zohreh ghotbeddin

Despite the many therapeutic advances, gastric ulcers continue to be prevalent. Natural compounds have been found to play a crucial role in preventing gastric ulcers in various phytochemical studies. The study aimed to investigate the protective effect of alpha-pinene against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats by evaluating its impact on pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers. Male Wistar rats were orally administered alpha-pinene (50 and 100 mg/kg) prior to being induced with gastric ulceration using ethanol, and the gross morphological lesions, pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, and oxidative stress markers in gastric tissues were evaluated. Alpha-pinene treatment reduced gross morphological lesions in comparison to untreated animals. In ethanol-treated rats, alpha-pinene at 50 and 100 mg/kg also reduced oxidative stress, as verified by a decrease in tissue myeloperoxidase activity and malondialdehyde levels. In addition, alpha-pinene at both doses increased GSH and CAT levels compared to the untreated group. Alpha-pinene at both doses also lowered IL-1β and TNF-α production compared to the untreated group. Alpha-pinene may have a beneficial therapeutic role in gastric damage induced by ethanol as it reduces oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory factors.

Hypoxia is a common stressor during childbirth, while hyperthermia-induced seizures are prevalent in infancy and childhood. This study aims to investigate the impact of hypoxia induction at parturition on the severity of hyperthermia seizures, as well as cognition and motor coordination in rats.

In this experimental study, 28 male Wistar rats were utilized. Four groups (7 rats each) included: control, hyperthermia (15 minutes of exposure to hot air at 41°C), hypoxia (7% oxygen and 93% nitrogen for 1 hour), and hypoxia combined with hyperthermia. We evaluated the number of tonic-clonic seizures and seizure threshold. Behavioral assessments in adult male offspring were conducted using new object recognition, open field, rotarod, inverted grid, and parallel bar tests.

In the hyperthermia + hypoxia group, the number of tonic-clonic seizures increased while the seizure threshold decreased (P < 0.05). Cognition in adult rats from the hypoxia + hyperthermia group was significantly impaired compared to the control group (P < 0.001). The distance traveled and speed in the open field (P<0.01), and balance on the rotarod rod (P<0.001), were significantly reduced in the hypoxia + hyperthermia group compared to controls. In the inverted grid and parallel bar tests, the duration of balance maintenance was significantly shorter in the hyperthermia + hypoxia group compared to controls (P < 0.01).

The findings of this study indicate that hypoxia at parturition leads to increased seizure activity in hyperthermic rats and results in behavioral disturbances in adulthood.

One of the chronic inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system is multiple sclerosis (MS). Betaine has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of betaine on tissue changes of the cerebellum and motor activity in the experimental model of MS.

In this experimental research, 20 adult male rats (12-week-old) were divided into control, Ms, Ms+ betaine and betaine. To create the MS model, animals were fed food containing 0.5% cuprizone for 12 weeks. For treatment, betaine was given at a dose of 1% in drinking water for the last 6 weeks. At the end of period, in order to measure balance and motor coordination, rotarod, open field, and inverted grid tests were performed, and the cerebellum of the animals was studied in terms of histological alterations.

Motor activities and maintaining balance in the MS group showed a significant decrease compared to control group, while treatment with betaine improved these symptoms. In the histological studies, tissue changes in Purkinje cells, such as a decrease in the number, condensation and pyknosis of the nucleus, a decrease in the diameter of the cell body and the nucleus of these cells were seen in the MS group. While the MS group receiving betaine, the changes were clearly improved and the Purkinje cells were able to maintain their number and shape.

The betaine can be considered as an effective biomolecule in the process of nerve regeneration and improvement of motor behaviors in patients with MS.

