Interactions of Cholecystokinin and Glutamatergic Systems in Feeding Behavior of Neonatal Chickens.

This study aimed to assess the possible feeding behavior alterations by central interactions of cholecystokinin (CCK) and glutamatergic systems in neonatal chickens. In experiment 1, chickens received intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of saline and CCK (CCK4; 0.25, 0.5, and 1 nmol). In experiment 2, birds were ICV injected with saline, CCK8s (0.25, 0.5, and 1 nmol). In experiment 3, chickens received the ICV injection of saline, CCK8s (1 nmol), MK-801 (15 nmol), and co-injection of the CCk8s+MK-801. Experiments 4-7 were performed similar to experiment 3, except for chickens that were injected with CNQX (390 nmol), AIDA (2 nmol), LY341495 (150 nmol), and UBP1112 (2 nmol) instead of MK-801. Subsequently, the total amount of the consumed food was determined. According to the results, the ICV administration of CCK4 (0.25, 0.5, and 1 nmol) could not affect the food intake in chickens (P>0.05). The ICV injection of the CCK8s (0.25, 0.5, and 1 nmol) led to a dose-dependent hypophagia (P<0.05). Moreover, hypophagia induced by CCK8s decreased by the co-injection of the CCK8s+MK-801 (P<0.05). These results showed that the hypophagic effects of the CCK on food intake can be mediated by NMDA glutamate receptors in layer-type chickens.

Effects of Metformin on Experimental Varicocele in Rats.

The current study aimed to determine the effect of metformin (MET) on histopathologic evaluation and antioxidant enzyme activity in experimental varicocele-induced rats. A total of 60 rats were randomly divided into six experimental groups. Group 1 (control) received no medication and underwent no surgery. In group 2 (sham), the rats received no medication and the abdominal cavity was opened; however, there was no varicocele induction. In group 3 (varicocele), the abdominal cavity was opened and the rats underwent varicocele induction and received no medication. In group 4, the abdominal cavity was opened and the animals received 25 mg/kg of MET for 42 days and were varicocele-induced. Groups 5 and 6 were similar to group 4 except that the animals received 50 and 100 mg/kg of MET, respectively. At the end of the 21st and 42nd days, the rats were euthanized and the left testis was removed for histological analysis and measurement of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and total antioxidant status levels. According to the results, a dose-dependent difference was observed in testis damage grade in the MET treated groups, compared to that reported for the varicocele group (p &lt;0.05). No difference was observed between 25 and 50 mg/kg of MET (P&gt;0.05). Tissue MDA levels significantly increased in varicocele rats (p &lt;0.05); however, MET (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) in a dose-dependent manner decreased varicocele-induced MDA (p &lt;0.05). Experimental varicocele significantly decreased SOD activity, compared to that reported for the control group (p &lt;0.05). The administration of MET (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) significantly increased tissue SOD activity in varicocele rats (p &lt;0.05). The MET (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) in a dose-dependent manner increased GPx activity in varicocele rats (p &lt;0.05). There was no difference in MDA, SOD, and GPx levels between 25 and 50 mg/kg MET groups (P&gt;0.05). The aforementioned findings suggested that MET treatment had beneficial effects on varicocele.

Anti-depressant Effect of Betaine Mediates via Nitrergic and Serotoninergic Systems in Ovariectomized Mice.

