The Synergistic Anti-Apoptosis Effects of Amniotic Epithelial Stem Cell Conditioned Medium and Ponesimod on the Oligodendrocyte Cells

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. The current treatment of Multiple sclerosis is based on anti-inflammatory disease-modifying treatments, which can not regenerate myelin and eventually neurons. So, we need new approaches for axonal protection and remyelination. Amniotic epithelial stem cells amniotic epithelial cells, as a neuroprotective and neurogenic agent, are a proper source in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Due to differentiation capability and secretion of growth factors, AECs can be a candidate for the treatment of MS. Moreover, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulators were recently approved by FDA for MS. Ponesimod is an S1P receptor-1 modulator that acts selectively as an anti-inflammatory agent and provides a suitable microenvironment for the function of the other neuroprotective agents. In this study, due to the characteristics of AECs, they are considered a treatment option in MS. The conditioned medium of AECs concurrently with ponesimod was used to evaluate the viability of the oligodendrocyte cell line after induction of cell death by cuprizone. Cell viability after treatment by conditioned medium and ponesimod was increased compared to untreated groups. Also, the results showed that combination therapy with CM and ponesimod had a synergistic anti-apoptotic effect on oligodendrocyte cells. The combination treatment with CM and ponesimod reduced the expression of caspase-3, caspase-8, Bax, and Annexin V proteins and increased the relative BCL-2/Bax ratio, indicating inhibition of apoptosis as a possible mechanism of action. Based on these promising results, combination therapy with amniotic stem cells and ponesimode could be a proper alternative for multiple sclerosis treatment

In vitro lethal effects of various extracts of Nigella sativa seed on hydatid cyst protoscoleces

Objective(s): There are several scolicidal agents for inactivation of hydatid cyst protoscolices during surgery, but most of them are associated with adverse side effects such as sclerosing cholangitis and liver necrosis. The present study was aimed to evaluate scolicidal effects of various extracts of Nigella sativa seeds against protoscoleces of hydatid cyst in an in vitro model. Materials and Methods: Protoscoleces were aseptically aspirated from naturally infected livers of sheep and goats. Various concentrations of the different extracts of N. sativa (5 to 50 mg/ml) were used for 5 to 60 min. Viability of protoscoleces was confirmed by 0.1% eosin staining. Results: The findings exhibited that methanolic extract at the concentration of 50 mg/ml after 10 min of incubation, and aqueous extract at the concentration of 50 mg/ml after 30 min of incubation can kill 100% of protoscoleces. In addition, all of experiments revealed dose-dependent and also time-dependent scolicidal effect of various extracts of N. sativa on the protoscoleces of hydatid cyst. Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrated that N. sativa may be a natural source for the production of new scolicidal agent for use in hydatid cyst surgery. However, further studies will be required to evaluate scolicidal effects of N. sativa in the in vivo model

Effect of green tea (Camellia sinensis) extract on healing process of surgical wounds in rat

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and may enhance wound healing process. The present study, therefore, was aimed to examine the effect of green tea ethanolic extract on wound healing process. For this experimental study, 36 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly designated to three groups of A, B, and C which, respectively treated with, Vaseline þ 0.6% green tea extract, Vaseline and normal saline for 21 days. Wounds’ length and area were measured by caliper every other day and specimens were taken at 3rd, 12th, and 21st day for microscopical examinations. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 using survival analysis (Breslow test), repeated measured ANOVA, one-way ANOVA and ManneWhitney. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The mean healing duration of surgical wounds in groups A and B was 14.66 and 20.66 (P ¼ 0.018), respectively. Decrease in healing duration in the group A was significantly higher within the first two weeks compared with control groups (P ¼ 0.05). Microscopic examinations also indicated a significant difference in wound healing process between groups A and C throughout the whole study duration as well as groups A and B during the 3rd week of the study (P < 0.05). Green tea extract could help wound healing process, probably effective on surgical wounds healin

Effectsof Camellia sinensis ethanolic extract on histometric and histopathological healing process of burn wound in rat

