مجله زیست شناسی جانوری
سال چهاردهم شماره 4 (تابستان 1401)

This study was aimed at investigating the effects of using Planorbis sp as a natural and low-cost food on the growth indices of Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki, one of the most famous loach fish in the ornamental fish industry. To this end, 135 baby fish with an average weight of 1.0 ±0.01 g and an initial length of 3 ±0.02 cm were collected. Then, they were distributed in equal numbers in nine glass aquariums with dimensions of 40 * 40 * 90 cm. In this study, three treatments of natural food (snail), corporate (biomar), and combination (snail + biomar) were used to feed loach fish for 48 days. Weight factors, feed conversion ratio, survival rate, specific growth rate, and weight gain percentage were examined during bioassay operations. The results revealed that the highest mean weight (2.62 g) and final length (4.56 cm) were obtained in the combined feeding treatment. Moreover, the comparison of fish survival percentage in different treatments shows the highest survival percentage in the combined diet with 7.97% and the lowest survival percentage in the snail diet with 3.93%, not showing a significant difference in this factor (P < 0.05). The results show that the combined use of snails and biomar in the diet leads to improved growth indices in fish.

The present study was aimed at investigating the effect of ascorbic acid and methionine hydroxy analogue (MHA) on performance and liver histology of broilers under heat stress conditions. To perform the experiment, 400 one-day-old male chickens of commercial Ross 308 strain were used in a completely randomized design with four treatments and five iterations (each iteration contained 20 chickens). The experimental treatments included: 1) base diet based on maize-soybean (the control), 2) base diet with 0.2% vitamin C, 3) base diet with 0.46, 0.36, and 0.32% MHA, in the starter, grower, and finisher periods, respectively, and 4) base diet with a mixture of 0.2% vitamin C and 0.46, 0.36, and 0.32% of MHA in the starter, grower, and finisher periods, respectively. During the growth period, feed consumption in the treatment containing MHA had a significant increase compared to the control group (P <0.05). In the final period, feed conversion ratio in treatments using a mixture of vitamin C and MHA had a significant improvement compared to the control group (P <0.05). Hepatocyte diameter and hepatocyte nucleus diameter were significantly reduced in chickens receiving vitamin C and a mixture of vitamin C and MHA compared to the control group (P <0.05). The results of this experiment revealed that the use of a mixture of vitamin C and MHA compared to their separate use in the diet could be effective in reducing the negative effects of heat stress.

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of short term creatine supplementation monohydrate supplementation with tensile training (exercise with cache) on aerobic and anaerobic power of volleyball players from 30 to 40 years of age. Fifty volleyball players from 30 to 40 years of age voluntarily participated as a sample in the study population after completing the health questionnaire. Subjects were randomly divided into 4 groups of elastic training and supplemented creatine monohydrate, elastic training, placebo and supplemented alone, and control and elastic training group. The protocol was completed for 8 weeks, 3 sessions a week. Supplementing creatine monohydrate was also 4 servings per day at 5 grams per serving. The measurement of aerobic power was carried out using a test run of 1 m (1609 m) and an anaerobic power with RAST test. To analyze the data, this study was conducted to compare intraperitoneal mean of T-test and to study the effect of eight weeks of training in four groups of covariance test. SPSS 21 software was used to analyze the data and the Excel 2010 software was employed for drawing charts. The results showed that eight weeks of elastic training accompanied with Creatine Monohydrate Supplements led to a significant improvement in aerobic power and anaerobic power of volleyball players (p ≤ 0.05). Considering the positive effect of supplementation of creatine supplementation and elastic exercise on aerobic and potency exercises also mentioned in other references, coaches, athletes and nutrition team members of sports teams are suggested to  be cautious in the diet of athletes; in particular, since the side effects have not been reported for short-term use.

