International Biological and Biomedical Journal
Volume:7 Issue: 4, Autumn 2021

Various culture media along with some supplements and enrichment materials have been suggested for in vitro maturation. This study aims to investigate the effect of retinoic acid on nuclear maturation of immature mouse oocytes in vitro.

immature oocytes were obtained from 6-8 weeks old NMRI mice, 48 hours after intraperitoneal injection of 7.5 units of PMSG. The collected oocytes were divided into two groups: 1. The control group including the base medium 2. The experimental group including base medium supplemented with 2 μM retinoic acid. 100 oocytes (50 GV oocytes and 50 MI oocytes) were considered for each group. The oocytes of each group were cultured in incubator with 5% CO2 at 37 ºC for 24 hours.

The percentage of immature GV and MI oocytes that matured into MII oocytes in the experimental and control groups was (50 & 38) and (38 & 28) respectively. Regarding the maturity of GV and MI oocytes in the experimental group, although the percentage of GV oocytes transformed into MII oocytes was higher than MI oocytes 50% versus 38%, this difference was not statistically significant (PV=0. 1).

Results of the present study demonstrated that a higher percentage of immature oocytes in the experimental group matured into MII oocytes. Moreover, GV oocytes are more capable to reach in MII stage compared with MI oocytes in vitro.

The systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder with a broad array of clinical signs. In this research, we aimed to use intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) called intacglobin as monotherapy to manage an SLE in three patients. Laboratory investigations for SLE diagnosis were done, including the detection of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and SLE confirmation by detecting high titers of anti-dsDNA antibodies.  C3 and C4 serum levels were assessed as well as the determination of immunoglobulins. The SLEDAI score was measured to decide whether a significant degree of disease activity existed and as a prognostic value. The evaluation of any chest infection was performed by chest-X-ray. The patients were treated with five to ten g/day of IVIG for six consecutive days, and after that, five to ten g/monthly. The immunological evaluation demonstrated that patients presented with a flare of SLE with high titers of ANA and anti-dsDNA antibodies were detected, low C3 and C4, and elevated immunoglobulins levels. The SLEDAI score falls from 10 to below 3, and the chest infections in some patients cleared up. The postulated IVIG's mechanisms of action demonstrated that it could be used as immunosuppressor, immunomodulator, and antimicrobial in patients with SLE.

In this short commentary, we discuss the most important risk factors for liver cancer. One of the most striking risks is infection with hepatitis B and C viruses, leading to chronic hepatitis, which may later develop into hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The use of alcohol may lead to cirrhosis, which is scarring the liver, is associated with 30 a more increase in HCC and 10-20 times more increase in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Age is another factor to be considered in almost all cancers, and it is not excluded in the development of liver cancer as the population ages, the incidence of which increases. The use of tobacco and poor nutrition can act as risk factors for liver cancer. Prevention is essential for preventing this scourge.

In recent years due to the daily usage of large amounts of chemical drugs, more attention has been paid to the effect of plants on the treatment and prevention of poisoning caused by these drugs. Herbaceous Ferula assafoetida has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, the protective effect of Ferula assafoetida hydroalcoholic extract (Fer) on acetaminophen-induced liver toxicity was investigated.

42 mice weighing 25-30 g were randomly divided into six groups. The control group received normal saline and the treatment group gavaged Fer every 12 hours for 7 days 50, 100, 200mg/kg BW and a single dose of acetaminophen (Ace) 500 mg/kg on the 6th day. One other group received only Ace at a dose of 500 mg/kg BW as intraperitoneally (IP) on the 6th day, and the last group received only Fer (250mg/kg) orally for one week every 12 hours. At the end of the study (8th day), Blood was collected by heart puncture, and serum was separated to measure biochemical indices and liver tissues fixed in 10% formalin buffer. One-way ANOVA and Tukey's analysis at the significance level of P<0.05 were used to analyze data.

Fer significantly decreased AST, ALT, ALP, T. bilirubin parameters and significantly increased Alb in experimental groups compared to the acetaminophen group. 

According to the results of this study, Fer has a protective role in hepatotoxicity caused by acetaminophen.