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Objective: Paclitaxel (Ptx), used to treat cancer, still causes neuropathic pain and peripheral neuropathy today. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of progesterone (Pg) and oxytocin (Oxy) on peripheral neuropathy rat model induced by Ptx. Materials and Methods: A total of 38 male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups, e.g., control (n = 6), Ptx (n = 8), Ptx + Oxy (n = 8), Ptx + Pg (n = 8), and Ptx + Oxy + Pg (n = 8). The rats were monitored daily for body weight change throughout the experiment. To evaluate peripheral neuropathy, electroneuromyography measurements (latency, amplitude, and motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV)) were recorded from the sciatic nerve innervating the gastrocnemius muscle. Sciatic nerve tissue samples were collected for histopathological evaluation. Results: Ptx led to significant reductions in body weight from day 6 (P < 0.05). There was no difference between groups in the distal latency and amplitudes (P > 0.05). Proximal latency was prolonged in Ptx group rats than in other groups (P < 0.05). Importantly, it was found that MNCV was higher in the Ptx + Pg group than Ptx, Ptx + Oxy, and Ptx + Oxy + Pg groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, Pg-administered rats had the lowest nerve degeneration compared to rats administered Oxy and Oxy + Pg (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The present findings suggest that Pg has a protective effect on peripheral neuropathy induced by Ptx in rat.

Objectives:To comparatively evaluate the effects of thymoquinone (TQ), the biologically active main component of volatile oil derived from Nigella sativa seeds, in an experimental dry eye model.Materials and Methods:A total of 36 BALB/c mice 10 weeks of age were used in the study. The mice were divided into 6 groups of 6 mice. Two groups were negative and positive controls, and the other 4 groups were treated with balanced salt solution, fluorometholone (FML), TQ, or vehicle (Tween80). After 1 week of treatment, the mice were killed and the eyes removed for histopathologic examination and cytokine analysis. Interleukin (IL)-1α tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, and lactoferrin levels in the conjunctival tissue were measured by multiplex immunobead assay. The presence of inflammatory cells in ocular tissue samples were investigated by hematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid-Schiff staining. Inflammatory T cells containing CXT receptor in the conjunctiva were determined by flow cytometry.Results:FLML and TQ groups had less inflammatory cell density and more goblet cells compared to the other groups. High levels of IL-1α and IL-2 were found in the TQ group.Conclusion:TQ treatment was associated with reduced inflammation in pathological examination, but did not significant lower cytokine levels.

AimTo constitute an experimental rat model by using human VEGF monoclonal antibody bevacizumab, for observation of renal side effects of this treatment.Materials and MethodsThirtysix adult female Wistar albino rats has been divided as two main groups: “3 days” and “21 days” . Each group has been divided in three; bevacizumab 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg were administered intravenously from the tail veins of the two subgroups and 1 mg/kg saline was administered to the third subgroup as control. Urine for 24 hours for detection of proteinuria and blood samples for detection of renal funtions were collected before, third day and 21st day of the drug administration and rats were sacrified at third and 21st days for pathological examination of kidneys.ResultsTwenty four hours urine protein excretion, creatinin excretion and urine protein/creatinin ratio were demonstrated as significantly increased on the third day of the rats administered 10 mg/kg bevacizumab; however, any significant increase of proteinuria couldn’t be shown on the 21 days group rats administered neither 10 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg. Pathological examination of rats sacrified on third day demonstrate the significant increase of bowman capsule gap and interstitial inflamation as correlated with the dosage of the drug. The thickness of vessel wall was observed on the pathological examination of rats sacrified on 21st day.ConclusionIt has been shown that bevacizumab administration of 10 mg/kg for three days is proper for constitution of an experimental rat model.

OBJECTIVE: Amifostine (AMI) has been used for the prevention of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in several experimental and a few clinical studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of AMI on lipid peroxidation, protective enzymes, and mitoxantrone (MITO)-induced acute cardiotoxicity in the rat heart using biochemical tests and histopathological examinations. METHODS: Thirty-six rats were divided into six groups (n=6 in each). Control rats were given intraperitoneal (i.p.) serum saline and AMI group rats were given 200 mg/kg AMI i.p. Rats received MITO-2.5 and 5 mg/kg i.p. in the MITO-2.5 and MITO-5 groups. AMI 200 mg/kg i.p. was administered 30 min. before the same doses of MITO in the MITO-2.5+AMI and MITO-5+AMI groups. RESULTS: The levels of cardiac enzymes such as creatinine phosphokinase-myocardial band and cardiac troponin T did not change. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased in MITO groups compared to controls. Catalase and glutathione (GSH) levels in the MITO and MITO+AMI groups were higher than in controls. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase levels were not different between MITO groups and controls. There was no difference in MDA levels between MITO+AMI groups and controls. Calcium deposition was not detected. The scores of fibrosis, apoptosis, inflammation, and degeneration in MITO groups were higher than in controls. The scores of fibrosis, degeneration and inflammation in MITO+AMI groups were lower. CONCLUSION: MITO caused lipid peroxidation and myocardial damage, and the myocardium increased catalase and GSH levels to prevent this damage. AMI can protect against MITO-induced acute cardiotoxicity, decreasing myocardial damage and lipid peroxidation.

Abstract  Glucocorticoids are known to affect intestinal biota both directly or indirectly. The aim of the study reported here was to determine the short-term effects of different doses of dexamethasone on the numbers of various ileal bacteria populations. Rats were randomly put into groups, and each group was administered a single-dose injection of dexamethasone at either 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, or 10 mg/kg body weight. At 48-h post-injection, the numbers of total aerobe, anaerobe, lactobacilli and coliform bacteria in the ileum were determined. The numbers of total aerobes and lactobacilli were higher in the groups receiving 5 and 10 mg/kg dexamethasone than in the control and other dose groups (P P P P  [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]