Summary Herein, we described the first case of self-inoculation in a veterinarian with bovine Joh... more Summary Herein, we described the first case of self-inoculation in a veterinarian with bovine Johne’s disease (BJD) attenuated vaccine in Iran that required medical attention. A needle-stick injury to the right thumb of a young veterinarian during vaccination of cattle with BJD vaccine resulted in an inflammation that not only failed to resolve but also progressed to a lesion 2.5 cm in diameter. The usual conservative treatment of this wound was not effective. Surgical intervention for debridement of the inflammatory tissue was not performed. For diagnosis of lesion, needle biopsy was prepared from the inflamed tissue mass. Histopathologic examination revealed a tuberculoid granulomatous inflammation without any caseous necrosis. The wound healed by taking rifampin.
This study was performed to determine the effects of 8 weeks testosterone enanthate (TE) injectio... more This study was performed to determine the effects of 8 weeks testosterone enanthate (TE) injection and resistance training (RT) on cardiac muscle in male Wistar rats. A total of 28 male adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups; control + placebo, RT + placebo, TE and TE + RT. Testosterone enanthate (20 mg/kg BW, IM) and placebo (olive oil; 0.2 ml, IM) were injected twice a week for 2 months. The RT consisted of climbing (5 reps/3 sets) a ladder carrying a load suspended from the tail. The serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) and serum level of creatinine, urea and cardiac troponin I (CTnI) were evaluated. After sacrifice, samples from myocardial muscle were collected for histopathology evaluation. The serum concentration of CTnI and CK-MB activity significantly increased in group RT compared with control (p < .05). In group RT + TE, all biomarkers of muscle damage (CTnI, CK-MB, AST, LDH) were significantly more than those in control (p < .05). Also, mild myocardial hypertrophy was observed in RT and RT + TE groups. The higher level of all heart damage biomarkers in the RT + TE group rather than control may indicate the synergistic effects of medication and exercise.
Effets de l'énanthate de testostérone sur les reins de rats mâles Wistar soumis à un entraînement... more Effets de l'énanthate de testostérone sur les reins de rats mâles Wistar soumis à un entraînement en résistance
To evaluate the relationship between elastase activity of different Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fum... more To evaluate the relationship between elastase activity of different Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) isolates and their pathogenicity in mice. The animals were intravenously (IV) infected with 1×10(6) conidia/mouse. The elastase activity in mice sera and survival time were determined. All animals were sacrified at the end of the fourth week, and autopsies were performed for histopathological examination. The tissue sections were stained with Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) and Verhoeff's techniques. The highest elastase activity was associated with the sera of infected mice with elastase-producing A. fumigatus AIR78 as standard strain (0.18±0.02mm), followed by infected animals with elastase-producing isolates (0.16±0.02mm) and control mice (0.14±0.02mm). The elastase activity index (EAI) was determined in value of 0.92±0.27. The survival times in mice infected with elastase-producing isolate and in control group were 21.6 and 30 days, respectively. Histopathological studies show...
Background: The therapeutic potential of honey is related to antioxidant activity against reactiv... more Background: The therapeutic potential of honey is related to antioxidant activity against reactive oxygen species because it contains compounds such as polyphenols; therefore, we evaluated the potential protective effect of honey on subacute toxicity of ACR by histopathologic study on tissue lesions in rat. Methods: In Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran, 2016, male Wistar rats were divided into 7 groups. To induce toxicity, ACR was injected (50 mg/kg for 11 d) to rats in 5 groups. In treatment groups, rats received three doses of honey 1.25, 2.5, and 5 g/kg in addition to the ACR. The two remaining groups received vitamin E (200 IU/kg) and normal saline as positive and negative control respectively. On the last day, after necropsy, tissue specimens from brain and liver were collected for histopathological studies. Results: Receiving of ACR caused tissue injuries including degeneration, necrosis, hyperemia, hemorrhage and inflammation in liver; ischemic cell change, hypere...
