20th Day Of Gestation Research Articles

Ginger extract attenuates labetalol induced apoptosis, DNA damage, histological and ultrastructural changes in the heart of rat fetuses.

Labetalol is a medication used to treat maternal hypertension during pregnancy. However, it is often associated with many side effects. Recently, several studies have been focused on the protective effect of medicinal plant extracts, such as ginger, against drugs inducing toxicity. Therefore, it has been hypothesized that ginger aqueous extraction can ameliorate labetalol-induced histological, ultrastructural changes, DNA damage, and apoptosis in fetal heart tissue. To achieve the aim of this study, sixty pregnant female albino rats were divided into 4 groups (15 each). Group I (Control). Group II received ginger (200 mg/kg). Group III received labetalol (300 mg/kg). Group IV received labetalol first followed by ginger. All groups were orally injected daily during the organogenesis phase of gestation i.e., from the 6th to the 15th day, and sacrificed at the 20th day of gestation. Results showed that labetalol-induced marked histological and ultrastructural alterations. Also, there was severe DNA damage and an increase in the apoptotic rates determined by Annexin-V/PI dual staining assay. Injection of the ginger aqueous extract caused evident improvement in cardiac tissue, DNA damage, and apoptotic rates. In conclusion, the results suggest that ginger extract could be a potential candidate agent for reducing labetalol-induced cardiotoxicity in the fetal heart of albino rats.

Indicated and non-indicated antibiotic administration during pregnancy and its effect on pregnancy outcomes: Role of inflammation

The objective of this study was to compare the release of endotoxin and pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as pregnancy outcomes after antibiotic exposure in healthy and bacterial infected pregnant rats. Thirty female Wistar pregnant rats were divided into five groups. Group A considered as control and received intraperitoneal saline 0.9% on 17th day of gestation or DG) and groups B and C treated with 20 mg/kg/day intravenous ceftriaxone and ceftazidime, respectively (DG: 18–20). Groups D and E received intraperitoneal E. coli and LPS on 17th DG respectively. Also, groups F and G received the same treatment as group D but they treated with the exact antibiotics mentioned for groups B and C (same dose and duration). Pregnancy outcomes as well as maternal sera levels of endotoxin, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. It was shown that group B had a higher IL-1β (P = 0.003) and TNF-α (P = 0.003) levels compared to the controls (CTC). Group C expressed a lower gestational duration (P = 0.007) as well as higher IL-6 (P = 0.025) and TNF-α (P < 0.001) levels CTC. Interestingly, both group B (P = 0.021) and C (P < 0.001) had a higher rate of endotoxin release CTC. Moreover, in group C, IL-6 (P < 0.0001 and r = −0.941) had a significant correlation with gestational duration. As the results showed, antibiotic administration in non-indication condition seems to be associated with significantly higher production of endotoxin and inflammatory cytokines which increase the risk of poor pregnancy outcomes.

Influence of doxycycline administration on rat embryonic development during organogenesis.

This experiment was performed to evaluate the possible embryotoxic and teratogenic effects of doxycycline during rat development. Twenty-one female rats were used and distributed into three groups equally (seven animals/group). The low dose group received doxycycline ata dose of 5 mg/kg bw/day orally from the 6th to 14th day of gestation. The high dose group received 10 mg/kg bw/day orally for the same period, the Control group received 1 mL distilled water orally for the same period. The dams were dissected on the 20th day of gestation and their fetuses were subjected to morphological, skeletal, and histological examination. Moreover, DNA damage analysis of liver cells of pregnant rats and their fetuses or fetal skull was assessed by Comet assay. The obtained results showed a significant decrease in fetal body weight, several morphological anomalies, and severe lack of ossification on the skull bones, phalanges, and sternum bone as well as shortness in the ulna and radius bones. Histological studies of pregnant rats revealed congestion and dilatation of the central vein of the liver lobules and fatty degeneration of the hepatocytes. In addition, 20 day-fetuses showed a marked increase of necrotic hepatocytes associated with an increased average of megakaryocytes and periportal leukocytic infiltration. Moreover, doxycycline induced a significant increase in the percentage ofDNA damage and tail length of examined samples. Conclusively, doxycycline caused certainfetal abnormalities, so it is advisable to avoid using this drug during pregnancy.

