Protective effect of N-acetyl cysteine on chlorpyrifos-induced testicular toxicity in mice

Background: Chlorpyrifos [CPF], an organophosphate pesticide, is widely used in farms in order to preserve crops and fruits. Previous studies have shown that CPF exposure might cause chronic toxicity in male genital system. The present study investigated the protective effect of N-Acetyl Cysteine [NAC], a potent antioxidant against testicular toxicity of CPF in male mice

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 42 adult male mice were divided into seven groups, CPF low [0.5 mg/kg.b.w] and high [5 mg/kg.b.w] doses groups, NAC group [35 mg/kg.b.w], NAC+CPF 0/5 mg/kg.b.w, NAC+CPF 5 mg/kg.b.w, dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO, 0.75% solution mg/kg.b.w] and control group. All treatment were done intraperitoneally. Treatment was conducted for four consecutive weeks [five days each week]. However NAC was injected to NAC+CPF groups five days before initiation of the treatment procedure. One week after the last injection, mice were sacrificed using anesthetic gas to evaluate alterations in testicular histology and sperm parameters

Results: Seminiferous tubules area and diameter were significantly diminished in the group treated with 5 mg/kg CPF [P<0.05]. CPF also statistically reduced sperm parameters [count and motility] and damaged sperm morphology] at both doses [P<0.05]. However, NAC significantly improved spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatid cell counts as well as sperm parameters in mice treated with both CPF concentrations [P<0.05]

Conclusion: According to our results, NAC may significantly ameliorate CPF-induced damages to spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids cell counts and sperm parameters

Comparison of Placenta PCR and Maternal Serology of Aborted Women for Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in Ardabil, Iran

Primary maternal infection with toxoplasmosis during pregnancy is frequently associated with transplacental transmission of the parasite to the fetus. This study was conducted to test the utility of PCR assay to detect recent infections with Toxoplasma in aborted women at various gestational ages who referred to Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Alavi Hospital in Ardabil during 2014 and 2016. Two hundred women with a history of single or repeated abortion were investigated in this study. Blood samples were tested for specific anti-Toxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies by ELISA. According to the results, 53.5% of the women under study were positive for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies: 4.0% of them had IgM, 43.0% had IgG, and 6.5% had both IgM and IgG. Subsequently, Nested-PCR analysis was used to detect T. gondii DNA in the placenta of subjects. In 10.5% of the women, the results were positive for 529 bp element of T. gondii. Among them, 5 (23.8%) cases were IgM positive, 1 (4.8%) case was IgG positive, and 11 (52.4%) were both IgM and IgG positive. In 4 (19.0%) patients, none of the antibodies were found to be positive. In total, 16 patients had positive results in both ELISA and PCR methods, and 174 cases had negative results for new infection. The findings of this study revealed that T. gondii might be one of the significant factors leading to abortion, and that the analysis of placenta can be important in order to achieve increased detection sensitivity.

Relevance of helicobacter pylori plasticity and cagPAI regions known genes to gastric and duedenal ulcers in Iran

Background: Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] is the main cause of gastroduodenal diseases, such as chronic atrophic gastritis, gastric ulcer [GU], and duodenal ulcer [DU]. There is a close relationship between H. or/-specific factors and different gastroduodenal diseases. The aim of the present study was to clarify the roles of the plasticity region genes [jhp0940, jhp0945, and jhp0947] and the known genes of cagPAI [cagA and cage] in relation to GU and DU diseases

Materials and Methods: A total of 173 strains that were isolated from 114 patients with non-atrophic gastritis [NAG], 30 patients with DU, and 29 patients with GU were genotyped. Data were collected and analyzed using SPSS software version 19.

Results: The cagE gene had the highest frequency [69.4%] and jhp0945 had the least frequency [11.0%] among the genes. When GU was considered as a dependant factor in simple logistic regression analysis, no genotype correlation was found with risk for GU in Iran [p>0.05]. Statistical analysis showed that cagA+ and cagAV jhp0940+ genotypes were significantly associated with an increased risk of DU but not GU. The Odds ratios [95% CI] were 3.143 [1.120-8.817], and 7.250 [1.493-38.199], respectively

Conclusion: Given the high frequency of cagE, this gene could be a suitable marker for the presence of cagPAI in Iranian strains. cagA[+] and cagAV jhp0940+genotypes can be beneficial biomarkers for risk prediction of DU in Iran

Effects of combination of G-CSF and SCF one week prior to liver injury in acute liver damage model induced by thioacetamide administration