The Iranian journal of veterinary science and technology, 2019
Growth hormone has mitotic and anti-apoptotic effects which may increase proliferation and transf... more Growth hormone has mitotic and anti-apoptotic effects which may increase proliferation and transformation of cells when it is expressed aberrantly. This study investigated the effects of resistance training and growth hormone injection on circulating IGF-1, IGFBP-3 levels and IGF-1/IGFBP-3 ratio in male Wistar rats. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to a control group (C, n = 8), a resistance training group (RT, n = 8), a growth hormone injection group (GI, n = 8) and a resistance training + growth hormone injection group (RG, n = 8). The resistance training protocol comprised of climbing a ladder (5 days/week, 3 sets/5 reps) while carrying a weight suspended from the tail. The growth hormone (2 mg/kg/day, 5 days/week) was injected before an exercise session. Serum IGF-1, IGFBP-3 levels, and IGF-1/IGFBP-3 ratio were measured after 8 weeks. One-way ANOVA analysis was used for comparison of serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels between groups. Serum IGF-1 levels and IGF-1/IG...
In this paper, we address the demanding task of developing intelligent systems equipped with mach... more In this paper, we address the demanding task of developing intelligent systems equipped with machine creativity that can perform design tasks automatically. The main challenge is how to model human beings creativity mathematically and mimic such creativity computationally. We propose a "synthesis reasoning model" as the underlying mechanism to simulate human beings creative thinking when they are handling design tasks. We present the theory of the synthesis reasoning model, and the detailed procedure of designing an intelligent system based on the model. We offer a case study of an intelligent Chinese calligraphy generation system which we have developed. Based on implementation experiences of the calligraphy generation system as well as a few other systems for solving real-world problems, we suggest a generic methodology for constructing intelligent systems using the synthesis reasoning model.
Introduction: Candida glabrata is a yeast fungus regularly isolated from patients with impaired i... more Introduction: Candida glabrata is a yeast fungus regularly isolated from patients with impaired immunity who receive a routine antifungal therapy. Drug-resistant strains of C. glabrata have been emerged in recent years. The aim of this study was to examine the therapeutic efficacy Origanum vulgare essential oil (OVEO) against drug-resistant strains of C. glabrata and its cytotoxic effect on macrophages.Methods: Specimens were collected from mucosal surfaces of the oral cavity of medically approved oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) in HIV-positive patients and volunteered healthy individuals using sterile swabs or mouthwashes. In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing was done using microdilution and disc diffusion methods. Chemical composition of OVEO was determined using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The cytotoxic effect of essential oil on macrophages was examined using tetrazolium dye (MTT).Results: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range of OVEO in healthy individual...
Arsenic (As) is an environmental pollutant with destructive effects on different body organs, inc... more Arsenic (As) is an environmental pollutant with destructive effects on different body organs, including the testis. This work was aimed to assess the ameliorative role of caffeic acid (CA) against As-provoked testicular damage in mice. Twenty-four adult male mice (31 ± 9 g) were randomly allocated to four equal groups. The first group served as control and was provided basal diet and tap water. Animals in the second group received water containing 200 ppm arsenite. The third group of mice received CA (60 mg/kg body weight; i.p.) during exposure to arsenite. Animals in the fourth group received CA. At the end of the experiment period (21 days), blood and testicular tissue sampling was done for biochemical and histopathological assessments. The results showed a significant decline of testicular ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), as well as plasma concentrations of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in As-treated mice compared to controls (p < 0.05). A significant increase in testicular malondialdehyde was also detected in group 2 relative to controls. Moreover, As exposure resulted in some morphological and histopathological alterations of the testis, including hyperemia, reduced tubular diameter and thickness of epithelial cell layers of seminiferous tubules, and Leydig cell necrosis. Simultaneous administration of CA plus As increased GPx, FRAP, testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone amounts and attenuated MDA levels as well as histopathological alterations to the levels that were not significantly different from those of the control group. These results indicate that caffeic acid can be suggested as an alleviative natural compound against As-induced damage in mice testes.
