Taxol and Taurine Protect the Renal Tissue of Rats after Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction: A Stereological Survey

Saied Karbalay-Doust,Ali Noorafshan,Seyed-Mohammad Pourshahid 대한비뇨의학회 2012 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.53 No.5

Purpose: Blockage of the urinary tract induces changes in renal structure including tubular dilatation or atrophy, tubular cell death, inflammatory processes, and progressive interstitial fibrosis with the loss of renal parenchyma. The present study was conducted to survey the protective effects of Taxol and taurine on the renal structure after unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Materials and Methods: UUO was induced in three groups of rats (n=6) who then received distilled water, Taxol (0.3 mg/kg/d), or taurine (7.5 mg/kg/d). Stereological methods were used to gather quantitative as well as comparative data. Results: Less than -8% of the volume of the glomeruli, proximal convoluted tubules (PCT), distal convoluted tubules (DCT), Henle’s loop, and collecting ducts were preserved after UUO. After treatment of the UUO rats with Taxol, between -32% and 88% of the parameters mentioned above remained intact, and after treatment of the UUO rats with taurine, between -16% and 46% of the parameters remained intact (p<0.01). Compared with the untreated UUO animals, the volume of necrotic and fibrotic tissues decreased -53% and -63% in the UUO rats treated with Taxol and taurine, respectively (p<0.01). Less than -3% of the lengths of the renal tubules (PCT, DCT, Henle’s loop, and collecting) were preserved in the UUO rats. After treatment with Taxol and taurine, -61% to 70% and -43% to 53% of the length of the renal tubules were preserved, respectively (p<0.01). Conclusions: Taurine and Taxol are effective in preventing some structural renal damage in a direct ureteral obstruction model. Taxol was more effective in renal protection Purpose: Blockage of the urinary tract induces changes in renal structure including tubular dilatation or atrophy, tubular cell death, inflammatory processes, and progressive interstitial fibrosis with the loss of renal parenchyma. The present study was conducted to survey the protective effects of Taxol and taurine on the renal structure after unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Materials and Methods: UUO was induced in three groups of rats (n=6) who then received distilled water, Taxol (0.3 mg/kg/d), or taurine (7.5 mg/kg/d). Stereological methods were used to gather quantitative as well as comparative data. Results: Less than -8% of the volume of the glomeruli, proximal convoluted tubules (PCT), distal convoluted tubules (DCT), Henle’s loop, and collecting ducts were preserved after UUO. After treatment of the UUO rats with Taxol, between -32% and 88% of the parameters mentioned above remained intact, and after treatment of the UUO rats with taurine, between -16% and 46% of the parameters remained intact (p<0.01). Compared with the untreated UUO animals, the volume of necrotic and fibrotic tissues decreased -53% and -63% in the UUO rats treated with Taxol and taurine, respectively (p<0.01). Less than -3% of the lengths of the renal tubules (PCT, DCT, Henle’s loop, and collecting) were preserved in the UUO rats. After treatment with Taxol and taurine, -61% to 70% and -43% to 53% of the length of the renal tubules were preserved, respectively (p<0.01). Conclusions: Taurine and Taxol are effective in preventing some structural renal damage in a direct ureteral obstruction model. Taxol was more effective in renal protection

Efficacy of Curcumin in the Modulation of Anxiety Provoked by Sulfite, a Food Preservative, in Rats

Noorafshan, Ali,Vafabin, Masoud,Karbalay-Doust, Saied,Asadi-Golshan, Reza The Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition 2017 Preventive Nutrition and Food Science Vol.22 No.2

Sulfites are used as food preservatives and excessive sulfite might disturb the body systems including the brain. Curcumin shows protective effects on the nervous system toxicity. The present study aimed to evaluate the protective role of curcumin in sulfite-induced anxiety in rats. Male rats were divided into five groups. The rats in groups I to V received distilled water (vehicle of sulfite, 1 mL/d), olive oil (vehicle of curcumin, 1 mL/d), curcumin (100 mg/kg/d), sulfite (25 mg/kg/d), and sulfite+curcumin, respectively, by daily gastric gavage for 8 weeks. At the end of 8 weeks the rats were tested in the elevated plus-maze for anxiety. The results showed that concomitant treatment of curcumin during sulfite consumption prevented the reduction of the time spent in the open arm and entrance to the open arm (the indexes of anxiety). Besides, an increase was found in motor activity of the rats in the sulfite+curcumin group compared to the sulfite-treated animals. Exposure of sulfite in rats can induce anxiety, and curcumin can act as an anti-anxiety agent.

