Veterinary Research Forum

Abstract Osteomyelitis is caused by the local spread of an infected source adjacent to the infection following trauma, bone surgery or joint replacement. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of vancomycin (Van)/polycaprolactone (PCL) nanocomposite in comparison with curcumin (Cur)/PCL on the healing of experimental osteomyelitis in tibia in rabbits. After induction of osteomyelitis forty adult male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups. Control group: The animals were considered as controls and no scaffolds were used. In PCL/Van group, the created bone defects were filled with the combination of PCL and Van. In PCL/Cur, the created bone defects were filled with the combination of PCL and Cur. Polycaprolactone/Cur/Van group: The created bone defects were filled with the combination of PCL, Cur and Van. Bone samples were taken for histopathological evaluation on the 30^th and 60^th days. For radiological evaluations of the osteomyelitis, radiographs were prepared at time intervals zero (day of surgery), 15, 30, 45, and 60 days after surgery. In order to evaluate hematology, blood was taken on days 0 (day of surgery), 15, 30, 45, and 60. The results of the present study showed that Cur nanocomposite significantly improved the healing process of the rabbit tibia experimental osteomyelitis model compared to the control group. Also, the PCL/Cur/Van group showed the best healing results. In conclusion, PCL/Cur/Van nanocomposite scaffold showed positive effects on the healing process.

Abstract Scaffolds play a crucial role in tendon healing by providing structural support, promoting cell infiltration, and guiding tissue regeneration. Polycaprolactone (PCL) has been used as a polymer in biological scaffolds for several tissue engineering studies. This study aimed to investigate the effects of curcumin-loaded PCL scaffold on Achilles tendon using a tenotomy model in rats. Twenty adult male Wistar rats were randomized into two groups. In control group, tenotomy and suture placement were performed. The identical intervention followed by the implantation of curcumin-loaded PCL scaffold around the tendon stumps was performed in the treatment group. The nanofibrous PCL scaffold containing 5.00% curcumin was fabricated by electrospinning. Walking track analysis was performed weekly. Then, after 6 weeks, histopathological examination and tendon mechanical tests were performed. The weekly walking track analysis revealed a significant improvement in Achilles functional index in scaffold-treated rats from week three to six. The rate of functional improvement was remarkably slower in the control group. Histopathological examination revealed aseptic inflammation and enhanced neovascularization in the treatment group. Also, collagen arrangement and density were significantly improved in this group compared to the control samples including less regular orientation and loose organization of collagen fibers. Significant increase in mechanical properties, except for strain, was observed in the treatment group. The present study demonstrated that implantation of curcumin-loaded PCL scaffold resulted in increased fibrillar architecture, as well as improved mechanical properties and Achilles functional index in rats. To reduce the biodegradation-induced inflammation, an anti-inflammatory treatment is recommended.

Abstract Curcumin has been employed in traditional medicine for over a millennium to treat various ailments, and its global use is now widespread. Chinese medicine relies heavily on curcumin as a primary element and uses it to cure infectious diseases, skin disorders, depression, and stress. It has cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and anti-diabetic properties, as well as pharmacological effects on disorders like type II diabetes, atherosclerosis, and human immunodeficiency virus replication. The anti-cancer activity of curcumin has been studied extensively with notable improvements in gastrointestinal, melanoma, urogenital, breast, and lung malignancies. We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin on expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, c-Fos, and interleukin (IL)-6 genes in brain and liver tissue owing to the effects of ketamine anesthesia on postnatal rats. The thalamic and hepatic tissues were collected without anesthesia, immediately after anesthesia, and 4 and 12 hr after anesthesia in control and curcumin treated postnatal rats. The results showed that glucose, triglyceride, high- and low-density lipoprotein levels were lowered with curcumin treatment. We also found that ketamine increased c-Fos and inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6, all of which contribute to inflammation. Brain and liver immunohistochemistry studies confirmed the real-time polymerase chain reaction findings. Curcumin injections alone may be effective in decreasing ketamine-induced inflammation in both brain and liver tissues.

