The combination treatment of hypothermia and intranasal insulin ameliorates the structural and functional changes in a rat model of traumatic brain injury.

The present study aimed to investigate the combination effects of hypothermia (HT) and intranasal insulin (INS) on structural changes of the hippocampus and cognitive impairments in the traumatic brain injury (TBI) rat model. The rats were divided randomly into the following five groups (n = 10): Sham, TBI, TBI with HT treatment for 3 h (TBI + HT), TBI with INS (ten microliters of insulin) treatment daily for 7 days (TBI + INS), and TBI with combining HT and INS (TBI + HT + INS). At the end of the 7th day, the open field and the Morris water maze tests were done for evaluation of anxiety-like behavior and memory performance. Then, after sacrificing, the brain was removed for stereological study. TBI led to an increase in the total volume of hippocampal subfields CA1 and DG and a decrease in the total number of neurons and non-neuronal cells in both sub-regions, which was associated with anxiety-like behavior and memory impairment. Although, the combination of HT and INS prevented the increased hippocampal volume and cell loss and improved behavioral performances in the TBI group. Our study suggests that the combined treatment of HT and INS could prevent increased hippocampal volume and cell loss in CA1 and DG sub-regions and consequently improve anxiety-like behaviors and memory impairment following TBI.

The effect of topical magnesium on healing of pre-clinical burn wounds.

BACKGROUND: Magnesium (Mg) is an essential factor in the healing process. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Mg creams on healing burn wounds in the rat model. METHODS: To induce burns under general anaesthesia, a 2 × 2 cm2, 100 °C plate was placed for 12 s between the scapulas in 100 male adult Sprague Dawley rats. Animals were divided into five groups (n = 20); positive control (induced burn without treatment); vehicle control (received daily Eucerin cream base topically); comparative control (induced burn and treated daily with Alpha burn cream topically); Treatment 1 and 2 (received daily Mg cream 2% and 4% topically, respectively). All animals were bled for hematological assessment of malondialdehyde (MDA) and TNF-α and sacrificed on days 0, 1, 7, 14, and 21 after interventions for biomechanical, histological, and stereological studies. RESULTS: Stereologically speaking, in treatment groups an increase in dermal collagen volume and fibroblasts was noticed. In treatment groups, the length of vessels, angiogenesis, and skin stretch increased, but the wound area, MDA, and TNF-α level decreased. CONCLUSION: Mg cream was effective in healing burns.

Curcumin mitigates the sleep-deprivation impacts on rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus.

Introduction: The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH) is an important efferent system that relays the circadian rhythm of sleep and stress information to the periphery. Chronic REM sleep deprivation (CSD) is thought to damage this system. We evaluated the effects of CSD after 21 days on the spatial arrangement of PVH in male rats and the anti-apoptotic effects of curcumin on cell loss in sleep-deprived rats. Methods: The rats received 1 mL of 100 mg/kg/day of curcumin in 3 groups: the CSD (through a modified multiple platform apparatus, 18 h/day), grid-floor control, and cage-control along with the same set of matched groups which received 1 mL PBS. In the grid-floor control group, as a control for CSD, animals were placed on stainless-steel-mesh grids positioned upon the CSD apparatus and then allowed to sustain the chance to sleep. After 21 days, their brains were removed for stereological estimations, Voronoi tessellation, and TUNEL assay. In an unbiased stereological approach, Cavalieri's principle and an optical disector were used for estimating the volume and total cell number of the PVH, respectively. The Voronoi tessellation was measured using Image J software. Results: Significant reductions (P < 0.05) in the PVH volume and cell number, along with an increase in dead neurons, were found in CSD animals. The spatial pattern of two types of PVH neurons (parvocellular and magnocellular) showed random distributions after CSD, whereas curcumin not only increased the volume and neuronal number but also retrieved the spatial distribution to a regular one. Conclusions: CSD decreased the volume and altered the spatial arrangement of the neurons in PVH by increasing apoptosis and decreasing the cell number. However, oral use of curcumin could protect PVH from these changes.

