Effect of Selenium-yeast on Cognitive Performance on Pregnant Dams Exposed to Noise Stress

A total of twelve pregnant Wistar rats were used, and randomly divided into three groups (n=4). Group A (negative control), not exposed to noise stress), group B (1mL/kg of distilled water + 4h /15 days noise stress), group C (0.04 mg/kg) of selenium-yeast + 4 h/15 days noise stress). On day 18 and 19 of gestation cognitive tests were conducted using Y-maze and Novel Object Recognition Test. A significant increase (P ˂ 0.05) was observed in the percentage alternation and discrimination index in group A compared with group B. However, the percentage alternation and DI were significantly (P ˂ 0.05) decreased in group C compared with group B. In conclusion, noise stress induces cognitive deficit, this deficit can be mitigated with the administration of selenium-yeast.</jats:p

Musculocutaneous and median nerve branching: anatomical variations. Case Series from UR clinical anatomy and literature review

Introduction: The brachial plexus is highly variable, which is a well-known anatomical fact. Repeated observations on anatomical variations, however, constitute current trends in anatomical research.&#x0D; Case series: In an anatomical dissection course, three uncommon variations in the brachial plexus were identified in three young adults’ cadavers. In one case, the musculocutaneous nerve gave a branch to the median nerve, while the median nerve gave or received musculocutaneous branches in the two remaining corpses.&#x0D; Conclusion: Anatomical variations of the brachial plexus do occur in our setting. The cases we presented are about anatomical variations of branching patterns of the median and musculocutaneous nerves. Knowledge of those variations is essential for surgery and regional anesthesia of the upper limbs.&#x0D; Keywords: Anatomical variations; brachial plexus; median nerve; musculocutaneous nerve; upper limb.</jats:p

Evaluation of the Neuroprotective Effects of Eugenol on Formaldehyde Induced Neurotoxicity in Wistar Rats

Over the years, Formaldehyde (FA) has been linked to increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress and cognitive decline. However limited numbers of studies have shown the effect of eugenol on FA induced toxicity in Wistar rats. Therefore this study aimed at investigating the effects of eugenol on the FA induced toxicity in Wistar rats. A total of twenty male Wistar rats where divided into four groups: (Group I. 150 mg/kg eugenol; Group II, 5 mg/kg FA; Group III, 150 mg/kg eugenol + 5 mg/kg FA; Group IV/control, 2ml/kg distilled water) for thirty days. FA and eugenol were administered orally. Rats were humanely sacrificed under 0.8 mg/kg ketamine anaesthesia administered intraperitoneally. Cognitive tests using Morris water maze and Novel object recognition test were carried out, Oxidative stress parameters, acetylcholine activity and histometric analysis of hippocampal Cornu Ammonis (CA 1 and 3) pyramidal neuronal cells. Administration of FA resulted in significant (p&lt;0.05) increased activity of malondialdehyde (MDA), intra-mitochondrial accumulation of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), reduced activity level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and acetylcholine levels. However co-administration of eugenol and FA resulted in significant (p&lt;0.05) enhancement of cognitive ability and also significantly (p&lt;0.05) reduced MDA and 8-OHdG levels, and increased SOD and acetylcholine levels. Our results indicate that eugenol would provide therapeutic value against FA induced oxidative stress and cognitive impairments.</jats:p

Ethyl acetate fraction of Tamarindus indica leaf ameliorates aluminium chloride induced neural damage in neonatal Wistar rats

Background: Tamarindus indica (TI) extract is known to possess important phytochemical composition. The study aimed to assess the effects of ethyl acetate fraction of TI leaves (EATI) on memory and learning, traced element and brain sialic acid levels, and hippocampal Nissl substance expression following prenatal (PN) AlCl3 exposure in Wistar rat pups. Methods: Pregnant rats were divided into 5 groups (n = 4); Group I received distilled water (negative control), Group II-V were experimental groups treated with 200 mg/kg of AlCl3. Group II (positive control), Groups III, and IV received 400 mg kg−1 and 800 mg kg−1 of EATI, respectively, and Group V received 300 mg kg−1 of Vitamin E (comparatively control) for 2 weeks (PN day 7–21). On postnatal (PoN) day 19, male pups were subjected to novel object recognition test (n = 5). Some pups were euthanized on PoN days 7 and 21; and samples were collected for quantification of trace element (n = 5), brain sialic acid concentration (n = 5), and Nissl staining using cresyl fast (n = 3). Results: The results of the trace elements quantification on PoN days 7 and 21 revealed significantly lower mean copper, zinc, and iron, and significantly higher calcium level in the group treated with 400 and 800 mg kg−1 of EATI when compared with the positive control group. EATI at a dose of 800 mg kg−1 showed improvement in memory and increased brain sialic acid. EATI 400 mg kg−1 increased only free sialic acid and had no effect on memory. Improvement in Nissl staining was observed in the EATI treated group on PoN day 7 and 21. Conclusion: The administration of EATI ameliorated AlCl3-induced neural toxicity