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Background: Molybdenum is an essential trace element for both animals and plants. Molybdenum (Mo), which functions as a cofactor for a limited number of enzymes including xanthine dehyrogenase, aldehyde oxidase, and sulfite oxidase in mammals, is believed to be an essential trace element in animal nutrition. The aim of this study is to evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of sodium molybdate against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver damage. Materials and Methods: In an experimental study, adult male rats received daily oral administrations of different doses of sodium molybdate (0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 g/kg bw) along with intrapertioneal CCl4 (50% CCl4 in olive oil, 1 ml/kg bw) twice a week for 28 consecutive days. Results: Histopathological examinations in CCl4-treated rats showed extensive liver injuries characterized by extensive hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis, fat degeneration, and inflammatory cell infiltration while histopathological changes induced by CCl4 were significantly attenuated by sodium molybdate treatment. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that sodium molybdate could protect liver against the CCl4-induced oxidative damage in rats, and this hepatoprotective effect might be contributed to the protection of liver by preventing the toxic chemical reactions which generate oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and molecular changes which ultimately lead to liver tissue necrosis.

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Background: Physalis Alkekengi is a perennial plant with a creeping and ryzumy stem belonging to the solanaceae family. This study investigates the possible effects of Physalis Alkekengi on plasma concentrations of some biochemical factors. Materials and Methods: Fifty male Wistar rats weighing an average of 190 ± 5 g were divided into five groups of ten: Control group without receiving any substances, control group with 2.0 ml/dl administration of the solvent, and three experimental groups receiving 0.4 (maximum), 0.2 (medium), and 0.1 (minimum) g/kg intra-peritoneal (IP) injections of the drug. The intra-peritoneal (IP) injection of the drug was done for 14 days and after this period, for conducting lab tests, blood sampling was done and the results were analyzed through ANOVA and Tukey test. Results: According to the results, protein and albumin plasma concentrations showed a significant increase (P<0.05) while creatinine plasma concentration, bilirubin, and urea nitrogen (BUN) did not reveal any significant changes. Conclusion: This family of plants contains significant amounts of glucocorticoids, such compounds are likely to increase liver and plasma proteins. In addition, due to the presence of compounds, such as physaline, vitamin C, and albumin, this extract is likely to increase blood pressure and, eventually, increase glomerulic refinement and diuretic properties therefore, the absence of significant increases in plasma concentrations of the substances produced by metabolism in plasma seems reasonable

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Background: Protein-energy malnutrition is regarded as one of the public health problems in developing countries as a result of poor feeding due to poverty. This study was conducted to compare protein quality of two samples of commercial weaning food, Cerelac (based on dry milk, wheat and banana containing probiotic Bifidobactriumlactis) and Ghoncheh (based on dry milk, wheat, and honey), in rats. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 64 male rats aged 23 days in 8 groups under 8 diets, including 2 test diets (Cerelaccontaining probiotic Bifidobactriumlactis and Ghoncheh), 1 standard diet (casein), 1 basal diet (protein free) for true protein digestibility and apparent digestibility study, 2 test diets, 1 standard diet, and 1 basal diet for net protein ratio, protein efficiency ratio, and food efficiency ratio study. Results: The contents of true protein digestibility for casein, Cerelac, and Ghoncheh were 93.77, 84.23 and 89.82, respectively and the results were significant in all of the groups (p<0.001). The content of net protein ratio for casein, Cerelac, and Ghoncheh was 4.38, 4.1 and 3.17, respectively and the results were significantin all of the groups (p=0.009). The contents of protein efficiency ratio for casein, Cerelac, and Ghoncheh were 3.05, 2.59, and 2.01, respectively and the results were significant in all of the groups (p<0.001). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that the protein value of Cerelaccontaining Bifidobactriumlactis was higher than Ghoncheh.

