Neuroprotection against CCl4 induced brain damage with crocin in Wistar rats

Owing to its lipophilic property, carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) is rapidly absorbed by both the liver and brain. We investigated the protective effects of crocin against brain damage caused by CCl₄. Fifty rats were divided into five groups of ten: control, corn oil, crocin, CCl₄ and CCl₄ + crocin. CCl₄ administration decreased glutathione (GSH) and total antioxidant status (TAS) levels, and catalase (CAT) activity, while significant increases were observed in malondialdehyde (MDA) and total oxidant status (TOS) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. The cerebral cortex nuclear lamina developed a spongy appearance, neuronal degeneration was observed in the hippocampus, and heterochromatic and pyknotic neurons with increased cytoplasmic eosinophilia were observed in the hippocampus after CCl₄ treatment. Because crocin exhibits strong antioxidant properties, crocin treatment increased GSH and TAS levels and CAT activities, and decreased MDA and TOS levels and SOD activity; significant improvements also were observed in histologic architecture. We found that crocin administration nearly eliminated CCl₄ induced brain damage by preventing oxidative stress.     

Transplantation of mesenchymal stromal cells on mineralized collagen leads to ectopic matrix synthesis in vivo independently from prior in vitro differentiation

BACKGROUND: Tissue engineering using mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) represents a promising approach for bone regeneration. Nevertheless, the optimal constructs have yet to be determined. It still remains unclear if there is a benefit of in vitro differentiation of MSC prior to transplantation or if undifferentiated MSC hold the optimal potential concerning new tissue formation. METHODS: After isolation and in vitro expansion, MSC were seeded on mineralized collagen sponges and transplanted in a heterotopic SCID mice model (n=12). While group A contained undifferentiated MSC, in group B cells were cultivated for 14 days in vitro under osteogenic conditions prior to implantation. Results were compared with non-loaded scaffolds (group C). Animals were killed for investigation at 4 and at 8 weeks. RESULTS: In situ hybridization demonstrated integration of MSC for up to 8 weeks in groups A and B. Histology revealed significantly more extracellular matrix synthesis in MSC-seeded scaffolds containing calcium phosphate and collagen type I at 4 and 8 weeks after transplantation compared with unloaded controls. At a biochemical level, higher levels of specific alkaline phosphatase expression were detected in MSC-loaded scaffolds (P<0.05). Scaffolds containing undifferentiated and differentiated MSC did not appear to differ in terms of matrix synthesis and protein expression, while the number of avital cells was significant higher in those probes loaded with differentiated MSC (P<0.01). DISCUSSION: The integration of transplanted cells and MSC-associated matrix synthesis encourages the use of MSC-loaded mineralized collagen for tissue engineering of bone. Furthermore, our data suggest that in vitro differentiation of MSC does not have a positive influence in terms of improved matrix synthesis.     

Histopathological effects of cisplatin,doxorubicin and 5-flurouracil (5-FU) on the liver of male albino rats

Cisplatin, doxorubicin and fluorouracil (5-FU), drugs belonging to different chemical classes, have been extensively used for chemotherapy of various cancers. Despite extensive investigations into their hepatotoxicity, there is very limited information on their effects on the structure and ultra-structure of liver cells in vivo. Here, we demonstrate for the first time, the effects of these three anticancer drugs on rat liver toxicity using both light and electron microscopy. Light microscopic observations revealed that higher doses of cisplatin and doxorubicin caused massive hepatotoxicity compared to 5-FU treatment, including dissolution of hepatic cords, focal inflammation and necrotic tissues. Interestingly, low doses also exhibited abnormal changes, including periportal fibrosis, degeneration of hepatic cords and increased apoptosis. These changes were confirmed at ultrastructural level, including vesiculated rough endoplasmic reticulum and atrophied mitochondria with ill-differentiated cisternae, dense collection of macrophages and lymphocytes as well as fibrocytes with collagenous fibrils manifesting early sign of fibrosis, especially in response to cisplatin and doxorubicin -treatment. Our results provide in vivo evidence, at ultrastructural level, of direct hepatotoxicity caused by cisplatin, doxorubicin and 5-FU at both light and electron microscopi. These results can guide the design of appropriate treatment regimen to reduce the hepatotoxic effects of these anticancer drugs.     

Characterization of PR-10 genes from eight Betula species and detection of Bet v 1 isoforms in birch pollen

Background  

Bet v 1 is an important cause of hay fever in northern Europe. Bet v 1 isoforms from the European white birch (Betula pendula) have been investigated extensively, but the allergenic potency of other birch species is unknown. The presence of Bet v 1 and closely related PR-10 genes in the genome was established by amplification and sequencing of alleles from eight birch species that represent the four subgenera within the genus Betula. Q-TOF LC-MS^E was applied to identify which PR-10/Bet v 1 genes are actually expressed in pollen and to determine the relative abundances of individual isoforms in the pollen proteome.     

