Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the role of platelet rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of lung fibrosis induced by amiodarone drug. Materials and Methods: Seventy adult male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups (n=20) plus ten rats were used for PRP collection. The first group used as control group. The rats in second group (gp.2) were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) daily with amiodarone drug at (80 mg/ kg. bwt) for three weeks, then injected (24 hours after last dose of amiodarone) (i.p.) with phosphate buffer saline (PBS) (0.5 ml/ kg. bwt) two times weekly for three weeks. The rats in third group (gp.3) were injected (i.p.) daily with amiodarone drug at (80 mg/ kg. bwt) for three weeks, plus (i.p.) injection with platelet rich plasma (PRP) at dose (0.5 ml/kg. bwt) (24 hours after last dose of amiodarone injection) two times weekly for three weeks. The animals were examined during the experiment and sacrificed at the end of the experiment. Results: Rats in the PRP treatment (gp. 3) showed an increase in the level of WBCs and RBCs counts in comparison with group 2. Significant increase in glutathione reductase and a significant decrease in malondialdehyde levels were detected in group 3 when compared with group 2. The histopathological findings showed an improvement in the fibrosed lungs compared to gp (2). Conclusions: This study concluded the remodeling effect of PRP, which was observed clinically and pathologically against the harmful effects of amiodarone in albino rats.

Aflatoxin B1 (AF) is an unavoidable environmental pollutant that contaminates food, feed, and grains, which seriously threatens human and animal health. Arabic gum (AG) has recently evoked much attention owing to its promising therapeutic potential. Thus, the current study was conducted to look into the possible mechanisms beyond the ameliorative activity of AG against AF-inflicted hepatic injury. Male Wistar rats were assigned into four groups: Control, AG (7.5 g/kg b.w/day, orally), AF (200 µg/kg b.w), and AG plus AF group. AF induced marked liver damage expounded by considerable changes in biochemical profile and histological architecture. The oxidative stress stimulated by AF boosted the production of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level along with decreases in the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. Additionally, AF exposure was associated with down-regulation of the nuclear factor erythroid2–related factor2 (Nrf2) and superoxide dismutase1 (SOD1) protein expression in liver tissue. Apoptotic cascade has also been evoked following AF-exposure, as depicted in overexpression of cytochrome c (Cyto c), cleaved Caspase3 (Cl. Casp3), along with enhanced up-regulation of inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and nuclear factor kappa-B transcription factor/p65 (NF-κB/p65) mRNA expression levels. Interestingly, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory contents of AG may reverse the induced oxidative damage, inflammation, and apoptosis in AF-exposed animals.

Various herbal compounds are used for medical purposes due to their safety, as there are no or minimal side effects. This study was performed to assess the wound healing and antioxidant activities of ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and methanolic extract (MeoH) of Solenostemma arghel (S. arghel). Their antifungal activities were also evaluated against isolated swabs of equine wounds. They underwent GC-MS analysis for the characterization of both extracts. For wound healing evaluation, forty-five male albino rats were divided into three groups; the control group was treated with normal saline, and the other two groups were treated with S. arghel EtOAc and MeoH extract gels, respectively. The wounds were examined clinicopathologically and immunohistochemistry on the 3rd, 7th, and 14th days post-wounding. GC-Ms analysis of S. arghel recorded fifty-one volatile organic compounds (VOCs) within EtOAc extraction and thirty VOCs in MeoH extract. VOCs represented in EtOAc extract showed higher antioxidant activity and better and faster wound healing than VOCs of MeOH extract. The treated groups showed improved wound healing clinically and pathologically in comparison with the control group as they decreased the wound surface area (WSA) and percent (WSA%) and increased the wound contraction percent (WC%), epithelization, fibroblast proliferation with neovascularization, and reduced the inflammatory reaction. Moreover, the treated groups showed higher expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) compared with the control. The EtOAc extract showed higher antifungal activity against Penicillium funiculosum, P. jensenii, M. cinctum, and Candida albicans, which were isolated from infected clinical equine wounds, than MeOH extract. The treated groups showed improved wound healing clinically and pathologically in comparison with the control group as they decreased the wound surface area (WSA) and percent (WSA%) and increased the wound contraction percent (WC%), epithelization, fibroblast proliferation with neovascularization, and reduced the inflammatory reaction. Moreover, the treated groups showed higher expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) compared with the control. Additionally, the two extract gels showed promising healing of equine wounds. In conclusion, the study recommended the use of S. arghel EtOAc extract as it was proven to promote wound healing compared with MeoH extract.

Nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) is a potent oxidant induces neurodegeneration via (reactive oxygen species) ROS. Copper is an important metal essential for scavenging free radicals, development of central nervous system (CNS) and redox angiogenesis signaling. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is well known as efficacious and long-term signal that stimulates angiogenesis, where its expression is copper dependent. We examined the copper protective effect against brain vascular damage initiated by NDEA. NDEA induces brain vascular wall damage, necrosis with interstitial hemorrhage and diminishes VEGF expression. Histopathological examination showing a great improvement of brain tissue in copper treated mice with significant increase in VEGF expression. Higher levels of intracellular copper can stimulate angiogenesis and exhibited a significant protection against NDEA induced brain vascular damage, confirming its ability to enhance antioxidant activity and angiogenesis initiation. Our report presents first evidence that inducible VEGF expression in brain is sensitive to copper; moreover, copper-based therapeutics represents a novel approach to reduce brain vascular damage induced by NDEA generated ROS.

Background: Lead is a common heavy metal that persists in the environment and has many toxic effects on the central nervous system, especially the spinal cord. Objective: The current study investigates the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and flax seeds oil (FSO) on the spinal cord tissue against lead acetate toxicity in male albino rats. Materials and Methods: Forty adult male albino rats were divided equally into four groups. The first group served as control rats. The second group received lead acetate (100 mg/kg) intraperitoneally daily for seven days. Group 3 after lead acetate intoxication then treated with a single dose of MSCs (1 × 10 6 cells/rat intravenously injection). In the 4 th group 3 after lead acetate intoxication then rats were treated orally with FSO (1 ml/kg) for thirty days. At the end of the experiment, spinal cord tissues were collected to determine the lead level in the spinal cord, histopathology, immunohistochemistry for cleavage caspase3, and estimate DNA damage by comet assay. Results: Our results revealed significantly increased lead concentration in spinal cord tissue in group 2. In addition to, upregulation of cleavage caspase 3 and elevation of DNA damage in the spinal cord tissue and histopathological alterations in spinal cord tissues. Nevertheless, the treatment of MSCs and FSO groups recorded a decline in lead levels in the spinal cord tissue and downregulation of cleaved caspase 3 and DNA damage and histopathological improvement. Conclusion: Our investigation showed that MSCs are more effective than FSO against lead acetate induced toxicity.