Assessment of Neuroprotective Properties of Melissa officinalis in Combination With Human Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells After Spinal Cord Injury

Introduction: The pathophysiology of spinal cord injury (SCI) has a classically bad prognosis. It has been demonstrated that human umbilical cord blood stem cells (hUCBSCs) and Melissa officinalis (MO) are useful for the prevention of neurological disease. Methods: Thirty-six adult male rats were randomly divided into intact, sham, control (SCI), MO, hUCBSC, and MO-hUCBSC groups. Intraperitoneal injection of MO (150 mg/kg) was commenced 24 hr post-SCI and continued once a day for 14 days. Intraspinal grafting of hUCBSCs was commenced immediately in the next day. The motor and sensory functions of all animals were evaluated once a week after the commencement of SCI. Electromyography (EMG) was performed in the last day in order to measure the recruitment index. Immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and transmission electron microscopy evaluations were performed to determine the level of astrogliosis and myelination. Results: The results revealed that motor function (MO-hUCBSC: 15 ± 0.3, SCI: 8.2 ± 0.37, p <.001), sensory function (MO-hUCBSC: 3.57 ± 0.19, SCI: 6.38 ± 0.23, p <.001), and EMG recruitment index (MO-hUCBSC: 3.71 ± 0.18, SCI: 1.6 ± 0.1, p <.001) were significantly improved in the MO-hUCBSC group compared with SCI group. Mean cavity area (MO-hUCBSC: 0.03 ± 0.03, SCI: 0.07 ± 0.004, p <.001) was reduced and loss of lower motor neurons (MO-hUCBSC: 7.6 ± 0.43, SCI: 3 ± 0.12, p <.001) and astrogliosis density (MO-hUCBSC: 3.1 ± 0.15, SCI: 6.25 ± 1.42, p < 0.001) in the ventral horn of spinal cord were prevented in MO-hUCBSC group compared with SCI group. Conclusion: The results revealed that the combination of MO and hUCBSCs in comparison with the control group has neuroprotective effects in SCI. © 2016, © The Author(s) 2016

Study of the repair of femoral bone defects using adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) on Chitosan - Gelatin membrane in rats (biomechanical and radiological evaluations)

Background and purpose: Adipose - drived stem cells are multipotent cells that capable to diffrentiate in to osteogenic cells. On the other hand, the scaffold of chitosan and gelatin are biodegradable and compatible used for tissue repair. This study evaluated the repair of femoral bone defect using adipose-derived stem cells on gelatin – chitosan membrane in adult Albino Wistar rats by radiographic and biomechanical tests. Materials and Methods: In this study, sixty male adult rats were equally divided into six groups. 1)Normal group) that received no treatment and bone intact and is only used to compare the biomechanics, 2(Normal Foramen group) femoral bone were removed from the animal body, and were then created bone defect similar to the experimental groups for biomechanic testing, 3 (control group) received no treatment after bone defect. 4 (sham group) after bone defect, the culture medium was injected at the site of bone defect. 5 (gelatin - chitosan group) that gelatin - chitosan membrane was used in to bone defect. Group 6 that transplanted ADSCs in to bone defect. Results: Radiograph bone opacity increased in chitosan – gelatin, cell and cell with chitosan - gelatin groups compared to control group but this difference was not significant. Biomechanical results of bone showed mean Fmax was increased in treatment groups compared to control group however the difference was not significant but compared with the normal foramen group significantly increased. Conclusion: It seems that scaffold of chitosan - gelatin membrane and ADSC cell transplantation appears to be effective in repair of bone defect

Chitosan-film associated with mesenchymal stem cells enhanced regeneration of peripheral nerves: A rat sciatic nerve model

