Evaluation of morphologic method for the detection of nervous tissue in minced meat

Producing meat products with ingredients which are not consistent with the label is considered fraud. Due to the high economic value of meat, the use of unauthorized tissue in meat products is possible. Aside from the adulteration aspect, it is important to note that some animal tissues like the brain and the spinal cord can bear infective agents which are transmissible to humans. Based on these observations, the aim of the present study was to apply morphological method for detection of nervous tissues in minced meat. Laboratory adulterated minced beef meat; each containing 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% of beef brain was prepared. Then each sample was divided into three parts and four paraffin embedded blocks were prepared from each part. The sections were stained using sudan black and cresyl violet and also the immunohistochemical staining with fluorescent method were applied using anti-neurofilament 200 antibody for the determination of nervous tissue. Although the neuronal cell bodies and neuronal fibers were clearly detectable in Cresyl violet staining and sudan black staining, respectively, however, staining intensity did not show any difference according to different percentages of added brain. In contrary, immunohistochemical study revealed that neurofilament 200- immunolabeling was present in all percentages of added brain samples and the intensity of the labeling varying from weak to strong consisted by the increasing the amount of brain in samples. In conclusion, the immunohistochemical technique with fluorescent method is an effective method for evaluations of additive brain tissue in minced meat with high sensitivity

Assessment of Changes in Serum Concentrations of Liver Function (ALT, ALP, AST, LDH, GGT) After the Intake of Narcissus Bulbs

Background & Objective: Narcissus bulb is an antiphlogistic drug, effective for asthma treatment, shortness of breath and skin burns. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Narcissus tazetta bulb extract on serum concentrations of liver function test enzymes (ALT, ALP, AST, LDH, GGT) in male rats. Materials & Methode: In this study, 20 male rats were divided into 4 groups of 5 series. They were divided into control groups and experimental groups and received the alcoholic extract 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg of  Narcissus bulb. The extract was fed for 6 days and blood samples were taken from the animals on the seventh day and serum levels of liver enzymes were measured. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS software (version 21.0) using t-test. Results: The activity of Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) enzymes in 150 mg/kg extract of Narcissus bulb significantly increased (P<0.01). Also, at the same dose, the enzymes of Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) and Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) showed a significant increase compared to the control group (P<0.05). ALT at 100 - mg/kg dose significantly increased, but AST at 50 mg/kg dose showed a significant decrease compared to the control group (P<0.05).  Conclusion: Considering the significant increase in liver enzymes at high doses of extract, it is necessary to study the histopathological effects of the extracts of this plant on liver

Histological and Biochemical Analyses of the Effects of Royal Jelly and Vitamin C against Phenylhydrazine-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Mice

Abstract Background: Phenylhydrazine (PHZ) as a strong oxidant agent causes variety of toxic effects including alterations in the biochemical and cardiac tissue. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of royal jelly (RJ) and vitamin C (vit C) against PHZ-induced cardiotoxicity in mice. Materials and Methods: Adult male mice were randomly assigned to eight groups of eight mice each. PHZ was administered to four groups of mice at a dose of 60 mg/kg per 48 hours intraperitoneally for 35 days. Three of these groups received vit C (250 mg/kg per day) intraperitoneally, RJ (100 mg/kg per day) orally and vit C+RJ with same doses four hours before PHZ administration, respectively. A vehicle-treated control group and vit C, RJ and vit C+RJ control groups were also included. Results: RJ and vit C significantly decreased (p< 0.05) the serum level of malondialdehyde and creatine kinase (CK-BM) that had been increased by PHZ. Also, RJ and vit C increased the total antioxidant capacity and supraxoid dismutase serum that had been decreased by induced PHZ. Moreover, RJ and vit C could improve the tissue damages induced by PHZ such as diffused edema, hemorrhage, congestion, hyaline exudates, necrosis and also fibrosis tissue in heart tissue. Conclusion: It seems that Vit C and RJ can minimize PHZ-induced cardiotoxicity in mouse through oxidative reactions inhibition

The Proliferation Study of hiPS Cell-Derived Neuronal Progenitors on Poly-Caprolactone Scaffold