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) that were used as an ancient herbal drug in Asia, with having anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, may can improve wound healing process, thereforethe present study were design to determinate the effect of green tea ethanolicextract on burn wound healing process in rat. For this experimental study, 36 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly selected into three groupsof A, B and Cwhich, respectively treated with, Vaseline + 0.6 green tea extract, Vaseline andnormal salinefor a 21 days period. Burn Wounds' areas were measured and calculated by caliper every other day and pathologic samples were taken at 3rd, 12th and 21st day for histopathological examinations. In the end, all data were analyzed by SPSS 16 using survival analysis (Breslow test), repeated measured ANOVA, one-way ANOVA and Mann-Whitney. P&lt;0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Regarding Breslow test, the mean healing duration in group A with18 days was shorter in compared to group B with 20.33 days, (P=0.023). In according to Mann-Whitney test, comparing groups A and C during the whole study, indicated no statistically significant differences in histopathologicalscoresof epithelial regeneration and angiogenesis except inflammatory cells. Green tea extract could help wound healing process, probably effective on burn wounds healing. © IDOSI Publications, 2013

Comparing The Effects of Small Molecules BIX-01294, Bay K8644, RG-108 and Valproic Acid, and Their Different Combinations on Induction of Pluripotency Marker-Genes by Oct4 in The Mouse Brain

Objective: Every cell type is characterized by a specific transcriptional profile together with a unique epigenetic landscape. Reprogramming factors such as Oct4, Klf4, Sox2 and c-Myc enable somatic cells to change their transcriptional profile and convert them to pluripotent cells. Small molecules such as BIX-01294, Bay K8644, RG-108 and valproic acid (VPA) are reported as effective molecules for enhancing induction of pluripotency in vitro, however, their effects during in vivo reprogramming are addressed in this experimental study. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, Oct4 expressing lentiviral particles and small molecules BIX-01294, Bay K8644 and RG-108 were injected into the right ventricle of mice brain and VPA was systematically administered as oral gavages. Animals treated with different combinations of small molecules for 7 or 14 days in concomitant with Oct4 exogenous expression were compared for expression of pluripotency markers. Total RNA was isolated from the rims of the injected ventricle and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to evaluate the expression of endogenous Oct4, Nanog, c-Myc, klf4 and Sox2 as pluripotency markers, and Pax6 and Sox1 as neural stem cell (NSC) markers. Results: Results showed that Oct4 exogenous expression for 7 days induced pluripotency slightly as it was detected by significant enhancement in expression of Nanog (p<0.05). Combinatorial administration of Oct4 expressing vector and BIX-01294, Bay K8644 and RG-108 did not affect the expression of pluripotency and NSC markers, but VPA treatment along with Oct4 exogenous expression induced Nanog, Klf4 and c-Myc (p<0.001). VPA treatment before the induction of exogenous Oct4 was more effective and significantly increased the expression of endogenous Oct4, Nanog, Klf4, c-Myc (p<0.01), Pax6 and Sox1 (p<0.001). Conclusion: These results suggest VPA as the best enhancer of pluripotency among the chemicals tested, especially when applied prior to pluripotency induction by Oct4

Effect of alcoholic extract of green tea (Camellia sinensis) on the healing process in surgical and burn wounds in rats

Background and Aim: Green tea has numerous antioxidant and anti-inflammation activities. This study was preformed to investigate the effect of alcoholic extract of green tea on healing process of surgical and burn wounds. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 34 male Wistar rats were divided into surgical wound (4 cm) and burn wound (2.8 cm) groups. In each group, 6 rats were treated with the Vaseline ointment containing 0.6% green tea extract (A1 and A2 groups), 6 rats were treated with Vaseline without green tea extract (B1 and B2 groups) and 5 rats were treated with normal saline (C1 and C2 groups) within 21 days. The length and the area of wounds were measured by a Collis every other day, from day 2 to day 21. Data were analyzed by means of SPSS (version16) at the significant level of P<0.05. Results: The mean time of wound healing using ointment with and without extract were 14.66±1.94 and 20.66±0.37 days (P=0.018) in surgical wounds and 18±0.62 and 20.66±0.38 days (P=0.023) in burn wounds, respectively. The reduction of surgical wound length during the first 2 weeks (P=0.043) and the reduction of burn wound area in the third week of study (P<0.013) were significantly higher in the groups treated with green tea. Conclusion: Green tea extract, that significantly reduced the healing time of surgical and burn wounds in this study, can be used as an effective material in the treatment of these types of wounds