There are many reports regarding to effects of Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor [G-CSF] and stem cell factor [SCF]alone in liver repair .But conflicting data have been reported regarding the role of growth factors such as G-CSF and SCF in the liver regeneration system. Also, there is not such data regarding to effects of co-administration both of G-CSF and SCF in the liver damage condition. An experimental model of rat liver damage induced by the thioacetamide. Five different groups of animals receiving 0.9% NaCl, TAA alone, TAA + G-CSF, TAA + SCF and TAA + [G-CSF+SCF].The activity of glutamate pyruvate transaminase [GPT/AlT]and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase [GOT/AST] were measured after the thioacetamide [TAA] injection and the administration of combination of G-CSF +SCF for 12 weeks. Also histological tests were carried out at the end experiments. The pre-treatment of combination of G-CSF and SCF for 12 weeks reduced the degree of liver injury. The mean of GOT activity was 61.24 [U/L] in the G-CSF +SCF and versus 132.86 in the TAA-alone group. These differences in the GOT activity were statistically significant [P<0.05]. Also, in the G-CSF +SCF and TAA group the mean of GPT activity [4.35 versus 11.79, respectively] were lower than in the TAA-alone group, this difference was statistically significant [P<0.05]. Liver sections from a rat treated only with TAA, showing damage, but TAA and G-CSF + SCF no significant damage is present. On the other hand histological results revealed a very mild degree of inflammation were observed in the livers of the combination of G-SCF+SCF and TAA-treated rats compared to TAA only treated group. Biochemical and microscopic analysis revealed that combination of G-CSF and SCF pre-treatment significantly enhances liver regeneration after TAA-induced liver injury

Quantitative cell numbers and density of mesangial volume in a rat model with induced hyperglycemic and treated with mononuclear derived CD133 positive cells

There is evidence that mesangial cell structural changes contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. To gain better insight into the mechanisms responsible for this issue, present study focused on effect of cord blood mononuclear cells [MNCs] derived CD133 positive cells on mesangial cell structure and function. The animals were randomly divided into four groups [each with six rats] and were kept in separate cages as follows: Group I: control group, received only 8.2 mmol/L sodium citrate buffer [pH 5.4]. Group II: received only CD133 positive cells. Group III: received alloxan [65mg/kg] only. Group IV: received alloxan, followed by administration of CD133 positive cells, 1 week later. Rats were studied for 16 weeks. Cord blood mononuclear cells [MNCs] were isolated by a conventional centrifuge method through a Ficoll-density gradient, CD133 positive isolation was performed by means of magnetic cell separation [MACS] columns according to the manufacturer's procedure. CD133 positive stem cells analyzed using flow cytometry. The CD133positive cells were centrifuged, resuspended with PBS, and transplanted to the rats through the tail. At the end of the experiments, blood was collected, and then blood glucose, creatinine, glycated hemoglobin and insulin concentrations were measured by using kits. All of the animals were killed and the kidneys were removed. Tissues were processed for light microscopy. Glomerular features were evaluated quantitatively using Cavalieri and disectory methods and compared with sham and control groups. Our results indicated that treated hyperglycemic rats showed an increase in mesangial volume compared to untreated group. Concerning the mechanisms of these findings both glycemic control and CD133 positive cells regenerative potential are major's factors to change mesangial structure and function. The present study clearly documents the potential of CD133 positive cells on the renal mesangial cells

Evaluation of cytological alterations of oral mucosa in smokers and waterpipe users

Oral mucosal epithelia of smokers and waterpipe users are more susceptible to malignant alterations. The aim of this study was morphometric evaluation of the effects of using waterpipe on normal oral mucosa. In a cross sectional study, cytologic smear samples from the following three different areas: buccal mucosa, lateral surface of the tongue, and floor of the mouth [right] were taken from 40 smokers, 40 waterpipe users, and 40 normal individuals. They were then stained using Papanicolaou staining technique. Quantitative cytologic alterations such as nuclear and cytoplasmic size, nuclear-cytoplasmic [N/C] ratio, Feret ratio [FR], percent of karriorhexis, vacuolization of cytoplasm, two or multilobed nuclei, inflammation, and candida were evaluated. Quantitative evaluation was performed using Motic Plus 2 software, and 50 cells in each slide were studied. Practitioners were matched with age and sex in three groups An increase in nuclear size, the N/C ratio, and F. R, while a decrease in cytoplasm size were observed in lateral surface of the tongue, buccal mucosa and floor of the mouth of smokers, waterpipe users and normal individuals, respectively [p

Effects of teucrium polium aerial parts extract on oral glucose tolerance tests and pancreas histopathology in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats

