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Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most prevalent neurological disability among young adults. Anti-inflammatory drugs have shown to be effective in MS. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties of Zingiber officinale (ginger) have been shown and proven in many phytotherapy studies. This study aimed to evaluate effects of ginger essential oil on preventing myelin degradation in a rat model of MS.Materials and Methods: In this study, we divided 49 rats into 7 groups; 4 control and 3 experimental groups that received 3 different dose of ginger essential oil (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg/day) for treatment of cuprizone-induced demyelinated rats. Basket test and transmission electron microscopy were performed in this study. Olig2 and Mbp genes and proteins were respectively evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results: Histologically, cuprizone created demyelination in the corpus callosum fibers. Remyelination of fibers was seen in the group treated with the medium dose of ginger essence, by toluidine blue staining. transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed increased thickness of the myelin of fibers in all 3 treated groups (p

Objective(s): Atherosclerosis is an important risk factor for coronary heart disease. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and its receptors, located in peripheral tissue such as white adipose tissue, have been linked to obesity and fat storage. The role of NPY in atherosclerosis has not yet been fully studied, so this study was conducted to further investigate the effect of BIIE 0246, an NPY receptor antagonist, on aortic intima-media thickness and size and number of adipocyte cells in normal and obese mice. Materials and Methods: Tests were performed on 24 male C57BL/6 mice. The animals were divided into four groups as follows: control (normal), obese (high-fat diet), normal+NPY receptor antagonist (1 μM, 100 µl/Kg BIIE0246 intraperitoneally) and obese+NPY receptor antagonist (n=6 each). After 14 days, the animals were sacrificed and epididymal adipose tissue and thoracic aorta were removed. Evaluations were made for adipocyte cell number and size and for aortic intima-media thickness. Results: The group on a high-fat diet showed a significantly decreased number of adipocyte cells and increased cell size (P0.05). Conclusion: NPY receptor antagonist had no effect on adipocyte cell size and aortic intima-media thickness; however, it decreased cell number in the normal group indicating likely involvement in the progression of obesity

Objective(s): Atherosclerosis is a chronic immune-inflammatory disease that generally leads to ischemic heart disease. Ghrelin has several modulatory effects on cardiovascular system. In this study, we investigated the effect of ghrelin on aortic intima-media thickness, size and the number of adipocyte cells in obese and control mice. Materials and Methods:This study was conducted on 24 male C57BL/6 mice. The animals were divided into four groups: control, obese (received high fat diet), control+ghrelin (injected with 100 µg/Kg subcutaneously, bid) and obese+ghrelin (n=6 each). After 10 days, animals were sacrificed and epididymal adipose tissue and thoracic aortae were removed. Adipocyte cell number, size and aortic intima-media thickness were evaluated. Results:Ghrelin did not change adipocyte cell number and size and aortic intima-media thickness in obese and control mice. In this study, high fat diet significantly decreased the number of adipocyte cells while increased their size (P0.05). In addition, it could not alter aortic intima-media thickness in both groups. Conclusion: Although ghrelin has several cardiovascular effects, it seems that it could not alter the size and number of adipocyte cells and aortic intima-media thickness in diet-induced obese mice