique mechanical and physicochemical properties such as their increased surface area to volume ratio and quantum effects. This study was designed to investigate the cytotoxic effects of zinc oxide nanopaticles on hematological and biochemical parameters BALB/c mice. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 28 adult male mice BALB/c, were divided into four groups (one control group and three experimental groups). The mice in the experimental groups orally received Zinc Oxide nanoparticles with doses of 50, 100 and 300 mg/kg for 14 days. The control group received distillated water only. On 15th day, some hematological and biochemical parameters were studied on the blood samples collected. Results: Results showed that Zinc Oxide nanoparticles cause changes in blood cells. In high concentration, nanoparticles increased some of factors such as white blood cells, hemoglubin, MCV and neutrophil and besides decreased amount of RBCs, pLTs, hematocrit, lymphocytes, glucose and kratenin significantly (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings showed that zinc oxide nanoparticles cause harmful effects due to the considerable variations in hematological and serum parameters in mice in a dose-dependent way

Evaluation of the Effects of Different Concentrations All-trans Retinoic Acid on the Survival of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Abstract Background: According to application of Retinoic acid in differentiation of the stem cells to different cells and its role in apoptotic of cancer cells, the selection of appropriate dose for differentiation of stem cells is important. Thus in this study the effects of Retinoic acid in different concentrations on viability stem cells to select the appropriate dose for differentiation was investigated. Materials and Methods: In this study, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were affected by different concentrations of Retinoic acid. Survival of cells was investigated after 3, 10 and 15 days of culture by MTT assay. DAPI staining was used to evaluate the number of apoplectic nuclei in treated cells after 10 and 15 days. Results: After three days of culture, the results showed that a large number of cells are destroyed at concentrations of 10-4, 10-3 and 10-2M of Retinoic acid, while in 10-5 and 10-6 M of Retinoic acid, it is not observed many apoptosis. Amount of 10-5M Retinoic acid after 10 days showed significant apoptosis, while the concentration of 10-6 M Retinoic acid after 15 days showed significant apoptosis compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: It looks that 10-6 M Retinoic acid is an appropriate concentration for differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells

Influences of L-DOPA and Blocking Dopamine Receptors on Aromatase Gene Expression and Serum Concentration of LH in Rat Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background & Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with higher plasma levels of androgens, LH/FSH ratio and lower activity of aromatase and dopaminergic signaling pathways. In the present study, the effects of L-DOPA and dopamine receptor antagonists were investigated on aromatase (Cyp19) gene expression and LH concentration in PCOS rat model. Material & Methods: Following PCOS induction by estradiol valerate, The PCOS rats received saline, L-DOPA(100mg/kg) or simultaneous injections of sulpride (10mg/kg)/ SCH23390 (1mg/kg)/ L-DOPA (100mg/kg). Five intact estrous rats were used as a control group. Mean serum LH concentration and aromatase relative gene expression was evaluated by radioimmonoassay and real- time-PCR method respectively. Results: Mean aromatase mRNA levels significantly decreased in the hypothalamus and ovary of PCOS model rats compared to intact ones. Mean serum LH concentration significantly increased in PCOS group in comparison with intact rats. The L-DOPA significantly increased mean hypothalamic and ovarian aromatase gene expression compared to PCOS rats while it significantly declined serum LH concentration compared to PCOS rats. Dopamine receptor antagonists including sulpiride and SCH23390 blocks the stimulatory or inhibitory effects of L-DOPA on hypothalamic aromatase or serum LH levels respectively. But the sulpride and SCH23390 did not inhibit the stimulatory influences of L-DOPA on ovarian aromatase gene expression. Conclusion: L-DOPA may be involved in the controling of PCOS condition via decreasing LH secretion and increasing the aromatase gene expresion

Moderate exercise mitigates cardiac dysfunction and injury induced by cyclosporine A through activation of the PGI2 / PPAR-γ signaling pathway

Background and purpose: The present study investigated the role of the prostaglandin I2/peroxisome proliferator activator receptor (PGI2/PPAR) signaling pathway in cardiac cell proliferation, apoptosis, and systemic hemodynamic variables under cyclosporine A (CsA) exposure alone or combined with moderate exercises. Experimental approach: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were classified into three groups, namely, control, CsA, and CsA + exercise. Findings/Results: After 42 days of treatment, the findings showed a significant enhancement in the expression of the β-MHC gene, enhancement in protein expression of Bax and caspase-3, and a significant decline in the protein expression of Bcl-2 expression, as well as increased proliferation intensity in the heart tissue of the CsA group compared to the control group. Systolic pressure, pulse pressure, mean arterial pressure (MAP), QT and QRS duration, and T wave amplitude, as well as QTc amount in the CsA group, showed a significant increase compared to the control group. PPAR-γ and PGI2 showed no significant changes compared to the control group. Moderate exercise along with CsA significantly enhanced the protein expression of PPAR-γ and PGI2 and declined protein expression of Bax, and caspase-3 compared to those in the CsA group. In the CsA + exercise group, systolic pressure, MAP, and Twave showed a significant decrease compared to the CsA group. Moderate exercises along CsA improved heart cell proliferation intensity and significantly reduced β- MHC gene expression compared to the CsA group. Conclusions and implications: The results showed moderate exercise alleviated CsA-induced heart tissue apoptosis and proliferation with the corresponding activation of the PGI2/PPAR-γ pathway

A comprehensive study on antidiabetic and antibacterial activities of ZnO nanoparticles biosynthesized using Silybum marianum L seed extract

Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) using the plants’ extract and their potential application have driven a tremendous interest in recent years. This study reports a green microwave-assisted method for synthesis of ZnO NPs using Silybum marianum L. seed extract. Characteristics of the as-prepared sample was explored in terms of crystalline phase, morphology, composition, surface area, optical, and thermal properties. The particles of the biosynthesized sample (ZnO/extract) had smaller sizes than the chemically produced one (ZnO). The existence of biomolecules from Silybum marianum L seed extract linked to the ZnO/extract sample was approved by various analyses. The ZnO/extract sample was used for treating alloxan-induced diabetic rats and its efficiency was compared with ZnO, extract, and insulin treatments. For this purpose, the levels of blood glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, total triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein were measured before and after treating with the studied treatment agents and compared with each other. Moreover, the antibacterial activities of both ZnO samples were investigated against E. coli to assess their potential antibacterial application. From the results, ZnO/extract NPs represented an outstanding performance in overcoming the diabetic disorders and good antibacterial activity against the studied bacteria