Melatonin and metformin co-loaded nanoliposomes efficiently attenuate liver damage induced by bile duct ligation in rats.

In the current study, the therapeutic effectiveness of the metformin (Met) and melatonin (Mel) co-loaded liposomes was investigated on cholestasis induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in male rats. Histopathological analysis, biochemical analysis, and oxidative stress markers were assayed to determine the therapeutic effect of Met and Mel co-loaded liposomes on cholestasis. Histopathological analysis revealed that the simultaneous administration of Met and Mel, whether in the free (C-Mel-Met) or liposomal (C-Lipo-Mel-Met) forms, reduced inflammation as well as proliferation of bile ducts; however, results were more prominent in the liposomal form of Mel and Met. Additionaly, serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in (C-Mel-Met) treated rats compared with (BDL) rats; however, (C-Lipo-Mel-Met) treated rats exhibited significant (p < 0.05) lower AST rates in comparison to (BDL) rats. Moreover, a significant (p < 0.0001) drop in bilirubin levels was detected in (C-Lipo-Mel-Met) treated rats in comparison to (BDL) rats; it is noteworthy mentioning that bilirubin levels in (C-Lipo-Mel-Met) treated rats were insignificant in comparison to sham-control (SC) rats. Furthermore, rats concomitantly administered Met and Mel, exhibited significant downregulation in the expression levels of inflammatory cytokine genes such as TNF-α and IL-1 gene expression, where the downregulation was more prominent in the liposomal from. Our findings demonestrate that the concomitant administration of metformin and melatonin in the liposomal form had more therapeutic effect on liver injury than their free forms through improving histological changes, reducing biochemical markers and favoring oxidant- antioxidant balance.

The Alleviating Impacts of Quercetin on Inflammation and Oxidant-antioxidant Imbalance in Rats with Allergic Asthma.

Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways. We assessed the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative impacts of quercetin, a plant derivative, on inflammatory and oxidative indices in lung tissue and serum of rats with asthma.Asth ma was induced by ovalbumin. Rats were divided into 4 groups: control, asthma+vehicle (Receieved normal saline), asthma+dexamethasone, and asthma+quercetin. After asthma induction, quercetin (50 mg/kg) and dexamethasone (2.5 mg/kg) were injected intraperitoneally once daily for 1 week. On day 50, lung histopathology indices; inflammatory factors; tissue gene expression, including GATA Binding Protein 3 (Gata-3), Tbx21 (T-bet), Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß), Il10 (IL-10), Il1b (IL-1ß), Il6 (IL-6), Acta2 (α-SMA), and Tnf (TNF-α); and oxidative stress indices (malondialdehyde [MDA], catalase [CAT], glutathione peroxidase [GPX], superoxide dismutase [SOD], and total antioxidant capacity [TAC]) in tissue and serum, were evaluated. The results showed that quercetin reduced Gata3, Tnf, Tgfb1, Il1b, and Acta2 gene expression and increased Tbx21 gene expression following asthma. Quercetin also improved oxidative stress by decreasing MDA levels and increasing TAC, CAT, SOD, and GPX levels in serum and lung tissue. Furthermore, quercetin decreased IL6 and TNFα levels and increased IL10 levels in lung tissue after asthma was treated with quercetin. Quercetin ameliorates oxidative stress and inflammation caused by asthma, especially at the tissue level. Therefore, quercetin can be considered a potent antiasthmatic agent.

Delayed diagnosis of intraplacental choriocarcinoma in a term healthy neonate-A case report and literature review.

Gestational choriocarcinoma is rare. The intraplacental formation of choriocarcinoma is much rarer. We present a diagnosis of choriocarcinoma, 4 months postpartum, in a 28-year-old, presenting with vaginal bleeding. Three weeks after the last chemotherapy session, the patient's ß-HCG titer was normal and did not require hysterectomy.

Empagliflozin Exhibits Hepatoprotective Effects Against Bile Duct Ligation-induced Liver Injury in Rats: A Combined Molecular Docking Approach to In Vivo Studies.

