fahimeh mohammad ghasemi

The antioxidant defense in the pancreas is low because they are exposed to toxic substances daily. This study aimed to evaluate the ameliorating effect of Viola odorata flowers Extract (VOE) on the pancreas histology and function in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Forty male rats were divided into five groups, consisting of controls; STZ; and STZ plus various doses of VOE (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg). The amylase, lipase, insulin and total antioxidant capacity levels were measured in the sera. The homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance was also measured. The histopathological alterations of the rats’ pancreases were examined microscopically.

The serum amylase and total antioxidant activities were reduced in diabetic rats (P=0.001). Varying doses of VOE reduced the serum amylase and glucose levels, and increased the total antioxidant activities compared to that of the diabetic rats (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the serum lipase and insulin levels among the groups. Treatment with VOE at all doses significantly lowered the insulin resistance compared to that of the diabetic group (P=0.001). Significant reductions were observed in the areas of the pancreatic Langerhans islets and the number of beta cells in the STZ group (P=0.001).

This study demonstrated that VOE ameliorated the adverse effects induced by STZ in the rat’s pancreas in the short-term. These effects are likely to be due to the reduced insulin resistance and amylase activity, and increased total antioxidant activity along with the histopathological alterations in the pancreas.

Covid 19 is an emerging and acute respiratory diseasewith high prevalence that has spread across whole world. The disease can lead to death by progressive respiratory failure, involvement of other organs, and systemic problems. The present study aim was the survey of the histopathological changes in lung, liver and heart tissues of patients with Covid-19.

In this study, acupuncture biopsy of three organs of lung, liver and heart of 6 patients with Covid-19 disease was performed in Razi Hospital, Rasht, Iran. The samples were collected after death and obtaining the consent inform from the patient’s family. All samples were stained with hematoxylin andeosin. Imaging, serological and paraclinical findings of patients were evaluated.

Tissue biopsy in this study showed advanced alveolar injury and vascular congestion in the lungs of most patients. Small vascular thrombosis was suspected in patients with advanced clinical history. Examination of liver tissue pathology showed periportal inflammation in the liver, spread of steatosis in liver cells.Signs of mild myocarditis were seen in the heart tissue.

Based on the results of this study, changes in liver, heart and lung tissues in patients may be due to secondary side effects of Covid-19, different drug therapies at the onset of Covid-19 disease or the effect of patients' clinical history.

This study aimed to report histopathological features and serological outputs of the lung, heart and liver in a patient suffered from Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). A woman was admitted to the Razi Hospital, Rasht city, Iran with the symptoms of cough, dyspnea, fever and myalgia. She had also Parkinson’s disease (PD); she had no history of respiratory, cardiovascular, renal and gastrointestinal diseases and alcohol consumption. COVID-19 infection was proved by the Real time-PCR (RT–qPCR) test. The required specimen was obtained from nasopharyngeal swab; however, lung radiologic findings revealed atypical signs of COVID-19. The patient expired after 8 days of admission. After death, needle biopsy was performed for histopathologic evaluation of the heart, lung and liver tissues. The RT–qPCR was performed to evaluate the presence of Coronavirus in the tissues. The pathological biopsies showed advanced alveolar damages in the lung, periportal inflammation in the liver, spread steatosis in the hepatocytes and moderate myocarditis in the heart. However, the RT-qPCR test was negative for these tissues, but alterations in the above-mentioned areas may be due to the secondary side effects of COVID-19 infection or pharmacological treatments.

The liver, as an insulin target organ, undergoes numerous pathological changes in diabetes patients. This study investigated the effect of the aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of violets on histologic changes and biochemical parameters of the liver in diabetic adult Wistar rats.

In total, 64 rats were examined in 8 groups of 8 rats (1 control group and 7 diabetic groups treated by streptozotocin). The rats were treated in 6 diabetic groups by different concentrations of the aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of violets (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg). Biochemical tests were performed to evaluate the liver enzymes, glucose, and serum albumin using the photometric method on the blood of rats. Furthermore, Hematoxylin and Eosin (H & E) and Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stains were performed to investigate the number of Kupffer cells, hyper eosinophilia, inflammation, congestion, changes in the perimeter and the central vein area, and glycogenic deposits from the liver tissue of rats. 

