anahita rezaie

Organ ischemia-reperfusion (IR) is a common clinical condition associated with various situations such as trauma surgery, organ transplantation, and myocardial ischemia. Current therapeutic methods for IR injury have limitations, and nanotechnology, particularly zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), offers new approaches for disease diagnosis and treatment. In this study, we investigated the protective and anti-apoptotic effects of ZnO NPs in liver ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in rats.

Forty-eight male rats were divided into six groups: sham, ZnO5, ZnO10, ischemia-reperfusion (IR), IR+ZnO5, and IR+ZnO10. The protective effect of ZnO NPs was evaluated by liver enzymes (AST, ALT, Bilirubin, ALP), biochemical (TAC, TNF-α, and MDA), molecular examinations (Bcl2, BAX), and histopathological evaluations (H&E, TUNEL).

Pre-treatment with ZnO5 and ZnO10 improved hepatic function in IR liver injury, attenuated the levels of oxidants (P = 0.03) and inflammatory mediators, and reduced apoptosis (P = 0). ZnO10 was found to have a greater effect on ischemic reperfusion injury than ZnO5 did. Histopathological examination also showed a dose-dependent decrease in alterations in the IR+ZnO5 and IR+ZnO10 groups.

Administration of ZnO5 and ZnO10 improved liver function after IR. The findings of this study suggest that ZnO NPs have a protective effect against oxidative stress and apoptosis in liver ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. These results may have important implications for developing advanced methods in ischemia-reperfusion treatment.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of replacing fish meal with plant protein sources on growth performance, digestive enzymes activity and also introducing a diet suitable for cultured Asian sea bass species in terms of biological efficiency. A total of 600 juveniles with an average weight of 54±2.5 gr were distributed in 15 tanks (500 liters) with a density of 40 pieces in each tank and were fed with prepared diets for 60 days. The composition of plant proteins (soybean meal, wheat gluten and corn gluten) was used at two levels of 35 and 70% to replace fish meal and the growth performance and activity of digestive enzymes were examined.The results showed that T1 (fish meal) and T2 (35% replacement) had the best performance in specific growth factor, weight gain percentage, relative growth rate, weight gain. Also, replacement of 70% fish meal with plant protein sources led to a significant reduction in specific growth rate, daily weight gain and relative growth rate compared to T1 (P<0.05).The results of gastrointestinal enzymes activity showed that the T4 (commercial 1) in alkaline phosphatase, lipase, α-amylase and the T2 in trypsin activity had a significant difference compared to other treatments (P<0.05). It can be inferred that Asian sea bass can easily have good growth performance by replacing 35% fish meal with plant protein sources.

Newcastle disease (ND) is one of the most contagious and fatal viral diseases which infects many bird species, including the Japanese quail. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of experimental infection with virulent Newcastle disease virus (NDV) on immune response against the virus as well as on the relative weight of bursa of Fabricius in vaccinated and unvaccinated Japanese quails. A total of 160 one-day-old quails were allocated to 4 groups, including a vaccinated and challenged group (1), an unvaccinated and challenged group (2), a vaccinated and unchallenged group (3), and an unvaccinated and unchallenged group (4). The birds were raised under the similar conditions. Vaccination was done on the 20th day with live vaccine B1 strain (Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, I.R.Iran) via eye drop and the challenge by Newcastle disease virus (NDa: KP347437) was induced via eye drop on the 34th day. Blood samples were collected for serological assessments (HI) and the bursa of Fabricius was weighed after autopsy at different time periods. The first postvaccination serological change was observed in group 3 twenty-one days after vaccination while the first post-challenge serological change was detected in groups 1 and 2 one week after the challenge induction. The same three groups also showed significant increments in the serum NDV-specific antibody titer in the subsequent weekly samplings. The antibody titer in group 4 was zero throughout the experiment. Regarding the relative weight of bursa, the only statistically noticeable change was observed within group 2 where the samples taken on the 5th day were significantly heavier than those collected on the 9th and 14th days. The results of this study showed that a single vaccination of quails with B1 strain, in the absence of maternal antibody, could provide a good protection against virulent NDV. With due attention to the Newcastle disease status in Iran, at least once vaccination is recommended during the rearing period of quails.