Conjugation of metal nanoparticles (NPs) to thiosemicarbazide improves their stability and anticancer potential. This work was aimed at preparing ZnO NPs functionalized with glutamic acid conjugated to thiosemicarbazide (Zn@Glu/TSC). Then, the anticancer potential of nanoparticles was studied by evaluating their cytotoxicity and the expression of the genes involved in cell apoptosis in AGS cancer cells. Physicochemical properties of the NPs were characterized using FT-IR, SEM, and TEM imaging, and Zeta potential assays. Cytotoxicity and inhibitory concentration 50% value of the NPs was determined using the MTT assay. Moreover, the expression of the caspase-3, bax, and bcl-2 genes among NPs treated AGS cells was investigated using Real-time PCR assay. According to the results, the NPs were spherical with a size range of 10-90 nm. FT-IR assay confirmed the proper synthesis of the NPs and the zeta potential was determined -11.7 mV. The synthesized NPs showed significant cytotoxicity at concentrations ≥ 15.62 µg/mL and 50% inhibitory concentration was determined 90µg/mL. Besides, the expression of caspase-3 and bax genes in NPs treated cells increased by 1.67 and 1.80 folds, respectively, while the bcl-2 gene was regulated by 0.70 folds, compared to the control cells.

Alkaloids have anti-proliferative and apoptotic stimulatory effects on cancer cells. Harmine is also one of the important alkaloids that have been reported to have anticancer effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Harmine on apoptosis induction in human HT29 colon cancer cell line and expression alteration of apoptotic genes P53, Bax and Bcl-2. For this purpose, HT29 colon cancer cells were treated with different concentrations of harmine (0, 35, 45, 55, 65 μg/ml) for 24 hours. Then the cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay. Nuclear changes and chromatin condensation were investigated by DAPI staining. Also, apoptosis induction was determined by Annexin V-FITC testing and changes in P53, Bax and Bcl-2 genes expression was assessed by using Real Time PCR. The results showed that the concentration of Harmin reduced the viability of HT29 colon cancer cells. Also, the treatment of HT29 colon cancer cells with Harmin caused morphological changes in the cell nucleus, including chromatin condensation of the nucleus, the formation of apoptotic bodies, and the wrinkling of the cell membrane. All of these morphological features indicate apoptosis. The results of the Annexin test also confirmed this finding; with about 57% of the cells undergo apoptosis. On the other hand, the treatment of HT29 cancer cells with Harmin reduced the expression of Bcl-2 and at the same time increased the expression of P53 and Bax and, in general, reduced the ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax. As a result, Harmin can be used to treat colon cancer cells because of its cytotoxicity, which is effective in inhibiting cell prolifration and inducing apoptosis.

The extent of cognitive impairment in obesity has been extensively researched for several years. Also, the effect of garlic extract and aerobic activity on these cognitive disorders in obese people is still unknown. Forty male Wistar rats were exposed to a high-fat diet for 12 weeks to induce obesity, and finally 30 obese rats were identified using the Lee index and then randomly divided into 5 groups: control, obesity, garlic, aerobic exercise, garlic + exercise. Were aerobically divided. Aerobic exercise including 30 minutes per day, 8 / m / min 5 days a week and garlic and stevia extract at a concentration of 250 mg / kg were added to the daily water intake. Brain tissue was sent to the laboratory to study gene expression by real-time PCR. One-way ANOVA and LSD post hoc test were used to determine the differences between groups and a significance level of 0.05 was considered. The results showed that compared to the control group, 12 weeks of high-fat diet increased the body weight of rats (p <0.05) and even during 8-week extract interventions and training, remained higher than the control group. . In addition, BDNF gene expression levels decreased significantly (P <0.05) and TrKB gene expression levels also increased significantly in 12 weeks of high-fat rats compared to the healthy control group (p <0.05). On the other hand, in the Y maze, the percentage of rotation in obese rats was significantly lower than the control group (p <0.05). Induction of a high-fat diet in childhood causes mild genetic changes in male Wistar rats, and the combination of aerobic and extractive physical activity appears to be more effective than aerobic and extractive interventions alone.