Considering the role of oxidative stress as a molecular mechanism underlying the deleterious side... more Considering the role of oxidative stress as a molecular mechanism underlying the deleterious side effects of gentamicin, applying antioxidants is likely to have ameliorative effects against GNT-induced tissue damages. This work was aimed to investigate the protective effect of betaine or trimethylglycine upon gentamicin-induced toxicity in mice. Thirty male mice were randomly divided into five groups: group 1 (control; i.p. injection of isotonic saline), group 2 received gentamicin (GNT; 80 mg/kg, i.p.) for 10 days, group 3 received GNT (80 mg/kg, i.p.) for 10 days and betaine (2% in the diet) for 18 days starting 8 days before gentamicin injection, group 4 received GNT (80 mg/kg, i.p.) for 10 days and betaine (2% in the diet) during gentamicin prescription, and group 5 just received betaine (2% in the diet) for 10 days. Gentamicin administration caused a notable increase in creatinine and urea levels compared to controls (p < 0.05). Betaine administration in groups 3 and 4 decreased creatinine values relative to the second group to the amounts that had no significant difference in comparison with the control group. Additionally, a remarkable increase in renal and plasma contents of malondialdehyde (as a lipid peroxidation indicator) and renal glutathione peroxidase (which breakdown hydrogen peroxides and hydroperoxides to harmless molecules) was found upon gentamicin injection which both were attenuated in the betaine-treated groups. Also, the histopathologic studies revealed acute tubular necrosis with hyperemia and hemorrhage triggered by gentamicin. Betaine noticeably attenuated the GNT-induced histopathological lesions of the kidneys. The present study indicates that betaine can attenuate gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity, which might be related to betaine’s antioxidant potential.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2019
A study on the concentration of heavy metals and histopathological changes in Persian jirds (Mamm... more A study on the concentration of heavy metals and histopathological changes in Persian jirds (Mammals; Rodentia), affected by mining activities in an iron ore mine in Iran
Spirulina (Spirulina platensis) is a dietary supplement that is interesting for its immune-enhanc... more Spirulina (Spirulina platensis) is a dietary supplement that is interesting for its immune-enhancing properties. In the present study, the effects of Spirulina on nitric oxide (NO) production in peritoneal macrophages of mice with systemic candidiasis were investigated. Mice were divided into four groups (G1-G4), 5 mice per group; animals received a dose of 800 mg/kg of S. platensis for four days and then were inoculated intravenously with 1×10 6 Candida albicans (C. albicans). After 24 hours, they were euthanized and their intraperitoneal lavage macrophages were collected. Peritoneal macrophages were stimulated by Spirulina (10µg/ml), LPS(2µg/ml), and LPS+ Spirulina (2µg/ml, 10µg/ml) in vitro. Dulbecco`s modified Eagle medium (DMEM) alone was used for control group. Macrophages were cultivated for 24 hours, then the levels of nitrite in culture supernatants were measured by reading the optical density at 540 nm. The results revealed that there was a significant difference in NO production among the understudy groups (p<0.05) as well as among the isolated cells that were cultured in media with different treatments(DMEM, LPS, Spi, and LPS+Spi) (p<0.001). The NO production was synergistically induced when the cells were treated with LPS + Spirulina (9.6±0.38) in comparison with control culture (7.39±0.3). It seems that applying Spirulina+LPS has more acceptable effect on NO production than Spirulina alone.
Invasive aspergillosis has become an increasing problem in immunocompromised patients in recent y... more Invasive aspergillosis has become an increasing problem in immunocompromised patients in recent years. Due to increased antimicrobial resistance, natural agents with medicinal and immunomodulatory effects have gained more attention. Honey is a natural substance with
Alternaria alternata is well-known as a source of allergenic components in the cell wall and cyto... more Alternaria alternata is well-known as a source of allergenic components in the cell wall and cytoplasm of conidia and hyphae that cause respiratory allergic disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate tissue reaction and Th 2 cytokines in mice exposed to A. alternata. A. alternata was cultured, and fungal extract was prepared by freeze-defreeze and sonication methods. BALB/c mice in one group were sensitized by two intraperitoneal injections of A. alternata extract and then intra-nasally challenged with spores suspended in sterile normal saline solution, and in another group, mice only received spores intra-nasally. Blood sampling and necropsy were performed at 1 and 72 h after spore inhalation. Histopathology demonstrated an inflammatory response with cells including lymphocytes, macrophages, neutrophils and eosinophils present and mucus hypersecretion in the lungs and airway epithelial cell hyperplasia and necrosis observed in sensitized and non-sensitized mice. Sera were analyzed by ELISA to determine serum levels of Interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 in immediate response and late-phase reaction, respectively. Increasing Th 2 cytokine (IL-4 and IL-13) levels in the sera was also observed in the sensitized and challenged mice. The results showed that exposure to extract and then spores of A. alternata induced rapid and highly elevated production of IL-4 and IL-3. These cytokines were associated with respiratory histopathological changes.
Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), an important environmental pollutant, is produced as the result of incomple... more Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), an important environmental pollutant, is produced as the result of incomplete combustion of organic materials in many industries and food cooking process. It has been purposed that BaP induces hepatotoxicity through oxidative stress and apoptosis. Several studies have shown that melatonin can protect against chemical-induced apoptosis through autophagy pathway. In this study, we assessed the modulating effect of melatonin, a well-known antioxidant, on BaP-induced hepatotoxicity through induction of autophagy. Thirty male mice were treated daily for 28 consecutive days. BaP (75 mg/kg; oral gavage) and melatonin (10 and 20 mg/kg, i.p.) were administered to mice. The liver histopathology and the levels of apoptosis and autophagy proteins as well as the expression of miR-34a were determined. The BaP exposure induced severe liver histological injury and markedly enhanced AST, ALT and MDA level. Also, apoptosis proteins and hepatic miR-34a expression increased. However, the level of Sirt1 and autophagy markers such as LC3 II/I ratio and Beclin-1 reduced. The co-administration of melatonin reversed all changes caused by BaP. In summary, melatonin appears to be effective in BaP-induced hepatotoxicity maybe through the miR-34a/Sirt1/autophagy molecular pathway.
The aim of this work was to study the alleviative role of betaine versus arsenite‐provoked altera... more The aim of this work was to study the alleviative role of betaine versus arsenite‐provoked alterations in testis oxidative status and circulating androgenic indices. Twenty‐four adult male rats (204.5 ± 21 g) were divided into four groups, equally. Control group was given basal diet and tap water. Group 2 rats received arsenite (100 mg/L) in drinking water. Rats in group 3 received betaine (2% of the diet) during arsenite exposure. Group 4 received betaine at 2% of the diet during study period (30 days). The results revealed significant decrease in testicular glutathione peroxidase, catalase and glutathione in arsenite‐treated animals relative to controls. Significant increase in testicular malondialdehyde was also detected in arsenite‐exposed group. Concurrent administration of betaine with arsenite significantly increased glutathione and catalase amounts in comparison with arsenite group. Arsenite exposure resulted in a significant decrease in plasma testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels over control rats, whereas supplementation of betaine augmented the hormones concentrations to the levels that had no significant difference in comparison with controls. Concentration of all measured oxidative status and hormonal variables in the betaine plus arsenite and betaine groups was not significantly different relative to controls. Taken together, betaine may be proposed as an alleviative agent against arsenite‐induced male reprotoxicity.
Summary Herein, we described the first case of self-inoculation in a veterinarian with bovine Joh... more Summary Herein, we described the first case of self-inoculation in a veterinarian with bovine Johne’s disease (BJD) attenuated vaccine in Iran that required medical attention. A needle-stick injury to the right thumb of a young veterinarian during vaccination of cattle with BJD vaccine resulted in an inflammation that not only failed to resolve but also progressed to a lesion 2.5 cm in diameter. The usual conservative treatment of this wound was not effective. Surgical intervention for debridement of the inflammatory tissue was not performed. For diagnosis of lesion, needle biopsy was prepared from the inflamed tissue mass. Histopathologic examination revealed a tuberculoid granulomatous inflammation without any caseous necrosis. The wound healed by taking rifampin.
This study was performed to determine the effects of 8 weeks testosterone enanthate (TE) injectio... more This study was performed to determine the effects of 8 weeks testosterone enanthate (TE) injection and resistance training (RT) on cardiac muscle in male Wistar rats. A total of 28 male adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups; control + placebo, RT + placebo, TE and TE + RT. Testosterone enanthate (20 mg/kg BW, IM) and placebo (olive oil; 0.2 ml, IM) were injected twice a week for 2 months. The RT consisted of climbing (5 reps/3 sets) a ladder carrying a load suspended from the tail. The serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) and serum level of creatinine, urea and cardiac troponin I (CTnI) were evaluated. After sacrifice, samples from myocardial muscle were collected for histopathology evaluation. The serum concentration of CTnI and CK-MB activity significantly increased in group RT compared with control (p < .05). In group RT + TE, all biomarkers of muscle damage (CTnI, CK-MB, AST, LDH) were significantly more than those in control (p < .05). Also, mild myocardial hypertrophy was observed in RT and RT + TE groups. The higher level of all heart damage biomarkers in the RT + TE group rather than control may indicate the synergistic effects of medication and exercise.
