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Stuttering and dyslexia are two processing deficits that have an impact on a person's social and academic lives, especially as they usually affect the pediatric population more than adults. Even though they affect different domains, they have similar characteristics in their pathogenesis, epidemiology, and impact on life. Both disorders represent a considerable percentage of the population worldwide and locally in Saudi Arabia, and they have similar epidemiological trends. Family history, genetic factors, early fetal and neonatal factors, and environmental factors are all identified as risk factors for both conditions. Moreover, it has been established that both diseases share a common genetic and anatomical basis, along with a mutual disruption of diadochokinetic skills. While rehabilitative techniques can be used in both conditions, stuttering could also benefit from pharmacological interventions. This review emphasizes that extensive research should be done to explore both of these conditions as they impact different areas of one's life and the relationship between them to better understand their pathophysiological origins.
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Background: Hypothyroidism has been linked to many testicular structural and dysfunctional changes in males. Thymoquinone (TQ) has shown a potent testicular protective effect through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, fertility-enhancing, and endocrine modulatory activities. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of TQ in preserving the testicular structure of a model of experimentally induced hypothyroidism in rats and identify the mechanism behind this effect. Materials and methods: Propylthiouracil (PTU) was used to induce hypothyroidism in adult male Wistar rats, who were then treated with TQ (50 mg/kg/body weight) for 4 weeks and compared to the untreated rats. Thyroid hormonal profile, oxidants/antioxidants profile, and serum testosterone levels were assessed. Gene expression and immune expression of SIRT1 and pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and NF-κB were also assessed in the testicular tissue. Results: TQ administration successfully improved PTU-induced disturbance in the thyroid hormonal profile (T3, T4, and TSH), serum testosterone level, and pancreatic antioxidants compared to the untreated hypothyroid group. TQ significantly downregulated (p = 0.001, p Ë 0.001) TNF-α and NF-κB transcription, while it significantly upregulated (p = 0.01) SIRT1 transcription in the testes of hypothyroid rats. TQ markedly relieved the histopathological testicular changes induced by PTU and significantly increased (p = 0.002, p = 0.01) the sectional area of seminiferous tubules and germinal epithelial height, respectively. TUNEL-positive apoptotic germinal cells were significantly decreased (p Ë 0.001), while PCNA-positive proliferating germinal cells and androgen receptor expression were significantly increased (p Ë 0.001) in the testes of TQ-treated hypothyroid rats. Conclusion: Thymoquinone could limit the hypothyroidism-induced structural changes in the testis, mostly through the upregulation of SIRT1 expression, which seems to mediate its promising antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects that were evident in this study. Therefore, TQ is recommended as an adjuvant safe supplement in managing hypothyroidism, especially in males.
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Background: Chronic stress can hinder wound healing as it suppresses both the cellular and innate immune responses. Objectives: The study aims to assess the effectiveness of the administration of topical and oral Cucurbita pepo L. (CP) ethanolic extract in prompting excisional wound healing in rats exposed to chronic stress, and to explain how it works. Materials and methods: Fifty albino rats assigned to five groups (n = 10) were utilized in this study. The chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model was used for 4 weeks to induce depressive-like behavior in rats, and a forced swim test and corticosterone were assessed to confirm its occurrence. During the experiment, an excisional wound was induced in the rats and followed. Oxidant/antioxidants status and pro-inflammatory cytokines levels were measured in the serum and wound area. Gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines was also assessed using RT-PCR. Wound closure histopathological changes and immunohistochemical expression of CD68, CD3, and CD4 at the wound area was assessed. Results: The administration of CP, both orally and topically, significantly reduced (p < 0.001) the depressive-like behavior and corticosterone and pro-inflammatory cytokines levels, while it significantly up-regulated the antioxidant activity compared to the untreated and topically CP-treated groups. Both topically CP-treated and combined CP-treated groups showed complete re-epithelialization, reduced inflammatory cells infiltration, collagen fibers deposition, and significantly increased CD3, CD4 positive T cells count, with a superior effect in the combined CP-treated groups. Conclusion: Cucurbita pepo L., administrated both topically and orally, can enhance the wound healing process in rats with depressive-like behavior mostly through the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant activities observed in this study.
