Hoof of mule causes contraception- a pilot study on female wistar rats

fter years of query, we found that hoof of mule, a compound with contraceptive effect, had been used more than a century ago by the nomadic populations of Iran. We tested the effects of hoof on female rats. Hoof was administered orally (0.12 g/kg) for 3 days and the rats were mated on day 10 after the last administration. The mean number of pups 5 hours after delivery on day 21 was 14.67 ± 0.21 for the control group (Group-A), 4.16 ± 0.40 for rats experiencing their first pregnancy (Group-B), and no pups for rats experiencing their second pregnancy (Group C). Analysis of the uterus demonstrated failure of embryo implantation in one of the fallopian tubes of Group B, and no implantation in Group C. Assessment of serum levels of estradiol and progesterone showed completely opposite trends to the normal situation of hormonal changes after delivery. In summary, hoof of mule would appear to act through a complicated mechanism that may involve hormonal pathways. This new claim requires further extensive studies to determine the exact mechanism. The effective compound in hoof that affects hormonal balance and causes contraception is currently being analysed and identifie

Investigating the role of melatonin in multiple sclerosis's pathogenesis and treatment

Bien que différents facteurs endogènes et exogènes soient impliqués dans la pathogenèse de la sclérose en plaques (SP), qui est une maladie auto-immune, des résultats contradictoires ont été rapportés concernant les niveaux de synthèse et la fonction de la mélatonine dans la SP. La mélatonine circadienne est une hormone qui est libérée en réponse à la baisse de la luminosité parla glande pinéale. Dans la présente thèse de recherche, nous avons étudié le rôle de la mélatonine dans la SP à l'aide de différents modèles. Tout d'abord dans le chapitre 1, on découvre que la mélatonine a tendance à augmenter dans le modèle de Cuprizone de la SP. Nous avons constaté que le fait de maintenir les souris dans l'obscurité constante entraîne une augmentation supplémentaire de l'effet de renforcement immunitaire de la mélatonine et l'exacerbation de la démyélinisation et l'infiltration. En revanche, la luminothérapie a considérablement atténué la démyélinisation en inhibant la synthèse de la mélatonine et en augmentant l'effet immunosuppresseur du cortisol. Deuxièmement dans le chapitre 2, nous avons utilisé le modèle EAE de la SP pour traiter les souris avec de la mélatonine exogène. Bien que la mélatonine ait déjà montré une réduction chez le modèle de l'EAE, cette étude a montré que la mélatonine améliore la remyélinisation mais que celle-ci est associée à une inhibition de l'enzyme PDC via PDK4, ce qui inhibe donc la synthèse des acides gras nécessaires à une remyélinisation efficace. Cet effet secondaire est éliminé par la co-administration de mélatonine et de la DADA, un inhibiteur de PDK4. Troisièmement dans le chapitre 3, nous avons proposé une voie mécanistique par laquelle la réduction de la mélatonine par le vieillissement et le changement de mode de vie jouent un rôle critique dans la prolifération incontrôlée des cellules souches neurales dans la SVZ. Il s'agit de l'étape initiale de l'initiation du glioblastome. Cet effet de la mélatonine sur la SVZ a mis en évidence l'importance de la mélatonine dans le processus d'oligodendrogenèse, étant donné que les précurseurs d'oligodendrocytes peuvent provenir de la SVZ dans la SP. En résumé, nos études suggèrent que la synthèse de la mélatonine pinéale devrait être suivie pour chaque cas afin de déterminer le profil de l'oscillation de la mélatonine du patient en fonction de son régime alimentaire, de son mode de vie, etc. L'administration de mélatonine peut favoriser la SP, en cas de carence en mélatonine, ou l'exacerber, en cas de surdosage en mélatonine. En outre, la luminothérapie peut être une approche efficace pour contrôler la mélatonine du SNC et augmenter le cortisol immunosuppresseur dans la SP.Different endogenous and exogenous factors are involved in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis, an autoimmune disease. However, conflicting results are reported concerning melatonin synthesis levels, and function in MS. Circadian melatonin is a hormone released in response to the darkness from the pineal gland. In the current research thesis, we investigated the role of melatonin by different models in MS. First, in chapter 1, it is uncovered that melatonin tends to increase in the cuprizone model of MS. We figured out that keeping mice in constant darkness caused further increase in immunoenhancing function of melatonin and exacerbated the demyelination and infiltration. In contrast, light therapy significantly improved demyelination by inhibiting melatonin synthesis and boosting the cortisol immunosuppressant. Second, in chapter 2, we used the EAE model of MS to treat the mice with exogenous melatonin. The current study showed that melatonin improves remyelination; however, is associated with the inhibition of the PDC enzyme via PDK4, which inhibits the fatty acid synthesis required for efficient remyelination. This side effect is eliminated by the co-administration of melatonin and DADA, a PDK4 inhibitor. Third, in chapter 3, we proposed a mechanistic pathway by which melatonin reduction by aging and different lifestyle play a critical role in the uncontrolled proliferation of neural stem cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ). This is the initial step in glioblastoma initiation. This effect of melatonin on SVZ, highlighted the importance of melatonin in the oligodendrogenesis process as oligodendrocyte precursor can originate from SVZ in MS. To sum up, it suggested that pineal melatonin synthesis should be monitored in each induvial to figure out what is the patient's pattern in melatonin oscillation based on his/her diet, lifestyle, etc. Melatonin administration can improve MS, in case of melatonin deficiency or can exacerbate it, in case of melatonin overdose. Furthermore, light therapy may be an efficient approach for controlling the CNS melatonin and increasing the cortisol immunosuppressant in MS