The obtained results suggested a decrease of Kupffer cells in the concentration of 100 in extracts. Moreover, inflammatory accumulations decreased in the concentrations of 100 and 400 in the aqueous extract. In addition, a decrease of congestion in the concentrations of 400 in the aqueous extract and the concentrations of 100 and 200 in the hydro-alcoholic extract; a decrease of AST and ALT of serum in the concentrations of 100 and 400 in the aqueous extract; and a decrease of glucose in the concentrations of 100, 200, and 400 in the hydro-alcoholic extract and the concentration of 400 in the aqueous extracts were observed.

The prescription of the extracts of violets can improve the liver tissue in terms of Kupffer cell count, inflammation, and congestion. Furthermore, they reduced AST and ALT enzyme levels and serum glucose levels in diabetic rats.

The liver, as an insulin target organ, undergoes numerous pathological changes in diabetes patients. This study investigated the effect of the aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of violets on histologic changes and biochemical parameters of the liver in diabetic adult Wistar rats.

In total, 64 rats were examined in 8 groups of 8 rats (1 control group and 7 diabetic groups treated by streptozotocin). The rats were treated in 6 diabetic groups by different concentrations of the aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of violets (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg). Biochemical tests were performed to evaluate the liver enzymes, glucose, and serum albumin using the photometric method on the blood of rats. Furthermore, Hematoxylin and Eosin (H & E) and Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stains were performed to investigate the number of Kupffer cells, hyper eosinophilia, inflammation, congestion, changes in the perimeter and the central vein area, and glycogenic deposits from the liver tissue of rats. 

The obtained results suggested a decrease of Kupffer cells in the concentration of 100 in extracts. Moreover, inflammatory accumulations decreased in the concentrations of 100 and 400 in the aqueous extract. In addition, a decrease of congestion in the concentrations of 400 in the aqueous extract and the concentrations of 100 and 200 in the hydro-alcoholic extract; a decrease of AST and ALT of serum in the concentrations of 100 and 400 in the aqueous extract; and a decrease of glucose in the concentrations of 100, 200, and 400 in the hydro-alcoholic extract and the concentration of 400 in the aqueous extracts were observed.

The prescription of the extracts of violets can improve the liver tissue in terms of Kupffer cell count, inflammation, and congestion. Furthermore, they reduced AST and ALT enzyme levels and serum glucose levels in diabetic rats.

Nicotine as a toxic substance leads to impairment of the reproductive system function. The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of melatonin on testicular alterations, sperm nuclear integrity, and epididymal sperm parameters in mice treated with nicotine.
Male mice were divided into four groups. Group A received the vehicle, group B received nicotine 0.1 mg/100 g BW, group C received melatonin 10 mg/kg, group D received nicotine plus melatonin. Evaluations were made by histology and Johnson’s score for study of spermatogenesis, immunostaining for study of male germ cells apoptosis, sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test for assaying sperm chromatin integrity, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for assessment of serum levels of testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH), and sperm parameters including morphology, motility, and count.
Nicotine caused a significant decrease in spermatogenesis quantity and Johnson’s score, sperm parameters, and sex hormones. Melatonin in group D, increased sperm chromatin integrity, improved spermatogenesis, Johnson’s score, and sperm parameters (P this study showed administration of melatonin in nicotine-treated mice increases both quality and quantity of spermatogenesis and integrity of sperm’s chromatin through reducing apoptosis and modifying the testosterone level.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of environmental factors on distribution of Prangos uloptera in rangelands of Ardabil province. The habitats of Prangos were identified and the habitats, in which the study species was present, were selected. Sampling was also carried out in the vicinity of each habitat where the study species was not present. Three transects of 100-m length were established, on which canopy cover percentage and density of species were measured within 10 plots of 4m2. Soil samples were taken from the beginning, middle and end of each transect. In sampling places, altitude, slope, aspect, and soil characteristics were measured. Independent t test and cluster analysis were applied to comparison and classification of presence and non-presence areas and determination function was applied to determine the importance of factors affecting the presence of this species. The results of t test showed that there were significant differences between all variables except for temperature and precipitation. According to the results of cluster analysis, the studied species had more distribution in places with high altitude and steep slopes, high organic matter, and high nitrogen and sand. The results clearly showed that climatic parameters including precipitation and temperature as awell as altitude and sand percentage in the first grade and then aspect and soil characteristics including nitrogen and phosphorus in the second grade were the most important factors affecting the distribution of study species. According to the results, better decisions could be taken to use this species for range management, improvement and reclamation.