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Antioxidantes , Cucurbita , Ratas , Antiinflamatorios/farmacología , Antioxidantes/metabolismo , Corticosterona , Citocinas/genética , Citocinas/metabolismo , Frutas/metabolismo , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Cicatrización de Heridas , AnimalesRESUMEN
This study aimed to demonstrate the histopathology and immunoexpression of exercise-derived myokines in dentate gyrus (DG), medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and cerebellum of depressed Wistar rats during depression and after practising voluntary running. Depression was developed by forced swimming for 2 weeks. Voluntary running was performed by voluntary running for 3 weeks. Brain sections were processed and immunostained to detect brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). ImageJ software was used to measure the optical density (OD). BDNF was expressed in neurons in DG, mPFC and granular and Purkinje cells in cerebellum. MIF was expressed in neurons of sub-granular zone in DG, mPFC and Purkinje cells. VEGF was expressed in many neurons in DG, mPFC and Purkinje cells. IL-6 was expressed in some neurons in DG, in neuropil of mPFC and in Purkinje cells. In depression, the OD of studied myokines significantly decreased in all examined areas. After voluntary running, the OD of myokines significantly increased in all areas. This study defines the immunohistochemical expression of myokines in brain areas in depression and after voluntary running and reveals the involvement of the mPFC and cerebellum in the pathophysiology of depression.
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Encéfalo/metabolismo , Depresión/metabolismo , Depresión/fisiopatología , Condicionamiento Físico Animal/fisiología , Carrera/fisiología , Animales , Factor Neurotrófico Derivado del Encéfalo/metabolismo , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Interleucina-6/metabolismo , Factores Inhibidores de la Migración de Macrófagos/metabolismo , Masculino , Ratas , Ratas Wistar , Factor A de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular/metabolismoRESUMEN
High fat diet is a risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. Hence, research studies are important to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of atherosclerosis pathogenesis. The current study was conducted to evaluate the role of vitamin D in modulation of aortic histopathological, immunohistochemical alterations and biochemical changes induced by high fat diet in male albino rats. Forty adult rats were divided into three major groups; group I (control), group II (High fat diet) and group III (High fat diet with vitamin D). At the end of the experiment, blood cholesterol and triglycerides were determined. Aortic arches specimens were collected for histopathological study and immunohistochemical staining. Aorta of high fat diet group showed intimal thickening with vacuolated endothelial cells. The tunica media showed areas of fibrosis and irregular vacuolated smooth muscle cells. Many inflammatory cells were detected in the tunica adventitia. Significant reduction in area percentage of smooth muscle actin-α (SMA-α) immunoreactivity and increase in number of S100 positive dendritic cells (DCs) with significant increase in serum cholesterol and triglycerides were also detected. Concomitant vitamin D supplementation, with high fat diet, showed amelioration in histopathological aortic changes with significant increase in SMA-α immunoreactivity and decrease in S100 positive (DCs). However, serum cholesterol and triglyceride showed non-significant decrease after vitamin D supplementation. In conclusion, vitamin D administration ameliorates aortic wall histoopathological changes induced by high fat diet most probably through local modulation of S100 and SMA-α immunoreactivity. Hence, vitamin D could be suggested as a protective agent against aortic atherosclerotic changes.