Penile Girth Enhancement Using Amniotic Membrane in a Rabbit Model: A stereological study.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of penile girth enhancement (PGE) using amniotic membrane (AM) as a graft in a rabbit model. Additionally, quantitative histological data of the structure of the penis were obtained by stereological studies. Methods: This study was conducted at the Histomorphometry and Stereology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. In this study, 20 adult male rabbits of similar age and weight were allocated to two groups: sham surgery and surgery+AM. Both groups underwent surgery in which a longitudinal I-shaped midline incision was made in the tunica albuginea on the dorsal surface of the penis. The surgery+AM group underwent PGE using AM as a graft. The penile length and mid circumference were measured using a vernier caliper before and two months after the surgery. Results: The mean total volume and diameter of the penis significantly increased in the surgery+AM group (P <0.03 and P <0.04, respectively). On stereological evaluation, a significant increase in the mean volumes of the tunica albuginea and corpora cavernosa was observed in the surgery+AM group compared to the sham group (P <0.01 and P <0.03, respectively). Additionally, the mean volume densities of the collagen bundles, muscle fibres, cavernous sinuses, and the total number of fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells increased in the surgery+AM group compared to the sham group (P <0.05 each). No infections, bleeding or other complications were observed. Conclusion: The use of AM as a graft is a method that shows promising results for material use in penile enhancement. Thus, it may be considered for PGE in the future.

Sleep deprivation induces structural changes in the adult rat testis: The protective effects of olive oil.

OBJECTIVE: Sleep deprivation (SD) is a common problem in today's stressful lifestyle and have physiological consequences, including reproductive dysfunction and infertility. As an antioxidant, olive oil may be effective in reducing testicular and spermatological damage by decreasing the production of free radicals. METHODS: This study investigated the effects of olive oil on sperm quality and testicular structure using stereological methods to assess rats with SD. RESULTS: When comparing SD group to grid floor+distilled water (GR) group, we found that the sperm count and motility, as well as the percentage of slow progressive sperm was significantly lower in SD group (p<0.05), but the percentage of immotile sperm was higher (p<0.01). However, no improvement was observed in sperm count or motility after concomitant treatment of SD group with olive oil. Stereological examinations revealed no significant change in the total volumes of the seminiferous tubules, interstitial tissue, and germinal epithelium in the study groups. Conversely, the total number of testicular cell types was significantly lower in SD group than in GR group. Although the total number of Sertoli and Leydig cells was significantly higher in the SD+olive oil group than in the untreated SD group, no significant difference in the total number of other testicular cell types was observed between the two groups. CONCLUSION: SD potentially induced structural changes in testis that affected sperm count and motility. However, olive oil only improved the total number of Sertoli and Leydig cells in the animals with SD and did not improve sperm count and motility.

The effects of curcumin and sertraline on stress-induced changes in the stomach tissues of rats.

Exposure to stressors can cause functional disorders and structural damage to the stomach. Sertraline (SER) is an antidepressant and curcumin (CUR) is a natural compound with many properties. The current study aimed to investigate the impacts of stress, SER, and CUR on the stomach tissue using stereological methods. In total, 24 male and 24 female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. In the control group, the rats were not exposed to stress. However, the animals in stress, SER and, CUR groups were exposed to daily stress and were orally fed with distilled water, SER (10 mg/kg/day), and CUR (100 mg/kg/day), respectively. The volume, surface area, and number of nerve, parietal, and chief cells were evaluated by stereological methods. Results showed that stress increased the stomach and its mucosa and submucosa volumes, while it decreased the surface area of the mucosa. Furthermore, this disorder increased the number of neurons in the submucosa and myenteric plexuses while it decreased the number of parietal and chief cells. However, treating stressed rats with SER or CUR could prevent these changes. The results showed that the consumption of SER or CUR could be used as a preventive or adjunctive treatment for stressful situations.