Protein malnutrition early in life increased apoptosis but did not alter the β-cell mass during gestation.

We evaluated whether early-life protein restriction alters structural parameters that affect β-cell mass on the 15th day and 20th day of gestation in control pregnant (CP), control non-pregnant (CNP), low-protein pregnant (LPP) and low-protein non-pregnant (LPNP) rats from the fetal to the adult life stage as well as in protein-restricted rats that recovered after weaning (recovered pregnant (RP) and recovered non-pregnant). On the 15th day of gestation, the CNP group had a higher proportion of smaller islets, whereas the CP group exhibited a higher proportion of islets larger than the median. The β-cell mass was lower in the low-protein group than that in the recovered and control groups. Gestation increased the β-cell mass, β-cell proliferation frequency and neogenesis frequency independently of the nutritional status. The apoptosis frequency was increased in the recovered groups compared with that in the other groups. On the 20th day of gestation, a higher proportion of islets smaller than the median was observed in the non-pregnant groups, whereas a higher proportion of islets larger than the median was observed in the RP, LPP and CP groups. β-Cell mass was lower in the low-protein group than that in the recovered and control groups, regardless of the physiological status. The β-cell proliferation frequency was lower, whereas the apoptosis rate was higher in recovered rats compared with those in the low-protein and control rats. Thus, protein malnutrition early in life did not alter the mass of β-cells, especially in the first two-thirds of gestation, despite the increase in apoptosis.

Early L-T4 intervention improves fetal heart development in pregnant rats with subclinical hypothyroidism rats by activating BMP4/Smad4 signaling pathway

BackgroundIt is unclear whether the offspring of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) pregnant rats still have abnormal cardiac development, and whether early intervention with L-T4 can improve the abnormality of these offspring. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of early L-T4 intervention on the heart development of offspring of SCH pregnant rats and its possible molecular mechanism.MethodsEighty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into Sham group (placebo control), SCH group, LT4-E10 group (L-T4 treatment started on the 10th day of gestation), and LT4-E13 group (L-T4 treatment started on the 13th day of gestation). Each group was further divided into E16 (16th day of gestation), E18 (18th day of gestation), P5 (5th day postnatal day), and P10 (10th day postnatal day) subgroups. The levels of serum TT4 and TSH, the ratio of heart weight to body weight of offspring rats, the expression of metabolic enzymes, and the histopathology of cardiomyocytes were determined. To elucidate the effects of L-T4 on cardiac development of offspring of SCH pregnant rats, the expression levels of GATA4, Nkx2–5 and proteins involved in BMP4/Smad4 signaling pathway were detected by immunohistochemistry, real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting to elucidate the molecular mechanism of L-T4 regulating the heart development of the offspring of SCH pregnant rats.ResultsCompared with Sham group, serum TSH was significantly increased in SCH pregnant rats. Moreover, early L-T4 intervention significantly reduced the levels of serum TSH. Compared with the offspring in the SCH group, early L-T4 intervention significantly increased the heart weight, heart weight to body weight ratio, the activities of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), Na+/K+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase, but reduced myocardial cell shrinkage and nuclear staining, hyperemia/congestion and vacuolar degeneration. In addition, early L-T4 intervention not only significantly increased the mRNA and protein expression of Gata4 and Nkx2–5, but also increased the protein expression involved in BMP4/Smad4 signal pathway in myocardium of the offspring of SCH pregnant rats.ConclusionsEarly L-T4 intervention can regulate the cardiac development of the offspring of SCH pregnant rats by activating BMP4/Smad4 signaling pathway and increasing the expression of Gata4 and Nkx2–5 proteins.