Effets de l'énanthate de testostérone sur les reins de rats mâles Wistar soumis à un entraînement... more Effets de l'énanthate de testostérone sur les reins de rats mâles Wistar soumis à un entraînement en résistance
To evaluate the relationship between elastase activity of different Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fum... more To evaluate the relationship between elastase activity of different Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) isolates and their pathogenicity in mice. The animals were intravenously (IV) infected with 1×10(6) conidia/mouse. The elastase activity in mice sera and survival time were determined. All animals were sacrified at the end of the fourth week, and autopsies were performed for histopathological examination. The tissue sections were stained with Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) and Verhoeff's techniques. The highest elastase activity was associated with the sera of infected mice with elastase-producing A. fumigatus AIR78 as standard strain (0.18±0.02mm), followed by infected animals with elastase-producing isolates (0.16±0.02mm) and control mice (0.14±0.02mm). The elastase activity index (EAI) was determined in value of 0.92±0.27. The survival times in mice infected with elastase-producing isolate and in control group were 21.6 and 30 days, respectively. Histopathological studies show...
Background: The therapeutic potential of honey is related to antioxidant activity against reactiv... more Background: The therapeutic potential of honey is related to antioxidant activity against reactive oxygen species because it contains compounds such as polyphenols; therefore, we evaluated the potential protective effect of honey on subacute toxicity of ACR by histopathologic study on tissue lesions in rat. Methods: In Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran, 2016, male Wistar rats were divided into 7 groups. To induce toxicity, ACR was injected (50 mg/kg for 11 d) to rats in 5 groups. In treatment groups, rats received three doses of honey 1.25, 2.5, and 5 g/kg in addition to the ACR. The two remaining groups received vitamin E (200 IU/kg) and normal saline as positive and negative control respectively. On the last day, after necropsy, tissue specimens from brain and liver were collected for histopathological studies. Results: Receiving of ACR caused tissue injuries including degeneration, necrosis, hyperemia, hemorrhage and inflammation in liver; ischemic cell change, hypere...
The Iranian journal of veterinary science and technology, 2019
Growth hormone has mitotic and anti-apoptotic effects which may increase proliferation and transf... more Growth hormone has mitotic and anti-apoptotic effects which may increase proliferation and transformation of cells when it is expressed aberrantly. This study investigated the effects of resistance training and growth hormone injection on circulating IGF-1, IGFBP-3 levels and IGF-1/IGFBP-3 ratio in male Wistar rats. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to a control group (C, n = 8), a resistance training group (RT, n = 8), a growth hormone injection group (GI, n = 8) and a resistance training + growth hormone injection group (RG, n = 8). The resistance training protocol comprised of climbing a ladder (5 days/week, 3 sets/5 reps) while carrying a weight suspended from the tail. The growth hormone (2 mg/kg/day, 5 days/week) was injected before an exercise session. Serum IGF-1, IGFBP-3 levels, and IGF-1/IGFBP-3 ratio were measured after 8 weeks. One-way ANOVA analysis was used for comparison of serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels between groups. Serum IGF-1 levels and IGF-1/IG...
In this paper, we address the demanding task of developing intelligent systems equipped with mach... more In this paper, we address the demanding task of developing intelligent systems equipped with machine creativity that can perform design tasks automatically. The main challenge is how to model human beings creativity mathematically and mimic such creativity computationally. We propose a "synthesis reasoning model" as the underlying mechanism to simulate human beings creative thinking when they are handling design tasks. We present the theory of the synthesis reasoning model, and the detailed procedure of designing an intelligent system based on the model. We offer a case study of an intelligent Chinese calligraphy generation system which we have developed. Based on implementation experiences of the calligraphy generation system as well as a few other systems for solving real-world problems, we suggest a generic methodology for constructing intelligent systems using the synthesis reasoning model.
Introduction: Candida glabrata is a yeast fungus regularly isolated from patients with impaired i... more Introduction: Candida glabrata is a yeast fungus regularly isolated from patients with impaired immunity who receive a routine antifungal therapy. Drug-resistant strains of C. glabrata have been emerged in recent years. The aim of this study was to examine the therapeutic efficacy Origanum vulgare essential oil (OVEO) against drug-resistant strains of C. glabrata and its cytotoxic effect on macrophages.Methods: Specimens were collected from mucosal surfaces of the oral cavity of medically approved oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) in HIV-positive patients and volunteered healthy individuals using sterile swabs or mouthwashes. In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing was done using microdilution and disc diffusion methods. Chemical composition of OVEO was determined using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The cytotoxic effect of essential oil on macrophages was examined using tetrazolium dye (MTT).Results: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range of OVEO in healthy individual...
