Effect of Adenosine Receptor Agonist and Ascorbic Acid on Ultrastructure of Hippocampal CA1 Neurons after Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Background: In brain ischemia, blood and oxygen supply decrease and after reperfusion, free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause severe damage. As hippocampal injury after ischemia-reperfusion causes some complications, in this study we analyzed the effect of adenosine receptor agonist (N6-cyclopentyladenosine or CPA) and ascorbic acid on ultrastructure of hippocampal CA1 neurons after ischemia-reperfusion. Methods: 35 male rats in 5 groups were used. Ischemia-reperfusion performed by occlusion of common carotids for 15 minutes. CPA and ascorbic acids were intraperitoneally injected for 7 days after ischemia, and 2 weeks before and for 7 days after ischemia, respectively. After 20 days, brain samples were isolated, prepared, and assayed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Findings: Ultrastructure assay of hippocampal CA1 neurons after ischemia-reperfusion with transmission electron microscopy showed recovery of intracellular organelles particularly mitochondria of treated groups. In combination therapy, these improvements were better. Conclusion: Intraperitoneal injection of CPA and ascorbic acid after ischemia-reperfusion can reduce neural damage in CA1 region of hippocampu

The Role of The A2A Receptor in Cell Apoptosis Caused by MDMA

OBJECTIVE: Ecstasy, also known as 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), is a psychoactive recreational hallucinogenic substance and a major worldwide recreational drug. There are neurotoxic effects observed in laboratory animals and humans following MDMA use. MDMA causes apoptosis in neurons of the central nervous system (CNS). Withdrawal signs are attenuated by treatment with the adenosine receptor (A2A receptor). This study reports the effects of glutamyl cysteine synthetase (GCS), as an A2A receptor agonist, and succinylcholine (SCH), as an A2A receptor antagonist, on Sprague Dawley rats, both in the presence and absence of MDMA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, we used seven groups of Sprague Dawley rats (200-250 g each). Each group was treated with daily intraperitoneal (IP) injections for a period of one week, as follows: i. MDMA (10 mg/kg); ii. GCS (0.3 mg/kg); iii. SCH (0.3 mg/kg); iv. GCS + SCH (0.3 mg/kg each); v. MDMA (10 mg/kg) + GCS (0.3 mg/kg); vi. MDMA (10 mg/kg) + SCH (0.3 mg/kg); and vi. normal saline (1 cc/kg) as the sham group. Bax (apoptotic protein) and Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic protein) expressions were evaluated by striatum using RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in Bax protein expression in the MDMA+SCH group and a significant decrease in Bcl-2 protein expression in the MDMA+SCH group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: A2A receptors have a role in the apoptotic effects of MDMA via the Bax and Bcl-2 pathways. An agonist of this receptor (GCS) decreases the cytotoxcity of MDMA, while the antagonist of this receptor (SCH) increases its cytotoxcity

Ritalin abuse and its complications

Ritalin is a methylphenidate and a stimulant of the nervous system. Its Pharmacological effects are similar to amphetamines. Ritalin is used in hyperactive children and in some cases of brain trauma usually in the form of tablets. It has been the most effective and common drug for treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for years. Ritalin has a high potential for abuse, particularly in some students use it to increase focus in order to success in exams. Use of high-dose Ritalin via intravenous and inhalation or intranasal administration can cause many complications similar to cocaine and amphetamine. These complications include violent behavior, hallucinations, hyperexcitability, irritability, panic, and psychosis. In some animal models, structural damage to the nervous system and other organs has been reported. So, distribution and usage of Ritalin should accurately be controlled and monitored to prevent its abuse