Diosmin Reduces Calcium Oxalate Deposition and Tissue Degeneration in Nephrolithiasis in Rats: A Stereological Study

Ali Noorafshan,Saied Karbalay-Doust,Fatemeh Karimimaskon 대한비뇨의학회 2013 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.54 No.4

Purpose: Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis) are a widespread disease. Thus, blocking stone formation and finding new therapeutic methods is an important area of study. Diosmin (a major component of the bile) is known to have antioxidant as well as renoprotective effects. The present investigation aimed to evaluate the effect of diosmin on renal tissue protection in rats with ethylene glycol-induced nephrolithiasis. Materials and Methods: The rats were randomly divided into three groups. Group one (control) did not receive any treatments. In groups two and three, nephrolithiasis was induced by 2.5% (V/V) ethylene glycol + 2.5% (W/V) ammonium chloride (2 mL/d). The second and the third groups received distilled water or diosmin (80 mg/kg/d) by gavage for 21 days. Results: Stereological estimation of the renal structures revealed that the average volume of calcium oxalate (CaOx) in the nephrolithiasis+diosmin rats was –63% less than in the rats with untreated nephrolithiasis (p<0.01). The volume of the glomeruli, proximal and distal convoluted tubules, Henle’s loop, collecting ducts, and vessels was reduced –32% to 58% after the induction of nephrolithiasis (p<0.001). In the nephrolithiasis+diosmin rats, on average, –70% to 96% of the glomeruli, proximal convoluted tubules, Henle’s loop collecting ducts, and vessels remained intact (p<0.01). Degeneration of the cortical tissue was 5-fold that of the medulla. In the nephrolithiasis+diosmin rats, degeneration in the renal cortical tissue and medulla was reduced –70% and 44%, respectively, compared with that in the untreated nephrolithiasis group (p<0.01). Conclusions: Diosmin reduces CaOx deposition and the degeneration of glomeruli and tubules in a rat model of nephrolithiasis.

Stereological study of the effects of letrozole and estradiol valerate treatment on the ovary of rats

Noorafshan, Ali,Ahmadi, Maryam,Mesbah, Seyed-Fakhroddin,Karbalay-Doust, Saied The Korean Society for Reproductive Medicine 2013 Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine Vol.40 No.3

Objective: Letrozole and estradiol valerate are used to treat some hormonally-responsive symptoms and also in modeling of the polycystic ovary syndrome. However, the stereological analysis of the ovary has received less attention. Estimation of the whole ovary volume using the Cavalieri method can be applied in any orientation desired, but estimation of the mean volume of the oocytes requires isotropic uniform random sectioning. Here, a combined method was developed for estimating the parameters. To our knowledge, no comparison has been made of the effects of letrozole and estradiol on the ovary. Methods: Sixty rats were divided into 4 groups receiving estradiol (4 mg/kg), olive oil, letrozole (1 mg/kg), or normal saline. After 21 days, their ovaries were studied. Results: Relative to the control group, the total volume of the ovary and the cortex increased in the letrozole-treated and estradiol-treated rats. In addition, the number of the preantral, antral, and granulosa cells decreased by 43% to 56% in the letrozole- and estradiol-treated rats. On average, a 19% increase was observed in the atretic oocytes of the letrozole-treated and estradiol-treated rats, but the mean oocyte volume decreased by 29% to 44% in letrozole- and estradiol-treated rats. Furthermore, the letrozole-treated rats showed a 5-fold and 7-fold increase in the volume of the cysts and corpus luteum, respectively. A 3-fold increase was found in the volume of both the cysts and corpus luteum in the estradiol group. Conclusion: The structural changes of the ovary were most pronounced in the letrozole-treated animals.