Arsenic (As) is an environmental pollutant with destructive effects on different body organs, inc... more Arsenic (As) is an environmental pollutant with destructive effects on different body organs, including the testis. This work was aimed to assess the ameliorative role of caffeic acid (CA) against As-provoked testicular damage in mice. Twenty-four adult male mice (31 ± 9 g) were randomly allocated to four equal groups. The first group served as control and was provided basal diet and tap water. Animals in the second group received water containing 200 ppm arsenite. The third group of mice received CA (60 mg/kg body weight; i.p.) during exposure to arsenite. Animals in the fourth group received CA. At the end of the experiment period (21 days), blood and testicular tissue sampling was done for biochemical and histopathological assessments. The results showed a significant decline of testicular ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), as well as plasma concentrations of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in As-treated mice compared to controls (p < 0.05). A significant increase in testicular malondialdehyde was also detected in group 2 relative to controls. Moreover, As exposure resulted in some morphological and histopathological alterations of the testis, including hyperemia, reduced tubular diameter and thickness of epithelial cell layers of seminiferous tubules, and Leydig cell necrosis. Simultaneous administration of CA plus As increased GPx, FRAP, testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone amounts and attenuated MDA levels as well as histopathological alterations to the levels that were not significantly different from those of the control group. These results indicate that caffeic acid can be suggested as an alleviative natural compound against As-induced damage in mice testes.
Considering the role of oxidative stress as a molecular mechanism underlying the deleterious side... more Considering the role of oxidative stress as a molecular mechanism underlying the deleterious side effects of gentamicin, applying antioxidants is likely to have ameliorative effects against GNT-induced tissue damages. This work was aimed to investigate the protective effect of betaine or trimethylglycine upon gentamicin-induced toxicity in mice. Thirty male mice were randomly divided into five groups: group 1 (control; i.p. injection of isotonic saline), group 2 received gentamicin (GNT; 80 mg/kg, i.p.) for 10 days, group 3 received GNT (80 mg/kg, i.p.) for 10 days and betaine (2% in the diet) for 18 days starting 8 days before gentamicin injection, group 4 received GNT (80 mg/kg, i.p.) for 10 days and betaine (2% in the diet) during gentamicin prescription, and group 5 just received betaine (2% in the diet) for 10 days. Gentamicin administration caused a notable increase in creatinine and urea levels compared to controls (p < 0.05). Betaine administration in groups 3 and 4 decreased creatinine values relative to the second group to the amounts that had no significant difference in comparison with the control group. Additionally, a remarkable increase in renal and plasma contents of malondialdehyde (as a lipid peroxidation indicator) and renal glutathione peroxidase (which breakdown hydrogen peroxides and hydroperoxides to harmless molecules) was found upon gentamicin injection which both were attenuated in the betaine-treated groups. Also, the histopathologic studies revealed acute tubular necrosis with hyperemia and hemorrhage triggered by gentamicin. Betaine noticeably attenuated the GNT-induced histopathological lesions of the kidneys. The present study indicates that betaine can attenuate gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity, which might be related to betaine’s antioxidant potential.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2019
A study on the concentration of heavy metals and histopathological changes in Persian jirds (Mamm... more A study on the concentration of heavy metals and histopathological changes in Persian jirds (Mammals; Rodentia), affected by mining activities in an iron ore mine in Iran
Spirulina (Spirulina platensis) is a dietary supplement that is interesting for its immune-enhanc... more Spirulina (Spirulina platensis) is a dietary supplement that is interesting for its immune-enhancing properties. In the present study, the effects of Spirulina on nitric oxide (NO) production in peritoneal macrophages of mice with systemic candidiasis were investigated. Mice were divided into four groups (G1-G4), 5 mice per group; animals received a dose of 800 mg/kg of S. platensis for four days and then were inoculated intravenously with 1×10 6 Candida albicans (C. albicans). After 24 hours, they were euthanized and their intraperitoneal lavage macrophages were collected. Peritoneal macrophages were stimulated by Spirulina (10µg/ml), LPS(2µg/ml), and LPS+ Spirulina (2µg/ml, 10µg/ml) in vitro. Dulbecco`s modified Eagle medium (DMEM) alone was used for control group. Macrophages were cultivated for 24 hours, then the levels of nitrite in culture supernatants were measured by reading the optical density at 540 nm. The results revealed that there was a significant difference in NO production among the understudy groups (p<0.05) as well as among the isolated cells that were cultured in media with different treatments(DMEM, LPS, Spi, and LPS+Spi) (p<0.001). The NO production was synergistically induced when the cells were treated with LPS + Spirulina (9.6±0.38) in comparison with control culture (7.39±0.3). It seems that applying Spirulina+LPS has more acceptable effect on NO production than Spirulina alone.
