Protective effect of Rheum turkestanicum root against mercuric chloride-induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats

Objective: The present study was designed to investigate the protective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Rheum turkestanicum against HgCl2 hepatorenal toxicity in rats. Materials and Methods: Animals were randomly divided into five groups (n= 6 in each group) and received HgCl2 and plant’s extract, intraperitoneally. Group1 received saline (1 mL/kg/day), group 2 received extract (200 mg/kg/day), group 3 was treated with HgCl2 (5 mg/kg/day,) and groups 4 and 5 received the extract (100 and 200 mg/kg/day, respectively), 1 hr before HgCl2 administration. All injections last for 3 days. Blood samples and specimens of the liver and kidney were collected 24 hr after the last injection. Results: Data showed that HgCl2 significantly increases liver malondialdehyde (MDA) level, reduces total sulfhydryl content and increases serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, compared to control group. The histopathological changes such as inflammatory cells infiltration was observed in HgCl2-treated group while plant’s extract partially improved histological changes. The extract (100 and 200 mg/kg/day) improved the liver functions as reflected by significant reductions in AST and ALT levels in serum, MDA decreased and the content of total sulfhydryl elevated. Also, the extract improved necrosis and atrophy of the kidney induced byHgCl2. Pretreatment with the extract reduced creatinine and urea in serum, and glucose and protein concentrations in urine, compared to HgCl2- treated group (group III). The extract significantly reversed HgCl2-induced depletion in thiol content and elevation in MDA content. Conclusion: Therefore, oxidative stress may play an important role in HgCl2-induced hepatorenal injury and R. turkestanicum extract may be regarded as a useful to protect the kidney and liver against HgCl2-induced oxidative damage

Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma in the Sinonasal Region: A Case Report

Metastatic tumors in the nose and paranasal sinuses are rare. In the present paper, a 68 year old man with metastatic renal cell carcinoma to the left frontoethmoidal region 4 years after initial nephrectomy is presented ..Pathologic diagnosis of the case was Clear Cell Carcinoma. The patient complained of mild nasal obstruction and intermittent  epistaxis, but the significant symptom was  bulging  in medial canthus from 20 days before. Clinical and endoscopic examinations of the left nasal cavity revealed a vascular mass in the axillary of the middle turbinate and anterior ethmoidal sinuses extending to the left orbital cavity .  The patient was treated with partial endoscopic sinus resection and chemoradiotherapy. He had a complete clinical response without any significant complications and recurrence of the tumor after 6 months follow up using interanasal endoscopic examination

Bilateral Kuttner Tumor of Submandibular Glands: A Case Report

Introduction: Chronic sclerosing sialadenitis is a relatively uncommon disorder of the salivary gland. Because of its clinical similarity to a salivary gland neoplasm, this condition has been known as Kuttner tumor and is classified as a tumorlike lesion. Case Report: This is the first reported case of bilateral Kuttner tumor of the submandibular glands in Iran. It was initially diagnosed as a primary submandibular gland neoplasm whereas histological findings showed chronic sialadenitis. Excision of such masses is the treatment of choice

The Nasal Smear for Eosinophils, Its Value, and Its Relation to Nasal Mucosal Eosinophilia in Allergic Rhinitis

Introduction: There is no single test as a gold standard for the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis (AR). The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness and validity of nasal smear as a quick, easy and inexpensive diagnostic method for diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in a university hospital setting. Nasal smears were taken from 39 patients with a clinical history of nasal allergy and a positive skin prick test to at least one aeroallergen as well as 26 controls without any history and negative test. Biopsy specimens from the inferior turbinate as well as nasal smears of 19 cases including 9 patients and 10 controls with the same criteria were taken. Nasal smears and biopsy slides were stained with Giemsa and Hematoxilin-Eosin and were examined blindly by two separate pathologists. Results: Fifty one percents of the patients and 11.5% of the controls showed eosinophilia in their nasal smear (≥10% eosinophils, P=0.001). The sensitivity of nasal eosinophil count as a diagnostic test for AR was 51.3% with a specificity of 88.5%, a positive predictive value of 87% and a negative predictive value of 54%. Eosinophilia in nasal biopsies was found in 44% and 30% of allergic patients and controls respectively. There was no significant correlation between symptoms or positive skin tests with either smear eosinophilia or tissue eosinophilia. Conclusion: Evaluation of eosinophils in nasal smear is an insensitive but fairly specific test for the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. It seems that the nasal secretions and nasal tissue represent two distinct cellular compartments