Parkinson’s disease is the second most common age-related neurodegenerative disease with no identified effective treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of human endometrial stem cells with the anti-inflammatory drug pomalidomide on glutathione (GSH) and serum lipids (total cholesterol,TC and low density lipoprotein, LDL)) in the Parkinson’s model in male Wistar rats. Male rats were randomly assigned to five groups (8 animals in each group) including: control, Parkinson’s, and 3 experimental Parkinson’s groups receiving stem cells, pomalidomide, and a combination of stem cells and pomalidomide. Parkinson’s was induced by injection of 6-hydroxy dopamine (concentration 6 μg) in the striatum by stereotaxic method. In the fourth week after surgery, the three experimental groups were treated with  4 mg/kg/daily of pomalidomide, 100,000  stem cells through intranasal route, and a combination of pomalidomide at a dose of 4 mg/kg/daily and 100,000 stem cells. At the end of day 28, blood samples were taken from the groups and factors were measured. The results revealed a significant increase in glutathione among the treated groups compared to the Parkinson’s group. There was also a significant decrease in glutathione in Parkinson’s group compared to the control group. Comparison between Parkinson’s group and the group treated with pomalidomide and endometrial stem cells showed a significant reduction in cholesterol. Moreover, LDL levels showed a significant decrease in LDL levels in the treated groups compared to the Parkinson’s group. Considering the improvement of the measured factors in Parkinson’s rat, allogeneic stem cells can be used as a potential source along with pomalidomide in future research for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

Given their effect on appetite and the ability to reduce energy intake and physical activity, serum leptin levels play a key and decisive role in controlling body weight and fat mass. Consumption of some anti-obesity plant compounds such as cinnamon can also be useful in reducing body fat mass and controlling obesity. This experimental study was aimed at determining the effects of six weeks of aerobic exercise (five days a week), consumption of cinnamon extract (200 mg per kg of body weight) and high-fat food (150 ml of high-fat food emulsion in excess of daily diet). Expression of leptin gene in the liver tissue of male rats fed a high-fat diet was performed in a multi-group research design with a control group. Real Time-PCR was used to evaluate the expression of the gene or mRNA of the proteins. Takara Viragen’s kit was employed to prepare PCR master mix for cDNA. The effects of high-fat diet, combination of high-fat diet and aerobic exercise, combination of high-fat diet and cinnamon and combination of high-fat diet, aerobic exercise, and cinnamon on leptin variable in liver tissue were considerable and significant so that high-fat diet caused adverse changes in the expression of this gene. Nevertheless, six weeks of exercise and consumption of cinnamon extract moderated the adverse effects of a high-fat diet and caused favorable changes in the expression of this gene and body weight and liver tissue weight. In addition, the combination of six weeks of exercise and cinnamon extract had far more favorable effects in modulating the adverse effects of diet on the expression of this gene. Hence, it is recommended to use cinnamon extract along with aerobic exercise.
 
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This study was aimed at investigating the effect of aqueous extract of golden wheat flower on acetaminophen-induced liver tissue damage in rats. Forty-two male rats were randomly assigned to seven groups of six (control group and five treatment groups) and kept hungry for 12-16 hours the night before the experiment and all groups were given 600 mg/kg daily for five weeks. Acetaminophen was administered orally. During the experiment, based on the weight of mice, 0.2 ml of wheat flower extract with concentrations of 160, 180, 200, 220, 240, and 260 mg/kg orally and one hour after receiving a toxic dose of acetaminophen. Liver enzymes (AST, ALT, and ALP) were assayed and the liver tissue of mice treated was examined under a light microscope. The results of this study showed that the aqueous extract of golden wheat flower affected the activity of aspartate aminotransferase enzyme and at a dose of 260 significantly decreased (p <0.05) compared to other groups. Besides, the severity of liver damage showed a significant difference between the groups; however, the levels of alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase did not show a significant difference between different groups. The research results proved the effect of the aqueous extract of golden wheat flower in preventing liver tissue damage following liver poisoning caused by taking acetaminophen.