Introduction: The native inability of nervous system to regenerate, encourage researchers to consider neural tissue engineering as a potential treatment for spinal cord injuries. Considering the suitable characteristics of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for tissue regeneration applications, in this study we investigated the adhesion, viability and proliferation of neural progenitors (derived from human iPSCs) on aligned poly-caprolactone (PCL) nanofibers. Methods: Aligned poly-caprolactone nanofibrous scaffold was fabricated by electrospinning and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Through neural induction, neural progenitor cells were derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. After cell seeding on the scaffolds, their proliferation was investigated on different days of culture. Results: According to the SEM micrographs, the electrospun PCL scaffolds were aligned along with uniformed morphology. Evaluation of adhesion and viability of neural progenitor cells on plate (control) and PCL scaffold illustrated increasing trends in proliferation but this rate was higher in scaffold group. The statistical analyses confirmed significant differences between groups on 36h and 48h. Discussion: Evaluation of cell proliferation along with morphological assessments, staining and SEM finding suggested biocompatibility of the PCL scaffolds and suitability of the combination of the mentioned scaffold and human iPS cells for neural regeneration

Effect of Enrofloxacin on Histochemistry, Immunohistochemistry and Molecular Changes in Lamb Articular Cartilage

Enrofloxacin is a synthetic chemotherapeutic agent from the class of the fluoroquinolones that is widely used to treat bacterial infections. It is metabolized to ciprofloxacin in the body as active metabolite. Fluoroquinolones change in the articular cartilage, especially with high doses and more than two weeks use. So, due to relatively excessive use of enrofloxacin in mammals and similarity of lambs to human subjects with respect to skeletal activity cycles, this study was done to investigate the effects of enrofloxacin on some cellular and molecular changes in growing lamb articular cartilage to evaluate some possible mechanisms involved these changes. Twelve, 2-month-old male lambs divided into three groups: control group received only normal saline; therapeutic group received 5mg/kg enrofloxacin subcutaneously, daily, for 15 days and toxic group received 35 mg/kg enrofloxacin in the same manner as therapeutic group. Twenty four hours after the last dose, the animals were sacrificed, and their stifle joints were dissected. Sampling from distal femoral and proximal tibial extremities was done quickly for further histological and molecular studies. Collagen-п content was studied with avidin-biotin immunohistochemistry method in different groups. Expression of Sox9 and caspase-3 was evaluated by Real–time PCR. Immunohistochemical changes were included decreases of matrix proteoglycans, carbohydrates, and Collagen-п in the toxic group. Some of these changes were observed in the therapeutic group with less intensity in comparison to the toxic group. Enrofloxacin were significantly decreased (P≤0.05). Sox9 expression in therapeutic and toxic groups compared to control group. But caspase -3 expressions in the toxic group significantly increased (P≤0.0001) with a comparison to other groups, while, between control and therapeutic groups, there were no significant differences. So, it can be concluded that enrofloxacin increases apoptosis in chondrocytes and decreases their numbers. Enrofloxacin use in growing lambs even at recommended therapeutic dose is not completely safe on articular cartilage. Moreover, higher doses of enrofloxacin induce severe changes in lamb articular cartilage

Prenatal, lactation and postnatal effects of lead acetate on histological, histochemical and hepatic indices of liver of male offspring wistar rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of maternal administration to lead acetate on the morphological structure of the liver; AST, ALT, ALP and GGT levels and glycogen content of hepatocytes of male offspring wistar rats. Female rats were exposed to 0.2% lead acetate in drinking water and the study was performed on their male offspring (7 groups). To evaluate the levels of liver enzymes, blood samples were taken from rats after anesthesia. After dissection, to study its morphological structure and glycogen content of hepatocytes, liver tissue was isolated and transferred to 10% formalin. To measure the levels of hepatic enzymes; AST, ALT, ALP and GGT; serum samples were evaluated. For histological examinations, liver tissue samples were embedded in paraffin after tissue processing and 3 μm thickness sections were prepared from them and then H&amp;E and PAS staining was performed. The results showed that exposure to 0.2% lead acetate induced significant changes in liver enzyme levels in different experimental groups.&nbsp