No abstract

AimWe aimed to determine the effect and mechanism of action of diallyl sulfide (DAS), an active component of sulfur‐containing foods such as garlic on rat uterine activity.MethodsIsometric tension changes in longitudinal uterine strips obtained from 20 female Sprague–Dawley rats (250–300 g) in estrus stage of estrous cycle were studied in isolated organ baths containing Krebs–Henseleit solution.ResultsDiallyl sulfide (10−8–10−6 M) caused a concentration‐dependent relaxation on KCl (60 mM)‐induced contractions and inhibited spontaneous peristaltic activity of uterine strips (P < 0.05). None of the following antagonists significantly changed the inhibitory effect of DAS on both KCl‐precontracted uterine strips and spontaneous peristaltic activity of the uterus (P > 0.05): nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L‐NAME (10−4 M), hydrogen sulfide‐producing enzymes cystation β synthase and cystation γ‐lyase inhibitors, aminooxyacetic acid (10−4 M) and propargylglycine (10−3 M) and nonselective cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (10−4 M). However, in calcium‐free Krebs solution containing high KCl (30 mM), DAS significantly inhibited CaCl2 (10−5–10−2 M)‐induced uterine contractions in a concentration‐dependent manner (P < 0.05).ConclusionDiallyl sulfide has a relaxing effect on KCl‐contracted rat uterus strips and an inhibitory effect on spontaneous uterine activity, possibly by decreasing the calcium influx into the cytoplasm of uterine smooth muscle cells.

No abstract

Metástasis rectal de carcinoma lobulillar mamario Palabras clave: Glándulas mamarias. Carcinoma lobulillar. Siembra neoplásica. Células neoplásicas circulantes. Neoplasia de primario desconocido. Venas. Fondo de saco de Douglas.

Methimazole, a widely used agent in the treatment of hyperthyroidism, is also used to induce hypothyroidism in experimental studies. In this study, we aimed to evaluate cognitive functions in a methimazole-induced rat hypothyroidism model and also to determine long-term thyroid functions. Twelve adult female/male Wistar rats (250-300 g) were randomly divided into two groups, one of which was given 0.02% methimazole in drinking water for 4 weeks, as the other group was given normal water. After 4 weeks, Morris water maze, elevated plus maze, tail suspension test, passive avoidance test were applied. Serum free T4 and TSH levels were measured 8 weeks after discontinuation of methimazole, and thyroid tissue was evaluated histopathologically. There was no significant difference between the groups in the Morris water maze and passive avoidance test (p > 0.05). In the elevated plus maze, hypothyroid rats spent more time in the open-field (123.5  35.5 sec vs. 12.5  7.9 sec; p = 0.012); made more entries into the open and middle area (3.0  0.4 vs. 0.7  0.5; p = 0.006 and 6.2  1.2 vs. 2.8  0.7; p = 0.042, respectively). In the tail suspension test, the duration of immobility was significantly longer in the hypothyroid group (186.2  19.5 sec vs. 110.3  26.2 sec; p = 0.043). In the histopathological examination, colloid vacuolization was observed in the hypothyroid group, but serum free T4 and TSH levels did not show difference between the groups. In conclusion, methimazole-induced hypothyroidism decreases anxiety and increases tendency to depression without impairing learning and memory. Additionally, although thyroid follicle distortion is observed histopathologically, serum thyroid functions return to normal in the long-term. On this basis, further studies should be planned to elucidate the relationship between hypothyroidism and cognitive functions.