Sleep deprivation induces structural changes in the adult rat testis: The protective effects of olive oil

Fatemeh Karimi,Ali Noorafshan,Saied Karbalay-Doust,Maryam Naseh The Korean Society for Reproductive Medicine 2023 Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine Vol.50 No.1

Objective: Sleep deprivation (SD) is a common problem in today's stressful lifestyle and have physiological consequences, including reproductive dysfunction and infertility. As an antioxidant, olive oil may be effective in reducing testicular and spermatological damage by decreasing the production of free radicals. Methods: This study investigated the effects of olive oil on sperm quality and testicular structure using stereological methods to assess rats with SD. Results: When comparing SD group to grid floor+distilled water (GR) group, we found that the sperm count and motility, as well as the percentage of slow progressive sperm was significantly lower in SD group (p<0.05), but the percentage of immotile sperm was higher (p<0.01). However, no improvement was observed in sperm count or motility after concomitant treatment of SD group with olive oil. Stereological examinations revealed no significant change in the total volumes of the seminiferous tubules, interstitial tissue, and germinal epithelium in the study groups. Conversely, the total number of testicular cell types was significantly lower in SD group than in GR group. Although the total number of Sertoli and Leydig cells was significantly higher in the S +olive oil group than in the untreated SD group, no significant difference in the total number of other testicular cell types was observed between the two groups. Conclusion: SD potentially induced structural changes in testis that affected sperm count and motility. However, olive oil only improved the total number of Sertoli and Leydig cells in the animals with SD and did not improve sperm count and motility.

Curcumin, the Main Part of Turmeric, Prevents Learning and Memory Changes Induced by Sodium Metabisulfite, a Preservative Agent, in Rats

Ali Noorafshan,Reza Asadi-Golshan,Saied Karbalay-Doust,Mohammad Amin Abdollahifar,Ali Rashidiani-Rashidabadi 한국뇌신경과학회 2013 Experimental Neurobiology Vol.22 No.1

Sodium metabisulfite is used as a disinfectant, antioxidant, and preservative agent in the food, beverage, and drug industries. Neurons are highly sensitive to sulfite toxicity. Curcumin is the main part of turmeric and has neuroprotective effects on a variety of nervous system damages. The present study aimed to investigate the possible protective role of curcumin in learning and memory after exposure to sulfite in rats. The rats were divided into five groups receiving distilled water (solvent of the sulfite), olive oil (solvent of the curcumin), sodium metabisulfite (25 mg/kg/day), curcumin (100 mg/kg/day), and sulfite + curcumin. All the animals received daily gavages for 8 weeks. At the end of the 8th week, learning and memory were assessed in a partially-baited eight arm radial maze. The animals treated with sulfite showed fewer correct choices and more reference and working memory errors during the learning phase, at the end of the learning phase, and during the retention testing (p<0.001). The study results demonstrated that sulfite-exposure was associated with impaired learning and memory in rats. Adding curcumin to the rat nutrition plays a protective role in learning and memory after exposure to sulfite.

Efficacy of Curcumin in the Modulation of Anxiety Provoked by Sulfite, a Food Preservative, in Rats

Ali Noorafshan,Masoud Vafabin,Saied Karbalay-Doust,Reza Asadi-Golshan 한국식품영양과학회 2017 Preventive Nutrition and Food Science Vol.22 No.2

Sulfites are used as food preservatives and excessive sulfite might disturb the body systems including the brain. Curcumin shows protective effects on the nervous system toxicity. The present study aimed to evaluate the protective role of curcumin in sulfite-induced anxiety in rats. Male rats were divided into five groups. The rats in groups I to V received distilled water (vehicle of sulfite, 1 mL/d), olive oil (vehicle of curcumin, 1 mL/d), curcumin (100 mg/kg/d), sulfite (25 mg/kg/d), and sulfite+curcumin, respectively, by daily gastric gavage for 8 weeks. At the end of 8 weeks the rats were tested in the elevated plus-maze for anxiety. The results showed that concomitant treatment of curcumin during sulfite consumption prevented the reduction of the time spent in the open arm and entrance to the open arm (the indexes of anxiety). Besides, an increase was found in motor activity of the rats in the sulfite+curcumin group compared to the sulfite- treated animals. Exposure of sulfite in rats can induce anxiety, and curcumin can act as an anti-anxiety agent.

