Protective effects of oil, thymoquinone and dexamethasone on bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in rats.

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic interstitial lung disease with a progressive damage to the air sacs and deposition of collagen fibers in the lung tissue. The study aimed to explore the effects of oil (NSO) or thymoquinone (TQ), alone or in combination with dexamethasone (DEX), on the development of bleomycin (BLM)-induced PF. Forty-two male rats were divided into seven groups: Control (CTRL); BLM, received a single dose of BLM on day 0, intratracheally; all remaining groups received BLM, as well.

Comparison of the effects of selected aminoglycoside antibiotics on motor behaviors in mice.

Aminoglycoside antibiotics (AGs) can cause neuromuscular blockade and paralysis of skeletal muscles. To compare the paralytic effects of selected AGs on some motor behaviors in mice, 24 male mice were divided into four groups. Each group was given one of AGs (gentamicin, dihydro-streptomycin, apramycin and amikacin) at incremental doses that increased half-logarithmically compared to the therapeutic dose (16.

Acute and chronic effects of morphine on Low-Mg ACSF-induced epileptiform activity during infancy in mice hippocampal slices.

Interaction of morphine and seizure is complex. Mouse brain hippocampal slices were used to estimate how acute and chronic morphine treatment alters the low-magnesium artificial cerebrospinal fluid (LM-ACSF)-induced seizure activity. Hippocampal slices were taken from the normal and morphine-treated mice.

The effect of selective opioid receptor agonists and antagonists on epileptiform activity in morphine-dependent infant mice hippocampal slices.

Hippocampal slices of mouse brain were used to estimate how selective agonist and antagonist of opioid receptors alter Low-Mg artificial cerebrospinal fluid (LM-ACSF)-induced epileptiform activities in normal and morphine-dependent mice. Brain slices were obtained from control and morphine-dependent mice. The morphine-dependent group received morphine once a day for 5 consecutive days, and the control group received saline.

Comparison of the Effects of Iron Oxide, as a New Form of Iron Supplement, and Ferrous Sulfate on the Blood Levels of Iron and Total Iron-Binding Globulin in the Rabbit.

Iron oxide is an important biological agent that has a key role in medical processes; however, the mechanism whereby it provides iron for human and animal cells and its biological uses remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the effects of oral iron oxide on serum iron status and compare the results with those of iron sulfate as a reference salt. Fifteen adult rabbits were divided into 3 groups of 5 each: control group, iron sulfate group, and iron oxide group.

Attenuation of Withdrawal Signs, Blood Cortisol, and Glucose Level with Various Dosage Regimens of Morphine after Precipitated Withdrawal Syndrome in Mice.

Morphine withdrawal usually results in unsuccessful outcomes. Despite partial benefits from alternative substances such as methadone, its use may not lead to the desired result due to the lack of mental tranquility during the withdrawal period. In this study, by means of an animal model, morphine itself was used to manage morphine dependence.

Lead exposure affects inflammatory mediators, total and differential white blood cells in sensitized guinea pigs during and after sensitization.

Background: Serum inflammatory mediators and white blood cells (WBC) counts in the blood of sensitized and lead exposed guinea pigs were evaluated.

Methods: Guinea pigs were randomly allocated into control (C), sensitized (S) and sensitized groups exposed to three lead concentrations (0.1, 0.

The effect of lead exposure on selected blood inflammatory biomarkers in guinea pigs.

This study was aimed to examine the effect of lead acetate on inflammatory biomarkers in blood of guinea pigs in comparison with sensitized animals. Thirty guinea pigs were randomly allocated into control (group C), sensitized (group S), and three Pb-exposed (groups 0.1M Pb, 0.

Prion diseases - current theories and potential therapies: a brief review.

Prion diseases are a group of infectious diseases that cause lethal neurodegenerative disorders in both humans and animals. Affected patients usually die within one year from the appearance of the first clinical abnormalities. Unfortunately, no viable treatment options are available for prion diseases.

The role of nitric oxide in airway responsiveness in diabetic-antigen sensitized guinea pigs in vitro.

Clinical asthma and airway responsiveness appear to be less severe when diabetes is superimposed. The aim of the present study was to determine the possible role of Nitric Oxide (NO) in the airway reactivity under diabetic and diabetic-allergic conditions. Twenty-five male guinea-pigs were divided into five groups of five each as follows: diabetic, antigen sensitized, diabetic- antigen sensitized, insulin-treated diabetic- antigen ovalbumin sensitized and control animals.

The effect of organophosphate pesticides on the blood glucose levels in the mouse.

