https://jbcp.shahed.ac.ir/ Journal of Basic and Clinical Pathophysiology en daily 1 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0330 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0330 https://jbcp.shahed.ac.ir/article_4928.html Introduction and purpose: Many organs, such as the excretory system, are impaired in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but there is insufficient research and information on these criteria. Researchers use AlCl3 (Al) to induce AD in an experimental model. We investigated the effects of oral Al consumption on the excretory system of rats. Methods: The experimental groups used Al (10 and 50 mg/kg) in volume concentration in drinking water for two and four weeks. Each period had a control group that received only water. At the end, blood samples were taken from the hearts of rats by intraperitoneal injection of ketamine and xylazine, and serum was prepared for analysis of levels of uric acid, urea, C-reactive protein, creatinine, albumin, cortisol, IL-1β, and TNF-α. The kidneys were surgically removed from the rats under deep anesthesia and placed in 10% formalin. Kidney tissue was cut and stained with hematoxylin eosin, Evans blue, fast silver nitrate, and the density of corticosteroid receptor in kidney tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry. All data were analyzed using ANOVA. Findings: The results showed that animals treated with Al had a destructive effect on kidney tissue in both periods compared to the control group (significant reduction of capillary network inside Bowman's capsule) and serum levels of cortisol, CRP, IL-1β and uric acid increased, but the levels of albumin, TNF-α and also the expression level of corticosteroid receptors decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion: AD has an adverse effect on kidney structure and function in an animal model, possibly through high levels of IL-1β. https://jbcp.shahed.ac.ir/article_4927.html Background and aimPrevious studies have demonstrated that foot electrical stimulation has the potential to inhibit kindling development in rats. However, it remains unclear whether there is a relationship between the sensitivity to electrical stimulation and its inhibitory effect on kindling. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between chemical kindling and the electrical properties of the rat's paw. MethodsThirty-two male Westar rats were divided into three groups: control, 24 hours after kindling, and 60 days after kindling. PTZ kindling was induced by injecting PTZ (37.5 mg/kg). Response threshold to electrical stimulation and paw electrical resistance were measured in three groups. ResultsThe results showed that there is a positive correlation between stage 5 duration and response threshold to electrical stimulation (p<0.05) and a negative correlation between stage 5 latency and the response threshold to electrical stimulation (p<0.050. Measuring the paw resistance showed that while in the control rats, there was no significant correlation between the response threshold to electrical stimulation and the plantar electrical resistance, in rats that had 60 days passed since their chemical kindling, there was a significant (p<0.05) and positive correlation.ConclusionThe data suggest that rats with a higher threshold for electrical stimulation have a faster onset and longer duration of seizures induced by Pentylenetetrazole. Furthermore, comparing paw resistance revealed the potential impact of kindling on the relationship between paw electrical properties and seizure susceptibility. https://jbcp.shahed.ac.ir/article_4929.html Introduction and purpose: According to evidence, the effect of static magnetic field (SMF) against motor learning deficits has been attributed to the effect of the field on calcium (Ca) channel conductance, but it is not fully understood. We treated Paramecium caudatum with a Ca channel blocker, magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), in the presence or absence of SMF. Materials and methods: P. caudatum was collected from temporary ponds, specifically identified, and cultured on straw. After sequential passage, the pure medium was divided into two media and placed in standard laboratory conditions or SMF (72 hours). A small drop (0.1 mL) of each medium was placed on the slide and studied 25 times under x4 magnification during 30 seconds period with 5 seconds intervals. The control groups only received 1 μL of distilled water. Different doses of MgSO4 (1, 4, 8, 16 and 32 μg/μL) were used in both conditions. The swimming and avoidance behavior of the animal was recorded live, and after fixation, the pellicular motor system, Ca channel and macronucleus were carefully examined. All data were analyzed using ANOVA. Results: The swimming movements of animals in the field were intensely reduced when treated with MgSO4. The use of the blocker also caused the destruction of some pellicular and macronucleus structures in the presence of SMF. Conclusion: With the use of MgSO4, the adverse effects of SMF on the motility and structure of Paramecium were enhanced, indicating that Ca ions play an important role in the protective effects of the magnetic field. https://jbcp.shahed.ac.ir/article_4932.html Objective: Prenatal stress can lead to alterations in cytokine secretion in the offspring, which may enhance inflammatory processes. We conducted a meta-analysis of rodent studies that evaluated the effects of prenatal stress exposure on the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the fetus and offspring. Methods: Data were extracted, and effect size and heterogeneity were assessed using random-effects models, Cochrane Q, and I2 statistics. Results: Prenatal stress consistently