Ouabain regulates kidney metabolic profiling in rat offspring of intrauterine growth restriction induced by low-protein diet

AimsIntrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) can increase the risk of hypertension and kidney disease at adulthood due to fetal programming. In our previous study, we found that supplementation with low concentration of ouabain during pregnancy could restore glomerulus numbers at birth, rescuing kidney development. However, the metabolic pattern of kidney in IUGR offspring and the effect of ouabain have not been evaluated. Main methodsIn this study, based on GC–MS and LC-MS platforms, we used the protein restriction rat model to explore the molecular mechanisms of kidney damage induced by IUGR and the protective effect of ouabain. Key findingsThe results showed that malnutrition could induce IUGR in rat offspring at the 20th gestational day but ouabain treatment could partially reverse the body and kidney weight loss. Ouabain treatment could upregulate arginine, N-acetylornithine and carbamoyl phosphate as well as adenine nucleotide and guanine nucleotide downregulated by low-protein diet. Moreover, six metabolites were identified to be significantly correlated with fetal kidney weight, with 3 metabolites involved in arginine metabolism (arginine, N-acetylornithine, urea) and UDP-glucuronate correlated positively, while lysine and anthranilate correlated negatively. SignificanceThe results suggested that the underlying mechanism of ouabain against renal maldevelopment involved the metabolic regulation, particularly the arginine metabolism, which played an important role in the development of fetal kidney.

Role of VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors in the etiology of pregnancy rhinitis: an experimental study in rats

IntroductionPregnancy rhinitis is a common sex hormone-related otorhinolaryngological disorder. There are some epidemiological and physiological studies on pregnancy rhinitis, but histopathological and biomolecular changes have not been studied thoroughly. ObjectivesThe receptors VPAC1 and VPAC2 are known for their roles in allergic rhinitis. On the other hand, activation of subclinical allergy has been suggested in the pathophysiology of pregnancy rhinitis. Therefore, we aimed to compare the physiological and gestational pattern of VPAC1 and VPAC2 expression in rat nasal mucosa. MethodsTwenty adult Wister albino female rats were enrolled into the study. Two groups constituted as 10 control (group A) and 10 pregnant (group B) rats. They were fed ad libitum and sheltered at room temperature (22°±2°C). The rats were sacrificed at the 20th day of gestation by intraperitoneal injection of 400mg/kg Na-pentobarbitone. Then, 10−15mL of blood was taken, and samples were reserved for the detection of serum estradiol and progesterone levels by ELISA test. The nasal septum was resected and divided in half for immunohistochemical analyses and real time polymerase chain reaction testing of VPAC1 and VPAC2. ResultsVPAC1 and VPAC2 were found to be in all layers of septal specimens, but the immunostaining of surface epithelium was more distinct in specimens of both groups. We demonstrated higher overall staining intensity in the pregnant group. PCR revealed significant increase in expression of VPAC1 (p=0.023) and VPAC2 (p=0.021) in pregnant group when compared with control group. In addition, we demonstrated upregulatory effect of estradiol and progesterone on the vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor expression. ConclusionsGestational up-regulation of nasal VPAC1 and VPAC2 was shown both by PCR and immunohistochemical analysis. These findings support the hypothesis that PR is caused by the activation of subclinical allergy that is present before pregnancy.

Protective Effect of Flax Seed on Brain Teratogenicity Induced by Lamotrigine in Rat Fetuses.

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of flax seed on the teratogenic activity of lamotrigine in the brain of fetuses of rats who had received the drug. In this experimental study, 40 female rats were assigned randomly into four groups and after mating and confirming the vaginal plug, the control animals (group 1) were kept with no intervention, and the other three experimental groups were intraperitoneally injected with respective lamotrigine (75 mg/kg), and 100 and 200 mg/kg of flax seed hydroalcoholic extract. The drug was administered during the organogenesis period. Rats were sacrificed at the 20th day of gestation (one day before term) and fetuses were macroscopically examined, weighed and crown-rump length measured. Fetal brain specimens were processed for H&amp;E and for histological study, using the ImageJ software. Results showed that fetuses of the experimental groups that received lamotrigine had reduced body weight, prefrontal cortical and hippocampal thickness, and pyramidal neurons in the hip-pocampus; Nevertheless, these factors were improved by high-dose administration of flax seed in the experimental group 3 and 4. Our research concludes that lamotrigine negatively influences the development of brain in rats and flax seed has a protective impact on these complications.