Quercetin antioxidant properties could play an important role in various fields of health. However, its use has been limited because of several disadvantages such as very low solubility in water and high instability in the presence of air, light and heat. Encapsulation of quercetin in nanostructure systems such as liposome may lead to decrease the adverse effects and protect this molecule against degradation. The aim of this study was preparation and in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation of liposomes for topical delivery of quercetin to improve the pressure ulcers. Liposomal formulations were prepared by fusion method and characterized. The amount of drug retained in and penetrated through mouse skin after 8 hours were determined. Also microscopic and macroscopic examination of laboratory animals was performed.  Encapsulation efficacy of liposomes was in range 64.66-77.83%. Formulation F4 showed maximum drug release in 8 hours and the remaining drug in the skin layers was more than 46%. Histological investigation suggested that F4 and phenytoin 1% cream have the healing effect on the pressure ulcer during 28 day-treatment. Quercetin liposomes due to its natural structure and minimal systemic absorption and side effects can be a suitable candidate for the treatment of pressure ulcers.

 Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive fatal disease affecting the lung, and currently there is no efficient therapy for this condition. Curcumin, as a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent, could repress the pulmonary fibrosis (PF) caused by Bleomycin (BLM).

 The aim of the research was to evaluate the protective activity of a nano-formulation of curcumin administered by inhalation on BLM-induced PF in rats.

 Eighty rats were randomly divided into eight experimental groups. Group one (control) that received saline intratracheally (IT) and subjected to vehicle inhalation. Group two to eight each received a single dose of BLM (5 IU/kg, IT) along with vehicle inhalation, oral prednisolone, oral curcumin, curcumin inhalation, and nano-curcumin inhalation with the doses of 50, 100, and 200 µg/kg, respectively. In the control and other groups, BLM was injected intratracheally on the first day of the experiment. In the treatment groups, curcumin suspension was prepared in distilled water and applied through nebulization for 21 consecutive days after BLM intratracheal administration. Then the rats were euthanized, and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, TGF-β, PDGF), hydroxyproline, and IL-10 (as a protective cytokine) were measured. Also, lung histopathological features were examined.

 The synthesized nano-formulation reduced the overall hydroxyproline content of lungs in BLM-treated rats (P < 0.002). In addition, TNF-α, TGF-β, and PDGF levels significantly increased in the lungs of BLM-instilled rats (P < 0.001). However, the nano-formulation of curcumin (200 µg/kg) significantly decreased the levels of these inflammatory cytokines (P < 0.001) and increased IL-10 level (P = 0.0144) compared with the control group.

 The nebulization of nano-curcumin is suggested as a novel approach for the treatment of PF induced by BLM in rats. Our findings revealed that the inhalation (as a safe local drug delivery system approach) of the nano-curcumin at a dose of 200 µg/kg (formulated by cyclodextrin) could effectively protect the lung against PF.

This study has investigated the effects of acute and chronic administration of MgO nanoparticles (NP), on the memory, serum magnesium ions level, total antioxidant capacity and histopathological changes of the rat hippocampus in the Alzheimer-like model induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Adult male Wistar rats divided into: control, sham (STZ+ saline) and MgO NP 1 and 5 mg/kg groups. To induce Alzheimer’s disease, all rats except control group, received STZ (3 mg/kg/ 5 µl of saline) into the lateral ventricles during anesthesia. One week after surgery, passive avoidance learning was started by shuttle box device and saline or MgO NP acutely and chronically was administered after training. Memory tests were done at 90 minutes and 24 hours after training and one week after chronic administration. Immediately after the memory test, serum magnesium levels and total antioxidant capacity were measured, also the brain hippocampus tissue was removed for histopathological evaluation. STZ significantly impairs memory up to a week after the training. Acute and chronic administration of MgO NP significantly improved short and long-term memory in the Alzheimer’s rats. Serum magnesium level decreased in the Alzheimer’s rats and MgO NP increased it in a dose-dependent manner. MgO NP 1 mg/kg significantly increased serum total antioxidant capacity. MgO NP improved STZ-induced cell lesions in different parts of the hippocampus. It seems that MgO NP have the potential to improve brain lesions that have led to loss of memory and can be considered as an important component candidate for Alzheimer’s disease.

Scorpion stings are responsible for many deaths in humans; however, the toxicity mechanisms of the venoms from many species are not well studied. We investigated the cardiotoxicity of the crude venom from H. lepturus scorpion and its isolated fractions, F-I to F-VI. 