 Brain morphology using quantitative data is one of the most important research topics in neuroscience. There is little documentation about the anatomical changes in the demyelinated mouse brain. On the other hand, the differences between the changes applied due to demyelination in both genders have not been studied. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the morphometric aspects of the brain of demyelinated male rats along with evaluating the changes in their behavioral patterns.Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects different areas such as the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve. The disease is characterized by active plaques containing cytokine-secreting T lymphocytes (1, 2).Nerve demyelination following acute CNS inflammation leads to neurological disability characterized by temporary remission and recurrence or a chronic advanced stage. One of the complications of the disease is cognitive disorders that have been reported in 40-60% of cases and occur in the early or even late stages of the disease (3, 4).MS-related cognitive impairment is often characterized by a relative decrease in neurophysiological function in assessing short-term memory processing speed, attention, spatial visual abilities, and executive function (5, 6).These disorders affect the course of life of individuals and are diagnosed in clinical evaluation to some extent imperceptibly but have not been studied morphometrically. So far, MRI findings have been used to examine the association between structural damage and cognitive impairment. Studies have shown that atrophy of various structures in the gray matter of the brain, such as the cerebral cortex, causes neurological disability (6, 7).Specifically, atrophy of some areas of the cortex, especially the hippocampus, is associated with dysfunction of the cognitive process in the early stages of the disease, while changes in white matter volume did not play a role in the development of these cognitive disorders (8, 9).In one study, imaging findings from patients with Parkinson's showed that the hippocampus and amygdala were atrophied, and this atrophy was concentrated in the cephalic areas of the hippocampus. This dementia has not been observed (10).Also, in patients with Alzheimer's disease, a decrease in the total volume of the fornix and mammals is directly related to cognitive disorders (11).On the other hand, in another study, the findings of people with brain trauma indicated that a reduction in the volume of the hippocampus, fornix and carpus callosum is also seen in the lesion-free group (12).The corpus callosum is the main structure of white matter in the brain that connects the right and left hemispheres. This structure is damaged in MS and its damage causes complex and cognitive disorders. AlonKalron's findings also show that MS reduces the volume of the hippocampus, amygdala and thalamus. Findings of scientists such as Audoin, Wadhwa and Benear also show the role of hippocampus and phoenix in memory and learning (13-15).Given that none of the studies has so far examined the relationship between the histological and anatomical structure of the brain and its function, this study attempts to macroscopically, microscopically and horny areas of the hippocampus and fornix. Study a function in the male rat demilinase model.

 This study was performed on 21 male rats weighing approximately 300-350 g in ShahidChamran Veterinary School of Ahvaz. First, in order to adapt the rats to the environment, they were kept at 23 ± 23 ° C for one week, and the dark-light cycle was maintained for 12 hours without water and food restrictions. All stages of the test were performed according to the instructions of the Committee on Ethics of Working with Laboratory Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, ShahidChamran University of Ahvaz (EE / 99.3.02.55591 / scu.ac.ir: Code of Ethics). The mice were then randomly divided into three groups of seven consisting of the first group: healthy, the second group: normal saline recipient and the third group: ethidium bromide recipient.For stereotaxic surgery and injection of ethidium bromide using a microinjector, mice were anesthetized with ketamine (80mg / kg) and xylazine (5mg / kg) and the hair on the skull was shaved and then in the midline of the head from the frontal to the oxy. The sagittal shear palate was created to determine the injection site according to the coordinates of the Paxinos atlas (anterior-posterior 0.46, internal-external 1 and dorsal-abdominal 2.2). In the final stage, injection of ethidium bromide 0.02% and normal saline at the rate of 20 μl was performed using a Hamilton syringe in the specified area in mice in the injury group and normal saline, respectively (16). Modified Neurological Severity Scores (MNSS) method was used to check balance. This test consists of several parts that are measured in the balance test of several parameters، Also, in order to investigate the type and manner of animal movement in ethidium bromide, normal saline and healthy rats, footprint test was used. Morris water maze test was used to check the level of spatial learning of the animal،At the end of the twelfth week, the tested groups were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of ketamine and xylazine, and after perfusion (with normal saline solution and 4% paraformaldehyde), the animal's head was separated and the brain was removed without damage. After brain extraction, their length and width were measured using a digital caliper and their weight was measured using a digital scale. Then, the weight and volume of the hippocampus region were measured, and the demyelination and nerve cell survival indices in the brain tissue were measured using Siloxal Fast Blue and Cresyl Violet staining in the hippocampus and fornix.

 The results obtained from the balance test showed balance and motor dysfunction in the affected group, which was statistically significant (P <0.05). The results of the Morris water maze test in 5 days (4 days of learning and one day of testing) show that the healthy and saline groups found the platform in less time than the demyelination group. On the other hand, the mean brain indices, The hippocampus and fornix were less in the injury group compared to the healthy and saline groups (P <0.05). Fast blue lux staining also showed severe myelin damage in the ethidium bromide group and also increased the number of damaged nerve cells (dark cell) in curzil violet staining (P <0.05).

