Gene, Cell and Tissue
Volume:12 Issue: 1, Jan 2025

Stress is an aversive stimulus that disrupts the organism's biological balance. Formononetin, an isoflavone, has been implicated in anxiolytic responses. However, the intra-hypothalamic molecular mechanisms by which formononetin controls stress remain unknown.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of formononetin on hypothalamic Mch and Crh gene expression in a rat model of stress.

Male Wistar rats (200 - 220 g) were used. Thirty minutes before exposure to stress, the rats were injected with either saline or formononetin. Two hours after stress induction, hypothalamic samples were dissected and stored at -70°C until the measurement of Mch and Crh gene expression using real-time PCR.

Stress induction led to a significant increase in Mch and Crh mRNA levels. However, animals receiving formononetin showed a significant reduction in Mch and Crh mRNA levels compared to the stressed rats.

Formononetin may exert anxiolytic effects by down-regulating intra-hypothalamic CRH and MCH signaling pathways.

The widespread and indiscriminate use of antibiotics, disinfectants, and antiseptics in medical centers has led to the emergence of resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa , a major cause of hospital infections.

This study aims to compare the effects of antibiotics—cotrimoxazole, cephalexin, cefotaxime, cefazolin, gentamicin, imipenem, ampicillin, and ceftazidime—with silver nanoparticles synthesized in medicinal plant extract against Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria.

Ten antibiotic-resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated from surfaces at the maternity hospital of Amir al-Mominin Hospital in Zabul city. In this study, nanoparticles were synthesized using an aqueous extract of the medicinal plant Capparis . The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum lethal concentration (MLC) of the synthesized nanoparticles and antibiotics were determined by the microdilution method.

The minimum inhibitory concentrations for the antibiotics ceftriaxone, cephalexin, cotrimoxazole, gentamicin, cefotaxime, imipenem, ceftazidime, ampicillin, and cefazolin were 128, 64, 32, 16, 4, 64, 64, 8, and 64 µg/mL, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration for the synthesized silver nanoparticles was 1024 μg/mL, with inhibition observed in four strains at this concentration.

This study demonstrated good antimicrobial effects of synthesized silver nanoparticles on Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Therefore, silver nanoparticles may be recommended as a potent antimicrobial agent for disinfecting hospital surfaces.

Superovulation is a crucial component of assisted reproductive technology. Inducing superovulation with Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) can lead to ovarian hyperstimulation, potentially affecting reproductive outcomes.

This study aimed to examine the effects of GnRH treatment on superovulation response and embryo recovery in Holstein heifers.

Twenty-one Holstein heifers (age: 135.15 months; weight: 361.05 kg) were selected based on their general health status and ovarian function. All heifers received two consecutive doses of prostaglandin F2α and underwent superovulation. The heifers were inseminated twice: Once at the onset of standing estrus and again 12 hours later. In the treatment group (13 heifers), a single dose of GnRH was administered simultaneously with the second insemination. The superovulation response was evaluated based on the number of corpus luteum (CL), unovulated follicles (UoF), total recovered embryos/ova, and the number of transferable embryos, using logistic regression with the GENMOD procedure in SAS.

The mean number of CL was not significantly greater in the control group (13.6) compared to the GnRH group (11.4). The average number of UoF was similar between the two groups (P = 0.1853). However, the control group had a significantly higher average total number of recovered embryos/ova (7.7) compared to the GnRH group (2.1). Additionally, the control group progesterone more transferable embryos, with an average of 2.5, while the GnRH group averaged 0.7 (P < 0.0062).

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone likely deactivated the oviduct by disrupting the balance of estradiol and estrogen, leading to a reduction in both the total number of embryos and the number of transferable embryos in heifers.

Bacopa monnieri L. is a significant medicinal herb with high economic and social value.

This study aimed to enhance the growth rate and the production of flavonoids and polyphenols using plant growth regulators (PGRs). Additionally, the study evaluated the effects of these metabolites on the viability of skin cancer cells (A375) and human fibroblast cells (HDF) in a completely randomized design with three replicates.