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Background: Atrazine is an herbicide used widely by farmers in controlling weeds. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of atrazine, as an herbicide, on sperm quality, sperm DNA damage, invitrofertilization (IVF), and embryonic development in mature male rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 42 mature male Wistar rats weighing 170±5g were divided into three groups, including one control and two treatment groups. The rats in the control group were administered corn oil (0.2 ml/day) and the rats in the test groups were orally gavaged with atrazine 150mg/kg (high dose) and 75mg/kg (low dose) body weight daily for a total of 45 days. Epidydimis tail was cut and placed in 1 ml of human tubular fluid (HTF) medium for 30 minutes in an atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air at 370C. The sperms were analyzed for sperm count, sperm viability, motility, DNA damage, immature sperm, and in vitro fertilization. Data were analyzed by One-Way ANOVA. Results: In this study, atrazine provoked a significant decrease (P<0.05) in sperm number, sperm viability, and sperm motility. The data suggest that the atrazine had a negative impact on sperm maturation and DNA integrity in a time-dependent manner, which consequently caused a significantly remarkable reduction in IVF ability (P<0.05). Conclusion: Atrazine is capable of inducing DNA damage and chromatin abnormalities of spermatozoa which can contribute to a low fertilization rate.

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Background: Fluoxetine or Prozac is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Considering the importance of this drug for the treatment of neurological disorder, such as anorexia and depression its side effects on the endocrine axis of body are of significance. Hence, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of fluoxetine on cortisol and thyroid hormone levels and body weight in male rates.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 30 adult male rats (230±20 gr BW) were randomly divided into 3 equal groups: sham, control and treatment. Rats in the control group were kept in normal conditions in animal house, whereas treatment and sham groups were, respectively, injected 32 mg/kg BW of fluoxetine and 0.9 ml of normal saline (i.p) for 35 days. During this time, body weight of all animal was measured and after 35 days, blood was collected by heart puncture and separation of serums to evaluate T3, T4, fT3, fT4, and cortisol hormones through RIA method. The results were statisticaly evaluated by one-way ANOVA test.

Results: Taking fluoxetine for 35 days significantly decreased the level (p&le0.05) in serum concentrations of Ft3, fT4, T4 and cortisol hormones compared to the control and sham groups. However, no significant differences were observed in the serum concentration of T3 hormone in treatment group compared to the the control group. The drug also caused a significant decrease in the average weight of rats in the treatment group compared to the control group (p&le 0.05).

Conclusion: By affecting the activity of different levels of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal hormones axis, fluoxetin decreases the level of cortisol hormones. It also reduces the activity of the thyroid gland this is probably due to the increased prolactin secretion through inhibiting TRH secretion and reducing the production of TSH and thyroid hormones

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Background: Neuropathic pain is a chronic pain that affects on the patient’s quality of life. Use of herbal instead of synthetic drugs recently has been increased due to side effects of synthetic drugs and herbal effective components. Flavonoids are herbal compounds that have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Because Allium cepa L. has a great amount of flavonoids, this study has been designed to evaluate analgesic effects of alcoholic extract of Allium cepa L. on neuropathic pain behavior in chronic constriction injury model in rats.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI model) in Rats. Animals were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=10 for each): Sham, CCI model, receiving red onion hydroalcoholic extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg and a group receiving gabapentin (100 mg/kg). Red onion extract and gabapentin were administered by gavage for 21 days. Using thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical and thermal allodynia tests, the analgesic effects of extract have been measured.

Results: Findings of this study revealed that CCI surgery on rats induced hyperalgesia, mechanical and thermal allodynia. Daily intakes of alcoholic extract of red onion and gabapentin significantly increase the paw withdrawal latency; increase the threshold to mechanical allodynia and decrease in response to acetone.

Conclusion: Oral use of alcoholic extract of Allium cepa L. reduces neuropathic pain behavior in CCI model in rats.