 Cerebral demyelination reduces the volume of the hippocampus and fornix in the brain of male rats and also increases the number of damaged cells in direct relation to memory loss and balance. These people can also develop cognitive and behavioral disorders that will negatively affect their daily lives.

Hypoxia is one of the most common clinical stresses that occur during pregnancy, which has adverse effects on fetal development. Fish oil, with its antioxidant properties, prevents fetal disorders during pregnancy. This study was conducted to determine the effects of fish oil on apparent congenital abnormalities and fetal dimensions caused by hypoxia during gestation in rats.

In this experimental study, 36 female pregnant Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups of control, hypoxia, fish oil 0.5 ml, fish oil 1 ml, hypoxia+fish oil 0.5 ml, and hypoxia + fish oil 1 ml. Fish oil was administered by gavage, and the hypoxia model was established between 6 and 15 days of gestation by 3 hours of daily exposure to 10% oxygen and 90% nitrogen. On the 20th day of pregnancy, the embryos were removed from the uterus. First, the number of obtained embryos from each group was counted. Then, in terms of apparent abnormalities, the number of live fetuses and fetal resorption was evaluated. Finally, the length and weight of the fetuses were measured.

The frequency of embryos with apparent abnormalities in the hypoxia and control groups was 18.18% and nil, respectively. The frequency of fetal resorptions in the hypoxia and control groups was 27.27% and 1.92%, respectively. Moreover, fetal weight and length were significantly reduced in the hypoxia group compared with the control group (P<0.05). However, the average weight and length of fetuses in the hypoxia groups receiving fish oil showed a significant increase compared to the hypoxia group (P<0.05).

Hypoxia during pregnancy in rats reduces fetal body dimensions and increases fetal abnormalities. However, fish oil can reduce the harmful effects of hypoxia on apparent congenital abnormalities and fetal body dimensions during pregnancy.

In this study, the combined effects of low frequency stimulation (LFS) and carbamazepine (CBZ) were investigated on the motor behavior and balance indices of adult male rats during dorsal hippocampal epilepsy by electrical kindling method.

In this experimental study, 56 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 8 groups. Kindling stimulations were performed rapidly in the dorsal hippocampus. In other groups, carbamazepine was injected before kindling. LFS stimulation was also performed immediately after kindling in the target groups. The animals' motor behavior and balance indices were measured using open field and rotating bar tests. Behavioral data analysis was performed using analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis tests.

The results showed that the ability to maintain balance in the rotating rod test in the CBZ20+K+LFS and CBZ40+K+LFS groups had a significant increase compared to the Kindle and K+LFS groups. Analysis of the motor behavior of Kindley mice showed that the search behavior of the drug and LFS groups has significantly increased compared to the K+LFS and K groups. Also, in the study of bipedal standing index, the combined groups showed a significant decrease compared to K+LFS and drug-receiving groups.

The duration of balance on the rotating bar in the drug and LFS groups showed a significant increase compared to the Kindle and K+LFS groups (P <0.05). Comparison of the mean number of bipedal standing indices indicated significant decrease in the drug and LFS groups compared to the Kindle and K+LFS groups (P <0.05).

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is an iatrogenic complication characterized by many side effects. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a protective lipophilic molecule with an extensive range of biological functions, but its possible protective effect on the ovary in OHSS has not as yet been studied. The present study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of CoQ10 on ovarian histological and molecular alterations in an experimental model of OHSS in rats.  Thirty female (2 months old) Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 equal groups: control, OHSS, OHSS+CoQ10 (OHSS+ 200 mg/kg CoQ10 for 10 days), OHSS+ cabergoline (CAB) (OHSS+ 100 µg/kg CAB for 6 days), and CoQ10 and CAB (rats receiving similar doses to treatment groups.( In the end, the effects of treatments were assessed by measuring expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the ovary via western blotting, ovarian histomorphological alterations assessments, and serum estradiol and progesterone levels via ELISA.  There were histological alterations in OHSS groups, including the elevation of diameter and numbers of the corpus luteum and atretic follicles, and decreasing follicular reserve count, hyperemia, and hemorrhage at ovarian stroma. Treatment of OHSS groups with CAB and CoQ10 could decrease histological changes, serum estrogen and progesterone, and overexpression of VEGF and COX-2 proteins. Our results showed that ovarian histological and molecular alterations observed in experimental OHSS can be ameliorated by administration of CoQ10, indicating that CoQ10 can be used as new supportive care for OHSS patients.