Objective Peripheral nerve injuries comprise significant portion of the nervous system injuries. Although peripheral nerves show some capacity of regeneration after injury, but the extent of regeneration is not remarkable. Regeneration might be through the activity of the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) which can release growth factors or extracellular matrix components or by the therapeutic effect of some material with the MSCs. The present study aimed to evaluate the regeneration of transected sciatic nerve by a therapeutic value of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) associated with chitosan-film (Cs) in rat. Materials & methods Male Wistar rats (n=42, 180-200g) were randomly divided into intact; control; sham; Cs; MSCs; MSCs + Cs groups. Functional recovery was evaluated at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after surgery using sciatic functional index (SFI), hot water paw immersion test, electrophysiological, histological analyses. Results The rats in the MSCs+Cs group showed significant decrease in SFI and hot water paw immersion test during the 2nd to 8th weeks after surgery. Electrophysiological findings showed a significant decrease in latency time in the MSCs +Cs group. Amplitude of the nerve impulses also increased. Number of nerve fibers with more than 6 μm diameters increased significantly in MSCs+Cs. The number of nerve fibers with less than 4 μm diameters also increased significantly in MSCs+Cs group. Conclusion Taken together, mesenchymal stem cells associated with Cs could improve functional and histomorphological properties of the sciatic nerve after injury which may have some clinical outcomes as well. © 2017 Elsevier B.V

The Protective and Therapeutic Roles of Hexamethylenetetramine and N-Acetyl-Cysteine on Sulfur Mustard-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rat Serum

Introduction: Sulfur mustard(SM) is a strong alkylating agent that increases the formation of free radicals. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the protective and therapeutic roles of hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) and N-acetyl-cysteine(NAC) in reduction of SM-induced oxidative stress in rat serum. Methods: In the present experimental study, male Wistar rats were randomly divided into eight groups including: control group, SM group (an endotracheal injection of SM 0.5%/kg only once), HMT group (7.5mg/kg), NAC group (0.5mg/kg), HMT-SM group, NAC-SM group, SM-HMT group and SM-NAC group. HMT and NAC were received daily an hour before and after receiving SM by intraperitoneal injection for 14 days. After 14 days, the rats were anesthetized by ether, their blood was collected by cardiac puncture and the serum was obtained. Then, superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase(CAT) and glutathione S-transferase(GST) activities, as well as glutathione(GSH) and malondialdehyde(MDA) levels were determined by biochemical methods. Results: SM decreased serum SOD (p<0.001) and CAT (p<0.05) activities as well as GSH level (p<0.01), whereas it increased GST activity (p<0.01) and MDA level (p<0.01). HMT and NAC pre- and post-treated animals showed a difference in these biochemical parameters as compared to SM-treated rats. Conclusion: The study findings revealed that SM induces oxidative stress in rat serum. HMT and NAC can ameliorate SM-induced oxidative stress by altering antioxidant defense system in serum. The protective effect of HMT against the toxicity of SM is higher than NAC

Chitosan-film associated with mesenchymal stem cells enhanced regeneration of peripheral nerves: A rat sciatic nerve model

Objective Peripheral nerve injuries comprise significant portion of the nervous system injuries. Although peripheral nerves show some capacity of regeneration after injury, but the extent of regeneration is not remarkable. Regeneration might be through the activity of the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) which can release growth factors or extracellular matrix components or by the therapeutic effect of some material with the MSCs. The present study aimed to evaluate the regeneration of transected sciatic nerve by a therapeutic value of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) associated with chitosan-film (Cs) in rat. Materials & methods Male Wistar rats (n=42, 180-200g) were randomly divided into intact; control; sham; Cs; MSCs; MSCs + Cs groups. Functional recovery was evaluated at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after surgery using sciatic functional index (SFI), hot water paw immersion test, electrophysiological, histological analyses. Results The rats in the MSCs+Cs group showed significant decrease in SFI and hot water paw immersion test during the 2nd to 8th weeks after surgery. Electrophysiological findings showed a significant decrease in latency time in the MSCs +Cs group. Amplitude of the nerve impulses also increased. Number of nerve fibers with more than 6 μm diameters increased significantly in MSCs+Cs. The number of nerve fibers with less than 4 μm diameters also increased significantly in MSCs+Cs group. Conclusion Taken together, mesenchymal stem cells associated with Cs could improve functional and histomorphological properties of the sciatic nerve after injury which may have some clinical outcomes as well. © 2017 Elsevier B.V

