The dopaminergic system is a powerful candidate targeted for changes of synaptic plasticity in th... more The dopaminergic system is a powerful candidate targeted for changes of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. Higher incidence of Parkinson's disease (PD) in men than women indicates the influence of sex hormones on the PD development. Previous studies have shown that neurodegenerative diseases such as PD are related to the decline of Allopregnanolon (Allo), a metabolite of progesterone; it is also well known that learning and memory are influenced by oscillations in steroidal hormones. Although abnormalities in hippocampal plasticity have been observed in the toxic models of PD, effects of Allo on hippocampal LTP and hippocampal synaptic protein levels, which play an important role in maintaining the integrity of neural connections, have never been analyzed thus far. Experimental groups subjected to the long-term potentiation (LTP) were studied in the CA1 area of the hippocampus. In addition, the levels of hippocampal postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95), neurexin-1 (Nrxn1) and neuroligin (Nlgn) as synaptic molecular components were determined by immunoblotting. Although dopamine denervation did not alter basal synaptic transmission and pair-pulse facilitation of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs), the induction and maintenance of LTP were impaired in the CA1 region. In addition, the levels of PSD-95, Nrxn1 and Nlgn were significantly decreased in the hippocampus of 6-OHDA-treated animals. Such abnormalities in synaptic electrophysiological aspects and protein levels were abolished by the treatment with Allo. These findings showed that partial dopamine depletion led to unusual synaptic plasticity in the CA1 as well as the decrease in synaptic proteins in the hippocampus. Our results demonstrated that Allo ameliorated these deficits and preserved pre- and post-synaptic proteins. Therefore, Allo may be an effective factor in maintaining synaptic integrity in the mesolimbic pathway.
3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or "Ecstasy", which has been used for recreati... more 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or "Ecstasy", which has been used for recreational purposes, is shown to cause learning and memory impairment. Statins, beyond their efficient cholesterol-lowering action through inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-COA) reductase, possess multiple neuroprotective impacts referred to as pleiotropic effects. In this regard, we aimed to investigate the protective effect of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin in MDMA-induced neurotoxicity. Adult male Wistar rats received atorvastatin (5, 10, 20 mg/kg; orally) and rosuvastatin (5, 10, 20 mg/kg; orally) for 21 consecutive days. Then, Morris water maze (MWM) was performed to examine learning and memory functions. Rats were injected with MDMA (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg; I.P) 30 min before training sessions in 4 training days of MWM task. Afterward, rats were sacrificed under general anesthesia and their hippocampuses were dissected to evaluate reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, li...
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or "Ecstasy", which has been used for recreational purpo... more 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or "Ecstasy", which has been used for recreational purposes, is shown to impair memory and brain functions. Statins, beyond their efficient cholesterol-lowering impact through inhibition of HMG-COA reductase enzyme, possess multiple actions referred to as pleiotropic effects. In this regard, we aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin on MDMA-induced neurotoxicity. Adult male Wistar rats received atorvastatin (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg; orally) and rosuvastatin (5, 10, 20 mg/kg; orally) for 21 consecutive days. Then, spatial memory and learning were evaluated by Morris water maze (MWM) test. Rats were intraperitoneally injected with MDMA (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg) 30 min before the first training session in 4 training days of MWM task. Afterward, rats were euthanized and their hippocampuses were dissected to evaluate reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, lipid peroxidation (LPO), and caspase-3 and-9 activities. Our findings showed that MDMA (5 and 10 mg/kg) significantly impaired spatial memory functions and dramatically increased ROS production, LPO, and caspase-3 and-9 activities compared to control. Also, atorvastatin (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) and rosuvastatin (20 mg/kg) significantly improved memory performances and inhibited the elevation of ROS, LPO, and caspase-3 and-9 activities induced by MDMA. In conclusion, the results indicated that MDMA-induced cognitive impairment is followed by oxidative stress and activation of apoptotic pathways in the hippocampus. However, atorvastatin and rosuvastatin suppressed these deleterious consequences of MDMA and revealed protective effects against activation of pathways leading to cell damage.