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Actinas/genética , Aterosclerosis/dietoterapia , Suplementos Dietéticos , Proteínas S100/genética , Vitamina D/administración & dosificación , Actinas/agonistas , Actinas/metabolismo , Animales , Aorta/metabolismo , Aorta/patología , Aterosclerosis/etiología , Aterosclerosis/genética , Aterosclerosis/metabolismo , Grosor Intima-Media Carotídeo , Colesterol/sangre , Células Dendríticas/metabolismo , Células Dendríticas/patología , Dieta Alta en Grasa , Células Endoteliales/metabolismo , Células Endoteliales/patología , Inmunohistoquímica , Masculino , Miocitos del Músculo Liso/metabolismo , Miocitos del Músculo Liso/patología , Ratas , Proteínas S100/antagonistas & inhibidores , Proteínas S100/metabolismo , Triglicéridos/sangre , Vitamina D/sangreRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal disorders become more prevalent with ageing. This study is aimed to describe morphological changes that occur in the jejunal mucosa of male albino rats as a result of ageing and the protec-tive effect of green tea (GT) extract. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The experiment was performed on sixty rats: thirty young-adult (6-month old, body mass 200-220 g) and thirty old (24-month-old, body mass 220-260 g) animals. Each group was further divided into two subgroups (n = 15 each): control rats and GT-treated rats that received 1.5 mL (300 mg/kg/day) of GT extract for 14 weeks by oral gavage. Sections of the jejunum were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid Schiff, toluidine blue and Mallory trichrome methods. The presence of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)- and CD68-positive cells was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. Ultrathin sections were prepared and examined by a transmission electron microscope (TEM). RESULTS: Jejunal sections of the old control rats showed distortion of submucosa and attenuated muscularis externa with decreased height of intestinal villi. The villi also showed partial loss of acidophilic brush border with wide spaces between enterocytes. Swollen, short, blunt or broad villi with abundant mononuclear cell infiltration of lamina propria and congested blood vessels were evident both by light and electron microscopy. The number of PCNA- and CD68-positive cells in jejunal mucosa of old rats was higher than in young rats. The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the mucosa of old control rats were lower, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were higher in the jejunal homogenates of old rats as compared to young control rats. Administration of GT extract protected the jejunal mucosa from age-related changes by restoring its histological structure. The treatment of old rats with GT extract significantly decreased MDA levels in the jejunum and increased TAC and GPX activity. CONCLUSIONS: The age-related changes of the morphology of rat jejunum could be ameliorated by prolonged supplementation of the green tea extract.
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Antioxidantes/farmacología , Mucosa Intestinal/efectos de los fármacos , Yeyuno/efectos de los fármacos , Té , Factores de Edad , Animales , Inmunohistoquímica , Mucosa Intestinal/anatomía & histología , Mucosa Intestinal/ultraestructura , Yeyuno/ultraestructura , Masculino , RatasRESUMEN
This study investigated the impact of voluntary exercise on depressive behaviours, serum and hippocampal levels of myokines, and histopathological features of hippocampal formation in rats. Depressed rats were allowed to voluntarily run on a wheel for 3weeks. Locomotor activity was assessed by a forced swimming test and the myokine levels in sera and hippocampal homogenates were measured using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay. Brain sections were analysed for hippocampal structure and neuronal counts. Voluntary running produced significant increase in the distance moved by rats and significant decrease in immobility duration. After voluntary running, there were significant increases in serum and hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), significant increase in hippocampal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and significant decrease in serum interleukin-6 (IL-6). Significant correlation was detected between the serum levels of BDNF and MIF (r=0.276) as well as IL-6 (r=-0.340). In addition, significant correlation was observed between hippocampal BDNF levels and MIF (r=0.500) and VEGF levels (r=0.279). After voluntary running, there was significant decrease in number degenerated neurons in hippocampal areas and significant increase in number of healthy neurons in the upper limb of the dentate gyrus, but not in its lower limb, compared to depression group. This study showed the relation of myokines to the development and/or relief of depression, as well as the correlation between serum and hippocampal myokine levels. Attention should be paid to studying the biological effects of myokines on different hippocampal areas that could respond differently to treatments.
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Trastorno Depresivo/metabolismo , Trastorno Depresivo/patología , Hipocampo/metabolismo , Hipocampo/patología , Carrera/fisiología , Carrera/psicología , Animales , Factor Neurotrófico Derivado del Encéfalo/metabolismo , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Trastorno Depresivo/terapia , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , Terapia por Ejercicio , Interleucina-6/sangre , Oxidorreductasas Intramoleculares/metabolismo , Factores Inhibidores de la Migración de Macrófagos/metabolismo , Masculino , Neuronas/metabolismo , Neuronas/patología , Distribución Aleatoria , Ratas Wistar , Factor A de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular/metabolismo , VoliciónRESUMEN
This study was carried out on a rat model of surgically-induced osteoarthritis (OA) to assess the histological and immunohistochemical changes in the synovial membrane and to evaluate the effects of intra-articular injection of platelet rich plasma (PRP) in such cases. Forty five male albino rats were divided into 3 equal groups; control, surgically-induced OA and surgically-induced OA followed by intra-articular injection of PRP. Knee joints were processed for histological and immunohistochemical staining with anti-platelet derived growth factor (PDGF-A) and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the area percentages of immunostaining were measured by digital image analysis. Serum levels of PDGF-A and VEGF were analyzed by ELISA. The osteoarthritis research society international (OARSI) score was significantly higher in OA (2433.8±254) than in control (230.4±37.8; p<0.001) and in PRP-treated tissues (759.7±45.8; p<0.001). The immunostained area percentages for PDGF-A was significantly higher in PRP-treated tissues (20.6±2.4) than in OA (11.06±1.3; p=0.007) and in control tissues (4.1±0.78; p<0.001). Likewise, the immunostained area percentage for VEGF was significantly higher in PRP-treated tissues (22.5±1.6) than in OA (14.9±1; p=0. 002) and in control tissues (6.5±0.7; p<0.001). ELISA analysis revealed a significant increase in serum levels of the PDGF-A and VEGF after intraarticular PRP injection when compared to the other groups (p<0.000). The present study concluded that intra-articular injection of PRP could produce optimizing effects in surgically induced OA in the form of; decreasing the OARSI score, improving the inflammatory events in synovium and modulating the PDGF-A and VEGF serum levels and synovial tissue immunoexpression. These effects could be reflected positively on the associated chondral defect.