Controversial Role of Folic Acid on Diabetic Auditory Neuropathy.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetic auditory neuropathy (DAN) is a common complication of diabetes that seriously affects the quality of life in patients. In this study, we investigate the role of folic acid in the treatment of DAN in an experimental rat model. METHODS: Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were equally divided into four groups: group 1, normal; group 2, diabetic rats; and groups 3 and 4, diabetic rats treated with folic acid (40 and 80 mg/kg, respectively). We used some tools to investigate the therapeutic effect of folic acid on DAN. We evaluated auditory brain stem response (ABR), estimated the volume and number of spiral ganglion and the volume of stria vascularis and spiral ligament by the stereological method, and measured the blood levels of homocysteine (HCY), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). RESULTS: Our study showed that folic acid treatment was not significantly effective in improving structural and functional disorders in DAN, even though its effectiveness in reducing HCY (P < 0.001) and MDA (P < 0.05) as oxidative biomarkers was significant. CONCLUSION: Folic acid is not effective in relieving morphological and functional disorders in DAN.

Effects of N-acetylcysteine and metformin treatment on the stereopathological characteristics of uterus and ovary.

In this study, the stereo-pathological effect of metformin and N-acetyl cysteine is evaluated on the uterus and ovary of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) mice. 96 mature females (8-weekold, weight of 20-30 gr) BALB/c mice were classified into 6 groups including the control group (n= 16), letrozole-induced PCOS group (n=16), PCOS + metformin (n=16), PCOS+NAC (n=16) and a separate control group for NAC (n=16). Another PCOS group was maintained for a month to make sure that features remain till the end of the study. Testosterone level, vaginal cytology and stereological evaluations were assessed. Vaginal cytology in letrozole-receiving mice showed a diestrus phase continuity. Testosterone level, body weight, uterine weight, endometrial volume, myometrial volume, gland volume, stromal volume, epithelial volume, vessel volume, daughter and conglomerate glands, endometrial thickness, and myometrial thickness exhibited an increasing trend in the uterus of PCOS mice. While normal gland and vessel length decreased in the PCOS group. Ovarian volume, corticomedullary volume, primary follicles, secondary follicles, and ovarian cysts were increased in PCOS ovaries. While corpus luteum, primordial, graafian, and atretic follicles showed a decline in the PCOS group. NAC and metformin, however, managed to restore the condition to normal. Given the prevalence of PCOS and its impact on fertility, the use of noninvasive methods is of crucial significance. NAC can control and treat pathological parameters and help as a harmless drug in the treatment of women with PCOS.

Methamphetamine can induce alteration of histopathology and sex determination gene expression through the oxidative stress pathway in the testes of human post-mortem.

Methamphetamine is a recreational drug that can be taken ingestion orally, injected, smoked or snorted. Methamphetamine abuse may lead to male infertility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of methamphetamine abuse on the sex reprogramming of human post-mortem testis. Testes were collected from the autopsies of methamphetamine users (n = 10) and healthy males (reference group) (n = 10). They were then taken for stereological studies and RNA extraction to evaluate the expressions of PCNA, DMRT1, SOX8, c-Kit, TNF-α, IL6 and FOXL2 genes. In addition, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) level and Glutathione Disulfide (GSH) were assessed. Autopsied testicular samples of methamphetamine revealed a significant reduction in stereological parameters and histopathological findings, suggesting methamphetamine as a practical approach to prevention strategies in reproductive medicine that can disrupt spermatogenesis. Moreover, the results indicated the expressions of the genes involved in testis function and male-to-female genetic reprogramming (PCNA, DMRT1, SOX8, c-Kit, TNF-α, IL6 and FOXL2) (16) as well as in increasing inflammation (TNF-α and IL-6). The results also showed a high level of ROS and a decrease in GSH activity. The results of SOX9 immunohistochemistry indicated a significant decrease in the expression of SOX9 as well as in the number of Sertoli cells in the methamphetamine group. Overall, the results suggested that methamphetamine abuse caused spermatogenesis disruption and genetic reprogramming, probably through oxidative stress and changes in the expression of sex-determining genes.

Post-weaning exposure to Sunset Yellow FCF induces behavioral impairment and structural changes in the adult rat medial prefrontal cortex: Protective effects of Coenzyme Q10.

