Prooxidant-antioxidant balance in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients

Samaneh Sabouri , Darioush Hamidi Alamdari , Sanaz Salaramoli , Seyyed Isaac Hashemy Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelination disorder of the central nervous system (CNS), which is believed to be associated with oxidative stress. Therefore, researchers try to find reliable biomarkers to monitor the disease and predict its prognosis. Cholesterol and lipids in the myelin sheath are vital for nerve cells. Serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is susceptible to lipid peroxidation induced by oxidative stress. This study aimed to evaluate oxidative stress markers in the serum of patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and examine their correlation with lipid markers. Methods: A total of 18 MS patients (14 women and 4 men) and 18 healthy subjects (matched by age and sex) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The serum samples were collected in both relapsing and remitting phases. The prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), malondialdehyde (MDA), and oxidized LDL (oxLDL) were measured as markers of oxidative stress. Results: The mean age of participants was 29.21 (22-42) years. In the comparison between the patient and control groups, the most differences were increased levels of PAB in the patient group (P 0.05), and MDA, LDL, and oxLDL levels did not have any significant correlation with PAB (P > 0.05). Conclusion: High levels of oxidative stress markers were present in both phases of the disease. Lipid peroxidation markers (such as MDA) increased in the acute phase, but oxLDL did not change. Also, there was no significant correlation between oxidative stress and cholesterol markers

The role of stem cells in the improvement of brain injuries after hypoxic ischemia

Introduction: Nowadays, the important role of stem cells in treatment of many diseases such as stoke is well known. Stem cells derived from either bone marrow or cord bloods are good sources for tissues replacement after post embryonic injuries. Methods: Fourteen-day-old Wistar rats were used in this study. Rats were subjected to internal carotid artery occlusion for 30 minutes. Then, animals were received intravenously 2×105 Bromo Deoxy Uridine (BRDU) labeled- cord blood stem cells (CBSCs). Rats with hypoxic conditions that were not received any injection were assumed as a sham group. Intact animals who did not receive any injection or surgeries were used as a control group. Results: Our results were evaluated according to behavioral tests and immunohistochemistry of the brain especially frontal cortex of the control, sham and experimental groups. Behavioral recovery was observed in the experimental group compared to the either the sham or the control group. In addition, histological studies demonstrated a reduction in ischemic cells in the experimental group compared to the sham group. Conclusion: Intravenous transplantation can be a future line in treatment of infants with hypoxic who are exposed to irreversible damages

Therapeutic Potential of Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells on Brain Damage of a Model of Stroke

Introduction: Human cord blood-derived stem cells are a rich source of stem cells as well as precursors. With regard to the researchers have focused on the therapeutic potential of stem cell in the neurological disease such as stroke, the aim of this study was the investiga-tion of the therapeutic effects of human cord blood-derived stem cells in cerebral ischemia on rat. Methods: This study was carried out on young rats. Firstly, to create a laboratory model of ischemic stroke, carotid artery of animals was occluded for 30 minutes. Then, umbilical cord blood cells were isolated and labeled using bromodeoxyuridine and 2×105 cells were injected into the experimental group via the tail vein. Rats with hypoxic condi-tions were used as a sham group. A group of animals did not receive any injection or sur-geries were used as a control. Results: Obtained results were evaluated based on behavior-al responses and immunohistochemistry, with emphasis on areas of putamen and caudate nucleus in the control, sham and experimental groups. Our results indicated that behavioral recovery was observed in the experimental group compared to the either the sham or the control group. However, histological studies demonstrated a low percent of tissue injury in the experimental group in comparison with the sham group. Conclusion: Stem cell trans-plantation is beneficial for the brain tissue reparation after hypoxic ischemic cell death