increased most pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-ϒ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α) while decreasing the level of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10). Most of the cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α) increased in the short term after prenatal stress (≤ 24 hours), except for IL-10, which decreased in long-term stress (P < 0.05). Challenges in offspring following prenatal stress had no significant effect on IL-10, IL-5, IL-6, and TNF-α levels. Meta-analysis of the species subgroup indicated that significant changes in most cytokines (IFN-ϒ, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) only occurred in the rat fetus and offspring following prenatal stress. In contrast, only IL-10 significantly changed in both rats and mice. Conclusions: This meta-analysis indicates important biological differences in the response to prenatal stress based on species, duration, and challenges faced by the offspring in immune response studies. https://jbcp.shahed.ac.ir/article_4931.html Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of L-carnitine and emulsifiers on the intestinal morphology of chickens subjected to high-altitude stress. It focused on parameters including villus height, width, surface area, and lamina propria thickness in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum to assess their potential for enhancing nutrient absorption and promoting gut health.Methods: Ninety-one-day-old broiler chicks were raised at 2100 m above sea level for 42 days. They were divided into a control group and eight treatment groups receiving L-carnitine (0.005% or 0.01% of diet) and emulsifiers (0.1% or 0.2% of diet), individually or in combination. Intestinal segments (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) were collected, fixed, stained, and analyzed to measure villus dimensions, lamina propria thickness, and surface area.Results: Supplementation with L-carnitine and emulsifiers increased the height and width of villi in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum (P < 0.05). Higher doses of both additives demonstrated partial effectiveness in enhancing these parameters. There was a significant increase in intestinal surface area across all segments. However, lamina propria thickness decreased in all treated groups compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The weight of birds increased in all treated groups compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: L-carnitine and emulsifiers positively influenced intestinal morphology under high-altitude stress, leading to enhanced villus dimensions and increased surface area. Nonetheless, the observed reduction in lamina propria thickness raises important questions about its implications for intestinal health and warrants further investigation. https://jbcp.shahed.ac.ir/article_4930.html Background and Objective: Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a neurological disease with no effective treatment and is the most common form of focal epilepsy in adults and is usually resistant to conventional drug treatments. Enhanced oxidative stress and inflammation are important markers of TLE as a result of limbic system involvement. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Anethum graveolens (Dill) with known antiepileptic properties on hippocampal markers of oxidative and inflammatory events in kainate rat model of TLE.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 32 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: Sham, sham receiving Dill extract, epileptic, and epileptic receiving Dill extract. Kainic acid was used to induce epileptic seizures in animals. Dill extract at 400 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally daily, starting one week before surgery and ending one hour before surgery. In the first twenty-four hours after surgery, seizure behavior was recorded and scored based on Racine classification. At the end of the study, oxidative and inflammatory markers were measured in the hippocampal tissue.Results: The results of this study showed that kainic acid injection significantly increases seizure severity and hippocampal malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrite, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and decreased catalase activity and pretreatment with Dill extract in the epileptic group significantly reduced seizure behavior and hippocampal MDA, TNFα, and COX-2 and improved catalase activity.Conclusion: Pretreatment with Dill extract reduces seizure intensity and lowers hippocampal oxidative stress and inflammation in the kainate epileptic rats. https://jbcp.shahed.ac.ir/article_4933.html This study evaluated the antioxidant effects of Rosa damascena (rose) powder on the serum oxidant/antioxidant balance in broiler chickens with cold stress-induced pulmonary hypertension. A total of 192 one-day-old Ross 308 chicks were allocated to four groups: (1) a negative control group fed a basal diet under standard temperature conditions; (2) a positive control group fed a basal diet under cold stress; and (3) rose-0.6% and (4) rose-1.2% groups, which received the basal diet supplemented with 0.6% and 1.2% rose powder, respectively, under cold stress. At 35 days of age, blood samples were collected to measure serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Results showed that MDA level was increased in the positive control group compared to the negative control group, while SOD activity was decreased (P<0.05). A significant reduction in serum MDA levels was observed in both rose-supplemented groups relative to the positive control group (P<0.05). Although CAT activity did not differ significantly (P>0.05), SOD activity increased in the 0.6% and 1.2% rose groups compared to the positive control (P<0.05). Furthermore, the right ventricular-to-total ventricular weight (RV/TV) ratio, an indicator of pulmonary hypertension syndrome, was significantly lower in the rose-0.6% supplemented groups (P<0.05). These findings suggest that dietary supplementation with Rosa damascena powder improves the serum oxidant/antioxidant balance and mitigates pulmonary hypertension syndrome in broiler chickens dose-dependently. https://jbcp.shahed.ac.ir/article_5239.html Catamenial epilepsy is one of the most important neurological diseases in women during menopausal cycle. Apium graveolens L. has various therapeutic properties in epilepsy but its effectiveness in convulsions during estrus cycle. Thus this study aimed to determine antiepileptic effect of the celery essential oil during estrous cycle in pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures in rat. Thirty female Wistar rats were divided into 5 experimental groups as control, sodium valproate (75 mg/kg), celery essential oil (40, 80 and 160 mg/kg) each with four subgroups (proestrus, estrus, metestrus and diestrus). Puberty was decided by vaginal smears and animal with two normal cycles were chosen. After administration of the sodium valproate or celery essential oil, PTZ injection (80 mg/kg, i.p) was done. Animals were observed for 30 min and initiation time of myoclonic seizures (ITMS), initiation time of tonic–clonic seizures (ITTS) and seizures duration (SD) were registered. According to findings, celery essential oil (160 mg/kg) significantly increased the onset time of ITMS and ITTS compared to control group (P<0.05). Also, celery essential oil (160 mg/kg) significantly decreased SD compared to control group (P<0.05). Also, antiepileptic effect of celery essential oil was significantly more prominent during luteal phase than follicular phase (P<0.05). These findings suggest that celery essential oil has antiepileptic role which is more prominent during luteal phase than follicular phase. https://jbcp.shahed.ac.ir/article_5240.html Background and Objective: Mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN) is a dynamic biomarker reflecting mitochondrial content and function, which is sensitive to metabolic stress. However, it remains unclear whether subtle variations in body mass index (BMI) within a healthy population are associated with alterations in mtDNA-CN. This study aimed to determine the association between mtDNA-CN and BMI in healthy adult men.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 32 healthy adult men categorized by BMI into normal weight (18.5–24.9 kg/m²), overweight (25–29.9 kg/m²), and obese (≥30 kg/m²) groups. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. Relative mtDNA-CN was quantified using real-time PCR by measuring a short mitochondrial DNA fragment relative to the nuclear-encoded β-globin gene. Results: A significant negative exponential correlation was found between BMI and mtDNA-CN (R = 0.486, p = 0.006). Group comparisons revealed a significant difference in mtDNA-CN across BMI categories (P < 0.05). Specifically, mtDNA-CN was significantly lower in both the overweight and obese groups compared to the normal-weight group, but no significant difference was observed between the overweight and obese groups (P > 0.05).Conclusion: This study demonstrates a significant inverse association between BMI and mtDNA-CN in healthy adult men, indicating that increased adiposity is linked to reduced mitochondrial abundance even in the absence of clinical disease. The most pronounced decline occurs during the transition from a normal to an overweight BMI, suggesting a potential threshold effect. These findings position mtDNA-CN as a sensitive, early-warning biomarker for subclinical metabolic strain. https://jbcp.shahed.ac.ir/article_5241.html Background and Objective: High-altitude hypoxia combined with cold stress causes severe metabolic dysregulation in chickens, including dyslipidemia and hepatic injury, driven in part by an overactive renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS). This study tested whether captopril (an ACE inhibitor) could reduce these effects in broilers.Materials and Methods: A total of 240 chicks were exposed to high-altitude (2100 m) and cold stress conditions. They were allocated to four treatments: a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control), 10, 20, or 30 mg/kg of captopril. On day 42, blood samples were collected to analyze the serum lipid profile (cholesterol, triacylglycerols, LDL, HDL), hematocrit, and the activities of liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP) and lipase.Results: Captopril treatment significantly improved the serum lipid profile, reducing triacylglycerols and LDL at all doses and cholesterol at the higher doses (20 and 30 mg/kg), while elevating HDL. Hematocrit was also reduced at these higher doses. Additionally, serum lipase activity increased in a dose-dependent manner. Marked hepatoprotective effects were observed, characterized by significant reductions in all measured liver enzymes in the captopril-treated groups. The decreases in ALT and AST were distinctly dose-dependent, with the most pronounced effects in the 20 and 30 mg/kg groups.Conclusion: Captopril effectively ameliorates the dyslipidemia and hepatic damage induced by high-altitude and cold stress in broiler chickens. The elevated lipase may suggest enhanced pancreatic exocrine function, although this interpretation remains speculative and requires histopathological confirmation. These findings position captopril as a promising agent for enhancing poultry resilience in challenging environments.