The Neuroprotective Effects of Flaxseed Oil Supplementation on Functional Motor Recovery in a Model of Ischemic Brain Stroke: Upregulation of BDNF and GDNF.

Cerebral ischemic stroke is a common leading cause of disability. Flaxseed is a richest plant-based source of antioxidants. In this study, the effects of flaxseed oil (FSO) pretreatment on functional motor recovery and gene expression and protein content of neurotrophic factors in motor cortex area in rat model of brain ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) were assessed. Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAo) in rats was used as model brain I/R. Rats (6 in each group) were randomly divided into four groups of Control (Co+normal saline [NS]), Sham (Sh+NS), tMCAo+NS and tMCAo+FSO. After three weeks of pretreatment with vehicle or FSO (0.2 ml~800 mg/kg body weight), the rats were operated in sham and ischemic groups. Ischemia was induced for 1 h and then reperfused. After 24 h of reperfusion, neurological examination was performed, and animals were sacrificed, and their brains were used for molecular and histopathological studies. FSO significantly improved the functional motor recovery compared with tMCAo+NS group (P<0.05). A significant reduction in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) mRNAs and protein levels were observed in the tMCAo+NS group compared with Co+NS and Sh+NS group (P<0.05). A significant increase of BDNF and GDNF mRNAs and proteins was recorded in the tMCAo+FSO group compared with Co+NS, Sh+NS and tMCAO+NS groups (P<0.05). The results of the current study demonstrated that pretreatment with FSO had neuroprotective effects on motor cortex area following cerebral ischemic stroke by increasing the neurotrophic factors (BDNF, GDNF).

Effect of low-level laser therapy on skin fibroblasts of streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVE: This study explored the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on cellular changes in cell culture and organ culture of skin from streptozotocin-diabetic (STZ-D) rats. BACKGROUND DATA: Growth of skin and its fibroblasts are impaired in diabetes. Therefore the healing of skin wounds is impaired in diabetic patients. The positive effects of LLLT on complications of diabetes in patients and animal models have been shown. METHODS: Diabetes was induced in rats by streptozotocin 30 days after its injection. Two sets of skin samples were extracted from skin under sterile conditions. Fibroblasts that were extruded from the samples were proliferated in vitro, and another set of samples were cultured as organ culture. A 24-well culture medium containing Dulbecco's modified minimum essential medium was supplemented by 12% fetal bovine serum. There were five laser-treated and five sham-exposed groups. A helium-neon laser was used, and 0.9-4 J/cm(2) energy densities were applied four times to each organ culture and cell culture. The organ cultures were analyzed by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy examinations. Cell proliferation was evaluated by dimethylthiazol-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed that 4-J/cm(2) irradiation significantly increases the fibroblast numbers compared to the sham-exposed cultures (p = 0.046). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that LLLT resulted in a significant increase of fibroblast proliferation of STZ-D rats in vitro.

Low-level laser therapy improves early healing of medial collateral ligament injuries in rats.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to investigate whether or not low-level laser therapy (LLLT) with a helium-neon laser increased biomechanical parameters of transected medial collateral ligament (MCL) in rats. BACKGROUND DATA: It has been reported that LLLT can enhance tendon healing. METHODS: Thirty rats received surgical transection to their right MCL, and five were assigned as the control group. After surgery, the rats were divided into three groups: group 1 (n = 10) received LLLT with 0.01 J/cm(2) energy density per day, group 2 (n = 10) received LLLT with 1.2 J/cm(2) energy density per day, and group 3 (sham = exposed group; n = 10) received daily placebo laser with shut-down laser equipment, while the control group received neither surgery nor LLLT. Biomechanical tests were performed at 12 and 21 days after surgery. The data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of group 2 on day 12 was significantly higher than that of groups 1 and 3. Furthermore, the UTS and energy absorption of the control (uninjured) group were significantly higher than those of the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: LLLT with a helium-neon laser is effective for the early improvement of the ultimate tensile strength of medial collateral ligament injuries.