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Osteoartritis/terapia , Factor de Crecimiento Derivado de Plaquetas/metabolismo , Plasma Rico en Plaquetas , Membrana Sinovial/metabolismo , Factor A de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular/metabolismo , Animales , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Inmunohistoquímica , Inyecciones Intraarticulares , Articulación de la Rodilla , Masculino , Plasma Rico en Plaquetas/metabolismo , Ratas , Ratas Wistar , Líquido SinovialRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Sexual dysfunction and infertility are symptoms which have been rarely studied in patients treated with antischizophrenic drugs, aripiprazole and olanzapine, for long period. This work aimed to investigate the effects of aripiprazole and olanzapine on the structure of seminiferous tubules of rats at both light microscopic and ultrastructural levels. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty adult male rats were divided into 3 groups (n = 20): control group (Group I) and two experimental ones (II and III). Rats in Group II received 2 mg/kg/day aripiprazole while rats in Group III received 0.5 mg/kg/day olanzapine for 14 weeks. Thereafter, testis were removed and processed for both light and electron microscopic study. Qualitative morphological analyses and histomorphometric measurements of seminiferous tubules were performed. RESULTS: Rats in Group II showed reduction of testicular weight, seminiferous tubules' diameter, epithelial height, spermatogenic count, spermatogenic index and spermatogenic score whereas Sertoli cells count was increased. Olanzapine-treated rats also showed epithelial desquamation, separation and apoptotic changes of germ cells. Sertoli cells showed vacuolization, dilatation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and accumulation of lipid droplets. Abnormality in the shape and structure of late spermatids and presence of giant cells were also demonstrated. Aripiprazole induced less adverse histological changes in rat testis than olanzapine. CONCLUSIONS: Olanzapine followed by aripiprazole had adverse histological effects on the structure of the seminiferous tubules, which may affect spermatogenesis.
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Antipsicóticos/farmacología , Piperazinas/farmacología , Quinolonas/farmacología , Túbulos Seminíferos/efectos de los fármacos , Animales , Aripiprazol , Masculino , Ratas , Ratas Wistar , Túbulos Seminíferos/ultraestructura , Testículo/citología , Testículo/efectos de los fármacos , Testículo/ultraestructuraRESUMEN
Lip-print groove patterns have recently been verified as a unique parameter for identification. This study investigated the stability of lip-print patterns over time to validate their secure use in civil and criminal investigations. One hundred and sixteen female lip prints were analyzed and compared with the prints of the same subjects taken 3 years earlier. The old and new lower lip prints of each subject were examined for similarities in the groove patterns in different areas of the lip (lower right, lower middle and lower left), and a score for similarity was developed for the statistical analysis of the lower lip stability data. No significant difference in the frequency of pattern types was detected between old and new prints (P > 0.05). Statistically, 89.6% of subjects showed characteristic typical groove(s) in the lip area(s) of the old and corresponding new prints: 24.1% in the three areas, 48.3% in two areas and 17.2% in one area. This study proves the lasting stability of lip-print patterns over the years in Saudi females and recommends paying attention to the presence of characteristic typical grooves in these prints. Further studies on larger samples, including male prints, should be performed to validate the lip prints for criminal use.