Abstract Investigating the mechanisms responsible for pain processing of natural and synthetic chemical compounds is necessary to optimize pain management. Curcumin (Cur), the active ingredient of turmeric, exhibits potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties by employing multiple mechanisms at the local peripheral, spinal and supra-spinal levels. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of oral administration of Cur on muscle pain induced by intramuscular (IM) injection of formalin. To explore the possible local mechanisms, a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, diclofenac (Dic) and a COX product, prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), were applied. The IM injection of formalin (25.00 µL, 2.50%) into the gastrocnemius muscle induced two distinct phases of hind leg flinching. A short-lasting (10 min) hind leg lifting was observed following IM injection of PGE₂ (2 µg kg^-1, 25.00 µL). Oral administration of Cur (25.00 and 100 mg kg^-1) and IM injection of 40.00 µg kg^-1 Dic attenuated formalin and PGE2 induced nociceptive behaviors. Contra-lateral IM injection of Dic did not change muscle pain induced by ipsilateral IM injection of formalin and PGE₂. The second phase of formalin induced flinching as well as PGE₂ evoked lifting were more suppressed when 40.00 µg kg^-1 Dic and 100 mg kg^-1 Cur were used together. Locomotor activity was not changed by the above-mentioned treatments. It was concluded that the reducing effect of muscle pain of Cur might be related to the local inhibition of COX.

Abstract In this study, a controlled released delivery drug system designed and synthesized by loading curcumin and selenium nanoparticles (SeNaPs) on chitosan hydrogel, and while evaluating the physicochemical properties of the prepared drug delivery system, the tissue changes caused by the local implant of that system in rats with experimental spinal cord injury (SCI) were investigated. For this purpose, 100 adult female rats were randomly divided into five equal groups which are: Control group without any treatment for SCI, chitosan group that received chitosan hydrogel, curcumin group that received curcumin-loaded hydrogel, SeNaP group that received chitosan loaded with SeNaPs and SeNPCur group that received chitosan loaded with SeNaPs and curcumin. On the 3^rd and 7^th days of the study, severe infiltration of leukocytes, especially lymphocytes, as well as axon swelling and hemorrhagic necrosis at the lesion sites were observed in all groups, especially the control group. On the 7^th day, the severity of these injuries decreased in the SeNPCur group and the highest number of astrocytes was observed in this group. In addition, on the 14^th and 21^st days of the study, the lowest severity of nerve tissue damage and the lowest presence of inflammatory cells along with the highest number of astrocytes were seen in the SeNPCur group. The glial fibrillary acidic protein study also confirmed the presence of more and significant astrocytes in the SeNPCur, curcumin and SeNP groups at different times of the study, respectively. The histopathological results showed the neuroprotective effects of chitosan hydrogel loaded with selenium and curcumin.

Abstract This research explored the impacts of feed-born silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and whether dietary curcumin supplementation could ameliorate the impacts of AgNPs on growth, hemato-biochemical parameters and digestive enzyme activity. Nine experimental diets were prepared containing 0.00, 0.05, and 0.15 g kg^-1 AgNPs, as well as 0.00, 0.75, and 1.50 g kg^-1 curcumin in a factorial design. Triplicate groups of common carp (4.82 ± 0.41 g) were fed on the test diets for 60 days. The results demonstrated that AgNPs reduced growth performance and enhanced the feed conversion ratio dose-dependently. Supplementing 0.75 g kg^-1 curcumin at a low AgNP level improved the growth rate, while its inclusion at a high AgNP level led to further suppression of growth performance. The highest hematocrit value, hemoglobin concentration and white blood cell count were recorded in the group receiving 0.75 g kg^-1 curcumin. Serum glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were elevated by increasing AgNP levels. However, curcumin inclusion, particularly at the lower level of AgNPs significantly decreased their values. Similarly, intestinal alkaline protease and lipase activities were progressively reduced by increasing dietary AgNP contents, but, significant improvements were observed by curcumin application at the lower AgNP level. Our results revealed that curcumin supplementation could limit the toxic effects of lower dietary AgNP contents.