For flavonoid extraction, samples were dried at 50°C. A total of 0.25 g of finely powdered dried sample was extracted with 20 mL of 60% (v/v) aqueous ethanol. The total phenolic and flavonoid content of B. monnieri was calculated. Human fibroblast cell lines (IBRC No. C10506) and skin cancer cells (A375; IBRC No. C11337) were cultured in an incubator maintained at 37°C, with 5% CO 2 and high humidity.

The study found that 1 mg/L NAA yielded the highest flavonoid (1.76 mg/g DW) and polyphenol (35.17 mg/g DW) content. Among the cytokinins, 0.8 mg/L BAP produced the highest flavonoid (1.61 mg/g DW) and polyphenol (32.51 mg/g DW) content. The maximum viability of HDF cells (135%) was observed at 0.4 mg/L 2IP. The findings suggest that increasing flavonoid content in B. monnieri through various hormones is not recommended for skin cancer treatment. However, the use of 0.5 μg/mL 2IP significantly enhanced the growth of fibroblast cells.

The results suggest that the application of 2IP in tissue culture of the B. monnieri plant can be beneficial for increasing fibroblast cell viability, making it a promising ingredient in cosmetics and health products. Further research is necessary to confirm these findings and optimize applications.

Honey bees, classified within the insect class and widely distributed globally, consist of 26 identified subspecies across five evolutionary lines. Among these, the Iranian honey bee ( Apis mellifera meda ) is notable for its presence in Iran and neighboring regions. This subspecies exhibits unique biological traits, including a high reproductive capacity and effective propolis collection, distinguishing it from other local bee populations. Understanding genetic diversity within these populations is crucial for conservation and breeding efforts.

The aim of this study is to determine the phylogenetic relationships and natural variations of the Iranian honey bee in comparison to other bee breeds worldwide using the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) region.

The study focuses on the identification of COI gene sequences in honeybees. The mitochondrial COI gene sequences related to the Iranian honey bee and eight populations of other honey bee breeds from around the world (24 ecotypes) were extracted and aligned from the genome database (NCBI). BLAST was used for sequence retrieval, and Clustal W was employed for alignment among species. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using MEGA software, applying the Neighbor Joining method to construct a phylogenetic tree based on the edited sequences. The percentage of nucleotide substitutions and replacements was calculated using the maximum likelihood method. Additionally, molecular diversity indices were computed using DnaSP software to assess genetic variation and conservation parameters among populations.

The bioinformatics analysis of biological data revealed that transfer substitution occurred more frequently than crossover substitution. Additionally, the percentage of substitution in pyrimidine bases was higher than in purine bases. The dN/dS substitution ratio in the gene locus sequence across the examined ecotypes was estimated at 0.08, indicating purifying selection during the evolution of this gene locus. Furthermore, examination of the COI region of the mitochondrial genome identified a total of 4 haplotypes, 20 mutations, and 195 polymorphic loci within the entire studied population. The neutrality values, based on Tajima's test, indicated effects related to genetic drift, genetic bottlenecks, or balancing selection during the evolutionary history of the studied population. Phylogenetic analysis revealed nine distinct categories of evolutionary paths for the COI gene in the studied ecotypes. In the phylogenetic tree, the Iranian honey bee was placed in a separate cluster, exhibiting the highest and lowest phylogenetic distances relative to Apis koschevnikovi and Apis mellifera , respectively.

This research indicates that the conserved region of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase gene among various bee species is minimal, highlighting significant polymorphism and susceptibility to mutations. A total of 20 mutations and 195 polymorphic sites were identified, suggesting purifying selection processes that contribute to the gene's biological functions. The study also demonstrates that the COI region can effectively differentiate Iranian honey bee populations from others globally. Overall, these findings enhance our understanding of genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships within bee species, underscoring the importance of continued research for conservation efforts.

Recent evidence suggests a decline in sperm quality due to exposure to environmental toxicants. Several studies have reported the adverse effects of heavy metals on human reproductive efficiency.

This study analyzed the seminal levels of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, and arsenic) and oxidative status, evaluating their relationships with sperm parameters in men from Ahvaz, southwest Iran.