Serum Level of Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) in Sera

Endothelial dysfunction is thought to be a central pathogenic feature in preeclampsia on the basis of elevated adhesion molecules. Soluble forms of these molecules can be detected in plasma, and their concentrations are thought to reflect the degree of activation of a particular cell type. The aim of the present study was to compare the levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) in sera of normal and preeclamptic pregnancies. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the plasma concentrations of sVCAM-1 in peripheral blood obtained from normal pregnant women (n=40), mild preeclampsia (n=37) and severe preeclampsia (n=38). Concentrations of soluble adhesion molecule was determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). Serum concentration of sVCAM-1 was significantly higher in severe preeclampsia (P<0.05) than normal pregnancy. There was also significant differences in sVCAM- 1 levels between mild and severe preeclampsia (P<0.05). There was no difference in the mean plasma log sVCAM-1between normal pregnant women and mild pre-eclamptic women. These results suggest soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 are increased in severe preeclampsia, and sVCAM-1may be useful in predicting the se-verity of preeclampsia

Thymoquinone restores liver fibrosis and improves oxidative stress status in a lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation model in rats

Objective: Liver fibrosis is the primary sign of chronic liver injury induced by various causes. Thymoquinone (TQ) is the major ingredient of Nigella sativa with several beneficial effects on the body. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of TQ on liver fibrosis in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in male rats. Materials and methods: Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=10 in each group) as follow: (1) control; (2) LPS (1 mg/kg/day; i.p); (3) LPS+TQ 2 mg/kg/day (i.p) (LPs+TQ2); (4) LPS+TQ 5 mg/kg/day (LPS+TQ5); (5) LPS+ TQ 10 mg/kg/day (LPS+ TQ10). After three weeks, blood samples were taken for evaluation of liver function tests. Then, the livers were harvested for histological evaluation of fibrosis and collagen content and measurement of oxidative stress markers including malondialdehyde (MDA), total thiol groups, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activity in tissue homogenates. Results: LPS group showed higher levels of fibrosis and collagen content stained by Masson’s trichrome in liver tissue with impaired liver function test and increased oxidative stress markers (

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor on cardiac fibrosis and oxidative stress status in lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation model in rats

Background: Renin-angiotensin (Ang)-aldosterone system not only plays a key role in the regulation of circulatory homeostasis, but also it acts as a powerful pro-inflammatory mediator. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of captopril (Cap), a known Ang-converting enzyme inhibitor, on inflammation-induced cardiac fibrosis, and heart oxidative stress status in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in male rats. Methods: Fifty male rats were randomly divided into five groups control, LPS (1 mg/kg/day), LPS + Cap 10 mg/kg, LPS + Cap 50 mg/kg and LPS + Cap 100 mg/kg. After 2 weeks, blood samples were taken, and hearts were harvested for evaluation of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and nitric oxide metabolite in serum and tissue hemogenate, histopathology (hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome) and oxidative stress status. Results: Serum IL-6 and TNF-α concentration were higher in LPS group compared to control and Cap reduced them, significantly. Heart TNF-α and IL-6 contents in LPS group were significantly higher than control (P < 0.05). The administration of Cap significantly decreased inflammatory markers level to control (P < 0.05). The higher levels of malondialdehyde and lower antioxidative markers (total thiol, superoxide dismutase, and catalase) in the heart were observed in LPS group and treatment by Cap improved them, dose-dependently. Histopathological study revealed cardiac fibrosis and more collagen content in LPS group which significantly improved by Cap treatment. Conclusions: Treatment by Cap reduced cardiac fibrosis possibly through improving oxidative stress status, and it can be considered to increase cardiac compliance in this condition

Histopathological study of erythropoietin protective effect on carbon monoxide-induced cardiotoxicity in rat

Objective(s): Cardiotoxicity is one of the major consequences in carbon monoxide poisoning. Following our previous work, in this study we aimed to define the myocardium changes induced by carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication and evaluate erythropoietin (EPO) effect on CO cardiotoxicity in rat. Materials and Methods:  Severe carbon monoxide toxicity induced by 3000 ppm CO in Wistar rat.  EPO was administrated (5000 IU/Kg, intraperitoneal injection) at the end of CO exposure and then the animals were re-oxygenated with the ambient air. Subsequently heart was removed and assessed by histopathology and electron microscopy examinations. Results: 3000 ppm CO induced significant myocardium injury; multiple foci of necrosis and lymphocyte infiltration compare with the control (P˂0.05). Electron microscopy examination showed myofibril lysis and mitochondrial swelling in myocardium due to 3000 ppm CO poisoning.  However EPO administration after CO exposure resulted in significant reduction in cardiomyocytes injury (P˂0.05). Conclusion: Our results represented protective effect of EPO on cardiac injury induced by CO intoxication in rat