Sunset Yellow FCF (E110) is a water-soluble synthetic dye that has adverse neurobehavioral effects. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is known as a neuroprotective agent. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of post-weaning exposure to Sunset Yellow FCF on behavioral and structural changes in the adult rat medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the protective effects of CoQ10. The weanling rats were randomly divided into six groups: distilled water, CoQ10 (10 mg/kg/day), and low (2.5 mg/kg/day) and high (70 mg/kg/day) doses of Sunset Yellow FCF with or without CoQ10 consumption for 6 weeks. A battery of behavioral tests including open field and Morris water maze tests were done at the end of the sixth week, and then the animals' brains were removed for stereological methods. Our finding indicated that the high dose of Sunset Yellow FCF led to a reduced total volume of mPFC (15.16%), especially in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) region (21.96%), along with loss of neurons (32%) and glial cells (37%), which was associated with higher anxiety behavior and loss of spatial memory. However, CoQ10 prevented the neural loss and glial cells, improved anxiety-like behaviors, and memory impairment. On the other hand, the acceptable daily dose (low dose of Sunset Yellow FCF) did not show a discernible effect on the same parameters. This study showed that the CoQ10 can protect the alteration in mPFC structure and behavioral changes of the rats exposed to high dose of Sunset Yellow FCF.

Prednisolone and mesenchymal stem cell preloading protect liver cell migration and mitigate extracellular matrix modification in transplanted decellularized rat liver.

INTRODUCTION: Regenerative medicine provides promising approaches for treating chronic liver diseases. Previous studies indicate that decellularized liver architecture is damaged by invading non-hepatic inflammatory cells. This study aimed to use anti-inflammatory and regenerative potency of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) and prednisolone for reducing fibrosis and balancing inflammatory cell migration into the decellularized liver scaffold. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The liver was decellularized by perfusing Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES), and nuclei depletion and extracellular matrix (ECM) retention were confirmed by DNA quantification, histochemical, and immunohistochemical assessments. Scaffolds were loaded with BM-MSCs, prednisolone, or a combination of both, implanted at the anatomical place in the rat partial hepatectomized and followed up for 2 and 4 weeks. RESULTS: Labeled-MSCs were traced in the transplanted scaffolds; however, they did not migrate into the intact liver. Immunohistochemistry showed that the hepatoblasts, cholangiocytes, stellate, and oval cells invaded into all the scaffolds. Bile ducts were more abundant in the border of the scaffolds and intact liver. Stereological assessments showed a significant reduction in the number of lymphocytes and neutrophils in prednisolone-loaded scaffolds. The regeneration process and angiogenesis were significantly higher in the group treated with cell/prednisolone-loaded bioscaffolds. Collagen fibers were significantly reduced in the scaffolds pre-treated with cell/prednisolone, prednisolone, or BM-MSCs, compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Loading prednisolone into the scaffolds can be a worthy approach to restrict inflammation after transplantation. Although pre-loading of the scaffolds with a combination of cells/prednisolone could not alleviate inflammation, it played an important role in regeneration and angiogenesis.

The effects of melatonin and metformin on histological characteristics of the ovary and uterus in letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome mice: A stereological study.

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) with anovulation, hyperandrogenism, ovarian and uterine histological changes, menstrual irregularities, etc. signs is an infertility type. It seems that melatonin and metformin can improve these abnormalities. Objective: To evaluate the effects of melatonin and metformin on the ovary and uterus in PCOS-induced mice using stereological methods. Materials and Methods: Seventy-two adult female BALB/c mice (8-wk-old, 20-30 gr) were randomly divided into control (distilled water, gavage), PCOS (90 µg/kg letrozole, gavage), PCOS+metformin (500 mg/kg, gavage), PCOS+melatonin (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection), and PCOS+melatonin control (0.5% ethanol saline) groups (n = 12/each). Another PCOS group was kept for a month to ensure that PCOS features remained. Finally, a stereological evaluation of the uterus and ovary was carried out, and vaginal cytology and serum testosterone levels were assessed. Results: PCOS mice treated with metformin and melatonin had lower testosterone levels, body weight, and more regular estrus cycles than the PCOS group (p ≤ 0.001). A significant decrease in conglomerate and daughter gland numbers, and primary, secondary, atretic, and cystic follicles numbers with a significant increase in primordial and Graafian follicles, and corpus luteum numbers (p ≤ 0.001) was seen in these treated mice. Also, endometrial vessels' volume and length significantly increased, but ovarian, endometrial, myometrial, stromal, and glands volume, and endometrial and myometrial thickness dramatically declined (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: It appears that metformin and melatonin could restore the PCOS phenotype including estrus cycle irregularity, high testosterone level, and ovarian and uterine micromorphology to the control levels. However, the 2 treatments had similar effects on the examined parameters.