The scorpion’s venom was extracted into six fractions by chromotagraphy. Healthy male Wistar rats (N=72) were equally divided into eight groups of nine: G1: Controls (0.5ml. normal saline), G2: Crude venom (1000µg/kg), G3: F-I (120µg/kg), G4: F-II (430µg/kg), G5: F-III (80 µg/kg), G6: F-IV (180µg/kg), G7: F-V (60µg/kg), and G8: F-VI (130µg/kg). Blood samples were obtained by cardiac puncture at 1, 3 and 24 hours after the venom injection. The serum levels of AST, LDH, CPK, CK-MB and troponin-I were determined. Upon euthanasia, the hearts were removed from the rats and examined microscopically for histopathology. 

In groups receiving crude venom and F-VI, we observed multifocal fragmentation of myocardial fibers, hemorrhage, degeneration and disappearance of striations in cardiac muscles as compared to the controls. The findings showed that AST and LDH activity in groups 2, 4 and 8, CPK activity in groups 2, 4, 6 and 8 and CK-MB activity and troponin-I levels in groups 2 and 8 increased significantly compared to those in the control group. 

There was evidence of significant cardiotoxicity in the group receiving crude venom and F-VI. Although alterations in the enzymatic and troponin-I levels were observed in other groups, the greatest cardiotoxicity of H. lepturus venom was caused by fraction VI.

A total of 66 albino Wistar rats were subjected to the following treatments in 11 groups: Group 1 (negative control); Group 2 and 3: received Cadmium Chloride (CdCl2) 400 µg/rat intratracheally (IT) and sampled after 5 and 10 days, respectively; Group 4 and 5: received bromelain 20 mg/kg orally (PO) from 14 days before until 5 and 10 days after CdCl2 instillation, respectively; Group 6 and 7: received bromelain 40 mg/kg from 14 days before until 5 and 10 days after CdCl2 instillation, respectively; Group 8: received bromelain 40 mg/kg for 24 days; Group 9 and 10: received Celecoxib 25 mg/kg PO from one day before until 5 and 10 days after CdCl2 instillation, respectively; Group 11: received Celecoxib for 11 days. Serum protein analysis revealed that intratracheal Cadmium administration resulted in an insignificant rise in all globulin fractions on day 5 and 10 post-injection. Low dose bromelain treatment for 24 days in CdCl2 exposed rats showed a significant decrease in serum total protein and all globulin fractions. However, CdCl2 plus high dose bromelain treatment for 24 days, significantly increased all the mentioned analytes. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid γ-globulin concentration was decreased in all cadmium and/or bromelain treated groups. However, these changes were not significant compared to the control group. Serum LDH activity was significantly increased 5 days after cadmium intoxication while bromelain or celecoxib coadministration resulted in an insignificant decrease in enzyme activity level. In the histopathologic examination, severe interstitial pneumonia and fibrinous bronchopneumonia were observed in cadmium exposed rats and low dose bromelain administration for 24 days resulted in the reduction of these complications in lung tissue. In brief, bromelain administration can be considered as a supportive or alternative treatment to alleviate CdCl2 induced systemic and bronchoalveolar inflammatory changes, especially when administered in the lower dose.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal and incurable lung disease. Morin, a natural product with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, could reduce lung inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and liver fibrosis in previous studies.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifibrotic activity of morin in the pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin in mice.

Pulmonary fibrosis was induced by the intratracheal instillation of bleomycin (3 mg/kg) in C57Bl/6J mice. Morin (10, 20, and 40mg/kg, p.o.) was given to mice from day 0 to 21 after bleomycin administration. The mice were sacrificed on day 21 to measure the total number of cells, the percentage of leukocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), lung hydroxyproline content, lung index, and oxidative stress markers. Histopathological changes were evaluated by the microscopic examination of sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson’s trichrome.

Our data showed that treatment withmorin significantly attenuated the infiltration of inflammatory cells, hydroxyproline content, lung index, and oxidative stress that were elevated in fibrotic lungs. In addition, morin could reduce the pathological changes induced by bleomycin.

Based on the study, morin, probably by its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, can attenuate pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin in mice.

Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly contagious infection of many avian species, causing enormous losses in poultry production worldwide. Th e objective of this study was to reveal the clinical feature, virus shedding, and immune response following infection with a velogenic chicken isolate of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in susceptible and vaccinated pheasants. Eighty day-old pheasant chicks were allotted to four groups. At 30 days of age, the birds in groups 1 and 3 were vaccinated with B1 strain via eye drop. Two weeks later, each bird in groups 1 and 2 was inoculated with 100 μL (50 μL/eye) of NDV-infected allantoic fl uid containing 105 EID50 of viral inoculum. All groups were inspected daily for three weeks. Swab samples were taken at diff erent time points, and verifi ed for NDV infection by using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Serological examination was also made by haemagglutination-inhibition assay. Clinically, watery mucoid feces was observed only in one case among the vaccinated challenged birds, whereas the unvaccinated challenged birds showed anorexia, mild depression and head deviation. Out of 20 birds in group 2, one case (5%) died. Based on RT-PCR, virus shedding was only observed among the unvaccinated birds from 5 to 14 days aft er challenge. Th e NDV was detected more in tracheal swabs (40%) than in cloacal swabs (30%). Th e infected birds showed a high seroconversion. In conclusion, the velogenic NDV circulating in Iranian chicken fl ocks has a low pathogenicity for pheasants, and ocular vaccination with B1 strain could provide a good protection.

