Targeting the Oxytocin System to Ameliorate Early Life Depressive-Like Behaviors in Maternally-Separated Rats.

Oxytocin (OXT) -"the love hormone"- has been involved in the anti-depressant activity of some selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The exact mechanism underlying the OXT pathway in depression is not fully clear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of OXT analogue, carbetocin (CBT) and the SSRI, escitalopram (ESCIT) on depressive-like behaviors following maternal separation (MS). It is worthy to mention that intranasal CBT has been approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Prader-Willi syndrome. Adolescent Wistar albino maternally-separated rats were given CBT, (100 µg/animal/d via inhalation route), and, ESCIT, (20 mg kg-1, per os ( p.o.)) either alone or in combination for 7 d. Repeated 3-h MS demonstrated increased immobility time in forced swim test (FST) and decreased locomotor activity in open field test. MS elevated plasma level of adrenocortico-trophic hormone (ACTH) but notably reduced plasma OXT, with no effect on hippocampal OXT-R expression. Following MS, hippocampal contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors (5HT1A-R), serotonin transporter (SERT) were increased. CBT and ESCIT corrected the behavioral dysfunction in FST and suppressed the high levels of ACTH. Additionally, both treatments boosted OXT level, reduced 5HT1A-R and normalized SERT contents, which reflects increased availability of serotonin. Finally, CBT markedly ameliorated the histopathological damage induced by MS and suppressed the increased glial fibrillary acidic protein. CBT and ESCIT manage depressive-like behavior by positively affecting serotonergic and oxytocinergic systems. Targeting OXT system -using CBT- ameliorated depressive like behaviors induced by maternal separation most probably via enhancing OXT plasma levels, attenuating hormonal ACTH and restoring the expression of hippocampal oxytocin and serotonin mechanisms.

Palonosetron/Methyllycaconitine Deactivate Hippocampal Microglia 1, Inflammasome Assembly and Pyroptosis to Enhance Cognition in a Novel Model of Neuroinflammation.

Since westernized diet-induced insulin resistance is a risk factor in Alzheimer's disease (AD) development, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) coexists with amyloid ß (Aß)1-42 in these patients, our AD novel model was developed to resemble sporadic AD by injecting LPS into high fat/fructose diet (HFFD)-fed rats. The neuroprotective potential of palonosetron and/or methyllycaconitine, 5-HT3 receptor and α7 nAChR blockers, respectively, was evaluated after 8 days of daily administration in HFFD/LPS rats. All regimens improved histopathological findings and enhanced spatial memory (Morris Water Maze); however, palonosetron alone or with methyllycaconitine promoted animal performance during novel object recognition tests. In the hippocampus, all regimens reduced the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and skewed microglia M1 to M2 phenotype, indicated by the decreased M1 markers and the enhanced M2 related parameters. Additionally, palonosetron and its combination regimen downregulated the expression of ASC/TMS1, as well as levels of inflammasome downstream molecules and abated cleaved caspase-1, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-18 and caspase-11. Furthermore, ACh and 5-HT were augmented after being hampered by the insult. Our study speculates that blocking 5-HT3 receptor using palonosetron overrides methyllycaconitine to combat AD-induced neuroinflammation and inflammasome cascade, as well as to restore microglial function in a HFFD/LPS novel model for sporadic AD.

Comparative study on beneficial effects of vitamins B and D in attenuating doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity in rats: Emphasis on calcium homeostasis.

The use of doxorubicin (DOX) to treat various tumors is limited by its cardiotoxicity. This study aimed to investigate and compare the cardioprotective effects of nicotinamide (NAM) and alfacalcidol (1α(OH)D3), against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Sprague Dawley male rats received DOX (5 mg/kg, i.p.) once/week for four consecutive weeks. Treated groups received either NAM (600 mg/kg, p.o.) for 28 consecutive days or 1α(OH)D3 (0.5 ug/kg, i.p.) once/week for four consecutive weeks. DOX elicited marked cardiac tissue injury manifested by elevated serum cardiotoxicity indices, conduction and histopathological abnormalities. Both NAM and 1α(OH)D3 successfully reversed all these changes. From the mechanistic point of view, DOX provoked intense cytosolic and mitochondrial calcium (Ca2+) overload hence switching on calpain1 (CPN1) and mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic cascades as confirmed by upregulating Bax and caspase-3 while downregulating Bcl-2 expression. DOX also disrupted cardiac bioenergetics as evidenced by adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion and a declined ATP/ADP ratio. Moreover, DOX upregulated the Ca2+ sensor; calmodulin kinase II gamma (CaMKII-δ) which further contributed to cardiac damage. Interestingly, co-treatment with either NAM or 1α(OH)D3 reversed all DOX associated abnormalities by preserving Ca2+ homeostasis, replenishing ATP stores and obstructing apoptotic events. Additionally, DOX prompted nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) dependent inflammatory responses and subsequently upregulated interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression. Co-treatment with NAM or 1α(OH)D3 effectively obstructed these inflammatory signals. Remarkably, NAM showed superior beneficial cardioprotective properties over 1α(OH)D3. Both NAM and 1α(OH)D3 efficiently attenuated DOX-cardiomyopathy mainly via preserving Ca2+ homeostasis and diminishing apoptotic and inflammatory pathways. NAM definitely exhibited effective cardioprotective capabilities over 1α(OH)D3.

