Background and objectives: Considering the increasing use of nanochitin for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions, examining the biological effects of this substance on the level of essential metals for humans and animals is crucial. Therefore, this study investigated impact of oral administration of nanochitin on serum levels of iron (Fe) and calcium (Ca) in Wistar rats. Methods: Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four treatment groups and one control group. Two groups were fed with nanochitin at doses of 1. 6 and 2. 6 μ, g/g for 6 weeks, and the other two groups received the mentioned doses for 10 weeks. Serum concentrations of Fe and Ca were measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results: Oral administration of 2. 6 μ, g/g nanochitin for 10 weeks caused a significant decrease in serum Ca and Fe concentrations (p<0. 05). Oral administration of 1. 6 and 2. 6 μ, g/g nanochitin for 6 weeks caused a non-significant reduction in serum Fe and Ca concentrations (p>0. 05). However, nanochitin consumption for 10 weeks resulted in a significant decrease in serum Fe concentration but not Ca. Conclusion: The limited reduction of serum Fe and Ca concentrations after oral consumption of nanochitin at a low dose and for a limited duration indicates that the controlled use of nanochitin could be safe for animals. However, complementary studies are needed to determine the exact effects of nanochitin on the animals’,bodies. On the other hand, it is recommended to use Fe and Ca supplements after consuming high doses of nanochitin for longer periods.

Background and objectives: Lead (Pb) is among the most toxic pollutants that affect health of both humans and animals. Finding a way to prevent Pb accumulation in animals’,bodies seems necessary. Bacterial cellulose nanofiber (BCNF) can remove heavy metals from aqueous solutions. This study investigates effects of oral consumption of BCNF, as a chelator, on Pb concentration in the kidney and liver tissues of rats. Methods: Sixteen Wistar rats (aged 6-8 weeks) were divided into four groups: 1. control, 2. fed with Pb, 3. fed with Pb (50 μ, g/g) and BCNF (16 μ, g/g) simultaneously, and 4. fed with Pb and BCNF with 4 hours interval. The rats were euthanized, and the kidney and liver tissues were separated. After acidic digestion of the tissue samples, Pb concentration was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. Results: The mean concentration of Pb in the kidney and liver tissues of rats fed with Pb and BCNF were significantly lower than that of rats fed only with Pb. In addition, the mean Pb concentration in rats of group 3 was lower than that of group 4. Conclusion: The results of this study showed the favorable effects of BCNF on prevention of Pb accumulation in the kidney and liver tissues of rats. Moreover, removal of Pb may be related to binding of BCNF with Pb in the gut or blood. More studies are necessary to determine the exact mechanisms through which BCNF can reduce Pb accumulation.

Background: Experiments have shown that opioid drugs abuse during pregnancy can cause a delay in the development of the placenta. In mammals, the placenta is the most important channel for the exchange of Materialss between the maternal and fetal bloods. The present study investigates the time-dependent effect of the addiction duration of maternal morphine consumption during pregnancy.Materials and Methods: Female Wistar rats with an average weight of 170 to 200 grams were used in this experimental research. Experimental groups received morphine (0.05 mg/ml of drinking water) after one night coupling with male rats for mating. On 9th, 10th, 14th days of pregnancy, pregnant animals were killed, placentas removed and fixed. The cells of the placentas layers were calculated by light microscope, MOTIC and SPSS software.Results: The thickness of the maternal portion of the placenta increases with morphine abuse in all three experimental groups compared to the control groups with a time-dependent manner. On the other hand, the findings of the present study, aligned with the body of research concerning the time-dependent effect of morphine consumption, revealed a significant reduction in the thickness of the fetal portion of the placenta in the experimental groups.Conclusion: Overall, these results show that most of the negative effects of oral morphine consumption by pregnant women are time-dependent, and the severity of the delay in the development of the placental layers, depending on the duration of morphine consumption is more evident. In a general conclusion, it can be stated that the time-dependent effects of oral morphine consumption, can cause a delay in the natural development of cytotrophoblast and syncytotrophoblast cells of the placental layers in rats.

Background and objectives: Bone-related osteokines play an important role in the response of bone metabolism to physical activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of different intensities of resistance training on serum levels of some osteokines associated with the Wnt signaling pathway and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL) pathway in old male Wistar rats. Methods: Twenty-four old (23 months) male Wistar rats (mean weight: 437. 93± 33 g) were randomly divided into three groups of moderate-intensity resistance training (n=8), high-intensity resistance training (n=8) and control (n=8). Moderate-and high-intensity resistance trainings were performed at 60% and 80% maximal voluntary carrying capacity, respectively. The level of wclerostin, osteoprotegerin (OPG) and RANKL was evaluated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and at significance level of ≤ 0. 05. Results: The results showed that sclerostin (p=0. 014), OPG (p=0. 049) and RANKL (P=0. 034) differed significantly between the study groups. The Tukey post-hoc comparison showed that sclerostin decreased significantly in the high-intensity resistance training group compared to moderate-intensity resistance training group (P=0. 048). In addition, OPG decreased significantly in the moderate-intensity resistance training group compared to the control group (P=0. 033). Moreover, RANKL decreased significantly in the high-intensity resistance training group compared to the control (P=0. 048). Conclusion: The results showed that resistance training with appropriate repetition and intensity can have positive effects on bone formation signaling pathways.

Objective: Methotrexate is an anticancer drug used in chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of ginger extract on sex hormones of male rats treated with methotrexate.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 56 male Wistar rats (10-12 weeks old) weighing 200-220 g were randomly divided into control and experiment groups. Experiment group 1 was administered 5 mg methotrexate intraperitoneally daily, experiment groups 2 and 3 were administered 20 mg and 40 mg of ginger extract orally daily, and experiment groups 4 and 5 received methotrexate and ginger extract. Sex hormones were measured after 8 weeks. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used data analysis.Results: The results showed that serum concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone decreased significantly in the group receiving methotrexate compared with the control group. The concentration of these hormones in experimental groups 2 and 3, which received ginger extract, increased compared with the control group. The serum levels of these hormones in groups 4 and 5, which received methotrexate and ginger, increased compared with the group receiving methotrexate.Conclusion: Ginger extract reduced the adverse effects of methotrexate on sex hormone-producing cells. This effect is probably due to the antioxidant property of ginger.