C-Kit cells can modulate asthmatic condition via differentiation into pneumocyte-like cells and alteration of inflammatory responses via ERK/NF-ƙB pathway.

Objectives: The exact role of the progenitor cell types in the dynamic healing of asthmatic lungs is lacking. This investigation was proposed to evaluate the effect of intratracheally administered rat bone marrow-derived c-kit cells on ovalbumin-induced sensitized male rats.

Materials And Methods: Forty rats were randomly divided into 4 groups; healthy rats received phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (C); sensitized rats received PBS (S); PBS containing C-kit- cells (S+C-kit); and PBS containing C-kit cells (S+C-kit).

c-kit+ cells offer hopes in ameliorating asthmatic pathologies via regulation of miRNA-133 and miRNA-126.

Objectives: There are still challenges regarding c-kit+ cells' therapeutic outcome in the clinical setting. Here, we examined the c-kit+ cell effect on the alleviation of asthma by modulating miRNAs expression.

Materials And Methods: To induce asthma, male rats were exposed to ovalbumin.

Unraveling the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells in asthma.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with airway hyper-responsiveness, chronic inflammatory response, and excessive structural remodeling. The current therapeutic strategies in asthmatic patients are based on controlling the activity of type 2 T helper lymphocytes in the pulmonary tissue. However, most of the available therapies are symptomatic and expensive and with diverse side outcomes in which the interruption of these modalities contributes to the relapse of asthmatic symptoms.

C-Kit progenitors restore rat asthmatic lung function by modulation of T-bet and GATA-3 expression.

New Findings: What is the central question of this study? The aim of the experiment was to highlight the regenerative capacity of bone marrow Kit cells in the restoration of asthmatic pulmonary function in the rat model. What is the main finding and its importance? Data showed that these cells were recruited successfully to the asthmatic niche after intratracheal administration and accelerated the regeneration of asthmatic lungs by the modulation of inflammation via the control of Gata3 and Tbx21 expression, leading to decreased tracheal responsiveness to methacholine and reduction of pathological remodelling.

Abstract: Allergic asthma is a T helper (Th) 2 immunological disorder with consequential uncontrolled inflammatory responses.

Lead exposure changes gastric motility in rats: role of nitric oxide (NO).

Background: Abdominal colic, constipation and delay in gastric emptying are symptoms of lead poisoning, but there is scant information about the effect of lead on gastric motility. In the present study, we investigated the effect of lead acetate on gastric motility in rats.

Methods: Animals were divided into nine groups (n=8); four groups were exposed to lead acetate solution (1%) for 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks (Pb1, Pb2, Pb3, and Pb4 groups, respectively).

Lead exposure changes gastric acid secretion in rat: role of nitric oxide (NO).

Sub chronic exposure to lead in rats slows gastric emptying, but little is known about the effects of lead on gastric secretion. This study was designed to investigate the effects of lead on gastric acid secretion and its possible mechanisms in rats. Lead acetate was dissolved in drinking water in a concentration of 1%.

Preconditioning with acute and chronic lithium administration reduces ischemia/reperfusion injury mediated by cyclooxygenase not nitric oxide synthase pathway in isolated rat heart.

Lithium is widely used for the management of neuropsychiatric symptoms in bipolar disorders. A variety of hypotheses have been invoked to explain the mechanism of action of lithium. To determine if lithium exerts direct cardiac protection, in the present study perfused rat heart model was used.

Assessment of plasma antioxidant status in hemodialysis patients.

The risk of atherosclerosis and cancer is high in patients on hemodialysis. A breakdown in the natural balance between the activity of the body's antioxidant system and the production of oxidizing agents is suggested to be involved. To investigate the oxidative stress status in Iranian hemodialytic patients, in this study we evaluated plasma vitamin E, malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) levels in these patients.

Effect of indomethacin on electrical field stimulation-induced contractions of isolated transverse and longitudinal rat gastric fundus strips.

Aim: To study the effects of indomethacin on the isolated transverse and longitudinal rat gastric fundus strips.

Methods: The strips were suspended in an organ bath containing oxygenated Krebs solution, and contractile responses to electrical field stimulation were recorded on a physiograph in an isotonic manner after administration of cumulative concentrations of indomethacin. The effects of indomethacin on the strips pretreated with K(ATP) channel modulators, diazoxide and glybenclamide were studied.

Effects of administration of oral magnesium on plasma glucose and pathological changes in the aorta and pancreas of diabetic rats.

1. Magnesium deficiency has recently been proposed as a novel factor implicated in the pathogenesis of the complications of diabetes. The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between oral Mg supplementation and changes in plasma glucose, calcium, haemoglobin, Ca/Mg ratio, blood pressure and the histology of the pancreas and vascular system in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.