The autonomic innervation of the testicular parenchyma: a rat model

The specific roles and direct involvements of autonomic innervations on the spermatogenic process are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate stereologically the relative importance of sympathetic innervations in testicular parenchyma rats in chemically sympathectomized with guanethidine. Treated animals (n=10) were injected intraperitoneally with guanethidine at doses of 10mg/kg/day for 15 days while control animals (n= 5) received an equivalent volume of saline. After routine histological procedures, 5μm thick sections of the testes were selected for examination. Organ volumes were estimated using the Cavalieri Principle of volume measurement by means of consecutive serial sections, using “J Images” software in a computer. At least 10 seminiferous tubules were selected randomly and measured per cross section for evaluation of epithelial heights, luminal diameter and total seminiferous tubule diameter. Testicular volumes and seminiferous tubule measurements of treated animals were found to be affected by the chemical sympathectomy with guanethidine with a a statistically significant difference between experimental and control group (p<0.01). Our findings indicate that chemical sympathectomy with-short term low dose guanethidine might display morphometric changes in the rat testis which indicate the presence of autonomic innervation of its parenchyma

THE INVESTIGATIONS OF TOTAL ANTIOXIDANT STATUS AND BIOCHEMICAL SERUM PROFILE IN THYMOQUINONE-TREATED RATS

Background: This study was planned to determine the dosage and duration of thymoquinone (TQ) at which it demonstrates the optimum effect on the total antioxidant status (TAS) and the biochemical parameters in the blood serum. Materials and Methods: 48 male rats (Wistar-albino) weighing between 200-250 g were used as material. Group 1 (control) (TQ solution 5 mg/kg/day), Group 2 (15 mg/kg/day), Group 3 (30 mg/kg/day), Group 4 (45 mg/kg/day) and Group 5 (60 mg/kg/day) were designated, each containing 8 rats. Different doses of TQ (oral gavage) were administered for four weeks. Results: The TAS levels were determined to be considerably low statistically in all TQ-administered groups in comparison with the control group. It was determined that the serum biochemical parameters exerted a significant effect depending on the TQ doses. Conclusion: As a result, rats administered with TQ orally, at 60 mg/kg dosage, show that the liver and kidney function parameters in particular as different from normal. This brings us to the conclusion that at this dosage, there is reliable biochemical wise but future protective studies in which 30 mg/kg doses can be used safely is encouraged

A morphological study in broiler chick hearts

The normally developing cardiovascular system of the chicken resembles that of the human. The purpose of the present study is to investigate some macroscopic and microscopic similarities between the chick and the human heart. For this study 20 adult and 10 newborn Broiler chickens were used. The heart and great vessels were routinely fixed in l0% formaldehyde in a phosphate buffer. Five adult and five newborn chicks hearts were embedded in paraffin. All section were examined by light microscopy. The atrioventricular valve of l5 adult chick hearts were examined macroscopically. While some structures previously reported were determined, two different properties of the mural leaf which are chordae tendineae in its posterolateral region anchoring at the right ventricle and its widening from the anterior to posterior commissure was also observed

Direct Role of alpha(2)-Adrenoreceptors in Antiulcer Effect Mechanism of Tianeptine in Rats

Tianeptine is an anti-depressant drug that also has an anti-ulcer activity. In this study, it was investigated whether or not alpha(2)-adrenoreceptors have a role in the anti-ulcer effect mechanism of tianeptine. Furthermore, we investigated both intact and adrenalectomized rats to determine whether or not the anti-ulcer activity of tianeptine is related to adrenal gland hormones involved in this mechanism. In all rats, 25 mg/kg indomethacin produced gastric ulceration. Tianeptine was administered to the indomethacin-induced ulcers in the rats at different doses. Yohimbine, selective alpha(2)-receptor blocker, was given (10 mg/kg) to some rats (adrenalectomized 6 groups and intact 4 groups), for blockage of the alpha 2-receptor. Tianeptine showed antiulcer effects of 59.6-81.6% in all animals. The results of this study show that tianeptine caused a significant anti-ulcer activity in both adrenalectomized and intact rats. Tianeptine does not have an anti-ulcer effect in rats which have been given yohimbine. Thus, the adrenal gland hormones do not have a direct effect on the anti-ulcer activity of tianeptine. This drug may be directly related to the alpha 2-adrenoreceptors. Moreover, the anti-ulcer effect shows an increase in parallel with increasing dose. This property of tianeptine could make it suitable for use in the treatment of both depression and peptic ulcer patients

Model of Traumatic Brain Injury

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. We evaluated the neuroprotective effects of thymoquinone (TQ) in a rat model of traumatic brain injury by using biochemical and histopathologic methods for the first time