This study aimed to determine the anti-depressant effect of betaine (BT) in ovariectomized mice and its possible interaction with nitrergic and serotoninergic systems. In experiment 1, the mice were divided into control and sham groups, ovariectomy (OVX), OVX+BT (12.5mg/kg), OVX+BT (25 mg/kg), and OVX+BT (50mg/kg) groups. In experiment 2, the mice were assigned into control and sham, OVX, OVX+BT (50mg/kg), OVX+L-NAME (10 mg/kg), as well as OVX+injection of the BT and L-NAME. Experiments 3-5 were similar to experiment 2, except for L-Arginine (50 mg/kg), Fluoxetine (5 mg/kg), and Cyproheptadine (4 mg/kg) that were injected instead of the L-NAME. Subsequently, forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), and open field test (OFT) were performed in this study. Moreover, this study determined serum Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and total antioxidant status levels. According to the findings, OVX increased immobility time, compared to the control group (P<0.05). In addition, BT (50mg/kg) decreased depression-induced immobility time, compared to the OVX group (P<0.05). The co-injection of the BT+L-NAME decreased depression-induced immobility time in TST and FST, followed by an increase in the number of crossing in OFT(P<0.05).Moreover, the co-injection of the BT+L-Arginine significantly diminished the antidepressant activity of BT on immobility time and decreased positive effect of BT on the number of crossing (P<0.05). The co-injection of the BT+Fluoxetine significantly amplified the antidepressant activity of BT on immobility time and number of crossing (P<0.05). Furthermore, the co-injection of the BT+Cyproheptadine decreased antidepressant activity of BT on immobility time and number of crossing (P<0.05). The BT (25 and 50mg/kg) reduced the MDA; however, it elevated SOD and GPx levels in OVX mice (P<0.05). It seems that antidepressant activity of BT mediates via nitrergic and serotoninergic systems in OVX mice.

Effect of Oat (Avena Sativa L.) Extract on Experimental Sciatic Nerve Injury in Rats.

Peripheral nerve disorders are the most common neurological problems; therefore, it is important to intervene to treat or stop the resulting side effects. This study aimed to investigate the effect of oat extract on experimental sciatic nerve injury in rats. Totally, 50 adult male rats were divided into five groups (n=10). Group 1 was exposed to sham condition, and group 2 was regarded as the control group (nerve injury without treatment). Moreover, groups 3-5 were subjected to sciatic nerve injury, and they received oral gavages of the oat extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg), respectively. Subsequently, 2 and 4 weeks later, the rats were euthanized for pathological evaluation of nerve repair. The results showed an increase in the formation of the perineurium and epineurium dose in the oat-treated groups (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg), compared to the control group after 2 weeks (P&lt;0.05). Furthermore, the presence of inflammatory cells in the oat extract-treated groups (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) decreased, compared to that in the control group after 2 weeks (P&lt;0.05). In addition, the swelling of the axon significantly decreased in the oat extract-treated groups (200 and 400 mg/kg), compared to the control group (P&lt;0.05). However, the axon dose-dependently increased in oat-treated groups (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg), compared to that in the control group after 4 weeks (P&lt;0.05). These results suggest that oat extract has positive effects on sciatic nerve repair in rats.

Effects of Magnesium Sulfate Administration on Testicular Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats.

This study aimed at investigating the effects of intraperitoneal (IP) administration of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) on testicular ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in rats. In total, 50 adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. Group 1 received no injection (control); however, group 2 was subjected to 2 h of I and 24 h of R. Subsequently, group 3 was subjected to 2 h of 1, and after 1 h of I, 125 mg/kg MgSO4 was injected intraperitoneally followed by 24 h of R. Groups 4 and 5 were subjected to the same process as group 3, whereas the rats were injected with 250 and 500 mg/kg of MgSO4, respectively. After 24 h, the left testes of all rats were removed for histological analysis and antioxidant activities. According to the results, there was a significant increase in tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) among I/R rats (P&lt;0.05), whereas MgSO4 decreased I/R-induced MDA (P&lt;0.05). Furthermore, experimental I/R diminished glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels significantly (P&lt;0.05). Moreover, MgSO4 (250 and 500 mg/kg) increased GPx and SOD activity significantly in I/R rats (P&lt;0.05). Furthermore, seminiferous tubules degenerated, and few spermatocytes were observed in the testis tubules of the I/R rats. Regarding pathological parameters, seminiferous tubules and spermatocyte were normal in the testes of MgSO4 (250 and 500 mg/kg)-treated experimental I/R-induced rats. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the beneficial effects of MgSO4 on testicular IR injury in rats.

Histopathology and Histomorphological Study of Wound Healing Using Clove Extract Nanofibers (Eugenol) Compared to Zinc Oxide Nanofibers on the Skin of Rats.