Background: Empathy is the capability to represent the mental and emotional states of other subje... more Background: Empathy is the capability to represent the mental and emotional states of other subjects. Previous studies have demonstrated a possible correlation between morphine addiction and altered empathy response in morphine-addicted subjects. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of chronic morphine exposure as an animal model of morphine addiction on empathic changes in affective and sensory pain. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (3 months old) were used for the current study. Animals were grouped in cages of two (n = 8 for each group) and one animal was selected as the pain observer group. Pain observer animals received either saline or morphine (10 mg/kg, twice daily for 8 days). At ninth day, formalin [50 µg, 5%, subcutaneous (SC)] was injected into the hindpaw of the cagemate and placed inside the cage. Elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field test (OFT) were recruited to evaluate anxiety; hot plate and tail flick tests were used to assay sensory pain. Conditioned place aversion (CPA) was also measured as indicator of affective pain component. Findings: Chronic morphine exposure led to a reduced level of anxiety in EPM and OFT assays. An opioidinduced hyperalgesia was observed in the sensory pain assays, while there was a reduced affective pain in the CPA paradigm in morphine-treated animals. Conclusion: It might be plausible that chronic morphine exposure might alter empathy for pain through affective and not sensory pain pathways.
Background: Empathy is defined as the ability to simulate the mental states of others. Recent stu... more Background: Empathy is defined as the ability to simulate the mental states of others. Recent studies have demonstrated empathy-like behaviors in other animals including rats and mice. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effect of acute administration of morphine and naloxone on cognition and nociception changes following observing conspecifics undergoing nociceptive stimulus. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were used (n = 8 for each group). One cagemate received formalin injection into the hindpaw five times within a nine-day period and the other cagemate observed the pain while being pretreated with saline, morphine, or naloxone [10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)]. Pain behaviors, anxiety-like behaviour, locomotion, balance and muscle strength were evaluated in the observer animals. Findings: Observing a cagemate in pain increased anxiety-like behavior and reduced thermal pain threshold in the observer animals. Administration of morphine reversed these effects and naloxone did not affect the responses. Conclusion: Results of the current study reveal an important role for opioid receptors (ORs) in empathy for pain, so that activation of this system dampens the empathy-like responses.
Purpose: The assessment of the ability of combined treatment of bone marrow stromal cells graft (... more Purpose: The assessment of the ability of combined treatment of bone marrow stromal cells graft (BMSCs) and oral administration of Coenzyme (CoQ10) in rat model of Parkinson disease as a good substitute for common current Parkinson treatments, and the comparison of this combined treatment method with alone application of these treatments Materials and Methods: In this experimental study of male Wistar rats were used. They were divided into six groups: control, sham, lesion, treatment groups with oral administration of CoQ10, treatment with graft BMSC and combined treatment with graft BMSC and oral administration of CoQ10. Oral administration of CoQ10 with 200 mg/kg/daily dose started a week before the model creation procedure and continued throughout the whole treatment period. The laboratory model of Parkinson disease in rats was performed by injecting 2.5 microlitre saline solution 0.9 % containing 8 micrograms 6-hydroxy dopamine (6-OHDA) and 0.2 % ascorbic acid in substantia nigr...
Background Empathy is defined as the ability to simulate the mental states of others. Recent stud... more Background Empathy is defined as the ability to simulate the mental states of others. Recent studies have demonstrated empathy-like behaviors in other animals including rats and mice. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effect of acute administration of morphine and naloxone on cognition and nociception changes following observing conspecifics undergoing nociceptive stimulus. Methods Adult male Wistar rats were used (n = 8 for each group). One cagemate received formalin injection into the hindpaw five times within a nine-day period and the other cagemate observed the pain while being pretreated with saline, morphine, or naloxone [10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)]. Pain behaviors, anxiety-like behaviour, locomotion, balance and muscle strength were evaluated in the observer animals. Findings Observing a cagemate in pain increased anxiety-like behavior and reduced thermal pain threshold in the observer animals. Administration of morphine reversed these effects and n...
Background Empathy is the capability to represent the mental and emotional states of other subjec... more Background Empathy is the capability to represent the mental and emotional states of other subjects. Previous studies have demonstrated a possible correlation between morphine addiction and altered empathy response in morphine-addicted subjects. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of chronic morphine exposure as an animal model of morphine addiction on empathic changes in affective and sensory pain. Methods Adult male Wistar rats (3 months old) were used for the current study. Animals were grouped in cages of two (n = 8 for each group) and one animal was selected as the pain observer group. Pain observer animals received either saline or morphine (10 mg/kg, twice daily for 8 days). At ninth day, formalin [50 µg, 5%, subcutaneous (SC)] was injected into the hindpaw of the cagemate and placed inside the cage. Elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field test (OFT) were recruited to evaluate anxiety; hot plate and tail flick tests were used to assay sensory pain. Conditioned pla...