Betanin is the principal pigment and active phytochemical constituent of beetroot. The protective roles of betanin are documented in the heart, kidney, liver, and lung, but its potential gastroprotective effect is not assessed thus far. A number of studies demonstrated that betanin could inhibit lipid peroxidation. The current study aimed at investigating the gastroprotective effect of betanin in gastric ulcer induced by ethanol. In the present study, a group of animals were treated with betanin (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, orally) and the other group received ranitidine as a reference antiulcer agent. One hour later, the gastric mucosal ulceration was induced by oral administration of absolute ethanol and the rats were sacrificed one hour. The gastric ulcers were assessed by macroscopic and histopathological examinations. Also, gastric malondialdehyde (MDA) level and nitric oxide (NO) content were measured. Oral administration of betanin 100 and 200 mg/kg of body weight prior to receiving ethanol significantly attenuated the number and length of gastric ulcers as compared to the ethanol group. Moreover, pretreatment with betanin could significantly decrease stomach MDA level and maintain stomach NO content similar to that of the control group. Histopathological examinations indicated that ethanol-induced gastric ulcer was attenuated by betanin and no significant difference was observed between the betanin (200 mg/kg) and ranitidine groups. The findings indicated that betanin has gastroprotective effects on gastric ulcers, which could be related to attenuated lipid peroxidation and reestablished gastric NO content.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disorder that results in severe respiratory failure and death. The main characteristic of IPF is excess oxidative stress, fibroblast activation, increased collagen deposition, and multiple fibrotic lesions. Zingerone exhibits potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic activities. The aim of the study was to evaluate the protective effect of zingerone on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and underlying mechanisms in rats. PF was induced by bleomycin (5 mg/kg, intratracheally) in male Sprague-Dawley rats and then, zingerone (10 - 40 mg/kg, orally) was administrated for 21 days’ post-bleomycin-instillation. After euthanizing the rats, the biochemical and histopathological markers of lung tissue were determined. The findings showed that bleomycin significantly increased inflammatory and fibrotic responses, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), the influx of inflammatory cells into the bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF), and hydroxyproline content of the lung (P < 0.01). In addition, the level of glutathione (GSH), the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) decreased in the lung of bleomycin-instilled rats (P < 0.01). However, zingerone (20 and 40 mg/kg) significantly decreased histopathological injuries in H&E (Hematoxylin and eosin) and Masson’s trichrome-stained sections, hydroxyproline content and infiltration of leukocytes into BALF and oxidative markers, in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01). In addition, zingerone (40 mg/kg) significantly reduced the level of MDA in bleomycin-instilled rats (P < 0.01). These findings suggest that zingerone has protective effects against bleomycin-induced PF, which may be due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.

Alzheimer's disease is the formaton of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques and tau tangles in the brain. As Aβ is an important factor in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, the present research aims to consider the effects of six weeks of high intensity interval training on Aβ1-42 levels in the hippocampus tissue of male rat models of Alzheimer’s disease. Thirty-five rats (3 months old, 222.83 ± 19.60 g) were divided into five groups: Two experimental, two control and sham. Alzheimer's disease, induced by streptozotocin was infused into the rats i.c.v (a 3 m.g/kg dose). Their memory was evaluated by passive avoidance learning method using a shuttle box. The amount of peptide Aβ1-42 was measured by the ELISA method. Comprisions between groups were performed by One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey test. A value of P < 0.05 was considered to be significant. The Aβ1-42 levels in the hippocampus of Alzheimer's control group was significantly higher than Alzheimer's HIIT group (P = 0.036) and it was lower in the health HIIT group than it was in the health control group (P = 0.001). It declare that HIIT training lessen the level of Aβ1-42 in the hippocampus and can be benefit for AD rat model. As a result, the advantages of HIIT training can be used in protection and treatment of AD.