Epilepsy is the third most common neurological disorder in the world, affecting more than 70 million people (about 1%) [1]. Epilepsy is a series of chronic neurological disorders with heterogeneous symptoms that are characterized by recurrent spontaneous seizures. Seizures are transient signs or symptoms that occur in neurons in a part of the brain as a result of increased and at the same time unusual activity [1, 2]. Seizures are not called epilepsy until they become chronic [2]. The mechanism of development and development of epilepsy is not well known to date. Epilepsy is a complex malformation of the brain that results from injury and bleeding in the brain. Following these changes in the healthy brain, recurrent seizures occur [9]. Epilepsy is a slow process, which lasts for several months until spontaneous seizures occur [10]. Complex mechanisms of epilepsy and seizures cannot be identified using clinical studies in humans alone. Therefore, the use of appropriate animal models seems necessary [5]. This article tries to introduce the types of epilepsy, the process of epilepsy and the mechanism of epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a chronic and multifactorial disease with recurrent seizures. Carbamazepine is the most common drug used to treat epilepsy. In this research project, the anticonvulsant effects of carbamazepine on the seizure parameters in adult male rats during dorsal hippocampal are investigated epilepsy by electrical kindling method.

This study is experimental. In this study, 49 adult male rats were randomly divided into 7 groups: control, surgical control and drug control, Kindle, drug-Kindle groups. Animals in the Kindle group received daily kindling stimuli rapidly in the CA1 region of the dorsal hippocampus. In the drug-kindle groups (CBZ20K and CBZ40K), 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg of carbamazepine were injected before receiving kindling stimuli. In the methylcellulose + kindle (MCK) group, before receiving kindling stimuli, the value 0.2 ml of methylcellulose solution was injected. Seizure intensity indices, duration of after discharge, and duration of seizures were recorded during execution. After words, data analysis concerning seizure behavior was conducted using ANOVA and Kruskal Wallis tests.

The results show that there is a significant difference between the mean seizure severities in comparison between the two groups. However, there is no significant difference between the mean duration of after discharge in the two groups MCK and CBZ40K. In addition, there is no statistically significant difference between the mean duration of seizures in the two groups KND and MCK.

The results show that the effective amount of carbamazepine in the CBZ40K group reduces the severity of seizures, the duration of after discharge and the duration of seizures compared to rats in the KND group.

Increased oxidative stress following maternal hypoxia is an important mechanism for postpartum motor response impairment. Because of the fact that the use of supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids has a protective role for the nervous system, in this study, the protective mechanism of fish oil during pregnancy stress by the hypoxia model on the motor coordination of male rat offspring was investigated.

In this experimental study, pregnant female rat (Wistar) were randomly divided into five experimental groups: control (without treatment), sham (saline recipient), hypoxia (%10 O2, %90 N2, 6 to 15 days of pregnancy), fish oil (1 ml), and hypoxia group treated with fish oil. To study the protective mechanism of fish oil, serum sampling of mothers and offspring was done to measure oxidative stress indicators. Motor activity and balance were examined in the 30-day-old offspring by open field and rotarod tests. Data were statistically assessed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey post-hoc test.

While fish oil treatment increased motor activity in the fish oil/hypoxia group compared to the hypoxia group and decreased oxidative stress (P<0.05), motor and oxidative stress parameters decreased and increased in hypoxia group compared to the sham group, respectively.

According to the results, fish oil treatment during chronic maternal hypoxia can improved motor activity and balance by reducing oxidative stress caused by hypoxia.

The interaction between antiepileptic drugs and brain electrical stimulation is a potential therapy to control seizures in patients with pharmacoresistance to drugs. So, the present study aimed to design to determine the effect of a subeffective dose of sodium valproate combined with low-frequency electrical stimulation during kindling.

One tripolar electrode was implanted stereotactically in the CA1 hippocampus of male Wistar rats. One week after surgery, the rats were kindled by electrical stimulation of hippocampus in a rapid manner (12 stimulations/day) for 6 days with sodium valproate alone or combined with low-frequency electrical stimulation (four packages contained 200 monophasic square wave pulses of 0.1-ms duration at 1 Hz, immediately after kindling stimulations). The duration of afterdischarge, maximum latency to stages 4 and 5, and the maximum duration of these stages were recorded by electromadule during kindling.