Neuroprotective Effect of Coenzyme Q10 in Hippocampal Injury in Balb/c Mouse

Coenzyme Q10 is a promising agent for neuroprotection in neurodegenerative diseases. Neuroprotective effects of Coenzyme Q10 demonstrated in some neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson, Alzheimer and etc. Hippocampus is home of these diseases. We assayed Coenzyme Q10 effects on Hippocampal injury model and our hypothesis is that Coenzyme Q10 has Neuroprotective effects in some neurodegenerative diseases via hippocampus. For this purpose 24 Balb/c mouse took in 4 groups: Control (Without any treatment), Vehicle (Treated with sesame oil as Coenzyme Q10 vehicle), Hyppocampal injury model (Treated with Trimethyltin chlorideneurotoxin, 2.5 mg per kg IP), and test (Treated with Coenzyme Q10 after Trimethyltin chloride injection, 10 mg per kg IP for 2 weeks). After two weeks brain harvested and hippocampus tissue assayed by Nissl and Tunnel staining. Hystological study showed significantly increase of normal cells and decrease of apoptotic cells in test group after Coenzyme Q10 treatment in hippocampus. This study showed Coenzyme Q10 has protective effects in hippocampus after injury and it seems that Neuroprotective effects of Coenzyme Q10 in some neurodegenerative diseases com from that

Lentiviral Mediated Overexpression of NGF in Adipose-derived Stem Cells

Introduction: Human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are multipotent stem cells that can self-renew and differentiate into various types of cells such as adipocytes, osteocytes, and neural cells. These stem cells can be isolated by minimally invasive technique in large amounts. ADSCs are a useful resource for cell therapy and regenerative medicine. Nerve growth factor (NGF) is the first neurotrophin factor discovered and characterized for its anti-apoptotic role in neural development. NGF can promote neuronal survival and neurite outgrowth and it also promotes neuron differentiation and migration. Moreover, research showed that NGF could protect axons from inflammatory damage, improve cognitive function in damaged brain models, and function in the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. In this study we use Lentiviral vector-mediated gene transfer technique to deliver NGF gene to ADSCs and overexpress this factor in ADSCs. Method and Materials: ADSCs extracted from human adipose tissue after lipoaspiration by digestion method. ADSCs characterized with Flowcytometry and differentiation assay in adipogenic and osteogenic differential media. The NGF gene was cloned in pCDH-513B-1 (System Bioscience, Mountain View, CA, United States) under a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. Recombinant lentiviruses were produced according to the Prof. Trono lab protocol with some modifications in HEK 293T cells. The spinfection method was used to transduce ADSCs. NGF expression was assayed using fluorescent microscope to trace green fluorescent protein (GFP) marker, RT-PCR and western blotting. Results: Extracted ADSCs had mesenchymal morphology and differentiated into adipocytes and osteocytes in differentiating media. HEK293T easily transfected with pCDH-513B-1 and over 99% of them expressed GFP so we gathered pseudoviruses from the supernatant. ADSCs transduced with these pseudoviruses transferred NGF and after transduction expressed GFP, as seen under fluorescent microscope. RT-PCR and western blotting verified NGF overexpression in them

Donkey Bite Leading to a Catastrophic Outcome: Bilateral Visual Loss

In this report we present a case of severe facial injury due to a donkey bite. Immediate repair with surgical flaps was performed. No significant complication was observed at the time of surgery or during follow up and the result was acceptable. Animal bites are relatively frequent and most often are done by dogs. Besides dogs, other animals such as cats, horses and donkeys may be responsible for this type of injuries. Although donkey bites to the facial area are very rare, they can cause severe and life-threatening injuries. Early management of facial injuries caused by animal bites is acceptable nowadays and guarantees satisfactory outcome

The effect of intrathecal delivery of bone marrow stromal cells on hippocampal neurons in rat model of Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVES: Intracerebral injection of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) is being investigated as a therapeutic tool to prevent Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our aim was to investigate the effects of BMSCs by intrathecal injection in AD rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BMSCs were obtained from the bone marrow of Wistar rat and transplanted into AD rat model via intrathecal injection. The rat model had received an injection of β amyloid into the hippocampus for histological and immunohistochemical studies. RESULTS: Histological examination of the brains in transplanted rats compared to controls demonstrated the migration of BrdU-labeled BMSCs from the site of delivery, confirmed the differentiation of BMSCs transplanted cells into the cholinergic neurons, and increased number of healthy and decreased number of dark neurons. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that BMSCs intratechal administration could be a promising method for treatment of Alzheimer's disease in rat model

