Introduction: GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) are drugs used to treat diabetes by enhancing insulin sensitivity and secretion. Recent studies suggest their potential anti-cancer effects, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study evaluates the combined effects of GLP-1 RAs and radiotherapy (RT) on breast cancer progression in a BALB/c mouse model. Materials and Methods: In this study, BALB/c mice were injected with 4T1 breast cancer cells to induce tumors. The mice were randomly assigned to five groups: control, placebo, GLP-1 RA, RT, and combined GLP-1 RA with RT. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed on the tumor tissues to assess changes in morphology and protein expression related to inflammation and apoptosis. In vitro, cell viability assays were also conducted on 4T1 cells to evaluate the effects of GLP-1 RA and RT. Results: The combination of GLP-1 RA and RT resulted in significant tumor size reduction compared to the other treatment groups. Histological analysis showed improved tissue morphology, with restored healthy appearance in tumors treated with both GLP-1 RA and radiotherapy. Immunohistochemical staining revealed changes in the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. In vitro assays demonstrated that the combined treatment significantly decreased the viability of 4T1 breast cancer cells. Conclusion: This study concludes that the GLP-1 RAs and RT combination enhances tumor control and improves histological outcomes in a breast cancer model. This approach offers a promising strategy for patients with coexisting diabetes and breast cancer, potentially improving treatment efficacy and patient outcomes.

Objective : This animal model aimed to compare the rat group that received brain irradiation and did not receive additional treatment (only saline) and the rat group that underwent brain irradiation and received Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatment. In addition, the effects of G-CSF on brain functions were examined by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and histopathologically.Methods : This study used 24 female Wistar albino rats. Drug administration (saline or G-CSF) was started at the beginning of the study and continued for 15 days after whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT). WBRT was given on day 7 of the start of the study. At the end of 15 days, the behavioral tests, including the three-chamber sociability test, open field test, and passive avoidance learning test, were done. After the behavioral test, the animals performed the MR spectroscopy procedure. At the end of the study, cervical dislocation was applied to all animals.Results : G-CSF treatment positively affected the results of the three-chamber sociability test, open-space test and passive avoidance learning test, cornu Ammonis (CA) 1, CA3, and Purkinje neuron counts, and the brain levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and postsynaptic density protein-95. However, G-CSF treatment reduced the glial fibrillary acidic protein immunostaining index and brain levels of malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, nuclear factor kappa-B, and lactate. In addition, on MR spectroscopy, G-CSF had a reversible effect on brain lactate levels.Conclusion : In this first designed brain irradiation animal model, which evaluated G-CSF effects, we observed that G-CSF had reparative, neuroprotective and anti-neurodegenerative effects and had increased neurotrophic factor expression, neuronal counts, and morphology changes. In addition, G-CSF had a proven lactate-lowering effect in MR spectroscopy and brain materials.

Objective: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a severely disabling psychiatric disease characterized by impairments in communication and social skills. Although efforts have been made to explore the etiology of ASD, its pathophysiology remains unclear. This issue is rendered more challenging by confounding data about the effects of vaccination on disease etiology. In this study, therefore, we investigated the neurodevelopmental effects of maternal tetanus toxoid administration on rat offspring. We hypothesized that the vaccine affects the sociability and preference for social novelty of rat offspring as well as the production of immunological and neurotrophic factors, including tumor necrosis factor-alfa (TNF-alpha), neuregulin-1 (NRG-1), neuron growth factor (NGF), and oxytocin. Methods: The study involved 12 female and 4 male adult Sprague -Dawley rats (238 +/- 10 g), which were assigned to two groups. Group 1 (control group) was given 0.5 ml of normal saline (0.9% NaCl) on the 10th day of pregnancy, whereas Group 2 (experimental group) was administered 0.5 ml of tetanus vaccine (tetanus toxoid, 40 IU). Results: Maternal tetanus toxoid administration exerted beneficial effects on the sociability and explorative behaviors of the rats. The brain tissue levels of TNF-alpha, NGF, NRG-1, and oxytocin were higher in the experimental group than those among the controls. All these significant differences were found in both the male and female rats. Conclusion: This study is the first to demonstrate the advantages of tetanus toxoid administration in relation to the sociability and explorative behaviors of rat offspring. The results showed that the vaccine also influences NRG-1, neuregulin, and oxytocin production.

Background: Radiation-induced lung injury (RILI), a serious side effect of thoracic radiotherapy, can lead to acute radiation pneumonitis (RP) and chronic pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Despite various interventions, no effective protocol exists to prevent pneumonitis. Oxytocin (OT), known for its anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and antioxidant properties, has not been explored for its potential in mitigating RILI. Materials and Methods: This study involved 24 female Wistar albino rats, divided into three groups: control group, radiation (RAD) + saline, and RAD + OT. The RAD groups received 18 Gy of whole-thorax irradiation. The RAD + OT group was treated with OT (0.1 mg/kg/day) intraperitoneally for 16 weeks. Computerizing tomography (CT) imaging and histopathological, biochemical, and blood gas analyses were performed to assess lung tissue damage and inflammation. Results: Histopathological examination showed significant reduction in alveolar wall thickening, inflammation, and vascular changes in the RAD + OT group compared to the RAD + saline group. Biochemical analysis revealed decreased levels of TGF-beta, VEGF, and PDGF, and increased BMP-7 and prostacyclin in the RAD + oxytocin group (p < 0.05). Morphometric analysis indicated significant reductions in fibrosis, edema, and immune cell infiltration. CT imaging demonstrated near-normal lung parenchyma density in the RAD + oxytocin group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Oxytocin administration significantly mitigates radiation-induced pneumonitis in rats, implying that is has potential as a therapeutic agent for preventing and treating RILI.