Tissue Extract from Brittle Star Undergoing Arm Regeneration Promotes Wound Healing in Rat.

This study set out to evaluate the wound healing properties of brittle star extracts in vitro and in vivo. Due to the great arm regeneration potential of the brittle star, Ophiocoma cynthiae, the present study aimed to evaluate the wound healing effect of hydroalcoholic extracts of brittle star undergoing arm regeneration in wound healing models. The brittle star samples were collected from Nayband Bay, Bushehr, Iran. After wound induction in the arm of brittle stars, hydroalcoholic extracts relating to different times of arm regeneration were prepared. The GC-MS analysis, in vitro MTT cell viability and cell migration, Western blot, and computational analysis tests were performed. Based on the in vitro findings, two BSEs were chosen for in vivo testing. Macroscopic, histopathological and biochemical evaluations were performed after treatments. The results showed positive proliferative effects of BSEs. Specifically, forty-two compounds were detected in all groups of BSEs using GC-MS analysis, and their biological activities were assessed. The MTT assay showed that the 14 d BSE had a higher proliferative effect on HFF cells than 7 d BSE. The cell migration assay showed that the wound area in 7 d and 14 d BSEs was significantly lower than in the control group. Western blot analysis demonstrated an increase in the expression of proliferation-related proteins. Upon the computational analysis, a strong affinity of some compounds with proteins was observed. The in vivo analysis showed that the evaluation of wound changes and the percentage of wound healing in cell migration assay in the 7 d BSE group was better than in the other groups. Histopathological scores of the 7 d BSE and 14 d BSE groups were significantly higher than in the other groups. In conclusion, the hydroalcoholic extract of O. cynthiae undergoing arm regeneration after 7 and 14 days promoted the wound healing process in the cell and rat skin wound healing model due to their proliferative and migratory biological activity.

Induction of Asherman's Syndrome in Rabbit.

BACKGROUND: Uterine synechiae or Asherman's syndrome is a condition that can cause infertility. The present experimental study was designed to establish the rabbit as an animal model for human Asherman's syndrome using the endometrial curettage. METHODS: In an experimental study, female adult rabbits (n=18) were randomly divided into intact and ovariectomized groups. One third of caudal part of both uteri was submitted to traumatic endometrial curettage. One group was simultaneously ovariectomized. The intact rabbits were artificially induced ovulation during 10 days after surgery. One third of cranial part of both uteri was selected as the control. Synechiae occurring, luminal area/total area (LA/TA), endometrial area/total area (EA/TA), myometrial and perimetrial area/total area (MPA/TA), endometrial area/uterine wall area (EA/UWA), and myometrial and perimetrial area/uterine wall area (MPA/UWA) ratios of both uteri in six subdivided groups (n=6) were analysed in curetted and intact control parts. On days 15, 30 and 45 following surgery by two-way ANOVA and LSD test (p<0.05). RESULTS: Histopathologic findings showed significant epithelial damage together with significant inflammatory reaction in the intact curettage group. The LA/TA ratios of the intact curettage group on days 15 and 45 were more than the intact control group on day 15. The EA/TA ratio of the intact curettage group on day 30 was less than the intact control group on day 30. CONCLUSION: Uterine fibrosis was observed in intact curettage group, and this modified animal model showed a pathogenesis condition similar to intrauterine adhesions observed in human.