The Alzheimer’s disease is one of the neurodegenerative diseases affecting many individuals around the world with no definitive cure. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cineole, as a natural antioxidant, on the behavioral, biochemical, and histological symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in Wistar rats. Thirty-six male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to six groups. The control group underwent any surgery with no special treatment. The other groups underwent surgery and were assigned to four beta-amyloid groups: one group receiving PBS (beta-amyloid solvent); the sham group was treated with tween 80 (cineole solvent) and the two experimental groups were treated with cineole at 0.02 and 0.04 mg/kg doses. The control group, the Alzheimer’s group and the PBS group did not receive any treatments. Finally, behavioral (Shuttle box), biochemical (malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase, TNF-α) and histological parameters (H&E and Thioflavine S staining) were investigated. In Alzheimer’s-induced rats, the time it took for the rats to go to the dark part of the shuttle box was significantly (p < 0.001) shorter than that of the control group. The levels of malondialdehyde and TNF-α in these rats were significantly increased and the level of superoxide dismutase was significantly decreased compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Furthermore, histological studies showed that in Alzheimer’s-induced rats, neuronal cell death occurred extensively in the hippocampus and amyloid plaques increased. Treatment of rats with cineole improved all of the investigated parameters significantly in a dose-dependent manner. Cineole may be used as a suitable natural antioxidant to treat Alzheimer’s disease and reduce its symptoms, requiring further research.

This study aimed at assessing the comparative effect of pituitary hormones, LHRH, and thyroxine on hormonal indices and ovarian fatty acids of Labeo rohita. Blood samples were taken before injection, between the first and second injection, after the second injection and after ovulation, using a 5 ml plastic syringe from the tail stem. According to the measurement results, at the time between the first and second injections, after the second injection and after ovulation, the levels of estradiol, testosterone, 17-alpha hydroxy progesterone, cortisol and LH reached their peak levels in the pituitary and treatment receiving 50 μg dose had the lowest body weight in treatments receiving LHRH and control (P <0.05). Among thyroxine-receiving treatments, increasing thyroxine levels could significantly increase the hormones stimulating the maturation process (P <0.05). Pituitary receiving treatment and thyroxine receiving 50 μg per body weight had the highest amount of ovarian protein (P <0.05), with 16.70 and 15.99% dry weight and two LHRH and control treatments had the lowest ovarian protein level (P <0.05). Regarding fat, thyroxine-receiving treatments had a significantly higher amount compared to pituitary, LHRH, and control (P <0.05). The highest amount of saturated fatty acids (ΣSUF) with values ​​of 63.15 and 58.73% of dry weight to the pituitary receiving treatment and receiving 50 μg per body weight and the lowest amount of this parameter with 54.55 and 50.14% dry weight belonged to the control and LHRH recipient, respectively. C17: 1 and C18: 1n9c fatty acids in the range of 3.43-4.77 and 3.28-5.40% of dry weight and C24: 1n9 fatty acids in the range of 0.03-0.18% by dry weight had the highest and lowest levels of unsaturated fatty acids (ΣPUF), respectively. Both pituitary and 50 μg treatments of thyroxine had higher total omega-6 (Σω6) and 3 (Σω3) fatty acids (P <0.05). The results of the present study revealed that pituitary hormone followed by thyroxine at a dose of 50 μg per body weight compared to low doses of thyroxine and LHRH were more effective in increasing the level of sex hormones involved in the process of sexual maturation and the combination of acids.

Depression is now a common chronic illness in most communities all over the world that may disrupt normal functioning, cause depressive thoughts, and negatively affect the quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on quality of life (QoL), depression and cortisol levels in people with depression. Thirty women with depression were selected voluntarily and randomly assigned to experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. For the experimental group, treatment sessions were held for eight 90-minute sessions per week and the control group did not receive any treatment. To measure the variables, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II and SF36 Quality of Life Questionnaire) was used twice (before and after treatment) and to measure cortisol levels, blood samples were taken between 8 and 10 am before the onset of first and last treatment sessions and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was employed to analyze the data. The results showed that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in the pretest-posttest phase reduced depression and cortisol rate from 23.87 and 14.48 to 10.13 and 11.95, respectively and increased quality of life from 32.90 to 83.52 in the experimental group (p < 0.001). Based on the findings of the present study, it can be concluded that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy can improve the mental status and quality of life of patients with depression.