Latitude, Vitamin D, Melatonin, and Gut Microbiota Act in Concert to Initiate Multiple Sclerosis: A New Mechanistic Pathway

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). While the etiology of MS is still largely unknown, scientists believe that the interaction of several endogenous and exogenous factors may be involved in this disease. Epidemiologists have seen an increased prevalence of MS in countries at high latitudes, where the sunlight is limited and where the populations have vitamin D deficiency and high melatonin levels. Although the functions and synthesis of vitamin D and melatonin are contrary to each other, both are involved in the immune system. While melatonin synthesis is affected by light, vitamin D deficiency may be involved in melatonin secretion. On the other hand, vitamin D deficiency reduces intestinal calcium absorption leading to gut stasis and subsequently increasing gut permeability. The latter allows gut microbiota to transfer more endotoxins such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS) into the blood. LPS stimulates the production of inflammatory cytokines within the CNS, especially the pineal gland. This review summarizes the current findings on the correlation between latitude, sunlight and vitamin D, and details their effects on intestinal calcium absorption, gut microbiota and neuroinflammatory mediators in MS. We also propose a new mechanistic pathway for the initiation of MS

Melatonin Therapy Modulates Cerebral Metabolism and Enhances Remyelination by Increasing PDK4 in a Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis

Metabolic disturbances have been implicated in demyelinating diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS). Melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone, has emerged as a potent neuroprotective candidate to reduce myelin loss and improve MS outcomes. In this study, we evaluated the effect of melatonin, at both physiological and pharmacological doses, on oligodendrocytes metabolism in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of MS. Results showed that melatonin decreased neurological disability scores and enhanced remyelination, significantly increasing myelin protein levels including MBP, MOG, and MOBP. In addition, melatonin attenuated inflammation by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) and increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10). Moreover, melatonin significantly increased brain concentrations of lactate, N-acetylaspartate (NAA), and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme-A reductase (HMGCR). Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-4 (PDK-4) mRNA and protein expression levels were also increased in melatonin-treated, compared to untreated EAE mice. However, melatonin significantly inhibited active and total pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC), an enzyme under the control of PDK4. In summary, although PDC activity was reduced by melatonin, it caused a reduction in inflammatory mediators while stimulating oligodendrogenesis, suggesting that oligodendrocytes are forced to use an alternative pathway to synthesize fatty acids for remyelination. We propose that combining melatonin and PDK inhibitors may provide greater benefits for MS patients than the use of melatonin therapy alone

Light-Emitting Diode (LED) therapy attenuates neurotoxicity of methanol-induced memory impairment and apoptosis in the hippocampus