The effects of copper sulfate on the structure and function of the rat cerebellum: A stereological and behavioral study.

Copper (Cu) is a vital trace element that acts as a cofactor of proteins and enzymes in many molecular pathways including the central nervous system. The accumulation or deficiency of copper could alter neuronal function and lead to neuronal degeneration and brain dysfunction. Intake of high levels of copper can also cause copper toxicosis that affects the brain structure and function. Despite clinical and experimental data indicating the association between abnormal copper homeostasis and brain dysfunction, the effects of copper on cerebellum have remained poorly understood. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of copper sulfate on the cerebellum via stereological and behavioral methods in rats. Male rats (Sprague-Dawley) were divided to three groups. The rats in the control group orally received distilled water, while those in the Cu groups received 1 mM (159 mg/L) or 8 mM (1272 mg/L) copper sulfate by oral gavage solved in distilled water daily for 4 weeks. Then, the rotarod performance test was recorded and the cerebellum was prepared for stereological assessments. The Cu-administered rats (1 and 8 mM) exhibited a significant reduction in the total volumes of the cerebellum structures. The total number of the cells in the cerebellar cortex and deep cerebellar nuclei were significantly decreased via Cu in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the length of nerve fibers and the number of spines per nerve fiber decreased significantly in the Cu groups. These changes were correlated to the animals' motor performance impairment in the rotarod test. The findings suggested that copper toxicity induced motor performance impairments in the rats, which could be attributed to its deleterious effects on the cerebellum structure.

The Protective Effects of Coenzyme Q10 and Lisinopril Against Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Rats: A Stereological and Electrocardiogram Study.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is used as an anticancer drug despite its several side effects, especially its irreversible impacts on cardiotoxicity. Coenzyme Q10 (Q10) as a powerful antioxidant and lisinopril (LIS) as an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor seem to provide protection against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the cardioprotective effects of Q10 and LIS against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into the control, LIS, Q10, DOX, DOX + LIS, and DOX + Q10 groups. On day 21, ECG was recorded and the right ventricle was dissected for evaluation of catalase activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. Additionally, the left ventricle and the sinoatrial (SA) node were dissected to assess the stereological parameters. The results of ECG indicated bradycardia and increase in QRS duration and QT interval in the DOX group compared to the control group. Meanwhile, the total volumes of the left ventricle, myocytes, and microvessels and the number of cardiomyocyte nuclei decreased, whereas the total volume of the connective tissue and the mean volume of cardiomyocytes increased in the DOX group. On the other hand, the SA node and the connective tissue were enlarged, while the volume of the SA node nuclei was reduced in the DOX group. Besides, catalase activity was lower and MDA concentration was higher in the DOX-treated group. Q10 could recover most stereological parameters, catalase activity, and MDA concentration. LIS also prevented some stereological parameters and ECG changes and improved catalase activity and MDA concentration in the DOX group. The findings suggested that Q10 and LIS exerted cardioprotective effects against DOX-induced cardiac toxicity.

Curcumin can prevent the loss of sinoatrial node cells in methionine-treated rats: A stereological study.

