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Abstract Background Nanoparticles are small-scale substances ( Method ZnO nanoparticles were administered orally in two doses (either 600 mg or 1 g/Kg body weight/day for 5 conscutive days) to Wister albino rats. In order to detect the protective effects of the studied antioxidants against n-ZnO induced nepherotoxicity, different biochemical parameters were investigated. Moreover, histopathological examination of kidney tissue was performed. Results Nano zinc oxide-induced nephrotoxicity was confirmed by the elevation in serum inflammatory markers including: tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6); and C-reactive protein (CRP). Moreover, immunoglobulin (IGg), vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF), and nitric oxide (NO) were significantly increased in rat serum. Serum urea and creatinine levels were also significantly increased in rats intoxicated with n-ZnO particles compared with the control group. Additionally, a significant decrease in the non-enzymatic antioxidant reduced glutathione (GSH) was shown in kidney tissues and serum glucose levels were increased. These biochemical findings were supported by a histopathological examination of kidney tissues, which showed that in the animals that received a high dose of n-ZnO, numerous kidney glomeruli underwent atrophy and fragmentation. Moreover, the renal tubules showed epithelial desquamation, degeneration and necrosis. Some renal tubules showed casts in their lumina. Severe congestion was also observed in renal interstitium. These effects were dose dependent. Cotreatment of rats with Qur and/or Arg along with n-ZnO significantly improved most of the deviated tested parameters. Conclusions The data show that Qur has a beneficial effect against n-ZnO oxidative stress and related vascular complications. Also, its combination with Arg proved to be even more effective in ameliorating nano zinc oxide nephrotoxicity.