Melatonin, an important hormone secreted by the epiphysis, is a powerful anti-oxidant with a high potential to neutralize medical toxins. The goal of this study was to demonstrate the beneficial effect of melatonin on epididymal sperm and reproductive parameters in mice treated with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA).
Male adult mice were divided into four treatment groups: control, ASA, melatonin, and ASA駩媶觢. Mice were administered ASA (50 mg/kg, orally) and/or melatonin (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), or vehicle control, for 14 days. Sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm morphology were evaluated to assess fertility. A colorimetric assay was used to measure serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC). A sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test was used to assess sperm chromatin integrity. Sex hormone levels were measured by ELISA.
Compared to the control group, ASA treatment resulted in a significant decrease in sperm parameters (P Short-term administration of ASA (50 mg/kg) has adverse effects on male reproductive function in mice. Co-administration of melatonin protects against ASA-induced impairment of male reproductive function by preventing the reduction in serum TAC and testosterone levels seen with ASA treatment alone.

Acantholimon gilliati Turril(Plumbaginaceae) is used in variety of diseases including hepatic ailments in the west region of Iran. Aim of the study: To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of methanoilc extract (ME) of A. gilliati on formaldehyde (FA) induced liver injury in adult male mice.
Fifty six adult male mice were divided into 8 groups. In control group received normal saline. Group II treated with formaldehyde 10mg/kg. Group III to VIII treated with both FA (10mg/kg) and metalonic extract of plant at doses of 5, 10, 15, 20, 50 and 100 mg respectively. All animals in 8 group were treated for 2 weeks (once every other day). At the end of experiment evaluations were made especially by morphology and photometric method for assay of histopathology of liver and serum levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP).
Formaldehyde induced liver damage both in histology and function. The levels of ALT, AST and ALP enzymes were significantly increased in FA treated group. Administration of ME in all experimental groups significantly reduced serum levels of ALT and ALP (P= 0.02). however AST was reduced significantly just in groups III and IV(p Results showed that the ME of the A. gilliati in the lower doses has a protective effect on both histology and function of liver.

Obesity and high fat diet (HFD) has side effects on male fertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of apple vinegar on spermatogenesis and serum total antioxidant status (TAS) in rats under HFD.
Twenty-four Wistar male rats were divided to three groups, including (n = 8): control, HFD, HFD apple vinegar. The control group received 16.6 kcal/day and the other two groups received HFD containing 51.6 kcal/day. After 16 weeks, group 3 received 5% apple vinegar in drinking water orally for six weeks. At the end of the experiment, epididymis sperm parameters including: count, morphology and motility, were measured. Serum level of TAS, testosterone and estradiol was assayed with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Testicular apoptosis was assayed with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and spermatogenesis was studied with quantitative histologic method. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s test.
Apple vinegar increased count and forward motility of sperms, when compared with HFD (P This study indicated that daily use of apple vinegar in rats under HFD for six weeks improved spermatogenesis through reduction of testis apoptosis, increasing serum TAS and testosterone.

Physical exercise is known to be a stressor stimulus that leads to reproductive disruption.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of forced swimming on the uterus and ovaries in mice.

Adult mice (N=24) were divided into the following three groups: A, control; B, swimming in water (10oC); and C, swimming in water (23oC). Swimmers swam for 5 min daily for 5 consecutive days/ wk during 2 wks. An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine serum estradiol, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone levels. Immunohistochemistry was performed to study apoptotic cells or estrogen receptor (ER) expression in uterine epithelial cells and ovaries. ANOVA was used for statistical analysis.

