Маryam Tehranipour, Jina Khayyatzade, Zahra Ghorbani,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (2-2010)
Abstract
Background: Maternal diabetes is associated with an increased risk of several complications in the offspring, such as the growth of congenital disturbances and malformations. In the present study, we examined the effects of maternal hyperglycemia on the volume of brain and lateral ventricle in newborn Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, on the 7th day of pregnancy, hyperglycemia was induced by a single injection (i.p.) of streptozotocin (55 mg kg-1) and the animals in control group were given an equal volume of citrate buffer. After parturition on the first day of birth, a litter was randomly selected from each mother, their brains dissected and fixed in 10% formalin. Then they were sectioned with 7μm thickness and stained by H.E. Through the use of stereological techniques and systematic random sampling scheme, the volume of the brain and lateral ventricles were estimated. Results: Statistical analyses showed significant increases (p<0.05) in the volume of the brains and lateral ventricles in the experiment group in comparison to the control group. Conclusion: By affecting blood brain barrier permeability in newborn rats, maternal diabetes can generate a large amount of CSF. These effects can bring about brain disorders such as hydrocephalus.
Maryam Tehranipour, Jina Khayyatzade, Reyhane Javaheri Fard,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (4-2010)
Abstract
Background: Following the reduction of neurons due to peripheral nervous injuries, the number of neuroglial cells also decline because of not receiving vital factors. The aim of this study was to determine the protective effects of curcuma longa total extract on spinal cord neuroglia cell degeneration after sciatic nerve compression in rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental clinical- trial, Wistar rats were categorized in five groups (control, compression, treatment1, treatment 2 and treatment 3), each including six rats. For inducing the injury in the compression and treatment groups, the right sciatic nerve in the upper thigh was compressed using clamp forceps. In the treatment groups, 100mg/kg doses of the extract were injected in group1(3 times a day), group 2 (6 times a day) and in group3 ( 9 times a day). After 28 days, following being anesthetized, the rats underwent perfusion and samples were taken out of the lumbar segments of their spinal cord. Then the samples, after going through tissue processes, were cut in 7 m serial sections and stained in blue toluidine. Through the stereological quantitative technique, neuroglial cells were counted. Results: A significant decrease was seen in the number of neuroglial cells in the compression group (6913±208) in comparison with the control group (10184±791). Also, through the comparison of the compression group with treatment group 1(7077±293), treatment group2 (9372±252) and treatment group 3 (8715±252) a significant difference among dnsity of neuroglial cells in groups and 3 with conppnessin group was seen. a remarkable increase in the numerical density of neuroglial cells was obtained (p<0.05). Conclusion: Due to its antioxidant effects, curcuma longa extract increased the numerical density of neuroglia cells following the compression of the sciatic nerve. The antioxidant effects of this extract probably inactivate the apoptosis channels which have been activated due to peripheral nerve injuries.