Study of transected sciatic nerve repair by amniotic membrane with betamethasone in adult albino wistar rats

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of amniotic membrane impregnated with betamethasone on regeneration of transected sciatic nerve injury in adult albino Wister rats. Methods: In this research, 42 male adult rats were divided into six equal groups. 1) Normal (intact) group: healthy rats without any injury; 2) Control group: sciatic nerve was cut and sutured; 3) Sham group: 0.2 mL culture medium was injected on the epineurium in the injury; 4) Amniotic membrane group (AM): Acellular amniotic membrane was used around the damaged sciatic nerve; 5) Betamethasone group (B): 0.2 mL Betamethasone (4 mg/mL) was injected in the site of damaged nerve and 6) Amniotic membrane group and Betamethasone (AM/B) group: Acellular amniotic membrane impregnated with 0.2 mL betamethasone was used around the damaged sciatic nerve. The rate of recovery was studied by Sciatic Functional Index (SFI), withdrawal UH�Hlatency (WRL) test and electroctrophysiological assessments at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after surgery. Histological assessment was done 8 weeks after surgery. Results: At 8 weeks after surgery, SFI, WRL test and electrophysiological values in AM/B group were VLJQL¿FDQWO\ improved compared to control and sham groups (P < 0.05). Histological results showed improvement in therapeutic groups, especially AM/B group compared to control and sham groups and other therapeutic groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The present study showed the positive effects of Amniotic membrane and Betamethasone on nerve regeneration of transected sciatic nerve in a rat model. © 2016, Academy of Medical Sciences of I.R. Iran. All rights reserved

Chitosan– Gelatin (Ch-G) Thin Membrane with Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMSCs): A New Model As A Dressing Bandage

Background and Purpose: Various methods for repairing defects and injuries such as wounds and cuts on the body have long been used. Biocompatible material into the body for the purposes of applying the Chitosan and gelatin are among them. On the other hand, recently the use and application of special cells in the bone marrow stromal stem cells (BMSCs) to produce a wide variety of growth factors and tropic factors in the healing and restoration of great concern was. Methods: In this study, a thin film of polymer solution (Ch-G) of mixture casting method, cells with BMSCs were obtained. For this purpose, cells were passage BMSCs after four steps, the thin membrane (Ch-G) were cultured. Adhesion of the BMSCs cells by inverted microscopy, the purity and the stem was examined by immunocytochemistry after the sixth day. Results: Demonstrate that the proper proliferation and apoptosis of cells during this period was low on the membrane. The results showed no significant difference between the cells on thin membranes (Ch-G) compared with the control group. Conclusion: Considering that BMSCs can easily be on thin-film cells (Ch-G), growth and reproduction are good, so it can cover the cell membrane as a dressing Adhesive Bandage to repair some defects, wounds used and bone fractures

Curcumin and Biodegradable Membrane Promote Nerve Regeneration and Functional Recovery after Sciatic Nerve Transection in Adult Rats

Background Curcumin has immunomodulatory anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of curcumin and biodegradable membrane on nerve healing in rat sciatic nerve transected injuries. Methods Rats were divided into groups: (1) control group (Ctrl), (2) curcumin group (Cur), (3) membrane group (Mem), and (4) membrane and curcumin group (Mem + Cur). Functional recovery was evaluated at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after surgery. At the end of the eighth week after surgery, histological assessments were done. Results At the end of 8th week after surgery, functional assessments (sciatic nerve index, withdrawal reflex latency, and electromyography) in the Mem + Cur group improved compared with other groups (P < 0.05). Histological results (number of nerve fibers, diameter of nerve fibers, and myelin thickness) improved in the Mem + Cur group compared with the control, Cur, and Mem groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion The present study showed the positive effects of Mem + Cur on nerve regeneration of transected sciatic nerve in rat model. © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved