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Objective: There is still much to be discovered regarding the etiopathogenesis and management of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Materials and Methods: Four groups of female Wister-Albino rats were established, each with a normal estrous cycle: control, D (+) galactose (D-galactose), Lepidium sativum (L. sativum), and prepared secondary antibody (Ab2). Serum samples were collected, and histopathological examination was performed on ovaries and spleen tissues. Immunoreactive anti-ovarian antibody (AOA) quantities were determined using a modified antigen-based ELISA procedure. ELISA assay kits were used to quantify FSH, LH, and estradiol 17 β concentrations. Results: The study found that AOA concentration in undiluted samples was significantly higher in the second and fourth weeks after PCOS induction by D-galactose (p < 0.001). However, antibody index% and titer elevated in the D-galactose group. L. sativum's late efficacy was observed in the fourth week, while the concentration of undiluted samples in the D-galactose + Ab2 group lowered (p < 0.001). Higher basal FSH and LH levels and lower estrogen levels are associated with PCOS development. L. sativum's immunomodulatory properties may contribute to this association. Estradiol-17ß concentrations increased in D-galactose + L. sativum and D-galactose + Ab2 groups, respectively. Conclusion: Careful extrapolation of experimental models is crucial for clinical applications, as technical advancements make Ab2 production easier. Further study is needed to fully understand its potential in immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus is a highly prevalent metabolic disorder that causes cognitive decline. Here, we investigated the impact of various intermittent fasting protocols on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)-induced cognitive dysfunction in a rodent model. Male Sprague–Dawley rats (aged 3 months) were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 6 per group) and T2DM was induced by streptozotocin (60 mg/kg, IM). The control group was untreated. Cognitive function was tested (Y-maze, novel object recognition, and elevated plus maze tests) and glucose was assessed. The T2DM rats exhibited significantly higher blood glucose, which is associated with cognitive dysfunction. Compared to the validated animal model of T2DM in rats, various intermittent fasting protocols decreased blood glucose and improved cognitive function. These results indicate that various intermittent fasting protocols may be a potential strategy for managing the hyperglycemia-associated cognitive dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatic fibrosis has been diagnosed in more than 10% of the world population and is still with limited treatments. This work explored whether silymarin and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) combination can remodel the hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. Fifty rats were equally distributed into five groups: healthy control, CCl4 hepatotoxicity rat model, CCl4 + silymarin treated, CCl4 + BM-MSCs treated, CCl4 + silymarin + BM-MSCs treated. Serum liver function tests, hepatic tissue oxidative enzymes and cytokines were assessed. Akt and P-Akt proteins expression was estimated by Western blot. Livers were examined histologically using two types of staining. The cultured BMMSCs positively expressed CD73, CD105, and CD29 and negatively expressed CD34 and CD45. The morphology of the BM-MSCs changed from spindle-shaped to oblate-shaped after hepatogenic differentiation. In CCl4 hepatotoxicity rat model, a significant increase in transaminases (P<0.01), bilirubin (P<0.05), malondialdehyde, and TNF-α (P<0.01) was observed. There was a noticeable drop in the catalase (P<0.01), superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, interleukins (IL) -4, -10, and -17 (P<0.05). A marked elevated IL-17 and reduced TNF-α levels were noticed in the rats treated with silymarin (P <0.05). Treatment with BM-MSCs or the combination of silymarin and BM-MSCs restored the cytokine levels and ameliorated all the hepatic bio indices to normal levels. According to the obtained results, a combination of BM-MSCs and silymarin could alleviate liver hepatotoxicity. Furthermore, the results were supported by the Akt/p-Akt signaling cascade via down-regulation of Akt phosphorylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Toxocara vitulorum is a bovine intestinal nematode. Immune pictures following infection are conflicting and stopping anthelmintic albendazole treatment recording reversed liver abnormalities. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) therapy, subsequent to albendazole administration in rats infected with T. vitulorum ., Materials and Methods: The ultrasonographic and histopathological examinations as well as serum liver enzymes activity and the kinetics of recovery were investigated. The correlation of cell-mediated and humoral immune pictures was assessed by assaying immunoglobulins, splenocytes viability, phagocytic index, and Th1/Th2 cytokines., Results: The cultured BMMSCs counting were 4.21×10 4 cells/cm 2 with 96.03% viability. Flow-cytometric analysis indicated positive CD90 (82%), CD105 (79%) and negative CD34 (0.37%), CD45 (0.42%), attesting to the suitability of the isolated BMMSCs for use in therapy. Transplantation of BMMSCs after albendazole administration significantly reduced the release of liver enzymes (p<0.05) indicating liver cellularity improvement. The ultrasonographic, macroscopic, and histopathological findings confirmed the biochemical results. Significant elevation in the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (INF)-γ with a decline in interleukin (IL)-4 was observed in the untreated model (p<0.05). However, albendazole treatment followed by BMMSCs therapy significantly lowered the release of TNF-α and INF-γ, associated with significant production of IL-4 and IL-10 (p<0.05)., Conclusion: The final results indicated that the liver functions, histopathological findings, and immune parameters were aggravated after experimental T. vitulorum infection. Albendazole treatment followed by BMMSCs therapy was found to assist in regeneration of injured hepatic tissue. Besides, it appeared to modulate host defensive immune responses against T. vitulorum antigens. This work could define more clearly the events that manipulate the host immune, histopathological, and biochemical responses to minimize obstacles in using stem cell therapy in animal toxocariosis., (Copyright: © Abo-Aziza, et al.)