Reactive gliosis and inflammation are risk factors for white matter injury (WMI) development, which are correlated with the development of many neurodevelopmental deficits with no treatment. This study aimed to understand the mechanisms correlated with WMI, with a particular focus on the role of nuclear factor‑kappa B (NF‑kB) and p38 mitogen‑activated protein kinases (MAPKs) pathways. Seven‑day‑old Wistar rats were used to generate cerebellar tissue slices. Slices were cultured and randomly allocated to one of 3 groups and treated as follows: group‑I (control); group‑II (WMI), slices were subjected to 20 min of oxygen‑glucose deprivation (OGD); group‑III (WMI+ blockers), slices were subjected to OGD and treated with the blockers. Results showed that OGD insult triggered a marked increase in the apoptosis among WM elements, as confirmed by TUNEL assay. Immunocytochemical experiments revealed that there was a significant decrease in the percent of MBP+ OLs and NG2+ OPCs, and myelin integrity. There was also a significant increase in the percent of reactive microglia and astrocytes. BrdU immunostaining revealed there was an increase in the percent of proliferating microglia and astrocytes. Q‑RT‑PCR results showed OGD upregulated the expression levels of cytokines (TNF‑α, IL‑1, IL‑6, and IL‑1β) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). On the other hand, treatment with BAY11 or SB203580 significantly enhanced the OL survival, restored myelin loss, and reduced microglia and astrocyte reactivity, and downregulated the iNOS and cytokine expression. Our findings demonstrate that blocking of NF‑KB/p38 MAPK pathways alleviated reactive gliosis, inflammation, and OL loss upon WMI. The findings may help to develop therapeutic interventions for WMI.
Mohamed A. Al-Griw, Michael G. Salter, Ian C. Wood(1-2022)

Accumulating evidence indicates the role of endocrine disruptor bisphenol A (BPA) in many pathological conditions. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition has potential for the treatment of many diseases/abnormalities. Using a mouse BPA exposure model, this study investigated the hepatoprotective effects of the Food and Drug Administration–approved HDAC2 inhibitor valproic acid (VPA) against BPA-induced liver pathology. We randomly divided 30 adult male Swiss albino mice (8 weeks old; N = 6) into five groups: group 1, no treatment (sham control (SC)); group 2, only oral sterile corn oil (vehicle control (VC)); group 3, 4 mg/kg/day of oral BPA (single dose (BPA group)); group 4, 0.4% oral VPA (VPA group); and group 5, oral BPA + VPA (BPA + VPA group). At the age of 10 weeks, the mice were euthanized for biochemical and histological examinations. BPA promoted a significant decrease in the body weight (BW), an increase in the liver weight, and a significant increase in the levels of liver damage markers aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in the BPA group compared to SC, as well as pathological changes in liver tissue. We also found an increase in the rate of apoptosis among hepatocytes. In addition, BPA significantly increased the levels of oxidative stress indices, malondialdehyde, and protein carbonylation but decreased the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) in the BPA group compared to SC. In contrast, treatment with the HDAC2 inhibitor VPA significantly attenuated liver pathology, oxidative stress, and apoptosis and also enhanced GSH levels in VPA group and BPA + VPA group. The HDAC2 inhibitor VPA protects mice against BPA-induced liver pathology, likely by inhibiting oxidative stress and enhancing the levels of antioxidant-reduced GSH.
Mohamed A. Al-Griw, Zaynab Osama Alshibani, Rabia Omar abdullah Alghazeer, Mohamed Elhensheri, Refaat. M. Tabagh, Areej A. Eskandrani, Wafa S. Alansari, Mahmoud M. Habibulla, Ghalia Shamlan(6-2022)

Abstract The incidence of spinal cord injuries is the lowest of all major trauma, with devastating impact on the individual affected. The immediate treatment, though it remains mainly supportive, in many situations will determine the outcome and the cost of health care. Standards of care are unfortunately still lacking, this is mainly due to the existing controversies and lack of effective treatment of the injured cord. The author discusses here some of the controversial points based on literature review and personal observation. arabic 14 English 75
Nabil A. Alageli(10-2021)