The objective of the present study was to prepare a stable iv injectable formulation of ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol in preventing the cerebral ischemia. Different niosomal formulations were prepared by Span and Tween mixed with cholesterol. The physicochemical characteristics of niosomal formulations were evaluated in vitro. For in vivo evaluation, the rats were made ischemic by middle cerebral artery occlusion model for 30 min and the selected formulation was used for determining its neuroprotective effect against cerebral ischemia. Neuronal damage was evaluated by optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The encapsulation efficiency of ascorbic acid was increased to more than 84% by remote loading method. The cholesterol content of the niosomes, the hydrophilicity potential of the encapsulated compounds, and the preparation method of niosomes were the main factors affecting the mean volume diameter of the prepared vesicles. High physical stability of the niosomes prepared from Span 40 and Span 60 was demonstrated due to negligible size change of vesicles during 6 months storage at 4–8°C. In vivo studies showed that ST60/Chol 35 : 35 : 30 niosomes had more neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemic injuries in male rats than free ascorbic acid.

Introduction: Myocardial bridge (MB) is a segment of a major epicardial coronary artery that goes intramurally under a bridge of overlying myocardium. Complications have been reported during or after stent implantation particularly coronary perforation. The aim of this study was to determine histological differences between proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) and the tunneled segment that may have a possible role in increased risk of coronary artery perforation during percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods: Twenty specimens of MB were obtained from dissection of 45 cadavers. Sections were stained using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), and trichrome methods. The proximal section and the tunneled artery were compared with a normal sample in terms of the characteristics of a muscle artery. Results: The findings of this study showed an MB prevalence of 51%, as 23 out of the 45 examined cadavers were discovered to be afflicted by the MB. The intima layer in the suffering artery had gone through significant hypertrophy, while it had remained thin in the tunneled artery section. The epithelial cells under the bridge were spindle-shaped, while they were polygonal in the proximal section. In the myocardium the nuclei of the muscle fibers in the MB section were smaller than the normal section. Adventitial layer was almost normal. Conclusion: The histopathological differences between MB and proximal part of vessel combined with small vessel diameter in the tunneled segment can explain the high incidence of the LAD rupture and perforation in the section under the bridge.

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Light-emitting diodes (LED) have recently been introduced as a potential factor for proliferation of various cell types in vitro. Nowadays, stem cells are widely used in regenerative medicine. Human umbilical cord matrix-derived mesenchymal (hUCM) cells can be more easily isolated and cultured than adult mesenchymal stem cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of red and green lights produced by LED on the proliferation of hUCM cells. hUCM cells were isolated from the umbilical cord, and light irradiation was applied at radiation energies of 0.318, 0.636, 0.954, 1.59, 3.18, 6.36, 9.54, and 12.72 J/cm(2). Irradiation of the hUCM cells shows a significant (p < 0.05) increase in cell number as compared to controls after 40 h. In addition, cell proliferation on days 7, 14, and 21 in irradiated groups were significantly (p < 0.001) higher than that in the non-irradiated groups. The present study clearly demonstrates the ability of red and green lights irradiation to promote proliferation of hUCM cells in vitro. The energy applied to the cells through LED irradiation is an effective factor with paradoxical alterations. Green light inserted a much profound effect at special dosages than red light.

Recently, light emitting diodes (LEDs) have been introduced as a potential physical factor for proliferation and differentiation of various stem cells. Among the mesenchymal stem cells human umbilical cord matrix-derived mesenchymal (hUCM) cells are easily propagated in the laboratory and their low immunogenicity make them more appropriate for regenerative medicine procedures. We aimed at this study to evaluate the effect of red and green light emitted from LED on the neural lineage differentiation of hUCM cells in the presence or absence of retinoic acid (RA). Harvested hUCM cells exhibited mesenchymal and stemness properties. Irradiation of these cells by green and red LED with or without RA pre-treatment successfully differentiated them into neural lineage when the morphology of the induced cells, gene expression pattern (nestin, β-tubulin III and Olig2) and protein synthesis (anti-nestin, anti-β-tubulin III, anti-GFAP and anti-O4 antibodies) was evaluated. These data point for the first time to the fact that LED irradiation and optogenetic technology may be applied for neural differentiation and neuronal repair in regenerative medicine.