Purpose: Reovirus type 3 Dearing (ReoT3D), a wild type oncolytic virus (OV) from the Reoviridae f... more Purpose: Reovirus type 3 Dearing (ReoT3D), a wild type oncolytic virus (OV) from the Reoviridae family, kills KRAS mutant cancer cells. However, the use of OVs has faced with some limitations such as immune responses, and delivery of OVs to the tumor sites in systemic therapy. To solve this, and also to increase the anti-cancer effects of these OVs, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) might be used as an effective vehicle for OVs delivery. In this study, we examined the anti-cancer effects of human adipose derived-MSCs (AD-MSCs) as a vehicle of ReoT3D against human glioblastoma cells. Methods: Here, AD-MSCs were characterized and toxicity of ReoT3D on them was determined by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Then, capability of AD-MSCs for virus production was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and different in vitro anti-cancer experiments were applied for our anti-cancer purposes. Results: Our results from toxicity assay revea...
BACKGROUND Previous studies demonstrated the critical role of miRNAs in carcinogenesis. Aberrant ... more BACKGROUND Previous studies demonstrated the critical role of miRNAs in carcinogenesis. Aberrant expression of miR-127-3p and miR-144-3p have been revealed in several types of cancers. METHODS Expression levels of miR-127-3p and miR-144-3p were detected in the plasma of patients with gastric cancer (GC) using fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction to recognize potential non-invasive biomarkers for GC and evaluated the relationship between their expression and clinicopathological parameters of GC. RESULTS The results showed miR-127-3p and miR-144-3p expression levels were significantly decreased in plasma of GC patients (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively) and the expression level of miR-144-3p was associated with tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging. In addition, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated the area of miR-127-3p and miR-144-3p under the ROC curve for GC diagnosis were 0.664 and 0.741, re-spectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The expression levels of miR-127-3p and -144-3p were downregulated in the plasma of GC patients that may participate in the pathological process of GC and act as potential tumor biomarkers.
BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis (MS) is known as one of the chronic inflammatory diseases character... more BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis (MS) is known as one of the chronic inflammatory diseases characterized by lesions in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system(PNS) resulting in serious cognitive or physical disabilities as well as neurological disorders. Thus, protective effects of erythropoietin(EPO) on myelinization of oligodendrocytes and schwann cells respectively in CNS and PNS following MS induced by cuprizone (CPZ) administration in young female mice. METHODOLOGY To meet the objectives of this study; a chow with 0.2% CPZ was used to feed young female C57BL/6 J mice for six weeks. After three weeks, EPO (5,000 IU/kg body weight) was administered via daily intra-peritoneal injection for simultaneous treatment of the mice. Measurement of latency and amplitude of the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) of gastrocnemius muscle was also performed every week during a six-week demyelination interval, and then examinations were fulfilled on the histological sections of the brain and sciatic nerve. Therefore, we focused on the removal of the sciatic and sciatic nerve specimens and analysis of the use of the stereological procedures, western blot, immuno-histochemistry, and gene expression. RESULTS According to the results of this study, MBP levels increased in oligodendrocytes (OLs) in the treated mice. Moreover, EPO could concurrently enhance motor coordination and muscle activity. Analysis showed the significant enhancement of the gene expression of MBP, MAG, and S100, as well as stereological variables in the treatment group in comparison with the cuprizone (CPZ) group. CONCLUSION Findings could help further understand the alleviation of the detrimental impacts of CPZ using the OLs that would be capable of increasing the level of S100, MAG, and MBP.
BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis (MS) is recognized as the most prevalent chronic inflammatory neuro... more BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis (MS) is recognized as the most prevalent chronic inflammatory neurological disorder diagnosed in young adults. Recent evidence suggests that the T244I polymorphism of the IL7Rα gene (rs6897932) May influence MS susceptibility; however, individual studies have provided conflicting and controversial results. Therefore, this meta-analysis was conducted to assess the association between the IL7R T244I polymorphism and the risk of MS. METHOD An extensive search for published literature up to May 2019 was accomplished in the electronic databases, and 28 studies consisting of 16,260 MS patients and 18,335 controls were included. The pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated to investigate the strength of association. RESULTS The results of the present meta-analysis represented significant association between the IL7R T244I polymorphism and MS susceptibility. (recessive model: OR = 1.126, 95% CI 1.026-1.236, P = .012; dominant model: OR = 1.172, 95% CI 1.024-1.341, P = .021; homozygous model: OR = 1.213, 95% CI 1.038-1.417, P = .015; and allelic model: OR = 1.109, 95% CI 1.025-1.200, P = .010, respectively). In the subgroup analysis according to region, our findings showed significant association in Europe. However, no association was found in Middle East. CONCLUSION The current meta-analysis demonstrated that the C allele of IL7R T244I polymorphism might be a risk factor for the MS susceptibility in Europe but not in Middle East.