The aim of the present study was to study the effect of two selected agents of this group on blood glucose levels in an animal model. Forty-two adult male mice were divided into 7 groups of 6 each. Animals were exposed by their entire tail for 10 sec once a day for 7 successive days to either 0, 0.

Role of nitric oxide on the generation of atretic follicles in the rat ovaries.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Nitric Oxide (NO) in the atresia of ovarian follicles in an animal model. Twenty adult, female rats (90 days old with body weights of210 +/- 10 g in the beginning of the experiments) were divided into 4 groups of 5 each. They were treated twice daily from the subcutaneous route for 21 successive days with either of the following chemicals: nitroglycerine, L-arginine, L-NAME, or saline.

Effect of acetylcysteine on experimental corneal wounds in dogs.

The effects of 3, 10 and 20% concentrations of acetylcysteine on experimental corneal wound healing in dogs were evaluated. Experimental corneal wounds were induced surgically, up to the depth of the anterior third of the stroma, in both eyes of 18 dogs. One of the eyes was treated topically with 0.

Histopathological studies on the effects of peroxynitrite on the lungs and trachea of rabbits.

Peroxynitrite (ONOO-) is the reaction product between nitric oxide and the superoxide anion. It is a biological oxidant and cytotoxic anion, produced in vivo, which might cause inflammation and damage to the lungs. This study was designed to investigate whether direct contact with peroxynitrite could cause pathological changes in the airways.

Sodium cromoglycate and doxantrazole are oxygen radical scavengers.

The effects of two mast cell stabilisers, sodium cromoglycate (SCG) and doxantrazole, on the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were studied. Guinea-pig alveolar macrophages (AMs) generated lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence (LDCL). This was increased when the cells were stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or zymosan (by 133% and 464%, respectively, in total LDCL over 60 min).

Parasiticidal effects of peroxynitrite on ovine liver flukes in vitro.

Peroxynitrite (ONOO-) is a cytotoxic anion, produced by interaction between nitric oxide and superoxide in vivo in some inflammatory cells. This study investigated its effects on Fasciola hepatica and Dicrocoelium dendriticum isolated from ovine livers and kept in bile at room temperature. Peroxynitrite was synthesized using a quenched flow reactor and assayed spectrophotometrically.

Role of the epithelial layer in the generation of superoxide anion by the guinea-pig isolated trachea.

The lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence generation by guinea-pig isolated tracheal two rings preparations was studied. Tracheal preparations stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or opsonized zymosan generated chemiluminescence. The total amount of chemiluminescence generated in 120 min was 754+/-63 mV x min for PMA and 4832+/-396 mV x min for zymosan.

Peroxynitrite: a two-faced metabolite of nitric oxide.

The discovery that nitric oxide (NO) reacts with superoxide (O2.-) forming peroxynitrite (ONOO-) (1) and the proof that this reaction occurs in vivo (2,3) holds enormous implications for the understanding of free radicals in biological systems. Not only in mammalian defense mechanisms against microorganisms, but also in pathophysiology during overexposure of tissues to radicals or other highly reactive species.

Bovine tracheal responsiveness in vitro: role of the epithelium and nitric oxide.

Airway epithelium releases inhibitory factors, such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which may counteract bronchoconstriction. We investigated whether epithelium-derived inhibitory substances exert a crucial influence on bovine tracheal responsiveness in vitro. Isotonic and isometric contractions in response to histamine of intact and epithelium-denuded tracheal smooth muscle strips were compared.

Relaxation of guinea-pig trachea by sodium nitroprusside: cyclic GMP and nitric oxide not involved.

1. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) completely relaxed the guinea-pig isolated, perfused trachea in a concentration-dependent manner. Although SNP was less potent by about 2 orders of magnitude, its maximal effect was 25% higher compared to isoprenaline.

Peroxynitrite induces airway hyperresponsiveness in guinea pigs in vitro and in vivo.

Peroxynitrite (ONOO-) is a cytotoxic product of the rapid reaction between nitric oxide and superoxide that may initiate inflammation. Isolated perfused tracheas from guinea pigs were incubated from the mucosal side for 15 min with peroxynitrite (1 to 100 muM). Thereafter, concentration-response curves to histamine and methacholine were constructed on the preparations.

Induction of guinea pig airway hyperresponsiveness by inactivation of guanylate cyclase.

To examine the role of cyclic 3', 5'-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in airway responsiveness the effects of substances known to interfere with nitric oxide (NO) or cGMP were investigated on guinea pig airways. Using a perfused organ bath system, it was possible to apply the chemicals from either the serosal or the mucosal side independently. In addition, levels of intracellular cGMP were determined in tissues after various treatments.