Heroin is one of the most addictive drugs used among adolescents and young people in Iran. Since the use of drugs such as Heroin has detrimental effects on organs, tissues, hormones, amniotic fluid, and expression of genes affecting the mother and fetus, as well as other factors, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of methamphetamine on the amniotic sac of pregnant rat and its effects on subsequent generations. Sixty adult Wistar female rats were assigned to six groups: control group, sham group, group receiving 1 mg/kg heroin, group receiving 2 mg/kg heroin, group receiving 3 mg/kg heroin and the group receiving 4 mg/kg heroin. At the end of the experimental period, blood samples were taken from the hearts of the mice and the desired parameters such as testosterone, glucose, LH, FSH, AST, ALT, WBC, and RBC were measured. The rats were then dissected; amniotic fluid was isolated to assess the amount of carbohydrates, protein, phospholipids, fats, and urea. Finally, statistical analysis was performed. Intraperitoneal injection of heroin caused significant changes in testosterone and T.G parameters compared to the control group. However, no significant change was observed in LH and FSH levels. In addition, many changes such as weakening and thinning of the theca layer in the graph follicle, destruction of the underlying material and growing follicles following heroin use in the ovarian tissue. Moreover, increased gene expression was seen after increasing the dose of heroin.
In this study, heroin injection, even in low doses, could increase or decrease ovarian activity and oogenesis, resulting in impaired oocyte maturation and ovulation quality.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of adding thistle extract to the basal diet on sperm motility and the relative expression of Catsper gene in the testes of older broilers due to the role of this gene in normal sperm motility. A total of 50 Ross 308 broiler roosters at 47 weeks of age were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 10) and were daily feed with a basic diet containing different levels of Tribulus terrestris including: 1) 0 mg of Tribulus terrestris (control), 2) 5 mg of Tribulus terrestris (Kh-5mg), 3) 10 mg of Tribulus terrestris (Kh-10mg), 4 ) 15 mg of Tribulus terrestris (Kh-15mg), and 5) 20 mg of Tribulus terrestris (Kh-20mg) per kg of body weight for 13 weeks. All roosters were weekly sampled to assess motility of sperm. At the end of the experiment, in order to measure testosterone concentration and evaluate the expression of Catsper gene, seven roosters were randomly slaughtered from each treatment and their testes were sampled. Results showed that Tribulus terrestris feeding improved total sperm motility in Kh-5, Kh-10, Kh-15 and Kh-20 groups by about 6, 4, 3 and 5%, respectively, compared to the control group (P<0.05). Plasma testosterone concentrations were not statistically significant between treatments (P <0.05).  Relative expression of Catsper gene in roosters receiving 5 mg level of Tribulus terrestris tended to increase compared to the control group (P = 0.09); however, at doses of 10 and 15 mg of Tribulus terrestris extract showed a significant difference (P <0.05). But with a dose of 20 mg of thistle extract did not show a significant difference (P<0.05). In summary, in this study, feeding thistle extract at the level of 5 mg increased sperm motility and expression of Catsper gene (one of the genes responsible for sperm motility).