The Effect of TGF-alpha on Neurogenesis in Subventricular Zone of Rat Brain after Ischemia-Reperfusion

Introduction: Stroke is the third important reason of death in adults and an important cause of adult disability. Previous studies suggest that TGF-alpha can induce neurogenesis after stroke. Here in, we studied neurogenesis effects of the TGF-alpha on subventricular zone following ischemia-reperfusion. Male wistar rats (250-300 g) were divided into ischemia and treatment groups. After induction of ischemia-reperfusions, PBS (phosphate buffer salin) and TGF-alpha 50 ng were injected stereotaxicaly in lateral ventricle in ischemia and treatment respectively. After 12 days, the nestin expression in subventricular zone was assessed by immunohistochemical staining method. Results: Our results showed that nestin expression increased significantly in treatment group in comparison with ischemia group (p<0.05) . Discussion: Expression of nestin in SVZ indicates that TGF- α can stimulate the neural stem cells proliferation after ischemia –reperfusion injury. Methods

Evaluation of adsorption efficiency of activated carbon/chitosan composite for removal of Cr (VI) and Cd (II) from single and bi-solute dilute solution

The aim of this study was to evaluate the adsorption capacity of the novel coated activated carbon by chitosan for removal of Cr (VI) and Cd (II) ions from single and bi-solute dilute aqueous solutions. In addition, the adsorption abilities of activated carbon (AC), chitosan (CH) and chitosan / activated carbon composite (CHAC) have been compared. Adsorption studies were performed in a batch system, and the effects of various operating parameters such as solution pH, particle size and the dose of adsorbent were considered for removal of Cr (VI) and Cd (II) by Taguchi method. Equilibrium experimental data were well fitted to Langmuir isotherm for single and bi-solute solutions. The adsorption capacities of AC and CH adsorbents have improved by synthesis CHAC composite. As it was expected, competitive adsorption of metal ions on the CHAC surface led to reducing the adsorption capacity from 90.9 mg g-1 to 41.94 mg g-1 for Cr (VI) and 52.63 mg g-1 to 30.21 mg g-1 for Cd (II) ions, respectively. The adsorption capacities for the metal solution–adsorbent systems are in the order Cr (VI) > Cd (II). The kinetic studies indicated that the adsorption process was best described by the pseudo-second-order kinetics for single and bi-solute solutions

Removal of Methylene Blue Dye Using High Performance Acrylic-Based Activated Carbon Fibers

Nowadays, wastewater treatment is important for eliminating organic and inorganic contaminants. Among organic pollutants, colors have a great impact on environmental pollution. Physical adsorption by activated carbons is very useful in removing pollutants and wastewater treatment. In this study, an activated carbon fiber with high mechanical properties and adsorption capacity was prepared through thermal stabilization and chemical activation of acrylic fibers. Nitrogen adsorption/desorption analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and measurement of mechanical properties and iodine number were used to investigate different characteristics of the obtained adsorbent. The potential of these new adsorbents for removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution was investigated in the batch experiments and the influence of main operating parameters, including pH, and the initial dye concentration was studied. Rapid and relatively complete removal (about 95%) of MB dye was achieved at the pH of 12 and initial dye concentration of 100 mg/L. Moreover, it was revealed that the experimental data could be expressed well by the Langmuir and pseudo-second-order model, such that the maximum amount of monolayer adsorption was about 324.83 mg/g. The thermodynamic parameters indicated the spontaneous nature of the adsorption process. According to all results, the mechanical properties and adsorption capacity of the fabricated activated carbon fibers in comparison with other adsorbents exhibit relatively better properties