Abstract Background The striatum is an important brain structure for the learning and memory as w... more Abstract Background The striatum is an important brain structure for the learning and memory as well as motor and cognitive skills. Abnormalities in subcellular localization and synaptic cell surface proteins occur within the striatum in Parkinson’s disease (PD). In this study; we tested the effects of neurosteroid allopregnanolone (Allo) in the restoration of the nigrostriatal pathway output in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats. Methods To simulate PD, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) was injected into the rat’s substantia nigra. Allo (5 and 20 mg/kg, orally) was administered on the day after the 6-OHDA injection and continued every other day for 8 weeks. Motor-skill learning and motor behaviors were assessed by the apomorphine-induced rotation, accelerating rotarod, beam-balance (BB) and beam-walk (BW), and bar tests. The levels of striatal postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) and neurexin 1 as well as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and caspase-3 proteins were determined by immunoblotting. Results The data indicated that Allo significantly improved the 6-OHDA-induced motor impairment which revealed by the increase in the ability to remain on a rotating rod and the increase in balancing and crossing on beam and also with decrease in the degree of catalepsy in bar test. Furthermore, PSD-95 and neurexin 1 levels were significantly decreased, while COX-2 and activated caspase-3 were increased in the striatum of 6-OHDA-treated animals. The mentioned molecular changes were attenuated by Allo treatment. Conclusions The data demonstrated that Allo has protective effect in 6-OHDA-treated rats and inhibits striatal inflammation and apoptosis and preserves pre- and post-synaptic proteins and maybe the synaptic integrity in nigrostriatal pathway.
The dopaminergic system is a powerful candidate targeted for changes of synaptic plasticity in th... more The dopaminergic system is a powerful candidate targeted for changes of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. Higher incidence of Parkinson's disease (PD) in men than women indicates the influence of sex hormones on the PD development. Previous studies have shown that neurodegenerative diseases such as PD are related to the decline of Allopregnanolon (Allo), a metabolite of progesterone; it is also well known that learning and memory are influenced by oscillations in steroidal hormones. Although abnormalities in hippocampal plasticity have been observed in the toxic models of PD, effects of Allo on hippocampal LTP and hippocampal synaptic protein levels, which play an important role in maintaining the integrity of neural connections, have never been analyzed thus far. Experimental groups subjected to the long-term potentiation (LTP) were studied in the CA1 area of the hippocampus. In addition, the levels of hippocampal postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95), neurexin-1 (Nrxn1) and neuroligin (Nlgn) as synaptic molecular components were determined by immunoblotting. Although dopamine denervation did not alter basal synaptic transmission and pair-pulse facilitation of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs), the induction and maintenance of LTP were impaired in the CA1 region. In addition, the levels of PSD-95, Nrxn1 and Nlgn were significantly decreased in the hippocampus of 6-OHDA-treated animals. Such abnormalities in synaptic electrophysiological aspects and protein levels were abolished by the treatment with Allo. These findings showed that partial dopamine depletion led to unusual synaptic plasticity in the CA1 as well as the decrease in synaptic proteins in the hippocampus. Our results demonstrated that Allo ameliorated these deficits and preserved pre- and post-synaptic proteins. Therefore, Allo may be an effective factor in maintaining synaptic integrity in the mesolimbic pathway.
3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or "Ecstasy", which has been used for recreati... more 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or "Ecstasy", which has been used for recreational purposes, is shown to cause learning and memory impairment. Statins, beyond their efficient cholesterol-lowering action through inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-COA) reductase, possess multiple neuroprotective impacts referred to as pleiotropic effects. In this regard, we aimed to investigate the protective effect of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin in MDMA-induced neurotoxicity. Adult male Wistar rats received atorvastatin (5, 10, 20 mg/kg; orally) and rosuvastatin (5, 10, 20 mg/kg; orally) for 21 consecutive days. Then, Morris water maze (MWM) was performed to examine learning and memory functions. Rats were injected with MDMA (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg; I.P) 30 min before training sessions in 4 training days of MWM task. Afterward, rats were sacrificed under general anesthesia and their hippocampuses were dissected to evaluate reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, li...
