BackgroundHypercholesterolemia is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. In this study, we investigated the antihyperlipidemic effects of garlic (Allium sativum L.) in rat models of hypercholesterolemic.MethodsWistar male rats were randomly divided into 4 diet groups with garlic supplementation. Male Wistar rats were fed by standard pellet diet (group I), standard diet supplemented with 4 % garlic (group II), lipogenic diet (containing sunflower oil, cholesterol and ethanol) equivalent to 200 mg raw garlic/kg body weight (raw) (group III) and lipogenic diet equivalent to 400 mg raw garlic/kg body weight (raw) (group IV).ResultsRats fed 400 g/kg garlic extract(GE), had a significantly lower concentration of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) cholesterol and elevated HDL –C cholesterol at day 28 (P < 0.05).In addition,serum levels of LDL-C was lower in the III and IV group than those in the IV group (P < 0.001 for each). However, cholesterol efflux capacity was positively correlated with HDL cholesterol concentration (P < 0 · 0001). It was also directly correlated with garlic supplementation (P < 0 · 0001).ConclusionTogether Taken, the results are clearly indicative of the beneficial effects of garlic in reducing lateral side effects of hyperlipidemia. Our data demonstrate that GE has protective effects on HDL in rats with high LDL intake. Therefore, it could be used to remedy hypercholesterolemia with help reduce risk of coronary heart diseaseVirtual slidesThe virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1834155749171141
The extraction efficiency of betanin as a natural pigment with antioxidant features is significant. The main reason for studying the different aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) for betanin extraction is that the selection of an optimum process of separation is possible. In order to develop an efficient method for the extraction of betanin, ATPS composed of polymer and sodium sulfate was investigated. Sodium sulfate is a strong salting-out agent, which has an important effect on the processes of the extraction of biomolecules. The effect of parameters such as temperature, salt and polymer concentrations, and the molecular weight of the polymer was evaluated for the partitioning of betanin. The experimental results showed that the polymer concentrations in ATPS can significantly affect the partitioning of betanin between the top and bottom phases. The recovery percentage of betanin indicated that this system had the ability to improve the betanin recovery in the top phase.
Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography (CT) suffer from low contrast sensitivity and potential toxicity of contrast agents. To overcome these limitations, we developed and tested a new class of dual contrast agents based on polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA-NPs) that are functionalized and targeted with hyaluronic acid (HA). These nanoparticles (NPs) are chelated with Gd3+ to provide suitable contrast. The targeted NPs were characterized through ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared Fourier transform (FTIR), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The cytotoxicity was investigated on HEK293 cells using an MTT assay. The contrast property of synthesized Gd3+/PDA/HA was compared with Barium sulfate and Dotarem, as commercial contrast agents (CAs) for CT and MRI, respectively. The results illustrated that synthesized PDA-NPs have a spherical morphology and an average diameter of 72 nm. A distinct absorption peak around 280 nm in the UV–vis spectrum reported the self-polymerization of PDA-NPs. The HA coating on PDA-NPs was revealed through a shift in the FTIR peak of C=O from 1618 cm−1 to 1635 cm−1. The Gd3+ adsorption on PDA/HA-NPs was confirmed using an adsorption isotherm assay. The developed CA showed low in vitro toxicity (up to 158.98 µM), and created a similar contrast in MRI and CT when compared to the commercial agents. The r1 value for PDA/HA/Gd3+ (6.5 (mg/ml)−1 s−1) was more than Dotarem (5.6 (mg/ml)−1 s−1) and the results of the hemolysis test showed that at concentrations of 2, 4, 6, and 10 mg/ml, the hemolysis rate of red blood cells is very low. Additionally, the results demonstrated that PDA/HA/Gd3+ could better target the CD44+-expressing cancer cells than PDA/Gd3+. Thus, it can be concluded that lower doses of developed CA are needed to achieve similar contrast of Dotarem, and the developed CA has no safety concerns in terms of hemolysis. The stability of PDA/HA/Gd3+ has also been evaluated by ICP-OES, zeta potential, and DLS during 3 days, and the results suggested that Gd-HA NPs were stable.
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Stem cells are considered to have significant capacity to differentiate into various cell types in humans or animals. Unlike specialized cells, these cells can proliferate several times to produce millions of cells. Nowadays, pluripotent
stem cells are important candidates to provide a renewable source for replacement of cells in tissues of interest. The damage to neurons and glial cells in the brain or spinal cord is present in neurological disorders such as Amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, spinal cord injury, lysosomal storage disorder, epilepsy, and glioblastoma. Therefore, stem cell transplantation can be used as novel therapeutic
approach in cases of brain and spinal cord damage. Recently, researchers have generated neuron-like cells and glial-like
cells from embryonic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and neural stem cells. In addition, several experimental studies
have been performed for developing stem cell transplantation in brain tissue. Herein, we focus on stem cell therapy to regenerate injured tissue resulting from neurological diseases and then discuss possible differentiation pathways of stem
cells to the renewal of neurons.
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