Application of sodium valproate with low-frequency electrical stimulation caused a reduction in cumulative afterdischarge duration. The maximum latency to the onset of stage 5 seizure increased after sodium valproate application alone, without having a significant effect on the fourth stage. Our findings showed reductions in the seizures duration and increasing in the latency times of both stages after the application of sodium valproate with low-frequency electrical stimulation.

It seems that usage of sodium valproate with low-frequency electrical stimulation during kindling was more effective to suppress the epileptic activity than its administration alone and may have a critical role on the antiepileptic effects of sodium valproate.

Epilepsy is a chronic and multifactorial disease characterized by sudden and repeated seizures. Carbamazepine is the most common medicine for treating epilepsy. Today, the use of LFS as an alternative treatment is considered in patients resistant to drugs. Therefore, in this research, the effects of LFS and carbamazepine on epilepsy in dorsal hippocampus by using Kindling method on the seizure indices have been compared  in adult male rats.

In this study, 50 adult male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: Kindle (KND), KLFS, MCK, CBZ20K and CBZ40K. Kindle's group received a daily stimulant of Kindling in a fast way, in the CA1 region of the dorsal hippocampus. In other groups, daily Kindling stimuli, similar to the Kindle group, were applied. In the Kindle + LFS (KLFS) group, LFS stimuli were immediately triggered after the kindling. In methylcellulose + kindling (MCK) group, before stimulation, the amount was 0.2ml solution of methylcellulose 0.5%  was given intraperitoneally. Drug + Kindling (CBZ20K and CBZ40K) groups received intraperitoneal carbamazepine 20mg / kg or 40mg / kg, respectively, before receiving kindling stimuli.

Findings from this study indicate that the use of LFS or carbamazepine significantly reduced the mean seizure severity, total seizure duration, and the duration of afterdischarge in the KLFS and CBZ40K groups compared to the KND group (p <0.05). The important point is that the effective dose of CBZ has a more reduced effect on seizure indices than LFS.

Regarding the results, it seems that, the effective dose of CBZ to be more effective than LFS  stimulation following the hippocampal kindling in reducing seizure indices.

One of the possible mechanisms to the nervous system growth restriction and behavioral impairment following hypoxia, is oxidative stress. According to the antioxidant effect of fish oil, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of fish oil treatment during chronic hypoxia in pregnancy on memory, brain morphometric changes and oxidative stress in adult rat offspring.

In this study female pregnant rat (Wistar) were used; they were randomly divided into 5 experimental groups: control, sham, hypoxia, fish oil and hypoxia groups treated with fish oil. Hypoxia with 10% oxygen and 90% nitrogen intensity was applied. Fetal brain morphometry was examined on the 15th and 20th day of pregnancy and the 30-day-old offspring. Passive avoidance memory and oxidative stress parameters were examined in the 30-day-old rat offspring.

The brain weight average in the 15 and 20 day-old fetuses and 30-day-old offspring of the hypoxia group was significantly lower than the sham group (P<0.05). Memory results evaluation indicated that the avoidance memory was significantly decreased in hypoxia group compared to the sham group (P<0.05). Oxidative stress also increased significantly in the 30-day-old offspring of the hypoxia group compared to the sham group and fish oil treatment prevented the reduction of these parameters (P<0.05).

According to these results, Fish oil treatment during chronic hypoxia in pregnancy can be attenuate fetal brain restriction, oxidative stress and memory impairment following hypoxia.

Hypoxia via expression of Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1 (HIF-1) is an important and effective factor in the onset and progression of memory disorders such as Alzheimer Disease (AD). The activity of β-secretase (BACE1) increased in hypoxia condition. BACE1 trigger a cascade of pathological events resulting in AD. Crocin act as memory improvement agent but its molecular mechanism is not well-known. So, in this study, the effect of crocin on spatial memory, HIF-1α and BACE1 gene expression were investigated in rat offspring under maternal hypoxia.

Female pregnant rats on the 20th day of pregnancy were divided into 4 groups including: sham, crocin treated, hypoxia and hypoxia group treated with crocin. In hypoxia groups, pregnant rats were exposed to the 7% oxygen and 93% nitrogen intensity for 3 hours. In the crocin treated group, crocin (30 mg/kg) injected at P14-28, (i.p). At the end, Morris water maze was used to assess spatial memory and Real-Time PCR analysis was performed to measure the expression of BACE1 and HIF-1α genes in the brain of offspring.