Swimming in both groups reduced the serum FSH and estradiol levels (p

Forced swimming of 2 wks duration reduces the serum levels of FSH and estradiol without having effects on apoptosis in the ovaries or uteri of mice. Over a long period of time, forced swimming may have an adverse effect on fertility.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of 10-week negative energy balance (NEB) methods on adipocyte size and adiponectin levels in different abdominal fat depots as well as glucose and lipid variables and insulin resistance in high-fat-diet obese male wistar rats. Study sample were consisted of sixty-four Wistar male rats (average weight; 194.5±12.6g). Blood samples were collected at 1st, 18th and 28th weeks after an overnight fasting. After first sampling, remaining 56 rats were randomly divided into control (n=16) and high-fat-diet (n=40) groups. After 18 weeks High-fat-diet group randomly divided into high-fat-diet (HFD) and negative energy balance consisted of calorie restriction, exercise training and combination (exercise training with calorie restriction) subgroups. Negative energy balance subgroups underwent an aerobic training (running) with intensity of 70 to 75% of VO2max, %25 calorie restriction and interval of both methods for 10 weeks. Adiponectin Levels and adipocyte size in retroperitoneal and mesenteric fat depots, insulin and glucose levels and lipid profile were measured. HOMA-IR was also calculated. The results of this study indicated that in comparison to high-fat-diet, negative energy balance methods despite consumption of high fat diet, decreased adipocyte size in retroperitoneal and mesenteric fat depots (P<0.05) and insulin resistance index improved in line with decrease of serum concentrations of insulin, glucose and triglyceride in obese male rats (P<0.05). However although lipid profile improved, only triglyceride concentration significantly decreased (P<0.05). From negative energy balance subgroups only combination showed significant increase in adiponectin levels of studied depots compared to high-fat-diet (P>0.05). This study indicated that negative energy balance methods can actually decrease adipocyte size of retroperitoneal and mesenteric fat depots even with simultaneous consumption of high-fat-diet which is largely congruent with improvement in lipid and metabolic profile Results also indicate a superiority of aerobic training in improving the lipid profile compare to other NEB methods.

Fumonisins are a group of toxic and carcinogenic mycotoxins, which contaminate the grains and their products. The aim of this study was to examine the apoptotic and proliferative activity of mouse gastric mucosa following administration of fumonisin B1 (FB1). Twenty-nine female mice divided into treatment (n=15) and control (n=14) groups. The treatment group received FB1 (150 mg/kg diet) for 16 weeks. The gastric atrophy was allocated using grading criteria modeled on the updated Sydney System. Immunohistochemistry studies were performed for evaluation of apoptosis and proliferative activity in gastric mucosa. Mild to moderate gastric atrophy were observed in microscopic findings of the gastric mucosa in treated animals (P<0.05). Number of parietal cells significantly decreased in the treatment group in comparison with the control (P<0.05). Treatment with FB1 for 16 weeks significantly reduced both gastric mucosa height and mitotic index in the gastric glands (P<0.05). TUNEL- and Bax-labeled positive cell numbers significantly increased in the FB1-treated group compared to the control (P<0.05). In addition, proliferative activity of gastric glands in the treated group was significantly lower than the control (P<0.05). Oral administration of FB1 caused atrophy in gastric mucosa both via increasing of apoptosis and suppressing the mitotic activity of these cells.