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Labio/anatomía & histología , Identificación Biométrica/métodos , Femenino , Humanos , Procesamiento de Imagen Asistido por Computador , Estudios Longitudinales , Fotograbar , Arabia SauditaRESUMEN
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a natural constituent of many foods and was reported to have neurotoxic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible toxic effect of MSG on histological and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunohistochemical features of cerebellar cortex of albino rats and to evaluate the possible protective role of vitamin C against this effect. Thirty rats were divided into 3 equal groups. Group I, control; Group II, treated with 3 g/kg/day of MSG and Group III, received 100 mg/kg/day of vitamin C simultaneously with MSG. After 14 days, cerebellar tissues were obtained and processed to prepare sections stained with H&E, toluidine blue. The GFAP was detected immunohistochemically. Histological examination of group II showed degenerative changes as pyknotic Purkinje and granule cells with areas of degeneration surrounded by inflammatory cells in granular layer. However, group III showed more preserved histological structure of cerebellar cortex. Statistical analysis of area percent of the GFAP immunoreaction among studied groups showed significant increase in group III when compared with group I and group II. However, a non significant increase was detected in group II when compared with group I. In conclusion, MSG has neurotoxic effect leading to degenerative changes in neurons and astrocytes in cerebellar cortex of albino rats and vitamin C supplementation could protect from these changes. Getting more attention to the constituents of food products is recommended and vitamin C could be advised to protect people from food oxidants additives.
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Ácido Ascórbico/uso terapéutico , Corteza Cerebelosa/efectos de los fármacos , Aditivos Alimentarios/toxicidad , Proteína Ácida Fibrilar de la Glía/biosíntesis , Glutamato de Sodio/efectos adversos , Animales , Ácido Ascórbico/administración & dosificación , Astrocitos/efectos de los fármacos , Astrocitos/fisiología , Corteza Cerebelosa/citología , Corteza Cerebelosa/fisiología , Esquema de Medicación , Eosina Amarillenta-(YS) , Hematoxilina , Inmunohistoquímica , Masculino , Células de Purkinje/efectos de los fármacos , Células de Purkinje/fisiología , Ratas , Ratas Wistar , Cloruro de TolonioRESUMEN
The digit ratio, or the relative lengths, of the 2nd and 4th digits (2D :4D) shows a sex difference, with males tending to have lower values in comparison with females. This sex differences arises early in the fetus and may result from the effects of prenatal testosterone and estrogen on the relative growth rate of the 2nd and 4th digits. This study aimed to estimate finger lengths and the 2D:4D ratios for the first time in Saudi Arabian subjects using direct and indirect measurements, and to evaluate the correlations between both indirect and direct 2D:4D with adult testosterone and various sexually dimorphic physical traits. The results revealed the following: (i) mean 2D:4D in Saudi Arabian samples varied from 0.96 to 0.99; (ii) mean 2D:4D was lower for indirect compared to direct 2D:4D; (iii) sex differences in indirect 2D:4D were higher than in direct 2D:4D measurements; (iv) there were no significant correlations between indirect or direct 2D:4D and testosterone level; (v) there were four significant correlations between direct 2D:4D and body size traits but no significant correlations between indirect 2D:4D and body size.
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Antropometría , Dedos/anatomía & histología , Caracteres Sexuales , Adolescente , Adulto , Pueblo Asiatico , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Arabia Saudita , Testosterona/sangre , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Homocysteine (HCY) is a sulphur-containing amino acid, which has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, and is widely reported to enhance vulnerability of neurons to oxidative, excitotoxic and apoptotic injury via perturbed calcium homeostasis, activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of HCY on long-term potentiation (LTP) and synaptic transmission after chronic 4-week systemic exposure to HCY in adult rats, and possible longer-term effects of HCY 4 weeks after exposure had ended. Contrary to expectation, LTP was enhanced, not retarded after chronic HCY exposure relative to controls. Basic synaptic transmission was not affected at this time point. However, after the 4-week wash out period, a decrease in speed of basic synaptic transmission emerged, and LTP was still partially enhanced, particularly for time points >30 min post-tetanus. In summary, we provide first evidence for sustained HCY-induced changes in hippocampal plasticity and a slow-onset disruption in synaptic transmission. These changes may reflect the suggested (excito-)toxicity of HCY and its putative contribution to neurodegenerative disease.