The effect of vitamin E on neuronal apoptosis in hippocampal dentate gyrus in rabbits fed with high-cholesterol diets

The preventive effect of Zingiber officinale essential oil on demyelination of corpus callosum in a cuprizone rat model of multiple sclerosis

Objective

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most prevalent neurological disability among young adults. Anti-inflammatory drugs have shown to be effective in MS. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties of Zingiber officinale (ginger) have been shown and proven in many phytotherapy studies. This study aimed to evaluate effects of ginger essential oil on preventing myelin degradation in a rat model of MS.

Materials and Methods

In this study, we divided 49 rats into 7 groups; 4 control and 3 experimental groups that received 3 different dose of ginger essential oil (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg/day) for treatment of cuprizone-induced demyelinated rats. Basket test and transmission electron microscopy were performed in this study. Olig2 and Mbp genes and proteins were respectively evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

Histologically, cuprizone created demyelination in the corpus callosum fibers. Remyelination of fibers was seen in the group treated with the medium dose of ginger essence, by toluidine blue staining. transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed increased thickness of the myelin of fibers in all 3 treated groups (p<0.05). Feeding by the medium dose of ginger essence significantly increased the levels of Mbp and Olig2 genes (p<0.05). ELISA test showed that 100 mg/kg/day of ginger caused a significant difference between experimental and the cuprizone-induced groups (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Our findings suggested that administration of ginger essential oil prevented demyelination and improved remyelination of rats` corpus callusom and can be used as an effective substance in the prevention of MS.

Effect of Vitamin E on Apoptosis of the Endothelial Cells of the Carotid Arteries in Hypercholesterolemic Male Rabbits

INTRODUCTION

Cardiovascular disease is the principal cause of mortality and morbidity in developed countries, leading to the formation of atherosclerosis plaques and thrombosis. Apoptosis of endothelial cells is one of the primary factors in vascular thrombosis. Lipids, when oxidized by endothelial cells, result in an increased thickness of the arterial wall. Iron is also recognized as an atherogenic element that induces atherosclerosis. There remains uncertainty about the antioxidative role of vitamin E in the formation of atherosclerosis. In this study, the authors evaluated the effect of iron and vitamin E on the apoptosis of endothelial cells in the carotid arteries of hypercholesterolemic male rabbits.

METHOD

Thirty white male rabbits were randomly divided into five groups and fed the following diet for six weeks: Group 1: control, Group 2: cholesterol (1%), Group 3: cholesterol (1%) + vitamin E (50 mg/kg), Group 4: cholesterol (1%) + Iron (50 mg/kg), and Group 5: cholesterol (1%) + vitamin E (50 mg/kg) + Iron (50 mg/kg). Serum cholesterol, TG, HDL, and LDL levels were assessed after six weeks. Finally, the animals were sacrificed with ketamine, and carotid arteries were removed. The samples were fixed in 10% formalin, and TUNEL staining was used after the tissue processing. Cell counts were carried out under a light microscope.

RESULTS

Vitamin E decreased Serum cholesterol and apoptotic endothelial cells in the hypercholesterolemic + vitamin E diet (P< 0.05). However, they increased significantly in the interference groups compared to the control group (P< 0.05).

CONCLUSION

According to our findings, vitamin E showed to have a beneficial effect on preventing cardiovascular diseases and may play a positive role in the prevention of atherosclerosis.

The hematologic effects of low intensity 650 nm laser irradiation on hypercholesterolemia rabbits

PURPOSE

To test the hematologic effects of low intensity 650 nm laser irradiation on hypercholesterolemia rabbits.

METHODS

Ten male big-eared rabbits were selected from hypercholesterolemia animal model-making and divided into model group and laser treatment groups. Five normal rabbits were selected as control group. Auricle root irradiation of 650 nm laser 100 mW in 30 min were applied on treatment group twice a day, treatment of 6 days in one week, 20 weeks course of treatment. Changes in blood lipid, microcirculation, rheological properties, and aggregation morphology of erythrocytes were observed every two weeks. Histopathological examination were performed in the end of experiments.

RESULTS

After 20 weeks' treatment, triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (CHO), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) of serum in hypercholesterolemia groups showed less changes in the first 4 weeks, butdifferent decreasing trends were shownin the next 16 weeks' therapy. Erythrocytes aggregation of model groups showed rouleau state, while red blood cells in control group showed fine homodisperse, erythrocytes in treatment group performed better dispersion than model groups. Erythrocyte deformation index (DI) and blood flow value showed a statistic improvement in treatment group than control and model group (P<0.01). Value of DI in treatment group decreased after 18 weeks than values before therapy (P<0.01). Varying degrees of Aorta plaque formation was observed for individual difference in model and treatment groups, while no plaque was found in control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Low energy laser improve microcirculation, rheological properties and blood lipid that might be related with erythrocytes aggregation and deformability.