Protective effects of dexpanthenol in carbon tetrachloride-induced myocardial toxicity in rats.

Exposure to various organic compounds including several environmental pollutants and drugs can cause cellular damage through the generation of lipid peroxidation products. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a potent toxic agent that causes peroxidative degeneration in many tissues. Dexpanthenol (Dxp) is a member of the B complex vitamins that exhibits antioxidant effects against lipid peroxidation products. This study was designed to evaluate the cardioprotective effect of Dxp against CCl4-induced myocardial toxicity in rats. Administration of a single dose of CCl4 caused cardiotoxicity by the increase in lipid peroxidation and histopathological changes (cardiomyocytes degeneration, interstitial edema) in the myocardial tissue. Moreover, CCl4 caused a decrease in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and troponin-I immunoreactivities, while significantly increasing tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and caspase-3 immunoreactivities. On the other hand, administration of Dxp improved biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical parameters compared to the CCl4 treated group. Overall, this study suggests that Dxp is effective in inhibiting CCl4-induced lipid peroxidation, and that administration of Dxp may help prevent CCl4 related inflammation, necrosis, and apoptosis on the cardiac tissue.

Is Decorin a Promising New Agent for Facial Nerve Regeneration? An Experimental Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of systemic administration of decorin (DC) on facial nerve (FN) regeneration. METHODS: A total of 32 female albino Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: control (C) group: no bilateral FN neurorrhaphy (B-FNN), no DC application, sham-operated group: B-FNN without DC application, DC group: DC application without B-FNN, and B-FNN + DC group: B-FNN and DC application. Nerve conduction studies were performed before and after skin incisions at 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th weeks in all groups. The amplitude and latency of compound muscle action potentials were recorded. FN samples were obtained and were investigated under light microscopy and immunohistochemical staining. The nerve and axon diameter, number of axons, H score, Schwann cell proliferation, and myelin and axonal degeneration were recorded quantitatively. RESULTS: In the sham group, the 3rd and 5th postoperative week, amplitude values were significantly lower than those of the B-FNN + DC group (p < 0.05). Nerve diameters were found to be significantly larger in the sham, DC, and B-FNN + DC groups than in the C group (p < 0.05). The number of axons, the axon diameter, and the H scores were found to be significantly higher in the B-FNN + DC group than in the sham group (p < 0.05). The Schwann cell proliferation, myelin degeneration, and axonal degeneration scores were significantly lower in the B-FNN + DC group than in the sham group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Electrophysiological and histopathological evaluation revealed the potential benefits provided by DC. This agent may increase FN regeneration.