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) using a porcine-derived collagen matrix (Mucograft [MG], Geistlich) has not yet been reported. The aim of this histologic and biomechanical study was to compare the efficacy of MG versus resorbable collagen membranes (RCMs) in facilitating GBR around standardized rat calvarial defects. Forty female Wistar albino rats with a mean age and weight of 6 to 9 weeks and 250 to 300 g, respectively, were used. With the rats under general anesthesia, the skin over the calvaria was exposed using a full-thickness flap. A 4.6-mm-diameter standardized calvarial defect was created in the left parietal bone. For treatment, the rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 per group): (1) MG group: the defect was covered with MG; (2) RCM group: the defect was covered with an RCM; (3) MG + bone group: the defect was filled with bone graft particles and covered by MG; and (4) RCM + bone group: the defect was filled with bone graft particles and covered by an RCM. Primary closure was achieved using interrupted resorbable sutures. The animals were sacrificed at 8 weeks after the surgical procedures. Qualitative histologic analysis and biomechanical assessment to identify hardness and elastic modulus of newly formed bone (NFB) were performed. Collected data were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. Histologic findings revealed NFB with fibrous connective tissue in all groups. The quantity of NFB was highest in the RCM + bone group. Statistically significant differences in the hardness (F = 567.69, dfN = 3, dfD = 36, P < .001) and elastic modulus (F = 294.19, dfN = 3, dfD = 36, P < .001) of NFB were found between the groups. Although the RCM + bone group had the highest mean ± standard deviation (SD) hardness of NFB (531.4 ± 24.9 MPa), the RCM group had the highest mean ± SD elastic modulus of NFB (18.63 ± 1.89 GPa). The present study demonstrated that RCMs are better than MG at enhancing new bone formation in standardized rat calvarial defects when used along with mineralized particulate graft material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: There are four currently motor features characterizing Parkinson's disease (PD). These include rigidity of muscles, bradykinesia, tremors at rest, and instability of posture. Along the course of PD, the impairment of motor functions is commonly preceded by nonmotor symptoms (NMS) such as olfactory deficit, difficult swallowing (dysphagia), drooling (sialorrhea), constipation, urinary bladder dysfunction, depression, and sleep disorder. It was suggested that the enteric nervous system could be the initial site for the pathological process leading to PD. Materials and Methods: Six male adult control AS rats (normal control) and six male adults AS/AGU rats (model of PD) were sacrificed. A rectangular strip from the body of the stomach and a crosssection from the duodenum were dissected and processed for histological staining with hematoxylin and eosin, and immunohistochemical staining for detection of nNOS (neuronal NOS), S100 protein (astrocyte marker), and alpha-synuclein (α-synuclein). Results: The histological analysis of the stomach and duodenum of AS/AGU rats demonstrated necrotic smooth muscle cells of muscularis externa. While the immunohistochemical analysis of AS/AGU rats showed a statistically significant increase in the expression of nNOS, S100 protein, and α-synuclein expression of myenteric plexuses compared to the control strain AS rats. Conclusion: Gastroduodenal tract of AS/AGU rats showed marked histopathological changes and immunohistochemical overexpression of nNOS, S100, and α-synuclein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acetaminophen (APAP) hepatotoxicity is characterised by an extensive oxidative stress due to depletion of glutathione (GSH), which results in massive lipid peroxidation and subsequent liver injury. The current paradigm suggests that mitochondria are the main source of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which impair mitochondrial function and are responsible for cell signalling resulting in cell death. This study was designed to compare the potential impact of thymoquinone (THQ), and/or curcumin (CURC) on liver injury induced by APAP toxicity in rats.Materials and Methods: Serum levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, total bilirubin, and total protein were measured. In addition, liver nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were estimated. Moreover, these biochemical parameters were confirmed by histopathological and immunohistochemical investigations for the expression of thioredoxin, iNOS and caspase 3.Results: Acetaminophen toxicity elevated most of the above-mentioned parameters but decreased GSH, SOD, and total protein levels. Histologically, liver sections demonstrated liver injury characterised by hepatocellular necrosis with nuclear pyknosis, karyorrhexis and karyolysis. Immunohistochemical study revealed increased expression of iNOS and caspase 3 proteins, while the thioredoxin protein expression was decreased.Conclusions: Treatment with the THQ and CURC regulated the biochemical and histopathological alterations induced by APAP toxicity. It was concluded that the combination strategy of THQ and CURC might be considered as a potential antidote in combating liver injury induced by APAP with minimal side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The outcome of the autograft therapy for Parkinson's disease including autologous cells from adrenal medulla was disappointing. This could be attributed to the pathological process in Parkinson's disease affecting cells of the adrenal medulla. This study was performed to investigate the histopathological changes in the adrenal medulla of AS/AGU rat, a model of Parkinson's disease, in comparison with Albino Swiss (AS) rats.Materials and Methods: A total of 24 male AS rats were divided into four groups, each of 6 animals: AS W1 - AS rats aged 1 week; AS adult - AS adult rats; AS/ /AGU W1 - AS/AGU rats aged 1 week; and AS/AGU adult - AS/AGU adult rats. The rats were sacrificed and the adrenal glands were dissected and processed for histological staining with haematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid Schiff and for immunohistochemical staining for S100 protein, ubiquitin and tyrosine hydroxylase.Results: The histological investigation of the adrenal medulla of AS/AGU rats showed vascular congestion, inflammatory cellular infiltration, pyknotic nuclei, necrotic chromaffin cells and medullary inclusion bodies. The immunohistochemical investigation of AS/AGU rats showed a statistically significant decrease in the expression of S100 protein, ubiquitin and tyrosine hydroxylase compared to AS rats.Conclusions: The histological and immunohistological changes in the adrenal medulla could explain the failure of outcome of adrenal autograft therapy in Parkinson's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The efficacy of an extract from date seeds has been tested successfully on the glycemic control of type I diabetes mellitus in rats. A suggestion that date seed extract could stimulate certain cells to differentiate into insulin-secreting cells has been proposed. In order to investigate such a possibility, this study was conducted to measure C-peptide levels in the serum of type 1 diabetic rats treated with date seed extract. Methods: Two hundred rats were divided into 4 groups. Group I served as the control. Group II was given daily ingestions of 10 ml of date seed extract. Groups III and IV were made diabetic by streptozotocin injection and were given daily subcutaneous injections of 3 IU/day of insulin for 8 weeks. Group IV received, in addition, daily ingestions of 10 ml of seed extract. At the end of experiment, blood samples were collected from each rat, and blood glucose and serum C-peptide levels were measured. Results: No significant differences in the means of blood glucose and serum C-peptide levels were observed between groups I (control group) and II (date seed extract-treated control group). Group IV (date seed extract-insulin-treated diabetic group) showed a statistically significant reduction in the mean blood glucose level compared to Group III (insulin-treated diabetic group). The mean serum C-peptide level was significantly higher in group IV compared to group III. Conclusion: Biochemical results suggested an increase in endogenous insulin secretion in the case of type 1 diabetic rats treated with date seed extract, which might be the cause of its hypoglycemic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The present study investigated the effect of lisinopril on experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) in rats, a histologically similar model to human acute myocarditis., Animals and Methods: Twenty four, six week-old male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups of 6 rats each. Group I received no treatment. Group II received lisinopril at a dose of 15 mg/kg/day suspended in 1 ml of 2% gum acacia daily, from day 1 to day 21. To induce myocarditis, animals of groups III and IV were injected by 1 mg of porcine cardiac myosin on days 1 and 8. In addition, animals of group IV received lisinopril in gum acacia daily, from day 1 to day 21. All rats were sacrificed on day 21. Serum levels of creatine phosphokinase, troponin-T, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 were estimated. Hearts were processed for histopathological, as well as immunohistochemical study for thioredoxin (TRX) immunoreactivity., Results: The wall of hearts from rats of myocarditis-lisinopril group showed mild focal myocarditis and a significant decrease of the mean percentage of pyknotic nuclei in cardiomyocytes, coincident with a significant decrease in serum biomarkers levels and TRX immunoreactivity, compared to myocarditis group., Conclusion: The present study suggested a cardio-protective effect of lisinopril on acute EAM in rats, probably through a mechanism related to its suppressive effect on angiotensin II formation.