&lt;p&gt;The Role of PPARδ Agosnist GW501516 in Rats with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus&lt;/p&gt;

BackgroundGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a disorder of glucose metabolism that occurs or is found for the first time during pregnancy. GDM is very harmful and urgently needs drug treatment to improve pregnancy outcome. PPARδ is involved in a variety of biological processes related to glycolipid metabolism in the body, suggesting that it may be closely related to insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance. The role of PPARδ agonist GW501516 in gestational diabetes has not been studied.MethodsFirstly, the rat model of GDM was established. Then, fasting blood-glucose (FGB), fasting insulin (FINS), HOMA-islet resistance index (HOMA-IR) and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) of GDM rats treated with GW501516 were measured on day 3, day 10 and day 17. Glucose tolerance test was performed on the 20th day of gestation to measure glucose tolerance in rats. The expression of PPARδ and Angptl8 in islet tissues of rats was detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Histopathological changes of islet were detected by HE stain; apoptosis rate of islet cells was detected by Tunel; and expression of apoptosis-related proteins in the cells was detected by Western blot. The biochemical kits were used to detect the expression of lipid metabolism-related factors in blood of GDM rats after the PPARδ agonist GW501516 treatment. Finally, the expression of SREBP-1c and GLUT2 in islet tissues was detected by RT-qPCR and IHC.ResultsThe PPARδ agonist GW501516 decreased the expression of FGB, FINS and HOMA-IR in GDM rats, and we found that GW501516 decreased ISI in GDM rats. GW501516 increased glucose tolerance in GDM rats too. In GDM rats, the expression of PPARδ in islet decreased and the expression of Angptl8 increased, which was reversed by GW501516. In addition, we also found that GW501516 can improve the damaged islet tissue of GDM rats, reduce the apoptosis rate of islet cells and inhibit the expression of lipid metabolism-related factors in the blood. Finally, we found that GW501516 inhibited the expression of SREBP-1c and promoted the expression of GLUT2 in the islet tissue.ConclusionThe PPARδ agonist GW501516 could improve the blood glucose level, damaged islet tissue and increase the insulin content in the rats with GDM, possibly by regulating the SREBP-1c/GLUT2 pathway. Our study provided a new basis for clinical treatment of GDM in pregnant women with PPARδ agonist GW501516.

Histological and Histochemical Studies on Kidneys of the Pregnant Rats and Their Foetuses under the Effect of Buspirone Hydrochloride

Background: anxiety is a powerful central nervous system depression that can slow normal brain function. Buspirone is often prescribed to reduce the feelings of tension; this drug is also known as sedative drug. Aim of the work: this study aimed to detect the effect of buspirone hydrochloride on kidney of the pregnant rats and their foetuses (histological and histochemical studies). Material and methods: the current study was applied on thirty pregnant female rats that were categorized into three groups (ten pregnant rats in each group): Group1 (the control pregnant rats that were orally administrated with distilled water, group II (pregnant rats were given oral dosage of buspirone hydrochloride at dose level of 0.27 mg /100 g body weight /day daily for 15 days from the 6 th day to the 20th day of gestation and group III (pregnant rats were treated with buspirone hydrochloride at a dose level of 0.41 mg/100 gm body weight/day for 15 days from the 6 th to the 20th day of gestation. Kidney tissues were taken from pregnant rats and picked out from their foetuses of all groups which killed on the 20th day of gestation for the histological and histochemical studies. Results: maternal and foetal kidney tissues of both treated groups showed numerous changes post-treatment with buspirone that well-marked at the high concentration dose. Conclusion: the present study showed that administration of Buspirone drug resulted in several histological and histochemical alterations in the kidney tissues.