BACKGROUND: Cholestatic liver damage is a chronic disease caused by dysfunction of the hepaticbiliary system. Oxidative stress and inflammation are essential factors in the pathogenesis of cholestasis. Thus, the current study was designed to examine the effect of empagliflozin on bile duct ligation-induced liver damage in rats. METHODS: This study was done on male Wistar rats, which were randomly assigned to the four experimental groups: sham control (SC), bile duct ligation (BDL), SC plus empagliflozin (SC+EMPA) (receiving 10 mg of EMPA orally for 7 days), BDL plus empagliflozin 10 mg/kg (BDL+ EMPA). At the end of the study, the rats were sacrificed, and serum and tissue samples were collected to analyze biochemical parameters, biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, and histopathological changes. The molecular docking technique was performed to elucidate the interaction of EMPA and Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1). RESULTS: The results showed that BDL elevated the serum activity of ALT, AST, ALP, and levels of TBIL and TPro. BDL also intensifies the oxidative stress state in rats, which was confirmed by augmenting lipid peroxidation (MDA), protein oxidation (PCO), and altering antioxidant defense parameters through decreased SOD, catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) levels. Furthermore, the histopathological changes in the liver demonstrated the aggravation of inflammation and oxidative stress. In contrast, treatment with EMPA has shown anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects by reducing TNF-α and IL-6 pro-inflammatory marker proteins, restoring the antioxidant status (increased SOD and GPX), reducing ALT, AST, ALP, TBIL levels, and protein oxidation, and improving the histopathological alterations through reducing bile duct proliferation, fibrosis, focal and portal inflammation. According to the attained findings, the SOD1 activity can be regulated by the EMPA. Our documentation presents direct evidence at the molecular level related to the ability of EMPA to exert its antioxidant performance through certain measures in a particular molecular route. CONCLUSION: The results showed EMPA to have hepatic protective effects in rats against cholestatic liver injury, an effect mediated by its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

The Hydroalcoholic Extract of Nasturtium officinale Reduces Lung Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in an Ovalbumin-Induced Rat Model of Asthma.

Background: Asthma is known as a disease that causes breathing problems in children and adults and is also associated with chronic inflammation and oxidative stress of the airways. Nasturtium officinale (NO) possesses a wide range of pharmacological properties, particularly anti-inflammation and antioxidant potentials. Thus, this study for the first time was aimed to investigate anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities of NO extract (NOE) in an ovalbumin-induced rat model of asthma. Materials and Methods: Forty-four male Wistar rats were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) to induce asthma symptoms. The animals were allocated into five groups: control (C), asthmatic (A), A + NOE (500 mg/kg), NOE (500 mg/kg), and A + dexamethasone (DX, 2.5 mg/kg). After 7 days, blood and tissue samples were taken from the rats. Then, the level of inflammatory markers, oxidative stress parameters, and antioxidant enzymes activity were measured. Results: The obtained results showed that OVA-sensitive rats significantly increased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1B, TGF-ß, and SMA-α compared to the control group (p < 0.05), while treatment with NOE remarkably reduced the SMA-α gene expression compared to the asthma group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, it decreased the expression of IL-1B and TNF-α genes, although it was not statistically significant. The level of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) significantly reduced in A group compared to the C group (p < 0.05), whereas NOE administration significantly increased this marker (p < 0.05). Moreover, NOE attenuated inflammation and alveolar injury in the lungs of OVA-sensitive rat compared to the nontreated A group. Conclusions: Overall, our findings demonstrated that NOE somewhat is able to reduce airway inflammation by reducing inflammatory and increasing GPX activity. Indeed, further experiments investigating the impact of different extract doses are needed to confirm the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of NOE.

Malignant proliferating trichilemmal tumor in abdominal wall: Report of a rare case at an uncommon site with literature review.

The proliferating trichilemmal tumor (PTT) is a very rare cutaneous neoplasm that rarely is malignant. PTTs mainly occur in the scalp of elderly women. Only 10% occur in places other than scalp. We present a 62-year-old male patient with malignant PTT in his abdominal wall.

Fluvoxamine ameliorates oxidative stress and inflammation induced by bile-duct ligation in male rats.

Introduction: Cholestasis is a disorder that the bile ducts were narrowed and bile acids are not released simply. Bile acids-induced liver damage is exacerbated by inflammation and oxidative stress. The goal of the current study was to investigate the protective impacts of fluvoxamine (Flu) on oxidant-antioxidant balance and inflammatory cytokines in the bile duct ligated (BDL) rats. Methods: Thirty-two male rats were arbitrarily allocated in 4 groups; sham-control (SC), SC+ 150 mg/kg Flu (SCF), bile duct ligation (BDL), and BDL+ 150 mg/kg Flu (BDLF). The rats received distilled water and Flu orally for one week. Biochemical analysis, hematoxylin and eosin staining, as well as oxidant/antioxidant status were evaluated. Also, the mRNA expression of TGF-ß1, IL-1, TNF-α, and α-SMA were determined. Results: The findings indicated serum values of ALT, total bilirubin, and ALP slightly declined in the BDL + Flu group in contrast to BDL rats. The plasma protein carbonyl and inflammatory markers were markedly increased in the BDL group in contrast with SC group (P ≤ 0.05). Treatment with Flu in BDL rats markedly reduced the values of hepatic nitric oxide metabolite and malondialdehyde, plasma protein carbonyl, as well as TNF-α mRNA level (P ≤ 0.05). Histological parameters were improved in the BDL + Flu group in comparison to BDL merely rats. Conclusion: It seems that Flu declined oxidative stress probably by inhibiting lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, and nitric oxide formation. Also, it reduced inflammation by decreasing TNF-α mRNA expression.