Maternal hypoxia impaired memory task compared to the sham group. But crocin treatment improved cognitive behavior. HIF-1α and BACE1 expression were unregulated in the brain of offspring in hypoxia group. Crocin treatment could attenuate the expression of both genes.

According to our results, down- regulation of HIF-1α and BACE1 gene expression in the brain of rat offspring after crocin treatment can be suggested as molecular mechanism for crocin to improve spatial memory.

Consuming antidepressant medications induce several problems leading to the need for alternative agents for emotional disturbances. Antidepressant medications increase the seizure risk; thus, alternative treatments, like Antiepileptic Drugs (AED), might be useful for patients with epilepsy comorbid with a psychiatric disorder. The present study evaluated the behavioral effects of sodium valproate, a none effective dose in seizure treatment [100 mg/kg; Intraperitoneal (IP)] along with the application of Low-Frequency Stimulations (LFS) during CA1 hippocampal kindling.

In total, 42 male rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, including control group with intact animals handled daily (I); sham group which was subjected to the surgical process, but received no real stimulation (II); saline-kindled Kindled group (S.kindled) which were stimulated daily with the following protocol: 3 strain of 50Hz monophasic pulses of 1ms duration applied 12 times a day with the threshold intensity at intervals of 10 minutes where saline was administrated 15 min before kindling stimulations (III); saline-kindled-LFS group (K4LFS) in which saline was injected 15 min before kindling stimulations and LFS was applied daily after the termination of kindling stimulation (IV ); drug-kindle group (Drug100.kindled) that underwent rapid kindling procedure daily where sodium valproate (100 mg/kg) was administrated 15 min before kindling stimulations(V), and drug-kindled-LFS (Drug100.kindled.4LFS) group in which drug and LFS were administrated respectively before and after kindling stimulations (VI). The behavioral tests were assessed using elevated plus maze, open field, and forced swim tests. 

The combination of sodium valproate (100 mg/kg) and LFS significantly decreased cumulative seizure severity compared with the kindle group. Thus, it provided a strong seizure suppressing effect. Additionally, sodium valproate and LFS increased the percentage of Open Arms (OAs) entries and the OAs exploration; they also decreased jumping from elevated plus maze test and rearing in open field test. Furthermore, there was no significant change in the OAs entries and OAs exploration percentages, jumping from apparatus, and rearing in open field in Drug100. Kindled, K4LFS, and Drug100.kindled.LFS groups, compared with the sham group. There was no significant difference in the latency to first immobility and the duration of immobility in K4LFS groups compared with the S. kindled group. In the drug-kindled group, the latency to first immobility significantly increased, and the duration of immobility decreased, compared with the S. kindled group. Besides, the latency to first immobility significantly increased, and the duration of immobility decreased in drug-kindled-LFS, compared to S. kindled group; however, the latency to first immobility was not significantly changed, compared to drug-kindled groups.

Sodium valproate and LFS can modulate the function of the brain regions involved in emotional processing in epilepsy, as well as anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors. Such a combination could also decrease emotional disturbances induced by the kindling process.

Valproate as an effective antiepileptic drug is used for the treatment of partial and generalized seizure in adults and children. This medication causes biochemical changes in liver functions and behavioral changes in childhood. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of valproate on locomotor activity, balance, hepatic enzymes, and serum lipid profiles in immature female rats. Postnatal female rats (23 days) were divided in two groups. The first group received valproate (200 mg/Kg/day) for two weeks and the second received saline. All injections were performed intraperitoneally. Locomotor activity and balance were evaluated using open field and rotarod apparatus, respectively. Subsequently, cholesterol (HDL, LDL, TC), triglyceride (TG), SGOT and SGPT enzymes in serum were measured. Valproate decreased motor activity and increased hepatic enzymes (SGPT) and alkaline phosphatase. However, it had no effect on balance and serum lipid profiles. Subchronic injection of valproate has probably no effect on serum lipid profiles while increasing serum hepatic enzymes and reducing locomotor activity. Therefore, it seems that side effects of valproate occur with its long-term administration.