In order to evaluate the healing effect of eugenol and other nanofibers, 100 male Wistar rats (200&plusmn;10 g) were used with 14-15 weeks of age in this study. All of the male rats were transferred in the standard cages under controlled exposure conditions in a 12:12 h light/dark cycle with a constant temperature about 22&plusmn;2 oC. In addition, the male rats were fed with pellets. Firstly, anesthesia process was performed by 2% xylazine hydrochloride (10mg/Kg/IP) and 10% ketamine hydrochloride (100mg/Kg/IP), and then the rats were placed on the operating table. Then the dorsal surfaces of the rats&rsquo; skin to ileum were scrubbed and prepared as the next step. A circular wound (with a 7 mm diameter) was created by a 7 mm sterile biopsy punch. All 100 rats were divided into four groups (n=25) randomly named as control, nano zinc oxide (ZnO), eugenol nanofibers, and polycaprolactone groups. After that, they were divided into five groups regarding the wound closure rate in days 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21. Then, the wound dressings were placed on the wounds and renewed every 24 h. At the end of days 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21, the relevant tests, such as histopathology, were conducted by removing the tissue volume using a biopsy punch, and then decapitation process was performed on the rats. It was obvious that eugenol nanofiber showed the best granulation tissue by the production of collagen. Further studies are being performed on wound healing by eugenol nanofiber.

Effect of N-acetyl-cysteine nanoparticles on intra-abdominal adhesion after laparotomy in rats.

Postoperative adhesion (POA) is a common and well-known complication with an estimated risk of 50-100%. The antioxidant effect of n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) can increase intracellular glutathione levels, thereby reducing adhesion. This study was conducted to compare the outcomes of NAC nanoparticles (Nano-NAC) on intra-abdominal adhesion (IAA) after laparotomy in rat. A total of 25 male Wistar rats were randomized into five groups: 50 mg/kg Nano-NAC, 75 mg/kg Nano-NAC, 150 mg/kg Nano-NAC, NAC and control. During the surgical procedure, some sections (2×2cm) were collected through abdominal midline incision to ensure the infliction of peritoneal damage by a standard adhesion. Macroscopic evaluation was performed on the 14th and 28th day and blood samples were collected to evaluate the inflammatory factor (C-reactive protein) on days 0, 14 and 28. According to the serologic results (CRP test), C-reactive protein was at highest level in 150 mg/kg Nano-NAC and control groups and at lowest level in 50 mg/kg Nano-NAC and 75 mg/kg Nano-NAC groups (p⟨0.001). The macroscopic evaluation results showed that frequency of adhesion bands was significantly lower in 50 mg/kg Nano-NAC group than the control at the intervals. Results showed that the intraperitoneal administration of lower Nano-NAC dosages (50 and 75 mg/kg) had a major role in the management of postoperative inflammation. Nano-NAC administration was proved feasible, safe and effective in reduction of the C-reactive protein level.

Evaluation of Influence of Zeolite/Collagen Nanocomposite (ZC) and Hydroxyapatite (HA) on Bone Healing: A Study on Rabbits.

Bone healing is still a great challenge in orthopedic surgery and clinical practice. There is a dearth of research investigating the effect of Zeolite/Collagen (ZC) nanocomposite on bone regeneration. In the present study, a critical segmental defect of the rabbit femur was repaired using defects in femurs repaired by ZC nanocomposite, and the effects were examined histologically. In total, 45 rabbits at seven months of age weighing 3.5 kilograms were utilized in this study. After making the bone defects, all animals were randomized into three groups (n=15). In a normal control group (NC), a defect was created, no intervention was made, and the skin incision was sutured. On the other hand, in the ZC group, the nanocomposite of ZC was placed into the created defect. In the hydroxyapatite group (HA), the hydroxyapatite was placed into the created defect. The samples were collected on days 15, 30, and 45 postoperatively and assessed histopathologically. The mean scores of the index of the union were compared and considerable alterations were observed in this regard in the experimental groups (P&lt;0.05). The values of the index of spongiosa demonstrated that on day 15, it was the highest in the ZC group (2.2) and lowest in the HA and NC groups (0.6). Moreover, the values of the index of bone marrow demonstrated no noticeable alteration among the values of the index of bone marrow in the experimental groups (P&gt;0.05). The findings of this study demonstrated that ZC nanocomposite might be considered for reconstruction in bone damages. It seems the ZC nanocomposite bears a crucial capability in the reconstruction of bone damages and might be used as a biological frame in bone damages.