Avian adenoviruses (AAV) are known as a very diverse group of pathogens causing a variety of clinical symptoms or being totally asymptomatic in poultry flocks. The aim of this study was the molecular detection of avian adenoviruses in broiler flocks suspected of the IBH and respiratory syndrome in the southwest of Iran. For this intent, the liver and lung samples with macroscopic lesions were collected from 30 different poultry flocks (poultry of slaughterhouse and flock mortalities). Subsequently, DNA was extracted from samples and examined using PCR. The L1 (Loop1) region of the hexon gene was amplified. PCR products were sequenced to reveal the identity of the avian adenoviruses. The data resulted from the nucleo tide sequencing were analyzed using programs and services provided by National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). The results showed that the pools of liver samples from a 25 days old flock were positive in the PCR test. Based on the sequence data, adenoviruses belonged to the D genotype of avian adenoviruses. In phylogenetic analysis, FADV isolates were closely related to the FADV-11 isolates of Iran, China, Canada and Australia with nucleotide homology up to 99%. This is the first study on molecular detection and analyzing the nucleotide sequence of hexon gene fragment of FADV in broiler farms in Southwest Iran.

Among the most important factors in wound healing pathways are transforming growth factor beta1 and vascular endothelial growth factor. Fibroblasts are the main cell in all phases wound closure. In this study, the extracts of plant materials such as Adiantum capillus‑veneris, Commiphora molmol, Aloe vera, and henna and one mixture of them were used to treatment of normal mouse skin fibroblasts.
Cytotoxic effects of each extract and their mixture were assessed on mouse skin fibroblasts cells using 3‑(4,5‑dimethylthiazol‑2‑yl)‑2,5‑diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. We performed migration assays to assess migration properties of mouse skin fibroblasts cells in response to the extracts. Changes in the gene expression of the Tgfβ1and Vegf‑A genes were monitored by real‑time polymerase chain reaction.
A. capillus‑veneris, C. molmol and henna extract improved the expression of Tgfβ1 gene. All used extracts upregulated the expression of Vegf‑A gene and promoted the migration of mouse fibroblast cells in vitro.
The present study demonstrated that the mentioned herbal extracts might be effective in wound healing, through the improvement in the migration of fibroblast cells and regulating the gene expression of Tgfβ1and Vegf‑A genes in fibroblast cells treated with extracts.

Cette étude avait pour but d’évaluer les effets cliniques, histopathologiques et hématologiques du venin de Mesobuthus eupeus sur les organes du poulet.Cinq doses de venin de M. eupeus (0,5, 2, 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) ont été injectées par voie sous-cutanée aux poulets (chaque dose injectée à un groupe de 4 poulets). Les symptômes ont été enregistrés au cours de chaque expérience et des prélèvements sanguins ont été soumis à des analyses hématologiques. De plus, une nécropsie complète a été menée. Après examen macroscopique, des prélèvements du foie, des reins, du cœur, des poumons, des intestins et cerveau ont été effectués trois jours après l’administration du venin. La dose létale de venin par injection intraveineuse a été déterminée à 15 mg/kg. Les premiers symptômes cliniques, pathologiques et hématologiques d’envenimation au M. eupeus ont été respectivement observés à des doses de venins de 2, 5 et 0,5 mg/kg. Les examens histopathologiques ont révélés une réduction des lymphocytes juste après l’envenimation avec un retour aux taux pré-expérimentaux dans presque tous les cas analysés. D’une autre part, une augmentation dans la numération d’hétérophile a été observée alors que les taux d’érythrocytes et d’hématocrites restaient stables aux différents intervalles analysés. L’examen pathologique indiquait de sévères hémorragies pulmonaires, des œdèmes pulmonaires et cérébraux, une nécrose tubulaire des reins, des hémorragies rénales et cardiaques, des thromboses hyalines et une congestion du foie. Selon nos résultats, les volailles montrent une résistance aux effets toxiques du venin de M. eupeus.

