Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as a member of neurotrophin family, plays an important role in neurogenesis, neuronal survival and synaptic plasticity. BDNF is strongly expressed in the hippocampus, where has been associated with memory consolidation, learning, and cognition. In this study, Real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry, and stereology were used to evaluate the gender differences and left-right asymmetries in the expression of BDNF in the developing rat hippocampus during the neurogenesis-active period, at postnatal days P0, P7 and P14. We found the lowest expression of BDNF in the right side and the highest in the left side hippocampi of both male and female neonates at P14 (P ≤ 0.05 each). At the same time, there were significant differences in the hippocampal expression of BDNF between males and females (P ≤ 0.05 each). No important differences in the number of BDNF expressing neurons in different subregions of right/left hippocampus were observed between male and female animals at P0 and P7 (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the highest numerical density of BDNF positive cells was detected in the both sides hippocampal CA
Background: Imbalances in dopamine levels result in neurological and psychological disorders such as elevated dopamine in Parkinson’s disease. Objective: Despite a considerable number of advertisements claiming Aloe-vera’s effectiveness in PD treatment, it has hidden long-term disadvantages for healthy people and PD patients. Methods: In the present investigation, the impacts of Aloe-vera on dopaminergic cells were evaluated. Results: The results indicated that the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) enhancement was in line with the Bax/Bcl2 ratio decrement, reactive oxygen specious (ROS) production, and nonsignificant alteration in the sub-G1phase of the cell cycle. It led to glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) upregulation but did not significantly change the BDNF level involved in depression and motor impairment recovery. These events apparently resulted in the enhancement in dopaminergic cell viability and neurite length and attenuated PI+ cells. However, it also induced neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) overexpression and nitric oxide (NO) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) production. Notably, docking results of the catalytic domain in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) with the Aloe-vera constituents showed strong binding of most Aloe-vera constituents with the catalytic domain of TH, even stronger than L-tyrosine as an original substrate. Following the docking results, Aloe-vera downregulated TH protein and attenuated dopamine. Conclusion: It can be hypothesized that Aloe-vera improves PD symptoms through enhancement in antiapoptotic markers and neurotrophic factors, while it suppresses TH and dopamine in the form of a Trojan horse, later resulting in the future deterioration of the disease symptoms. The results provide cues to pharmaceutical companies to use the active components of Aloe-vera as putative agents in neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases to decrease dopamine in patients with enhanced dopamine levels.
Strategies of Schwann cell (SC) transplantation for regeneration of peripheral nerve injury involve many limitations. Stem cells can be used as alternative cell source for differentiation into Schwann cells. Given the high potential of neural crest-derived stem cells for the generation of multiple cell lineages, in this research, we considered whether olfactory ectomesenchymal stem cells (OE-MSCs) derived from neural crest can spontaneously differentiate into SC lineage.OE-MSCs were isolated from human nasal mucosa and characterized by the mesenchymal and neural crest markers. The cells were cultured in glial growth factors-free medium and further investigated in terms of the phenotypic and functional properties.Immunocytochemical staining and real-time PCR analysis indicated that the cultured OE-MSCs expressed SCs markers, SOX10, p75, S100, GFAP and MBP, differentiation indicative. It was found that the cells could secrete neurotrophic factors, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF). Furthermore, after co-cultured with PC12, the mean neurite length was enhanced by OE-MSCs.The findings indicated that OE-MSCs could be differentiated spontaneously into SC-like phenotypes, suggesting their applications for transplantation in peripheral nerve injuries.
Schizophrenia affects 1% of population. Neonatal ventral hippocampus lesion (NVHL) model of schizophrenia designed in 1993 by Lipska and is a widely studied developmental animal model of schizophrenia. NVHL rats mimic many of the symptoms of schizophrenia in detail. We studied this model in molecular level and reelin expression in it. Reelin is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein that regulates some processes in CNS development and reduces significantly in schizophrenia. For this study, animals (male pups) take into 3 groups: control, sham and experiment. The lesion made by injection of 0.3 µl. Isotonic Neurotoxin withstereotaxic surgery in age 7 day and body weight 11-15 gr. Social behavioral and stereotypic movement assessed in age 56 day then reelin expression in frontal cortex evaluated by western blotting. Behavioral analysis and histological studies demonstrated the schizophrenia model. Western blotting of reelin protein in frontal cortex and hippocampus show a decrease of reelin (P value: 0.012) in experimental group as compared to control and sham group. So, in the NVHL as a common and more similar model of schizophrenia reelin expression significantly decreases in frontal cortex and hippocampus that means this model in molecular pathways is similar to the disease
Intracerebral injection of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) is being investigated as a therapeutic tool to prevent Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our aim was to investigate the effects of BMSCs by intrathecal injection in AD rat model.BMSCs were obtained from the bone marrow of Wistar rat and transplanted into AD rat model via intrathecal injection. The rat model had received an injection of β amyloid into the hippocampus for histological and immunohistochemical studies.Histological examination of the brains in transplanted rats compared to controls demonstrated the migration of BrdU-labeled BMSCs from the site of delivery, confirmed the differentiation of BMSCs transplanted cells into the cholinergic neurons, and increased number of healthy and decreased number of dark neurons.Our results showed that BMSCs intratechal administration could be a promising method for treatment of Alzheimer's disease in rat model.
Introduction: Fabricating composite scaffolds with improved physicochemical properties as artificial microenvironments are of great interest in bone tissue engineering. Given advantageous properties of nano-hydroxyapatite/chitosan/gelatin (nHA/Cs/Gel) scaffolds, the present study aimed to synthesize a modified nHA/Cs/Gel biomimetic scaffold with improved features. Methods: Pure and copper (Cu)-substituted nHA was synthesized using the chemical precipitation method under controlled pH and temperature. Pure and Cu-substituted nHA/Cs/Gel scaffolds were fabricated by salt-leaching/freeze-drying method. Physicochemical characteristics of nanoparticles and scaffolds were explored using XRD, FTIR, FE-SEM/EDX, and ICP. Besides, scaffold mechanical strength, degradation, porosity, swelling, biomineralization, and cytocompatibility were assessed. Results: Pure and Cu-substituted nHA were synthesized and characterized with appropriate Cu substitution and improved physical properties. All scaffolds were highly porous (porosity > 98%) and Cu incorporation reduced porosity from 99.555 ± 0.394% to 98.69 ± 0.80% while enlarged the pore size to more than100 µm. Cu-substitution improved the scaffold mechanical strength and the best result was observed in nHA.Cu5%/Cs/Gel scaffolds by the compressive strength 88.869 ± 19.574 MPa. Furthermore, 3% and 5% Cu-substituted nHA enhanced the scaffold structural stability and supported osteoblast spread, adhesion, survival, mineralization, and proliferation. Moreover, long-term and sustainable Cu release from scaffolds was observed within 28 days. Conclusion: Cu-substituted nHA/Cs/Gel scaffolds mimic the porous structure and mechanical strength of cancellous bone, along with prolonged degradation and Cu release, osteoblast attachment, viability, calcium deposition, and proliferation. Taken together, our results indicate the upgraded properties of nHA.Cu5%/Cs/Gel scaffolds for future applications in bone tissue engineering.
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most serious clinical diseases and its treatment has been a subject of interest to researchers. There are two important therapeutic strategies in the treatment of SCI: replacing lost tissue cells through cells implantation and scar elimination. Therefore, in this study we used human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) implantation and injection of Chondroitinase ABC. Aim of present study was to answer to this question: which one is more efficient for Improvement of locomotor recovery after SCI in rat? Transplantation of hADSCs or injection of ChABC.
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