Protective Effect of Astaxanthin on Prenatal Bacterial Lipopolysaccharide Exposed Behavioral Deficits in Adult Mice

Background: Prenatal maternal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure causes behavioral deficits in adulthood. LPS-exposure cause oxidative damage and cytokines production. In contrast, astaxanthin (Ast) is a carotenoid antioxidant that shows protective effects through its antioxidant capacity. Objectives: This study investigates the effect of prenatal treatment with astaxanthin on the behavioral deficit (including sexual, depressive, and anxiety-like behavior) caused by prenatal maternal LPS in adult male offspring. Methods: Pregnant mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: (1) control, (2) LPS: injecting with LPS (20 µg/kg, sc.) on gestation day 11, (3) Ast: receiving astaxanthin (4 mg/kg for 3 days, i.p.) on 11 - 13th gestation day, (4) LPS+Ast: injecting with LPS (20 µg/kg, sc.) on gestation day 11 and receiving astaxanthin (4 mg/kg for 3 days, i.p.) on 11 - 13th gestation day. Then in each group, 23 day old male offspring (3 and 12 male children from each mother and group, respectively) were separated from mothers and then the sexual, depressive and anxiety-like behaviors were examined in adult male mice. Results: Findings showed that prenatal LPS-exposed mice had more anxiety and spent less time in open arms of the elevated plus-maze test (P < 0.05). In addition, it decreased sexual behaviors, the amount of which was significant in the number of sniffing, following behaviors (P < 0.01). Also, there was no significant difference between different groups in the forced swimming test (P < 0.05). On the other hand, prenatal treatment with astaxanthin significantly elevated the percentage of open arm time and open arm entry, without altering in locomotor activity (P < 0.05). Also, it significantly increased sexual behavior in Ast and LPS+Ast groups (P < 0.01). Conclusions: The obtained results suggest that prenatal maternal exposure to LPS impaired several aspects of male sexual behavior and resulted in behavioral deficits in adulthood, while astaxanthin has an antianxiety effect and improves the deficits of sexual behavior presumably via its antioxidant property.

Toxicological potential of penconazole on early embryogenesis of white mice Mus musculus in either pre- or post-implantation exposure.

The present investigation was conducted to evaluate the effect of penconazole (PEN) fungicide on early embryogenesis of white mice. In the first experiment, 48 pregnant females were divided into different groups; the first group is control (G1). The second group (G2) was treated daily with PEN (30-, 20-, 10-, 5-mg/kg BW). The third group (G3) was treated with PEN (5-mg/kg BW; day after the other day). The fourth group (G4) was treated with PEN (2.5-mg/kg BW daily) during pre-implantation stage (from the 1st to the 4th day of gestation). The fifth group (G5) was treated with PEN (2.5-mg/kg BW daily) during post-implantation (from the 5th to the 8th day of gestation). The pregnant females were sacrificed at the 14th day of gestation. In the second experiment, 63 pregnant females were classified into control, PEN-treated during pre-implantation period (2.5-mg/kg BW), and PEN-administered during post-implantation period (2.5-mg/kg BW). Each group was sacrificed at stages E6.5, E7.5, E8.5, E9.5, E11.5, E14.5, and E18.5. The high doses of PEN in the first experiment showed failed pregnancy, foetoresorption, and embryo disorganization. High doses of PEN induce alterations in the uterus tissue at the level of histology and immunohistochemistry for the expression of TGFβ2, TNFR2, Caspase 10, and HSP70. The low doses of PEN in the second experiment showed upregulated expression of TGFβ2, TNFR2, Caspase 10, and HSP70 at stages E6.5 and E7.5. In conclusion, PEN was found to alter the suitable uterine environment for proper implantation and development at the levels of histological and immunohistochemical that could create a risk during the full course of embryogenesis.

Morphological and osteological studies on the effect of acrylamide (ACR) on paternally treated fetuses of albino rat

The present study investigates the effects of Acrylamide (ACR) on the skeletal system of the prenatal fetuses of 20th day of gestation of rat. The used rat were arranged in five groups; Control group (C) was the group treated orally by distilled water; G1 was the group of male treated daily with (10 mg/kg) of ACR orally for 10 days and then they allowed to mate with control females.G2 was the group of female treated daily with (10 mg/kg) of ACR orally for 10 days and then they allowed to mate with control males. G3 was the group of male and female treated daily with (10 mg/kg orally) of ACR orally for 10 days and then they allowed to mate with each other.G4 was the group of Pregnant female treated daily with (10 mg/kg) of ACR orally at (1st -20th) day of Pregnancy. At the 20th day of gestation, the uteri were removed by cesarean sections. For each mother, the number of fetal swelling in each horn, living and dead fetuses and early of late resorptions were recorded. Early and late resorptions were discerned according to their size. For morphological studies, fetuses either living or dead were counted, weighed and measured then morphologically examined for any external malformation. Stereoscopic examination for the obtained 20th day of gestation. Fetuses showed severe skeletal alterations included incomplete ossification for some bones of skull, vertebrae, fore and hind limbs and significant reduction in the length of most long bones of both limbs. The alterations indicated that ACR treatment induced growth retardation confirmed by great reduction in body weight and body length. The results suggest that ACR has Teratogenic effects on maternally treated 20-day-old albino rat fetuses.