Methionine (MET) rich diets, smoking, coffee and alcohol consumption, low physical activity, and aging are related to high plasma concentrations of homocysteine, which can jeopardize the heart health. Although hyperhomocysteinemia has been considered a recognized risk factor for cardiac dysrhythmia, the structural changes of the conductive system, including Sinoatrial (SA) node of the heart involved in the disorder, have not been completely clarified. Curcumin is the main component of turmeric and has shown some cardioprotective effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of curcumin on the structural changes of the SA node in L-MET-treated rats. These alterations were evaluated by means of stereological techniques, namely cavalieri principle for volume estimation and optical disector counting technique for cell counting. Both techniques used two-dimensional images for obtaining three-dimensional parameters. The rats were divided into four groups, including control, MET-treated (1 g/kg/day), curcumin-treated, (100 mg/kg/day), and MET + curcumin. The treatments were performed for 28 days. On the final day, SA nodes were dissected out for stereological investigation. Compared to the control rats, the volume of SA node, total volume of grape-like cell clusters, and number of SA node cells were respectively decreased by 42%, 34%, and 37% in the MET-treated group (p < 0.04). However, collagen density remained constant in all the study groups. Furthermore, treatment with curcumin could protect the SA node from cellular decline in the MET + curcumin group (p < 0.01). It can be concluded that curcumin could prevent the structural changes of the SA node in the rats treated with methionine.

Effect of Rutin on Diabetic Auditory Neuropathy in an Experimental Rat Model.

OBJECTIVES: Diabetic auditory neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus that has a major impact on patients' quality of life. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of rutin in treating diabetic auditory neuropathy in an experimental rat model. METHODS: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: group 1, control; group 2, diabetic rats; and groups 3-5, rats treated with rutin (at doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg, respectively). We used auditory brain stem response, stereology of the spiral ganglion, and measurements of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) to evaluate the effects of treatment. RESULTS: Significant improvements in auditory neuropathy were observed in the rutin-treated groups in comparison with the diabetic group (P<0.05). Auditory threshold, wave latency, wave morphology, the volume and number of neurons in the spiral ganglion, and SOD and MDA activity showed improvements following treatment. CONCLUSION: Rutin shows promise as a treatment modality for diabetic auditory neuropathy, but more trials are warranted for its clinical application.

The effect of zinc sulfate on penile corpus spongiosum after hypospadias repair in rats: A stereological study.

Hypospadias repair involves correcting urethra defects and improving the wound healing process. Zinc has been well accepted as an effective agent in wound healing. This study aimed to investigate the effect of zinc on corpus spongiosum after experimental hypospadias in rats. The animals were divided into three groups. The control group rats underwent general anesthesia, but did not receive any surgeries and treatments. The second and third groups underwent surgeries and respectively received Distilled Water (DW, 2 ml) and zinc sulfate solution (2 ml, containing 4 mg zinc sulfate) by gavages twice a day for 14 days. Stereological methods were used to quantify the corpus spongiosum tissue. The volumes of corpus spongiosum, spongy tissue, urethral lumens, urethral epithelium, and collagen bundles and the number of fibroblasts were respectively amplified by 28%, 40%, 36%, 48%, 40%, and 29% in the surgery + zinc sulfate group in comparison to the surgery + DW group (p < 0.02). It can be concluded that consumption of 4 mg/day zinc sulfate for 14 days could improve the healing of hypospadias through increasing the population of fibroblasts, producing collagen bundles, and building a wider lumen and more epithelized urethra.

Curcumin prevents neuronal loss and structural changes in the superior cervical (sympathetic) ganglion induced by chronic sleep deprivation, in the rat model.