Pulmonary fibrosis is an idiopathic and chronic inflammatory interstitial lung disease, with a negligible response to available medical therapies and potentially fatal prognosis. Statins (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A [HMG CoA] reductase inhibitors) have broad pleiotropic properties and are used to treat multiple diseases..
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different doses of atorvastatin (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) on bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats..
Thirty female 8-wk-old Sprague Dawley rats, weighing 200 ± 20 g, were randomly divided into five experimental groups. Group 1 (control) received saline intratracheally (IT), group 2 received a single dose of BLM (7.5 UI/kg/mL, IT) on day 7 and no treatment, and groups 3 - 5 received atorvastatin orally at doses of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg, respectively, one week before and again three weeks after BLM administration. The rats were sacrificed 21 days after the administration of BLM. Blood and lungs were collected for plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), lung hydroxyproline, and histopathological examination..
The results showed that lung hydroxyproline and plasma MDA levels were significantly reduced in the atorvastatin-treated groups, especially the 40 mg/kg group, compared to the BLM untreated group (P Atorvastatin may play a protective role in pulmonary fibrosis, with its effects mediated via the station’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Atorvastatin may be a potential agent for the treatment of lung injury and fibrosis..

The process of wound healing is impaired in diabetes. Many efforts have been made to accelerate the wound healing process. Long time healing effect of a herbal complex containing Aloe vera, Myrrh, dragon’s blood and henna has been observed in wound healing, But sufficient scientific evidence of how the mechanism of action of this compound is absent in diabetic wounds Whereas the effect of each of them separately in several studies on ulcers observed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of topical herbal (briefly called Herbalin) on wound healing in diabetic rats. The diabetic rats were divided into two groups: control (treated with Vaseline as a vehicle) and experimental (treatment with herbalin) were included. In each class, all wound round with a diameter of2cmwas made on the dorsal surface of diabetic rats. Wound measurement and histopathological parameters such as the formation of re-epithelization, granulation tissue formation and the average thickness of the epithelium at intervals of7, 14and21dayswere evaluated. Strain epithelium on day 14andthe wound length atday21was evaluated in the terminal phase. In macroscopic study, the Herbalin treated wounds were found to healing much faster and the day 14 has considerable change compared with control group (P<0.05). In microscopic study, in all cases of the Herbalin treatment groups showed a significantly increased as compared with controls (P<0.05). According to the results, the herbal complex, possibly by accelerating the formation of granulation tissue and epithelium and thickening of the epithelium has an important role in wound healing in diabetic and reduces the time required for healing.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a potentially lethal inflammatory disease and there has been no effective medication for this progressive disease up to now. As a model, different therapeutic approaches have been applied for paraquat-induced pulmonary injury and fibrosis. Atorvastatin besides cholesterol-lowering effects possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. The current study was designed to investigate the preventive anti-fibrotic effects of atorvastatin on paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats. The rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups. Group I, control group (saline), group II received a single oral dose of 20 mg/kg paraquat with no treatment and III, IV and V groups received atorvastatin at the doses of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg/day orally one week before and three weeks after paraquat administration, respectively. The rats were sacrificed 21 days after paraquat. Lung hydroxyproline and serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined and lung indices and semi-quantitative histopathological changes were evaluated. Paraquat could significantly increase the serum MDA and lung hydroxyproline levels. Elevated content of tissue hydroxyproline and serum levels of malondialdehyde induced by paraquat, attenuated by atorvastatin at the doses of 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg. Furthermore, histopathological findings and the amount of lung indices showed the beneficial preventive role of atorvastatin in rat pulmonary fibrosis induced by paraquat. In conclusion, the present data show that atorvastatin alleviate the toxic effects of paraquat under the experimental circumstances and may be a useful agent in cases who are in contact or poisoned with paraquat.

Impaired wound healing in diabetic patients is a major clinical problem, which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Estrogen has positive effects on neoangiogenesis, reepithelialization and cell proliferation. In this research, effect of estrogen on wound healing in diabetic male rats was investigated. This study was performed on male Wistar rats (body weight 200±20 g), which were divided into 2 groups of normal and diabetic rats. Each group was divided into 3 subgroups of control, sham and test. A circular full-thickness wound with a diameter of 1.5 cm was created on the back of streptozotocin(stz)-induced diabetic as well as nondiabetic rats. Estradiol benzoate (10 μg/sc) was daily administered to test subgroups for 28 days, while the sham subgroups received injections of placebo. The control subgroup did not receive anything. Size measurement and pathological evaluation of the wound was performed on days 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, 28. In the macroscopic study, there was a delay in the wound healing of diabetic group in comparison with normal group. From day 7, wound healing had considerable change in estradiol subgroups in both normal and diabetic rats (p<0.05). In the microscopic study, coating tissue reorganization, granulation tissue and neoangiogenesis formation were surveyed as semi-quantitative parameters. In all cases, estradiol receiving subgroups showed impressive improvement compared to the sham subgroup. This research finds that estrogen can improve the impaired wound healing of diabetic rats and this effect is related with the rate of wound healing and wound structure.