Shiitake Culinary-Medicinal Mushroom, Lentinus edodes (Agaricomycetes): Absence of Changes in Maternal Reproductive Performance and Embryofetal Development In Vivo.

The shiitake culinary-medicinal mushroom Lentinus edodes (=Lentinula edodes) has been used as a nutritional complement. This study evaluated, through reprotox tests, the consumption of L. edodes in pregnant rats, considering it as a functional food. Pregnant rats were daily exposed to L. edodes before implantation (LeB)-from 1 to 19 days of gestation, and after implantation (LeA)-from 9 to 19 days of gestation, compared with controls. On the 20th day of gestation, cesarean sections were performed. Blood was collected and hematological parameters (hemoglobin, hematocrit, white and red blood cells and platelets) were analyzed. Moreover, albumin, calcium, creatine kinase, alkaline phosphatase, transferases, creatinine, urea, triglycerides, cholesterol, lipase, glucose, and insulin were assessed in serum. Organs were collected and weighed, and the fetuses were analyzed morphologically by body measurements. The consumption of L. edodes reduced triglycerides levels and there were no changes in maternal weight, biochemical and hematological parameters, organ weight, and reproductive capacity. There were no morphological changes in the fetuses' body measurements, suggesting possible safety in ingestion of mushroom. Reprotox tests used to evaluate the daily consumption of L. edodes points out potentiality as a functional food, suggesting safety during the gestational period.

Critical developmental effects on rat fetuses of low-level arsenic exposure in water

Arsenic has been incriminated to cross the placental barrier both in humans as well as animals, which might be the putative cause of alteration(s) in developmental defects reported in fetuses. The present study was conducted to determine the teratogenic effect of arsenic induced toxicity, when given at the same level (0.0191 to 0.2080 mg/l) at which it is found in drinking water in different parts of India. Young male and female Wistar rats were randomly divided in four groups viz. I, II, III, and IV and were given sodium arsenite at a dose rate of 0.01 mg/l, 2.5 mg/l, 5 mg/l and distilled water respectively. The animals were kept for a period of 10 weeks prior to mating and fed sodium arsenite at the doses described, and pregnant females were sacrificed on 20th day of gestation and fetuses were collected. Gross anomalies of the foetus were examined. Half of each litter was processed for skeletal examination using Alizarin Red S staining while the remaining foetus was fixed in Bouin’s solution for visceral tissue evaluation. There were increased foetal resorption(s) in all treated groups. The foetal body weights and crown to rump lengths were significantly decreased and the percent gross, visceral and skeletal anomalies were significantly increased in fetuses of dams of arsenic treated groups in a dose dependent manner. The wrist drop, subcutaneous hematoma, internal hydrocephalus, cerebellar hypoplasia, microphthalmia, dilated renal pelvis, roundening of heart, incomplete ossification of skull bones, vertebrae, ribs, and agenesis of phalanges and caudal vertebrae were the most important foetal malformations. The occurrence of foetal gross, skeletal and visceral malformations were more severe in the group III followed by group II, suggesting the teratogenic nature of arsenic (sodium arsenite). It was concluded in the present study that albeit when arsenic was fed at lower dose mimicking the levels in the field conditions, it significantly caused developmental anomalies in the present study discernible as gross, visceral and skeletal anomalies.

