Can fig and olive ameliorate the toxicity induced by 2-nitropropane in some organs of mice? Role of inflammatory versus anti-inflammatory gene.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of Fig fruit powder and olive on hepatic, renal and splenic injury induced by 2-nitropropane (2-NP) in mice, especially if they were used in combination. METHODS: A total of 40 adult BALB/c male mice weighting 25-30 g/each. Mice were categorized into five groups (8 each). Group 1 as negative control. Group 2 as positive control group intraperitoneally injected with 2-NP (100 mg/kg b. w.) 3 times/weekly for eight weeks. Group 3 injected with 2-NP and were orally supplemented with Fig (300 mg/kg). Group 4 injected with 2-NP and were orally supplemented with olive (100 mg/kg). Group 5 injected with 2-NP and were orally supplemented with mixture of Fig and olive (3:1 respectively). RESULTS: Histopathological observation of liver in mice treated with 2-NP showed cellular degeneration, pyknosis, and congestion of the portal vein. In kidney there were disorganization of the cortical tissues, cellular necrosis and plenty of inflammatory lymphocytic aggregation. Significant elevations in liver function parameters (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase), mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase and cyclooxygenase were detected as anti-inflammatory markers and 5-lipoxygenase, interleukin-1α and interleukin-6 as inflammatory biomarkers for liver and spleen, also significant elevations was detected in lipid peroxidation levels. The levels of antioxidants, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase were significantly decreased. CONCLUSION: our findings indicated that Fig fruit powder and olive protected against hepatic, renal and splenic injury induced with 2-NP in mice, especially if they were used in combination.

Micro-CT evaluation of a novel periodontal ligament simulation technique for dental experimental models

@#A reliable technique for simulation of the periodontal ligament (PDL) is required for in vitro studies. This paper proposes a simple technique to construct a tooth-PDL-bone experimental model with a reproducible PDL layer of a uniform width. In a preliminary study, two PDL simulation techniques were compared; transitional wax technique: wax layer was used to create a space for the PDL simulating material (light-body silicon) and direct rubber application technique: PDL simulating material (rubber die-spacer) was painted directly on the root surface. In both techniques, teeth were mounted in acrylic resin to simulate the supporting bone. The tooth-PDL-bone models were scanned using SkyScan 1076 micro-CT scanner and PDL-layer width was measured at selected sites on the roots using CTAn software. Based on the results of the preliminary study, 10 experimental models were constructed using the direct rubber application technique to confirm the reproducibility and consistency of the PDL layer width using micro-CT. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated to assess the reproducibility. The transitional wax technique showed significantly greater variability in the PDL layer width when compared with the direct rubber application technique (F=66.0, p<0.001). The direct rubber application technique showed excellent reproducibility (ICC= 0.94; 95% confidence interval: 0.86, 0.98).