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Purpose: To evaluate the effects of onion juice on sodium-selenite induced cataract formation. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two 10-day-old Wistar-albino rat pups were divided into four equal groups. Group 1 received only subcutaneous saline injection. In Group 2, sodium-selenite (30 nmol / g body weight) was injected subcutaneously. In Group 3, subcutaneous sodium-selenite was injected and one drop 50% diluted fresh juice of crude onion was instilled every 8 h into the right eye for 14 days; the left eye received no treatment. Group 4 rats were similar to those of Group 3, the only difference being that of undiluted fresh juice of crude onion. The development of cataract was assessed. Rat lenses were analyzed for total antioxidant (TA) level, and for activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Results: Both eyes of all rats in Group 1 did not exhibit cataract formation . In Group 2, all rats developed Grade 3 cataract in the lenses of both eyes. The difference in exhibited cataract in the lens of the right eyes in all rats between Group 2 and any eyes of groups 3 or 4 were significant ( P = 0.001). The mean TA level and mean activities of SOD and GPX in Group 2 rat lenses were significantly lower than the values in lenses of all rats in Group 1 ( P = 0.001, 0.003, 0.001), and in the lenses of the right eyes of rats in Groups 3 and 4 ( P = 0.001, 0.020, 0.001). Conclusion: Instillation of onion juice into the rat eyes can effectively prevent selenite-induced cataract formation. This effect was associated with increased TA level, SOD and GPX activities in the lens.

Byline: Hadi. Hamishehkar, Sarvin. Sanaie, Vahid. Fattahi, Mehran. Mesgari, Ata. Mahmoodpoor Background and Aims: Oliguric acute kidney injury (AKI), commonly attributed to a more severe degree of renal injury, is [...]

The medicinal properties attributed to Crocus sativus L. (saffron) are extensive. The safety of saffron is important in relation to its medicinal applications. This study was performed to elucidate the possible toxic effects of ethanolic extract of Crocus sativus L. stigma on liver, kidney and some hematological parameters in rats. Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups of eight animals each. Group 1 was treated with ISS as control and Groups 2 to 4 were treated with extract administered daily for 2 weeks intraperitoneally in doses of 0.35, 0.70 and 1.05 g [kg.sup.-1], respectively. Body weight of the animals were recorded on the first, seven and final days of the experiment. The haematological studies include total RBC count, total WBC count, Hb, %HCT, MCV, MCH and MCHC. Biochemical/serum profile studies include ALT, AST, urea, uric acid and creatinine. Tissue specimens of the liver and kidneys were subjected to histological examination using standard hematoxyline-eosin staining. The extract caused significant reductions in the Hb and HCT levels and total RBC count, although it showed any dose-dependent effect. Total WBC count showed significant dose-dependent increases in extract treated rats. Significant dose-dependent increased values of AST, ALT, urea, uric acid and creatinine were seen. Microscopically, there were mild to severe hepatic and renal tissue injuries supporting the biochemical analysis. The results indicated that extract of Crocus sativus L. stigma is toxic in high doses. Key words: Crocus sativus L., stigma, ethanolic extract, Subacute toxicity, rat, INTRODUCTION Saffron (dried stigmas of Crocus sativus L.) belongs to the Iridaceae family and is utilized by most people, either for medicinal or culinary purposes. It has been reported that [...]

