Effects of Ascorbic Acid, Alpha-Tocopherol and Allopurinol on Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rabbit Skeletal Muscle: An Experimental Study

Protective Effect of Water-Soluble C60 Fullerene Nanoparticles on the Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury of the Muscle Soleus in Rats

The biomechanical parameters of muscle soleus contraction in rats and their blood biochemical indicators after the intramuscular administration of water-soluble C₆₀ fullerene at doses of 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/kg 1 h before the onset of muscle ischemia were investigated. In particular, changes in the contraction force of the ischemic muscle soleus, the integrated power of the muscle, the time to achieve the maximum force response, the dynamics of fatigue processes, and the parameters of the transition from dentate to smooth tetanus, levels of creatinine, creatine kinase, lactate and lactate dehydrogenase, and parameters of prooxidant–antioxidant balance (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, hydrogen peroxide, and reduced glutathione and catalase) were analyzed. The positive therapeutic changes in the studied biomechanical and biochemical markers were revealed, which indicate the possibility of using water-soluble C₆₀ fullerenes as effective prophylactic nanoagents to reduce the severity of pathological conditions of the muscular system caused by ischemic damage to skeletal muscles.

APPLICATION EFFICIENCY OF BOVINE SERUM ALBUMIN FOR RECOVERY OF SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES OF TESTES AFTER CRYOPRESERVATION

An optimal approach to the recovery of testicular tissue fragments after cryopreservation is critical for their further use in order to successful fertility restoration. Aim. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of bovine serum albumin (BSA) addition to the rehabilitation medium on the morphofunctional characteristics of fragments of seminiferous tubules of testes (FSTT) of immature rats after cryopreservation. Methods. The object of the study was cryopreserved by slow cooling and vitrified FSTT. Warmed samples were incubated for 30 min in Leibovitz medium supplemented with BSA at concentrations of 0, 2, 5 or 10%. After that, morphological characteristics, the activity of the metabolic and antioxidant systems were evaluated. Results. It was found that in the samples cryopreserved by slow cooling, the use of 5% BSA contributed to the increase in the safety of spermatogenic epithelium cells, in the levels of metabolic and antioxidant activities. In case of vitrified FSTT samples, it was observed that the addition of 5% BSA to the medium promoted the repair of minor tissue damage and increased metabolic activity level, but did not affect the state of the antioxidant defense system. Conclusions. The obtained data can be used to develop an effective rehabilitation medium for cryopreserved fragments of the seminiferous tubules of testes using BSA.

Ascorbic Acid Attenuates Multifidus Muscles Injury and Atrophy After Posterior Lumbar Spine Surgery by Suppressing Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in a Rat Model

STUDY DESIGN

A rat model of multifidus muscles injury and atrophy after posterior lumbar spine surgery.

OBJECTIVE

We determined the effect of ascorbic acid (AA) on the postoperative multifidus muscles in rat model.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Previous studies show oxidative stress and inflammation are two main molecular mechanisms in multifidus muscle injury and atrophy after posterior lumbar surgery. AA may have a protective effect in postoperative multifidus muscles.

METHODS

Rats were divided into sham surgery, control surgery, and surgery plus AA groups. Multifidus muscles of the control and AA groups were excised from the osseous structures. The muscles were retracted continuously for 2 hours. In the sham and AA groups, AA was administered via oral gavage daily in the first week. In each group, the oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) and Total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD). The inflammation, fat degeneration, or fibrosis of multifidus muscle were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR), histology, or immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTS

T-SOD activity was significantly lower in the control group than that in the AA group in the first week. MDA levels were significantly higher in the AA group. Interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in multifidus muscles also showed significant differences when treated with AA. The inflammation score on histology was significantly lower in the AA group postoperatively in the first week. In the long run, marker genes for fibrosis and fat degeneration, and fibrosis and fat degeneration scores, were significantly lower in the AA than the control group on days 14 and 28 postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, AA attenuated the oxidative stress and inflammation response in the postoperative multifidus muscles, and remarkable differences were observed from the histological assessment and related marker genes expression. Our results provided important insight into the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of AA in the postoperative multifidus muscles.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

N/A.

C60 Fullerene as Promising Therapeutic Agent for the Prevention and Correction of Skeletal Muscle Functioning at Ischemic Injury

The therapeutic effect of pristine C60 fullerene aqueous colloid solution (C60FAS) on the functioning of the rat soleus muscle at ischemic injury depending on the time of the general pathogenesis of muscular system and method of administration C60FAS in vivo was investigated. It was found that intravenous administration of C60FAS is the optimal for correction of speed macroparameters of contraction for ischemic muscle damage. At the same time, intramuscular administration of C60FAS shows pronounced protective effect in movements associated with the generation of maximum force responses or prolonged contractions, which increase the muscle fatigue level. Analysis of content concentration of creatine phosphokinase and lactate dehydrogenase enzymes in the blood of experimental animals indicates directly that C60FAS may be a promising therapeutic agent for the prevention and correction of ischemic-damaged skeletal muscle function.

Evaluation of the effect of allopurinol as a protective factor in post ischemia and reperfusion inflammation in Wistar rats

PURPOSE

To investigate the potential protective effect of allopurinol on reperfusion injury by determining the inflammatory response through the measurement of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).

METHODS

Sixty rats were distributed into two groups: control and allopurinol and each group was divided into three subgroups, ischemia for two hours, ischemia for three hours and ischemia simulation. Allopurinol group rats received 100mg/kg dose of allopurinol, whereas control group rats received an equivalent dose of saline. Clamping of the infrarenal aorta was performed for two or three hours depending on the subgroup. Ischemia simulation subgroups did not suffer ischemia, just aortic dissection, and maintenance for three hours. After 72 hours of reperfusion, blood was collected by cardiac puncture for TNF-alpha measurement.

RESULTS

Allopurinol reduced TNF-alpha significantly (p <0.001) when compared to the matching control subgroups (control X allopurinol in ischemia for two hours and for three hours).

CONCLUSION

Allopurinol reduced the concentrations of serum TNF-alpha when used at different times of ischemia followed by reperfusion, which might indicate reduction of the inflammation provoked by the reperfusion injury.

Effect of N-acetylcysteine and allopurinol combination to protect spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury induced by aortic cross-clamping in rat model

PURPOSE

The aim of this experimental study was to determine whether combination of N-acetylcysteine and allopurinol can reduce the ischemia/reperfusion injury of spinal cord in a rat model.

METHODS

Twenty-seven Spraque Dawley rats, all male, weighing between 220 to 370 (mean 325) gr were used in the study. 27 rats were divided into three groups: sham group, control group and experimental group. Abdominal aortic occlusion between the renal arteries and iliac bifurcations was carried out for 60 min with proximal and distal clip in control and experimental groups. Hindlimb motor functions were evaluated at 24, and 48 h using the Tarlov Scale. Besides, spinal cord samples were taken for determination of superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities as antioxidant enzymes, and malondialdehyde as an indicator of lipid peroxidation and xanthine oxidase levels as source hydroxyl radical for biochemical studies. Also, histopathological evaluation was made from cord tissue samples.

RESULTS

The experimental group subjects had better neurological functions than control group subjects. In experimental group; superoxide dismutase and catalase levels increased, while malondialdehyde and xantine oxidase levels decreased as compared with control group. Histopathological examination showed that experimental group had less cell degeneration, hemorrhage, edema and inflammation loss than control group.

CONCLUSIONS

This study offers that combined use of N-acetylcysteine and allopurinol might help protect the spinal cord against ischemia/reperfusion injury.