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or "Ecstasy", which has been used for recreational purpo... more 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or "Ecstasy", which has been used for recreational purposes, is shown to impair memory and brain functions. Statins, beyond their efficient cholesterol-lowering impact through inhibition of HMG-COA reductase enzyme, possess multiple actions referred to as pleiotropic effects. In this regard, we aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin on MDMA-induced neurotoxicity. Adult male Wistar rats received atorvastatin (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg; orally) and rosuvastatin (5, 10, 20 mg/kg; orally) for 21 consecutive days. Then, spatial memory and learning were evaluated by Morris water maze (MWM) test. Rats were intraperitoneally injected with MDMA (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg) 30 min before the first training session in 4 training days of MWM task. Afterward, rats were euthanized and their hippocampuses were dissected to evaluate reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, lipid peroxidation (LPO), and caspase-3 and-9 activities. Our findings showed that MDMA (5 and 10 mg/kg) significantly impaired spatial memory functions and dramatically increased ROS production, LPO, and caspase-3 and-9 activities compared to control. Also, atorvastatin (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) and rosuvastatin (20 mg/kg) significantly improved memory performances and inhibited the elevation of ROS, LPO, and caspase-3 and-9 activities induced by MDMA. In conclusion, the results indicated that MDMA-induced cognitive impairment is followed by oxidative stress and activation of apoptotic pathways in the hippocampus. However, atorvastatin and rosuvastatin suppressed these deleterious consequences of MDMA and revealed protective effects against activation of pathways leading to cell damage.
Background: Empathy is the capability to represent the mental and emotional states of other subje... more Background: Empathy is the capability to represent the mental and emotional states of other subjects. Previous studies have demonstrated a possible correlation between morphine addiction and altered empathy response in morphine-addicted subjects. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of chronic morphine exposure as an animal model of morphine addiction on empathic changes in affective and sensory pain. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (3 months old) were used for the current study. Animals were grouped in cages of two (n = 8 for each group) and one animal was selected as the pain observer group. Pain observer animals received either saline or morphine (10 mg/kg, twice daily for 8 days). At ninth day, formalin [50 µg, 5%, subcutaneous (SC)] was injected into the hindpaw of the cagemate and placed inside the cage. Elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field test (OFT) were recruited to evaluate anxiety; hot plate and tail flick tests were used to assay sensory pain. Conditioned place aversion (CPA) was also measured as indicator of affective pain component. Findings: Chronic morphine exposure led to a reduced level of anxiety in EPM and OFT assays. An opioidinduced hyperalgesia was observed in the sensory pain assays, while there was a reduced affective pain in the CPA paradigm in morphine-treated animals. Conclusion: It might be plausible that chronic morphine exposure might alter empathy for pain through affective and not sensory pain pathways.
Background: Empathy is defined as the ability to simulate the mental states of others. Recent stu... more Background: Empathy is defined as the ability to simulate the mental states of others. Recent studies have demonstrated empathy-like behaviors in other animals including rats and mice. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effect of acute administration of morphine and naloxone on cognition and nociception changes following observing conspecifics undergoing nociceptive stimulus. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were used (n = 8 for each group). One cagemate received formalin injection into the hindpaw five times within a nine-day period and the other cagemate observed the pain while being pretreated with saline, morphine, or naloxone [10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)]. Pain behaviors, anxiety-like behaviour, locomotion, balance and muscle strength were evaluated in the observer animals. Findings: Observing a cagemate in pain increased anxiety-like behavior and reduced thermal pain threshold in the observer animals. Administration of morphine reversed these effects and naloxone did not affect the responses. Conclusion: Results of the current study reveal an important role for opioid receptors (ORs) in empathy for pain, so that activation of this system dampens the empathy-like responses.
