Neural stem cell therapy in neurological diseases

Early developmental process of mammalian embryo is almost completely directed by the behavior of stem cells, which is controlled by both environmental and intrinsic factors. These cells commonly subject to dividing, migration, deterioration or death. Comparing to all other tissues in the body, central nervous system has a considerably limited capacity to regenerate. Recent knowledge on neural stem cells has brought novel approaches as to the use of stem cells in the treatment of some neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson, Alzheimer disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, as well as in the management of spinal cord injuries. However, scientific literature requires detailed information regarding the proliferation and differentiation of stem cells and the mechanisms controlling the migration of these cells to the targeted central nervous system site. Development of new therapeutic protocols using stem cells and their effective clinical application in the future would bring light to cope with a number of systemic diseases, especially neurological disorders. This review has considered the biological features of stem cells, stem cell plasticity, potential application of stem cells in neurological diseases and cancer, highlighting the promises as well as the problems of this treatment approach

Apoptosis in The Development and Pathophysiology of The Limbic System

Limbic system is involved in the intangible functions of brain like emotions, inborn and acquired emotional responses, self-awareness, ability to understand intentions of others and and memory. Apoptosis has a critical role in the developing brain and disruption of developmental apoptosis may lead to neurodevelopmental disorders. This review summarizes apoptotic processes in the limbic system during fetal brain development in normal and pathological conditions and focuses on the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis

Immunohistochemical restaining of hematoxylin and eosin stained slides: a histotechnical study

Amaç: Bu çalışmada hematoksilen-eozin boyalı bir preparatta boyanın kaldırılması ve bu preparatın farklı histokimyasal ve immünohistokimyasal boyamalar için uygun hale getirilmesi için bir protokol oluşturulması amaçlandı. Gereç ve yöntemler: Sıçan karaciğer ve böbrek preparatları kullanılarak yapılan bu teknik çalışmada hematoksilen-eozin boyasının, geliştirilen protokolle uzaklaştırılması sağlandı ve ardından anti-iNOS boyası uygulandı.Objectives: This study aims to set up a protocol that makes the removal of the stain possible and that it is suitable for different histochemical and immunohistochemical stains in a hematoxylin and eosin stained slide. Materials and methods: Hematoxylin and eosin staining was removed with the developed protocol, followed by anti-iNOS staining, in this technical study done by using rat liver and kidney slides

Temas tipi yanıklarda Hypericum perforatum (sarı kantaron) ile tedavi: Deneysel bir çalışma

Aim: Burns are one of the most difficult physical and psychological traumas that people face. Generally, protection and prevention strategies from burns are practiced. The young and the elderly are most likely to be affected tragically. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of Hypericum perforatum methanol extractcontaining gel on the healing of burn wounds. Materials and Methods: Forty male rats of the Sprague-Dawley strain were divided into four groups after a 4x4 area of their back was shaved, and an experimental burn was created with the direct contact of an aluminum metal stamp heated in boiling water for 15 seconds. There was no implementation on or treatment of the control group (Group 1). Burn wounds were irrigated with saline solution (Saline group, Group 2), and silver sulphadiazine 1% (Silverdin®) cream (Group 3), Hypericum perforatum methanol extract-containing gel (Group 4), and a placebo gel (Group 5) were applied topically 4 times a day after the contact burn. Histopathological analyses of the burned area were made at 4, 8, and 24 hours. Results: The topical use of Hypericum perforatum methanol extract-containing gel in the experimental contact burns, histologically; resulted in the reduction of collagen discoloration, vascular damage and hair follicle and glandula sebaceous damage while preserving total number of hair follicles, number of vessels and epidermal thickness compared to Silver Sulphadiazine 1% (Silverdin®) cream treatment. Conclusion: Positive effects of topical Hypericum perforatum gel were detected on experimental burns and its use might have beneficial effects on acute burn wounds.Amaç: Yanık insanların karşılaştığı en zor fiziksel ve psikolojik travmalardan biridir. Genellikle yanıktan koruma ve önleme stratejileri uygulanmaktadır. Yaşlılar ve gençler yanıktan en trajik olarak etkilenen popülasyondur. Bu çalışmada, metanol ekstraksiyonu yöntemiyle elde edilen Hypericum perforatum (sarı kantaron) jelinin uzun süreli olumlu etkilerinin araştırılması amaçlandı. Gereç ve Yöntem: Kırk adet Sprague-Dawley cinsi erkek sıçanlar 100°C de 15 saniye kaynamış suda ısıtılmış metalle dağlanarak yakılıp 5 gruba ayrıldı. Kontrol grubuna hiçbir işlem ve tedavi uygulanmadı (Grup 1). Salin grubuna (Grup 2), yanık uygulaması yapılıp % 0, 9' luk NaCl solüsyonu ile irrigasyon yapıldı. Ticari bir ürün olan Silverdin® kremi (Grup 3), metanol ekstrasyonu ile elde eldilmiş Hypericum perforatum jeli (Grup 4) ve plasebo jel (Grup 5), aynı gün topikal olarak 4 kez uygulandı. Yanık alanı ve histopatolojik analizler 4., 8. ve 24. saatte biyopsi alınıp değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Metanol ekstrasyonu ile elde eldilmiş Hypericum perforatum jelinin deneysel yanık modeli sonrası topikal uygulaması; kollajen diskolorizasyonunu, vasküler hasar, kıl folikülü ve sebasöz bezlerde meydana gelen hasarı düşürürken ayrıca tüm damarların epidermal kalınlığının Silverdin®’e göre daha tedavi edici özellikte olduğu gözlemlendi. Sonuç: Deneysel yanıklar üzerinde Hypericum perforatum jelinin olumlu etkilerinin olduğu ve kullanımının akut yanıklar üzerinde yararlı etkileri olabileceği görüldü