Chemoprevention of rat liver toxicity and carcinogenesis by Spirulina

Spirulina platensis (SP) is a filamentous cyanobacterium microalgae with potent dietary phyto-antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancerous properties. The present study aimed to investigate the chemopreventive effect of SP against rat liver toxicity and carcinogenesis induced by dibutyl nitrosamine (DBN) precursors, and further characterized its underlying mechanisms of action in HepG2 cell line. Investigation by light and electron microscopy showed that DBN treatment induced severe liver injury and histopathological abnormalities, which were prevented by SP supplementation. The incidence of liver tumors was significantly reduced from 80 to 20% by SP. Immunohistochemical results indicated that both PCNA and p53 were highly expressed in the liver of DBN-treated rats, but were significantly reduced by SP supplementation. Molecular analysis indicated that SP treatment inhibited cell proliferation, which was accompanied by increased p21 and decreased Rb expression levels at 48hrs post-treatment. In addition, SP increased Bax and decreased Bcl-2 expression, indicating induction of apoptosis by 48hrs. This is the first report of the in vivo chemopreventive effect of SP against DBN-induced rat liver cytotoxicity and carcinogenesis, suggesting its potential use in chemoprevention of cancer.     

The approximate entropy of the electromyographic signals of tremor correlates with the osmotic fragility of human erythrocytes

Background  

The main problem of tremor is the damage caused to the quality of the life of patients, especially those at more advanced ages. There is not a consensus yet about the origins of this disorder, but it can be examined in the correlations between the biological signs of aging and the tremor characteristics.     

Comparative neuroanatomy suggests repeated reduction of neuroarchitectural complexity in Annelida

Background

Paired mushroom bodies, an unpaired central complex, and bilaterally arranged clusters of olfactory glomeruli are among the most distinctive components of arthropod neuroarchitecture. Mushroom body neuropils, unpaired midline neuropils, and olfactory glomeruli also occur in the brains of some polychaete annelids, showing varying degrees of morphological similarity to their arthropod counterparts. Attempts to elucidate the evolutionary origin of these neuropils and to deduce an ancestral ground pattern of annelid cerebral complexity are impeded by the incomplete knowledge of annelid phylogeny and by a lack of comparative neuroanatomical data for this group. The present account aims to provide new morphological data for a broad range of annelid taxa in order to trace the occurrence and variability of higher brain centers in segmented worms.

Results

Immunohistochemically stained preparations provide comparative neuroanatomical data for representatives from 22 annelid species. The most prominent neuropil structures to be encountered in the annelid brain are the paired mushroom bodies that occur in a number of polychaete taxa. Mushroom bodies can in some cases be demonstrated to be closely associated with clusters of spheroid neuropils reminiscent of arthropod olfactory glomeruli. Less distinctive subcompartments of the annelid brain are unpaired midline neuropils that bear a remote resemblance to similar components in the arthropod brain. The occurrence of higher brain centers such as mushroom bodies, olfactory glomeruli, and unpaired midline neuropils seems to be restricted to errant polychaetes.

Conclusions

The implications of an assumed homology between annelid and arthropod mushroom bodies are discussed in light of the 'new animal phylogeny'. It is concluded that the apparent homology of mushroom bodies in distantly related groups has to be interpreted as a plesiomorphy, pointing towards a considerably complex neuroarchitecture inherited from the last common ancestor, Urbilateria. Within the annelid radiation, the lack of mushroom bodies in certain groups is explained by widespread secondary reductions owing to selective pressures unfavorable for the differentiation of elaborate brains. Evolutionary pathways of mushroom body neuropils in errant polychaetes remain enigmatic.     

Method of non-destructive mechanical testing of new surface coatings for prostheses]

Research into new surface coatings and surface processing methods for prostheses is subject to numerous studies. The aim of this study was to test an innovative biomechanical measuring method for the examination of the ingrowth of bone implants. Using a transcortical model, coated (n=14) or uncoated (n=14) titanic cylinders were implanted into the lateral condyle of 28 New Zealand White Rabbits. After 6 weeks or 6 months the animals were sacrificed and the osseointegration of the implants was evaluated biomechanically and histologically. Up to traction of 50 N the load dependent movement between bone and testing cylinder did not lead to a destruction of the bone-implant-interface. Therefore, biomechanical and histological investigations could be performed in the same specimen. The results of both evaluations showed a significant correlation (correlation coefficient -0.79; p < 0.01) and were absolutely reproducible. With the method of non-destructive mechanical testing, it is possible to halve the number of required animals. Additionally, the results of the biomechanical and histological analysis can be compared and thus serve as an internal control. In summary, the method of non-destructive mechanical testing represents an ideal tool to study new surface coatings and surface processing methods for prostheses.