Trans-cinnamaldehyde Modulates Hippocampal Nrf2 Factor and Inhibits Amyloid Beta Aggregation in LPS-Induced Neuroinflammation Mouse Model.

Trans-cinnamaldehyde (CNM) has recently drawn attention due to its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The current study explored the memory enhancing effects of CNM against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation in mice. CNM and curcumin (a reference antioxidant) were administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg i.p. 3 h after a single LPS injection (0.8 mg/kg, i.p.) and continued daily for 7 days. Our results displayed that CNM and curcumin significantly ameliorated the LPS-induced impairment of learning and memory, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis. Memory functions and locomotor activity were assessed by Morris water maze, object recognition test and open field test. Both CNM and curcumin activated the nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and restored levels of downstream antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in the hippocampus. They also attenuated LPS-induced increase in hippocampal contents of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), malondialdehyde and caspase-3. Immunohistochemistry results showed that both CNM and curcumin reduced Aß1-42 protein accumulation in brain of mice. Remarkably CNM's effect on IL-1ß was less pronounced than curcumin; however it showed higher GST activity and more potent anti-apoptotic and anti-amylodogenic effect. We conclude that, CNM produces its memory enhancing effects through modulation of Nrf2 antioxidant defense in hippocampus, inhibition of neuroinflammation, apoptosis and amyloid protein burden.

Pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate attenuates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats: Modulation of oxidative stress, fibrosis, and inflammatory parameters.

OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to investigate the modulatory effects of pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC; 100 mg/kg) on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis (5 mg/kg; intratracheal) in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were randomly assigned to three groups: normal control, bleomycin control, and PDTC-treated groups. Lung injury was evaluated through histological examination, immunohistochemical detection of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in lung tissue and evaluating the total and differential leucocytes count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Lung tissue was used for biochemical assessment of lung content of hydroxyproline, transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-ß1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) as well as analysis of lipid peroxides, reduced glutathione (GSH), and total nitrite contents. RESULTS: PDTC attenuated bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis as evidenced by histological observations, decreased iNOS expression and prevention of bleomycin-induced altered total and differential leukocytes count. Additionally, PDTC caused a significant decrease in lung contents of hydroxyproline, TGF-ß1, TNF-α, lipid peroxides, and total nitrite coupled with increase in lung GSH content as compared to bleomycin control group. CONCLUSION: PDTC attenuated bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats via its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antifibrotic activities.

In-vivo antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of rosiglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ) agonists in animal model of bronchial asthma.

OBJECTIVES: Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ) has been shown to play an important role in the control of immunological and inflammatory responses. This study aims at investigating the potential role of rosiglitazone, a strong PPAR-γ agonist in a murine model of bronchial asthma. METHODS: Adult male guinea pigs were administered ovalbumin 100 mg/kg subcutaneous (SC) and 100 mg/kg intraperitoneal (IP). Treatment with rosiglitazone [5 mg/kg/day, per oral (PO)] was assessed for 21 days. On day 21, the animals were challenged with the same dose of ovalbumin. The forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1 ) to forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1 /FVC, was measured using a spirometer to diagnosis lung obstruction. Serum levels of interleukin-5 (IL-5) and immunoglobulin E (IgE) were assessed. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase and the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) were determined in lung tissue homogenates. KEY FINDINGS: Our results demonstrated that treatment with rosiglitazone resulted in a statistically significant improvement in lung function and histopathological features. Significant decrease in the serum levels of IL-5 and IgE were observed. The activity of SOD and catalase as well as the GSH level were significantly increased in the lung tissues of treated animals compared with untreated asthmatic animals. Serum IgE concentrations and IL-5 levels were directly correlated to each other and inversely correlated to the SOD, GSH and catalase levels in the all studied guinea pigs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide evidence that the PPAR-γ agonist rosiglitazone may have potential in the development of therapies for bronchial asthma.