Gastric ulcers are common digestive disorders involving stomach mucosal lesions with worldwide prevalence. There are different reasons for peptic ulcers. One common reason among west societies is ethanol consumption. The aim of the present study is pretreatment by magnesium sulfate. In this study 66 male NMRI mice were randomly divided into 11 groups and the administered mice were followed up daily for 15 days. These groups include control group (intact), control ulcer group (ethanol 10 mg/kg), standard group (omeprazole 40 mg/kg and ethanol), experimental groups (magnesium sulfate 50, 100, 200, 300 mg/kg), and experimental ulcer groups (magnesium sulfate 50, 100, 200, 300 mg/kg and ethanol). At the end of the relevant period, the levels of oxidative stress parameters were biochemically evaluated. The results of this study revealed that the activity of catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in control ulcer group significantly decreased compared to the control group. Oral administration of magnesium sulfate produced no significant effect on catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities in intact animals. Animals in experimental ulcer groups represented a great increase in catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase levels over the treatment by magnesium sulfate. Moreover, our results showed that the amount of malondialdehyde in control ulcer group was significantly increased compared to the control group. Pre-treatment with magnesium sulfate caused no significant change on the amount of malondialdehyde in control group, while the level of malondialdehyde was considerably decreased in experimental ulcer groups. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that a pretreatment with MgSO4 could notably reduce oxidative stress and gastric lesions.

Loss of muscle mass is one of the side effects of diabetes that may be delayed by regulating blood sugar levels through exercise or herbal supplements. Thirty-five male rats (180±10 g) were assigned to seven groups of control, diabetic, diabetic + exercise, diabetic + vanadium, diabetic + exercise + vanadium, diabetic + stevia, and diabetic + exercise + stevia. To induce type 1 diabetes, streptozotocin (55 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally, and vanadium extract (1mg/ml) was daily dissolved in water. The endurance training program consisted of eight weeks of treadmill running, five days a week, starting at 15 minutes at 20 meters/minute and ending at 35 minutes at 30 meters/minute in the final week. Histopathological changes in brain tissue were examined using a light microscope. In order to normalize the parametric data, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and for their analysis, one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc test, and for non-parametric data, Kruskal-Wallis test (p ≤ 0.05) were used. Body weight values ​​in all six experimental groups significantly decreased compared to healthy control group (p=0.001), in vanadium group compared to vanadium + exercise (p = 0.01), and in stevia + exercise group compared to stevia (p = 0.04). In the diabetic group, slight changes in cell number and size improved with exercise along with vanadium and stevia, and consumption of stevia, as well as cell degeneration with exercise along with vanadium and stevia, and consumption of vanadium and stevia (p=0.001). Eight weeks of endurance exercise, stevia, and vanadium intake appear to be effective in regulating body weight as well as improving the hamstring muscle damage caused by diabetes.
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The angiogenesis process is disrupted in the heart tissue during diabetes. In contrast, exercise training is one of the effective factors on the angiogenesis process. The present study was conducted aiming at investigating the effect of eight weeks aerobic training alone or combined with grape seed extract supplementation on the myocardial expression of VEGF and VEGFR-2 in the streptozotocin-induced (STZ) diabetic rats. Thirty-two diabetic male Wistar rats with initial weight of 160-220 g were randomly assigned to four groups including control, supplement, training, and training + supplement groups, each consisting of eight rats. Type1 diabetes induced by STZ injection (55 mg/kg/bw). Aerobic training conducted for eight weeks and five sessions per week. Grape seed extract supplement was administrated by oral gavage at a dose of 40 mg/kg daily. Two day after the last training session or grape seed extract supplementation, all rats were anesthetized by means of ketamine–xylazine injection and their heart tissues were removed. VEGF and VEGFR-2 gene expression in the heart tissue were determined by Real-time PCR method and data were analyzed by SPSS software and one-way ANOVA test. The present study’s findings indicated that myocardial VEGF expression in training, supplement, and training + supplement groups were significantly higher compared to the control group (p<0.05). In addition, VEGFR-2 expression in training and training + supplement groups indicated a significant increase compared to control and supplement groups (p<0.05). The current study’s finding indicated that aerobic training alone and in combination with grape seed extract supplementation played a key role in increasing the expression of myocardial angiogenic factors in type 1 diabetic rats. However, consumption of grape seed extract along with aerobic training cannot have a synergistic effect on VEGF and VEGFR-2 expression.