Research Article Exploring Beta Blockers' Efficacy in Sepsis-Induced Acute Lung Injury and HMGB1-sRAGE Interaction

Background and Objective: Beta-blockers improve cardiac function and prevent catecholamine-mediated hypermetabolism in critically ill patients. This study investigated the role of beta blockers in reducing inflammation in a sepsis model and their influence on acute lung injury (ALI). The study aimed to understand beta blockers' potential role in mitigating ALI risk in sepsis patients. Materials and Methods: Fifty Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups. The first group was the control and the remaining four had feces- induced peritonitis (FIP) to mimic sepsis. The second group was the FIP group, while the third, fourth and fifth groups received different intraperitoneal doses of beta-blockers: 10 mg/kg/day of propranolol, 2 mg/kg/day of metoprolol and 5 mg/kg/day of carvedilol. Results: Beta-blocker administration in FIP rats significantly decreased inflammatory biomarkers, including Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), lactic acid, Interleukin-6 (IL-6), malondialdehyde (MDA), high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1$), compared to the FIP+Saline group. The FIP+beta blockers group exhibited elevated Soluble Receptors for Advanced Glycation End product (s-RAGE) levels compared to the FIP+saline group. Carvedilol, metoprolol and propranolol showed distinct mechanisms, resulting in biochemical improvements in sepsis and curative effects observed in computed tomography and histology. These findings suggested that beta-blockers may effectively prevent ALI side effects in sepsis treatments. Conclusion: Commencing beta-blocker treatment alongside standard sepsis therapy could potentially protect against adverse effects like ALI. It is recommended to consider adding beta-blockers to standard sepsis treatment regimens

Reparative, Neuroprotective and Anti-neurodegenerative Effects of Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor in Radiation-Induced Brain Injury Model

Objective: This animal model aimed to compare the rat group that received brain irradiation and did not receive additional treatment (only saline) and the rat group that underwent brain irradiation and received Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatment. In addition, the effects of G-CSF on brain functions were examined by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and histopathologically. Methods: This study used 24 female Wistar albino rats. Drug administration (saline or G-CSF) was started at the beginning of the study and continued for 15 days after whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT). WBRT was given on day 7 of the start of the study. At the end of 15 days, the behavioral tests, including the three-chamber sociability test, open field test, and passive avoidance learning test, were done. After the behavioral test, the animals performed the MR spectroscopy procedure. At the end of the study, cervical dislocation was applied to all animals. Results: G-CSF treatment positively affected the results of the three-chamber sociability test, open-space test and passive avoidance learning test, cornu Ammonis (CA) 1, CA3, and Purkinje neuron counts, and the brain levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and postsynaptic density protein-95. However, G-CSF treatment reduced the glial fibrillary acidic protein immunostaining index and brain levels of malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, nuclear factor kappa-B, and lactate. In addition, on MR spectroscopy, G-CSF had a reversible effect on brain lactate levels. Conclusion: In this first designed brain irradiation animal model, which evaluated G-CSF effects, we observed that G-CSF had reparative, neuroprotective and anti-neurodegenerative effects and had increased neurotrophic factor expression, neuronal counts, and morphology changes. In addition, G-CSF had a proven lactate-lowering effect in MR spectroscopy and brain materials

Comparison of the Effects of Electroacupuncture and Melatonin on Nerve Regeneration in Experimentally Nerve-Damaged Rats

Background : Development of methods to accelerate nerve regeneration in peripheral nerve damage is important. Electroacupuncture is a new therapeutic method that combines traditional acupuncture with modern electrotherapy. Melatonin has been shown to reduce nerve damage. Objectives: In this study, we aimed to determine and compare the therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture and melatonin on rat sciatic nerve injury. Methods : A total of 56 adult male Wistar Albino rats were divided into four study groups with 14 animals in each group: intact control (group I), subcutaneous saline (group II), subcutaneous melatonin (group III), and electroacupuncture (group IV). Surgical procedure including unilateral (right) sciatic nerve injury was applied to groups II, III, and IV. Saline and melatonin started immediately after surgery for six weeks, while electroacupuncture was given two weeks after surgery for 3 weeks. Functional and histological assessments were used as outcome measurements. Results : Sciatic nerve damage caused a significant decrease in nerve conduction velocity. Both electroacupuncture treatment and melatonin treatment significantly increased the nerve conduction velocity. Both sciatic functional recovery and histological regeneration were faster in these treatment groups compared to the saline. However, no significant difference was observed between the two treatment groups. Conclusion : Electroacupuncture and melatonin are promising alternative treatment strategies for peripheral nerve damage and can be examined in detail in future studies