In the field of cancer therapy, magnetic nanoparticles modified with biocompatible copolymers are promising vehicles for the delivery of hydrophobic drugs such as Cisplatin. The major aim of this effort was to evaluate whether Cisplatin-Encapsulated magnetic nanoparticles improved the anti-tumour effect of free Cisplatin in lung cancer cells. The PLGA-PEG triblock copolymer was synthesised by ring-opening polymerisation of d,l-lactide and glycolide with polyethylene glycol (PEG6000) as an initiator. The bulk properties of these copolymers were characterised using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Cisplatin-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by double emulsion solvent evaporation technique and were characterised for size, drug entrapment efficiency (%), drug content (% w/w), and surface morphology. In vitro release profile of cisplatin-loaded NP formulations was determined. Cytotoxic assays were evaluated in lung carcinoma (A549)-treated cells by the MTT assay technique. In addition, the particles were characterised by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The anti-proliferative effect of Cisplatin appeared much earlier when the drug was encapsulated in magnetic nanoparticles than when it was free. Cisplatin-Encapsulated magnetic nanoparticles significantly enhanced the decrease in IC50 rate. The in vitro cytotoxicity test showed that the Fe3O4-PLGA-PEG6000 magnetic nanoparticles had no cytotoxicity and were biocompatible. The chemotherapeutic effect of free Cisplatin on lung cancer cells is improved by its encapsulation in modified magnetic nanoparticles. This approach has the prospective to overcome some major limitations of conventional chemotherapy and may be a promising strategy for future applications in lung cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Nontraditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), including mineral disorder, high fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), low klotho, and low soluble TWEAK could predict the incipient risk of CVD in chronic kidney disease (CKD). The present study evaluates the effect of sevelamer on soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK), and klotho levels in adenine-induced CKD rats. Methods and Materials. Normal control rats without sevelamer were compared with 3 groups of adenine-induced CKD rats, including CKD rats without sevelamer, CKD rats treated with 3% sevelamer, and rats receiving adenine and 3% sevelamer concurrently. After 4 weeks of sevelamer treatment, serum levels of klotho and soluble TWEAK were measured, along with biochemical parameters related to kidney function. Results. Sevelamer significantly reduced serum levels of phosphate and increased serum levels of klotho and soluble TWEAK. Decreased levels of phosphate were negatively correlated with elevated levels of klotho and soluble TWEAK (r = -0.70, P = .003; r = -0.58, P = .02; respectively) in serum. Conclusions. Sevelamer successfully reduced serum levels of phosphate, and meanwhile, it led to an elevation in serum levels of klotho and soluble TWEAK in rat models of CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. This study was designed to determine the protective effect of red grape seed extract (RGSE) on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods. Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups to receive RGSE, for 60 days followed by intraperitoneal injection of saline solution (as placebo) for 8 days (group 1); RGSE followed by gentamicin for 8 days (group 2); and gentamicin without pre-medication of RGSE (group 3). Oral RGSE, 40 mg/ kg/d, and intraperitoneal injection of gentamicin, 100 mg/kg/d, were administered in these groups of rats. Blood and urine samples were collected on days 0 and 68 of the study. Then, the kidneys were removed for pathologic examination. Results. On day 68, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen concentrations were highest in group 3, which was significantly higher than in group 1 (P = .001 and P = .004, respectively), while slightly higher than in group 2 (P = .30 and P = .50, respectively). Fractional excretion of sodium was not significantly different between the three groups. Histopathological evaluation showed that rats in group 3 had significantly higher degrees of severe acute tubular necrosis and interstitial mononuclear cell infiltration than the rats in groups 1 and 2 (P < .001). Conclusions. This animal study suggests that pretreatment with RGSE protects against gentamicin-induced acute kidney injury as evident on tissue histology. However, this was not accompanied with significant improvement in biochemical markers of kidney injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the study that investigates the onset of age-related changes in the myocardial antioxidant enzymes and apoptosis and the vulnerability of the myocardium to oxidative stress following exercise training. Intricately, the study aims to inquire the influence of the most prevalent life-prolonging strategy physical exercise, on the age increment alterations in the myocardial antioxidant enzymes and apoptosis at mid age.

In the field of cancer therapy, magnetic nanoparticles modified with biocompatible copolymers are promising vehicles for the delivery of hydrophobic drugs such as Cisplatin. The major aim of this effort was to evaluate whether Cisplatin-Encapsulated magnetic nanoparticles improved the anti-tumour effect of free Cisplatin in lung cancer cells. The PLGA-PEG triblock copolymer was synthesised by ring-opening polymerisation of d,l-lactide and glycolide with polyethylene glycol (PEG6000) as an initiator. The bulk properties of these copolymers were characterised using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Cisplatin-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by double emulsion solvent evaporation technique and were characterised for size, drug entrapment efficiency (%), drug content (% w/w), and surface morphology. In vitro release profile of cisplatin-loaded NP formulations was determined. Cytotoxic assays were evaluated in lung carcinoma (A549)-treated cells by the MTT assay technique. In addition, the particles were characterised by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The anti-proliferative effect of Cisplatin appeared much earlier when the drug was encapsulated in magnetic nanoparticles than when it was free. Cisplatin-Encapsulated magnetic nanoparticles significantly enhanced the decrease in IC50 rate. The in vitro cytotoxicity test showed that the Fe3O4-PLGA-PEG6000 magnetic nanoparticles had no cytotoxicity and were biocompatible. The chemotherapeutic effect of free Cisplatin on lung cancer cells is improved by its encapsulation in modified magnetic nanoparticles. This approach has the prospective to overcome some major limitations of conventional chemotherapy and may be a promising strategy for future applications in lung cancer therapy.

Skin wound healing has been the subject of extensive studies and various drugs have been used in an attempt to improve wound healing. There are conflicting data regarding the effects of L-arginine, the substrate of nitric oxide, on wound healing. We examined the 1-week rate of cutaneous wound healing and collagen deposition in three groups of rats who received a (1) L-arginine (2% in drinking water)-supplemented diet from three days before until the seventh day following injury (Group 1), (2) L-arginine-supplemented diet for three days before injury (Group 2), and (3) a standard diet without L-arginine supplementation (Group 3). The wound length and width were measured each day and then the open wound area and cumulative percentage of open wound area reduction were calculated. Wound biopsy samples were examined with Trichrome-Masson stain in a subgroup of animals. Results showed that Group 1 rats had a significantly lower cumulative percentage of open wound area reduction on day 7 compared to other two groups (Mann-Whitney U test, P < 0.05). Relatively higher degrees of wound collagen deposit (day 7) were noted in groups 2 and 3. It may be concluded that L-arginine (2% in water) administered three days before until the seventh day following skin wound induction may diminish the rate of skin wound healing and collagen deposition.