The effect of intrathecal delivery of bone marrow stromal cells on hippocampal neurons in rat model of Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVES: Intracerebral injection of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) is being investigated as a therapeutic tool to prevent Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our aim was to investigate the effects of BMSCs by intrathecal injection in AD rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BMSCs were obtained from the bone marrow of Wistar rat and transplanted into AD rat model via intrathecal injection. The rat model had received an injection of β amyloid into the hippocampus for histological and immunohistochemical studies. RESULTS: Histological examination of the brains in transplanted rats compared to controls demonstrated the migration of BrdU-labeled BMSCs from the site of delivery, confirmed the differentiation of BMSCs transplanted cells into the cholinergic neurons, and increased number of healthy and decreased number of dark neurons. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that BMSCs intratechal administration could be a promising method for treatment of Alzheimer's disease in rat model

Rapamycin protects testes against germ cell apoptosis and oxidative stress induced by testicular ischemia-reperfusion

Objective(s):Rapamycin is an immunosuppressant compound with a broad spectrum of pharmaco-logical activities. In recent years, it has been used successfully to decrease ischemia-reperfusion injury in several organ systems. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of rapamycin on testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury. Materials and Methods: Seventy-two adult male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: control (group1), sham-operated (Group2), T/D + DMSO as vehicle group (group3), and groups 4–6; respectively received 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mgkg-1 of rapamycin , IP 30 min before detorsion. Ischemia was achieved by twisting the right testis 720o clockwise for 1 hr. The right testis of 6 animals from each group were excised 4 hr after detorsion for the measurement of lipid peroxidation, caspase-3, and antioxidant enzyme activities. Histopathological changes and germ cell apoptosis were determined by measuring mean of seminiferous tubules diameters (MSTD) and TUNEL test in right testis of 6 animals per group, 24 hr after detorsion. Results: Testicular T/D caused increases in the apoptosis, malondialdehyde (MDA), and caspase-3 levels and decreases in the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in ipsilateral testis (

Mercuric Chloride Induced Cell Death in Spinal Cord of Embryo in Rat

A B S T R A C TIntroduction: Because of more exposure to mercury compounds, the prenatal and postnatal neurotoxic effects of mercury compounds have gained more attention in last decade. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mercuric chloride intoxication on spinal cord development during prenatal period. Methods: 36 adult Sprague-dawley rats after observing vaginal mating plaque (zero day of gestation) were divided into six groups: three control groups that received normal saline solution and three experimental groups that injected with mercuric chloride, 2mg/kg/IP, in 8th, 9th and 10th days of gestation. Then, embryos were removed from uterus in 15th day and spinal cord of embryos was studied by histological techniques. Results: Microscopic study of spinal cord showed that cell death, mitosis division, and extracellular spaces were increased and cells accumulation were decreased in experimental groups. Diameter of ventricular zone was increased and diameter of mantle and marginal zones were decreased. Discussion: The present study showed that mercuric chloride intoxication in prenatal period can induce cell death and results in neural tube deficits in prenatal rats

Neuroprotective effect of quercetin in a model of Parkinson’s disease in rat: A histochemical analysis

AbstractIntroduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neuropathological disorder involving the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, with the subsequent loss of their terminals in the striatum. Quercetin, a natural flavonoid, is a strong antioxidant and radical scavenger. Therefore, its neuroprotective effect in a model of Parkinson’s disease in rat was evaluated.Methods: For this purpose, unilateral intrastriatal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rats were pretreated with quercetin (20 mg/kg; i.p.) 1 hour before surgery and treated once a day for one month. Nissl-stained neurons of substantia nigra pars compacta (SNC) were counted. Results: Number of Nissl-stained neurons in left side of SNC of lesion group was lower relative to sham-operated group (p<0.005) and it was higher in quercetin-treated lesion group as compared to untreated lesion group (p<0.01).Discussion: Flavonoid quercetin administration for one month could protect the neurons of SNC against 6-OHDA toxicity.

The beneficial effect of the flavonoid quercetin on behavioral changes in hemi-Parkinsonian rats

  Abstract   Introduction: A large body of experimental evidence supports a role for oxidative stress as a mediator of nerve cell death in Parkinson's disease (PD). Flavonoids like quercetin have been reported to prevent neuronal degeneration caused by increased oxidative burden, therefore, this study examined whether quercetin administration at a high dose would attenuate behavioral abnormalities in experimental model of PD in rat.   Methods: For this purpose, unilateral intrastriatal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rats were pretreated with quercetin (20 mg/kg; i.p.) 1 hour before surgery and treated once a day for one month. After one month, apomorphine-induced rotational behavior was measured postlesion.   Results: Apomorphine-induced rotations were counted after 4 weeks. Quercetin administration could attenuate the rotational behavior in treated lesioned rats as compared to untreated ones.   Discussion: Flavonoid quercetin administration for one month could attenuate behavioral abnormalities in 6-OHDA model of PD

Effects of Total Light Deprivation on Dorsal Lateral Geniculate Nucleus of Male Neonate Rats

Objectives: This study examines the effects of total light deprivation on the developing lateral geniculate nucleus, the primary integration centre for visual informationMethods: Sprague-Dawley rats were reared for one month in a dark room from 7th postnatal day before eye opening. A group of rats was taken back into normal condition for 15 days, and then perfused. Coronal sections of LGN were prepared and stained with Cresyl Violet and Cytochrome Oxidase to investigate the number of neurons, volume and length, as well as neuronal activity level.Results: The results showed that LD for one month causes progressive loss of neurons and decreases neuronal activity level in the LGN.Conclusion: It can be concluded that during early postnatal development of the rats’ visual system, light deprivation causes structural and functional changes in LGN