Epilepsy is the third world neurological disorder. Epileptic focus causes motor impairment by sending projections to different areas of the brain such as areas which are related to movement control. Regarding the inhibitory effect of low-frequency electrical stimulation (LFS) on seizure wave's transmission, this study aimed at examining the effect of LFS during the epileptogenesis of dorsal hippocampal on balance and locomotor activity in adult male rats using the kindling method. Fifty rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: Control, Sham, Kindled, LFS and KLFS. Animals in the kindled group were stimulated rapidly by daily stimulation of dorsal hippocampus (1 ms pulse duration at 50Hz for 3 seconds). Animals in the sham and control groups did not receive any stimulation. In the LFS groups, four LFS packages at a frequency of 1 Hz were applied daily. At the end of stimulation, motor activity and balance were assessed by open-field and rotarod tests. Frequency of rearing and grooming in the Kindled group significantly increased compared to the control group (P<0.05). Balance in the Kindled group was significantly decreased (P<0.05). LFS induction during hippocampal kindling did not show any significant difference in any of the mentioned parameters with the control group. In summary, applying low-frequency electrical stimulation during hippocampal kindling can reduce the motor activity and improve balance.

  Behavioral disorders such as anxiety and depression are often experienced by several forms of epilepsy. Since the kindling process, as a model of temporal lobe epilepsy produces behavioral impairment, the present research was designed to evaluate the anxiety and depressive like behaviors induced by hippocampal rapid kindling.
Material & Twenty-one male wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control (intact animals), sham operation (without any stimulation) and kindled animals. Seven days after electrode implantation in CA1 region of hippocampus, threshold intensity was determined. In the next day, animals in the kindled group were stimulated in a rapid kindling manner (12 times/day) for six days with the following protocol: 3s train of 50 Hz monophasic pulses of 1ms duration with the threshold intensity at 10 minutes intervals. Finally anxiety and depressive like behaviors were assessed respectively by the elevated plus maze (EPM), open field in the 6th day and forced swim test (FST) in the following day. The results of this experiment showed that the hippocampal kindling increased open arms (OAs) entries percentage (P=0.005) and OAs exploration percentage (P=0.02), jumping from apparatus and rearing in open field box compared to sham group (P=0.006). Also the latency to first immobility in kindled group decreased significantly (P=0.000) whereas the duration of immobility increased significantly in comparison to the sham group (P=0.000). It seems that kindling enhances excitatory processes or disturbs neuronal inhibition which leads to emotional disturbances such as anxiety and depressive like behavior in animals

Emotional disorders are prevalent in many epileptic patients. So, in this research, we have studied the efficacy of two treatment methods of seizure on anxiety-like behavior during kindling in adult male rat. 42 male rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: Control, Sham operation, saline-kindled and drug-kindled groups which have received saline or drug 15 minutes before kindling stimulations, and saline-kindled-LFS or drug-kindled-LFS group which have received saline or drug 15 minutes before kindling stimulations and LFS applied after termination of kindling stimulations. Anxiety-like behavior was assessed on the 6th day by using elevated plus maze and open field apparatus.
Findings: kindling significantly increased open arms (OAs) entries percentage, OAs exploration percentage, increasing jumping from elevated plus maze (p<0.001) and rearing frequency in open field apparatus (p<0.05) compared to the sham group. Sodium valproate increased OAs entries percentage and OAs exploration percentage in drug-kindled group compared to sham group (p<0.001). But, there wasn’t any significant difference in jumping from elevated plus maze and rearing in open field compared to sham group. Also, there was no significant change in these parameters in Saline-kindled-LFS, drug-kindled and drug–kindled-LFS groups. Sodium valproate and LFS, as two therapies controlling epilepsy, decrease anxiety induced by kindling stimulation

By increasing the scientific focus on myelination, identifying factors that influence the myelination is an important goal for brain health. There are some studies that regular exercise improves myelin sheath and neuronal regeneration. However, the effects of exercise intensities on the myelination remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the effect of high-intensity interval (HIIT) versus low-intensity continuous training (LICT) on myelin synthesis-related genes in hippocampus of C57BL/6 mice.

Male C57BL/6 mice (n = 30) were randomly assigned to 3 groups: control (C), Interval training (IT), and Continuous training (CT). Training programs on the treadmill were performed for 8 weeks and then, the hippocampus of animals was analyzed for the expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and proteolipid protein (PLP) genes. Data were analyzed using ANOVA.

The result showed that HIIT program significantly increased the mRNA levels of MBP and PLP in comparison with LICT and Control groups (P<0.05), while no significant differences were observed among the LICT and Control groups (P>0.05).