Physical activity and alteration of temperature as a source of stress may have adverse effects on male reproduction.. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic swimming and standing in cold, warm and lukewarm water on mouse spermatogenesis.. Forty-nine male mice (N = 49) were randomly divided into seven groups: C, control; SwC, swimming in cold water (10°C); StC, standing in cold water (10°C); SwL, swimming in lukewarm water (23°C); StL, standing in lukewarm water (23°C); SwW, swimming in warm water (36°C); StW, standing in warm water (36°C). Animals in swimming groups were submitted to daily forced swimming for five minutes for five consecutive days/week during five weeks. However groups StC, StL and StW were only standing on a raised platform inside the water pool, without swimming, for the same time and duration. Evaluations on day 36 were made using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Johnsen score and immunohistochemistry for assay of serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, quality of spermatogenesis and detection of apoptosis, respectively.. Serum LH and testosterone levels as well as Johnsen score were significantly reduced in all groups except for the group standing in lukewarm water (P < 0.05). Apoptosis was increased only in the swimming or standing in warm water groups (P < 0.05).. This study indicates that forced swimming and standing in all water temperatures has adverse effects on male fertility parameters, the only exception is standing in lukewarm water, which seems to be safe for male fertility parameters..

Nicotine exposure causes impaired fertility and ovarian dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective role of melatonin, which is known as an antioxidant agent on altered ovarian functions upon nicotine exposure. A total of 32 female adult NMRI mice were divided randomly into four groups (n=8). The control group received vehicle, while group 2 received nicotine (40 μg/kg) for 15 days and group 3 melatonin (10 mg/kg) for 5 days. Group 4 received both nicotine (40μg/kg) and melatonin (10 mg/kg) for the same periods. All animals were treated intraperitoneally. After autopsy on the 16th day, histopathological and morphometrical examinations were performed and serum estradiol concentrations were measured. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test. A value of p<0.05 was considered significant. Nicotine significantly reduced the number of pre-antral and antral follicles, as well as estradiol concentration compared to the control group (p<0.05). However, the decrease in the number of primordial follicles was not significant in the nicotine treated group. A significant increase in the atretic follicles were observed in group 2 compared to the control group (p<0.05). Moreover, melatonin caused a marked normalization in the number of ovarian follicles and estradiol levels in group 4 compared to group 2. The results from this study suggest that melatonin may have a protective effect against nicotine-induced ovarian changes on the number of different stages of follicle growth.

Chemotherapy has adverse effects on spermatogenesis and results in reversible or irreversible oligozoospermia or azoospermia. Little is known about the ultrastructural alterations of male germ cells following busulfan administration, as an anti-cancer drug. The present study aimed to study the ultrastructural alterations or apoptotic features of male mouse germ cells, following administration of various doses of busulfan. This study was performed on thirty-two 8-week-old adult male mice. Animals were divided into four groups. The mice on the control group were treated with DMSO and in the second, third and forth groups were treated with 10mg/kg, 20mg/kg and 40mg/kg busulfan, respectively. Busulfan was injected as a single dose intraperitoneally. Thirty-five days after the treatment, the mice testes were dissected and prepared for apoptosis study by trans-mission electron microscopy (TEM) and TUNEL assays. The results were analyzed by ANOVA test using SPSS software and a p<0.05 was regarded statistically significant. A single dose of busulfan induced ultrastructural features of apoptosis in all the experi-mental groups such as: chromatin marginalization of germ cell nuclei, especially in spermatogo-nia, deformation of nuclei, separation of germ cells and presence of large spaces between adjacent cells, cell shrinkage, occasional presence of vacuoles in germ cells and apoptotic bodies in sertoli cells. Ultrastructural features of apoptosis were more frequent in spermatogonia and primary sper-matocytes. Apoptosis was observed less frequently in the control group (2.77±0.57%), particularly in primary spermatocytes. However, the number of apoptotic cells in 10mg/kg and 20mg/kg busulfan treated groups were (58.23±7.32% and 54.09±6.23%) significantly higher than the number of apoptotic cells in 40mg/kg treated group (28.16±5.67%), (p<0.001). Administration of a single dose of busulfan in various doses of 10mg/kg, 20mg/kg and 40mg/kg, induces apoptosis in male germ cells, especially in spermatogonia and primary sper-matocytes. Degree of apoptosis in male germ cells in busulfan treated groups is not dose depen-dent. Fewer number of apoptotic cells in 40mg/kg busulfan treated group may be due to more declines in the number of germ cells in comparison to 10 and 20mg/kg busulfan treated groups.