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Abstract

Background: The adipocytokine visfatin is secreted by the adipose tissue and is associated with plasma glucose level and can affect diabetes. Furthermore, aloe vera is used in traditional medicine as an anti-diabetic drug. The current study aimed to determine the effects of swimming along with taking aloe vera extract on visfatin serum level, glucose level, and the ratio of triglycerides to high-density lipoproteins in diabetic male rats.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 28 diabetic male rats were chosen and placed in four groups of 1) control, 2) swimming, 3) aloe vera extract and 4) swimming along with aloe vera. The swimming program began with 6 minutes in the first week and increased to 36 minutes in the sixth week. Groups 3 and 4 received 300 mg/kg of aloe vera extract per day. Control group didn’t performe any regular exercise and also didn’t receive any extract. Data were analyzed by using ANOVA and the Tukey post hoc test.

Results: In all the three groups (swimming group, extract group and swimming along with extract group), there was a significant reduction in blood glucose, ratio of triglycerides to high density lipoproteins and the visfatin level compared to the control group (p≤0.05).

Conclusion: Results indicated that swimming together with aloe vera extract reduce the ratio of triglycerides to high density lipoproteins and glucose and increase visfatin receptors' sensitivity, and thus reduce visfatin serum levels in diabetic male rats.  

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Abstract

Background: Glutamate is the most widespread excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) and plays major role in the pathogenesis of ischemia brain injury.Glutamate transporters  have a major role in glutamate removal and maintain its concentration below excitotoxic levels. Although estrogen’s and progesterone’s neuroprotective effects were well-described, the exact molecular mechanism has yet to be determined. This study has investigated estrogen and progesterone effect on glutamate transporters expression in the ischemic penumbra/peri-infarct region in rat.

Materials and Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) for 1 h. Estrogen and progesterone combination was immediately injected after tMCAO subcutaneously. Sensorimotor functional tests for evaluating behavioral deficits and TTC staining for measurement of infarct volume were performed 24 h after MCAO. Real-time PCR technique was used for gene expression analysis of glutamate transporters EAAT2 and EAAT3.

Results: The combination of estrogen and progesterone could significantly reduce lesion volume. Also, hormone therapy could improve ischemic neurological disorders. After hormone therapy, gene expression of glutamate transporters EAAT2 and EAAT3 did not show significant changes.

Conclusion: Combined estrogen–progesterone treatment significantly reduces neurological deficits and infarct volume; these effects are independent of the glutamate transporters signaling pathways.

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Background and Aim: Diabetes is a well-known disease with such complications, as retinopathy, nephropathy, and gastropathy. This study aimed to investigate the effects of thiamine and lead acetate on the colon of induced-alloxan diabetic rats; the effects of which become obvious in the treatment or reduction of tissue complications caused by diabetes.
Methods & Materials: In this study, 63 rats weighing 200 g were divided into 9 groups, as follows: 1) Group of diabetes+pb acetate 200 ppm; 2) Group of thiamin+pb acetate 200 ppm; 3) Group of thiamine+pb acetate 1000 ppm; 4) Group of diabetes+thiamine+Pb acetate 1000 ppm; 5) Diabetes group; 6) Group of diabetes+thiamine; 7) Group of diabetes+thiamine+acetate 200 ppm; 8) Group of diabetes+pb acetate 1000 ppm, and 9) the control group. After 20 days, the study samples were removed from the abdominal cavity and the slides were prepared by routine tissue method. Then, the slides were evaluated for stereological and histomorphometric studies.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University (Code: GRN1M1903). Moreover, all methods used in the present study, including facilitation, were conducted per the ethical principles of animal restraint.
Results: The mean thickness of mucosa-sub-mucosa suggested significant differences in groups 6 and 7, compared to other treatment groups. There was a significant difference in the thickness of the muscle layer between the control and all treatment groups except for groups 2, 6, and 7. There was no significant difference in the mean thickness of advantia layer in groups 1, 7, and 8, and the control group. The obtained results also indicated a significant difference concerning different layers of colon tissue between group 1 and controls.
Conclusion: Based on the present research results, thiamine presented enhancing effects on muscle layer thickness and adventitia layer thickness. Furthermore, the area of the mucosal layer was not affected by the improving effects of thiamine.