No abstract

No abstract

Introduction: Parkinsonism is a neurodegenerative disorder. Pomegranate (POM) has been previously shown to have a dopaminergic neuroprotective effect against Parkinsonism. Objective:The aim of the current study is to compare the efficacy of POM, vinpocetine, Propolis, Cocoa or L-dopa using RT-induced Parkinsonism rat model. Methods:Rats were divided into seven groups; one normal and five RT model groups. One of the RT (2.5 mg/kg sc) groups served as non-treated parkinsonism model whereas the others were treated with either L-dopa (10 mg/kg PO) or with POM (150 mg/kg PO) together with each of the following; vinpocetine (VIN) (20 mg/kg PO), Propolis (300 mg/kg PO), Cocoa (24 mg/kg PO). Motor and cognitive performances were examined using three tests (catalepsy, open-field, Y-maze). Striatal dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, acetylcholinesterase, GABA, Glutamate, GSK 3B, BDNF levels were assessed as well as MDA, SOD, .

No abstract

Abstract Background: Ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) induces an inflammatory response and production of ROS, which affects the organs remote to the sites of RIR. However, remote effects of RIR injury on the liver need further investigations. Renal injury associated with liver disease is a common clinical problem. Colchicine is an established drug for microtubule stabiliza¬tion that may reduce tissue injury, and had antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Objective: The aim of the present study was (i) To assess the hepatic changes after induction of renal IRI; (ii) to explore the possible protective effect of colchicine on liver injury following renal IRI and (iii) to investigate the possible mechanisms underlying the potential effect. Methods: Forty rats were randomly divided into four groups; sham operation group, colchicine treated group, IR group, colchicine treated-IR group. Results: Colchicine treatment improved liver function (ALT/AST) after renal IRI, decreased hepatic oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis by reducing hepatic MDA, upregulating hepatic TAC, Nrf2, and HO-1. Furthermore, colchicine inhibited inflammatory responses by downregulating hepatic NLRP3 inflammasome, IL–1β, and caspase 1. Conclusion: Colchicine attenuates renal IRI-induced liver injury in rats. This effect may be due to reducing inflammation and oxidative stress markers.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is typically associated with a vigorous inflammatory and oxidative stress response to hypoxia and reperfusion that disturbs the function of the organ. The remote effects of renal IRI on the liver, however, require further study. Renal damage associated with liver disease is a common clinical problem. Colchicine, a polymerization inhibitor of microtubules, has been used as an anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic drug for liver diseases. The goal of the current study was to investigate the possible protective mechanisms of colchicine on liver injury following renal IRI. Forty rats were divided randomly into four groups: sham group, colchicine-treated group, IRI group, and colchicine-treated + IRI group. Treatment with colchicine significantly reduced hepatic toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) transcription factor, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) contents; downregulated BCL2 associated X apoptosis regulator (BAX) gene expression, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) content, and upregulated hepatic B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) gene expression as compared with the IRI group. Finally, hepatic histopathological examinations have confirmed the biochemical results. Renal IRI-induced liver damage in rats was alleviated by colchicine through its anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-fibrotic actions.

Background and objectives: Chronic stress plays a central role in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders. A sensory contact model induces mixed anxiety/depression-like behaviors. Repeated experience of victories or defeats may change neurophysiological status, the immune system and brain neurochemistry in opposite directions. The objective of this study was, therefore, to establish a sensory contact model for studying the impact of psychosocial stress in mice and investigate its influence on behavioral, neurochemical and immunological changes of both winners and losers. Methods: Four groups of male mice were used, including two groups that received saline and either in normal housing or caged individually for 5 days; the others were subjected to sensory contact modeling for 21 days. All mice were subjected to open-field test, after which blood samples were collected for evaluation of total and differential leukocyte count and brain homogenate was used to estimate monoamines. Results: Social isolation reduces serotonin and neutrophils while elevating most other parameters. Winners also showed reduction in serotonin and neutrophils, as compared to controls which showed reduction in grooming time, total leukocyte count, neutrophils associated with elevation in monocytes and eosinophils as compared to isolation group. On the other hand, losers showed elevation in grooming time, dopamine, norepinephrine, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils associated with reduction in ambulation, serotonin and neutrophils as compared to all groups. They also showed reduction in rearing and elevation in total leukocyte count as compared to winners. Conclusions: Social stress leads to severe depression and anxiety-related behaviors; losers were more depressed than winners. However, aggressive behavior was increased in winners, while locomotor and exploratory activities were decreased, indicating decreased anxiety and emotional distress. The immune function was enhanced to higher extent in losers than winners, which can be attributed to sensation of threat and trauma in losers.

Introduction:Parkinsonism is a neurodegenerative disorder. Pomegranate (POM) has been previously shown to have a dopaminergic neuroprotective effect against Parkinsonism. Objective:The aim of the current study is to compare the efficacy of POM, vinpocetine, Propolis, Cocoa or L-dopa using RT-induced Parkinsonism rat model. Methods:Rats were divided into seven groups; one normal and five RT model groups. One of the RT (2.5 mg/kg sc) groups served as non-treated parkinsonism model whereas the others were treated with either L-dopa (10 mg/kg PO) or with POM (150 mg/kg PO) together with each of the following; vinpocetine (VIN) (20 mg/kg PO), Propolis (300 mg/kg PO), Cocoa (24 mg/kg PO). Motor and cognitive performances were examined using three tests (catalepsy, open-field, Y-maze). Striatal dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, acetylcholinesterase, GABA, Glutamate, GSK 3B, BDNF levels were assessed as well as MDA, SOD, TAC, IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOs and caspase-3. Also, histopathological examinations of different brain regions were determined.Results: Treatment with L-dopa alone or with all POM combination groups alleviated the deficits in locomotor activities, cognition, monoamine levels, acetylcholinesterase activity, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers as well as caspase-3 expression induced by RT. Conclusion:Combinations of POM with each of VIN, Propolis or Cocoa have a promising disease-modifying antiparkinsonian therapy even without being given as an adjuvant to L-dopa.