Troxerutin protects hippocampal neurons against amyloid beta-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disease linked with increased production and/or deposition of amyloid-beta (Aβ) in the brain. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible neuroprotective effect of troxerutin on an animal model of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer model was induced by a single dose intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of Aβ 1–42 (5 nmol/5 μl). Thereafter, troxerutin (300 mg/kg) was gavaged for 14 days. The hippocampal malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were measured using enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. In addition, the number of apoptotic cells in the dentate gyrus (DG) was assessed by TUNEL kit. The results showed that ICV microinjection of Aβ 1-42 increased MDA levels, reduced SOD and GPx, and increased AChE activities in the hippocampus. Chronic administration of troxerutin significantly attenuated MDA levels and AChE activity and increased SOD and GPx activities in the hippocampus. Moreover, the number of apoptotic cells was decreased by troxerutin treatment. Taken together, our study demonstrated that troxerutin could increase the resistance of hippocampal neurons against apoptosis, at least in part, by diminishing the activity of AChE and oxidative stress. Therefore, troxerutin may have beneficial effects in the management of Alzheimer's disease

Effects of IMOD™ on angiogenesis, miR-503 and CDC25 expression levels in heart tissue of diabetic male rats

Objective: Diabetes is associated with vascular complications and impaired angiogenesis. Since angiogenesis plays a crucial role in vascular homeostasis in ischemic heart diseases, in this study, the effect of IMOD™ on miR-503 and CDC25 expression level which are altered in impaired angiogenesis were investigated in heart tissue of diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Forty male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were randomly classified into 4 groups: control (C), IMOD™ (I), diabetes (D), and diabetes+IMOD™ (D+I). For induction of experimental diabetes in animals, a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ; 60mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally. After 8 weeks of treatment with IMOD™ (20 mg/kg/day), heart tissue samples were removed and used for measurement of miR-503 and CDC25 expression level as well as histological studies. Results: Results of this study showed that diabetes decreased heart tissue angiogenesis which was associated with increased miR-503 and reduced CDC25 expression levels (

The Main Relaxant Constituents of Nigella Sativa Methanolic Fraction on Guinea Pig Tracheal Chains

Our  previous  studies demonstrated  the  preventive effect  of  Nigella  sativa  extract  on asthma and water-soluble substances of this extract, especially its methanol fraction were responsible for this relaxation on contracted tracheal chains of guinea pigs. For the first time, the present study has been conducted to determine the main constituents of its methanolic extract. Four constituents of 20%-methanolic fraction, consisting of two flavonoids (20-20% and 21-20% fractions) and two polysaccharides (1-20% and 2-20% fractions), were purified by analytical and  preparative  HPLC.  The  relaxant  effects  of  four  cumulative  concentrations  of  each constituent (50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/lit) in comparison with saline (1 ml) as negative control and four cumulative concentrations of theophylline (0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 mM) as positive control were examined on methacholine-precontracted guinea pig tracheal chains (n=6). All concentrations  of theophylline and most concentrations  of 20-20, 21-20 fractions showed significant relaxant effects compared to  that  of saline. 20-20 fraction (Comferol diglucoside) was the most potent bronchodilator. Their relaxant effects were lower than that of theophylline. Polysaccharides (1-20, 2-20 fractions) did not  have any relaxant effects compared to that of saline. These results revealed that two flavonoids of 20%-methanolic fraction of Nigella  sativa were its main relaxant constituents

Ghrelin Decreases Angiogenesis, HIF-1α and VEGF Protein Levels in Chronic Hypoxia in Lung Tissue of Male Rats

Purpose: Hypoxia is a condition of decreased availability of oxygen. When cells are exposed to a low oxygen environment, they impel the hypoxia responses to adapt to new situation. The hypoxia response leads to the activation of various cellular signaling pathways. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ghrelin on angiogenesis, Hypoxia-Inducible-Factor-1α (HIF-1) and Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in normobaric hypoxia situation. Methods: Twenty four animals were divided into 4 groups (n=6): control (C), ghrelin (Gh), hypoxia (H), and hypoxic animals that received ghrelin (H+Gh). Hypoxia (11%) was induced by an Environmental Chamber System GO2 Altitude. Animals in ghrelin groups received a subcutaneous injection of ghrelin (150 μg/kg/day) for 14 days. Results: Our results showed that hypoxia significantly (p<0.05) increased angiogenesis without any significant changes on HIF-1 and VEGF levels, whereas ghrelin significantly (p<0.05) decreased angiogenesis, expression of HIF-1 and VEGF in this condition. Ghrelin administration did not show any significant changes in normal conditions. Conclusion: Ghrelin had no effect on angiogenesis, expression of HIF-1 and VEGF in normal oxygen conditions but it reduced angiogenesis process in lung tissue with reducing the level of HIF and VEGF in hypoxic condition. Therefore, effect of ghrelin on angiogenesis could be related to blood oxygen level

The Beneficial Effects of Applied Physiology Study Guides on Dentistry Students’ Learning

Introduction: Previous studies have shown that study guides are effective tools that recognize students’ educational needs and help teachers to attain satisfactory results. Unfortunately, this effective learning tool has not been used in the coursework and teaching of basic sciences in Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Therefore, this study was proposed to evaluate the effects of a study guide in an applied physiology course on the overall learning quality of dental students.Methods: In this semi-quasi experimental study, 45 dental and 63 medical students in an Applied Physiology course were included. A study guide was given to the dental students at the beginning of the course. At the end of the course, a final examination was held for both groups separately using the OSCE method. The medical and dental students’ final scores were compared using a T-test with SPSS v.16 software. A 34-question Likert-scaled questionnaire was prepared by researchers to evaluate the experimental group’s opinion about the effects of the study guide on their learning.Results: The final exam score of the dental students was 18.01±1.57, and it was 17.94±1.42 for the medical students. The final score of both groups was not different significantly (p=0.804). Based upon the questionnaire, the dental students believed that study guide significantly improved their knowledge and skills in applied physiology (Mean= 61.12±13.7). Conclusion: Use of a study guide improves both the attitude and knowledge of dental students in the applied physiology course

Can troxerutin pretreatment prevent testicular complications in prepubertal diabetic male rats?

Objective. The vast majority of type 1 diabetes leads to a higher prevalence of reproductive system’s impairments. Troxerutin has attracted much attention owing to its favorable properties, including antihyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects. This investigation was proposed to evaluate whether pretreatment with troxerutin could prevent apoptosis-induced testicular disorders in prepubertal diabetic rats