Abstract Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Previous studies have shown that myelin degradation during MS and EAE resulted in reduced expression of some of the proteins, e.g., the MBP (myelin basic protein), and increased expression of genes such as iNOS (Inducible nitric oxide synthase) and NOGO-A in the affected patients. In the present study, EAE was induced by immunizing Wistar rats (n=12) with homogenized spinal cord of guinea pig and Freund's complete adjuvant. Curcumin is an active ingredient in turmeric with anti-inflammatory properties, which has been studied in this article. In this study, the effect of curcumin administration on the change of the expression of MBP, NOGO-A, and iNOS genes was evaluated using the RT-PCR (Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) technique. The obtained results indicated it could be concluded that curcumin was able to improve EAE by increasing the amount of MBP gene expression and reducing the intensity of NOGO-A expression.

Abstract Canine seminal plasma contains antioxidant enzymes to protect sperm against internally generated ROS. These enzymes are removed from seminal plasma during the process of cryopreservation. The freezing/thawing process can cause some morphological and functional changes via ice crystallization and osmolality imbalance. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of curcumin supplementation on sperm total count, motility, progressive motility, viability, morphology, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), DNA integrityand NOX5 gene expression of dog frozen semen. The pooled semen was allocated to fresh (Group 1) and frozen (Group 2) controls, curcumin (2.50 mM) (Group 3) and curcumin (5.00 mM), (Group 4). Sperm parameters including total sperm count, morphology, motility, progressive motility, sperm concentration and DNA integrity in addition to TAC were evaluated in fresh and frozen-thawed semen samples. Real-time PCR was used to investigate NOX5 and GADPH (reference gene) genes expressions. Curcumin at 2.50 mM provided a greater protective effect on the DNA integrity compared to 5.00 mM and control groups. TAC was significantly higher in 2.50 mM group than other groups. NOX5 gene expression in curcumin 2.50 mM was higher than 5.00 mM group. In conclusion, curcumin seems to emolliate sperm parameters and to protect sperm against sperm reactive oxygen stress and increases NOX5 gene expression.

Abstract Curcumin has been found to be very efficacious against many different types of diseases. However, the major disadvantage associated with the use of curcumin is its low systemic bioavailability. In the present study the protective effects of curcumin-loaded poly lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles (nanocurcumin) against mono-iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis in rats was investigated. Mono-iodoacetate was injected into right knee joints to induce osteoarthritis. In experimental groups, 14 days after injection of mono-iodoacetate, curcumin (200 mg kg^-1) and nanocurcumin (200 mg kg^-1) were gavaged, respectively, for two weeks. Then the rats were sacrificed and the right knee joints were removed and fixated in 10% formalin for histological assessments. Cellularity and matrix staining were significantly increased in articular cartilage of curcumin-treated animals compared to mono-iodoacetate group (p < 0.01). These effects were significantly (p < 0.01) more in nanocurcumin-treated animals. These results suggested that administration of nanocurcumin prevented the structural changes of articular cartilage in mono-iodoacetate modelofosteoarthritis in rats.

Abstract Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, induced by the cryopreservation process, can be responsible for mammalian sperm damage. Curcumin is known as an effective antioxidant against oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of curcumin on sperm count, motility and viability, semen total antioxidant capacity and DNA integrity of rat spermatozoa during semen freeze-thawing process. Sperm collected from 10 adult rats were divided into two groups (n=10 for each group): control and a test group supplemented with 2.5 mM curcumin. After freezing-thawing, the number of spermatozoa, motility, viability, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and DNA integrity of the sperm were analyzed. Motility, viability and DNA integrity of sperm were significantly preserved in treatment groups compared to the control (p < 0.05) after freezing-thawing. Following cryopreservation, TAC was significantly preserved in thawing semen supplemented with curcumin compared to the control group (p<0.05). Based on our results, it is concluded that curcumin addition during freezing resulted in positive effects on sperm parameters after thawing in adult rats.