Grape seed extract protects rat offspring hippocampus from the silicon dioxide nanoparticles' neurotoxicity.

Silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2-NPs) can be found in many products, such as composites, paints, ceramics, consumer products, and food additives. We recently demonstrated that via breastfeeding, SiO2-NPs transfer to the offspring's brain, interfering negatively with hippocampus development. In this work, we evaluated the protective effect of grape seed extract (GSE) against the adverse effects of SiO2-NPs. After delivery, animals were administered 25 mg/kg SiO2-NPs with/without GSE (300 mg/kg) for 20 days (from 2nd to 21st days post-delivery) by gavage. SiO2-NPs increased malondialdehyde concentration and decreased antioxidant activity in the offspring's hippocampi. The mean number of dark neurons (DNs) was significantly higher in the hippocampi of the SiO2-NPs group, whereas the mean number of DCX + cells was significantly lower than in the control group. The offspring in the SiO2-NPs groups had a weak cognitive performance in adulthood. Interestingly, these adverse effects of SiO2-NPs were alleviated in the GSE-treated groups. Therefore, GSE can attenuate the damaging effects of maternal exposure to SiO2-NPs during lactation.

Immunomodulation Induced in BALB/c Mice after Subacute Exposure to Hydroalcoholic Extract of Artimisia Dracunculus.

INTRODUCTION: Tarragon, with the scientific name of Artemisia dracunculus, is a perennial herbaceous plant with a wide spectrum of pharmacologic properties. In the current investigation, BALB/c mice were used to examine the immunomodulatory effects of hydroalcoholic extract of tarragon (HET). METHODS: Mice were treated with hydroalcoholic extract of Artimisia dracunculus (HET) at two doses (250 and 500 mg/kg) for 14 days. The host hematological parameters, spleen cellularity histopathology, hemagglutination titer assay (HA), delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses, IFN-γ and IL-4 levels produced by spelenocytes, and the proliferation of lymphocytes were assayed. RESULTS: HET at a high dose significantly could increase the number of white blood cells and lymphocytes compared to the control group. The lymphocyte proliferation in exposure to PHA significantly increased in the HET group at both doses compared to the control group, whilst this index in the presence of LPS increased significantly for the 500 mg/kg-HET group only. Moreover, in the HA and DTH tests, HET significantly increased the proliferation of lymphocytes as compared with the control group. Furthermore, HET significantly increased the amount of IFN-γ parallel to a decrease in the level of IL-4 in compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, HET has potent immunostimulant characteristics. More investigation into tarragon's potential to be used in the treatment of disorders caused by a weakened immune response should be conducted.

The Effects of Clove Oil on The Biochemical and Histological Parameters, and Autophagy Markers in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-Model Rats.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine whether syzygium aromaticum (clove) could help polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, forty adult female Wistar rats (weighing 250 ± 10 g) were divided randomly into five groups; G1: control, G2: PCOS group, G3: PCOS+clove (30 mg/kg/ orally/daily) group, G4: PCOS+clove (60 mg/kg/orally/daily) group, and G5: PCOS+gonadectomy group. The PCOS was induced by a single dose injection of estradiol valerate (16 mg/kg/IM). Following PCOS induction, the rats were treated for 14 days. Histological parameters, follicle apoptosis, mRNA expression of autophagy markers (Lc3, Beclin1), oxidative stress markers, insulin and blood glucose levels, as well as serum levels of aromatase and testosterone were evaluated in these rats. Finally, the ratio of serum luteinizing hormone (LH) to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels was also calculated. RESULTS: The autophagy markers (Lc3, Beclin1), histological parameters, oxidative stress, insulin, and hormone levels changed significantly in the PCOS rats (G2). In G3 and G5 groups, it was observed that the levels of LH/FSH and testosterone decreased significantly in comparison to the PCOS group, and inhibition of autophagy was also observed in these groups. Treatment with cloves in the G3 group significantly improved oxidative stress, histological parameters, and insulin levels. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrated that oxidative stress, apoptosis, and excessive autophagy could be improved by treatment with low doses of clove and gonadectomy. Cloves may help to improve these parameters by regulating and inhibiting excessive autophagy. However, discovering the direct role of this extract in regulating the parameters such as oxidative stress, insulin, and androgens requires further investigation. In the present study, P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The benefits of grape seed extract in neurological disorders and brain aging.