Our results showed that HIIT had a more efficient by improving the expression of MBP and PLP genes compared to LICT in the hippocampus.

Hypoxia is the most common cause of seizures in the neonatal period. Seizure induced by hypoxia cause permanent increases in excitability of neurons and by changing in activity and synaptic plasticity leads to memory impairment. Crocins (Crocus sativus L.) is a water-soluble carotenoid and is the most important active components of saffron. Most studies indicate that crocin have important role in improving learning, memory and motor activity. In this work we assessed the effect of crocin following epileptic model by hypoxia on passive avoidance memory and motor activity in young rat.
In this study, 40 young rats (Wistar) 10-12 years old (18–22 g) maintained at room temperature 23±2. Rats were divided into four experimental groups: sham, crocin, hypoxia only, submitted to hypoxia followed by crocin treatment. For hypoxia induction rats placed in hypoxia container with 7% O2 and 93% N2 for 15 minutes. In crocin group, rats received crocin (30mg/kg for 21 days) after their lactation period. Finally, passive avoidance memory, balance and motor activity were assessed respectively by shuttle box, rotarod and open field instruments.
A decreased step through latency and increased time spent in dark room was observed in passive avoidance test after hypoxia (p Results of this study indicated that hypoxia impairs passive avoidance learning, balance and motor activity and crocin treatment improve these changes.

A lot of studies indicate that cancer chemotherapy drugs such as doxorubicin results in memory impairment. On the other hand, crocin as the chemical constituent isolated from the Saffron is effective on memory and motor enhancement. So, in this work, we have studied the co-administration effect of crocin and doxorubicin on avoidance memory and motor activity in adult male rat.
Material and In this study, 50 male rats were divided into 5 groups: control, sham, doxorubicin, crocin and treated rats with coadministration of doxorubicin and crocin. In crocin group, crocin injected 30mg/kg for 21 days and each rat in the chemotherapy group was treated once a week for 3 weeks with doxorubicin (5mg/kg). Treatment group, received doxorubicin and crocin at the same time. Sham groups administrated with saline. All drugs were injected intraperitoneally. After these procure passive avoidance memory, balance and exploratory behaviors were assessed respectively by shuttle box, rotarod and open field instruments.
Memory in rats which have consumed doxorubicin significantly was decreased compared to other groups (p Crocin consumption beside of anticancer drugs such as doxorubicin has protective effect on the bad effects of chemotherapy drugs on memory and movement.

A lot of studies indicate that cancer chemotherapy results in memory and motor impairment immediately following therapy. On the other side, crocin as the chemical constituent isolated from the Saffron is effective on memory and motor impairement. In this study, the effect of crocin on memory and motor impairment induced by cisplatin injection was studied in adult male rats.
In this study, male Wistar rats (n=50) were divided into 5 groups: Control, Sham, Cisplatin (2 mg/kg/week for 21 days), Crocin (30 mg/kg for 21 days) and Cisplatin઺ᲊ. Sham group was administrated with Saline. Then, inhibitory avoidance memory, balance and exploratory behaviors were assessed by shuttle box, rotarod and open field apparatus, respectively.
Crocin improved memory impairment induced by cisplatin (P We conclude that crocin injection following the use of anticancer drugs (e.g. cisplatin) might have a protective effect against the cisplatin-induced impairement in cognitive function, balance and explorative behavior.

Zinc as one of the most important trace elements is needed for proper functioning of the nervous system and homeostasis. Many studies show that stress causes memory impairment through various mechanisms, including oxidative stress induction and some mechanisms which are directly effecting brain function. So, in this work we assessed the effect of zinc chloride on passive avoidance memory and oxidative stress following acute stress in male rats.
In this study, 50 male Wistar rats were used in five groups: control, sham, stress, zinc chloride treatment and zinc chloride treatment before stress induction. For stress induction, rats were restrained (not immobilized) for 6 h/day, 7 days in a Plexiglas restrainer, and treated rats received an oral dose of zinc chloride 32 mg/kg/day by gavage for 6 days. At the end of the experiment, passive avoidance memory was avaluated by shuttle box and some oxidative damage markers were determined in all groups.
Results of this study showed that animals which were exposed to stress showed a significant decrease in passive avoidance memory compared to control group (p According to our results, zinc chloride with antioxidant properties can have a protective effect on memory impairment and oxidative stress induced by stress.