Introduction Neuronal cell death and glial cell activation are the main pathological findings induced by seizures secondary to oxidative stress. Previous studies have explained neuronal cell death on the basis of cell necrosis and apoptosis. Recent studies have attributed the neuronal loss to...

In this study, we addressed the potential relationship between prominin-1 (prom1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA) in diabetes-induced retinopathy. In total, we examined 28 retinas from 14 rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes and 30 retinas from 15 untreated control rats. ELISA was used to measure the level of prom1 and VEGFA in retinal tissue homogenates. Immunohistochemical techniques were used with antibodies directed against prom1, VEGFA, and CASP-3. After 180 days of diabetes induction, we performed light and electron microscopy studies on rat eyes to evaluate histopathological changes and to estimate the de novo metric “Diabetic Retinopathy Histopathological Index” (DRHI). These changes were then correlated to the tissue and immunoexpression levels of prom1 and VEGFA. The data showed a significant upregulation of the tissue levels and optical densities (ODs) of VEGFA and prom1 immunoreactivity in diabetic retinas compared with controls. Both the tissue levels and OD values of prom1 and VEGFA correlated significantly with each other and to the diabetic structural changes as calculated by DRHI. Taken together, these data provide new insight into the potential role of prom1 and VEGFA in the development of diabetic retinopathy.

Introduction: Skeletal muscle injuries comprise the greater part of sports-related injuries. Role of growth factors in healing of injured tissue encouraged the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP).Aim of the work: We aimed to study the effect of PRP on skeletal muscle injury.Materials & Methods: Forty adult male rats were divided into four equal groups; control and 2, 7, 14 days after the injury. The injured muscles were either treated with PRP or left without treatment. The rats were sacrificed and the muscle specimens were processed for histological and immunohistochemical staining for detection of Anti-MyoD, anti-CD34 and anti TGFβ1 followed by morphometric study.Results: PRP treatment induced initial intense inflammatory response with neutrophils and macrophages cell infiltrate subsided in the 7th day. When compared to untreated groups, PRP treated ones showed significant increases in the mean number of regenerating muscle fibers (22.03±4.08) and angiogenesis (10.83±2.46) on the 7th day. The median number of MyoD immunopositive stellate cells showed a significant increase on the 2nd day ,72 (62-78) and then decrease on the 7th day; 28(22-33) to be non significant after 14th days; 4(3-5) of injury. A significant decrease in the mean area % of collagen deposition (2.27±.0.59, 3.68±0.72 and 4.76±0.82) and TGF β1 immunoexpression, medians; 5 (4.20-5.70), 2.50 (2.10-3.50) and 2.30( 1.60-3.20) after 2, 7 and 14 days, respectively, were observed.Conclusions: PRP could exert a promising effect on skeletal muscle injuries via enhancing myogenesis, neovascularization and reduction of fibrosis. Since autologous blood preparations are safe, PRP may serve as a valuable adjunct in management of such injuries.