Purpose: The assessment of the ability of combined treatment of bone marrow stromal cells graft (... more Purpose: The assessment of the ability of combined treatment of bone marrow stromal cells graft (BMSCs) and oral administration of Coenzyme (CoQ10) in rat model of Parkinson disease as a good substitute for common current Parkinson treatments, and the comparison of this combined treatment method with alone application of these treatments Materials and Methods: In this experimental study of male Wistar rats were used. They were divided into six groups: control, sham, lesion, treatment groups with oral administration of CoQ10, treatment with graft BMSC and combined treatment with graft BMSC and oral administration of CoQ10. Oral administration of CoQ10 with 200 mg/kg/daily dose started a week before the model creation procedure and continued throughout the whole treatment period. The laboratory model of Parkinson disease in rats was performed by injecting 2.5 microlitre saline solution 0.9 % containing 8 micrograms 6-hydroxy dopamine (6-OHDA) and 0.2 % ascorbic acid in substantia nigr...
Background Empathy is defined as the ability to simulate the mental states of others. Recent stud... more Background Empathy is defined as the ability to simulate the mental states of others. Recent studies have demonstrated empathy-like behaviors in other animals including rats and mice. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effect of acute administration of morphine and naloxone on cognition and nociception changes following observing conspecifics undergoing nociceptive stimulus. Methods Adult male Wistar rats were used (n = 8 for each group). One cagemate received formalin injection into the hindpaw five times within a nine-day period and the other cagemate observed the pain while being pretreated with saline, morphine, or naloxone [10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)]. Pain behaviors, anxiety-like behaviour, locomotion, balance and muscle strength were evaluated in the observer animals. Findings Observing a cagemate in pain increased anxiety-like behavior and reduced thermal pain threshold in the observer animals. Administration of morphine reversed these effects and n...
Background Empathy is the capability to represent the mental and emotional states of other subjec... more Background Empathy is the capability to represent the mental and emotional states of other subjects. Previous studies have demonstrated a possible correlation between morphine addiction and altered empathy response in morphine-addicted subjects. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of chronic morphine exposure as an animal model of morphine addiction on empathic changes in affective and sensory pain. Methods Adult male Wistar rats (3 months old) were used for the current study. Animals were grouped in cages of two (n = 8 for each group) and one animal was selected as the pain observer group. Pain observer animals received either saline or morphine (10 mg/kg, twice daily for 8 days). At ninth day, formalin [50 µg, 5%, subcutaneous (SC)] was injected into the hindpaw of the cagemate and placed inside the cage. Elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field test (OFT) were recruited to evaluate anxiety; hot plate and tail flick tests were used to assay sensory pain. Conditioned pla...
Purpose: Reovirus type 3 Dearing (ReoT3D), a wild type oncolytic virus (OV) from the Reoviridae f... more Purpose: Reovirus type 3 Dearing (ReoT3D), a wild type oncolytic virus (OV) from the Reoviridae family, kills KRAS mutant cancer cells. However, the use of OVs has faced with some limitations such as immune responses, and delivery of OVs to the tumor sites in systemic therapy. To solve this, and also to increase the anti-cancer effects of these OVs, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) might be used as an effective vehicle for OVs delivery. In this study, we examined the anti-cancer effects of human adipose derived-MSCs (AD-MSCs) as a vehicle of ReoT3D against human glioblastoma cells. Methods: Here, AD-MSCs were characterized and toxicity of ReoT3D on them was determined by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Then, capability of AD-MSCs for virus production was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and different in vitro anti-cancer experiments were applied for our anti-cancer purposes. Results: Our results from toxicity assay revea...
BACKGROUND Previous studies demonstrated the critical role of miRNAs in carcinogenesis. Aberrant ... more BACKGROUND Previous studies demonstrated the critical role of miRNAs in carcinogenesis. Aberrant expression of miR-127-3p and miR-144-3p have been revealed in several types of cancers. METHODS Expression levels of miR-127-3p and miR-144-3p were detected in the plasma of patients with gastric cancer (GC) using fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction to recognize potential non-invasive biomarkers for GC and evaluated the relationship between their expression and clinicopathological parameters of GC. RESULTS The results showed miR-127-3p and miR-144-3p expression levels were significantly decreased in plasma of GC patients (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively) and the expression level of miR-144-3p was associated with tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging. In addition, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated the area of miR-127-3p and miR-144-3p under the ROC curve for GC diagnosis were 0.664 and 0.741, re-spectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The expression levels of miR-127-3p and -144-3p were downregulated in the plasma of GC patients that may participate in the pathological process of GC and act as potential tumor biomarkers.
BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis (MS) is known as one of the chronic inflammatory diseases character... more BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis (MS) is known as one of the chronic inflammatory diseases characterized by lesions in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system(PNS) resulting in serious cognitive or physical disabilities as well as neurological disorders. Thus, protective effects of erythropoietin(EPO) on myelinization of oligodendrocytes and schwann cells respectively in CNS and PNS following MS induced by cuprizone (CPZ) administration in young female mice. METHODOLOGY To meet the objectives of this study; a chow with 0.2% CPZ was used to feed young female C57BL/6 J mice for six weeks. After three weeks, EPO (5,000 IU/kg body weight) was administered via daily intra-peritoneal injection for simultaneous treatment of the mice. Measurement of latency and amplitude of the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) of gastrocnemius muscle was also performed every week during a six-week demyelination interval, and then examinations were fulfilled on the histological sections of the brain and sciatic nerve. Therefore, we focused on the removal of the sciatic and sciatic nerve specimens and analysis of the use of the stereological procedures, western blot, immuno-histochemistry, and gene expression. RESULTS According to the results of this study, MBP levels increased in oligodendrocytes (OLs) in the treated mice. Moreover, EPO could concurrently enhance motor coordination and muscle activity. Analysis showed the significant enhancement of the gene expression of MBP, MAG, and S100, as well as stereological variables in the treatment group in comparison with the cuprizone (CPZ) group. CONCLUSION Findings could help further understand the alleviation of the detrimental impacts of CPZ using the OLs that would be capable of increasing the level of S100, MAG, and MBP.
BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis (MS) is recognized as the most prevalent chronic inflammatory neuro... more BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis (MS) is recognized as the most prevalent chronic inflammatory neurological disorder diagnosed in young adults. Recent evidence suggests that the T244I polymorphism of the IL7Rα gene (rs6897932) May influence MS susceptibility; however, individual studies have provided conflicting and controversial results. Therefore, this meta-analysis was conducted to assess the association between the IL7R T244I polymorphism and the risk of MS. METHOD An extensive search for published literature up to May 2019 was accomplished in the electronic databases, and 28 studies consisting of 16,260 MS patients and 18,335 controls were included. The pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated to investigate the strength of association. RESULTS The results of the present meta-analysis represented significant association between the IL7R T244I polymorphism and MS susceptibility. (recessive model: OR = 1.126, 95% CI 1.026-1.236, P = .012; dominant model: OR = 1.172, 95% CI 1.024-1.341, P = .021; homozygous model: OR = 1.213, 95% CI 1.038-1.417, P = .015; and allelic model: OR = 1.109, 95% CI 1.025-1.200, P = .010, respectively). In the subgroup analysis according to region, our findings showed significant association in Europe. However, no association was found in Middle East. CONCLUSION The current meta-analysis demonstrated that the C allele of IL7R T244I polymorphism might be a risk factor for the MS susceptibility in Europe but not in Middle East.
Abstract Background The striatum is an important brain structure for the learning and memory as w... more Abstract Background The striatum is an important brain structure for the learning and memory as well as motor and cognitive skills. Abnormalities in subcellular localization and synaptic cell surface proteins occur within the striatum in Parkinson’s disease (PD). In this study; we tested the effects of neurosteroid allopregnanolone (Allo) in the restoration of the nigrostriatal pathway output in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats. Methods To simulate PD, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) was injected into the rat’s substantia nigra. Allo (5 and 20 mg/kg, orally) was administered on the day after the 6-OHDA injection and continued every other day for 8 weeks. Motor-skill learning and motor behaviors were assessed by the apomorphine-induced rotation, accelerating rotarod, beam-balance (BB) and beam-walk (BW), and bar tests. The levels of striatal postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) and neurexin 1 as well as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and caspase-3 proteins were determined by immunoblotting. Results The data indicated that Allo significantly improved the 6-OHDA-induced motor impairment which revealed by the increase in the ability to remain on a rotating rod and the increase in balancing and crossing on beam and also with decrease in the degree of catalepsy in bar test. Furthermore, PSD-95 and neurexin 1 levels were significantly decreased, while COX-2 and activated caspase-3 were increased in the striatum of 6-OHDA-treated animals. The mentioned molecular changes were attenuated by Allo treatment. Conclusions The data demonstrated that Allo has protective effect in 6-OHDA-treated rats and inhibits striatal inflammation and apoptosis and preserves pre- and post-synaptic proteins and maybe the synaptic integrity in nigrostriatal pathway.
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Papers by akram nezhadi