Common neurological disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, epilepsy, autism and psychiatric disorders, affect many people worldwide and threaten their lives and health by inducing movement disorders, behavioral disorders, or a combination of both. Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation play a central role in neuronal damage and neurological diseases induction and progression. In addition, protein homeostasis (proteostasis) impairment occurs in many neurodegenerative diseases, which plays a critical role in the progression of the pathology. Grape seed contains several flavonoids and non-flavonoids and exerts potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, polyphenols and flavanols can maintain cellular proteostasis. Since impaired proteostasis is closely involved in all amyloid diseases, particularly neurodegenerative diseases, grape seeds extract can be a valuable therapeutic agent. Therefore, this review discusses the protective and therapeutic mechanisms of grape seed against neurological disorders and, in the end, links GSE to microRNAs as future therapeutic developments.

Comment on "prevalence and risk factors of dysphagia in patients with multiple sclerosis".

We read the recent interesting article entitled "Prevalence and Risk Factors of Dysphagia in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis," published in Dysphagia on February 2021. We believe the discussion part of this study could have provided further and more precise interpretations regarding its results. Thus, we would also like to comment our inferences in accordance with its results to highlight some essential points.

Maternal exposure to silicon dioxide nanoparticles reduces hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptogenesis and induces neurodegeneration in rat offspring hippocampus.

Silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2-NPs) are among the most widely used nanoparticles because of their chemical-physical properties. Since most brain maturation occurs in the neonatal period in humans and many mammals, it is important to understand how NPs may affect this process. This study tested the hypothesis that SiO2-NPs from treated dams could affect the hippocampus of neonatal rats during lactation. Twenty-four pregnant rats, after delivery, were divided into three groups of control, SiO2-NPs (25 mg/kg) and SiO2-NPs (100 mg/kg). The rats were treated from 2nd to 21st days post-delivery by gavage and the effects of these NPs were evaluated in the offspring's hippocampi to reveal the effects of maternal exposure to SiO2-NPs during lactation on the offspring's hippocampi. The offspring in the SiO2-NPs groups had higher malondialdehyde concentration and lower antioxidant activity in the hippocampi than the non-treated control group. The mean number of doublecortin positive (DCX+) cells and synaptophysin expression in the hippocampi of the SiO2-NPs groups were significantly lower than the control group, whereas the mean number of dark neurons was significantly higher. Also, animals in the SiO2-NPs groups had a weak cognitive performance in adulthood. In conclusion, maternal exposure to SiO2-NPs via breastfeeding could affect offspring's hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptogenesis, leading to impaired cognitive performance.

Dysgraphia and dysprosody in a patient with arteriovenous malformation: a case report.

Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) results from development of abnormal connections between veins and arteries. This study reported anAVM case suffering from dysgraphia and dysprosody. According to the results after the trauma, the patient's handwriting was identified as macrographic and illegible, and written letters and verbs were neglected in free writing or dictation. Moreover, prosody of the patient's utterances was changed. Finally, an intervention was conducted to improve the writing impairments whereby they eventually enhanced. AVM can adversely affect communication opportunities and working life due to these impairments. Thus referring the patient to speech and language pathologists seems sensible and necessary.

Letter to Editor Regarding the Article Entitled "Treatment Effects for Dysphagia in Adults with Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review".

This letter is written to inform an important error in the methodology section of a systematic review article entitled "Treatment Effects for Dysphagia in Adults with Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review" by Dalal Alali et al., which consequently resulted in a precise paradox probably and inadvertently affecting the search strategy, results, discussion, and/or conclusion of this systematic review.