DNA methylation plays an important role in development process which contributes to genome stability and also regulates gene expression and gene silencing. Detection of genome regions with altered 5-methylcytosine distribution at a genome-wide scale is very important for early detection of gene silencing related diseases. In the present study as a continuation of studies on DNA methylation, the interactions between graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and unmethylated and methylated deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragment were investigated. Based on above interaction a novel GQDs-DNA nanoassembly was developed. Two types of DNA including unmethylated and methylated sequences were interacted with GQDs and contributed to the formation of unmethylated and methylated nanoassemlies. Analysis of the interaction indicated that the GQDs could bind to DNA fragments and led to different fluorescence pattern in two different mechanisms and could provide an efficient biosensing platform for label free and sensitive fluorescent assay of DNA. The excitation and emission wavelengths of experiment were 380 and 480 nm respectively. Fluorescence intensity of unmethylated DNA concentration were detectable from methylated DNA in linear range from 10.0−10M to 10.0–6M and the detection limit was estimated at 7.3 × 10–11 M. Above interaction was not observed in methylated DNA, indicated of distinguished interaction effect. Herein we further showed that GQDs could induce B-DNA to A-DNA form in methylated structure of DNA. The methylation sensitivity of the experiment was also testified by methylation sensitive restriction process. It was assumed that the involvement of methylation alteration in DNA structure could alter not only mechanism of DNA/GDQs interaction but also helical structure of DNA.
Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a non-refundable gradual neuro-degenerative disorder, in which the neurons, especially the ones in the memory zone, are damaged and cause increase in the level of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). In the present study, we investigated the effect of endurance exercise training and chronic administration of Gallic acid (GA) on the TNF-α level in rat hippocampus in the Trimethyltin (TMT)-treated model of AD. Materials and Methods: Seventy female Spraque Dawley rats were divided into seven groups: 1.Control, 2. AD, 3. GA50, 4. GA100, 5. Exercise, 6. Exercise+GA50, and 7. Exercise+GA100. In order to induce AD, Trimethyltin (8mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally to the rats in groups 2-7. Rats in the groups 5, 6, and 7 carried out an eight-week exercise program on a motorized treadmill (15-20 m/min, 0% inclination for 15-30 min/day, and 5 days/ week). Animals of the groups 3 and 6 were treated by 50 mg/kg of GA and animals of groups 4 and 7 were treated by 100 mg/kg of the GA daily, for 2 weeks. Then, the TNF-α level in the hippocampus were measured. Results: The results indicated that the TNF-α level in the hippocampus was decreased in all test groups compared to the AD group. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that endurance exercise training, GA consumption, and both administration of GA and co-treatment with training have immunomodulatory effects and could be used to inhibit the cytokine release after TMT intoxication.
Stem cells are characterized by two fundamental properties; self-renewal and differentiation. Self-renewal is an integration of proliferation control with the maintenance of an undifferentiated state. Self-renewal trait is regulated by a dynamic process between transcription factors, epigenetic control, microRNA regulators, and cell-extrinsic signals from the niche of stem cells. The other feature of stem cells is the capability of differentiation to various cell types.Neural stem cells are able to differentiate to neuron, glial cell, and oligodendrocyte. The process of oligodendrocyte differentiation also is regulated by an interaction between the genetic and epigenetic programs. Recent studies reveal the key role of histone modifications in epigenetic regulation of gene expression during oligodendrocyte development. Moreover, retinoic acid pathway has been shown in stem cell differentiation toward neurons. Conclusion: Detection of signaling cascades and regulatory networks of self-renewal and differentiation of neural stem cells improve new therapeutic methods for neural diseases, such as brain injuries and brain tumors as well as neurodegenerative diseases, like Huntington, Alzheimer, Parkinson, and demyelination diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. Moreover, understanding of these pathways leads to specific and stable differentiation of neural stem cells toward functional oligodendrocyte for alternative therapy.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine and metabolic disorder with unclear etiology, which characterized by ovulatory dysfunction and hyperandrogenism. We investigated the possible influence of exercise training on the serum level of β-estradiol and testosterone as well as on cognitive functions in rat model of PCOS. Materials and Methods: To induce PCOS, 30 virgin female Sprague dawley rats received letrozole continuously (1mg/kg/d). After 28 day of letrozole intra-peritoneal injection, rats were randomly divided into the PCOS and PCOS+exercise groups and compared with healthy controls. In PCOS+exercise group, the exercise program was to 20 minutes daily swimming for four weeks. After four weeks, we evaluated spatial memory by Morris water maze test in all groups. Then, the serum level of free testosterone and β-estradiol was measured using ELISA. Results: The findings indicated an increase of serum level of testosterone and β-estradiol with spatial memory deficits in PCOS rats. However, exercise training significantly reduced the serum level of both hormones and improved cognitive function in PCOS+exercise rats. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that shortterm exercise training can ameliorate the cognitive deficit and decrease the serum level of testosterone and β-estradiol in PCOS model. The exercise training can be the basic therapeutic means for cognitive aspect of PCOS.
In addition to the critical role of stem cells in tissue regeneration and resurrect, they used in diverse disease treatment, including defective osteogenesis, brain lesion, Parkinson's disease, heart infarction, and tendon's fragment. Recently, a population of cells derived from urine has been discovered which exhibit some biological characteristics, including clonogenicity, cell growth patterns, expansion capacity, cell surface marker expression profile, multipotent differentiation, angiogenic paracrine effects, immunemodulatory properties. These cells can differentiate into induced pluripotent stem cells. Thus, we have termed these cells "urine-derived stem cells". These stem cells can be obtained from humans and different animal species, such as monkeys, pigs, and rabbits. Availability and low cost make these cells attractive for cell therapy in neurological disorders. Conclusion: Researches and clinical trials showed that implantation of mesenchymal stem cells, and possibly urine stem cells, may be effective in treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
Autism is characterized by behavioral impairments in social interaction, language and communication as well as restricted interests and activities. The present study examined stereotypical repetitive behaviors, anxiety, and locomotor as well as exploratory activities in rat model of valproic acid-induced autism. Materials and Methods: Pregnant Spraque dawley rats were administered by either valproic acid (VPA group, 500 mg/kg, n=10) or saline (control group, n=10) during fetal neural tube development on embryonic day 12.5. All male or female offspring were investigated in this study. Stereotypical and anxietyexploratory behaviors were assessed using Y-maze and open field tests, respectively. Results: A single intra-peritoneal injection of VPA to pregnant rats produced severe autistic-like symptoms in the offspring. The results showed significant behavioral impairments including enhanced stereotyped repetitive behaviors, increased anxiety, and decreased exploratory activities in male rats at postnatal day 30 and 60 compared to female rats. Conclusion: Our data suggest that early embryonic exposure to VPA in rats provides an appropriate model for autism in male offspring.
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