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The adolescent brain has a higher vulnerability to alcoholinduced neurotoxicity, compared to adult's brain. Most studies have investigated the effect of ethanol consumption on the body, however, methanol consumption, which peaked in the last years, is still poorly explored. METHOD: In this study, we investigated the effects of methanol neurotoxicity on memory function and pathological outcomes in the hippocampus of adolescent rats and examined the efficacy of Light- Emitting Diode (LED) therapy. Methanol induced neurotoxic rats showed a significant decrease in the latency period, in comparison to controls, which was significantly improved in LED treated rats at 7, 14 and 28 days, indicating recovery of memory function. In addition, methanol neurotoxicity in hippocampus caused a significant increase in cell death (caspase3+ cells) and cell edema at 7 and 28 days, which were significantly decreased by LED therapy. Furthermore, the number of glial fibrillary acid protein astrocytes was significantly lower in methanol rats, compared to controls, whereas LED treatment caused their significant increase. Finally, methanol neurotoxicity caused a significant decrease in the number of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF+) cells, but also circulating serum BDNF, at 7 and 28 days, compared to controls, which were significantly increased by LED therapy. Importantly, LED significantly increased the number of Ki-67+ cells and BDNF levels in the serum and hypothalamus in control-LED rats, compared to controls without LED therapy. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, chronic methanol administration caused severe memory impairments and several pathological outcomes in the hippocampus of adolescent rats which were improved by LED therapy

Multiple Sclerosis Research Evolves: A Closer Look at Deep Gray Matter, Sexual Function Rehabilitation, and T Regulatory Cells

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune condition that leads to the loss of myelin and, subsequently, neuronal damage in the central nervous system (CNS) [...

Where do we look for the next breakthrough in sleep research?

Abstract The wakefulness-sleep cycle sets the pace of our life. Sleep research examines the transition between wakefulness and sleep, its hormonal regulation, and its pathological disruption. Understanding sleep mechanisms would improve quality-of-life well beyond sleep itself. To this aim, we invite contributions for the Collection “sleep physiology and circadian rhythms”

Hormones in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) animal models

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) in which activated immune cells attack the CNS and cause inflammation and demyelination. While the etiology of MS is still largely unknown, the interaction between hormones and the immune system plays a role in disease progression, but the mechanisms by which this occurs are incompletely understood. Several in vitro and in vivo experimental, but also clinical studies, have addressed the possible role of the endocrine system in susceptibility and severity of autoimmune diseases. Although there are several demyelinating models, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is the oldest and most commonly used model for MS in laboratory animals which enables researchers to translate their findings from EAE into human. Evidences imply that there is great heterogeneity in the susceptibility to the induction, the method of induction, and the response to various immunological or pharmacological interventions, which led to conflicting results on the role of specific hormones in the EAE model. In this review, we address the role of endocrine system in EAE model to provide a comprehensive view and a better understanding of the interactions between the endocrine and the immune systems in various models of EAE, to open up a ground for further detailed studies in this field by considering and comparing the results and models used in previous studies

Safflower Seed Oil, Containing Oleic Acid and Palmitic Acid, Enhances the Stemness of Cultured Embryonic Neural Stem Cells through Notch1 and Induces Neuronal Differentiation

Embryonic neural stem cells (eNSCs) could differentiate into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. This study was aimed to determine the effect of safflower seed oil, which contains linoleic acid (LA), oleic acid (OA), and palmitic acid (PA), on cultured eNSC proliferation and differentiation, in comparison to linoleic acid alone. Results showed that safflower seed oil, but not LA, increased significantly the viability and proliferation of eNSCs. Moreover, treatment of NSCs by safflower seed oil, but not LA, resulted in a significant increase in mRNA levels of notch1, hes1, and Ki-67, and protein levels of notch intracellular domain (NICD), in comparison to controls, indicating an enhancement of stemness. Finally, safflower seed oil, but not LA, caused an increase in the number of oligodendrocytes (MBP+), astrocytes (GFAP+) and neurons (β-III tubulin+) of which only the increase in β-III tubulin positive cells was statistically significant. In summary, OA and PA, present in safflower seed oil may prove beneficial for the enhancement of eNSCs and their neuronal differentiation