Curcumin protects against the oxidative damage induced by the pesticide parathion in the hippocampus of the rat brain

One of the main concerns regarding organophosphate pesticides (OP) is their possible toxic effects. Doses that do not produce acute toxicity are capable of altering the structure and biochemistry of different tissues and organs by production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Curcumin (CUR) is the main substance in Curcuma longa (Zingiberacea) rhizome that has strong antioxidant activity. However, the neuroprotective properties of curcumin against oxidative stress induced by prolonged exposure to parathion (PAR) is not clear. Objective: The present work evaluated the protective effect of curcumin against the oxidative damage induced in the rat hippocampus by the OP PAR. Methods: Forty female Wistar rats were distributed in four groups as follows: exposed to PAR by inhalation (PAR group); pre-treated with CUR and then exposed to PAR by inhalation, (CUR + PAR group); exposed to environmental air and treated with CUR in the food (CUR group); and exposed to environmental air (the control group). At the end of the handling process, the concentration of erythrocyte cholinesterase was monitored, as indicator of PAR intoxication and lipoperoxidation, immunohistochemistry for astrocytes, and activated microglia and apoptosis was determined in the hippocampus. Results: In the present study, we show that the administration of CUR (200 mg/kg body weight) significantly diminished the oxidative damage in the hippocampus of rats exposed to the OP PAR. Discussion: These data suggest that CUR may be an alternative to prevent neurodegenerative damage after pesticide exposure. W.S. Maney & Son Ltd 2012

Regeneration of the axotomised sciatic nerve in dogs using the tubulisation technique with chitosan bioma terial preloaded with progesterone [Regeneración del nervio ciático axotomizado del perro mediante la técnica de tubulización con el biomaterial quitosana precargado con progesterona]

Introduction. Injuries to peripheral nerves can have different causes and may lead to disorders affecting mobility, sensitivity and loss of motor function as they progress. Weiss, in 1944, introduced tubulisation to promote the regeneration of a sectioned nerve. In this study the biomaterial Chitosan was used to induce and stimulate the regeneration of the sciatic nerve in dogs. At the same time, we took advantage of the characteristics offered by Chitosan to include the neurosteroid progesterone in its matrix, as a promoter of axonal growth. Aims. The aim of our study was to determine the degree of regeneration of the sciatic nerve in dogs when axotomised-tubulised with a Chitosan prosthesis steeped in the neurosteroid progesterone. Materials and methods. Young adult female dogs were used to evaluate the regeneration of the sciatic nerve induced at a standard of 15 mm; regeneration was determined by means of an axonal growth chamber. Nerve growth was studied through histological analysis and by electron microscope. Results. The statistical analysis showed that there were no significant differences in the number of myelinated fibres between the experimental groups. The electron microscope images of the transmission in the regenerated nerves in the groups that were tubulised with Chitosan, with and without neurosteroid preloading, revealed an advanced regenerative process. This was evidenced by the fact that collagen fibres, elastin, Schwann cells and both myelinated and non-myelinated fibres were observed in all cases. Conclusions. The regeneration of axotomised, tubulised nerves was achieved regardless of the treatment that was applied. The distal nerve segment that was analysed revealed a similar structure to that of a normal nerve

Regeneration of the axotomised sciatic nerve in dogs using the tubulisation technique with chitosan bioma terial preloaded with progesterone [Regeneraci�n del nervio ci�tico axotomizado del perro mediante la t�cnica de tubulizaci�n con el biomaterial quitosana precargado con progesterona]

Introduction. Injuries to peripheral nerves can have different causes and may lead to disorders affecting mobility, sensitivity and loss of motor function as they progress. Weiss, in 1944, introduced tubulisation to promote the regeneration of a sectioned nerve. In this study the biomaterial Chitosan was used to induce and stimulate the regeneration of the sciatic nerve in dogs. At the same time, we took advantage of the characteristics offered by Chitosan to include the neurosteroid progesterone in its matrix, as a promoter of axonal growth. Aims. The aim of our study was to determine the degree of regeneration of the sciatic nerve in dogs when axotomised-tubulised with a Chitosan prosthesis steeped in the neurosteroid progesterone. Materials and methods. Young adult female dogs were used to evaluate the regeneration of the sciatic nerve induced at a standard of 15 mm; regeneration was determined by means of an axonal growth chamber. Nerve growth was studied through histological analysis and by electron microscope. Results. The statistical analysis showed that there were no significant differences in the number of myelinated fibres between the experimental groups. The electron microscope images of the transmission in the regenerated nerves in the groups that were tubulised with Chitosan, with and without neurosteroid preloading, revealed an advanced regenerative process. This was evidenced by the fact that collagen fibres, elastin, Schwann cells and both myelinated and non-myelinated fibres were observed in all cases. Conclusions. The regeneration of axotomised, tubulised nerves was achieved regardless of the treatment that was applied. The distal nerve segment that was analysed revealed a similar structure to that of a normal nerve