Cancer is the second most common cause of death after cardiovascular disease. The present study was aimed at assessing the cobalt oxide nanoparticles conjugated with thiosemicarbazone (CO3O4-TSC) against hepatic cancer cells HepG2 in vitro. The CO3O4-TSC nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical and condensation methods. The effect of different concentrations of nanoparticles on the growth of Hek392 normal and HepG2 cancerous cells was assessed by MTT assay. The effect of CO3O4-TSC nanoparticles on apoptosis was assessed by measuring apoptotic Bax and anti-apoptotic Bcl2 genes using specific primers with the Real-Time PCR method. Mean expression of Bax gene in nanoparticle-treated cancer cells (2.19 ± 0.091) was significantly higher than normal cells (1.0 ± 0.027) and untreated cancer cells (0.84 ± 0.047) (p <0.001). The mean expression of Bcl2 gene was significantly lower in nanoparticle-treated cancer cells (0.65 ± 0.033) than in normal (1.0 ± 0.017) and untreated cancer cells (1.38 ± 0.033) (p <0.001). The expression ratio of Bax/Bcl2 in nanoparticle-treated cancer cells (3.36) was significantly higher than normal (1.0) and untreated cancer cells (0.61) (p <0.001). CO3O4-TSC nanoparticle has a high cytotoxic effect on cancer cells, possibly mediated by the induction of apoptotic Bax expression and decreased expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl2 gene.

Astrocytes are the most important and abundant cells helping neurons. They are involved in the neural survival, ionic, and osmotic homeostasis, as well as in the formation of synapses and growth of the axons and dendrites. Activating markers of the cell cycle increased in Alzheimer’s disease. Cyclin dependent kinase 1(Cdk1) and cyclin E2 (CE2) are among the cell cycle markers. Besides, methamphetamine in non-toxic dose reduces the automatic division capacity and leads to cell differentiation. In this study, the human astrocytes exposed to amyloid beta (Aβ) and treated with low doses of methamphetamine (METH) and the cell cycle arrest and expression of the Cdk1 and CE2 were assessed in all groups. Five groups were used: 1- The cells expose to Aβ, 2- The cells exposed to METH, 3- The cells exposed to Aβ and then METH, 4- the cells exposed to METH and then Aβ, 5- The control group. Each group was repeated three times. Cdk1 gene expression decreased in group 3, treatment group, but increased in group 4, prevention group. The CE2 gene expression decreased in both groups. Furthermore, the cell cycle arrest in G1, G2, and S were assessed. In the Group 3, treatment group, G2 decreased; but in group 4, prevention group, it increased. Changes in the cell cycle are the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. The low dose of METH can reduce cell cycle activating markers as well as reducing cell division and leading the cells to death.

Trimethyltin (TMT) intoxication with hippocampal degeneration induces the production of dark neurons in different areas of the hippocampus. The present study assessed the effect of Gallic acid (GA) on working memory, avoidance memory, and the density of dark neurons in the CA1/CA3 regions of the rat hippocampus following TMT intoxication. In this study, 32 adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups including control, TMT+NS, TMT+GA100, and TMT+GA200. GA at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg per body weight was administered orally 24 hours after TMT injection (8 mg/kg). The Y-maze was used to assess the working memory and the shuttle box was used to measure avoidance memory. The density of dark neurons in CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus was then assessed by dissector method. Moreover, in order to determine the existence of significant differences between the groups, one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test were used and p <0.05 was considered statistically significant. There was a significant decrease in the percentage of alteration behavior, delay in entering the dark room of shuttle box, along with an increased density of dark neurons in the TMT+NS group compared to the control group (p<0.001). While, administration of GA ameliorated the working and avoidance memory and reduced the density of CA1/CA3 dark neurons in the hippocampus compared to TMT+NS group (p˂0.001). GA administration appears to improve cognitive symptoms following TMT intoxication by reducing neuronal damage to CA1/CA3 areas of the hippocampus..