Mohammad Hassan Karimfar1, Ali Noorafshan2, Ali Rashidiani-Rashidabadi3, Aghdas Poostpasand3, Reza Asadi-Golshan3, Mohammad-Amin Abdollahifar3, Saied Karbalay-Doust4. 1. Anatomy Department, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran. 2. Histomorphometry and Stereology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Anatomy Department, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. 3. Anatomy Department, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. 4. Histomorphometry and Stereology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Anatomy Department, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Electronic address: karbalas@sums.ac.ir.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the the possible neurotoxic effects of sulfite and the protective potential of curcumin on the deep cerebellar nuclei using stereological methods. METHODS: The rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups (n=6): Group I: distilled water, Group II: Olive oil, Group III: Curcumin (100 mg/kg/day), Group IV: Sodium metabisulfite (25 mg/kg/day), and Group V: Sodium metabisulfite+curcumin. At the end of 56 d, the right cerebellar hemispheres were removed and assigned to stereological studies. The total volume and total neuron number of deep cerebellar nuclei were assessed using Cavalieri and optical disector methods, respectively. RESULTS: The data showed ∼20% and ∼16% decrease was respectively observed in the total volume and the total neuron number of the deep cerebellar nuclei of the sulfite-treated rats in comparison to the distilled water group (P<0.04). However, no significant change was observed in the total volume and neuronal number of the deep cerebellar nuclei in sulfite+curcumin-treated rats and curcumin played a protective role against sulfite. Curcumin or its vehicle (olive oil) did not induce any significant changes. CONCLUSIONS: Curcumin, the main part of the turmeric, could prevent the structural changes induced in the deep cerebellar nuclei by sodium metabisulfite, a preservative agent, in rats.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the the possible neurotoxic effects of sulfite and the protective potential of curcumin on the deep cerebellar nuclei using stereological methods. METHODS: The rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups (n=6): Group I: distilled water, Group II: Olive oil, Group III: Curcumin (100 mg/kg/day), Group IV: Sodium metabisulfite (25 mg/kg/day), and Group V: Sodium metabisulfite+curcumin. At the end of 56 d, the right cerebellar hemispheres were removed and assigned to stereological studies. The total volume and total neuron number of deep cerebellar nuclei were assessed using Cavalieri and optical disector methods, respectively. RESULTS: The data showed ∼20% and ∼16% decrease was respectively observed in the total volume and the total neuron number of the deep cerebellar nuclei of the sulfite-treated rats in comparison to the distilled water group (P<0.04). However, no significant change was observed in the total volume and neuronal number of the deep cerebellar nuclei in sulfite+curcumin-treated rats and curcumin played a protective role against sulfite. Curcumin or its vehicle (olive oil) did not induce any significant changes. CONCLUSIONS:Curcumin, the main part of the turmeric, could prevent the structural changes induced in the deep cerebellar nuclei by sodium metabisulfite, a preservative agent, in rats.