The effect of Bombyx mori larvae extract in reducing the toxicity of methotrexate in pregnant female albino rats

Methotrexate (MTX) is an anticancer agent which is used alone or in combination with other anticancer agents in the treatment of breast cancer, epidermoid cancers of the head and neck, cutaneous T cell lymphoma, and lung cancer. Bombyx mori larvae have a huge value as health food especially for cardiac and diabetic patients, bronchial asthma, primary trigeminal neuralgia, vocal nodules and polyps and in the treatment of facial palsy and pain. In the present study meeting occurred under the normal conditions and about 40 pregnant female rats were used. Herein the pregnant females will be divided into five groups; group 1 will be used as negative control received distilled water, group 2 will used as positive control and recived buffer of Bombyx mori larvae extract, group 3 was treated with MTX at the 12th day of gestation (at organogenesis phase), group 4 was treated with Bombyx mori larvae extract at 7th , 9th , 11th ,13th and 15th days of gestation (during the oraganogensis period), &amp; group 5 was injected by MTX the 12th day of gestation as well as bombyx mori larvae extract at 7th ,9th ,11th ,13th &amp;15th days of gestation. Animals of all groups will be sacrificed at 20th day, the end of gestation periods. Then livers of all pregnant rats were removed for examination. The obtained results showed decrease in maternal body weight gain plus increase in the abortion rate and uterine weight in the MTX-treated group. In addition, MTX induced an elevation in the examined liver oxidative stress biomarkers plus myeloperoxidase activity and decrease in reduced glutathione content and catalase activity; in mothers. Histopathological studies of liver tissues showed congestion of central vein of mothers in MTX group showing ballooning degeneration of hepatocytes, perivascular inflammatory cells infiltration and strong deposition of collagen fibers. Noteworthy, Bombyx mori larvae induced marked improvement in injuries associated with MTX administration.&#x0D; Keywords: Methotrexate, Bombyx mori larvae, Pregnant female rats, Hepatotoxicity.

Carisoprodol (Somadril) induced histological and histochemical changes in renal cortex of pregnant rats and their fetuses

Background: carisoprodol is a generally prescribed skeletal muscle relaxant whose primary active metabolite is meprobamate, a substance with well-established abuse potential similar to that of benzodiazepines. A number of reports showed that carisoprodol has been abused for its anodyne and relaxant effects. Aim of the work: the diversion and misuse of carisoprodol and its adverse health effects appeared to be dramatically increased over the last several years. This study aimed to detect the histological and histochemical changes in the cortex of kidney tissue of pregnant rats and their fetuses after treatment with carisoprodol. Materials and Methods: thirty pregnant female rats were randomly categorized into three groups (ten pregnant female rats in each group). The first was administered oral doses of distilled water and served as control. The other two groups were administered oral doses of carisoprodol (Somadril compound) in the distilled water equivalent to 10.8 and 21.6 mg/100g body weight/day respectively for 15 days from the 6th day to the 20th day of gestation. Results: maternal and fetal kidney cortex tissue of both treated groups showed lots of degenerative changes post-treatment with carisoprodol. The severity of these changes was more obvious in fetal cortex of kidney tissue of both groups this was accompanied with numerous histochemical changes. Conclusion: treatment of pregnant rats with carisoprodol led to numerous dystrophic changes in the maternal and fetal kidney cortex tissue. These findings provide evidence to support current recommendations to avoid the use of carisoprodol in pregnant rats except if the potential benefit justifies the risk to the fetuses.

Protective Effect of Quercetin on Morphological and Histometrical Changes of Placenta in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rat