Effect of Rutin on Diabetic Auditory Neuropathy in an Experimental Rat Model

Aida Doostkam,Hossein Mirkhani,Kamyar Iravani,Saied Karbalay-Doust,Kazem Zarei 대한이비인후과학회 2021 Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology Vol.14 No.3

Objectives. Diabetic auditory neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus that has a major impact on patients’ quality of life. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of rutin in treating diabetic auditory neuropathy in an experimental rat model. Methods. Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: group 1, control; group 2, diabetic rats; and groups 3–5, rats treated with rutin (at doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg, respectively). We used auditory brain stem response, stereology of the spiral ganglion, and measurements of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) to evaluate the effects of treatment. Results. Significant improvements in auditory neuropathy were observed in the rutin-treated groups in comparison with the diabetic group (P<0.05). Auditory threshold, wave latency, wave morphology, the volume and number of neurons in the spiral ganglion, and SOD and MDA activity showed improvements following treatment. Conclusion. Rutin shows promise as a treatment modality for diabetic auditory neuropathy, but more trials are warranted for its clinical application.

Protective Effects of Curcumin and Sertraline on the Behavioral Changes in Chronic Variable Stress-Induced Rats

Ali Noorafshan,Mohammad Amin Abdollahifar,Saied Karbalay-Doust,Reza Asadi-Golshan,Ali Rashidian-Rashidabadi 한국뇌신경과학회 2013 Experimental Neurobiology Vol.22 No.2

Behavioral characteristics of the animal models and humans are impaired in chronic stress. The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the protective effects of sertraline and curcumin on stress-induced learning and memory impairment, anxiety and anhedonia in rats. Male rats were divided into seven groups: stress+water, stress+olive oil, stress+curcumin (100 mg/kg/day), stress+sertraline (10 mg/kg/day), curcumin, sertraline, and control groups. The rats were exposed to chronic variable stress for 56 days. At the end of 40 days and while the previous treatments were continued, the rats were tested in the eight radial maze, elevated plus maze, and sucrose consumption for learning and memory, anxiety, and anhedonia, respectively. In comparison to the non-stressed group, stress+water and stress+olive oil groups revealed a significantly lower percent of correct choices and higher reference and working memory errors during learning and retention phases (p<0.001). In addition these stress groups showed a significant lower percent of the open arms time and open arms entries in the elevated plus maze and consuming less sucrose solution. In addition, the stress+curcumin and stress+sertraline groups showed a better performance in the evaluated parameters of the radial arm maze, elevated plus maze, and sucrose consumption tests. It appears that curcumin and sertraline have the similar effectiveness on behavioral changes in chronic variable stress-induced rats.

Stress Changes the Spatial Arrangement of Neurons and Glial Cells of Medial Prefrontal Cortex and Sertraline and Curcumin Prevent It

Ali Noorafshan,Mohammad Amin Abdollahifar,Saied Karbalay-Doust 대한신경정신의학회 2015 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.12 No.1

ObjectiveaaThe present study explored the three-dimensional spatial arrangements of the neurons and glial cells within the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of rats. MethodsaaIt evaluated the arrangement for differences after stress with or without treatment with curcumin and sertraline using second-order stereology. Orientator method was applied to obtain isotropic uniform random sections of mPFC. The pair correlation g(r) and cross-correlation functions were estimated by counting dipole probes superimposed on histological sections of mPFC. ResultsaaThe mean total volume of neurons and glial cells was 0.80 (0.05) and 0.40 (0.07), respectively in the control group. The corresponding values decreased by 50% in the stressed group. The curve of g(r) for the neurons and glial cells showed a wider gap between the stressed rats’ mPFC. Theses indicate a negative correlation (repulsion) between the neurons and glial cells in the stressed rats. Evaluation of the cross-correlation function of the neurons and glial cells also showed a negative correlation in the stressed group. The estimated values of the global degree of order in the spatial point pattern for neurons and glial cells were 0.62 and 0.20 in control and stressed animals, respectively. Curcumin and sertraline protected the spatial arrangements of the cells after stress induction in rats. In addition, the volume of the neurons and glial cells remained unchanged after stress. ConclusionaaDissociation of the neurons and glial cells can is seen at some places in the stressed rats’ cortex. However, the spatial arrangement of the cells was remained unchanged in curcumin+stress and sertraline+stress rats.