Invasive aspergillosis has become an increasing problem in immunocompromised patients in recent y... more Invasive aspergillosis has become an increasing problem in immunocompromised patients in recent years. Due to increased antimicrobial resistance, natural agents with medicinal and immunomodulatory effects have gained more attention. Honey is a natural substance with
Alternaria alternata is well-known as a source of allergenic components in the cell wall and cyto... more Alternaria alternata is well-known as a source of allergenic components in the cell wall and cytoplasm of conidia and hyphae that cause respiratory allergic disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate tissue reaction and Th 2 cytokines in mice exposed to A. alternata. A. alternata was cultured, and fungal extract was prepared by freeze-defreeze and sonication methods. BALB/c mice in one group were sensitized by two intraperitoneal injections of A. alternata extract and then intra-nasally challenged with spores suspended in sterile normal saline solution, and in another group, mice only received spores intra-nasally. Blood sampling and necropsy were performed at 1 and 72 h after spore inhalation. Histopathology demonstrated an inflammatory response with cells including lymphocytes, macrophages, neutrophils and eosinophils present and mucus hypersecretion in the lungs and airway epithelial cell hyperplasia and necrosis observed in sensitized and non-sensitized mice. Sera were analyzed by ELISA to determine serum levels of Interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 in immediate response and late-phase reaction, respectively. Increasing Th 2 cytokine (IL-4 and IL-13) levels in the sera was also observed in the sensitized and challenged mice. The results showed that exposure to extract and then spores of A. alternata induced rapid and highly elevated production of IL-4 and IL-3. These cytokines were associated with respiratory histopathological changes.
Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), an important environmental pollutant, is produced as the result of incomple... more Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), an important environmental pollutant, is produced as the result of incomplete combustion of organic materials in many industries and food cooking process. It has been purposed that BaP induces hepatotoxicity through oxidative stress and apoptosis. Several studies have shown that melatonin can protect against chemical-induced apoptosis through autophagy pathway. In this study, we assessed the modulating effect of melatonin, a well-known antioxidant, on BaP-induced hepatotoxicity through induction of autophagy. Thirty male mice were treated daily for 28 consecutive days. BaP (75 mg/kg; oral gavage) and melatonin (10 and 20 mg/kg, i.p.) were administered to mice. The liver histopathology and the levels of apoptosis and autophagy proteins as well as the expression of miR-34a were determined. The BaP exposure induced severe liver histological injury and markedly enhanced AST, ALT and MDA level. Also, apoptosis proteins and hepatic miR-34a expression increased. However, the level of Sirt1 and autophagy markers such as LC3 II/I ratio and Beclin-1 reduced. The co-administration of melatonin reversed all changes caused by BaP. In summary, melatonin appears to be effective in BaP-induced hepatotoxicity maybe through the miR-34a/Sirt1/autophagy molecular pathway.
The aim of this work was to study the alleviative role of betaine versus arsenite‐provoked altera... more The aim of this work was to study the alleviative role of betaine versus arsenite‐provoked alterations in testis oxidative status and circulating androgenic indices. Twenty‐four adult male rats (204.5 ± 21 g) were divided into four groups, equally. Control group was given basal diet and tap water. Group 2 rats received arsenite (100 mg/L) in drinking water. Rats in group 3 received betaine (2% of the diet) during arsenite exposure. Group 4 received betaine at 2% of the diet during study period (30 days). The results revealed significant decrease in testicular glutathione peroxidase, catalase and glutathione in arsenite‐treated animals relative to controls. Significant increase in testicular malondialdehyde was also detected in arsenite‐exposed group. Concurrent administration of betaine with arsenite significantly increased glutathione and catalase amounts in comparison with arsenite group. Arsenite exposure resulted in a significant decrease in plasma testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels over control rats, whereas supplementation of betaine augmented the hormones concentrations to the levels that had no significant difference in comparison with controls. Concentration of all measured oxidative status and hormonal variables in the betaine plus arsenite and betaine groups was not significantly different relative to controls. Taken together, betaine may be proposed as an alleviative agent against arsenite‐induced male reprotoxicity.
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Papers by Zahra Moosavi