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Background: The present study aimed at evaluating the protective effects of curcumin against apoptosis on caspase-3 apoptosis in experimental varicocele rats. Methods: 30 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: varicocele (V1, V2), treatment (T), sham (Sh), and control (C) groups. Varicocele was induced by partial ligation of the left renal vein. Serum levels of pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) and Nitric oxide (NO) were evaluated in groups V1 and V2 at the 2nd and 4th months, respectively, after varicocele induction. Two months after varicocele induction, 100 mg/kg Curcumin) dissolved in 2 ml of corn oil (was orally administered to each rat of group T daily for 2 months, and in the Sh group, rats were administered 2 ml of corn oil only. Western blot and ELISA techniques were used to evaluate the various parameters in our study. Results: Our results show that T group, the significantly decreased level of expression of caspase-3, and the high plasma level of Testosterone confirmed that Curcumin had a significant effect on decreasing apoptosis in the treatment group. Conclusions: The anti-oxidant properties of Curcumin may be utilized in adjuvant therapies to reduce varicocele complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as an experimental model of multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by demyelination, infiltration of inflammatory cells into the nervous system and dysregulation of serum inflammatory cytokines. We investigated the correlation of serum cytokines and other inflammatory markers with the EAE pathogenesis. After EAE induction, the levels of different serum cytokine/inflammatory mediators were measured. Furthermore, motor functions, myelination, and lymphocyte infiltration in EAE mice were also assessed. Our results revealed that the serum concentrations of T‐helper 1 (Th1) and Th17 cytokines, interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐1β, IL‐1α and prostaglandin E2 in EAE mice were significantly higher than controls. The ratios of pro‐ to anti‐inflammatory cytokines were different between the EAE and the control group. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the IL‐6/IL‐10 ratio and the EAE severity, demyelination rate, and lymphocyte infiltration in EAE mice. Results indicate that the profiles of serum pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines might be useful as biomarkers for monitoring the pathological manifestation of EAE. Furthermore, evaluating the dynamic interplay of serum cytokine levels and the correlation with pathogenic mechanisms of EAE may provide diagnostic and therapeutic insights for MS and some other inflammatory disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We recently reported the application of human menstrual blood stem cells' (HuMenSCs) transplantation as a treatment modality in a rat model of premature ovarian failure (POF). We continued to investigate further in this respect. Female rats were injected intraperitoneally with 36 mg/kg busulfan. HuMenSCs were obtained, grown, and analyzed for immunophenotypic features at passage three. The cells were labeled with CM-Dil and infused into the rats. There were four groups: normal, negative control, treatment, and Sham. One month after treatment, the ovaries were collected and weighed. Histological sections were prepared from the ovary and HuMenSCs were tracking. Subsequently, we examined the changes of expression of Bax and B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) genes by real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. One month after HuMenSCs transplantation, these cells were located in the ovarian interstitium and granulosa cells (GCs). The number of TUNEL-positive cells significantly decreased in the treatment group. Also the expression level of Bax genes, unlike Bcl2 gene, significantly decreased compared with negative and sham groups. In our study, HuMenSCs were tracked in ovarian tissues within 2 months after transplantation, and they differentiated into GCs. Therefore, the use of these cells can be a practical and low-cost method for the treatment of POF patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The present study investigated the differentiation potential of human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells (UCMSCs) into hepatic lineage through embryonic body-like aggregate formation in the presence of IGF-1. Background: Cells derived from Wharton's jelly have been reported to display a wide multilineage differentiation potential, showing some similarities to both embryonic (ESC) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Patients and methods: Human MSCs isolated from the umbilical cord were plated in 20 μL micro drops. A two-step differentiation protocol was used and the cell aggregates were exposed to the media supplemented with IGF, HGF, oncostatin M, and dexamethasone for 21 days. Immunoperoxidase and immuno-fluorescence were performed for cyrokeratins 18, 19 and albumin. Functional assays were done by periodic acid Schiff (PAS) and indocyanine green. Results: The expression of cytokeratin 19 was shown to be higher in the cells derived from 3D spheroids compared to those cultured in conventional protocol. They showed a polygonal shape after being exposed to hepatogenic media. Immunostaining demonstrated the expression of cytokeratin-18, 19 and albumin by the differentiated cells. Besides, PAS staining revealed glycogen storage in differentiated cells. Also, a greater number of large size differentiated cells were found at the periphery of the expanded cell aggregates. Conclusion: We established a protocol for UCMSC differentiation into hepatocytes and these cells were morphologically and functionally similar to hepatocytes. Thus, hepatocyte differentiation may be facilitated by the UCMSCs aggregate formation before administration of the differentiation protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Wharton's jelly is an unlimited source of stem cells that can be used in cell therapy and tissue engineering without any ethical concern. It has been revealed the cell-free extract could be effective to induce cell differentiation. The objective of this study was to induce Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into hepatocyte-like cells by premeabilization of the cells in the presence of HepG2 cell line extract. Methods: MSCs were isolated from the umbilical cord, CD marker profile and their differentiation potential into adipogenic and osteogenic lineages were determined. The cells were then, permeabilized by streptolysin O in the presence of HepG cell extract. The treated cells were cultured for 17 days. The cell phenotype was evaluated and the hepatocyte specific markers were detected by immunofluorescence and immunocytochemistry. The Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) reaction and the cellular uptake of indocyanine green were performed to evaluate the functional behavior of the differentiated cells. Results: The phenotype of extract-treated MSCs changed into a round or polygonal cells with few short processes and they could express high level of albumin, cytokeratin 18 and 19. The MSCs also could store glycogen and uptake and release indocyanine green. Conclusion: We demonstrated for the first time that Wharton's jelly-derived MSCs could differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells by premeabilization of them in the presence of HepG2 cell extract. This study suggests a feasible method to differentiate MSCs into functional hepatocyte-like cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]