Effect of vitamin D3 and a stinging nettle extract on the gastric tissue of rats administered with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid.

In this study, the effects of vitamin D3 (Vit. D) and a stinging nettle [Urtica dioica L. (UD)] extract were examined using histopathological and immunohistochemical methods in the stomach tissues of an experimentally created rat model of Crohn's disease (CD). The CD model was created using trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). The animals in the study were divided into control, TNBS, TNBS+Vit. D, and TNBS+UD groups. At the end of the experiment, the animals were euthanised and their stomach tissues were evaluated for necrosis, degeneration, apoptosis, and inflammation. Additionally, an immunohistochemical method was applied to determine the somatostatin (SSTR), aquaporin-1 (AQP-1), caspase-3, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) immunoreactivity in the gastric tissues. In the evaluations, degenerative and necrotic changes and mononuclear cell infiltration areas were observed in the TNBS group, but such changes could be improved with Vit. D and UD applications. The results suggest that the combination of the Vit. D and UD extract may have a protective and therapeutic role in mitigating TNBS-induced damage to the gastric tissues, potentially through the regulation of SSTR, AQP-1, caspase-3, and TNF-α expression. This indicates a promising avenue for further research and the exploration of these compounds in the context of gastrointestinal health.

The effect of hydrogen-rich water on letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome in rats.

RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the effect of hydrogen-rich water on rats with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)? DESIGN: Female rats were divided into four groups, each consisting of eight animals. The control group received a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) solution, the molecular hydrogen (H2) group was given hydrogen-rich water and a CMC solution, the PCOS group was administered letrozole dissolved in a CMC solution and the PCOS + H2 group was given hydrogen-rich water and letrozole dissolved in a CMC solution. Blood and tissue samples were then collected, and biochemical and histopathological analyses were conducted on the samples. RESULTS: The histopathological analysis showed a reduction in the number of cysts in the PCOS + H2 group compared with the PCOS group (P < 0.0001). Additionally, the malondialdehyde, cortisol and testosterone data revealed a significant decrease in the PCOS + H2 group compared with the PCOS group (P = 0.0458, P = 0.0003, P = 0.0041, respectively). The glutathione also showed a statistically significant increase in the PCOS + H2 group compared with the PCOS group (P = 0.0012). CONCLUSION: The study findings demonstrate that hydrogen-rich water reduces the number of cysts and oxidative damage in rats with PCOS.

An immunohistochemical examination of cinnamon extract administration on distribution of NGF (nerve growth factor) and Trk-A (tyrosine kinase-A) receptor for diabetic rats with pancreatic tissue.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the administration of cinnamon extract that is known to be effective in decreasing the high blood glucose and the distribution of NGF and Trk-A receptor in pancreas with immunohistochemistry way. METHODS: The experimental groups were defined as control, sham, cinnamon, diabetes, and diabetes-cinnamon. At the end of the experiment, the pancreatic tissue samples were obtained for the rats. The hematoxylin-eosin and triple staining were used to examine histology. The immunohistochemical methods were performed on the sections of pancreatic tissue. In all groups, the body weight and fasting blood glucose obtained from the male and female rats and the values were statistically evaluated. RESULTS: The NGF immunoreactivity was observed in acinus, excretory pars, excretorius ducts, and islets of Langerhans for the pancreatic tissues of female and male rats in all groups. The Trk-A immunoreactivity was observed in acinus and islets of Langerhans for the pancreatic tissues of female and male rats in the control, sham, and cinnamon groups. DISCUSSION: As a result, it was determined that the cinnamon, which is effective on blood glucose levels, has a positive effect on the NGF production in pancreas.