« The electromagnetic interference of mobile phones on the function of a gamma camera »

Purpose: The aim of the present study is to evaluate whether or not the electromagnetic field generated by mobile phones interferes with the function of a single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) gamma camera during data acquisition. Methods and materials: We tested the effects of seven models of mobile phones on one SPECT gamma camera. The mobile phones were tested when making a call, in ringing mode, and in standby mode. The gamma camera function was assessed during data acquisition from a planar source and a point source of technetium-99m with activities of 10 mCi and 3 mCi, respectively. A significant decrease in count number was considered to be electromagnetic interference (EMI). Results: The percentage of induced EMI with the gamma camera per mobile phone was in the range of 0–100%. The incidence of EMI was mainly observed in the first seconds of ringing and then mitigated in the following frames. Conclusion: Mobile phones are portable sources of electromagnetic radiation, and there is interference potential with the function of SPECT gamma cameras leading to adverse effects on the quality of the acquired images. Keywords: Electromagnetic interference (EMI), mobile phones, gamma camera, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT

A novel nonsense mutation in WNK1/HSN2 associated with sensory neuropathy and limb destruction in four siblings of a large Iranian pedigree

Abstract Background Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type 2 (HSAN2) is an autosomal recessive disorder with predominant sensory dysfunction and severe complications such as limb destruction. There are different subtypes of HSAN2, including HSAN2A, which is caused by mutations in WNK1/HSN2 gene. Methods An Iranian family with four siblings and autosomal recessive inheritance pattern whom initially diagnosed with HSAN2 underwent whole exome sequencing (WES) followed by segregation analysis. Results According to the filtering criteria of the WES data, a novel candidate variation, c.3718C > A in WNK1/HSN2 gene that causes p.Tyr1025* was identified. This variation results in a truncated protein with 1025 amino acids instead of the wild-type product with 2645 amino acids. Sanger sequencing revealed that the mutation segregates with disease status in the pedigree. Conclusions The identified novel nonsense mutation in WNK1/HSN2 in an Iranian HSAN2 pedigree presents allelic heterogeneity of this gene in different populations. The result of current study expands the spectrum of mutations of the HSN2 gene as the genetic background of HSAN2A as well as further supports the hypothesis that HSN2 is a causative gene for HSAN2A. However, it seems that more research is required to determine the exact effects of this product in the nervous system

The Effect of Ethanol Extract of Rose (Rosa damascena) on Intra-abdominal Adhesions after Laparotomy in Rats

Abdominal adhesions are pathological connections in peritoneal surfaces that are created after abdominal surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of Rosa damascena extract on adhesions, considering the antioxidant properties of rose. Methods. Thirty healthy rats were divided into 3 groups: rats treated by 1% (A) and 5% (B) of R. damascena extract and the control group (C). After administering anesthesia, the abdominal wall was opened and 3 shallow incisions (2 cm) were made on the right wall, and a 2 × 2 piece of peritoneal surface was removed on the left side of the abdominal wall. Then 3 mL of 1% (A) and 5% (B) R. damascena extract was administered into the abdominal cavity. The control group (C) received 3 mL of distilled water. The abdominal cavity was sutured, and a second laparotomy was carried out 14 days later to the created adhesions according to the Canbaz scale, and a histopathologic examination was also performed. All data was analyzed by SPSS volume 16 (Chicago, IL); P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. The amount of adhesion in group A was significantly lower than that of group C, 1.4 ± 1.265 versus 3 ± 0.816, (P = 0.007). The histological investigation also showed significant differences in the severity of fibrosis (P = 0.029) and inflammation (P = 0.009) between groups A and C; all rats in group B (5%) were found dead. Conclusion. This study indicated the use of R. damascena at a 1% level resulted in a remarkable decrease of intra-abdominal adhesions after laparotomy in rats. Further studies are necessary on this extract and its derivatives for treatment of such diseases in the human model