Teucrium polium can reduce serum glucose. There are few reports in the literature related to this subject and the resolution of this mechanism requires further experiments. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Teucrium polium aerial parts extracts on oral glucose tolerance tests and pancreas histology in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats. In order to prepare the aqueous concentrate, aerial parts extract was dissolved in distilled water and was boiled for 30 minutes. For the preparation of ethanolic solution, powder was dissolved in ethanol and mixed by a shaker. Diabetic rats were induced with single IP injection of streptozotocin [STZ] at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight dissolved in normal saline just before use to the 16 hr fast rats. Both groups, diabetic and normal were sacrificed by ether anesthesia. The tissue samples were formalin fixed and paraffin embedded for microscopic examination in accordance with routine laboratory procedures. Blood was collected from the tail vein of the rats. Serum glucose levels were then measured by commercial kits by using a glucose oxidized method. There were no biochemical abnormalities or histological changes in the pancreas of control rats. Post treatment of Teucrium polium aerial parts extract reduced the severity of streptozotocin diabetic pancreases. Our histopathological investigation along with the biochemical evaluations showed a significant effect on histological changes in the pancreas of induced diabetic rats upon Teucrium polium aerial parts extract treatment [P<0.05].

Histomorphometric comparative evaluation of blood vessels and their distribution pattern in follicular cyst, odontogenic keratocyst and ameloblastoma

Ameloblastoma is a benign epithelial odontogenic tumor that exhibits a more aggressive behavior than odontogenic keratocyst and follicular cyst. The purpose of this study was to determine and evaluate histomorphometric characteristics and blood vessels pattern adjacent to and far from odontogenic epithelium on the clinical behavior of the above odontogenic lesions with immunohistochemistry and morphometry method. In this descriptive-cross-sectional study, 45 paraffin blocks of mentioned lesions were selected and marked immunohistochemically with CD34. From three HPFs [High Power Fields] in each slide which had more density of blood vessels in adjacent to and far from odontogenic epithelium, photography was done by a camera joined to a microscope with 40 times magnification. Through the software Motic plus 2, the internal and external diameters, section surface and thickness were determined. Also the blood vessel pattern was determined in the mentioned lesions and was compared through ANOVA, f-test and Multiple Comparison Test. The external and internal diameters and sectional surface in the regions far from the odontogenic ephithelium in ameloblastoma was greater than keratocyst [P<0.001] and dentigerous cysts [P=0.001]] but there was no significant statistical differences seen in the thickness of blood vessels in the regions far from the odontogenic ephithelium in three lesions [P=0.05]. Significant statistical difference was not seen in external [P=0.8] and internal [P=0.8] diameters, sectional [P=0.6] surface and blood vessels thickness in the adjacent regions of odontogeni ephithelium in these three lesions. The pattern of blood vessels in ameloblastoma was circumferential and in the keratocyst and follicular cyst, it was directional. It seems that morphometric characteristics of blood vessels [internal and external diameters, sectional surface] in areas far from odontogenic ephithelium and the type of blood vessels pattern affects clinical aggressive behavior of ameloblastoma more than keratocyst and follicular cyst

Stereological evaluation of renal glomeruli in offspring of diabetic female rats

Although in vitro studies have shown that high concentrations of glucose can induce dysmorphogenesis of the embryonic kidney, the possible adverse effects of exposure to intrauterine hyperglycemia on kidney development, especially in regard to nephrogenesis, has not been evaluated. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of maternal diabetes on glomeruli structures of the offspring, focusing on the following parameters: glomeruli volume and number, mesangium volume, mesangial cell number and glomerular capillary volume. Before mating, fifteen female Sprague Dawley rats, divided into three groups, were diabetes induced by a single intraperitoneal dose of 65 mg/ kg streptozotocyn [STZ]. After 30 days of breast feeding, ten offsprings from each group [two per mother] were randomly selected for kidney removal. The kidneys were weighed and their tissues were processed for light microscopy. Glomerular features were evaluated quantitatively using dissection as well as the Cavalieri method and were then compared with sham and control groups. At birth, the mean body weight of diabetic mothers' offspring [DO] was significantly lower than that of the control group's offspring [CO] and sham group's offspring [SO] [p=0.001], however, the mean body weight of the 30 day-old DO was not lower than that of CO and SO [p > 0.05]. The total renal volumes, cortical volumes, glomerular mean and total volumes, total mesangeal volumes, total capillary volumes and total glomerular numbers were significantly lower in the DO than in CO and SO [p < 0.05]. The numerical density of glomeruli and mesangial cells per glomeruli were significantly greater in DO than in CO and SO [p < 0.05]. We concluded that intrauterine hyperglycemia is accompanied by a nephron deficit which may not be compensated within the first 30 days after birth