Objective: To investigate the possible mechanism, by which an extract from date seeds exert its hypoglycemic effect., Methods: This study was performed at the Anatomy Department, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from May to December 2012. Eighty rats were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 received no treatment. Group 2 received daily ingestions of 10 ml of date seed extract for 8 weeks. Animals of groups 3 and 4 were made diabetic by streptozotocin injection, and were given daily subcutaneous injections of 3 IU/day of insulin for 8 weeks. Group 4 received, in addition, daily ingestions of 10 ml of seed extracts. Rats were sacrificed, and the sera were separated for estimation of serum C-peptide levels. Pancreatic tissues were processed for histological study of the islet cells, immunohistochemical study for insulin secretion and image analysis for insulin quantification., Results: Mean serum C-peptide level was significantly higher in group 4 compared to group 3. Pancreatic islets from rats of group 3 showed weak immunoreactivity for insulin, while those of group 4 showed strong immunoreactivity in some hypertrophied beta cells. Immunopositive cells were detected in the wall of interlobular ducts and in centroacinar cells of pancreas only in group 4. Quantification of insulin immunoreactivity showed a marked reduction in islet size and extent of insulin immunoreactivity in diabetic compared to control groups., Conclusion: Date seed extracts may stimulate endogenous insulin secretion through extra-islet sources.

Objective: To investigate the possible role of radiate ligament in idiopathic scoliosis., Methods: This study was designed as a case-control study adapted to cadavers. Eighteen human cadavers, 12 males and 6 females of Caucasian race, with a mean age of 55 years were studied at the Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from November 2010 to February 2012. Among the studied subjects, 15 were with normal spines, and 3 were scoliotic. The upper and lower bands of radiate ligaments were identified and measured. All cadavers were examined grossly. Scoliotic cadavers were also examined radiologically., Results: The present study revealed that the mean of the lengths of the upper bands of radiate ligaments, on the concave side, in each scoliotic cadaver showed a highly significant shortening compared with that of the upper bands of the corresponding segments in cadavers with normal spines, while no significant change was detected when comparing those of the lower bands to normal values., Conclusion: The study suggested a possible relationship between radiate ligament shortening and the etiology of idiopathic scoliosis.

Objective: To study knee angles in the adult Saudi population and compare their values to the published data from other populations., Methods: Antero-posterior bilateral radiographs of 333 normal knees of 120 males and 213 females, with age range of 18-65 years, were studied retrospectively at King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from January 2009 to December 2009. Tibiofemoral (TFA), lateral distal femoral (LDFA), and lateral proximal tibial (LPTA) angles were measured and the mean of each angle was calculated. The relationship between each angle and age, gender, and side of the body was tested, and compared with the international figures., Results: The mean for TFA in Saudis was 174.41°, LDFA was 90.07° and LPTA was 89.42°. All angles were not significantly related to gender. Significant relations existed between TFA and side of the body, and between LDFA and age. Variations in means and ranges of knee angles between the Saudi and other populations were determined. A significant difference existed between means of TFA, LDFA, and LPTA of Saudis and those of Caucasians, between mean of TFA of Saudis and that of Chinese, and between mean of LPTA of Saudi males and that of Chinese males. The means of TFA of selected age groups in Saudis differed significantly when compared to those in the corresponding age groups in Japanese and Australian Caucasians., Conclusion: Knee angles are like many other skeletal angles that may have ethnic variation between different populations. The study reinforces the need for reference values of knee angles in a given population.

Objective: To investigate the safety of date seed extract administration, and to compare between toxic effects of diabetes on rats treated with insulin versus rats treated with insulin-seed extract., Methods: This study was performed in the Anatomy Department, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from August to December 2010. One hundred rats were divided into 5 groups. Group 1 served as control. Group 2 was given daily ingestions of 10 ml of date seed extract. Animals of groups 3 and 4 were made diabetic by streptozotocin injection, and were given daily subcutaneous injections of 3 IU/day of insulin for 8 weeks. Group 4 received, in addition, daily ingestions of 10 ml of seed extract. Group 5 were made diabetic with streptozotocin and then given the seed extract only. At the end of experiment, rats were decapitated, and the sera were separated for estimation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transferase, blood urea nitrogen, and serum creatinine levels. Livers and kidneys were processed for light microscopic study., Results: The mean values of all tested serum levels were significantly higher in Group 3 compared to Groups 1, 2 and 4 (with the exception of ALT in the case of Group 4). There was no significant change when comparing the mean values of Groups 1, 2, and 4. Livers and kidneys of rats in Groups 1, 2, and 4 showed normal histology, while those of Group 3 showed histopathological changes., Conclusion: Date seed extract administration is safe on the liver and kidney. In addition, insulin-date seed extract combination minimizes the toxic effects of diabetes on these organs.