This technique is fully computerized with no manual interference at any step, and thus could be very reliable for objectively quantifying any pattern of fibrosis in liver biopsy sections and in assessing the response to antifibrotic therapy. It could also be a valuable tool in the precise assessment of antifibrotic therapy to other tissue regardless of the pattern of tissue or fibrosis.

Abstract:We tested the hypothesis if thymoquinone (2-isopropyl-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone) could ameliorate renal oxidative damage and proliferative response induced by mercuric chloride (HgCl 2 ) in rats. HgCl 2 (3 mg/kg) was administered subcutaneously to each one of two groups of rats: (i) HgCl 2 -thymoquinone group that received thymoquinone (10 mg/kg/ day); and (ii) HgCl 2 group that received vehicle instead of thymoquinone. A third group of rats was reserved as control group. Rats were killed 24, 48 and 72 hr after HgCl 2 administration for histological and biochemical studies. Our findings show that treatment with thymoquinone offers imperative protection from HgCl 2 -induced nephrotoxicity. The deterioration of antioxidant enzymes, increment of serum creatinine and histological damage caused by HgCl 2 are markedly improved by thymoquinone treatment. Apoptosis and proliferative reactions are also reduced. The maximal protection offered by thymoquinone treatment was particularly noticeable 48 and 72 hr after administration of the toxic agent at the time when histological damage, renal cell apoptosis and proliferative reactions reached their maximum. These observations may be attributed partially to the antioxidant effect of thymoquinone and suggest that it may be a clinically valuable agent in the prevention of acute renal failure caused by inorganic mercury intoxication.

Patients with chronic, painful diseases often seek alternative therapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of hydroalcoholic extract of Zingiber officinale rhizomes ( Z. officinale extract) to ameliorate inflammatory process in rat collagen-induced arthritis. Our results show that Z. officinale extract in doses higher than 50 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally starting from the dose of booster immunization and for 26 days can ameliorate the clinical scores, disease incidence, joint temperature and swelling, and cartilage destruction, together with reduction of serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1 β , IL-2, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor-α , and anti-CII antibodies. Moreover, Z. officinale extract at the dose of 200 mg/kg/day was superior to 2 mg/kg/day of indomethacin at most of the measured parameters. These observations might make Z. officinale extract a good alternative to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

ObjectivesThe effect of Salvadora persica sticks on prevention of tooth decay is well established, but the effect of S. persica stick extract (SPE) on the prevention/treatment of osteoporosis has not been studied. The purpose of this study is to provide baseline information of the effectiveness of SPE on ovariectomized (OVX) rat model of osteoporosis.MethodsSPE was administered at 50, 150, and 300 mg/d orally to OVX rats for 16 weeks. Serum osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase, calcium, and phosphorus, and urinary deoxypyridinoline, calcium, and phosphorus were measured. Bone mineral density (BMD), 3-point bending test, and histomorphometric characteristics of the femoral bone were also examined.ResultsSPE at doses of 150 and 300 mg/d, but not 50 mg/d, significantly prevented bone loss in OVX rats as proved by decreased biochemical markers of bone resorption and increased BMD and biomechanical indices of the femoral bone.ConclusionsThis study confirms a dose-dependent protective action of SPE on rat OVX model of osteoporosis. This effect needs further investigation at the molecular and clinical levels to provide a natural and cost-effective alternative for the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Aim: Mitomycin C (MMC) is a commonly used as intravesical treatment for superficial bladder cancer. However, its role in combination with ras inhibition has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to explore the role of ras in MMCinduced apoptosis in T24 bladder cancer cells and to determine the efficacy of combination therapy in vitro . Methods:We measured the effects of various doses of MMC on apoptosis induction as well as on ras, ERK and Ki-67 protein expression by T24 cell line using immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry and Western blotting. We also tested the effect of siRNA on ras employed singly or in combination with MMC. Results: T24 cells expressed high level of ras protein. MMC treatment increased the level of ras and ERK protein expressionafter 24 h, and decreased these levels after 72 h. Ras siRNA (100 nmol/L) caused massive apoptosis associated with a marked decrease in ras expression in T24 cells. When combined with low doses of MMC, ras siRNA (50 nmol/L) sensitized T24 cells to apoptosis and decreased their expression of ras. The effect of combined therapy was higher than that of either compound used alone. Expression levels of ERK, a downstream target of ras, declined following combination therapy. Conclusion:Ras siRNA in combination with low dose MMC is a possible treatment strategy for patients with ras-positive bladder tumors.