Background: Maternal diabetes is a metabolic disorder among pregnant mothers that increases the risk of developing growth disorders in the fetus and the placenta. Placental deformity and dysfunction were reported in some studies. These changes have been related to oxidative stress. Quercetin is a component of the flavonoids group that can be found in vegetables, fruits, tea, and herbal supplements and has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, and anti-diabetic properties. Objectives: In this experimental study, prophylactic effect of quercetin was evaluated for structural changes of the placenta in diabetic rats. Methods: Twenty-four pregnant Wistar rats were divided equally into four groups, including control, quercetin, diabetic, and quercetin-treated diabetic groups. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin injection (50 mg/kg/IV), then male rats for mating were put together with female rats. Quercetin was administered (75 mg/kg/gavage), on 0, 7, 14, and 20 days of gestation. On 20th gestation day, the rats from all groups were anesthetized and laparotomized, then the placenta tissue was harvested. In the following, tissue section was stained by H&E and were analyzed histologically. Results: The weight, thickness and diameter of placenta in the diabetic group were increased but there was no significant difference compared to the quercetin treatment. The mean of the labyrinth zone, the number of trophoblastic giant cells and glycogen cells increased in the diabetic group and quercetin significantly reduced these parameters in diabetic rats (P < 0.05). In addition, the mean of junctional zone decreased in the diabetic group, while quercetin increased it (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The results suggest that quercetin has a protective effect on cell proliferation and preservation of placental morphology in pregnant diabetic rats.

Thalidomide leads to mandible hypoplasia through inhibiting angiogenesis and secondary hemorrhage in the fetal craniofacial region in rabbits

The effect of thalidomide on mandibular development is unclear. In this study, thalidomide was delivered to pregnant rabbits from the 8th to 14th day of gestation. Then, embryos were harvested for examination on the 16th day (GD16), 20th day (GD20) and 24th day (GD24) of gestation. The results showed obvious hemorrhage and hematoma on one side of the craniofacial region in 50 % of the thalidomide-treated embryos and obvious hemorrhage and hematoma on both sides of the craniofacial region in 50 % of the thalidomide-treated embryos at GD16. Histological examination showed soft tissues and mandible defects on the affected side of the maxillofacial region. The expression of Vegf-α, Ki67 and Sox9 on the affected side was significantly down-regulated in comparison to their expression on the unaffected side at GD20. There was also an obvious defect in the affected mandible, and the density of the skull and mandible was decreased compared to the unaffected side or the control group at GD24. These findings demonstrated that thalidomide may lead to hemorrhage and hematoma in the craniofacial region by inhibiting angiogenesis, resulting in the abnormal development of cranial neural crest cells that are involved in the normal development of the mandible in rabbits.

Vitamin D Supplementation Reduces Serum Chemerin Level in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Rat Model

AbstractBackground: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic disorder that increases the prenatal morbidity. Data regarding the association between circulating chemerin level and GDM remains controversial. On the other hand, Vitamin D deficiency is common in pregnancy and may increase the frequency of GDM.Aim of Study: This study was conducted to examine the effects of Vitamin D3 supplementation on serum chemerin level and some metabolic parameters in GDM rat model.Material and Methods: Healthy female white albino rats were divided randomly into three groups (n=10 rats): Group I (normal pregnant group); fed on normal diet for five weeks before induction of pregnancy. Group II (GDM-induced); fed High Fat-Sucrose Diet (HFSD) for five weeks before induction of pregnancy then injected Intraperitoneally (I.P) by Strepto-zotocin (STZ) (25mg/kg) on the 7th day of gestation. Group III (GDM-induced group supplemented with Vitamin D3); GDM-induced as before and injected Intramuscularly (I.M) with 20,000IU/kg of cholecalciferol on days 1 and 14 of gestation. On the 19th day of gestation, serum chemerin, estradiol, progesterone, glucose, insulin and Insulin Resistance index (HOMA-IR), Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG), Low Density Lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), High Density Lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c), Very Low Density Lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-c), Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF a) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and Serum Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity were estimated for all groups.Results: GDM-induced rats showed significantly increased serum glucose, HOMA-IR, TG, TC, LDL-c, VLDL-c, MDA, and TNF a levels while showed significantly decreased serum insulin and HDL-c levels and SOD activity when compared to normal pregnant control rats. GDM-induced rats also showed significantly increased serum chemerin levels that showed significant positive correlations with serum glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, TG, TC, LDL-c, VLDL-c, MDA, and TNF a levels but showed significant negative correlations with serum HDL-c level and SOD activity. Noteworthy, Vitamin D3 administration significantly improved these pa-rameters in GDM-induced group supplemented with Vitamin D3.Conclusion: Our results denoted the protective effect of Vitamin D3 supplementation on GDM that may be through improving the antioxidant and inflammatory status. Decreasing circulating chemerin level may play a role in this protective effect.