Semen quality, seminal lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzyme activity were assessed in 100 men attending the Narges Medical Genetics and Prenatal Diagnosis Laboratory in Ahvaz, southwest Iran. Sperm concentration, motility, and normal morphology were analyzed following the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO, 2010). Seminal levels of lead, cadmium, and arsenic were determined using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

Higher seminal levels of lead and cadmium were observed in asthenozoospermic men compared with normozoospermic individuals. Seminal levels of lead, cadmium, and arsenic exhibited significant negative correlations with sperm concentration, total motility, and normal morphology. Additionally, higher concentrations of seminal lead and cadmium were associated with increased seminal levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx).

The findings suggest an association between sperm quality and seminal oxidative status with seminal levels of lead and cadmium in men from Ahvaz, southwest Iran.

The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial properties and pigmentation effects of several medicinal plants on antibiotic-resistant Salmonella typhimurium .

Medicinal plant extracts were prepared using ethanol as a solvent, and the antimicrobial activity was assessed by measuring the diameter of the inhibition zones using the microdilution method. The pigmentation effect of the plant extracts, indicated by pink coloration, was evaluated using an ELISA reader.

The findings showed that the maximum inhibition zone diameter for Nannorrhops ritchiana ethanolic extract was 8 mm, while the minimum was 1 mm. For Ficus religiosa leaves, the maximum inhibition zone was 15 mm, and the minimum was 2 mm. The inhibition zone for musk ranged from 1 mm (minimum) to 18 mm (maximum). Capparis spinosa L. fruits exhibited an inhibition zone diameter of 15 mm.

The results indicate that medicinal plants possess significant inhibitory effects against Salmonella typhimurium and can be considered potential treatments for infections caused by this bacterium.

Obesity is a direct contributor to cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiac failure.

The goal of this study was to examine how aerobic training impacts cardiac biomarkers by analyzing the protein kinase R ( PKR )/toll-like receptor ( TLR ) gene expression in an obesity model induced by a high-fat/fructose diet.

In this study, we used 24 Wistar rats with a weight range of 204 ± 11.3 grams. They were divided into three groups: A standard diet group, a high-fat diet (HFD) with fructose group (60% fat and 25% fructose), and an obese rats group with aerobic exercise. At the end of the study, the Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A (Lp-PLA2), cystatin C, and PKR / TLR gene expression were measured in all groups.

Compared to the control group, the HFD with fructose increased the Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, Lp-PLA2, and cystatin C. The expression levels of TLR (P ≤ 0.001) and PKR (P ≤ 0.01) genes in the cardiac tissue of obese rats were significantly higher than those in the control group. The obese rats showed a significant decrease in PKR gene expression when following the high-fat/fructose diet plus aerobic exercise regimen. However, the obese group did not exhibit a significant difference in TLR4 gene expression compared to the HFD plus aerobic exercise rats.

Based on the data, aerobic exercise was found to affect the PKR / TLR pathway, leading to improved cardiovascular inflammatory biomarkers in obese rats.

Chemotherapy involves the use of chemical agents to kill cancer cells, but it can also harm healthy, rapidly growing cells in the body. 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) induces tissue damage through oxidative stress and impaired male reproductive activity. The use of antioxidants appears to mitigate the harmful effects caused by 5-FU.

This study evaluated the potential protective effects of taurine (TAU) against 5-FU-induced testicular toxicity in male rats.

Thirty-five healthy adult male Wistar rats (200 - 250 g, 6 - 8 weeks old) were randomly divided into five groups: Control, 20 mg/kg 5-FU, and 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of TAU co-administered with 20 mg/kg 5-FU. Treatments were administered intraperitoneally for 14 consecutive days. Serum endocrinological analyses, as well as testicular biochemical and histomorphometric studies, were performed on the different groups.

Testis and epididymis weights significantly decreased (P < 0.001) in male rats treated with 5-FU. Serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone (T4) were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in 5-FU-treated rats. Testicular tissue of 5-FU-treated rats exhibited significantly reduced activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (P < 0.001) and increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) (P < 0.001). Co-administration of TAU significantly improved germinal epithelium height (GEH) and seminiferous tubule diameter (STD) (P < 0.001) in 5-FU-treated rats. Additionally, TAU co-administration significantly improved oxidative status and reproductive parameters in 5-FU-treated rats.

These findings suggest that TAU has the potential to prevent 5-FU-induced testicular oxidative toxicity and restore suppressed reproductive parameters in male rats.