Histoanatomical study of the lens and ciliary body in ostrich eye.

In the present study, the lenses and ciliary bodies of 20 ostrich eyes were studied macroscopically and microscopically. The histological slides were studied after staining by hematoxylin and eosin, Verhoeff, Van Gieson, and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS). Posterior surface of lens was more convex than its anterior surface. The average lens diameter and thickness were respectively measured as 1.43 ± 0.00 and 0.85 ± 0.00 cm. The average ciliary body thickness was measured as 1.48 ± 0.01 cm. In addition, the ciliary body was seen annular with mean horizontal and vertical external diameters as 4.80 ± 0.07 and 4.36 ± 0.06 cm, respectively. The retina is extended on ciliary body in this bird. The number of ciliary body processes was about 120. The epithelium of lens was cuboidal and the lens capsule had intense positive PAS reaction. Also, the anterior surface of capsule was thicker than its posterior surface. The lens fibers in the central part were thicker than other parts. Elastic and collagen fibers were not observed in the lens. The epithelium of ciliary processes had two layers; superficial cuboidal non-pigmented layer, and deep heavily pigmented layer. The ciliary body was supported by a hyaline cartilage. In addition to the smooth muscle fibers, many isolated skeletal muscle fibers were also seen in ciliary body. In conclusion, the lens and ciliary body of ostrich were similar to other birds, although there were little differences in anatomical dimensions and histological characteristics.

Lung Altered Expression of IL-1ß mRNA and Its Signaling Pathway Molecules in Obese-asthmatic Male Wistar Rats.

Epidemiological and clinical studies indicate a close relationship between obesity and asthma. Here, we determined the impact of diet-induced obesity on the expression levels of IL-1ß, IRAK-1 and TRAF-6 mRNA as well as IL-1ß protein level and pathological changes in male Wistar rat's lung after sensitization with ovalbumin (OVA). Twenty male Wistar rats divided into four groups, control with normal diet (C+ND), OVA-sensitized with normal diet (S+ND), control with high-fat diet (C+HFD), and OVA-sensitized with high-fat diet (S+HFD). All rats fed for 12 weeks with standard pellets or high-fat diet while sensitization and challenging with OVA or saline were done for groups in the last month. In the end of intervention, lung was isolated and tested for the expression levels of IL-1ß, IRAK-1 and TRAF-6 mRNA with real time-PCR method, and pathological changes were determined. Diet-induced obesity groups showed increased weight, obesity indexes and lipid profiles The expression levels of IL-1ß mRNA in OVA-sensitization groups (S+ND and S+HFD) showed a significant increase compared with other groups. Also in S+HFD group, expression level of IRAK-1 and TRAF-6 mRNA were markedly higher than other groups (p<0.001). The pathological changes were marked in sensitized groups compared to non-sensitized groups; with marked increase in obese sensitized rat. The results showed that high fat diet caused overexpression of IL-1ß, IRAK-1 and TRAF-6 mRNA as well as IL-1ß protein in an experimental model of asthma. Our results suggest that obese-asthmatic conditions may lead to the local production and activation of pro-inflammatory agents.

Effect of Alpha-Hederin, the active constituent of Nigella sativa, on miRNA-126, IL-13 mRNA levels and inflammation of lungs in ovalbumin-sensitized male rats.

OBJECTIVE: In previous studies the therapeutic effects of Nigella sativa have been demonstrated on asthmatic animals. In the present study, the preventive effect of single dose of alpha-hederin, its active constituent, has been evaluated on lung inflammation and some inflammatory mediators in lungs of ovalbumin sensitized rat in order to elicit its mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty rats were randomly grouped in 4 groups; control (C), sensitized (S), sensitized pretreated groups with thymoquinone (3 mg/kg i.p., S+TQ) and alpha-hederin (0.02 mg/kg i.p., S+AH). Levels of IL-13 mRNA and miRNA-126 in lung tissue and its pathological changes in each group were assessed. RESULTS: Elevated levels of miRNA-126, IL-13 mRNA and pathological changes were observed in the sensitized group compared to the control group (p<0.001 to p<0.05). All of these factors were significantly reduced in S+TQ and S+AH groups in comparison to S group (p<0.001 to p<0.05). Although alpha-hederin decreased the levels of miRNA-126, IL-13 mRNA and pathological changes in comparison with thymoquinone, the results were statistically not significant. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that alpha-hederin had preventive effect on sensitized rats like thymoquinone. It may intervene in miRNA-126 expression, which consequently could interfere with IL-13 secretion pathway leading to a reduction in inflammatory responses.

Effect of α-Hederin on IL-2 and IL-17 mRNA and miRNA-133a Levels in Lungs of Ovalbumin-Sensitized Male Rats.

α-hederin, a saponin that is a major constituent of English Ivy (Hedera helix) is effective in the treatment of asthma. In the present study, the effect of α-hederin on lung tissue pathology and the levels of the inflammatory mediators; IL-2 mRNA, IL-17 mRNA, and MicroRNAs (miRNA)-133a was evaluated in a rat ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized model of asthma. Rats were divided randomly into control (C), OVA-sensitized (S), OVA-sensitized pretreated with the antioxidant, thymoquinone (3 mg/kg, S + TQ) or OVA-sensitized pretreated with α-hederin (0.02 mg/kg, S + AH) groups. Levels of IL-2 and IL-17 mRNA were higher in the OVA-sensitized group than controls while the level of miRNA-133a gene expression was lower. IL-2 mRNA and miRNA-133a gene expression in the S + TQ group was higher than in the control and OVA-sensitized groups while the level of IL-17 mRNA in the S + TQ group was lower than in the OVA-sensitized group. Pretreatment with α-hederin decreased IL-17 mRNA levels and increased miRNA-133a gene expression compared with OVA-sensitized animals. All pathological changes in pretreated groups were lower than the OVA-sensitized group. These results showed a beneficial effect of α-hederin in OVA-sensitized rats, suggesting that α-hederin affects the IL-2 and IL-17 secretion pathways, altering miRNA-133a expression.