BACKGROUND: In modern societies, sleep deprivation is a serious health problem. This problem could be induced by a variety of reasons, including lifestyle habits or neurological disorders. Chronic sleep deprivation (CSD) could have complex biological consequences, such as changes in neural autonomic control, increased oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses. The superior cervical ganglion (SCG) is an important sympathetic component of the autonomic nervous system. CSD can lead to a wide range of neurological consequences in SCG, which mainly supply innervations to circadian system and other structures. As the active component of Curcuma longa, curcumin possesses many therapeutic properties; including neuroprotective. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of CSD on the SCG histomorphometrical changes and the protective effect of curcumin in preventing these changes. METHODS: Thirty-six male rats were randomly assigned to the control, curcumin, CSD, CSD + curcumin, grid floor control, and grid floor + curcumin groups. The CSD was induced by a modified multiple platform apparatus for 21 days and animals were sacrificed at the end of CSD or treatment, and their SCGs removed for stereological and TUNEL evaluations and also spatial arrangement of neurons in this structure. RESULTS: Concerning stereological findings, CSD significantly reduced the volume of SCG and its total number of neurons and satellite glial cells in comparison with the control animals (P < 0.05). Treatment of CSD with curcumin prevented these decreases. Furthermore, TUNEL evaluation showed significant apoptosis in the SCG cells in the CSD group, and treatment with curcumin significantly decreased this apoptosis (P < 0.01). This decrease in apoptosis was observed in all control groups that received curcumin. CSD also changed the spatial arrangement of ganglionic neurons into a random pattern, whereas treatment with curcumin preserved its regular pattern. CONCLUSIONS: CSD could potentially induce neuronal loss and structural changes including random spatial distribution in the SCG neurons. Deleterious effects of sleep deprivation could be prevented by the oral administration of curcumin. Furthermore, the consumption of curcumin in a healthy person might lead to a reduction of cell death.

Stereological study of the placental structure in abortion-prone mice model (CBA/J×DBA/2J).

Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is an important reproductive health issue defined as the loss of two or more consecutive pregnancies before the 20th week of gestation, affecting 2-5% of couples. This study aimed to evaluate the volume, number of cells, and length of the vessels in the placenta in normal and abortion-prone (AP) pregnant mice on gestational day (gd) 13.5. Fetal and placental tissues of female CBA/J mated DBA/2J (AP group) and BALB/c (normal pregnant group) were collected and prepared for stereological assessments on gd13.5. The volumes of the placenta and its main layers decidua basalis (Db), junctional zone (Jz), and labyrinth zone (Lz) were investigated. The number of spongiotrophoblast cells, glycogen cells, giant cells, trophoblast cells, lymphocytes, and neutrophils were estimated as well. The AP group showed a reduction in the volume of the placenta (48.7%) and its components. Moreover, the number of spongiotrophoblast cells (66.7%), glycogen cells (76.2%), giant cells (73.3%), and trophoblast cells (81.4%) was decreased in AP compared to normal pregnant (NP) mice. Also, in AP group recognized a 10-fold increase in the number of lymphocytes and a four-fold increase in the number of neutrophils in comparison to the NP group (p < 0.05). Activation of different immune cell types might induce systemic inflammation at the feto-maternal interface, resulting in impaired placenta formation and abortion.

Comparison of the effects of pentoxifylline, simvastatin, tamoxifen, and losartan on cavernous bodies after penile fracture in rats: a stereological study.

Penile fracture (PF) is described as a rupture and fibrosis of the cavernous bodies. This study aimed to collect quantitative data on the impacts of pentoxifylline, simvastatin, tamoxifen, and losartan on cavernous body structure after PF. The rats were divided into six groups. The control group received anesthesia and incision without actual PF. The other groups (second to sixth) underwent PF induction in addition to administration of distilled water, pentoxifylline (200 mg/kg/day), simvastatin (40 mg/kg/day), tamoxifen (10 mg/kg/day), and losartan (20 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks. The volumes of cavernous bodies, collagen bundles, and vessels and number of fibroblasts were increased significantly in the PF group in comparison to the control rats (p < 0.01), indicating a fibrotic process. Moreover, the mean volume of the cavernous bodies decreased in the groups with PF that received pentoxifylline, simvastatin, tamoxifen, or losartan when compared with the PF group. However, the volumes of the collagen bundles and vessels as well as the population of fibroblasts remained at the control level or even lower in PF plus pentoxifylline, simvastatin, tamoxifen, and losartan groups. This indicated the anti-fibrotic effects of the four drugs. It can be concluded that pentoxifylline, simvastatin, tamoxifen, and losartan could reduce fibrosis activities by minimizing the formation of collagen bundles and vessels as well as decreasing the population of fibroblasts 8 weeks after PF. Yet, losartan brought about a better outcome compared with the other chemicals.