Effect of perinatal dietary protein deficiency on some neurochemicals and cytoarchitectural balance, in F1 and F2 generations of rats.

ABSTRACTProtein deficiency, characterized by an inadequate intake of protein in the diet that fails to meet the body's physiological requirements across various stages, can lead to detrimental outcomes. This is of interest due to the persistent low protein content in staple foods and suboptimal dietary patterns. The study sought to assess the intergenerational repercussions of dietary protein deficiency on specific neurochemicals and the cytoarchitecture of the brain within the F1 and F2 generations of rats. The rats were categorized into four groups based on the protein content percentage in their diets: 21% protein diet (21%PD), 10% protein diet (10%PD), 5% protein diet (5%PD), and control diet. Neurobehavior was assessed, while brain serotonin and dopamine levels were measured using HPLC. BDNF and GDNF expression in the hippocampal and prefrontal (PFC) sections, Immunohistochemical investigations of the morphological impact on the hippocampus and PFC, were also analyzed. The protein-deficient groups displayed anxiety, loss of striatal serotonin and increased dopamine levels, degenerated pyramidal cells in the hippocampus, and a prominent reduction in cellular density in the PFC. BDNF and GDNF levels in the PFC were reduced in the 5%PD group. GFAP astrocyte expression was observed to be increased in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampal sections, indicating heightened reactivity. The density of hypertrophied cells across generations further suggests the presence of neuroinflammation. Changes in brain structure, neurotransmitter levels, and neurotrophic factor levels may indicate intergenerational alterations in critical regions, potentially serving as indicators of the brain's adaptive response to address protein deficiency across successive generations.

Cannabis sativa (Marijuana) alters blood chemistry and the cytoarchitecture of some organs in Sprague Dawley rat models.

There is evidence that Cannabis whose active ingredient is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the most commonly abused neuroactive substance, among young adults. This work investigated the effects of Cannabis sativa on the cytoarchitecture of some key organs and the blood chemistry of rat models. Twenty-one (21) male Sprague Dawley rats were fed different percentage of cannabis chow (0%, 5% and 10%) for a period of seven (7) weeks. Rats were subjected to intermittent cognitive function test and sacrificed after the seventh week, collecting the blood, brain and other important tissues for analysis which include; brain total protein and nitric oxide concentration, blood chemistry and histopathology. Results revealed a dose-dependent decline in the cognitive function, statistically significant decrease in the brain total protein and nitric oxide. Histopathology revealed significant hypertrophy in the heart, hypercellularity in neuronal cells, prominent sinusoids cytoarchitecture of the hepatocytes and vascular congestion in the seminiferous tubules of testes. There was a statistically significant difference in the plasma ALP, ALT, AST level between controls and the cannabis test groups. Cannabis use caused cellular damage through mediation of imbalance and altered cytoarchitecture which may affects the overall health of dependent user.

Aqueous root extract of Lecaniodiscus cupanioides restores nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway in sexually impaired male rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Aqueous root extract of Lecaniodiscus cupanioides is widely used in the management of sexual dysfunction in Nigeria. The effect of aqueous root extract of L. cupanioides root on the concentrations of penile cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate (cGMP) and plasma nitric oxide in paroxetine-induced sexually impaired male rats was evaluated. METHODS: Thirty (30) albino rats were assigned into six groups (A, B, C, D, E and F) of five rats each such that animals in Group A (control) received distilled water while those in Groups B, C, D, E and F which were induced into sexual dysfunction (p.o 10mg/kg of paroxetine hydrochloride suspension in Tween-80) and in addition received distilled water, 7.14 mg/kg body weight of a reference herbal drug (PowmaxM), 25, 50 and 100mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively, orally, once daily for five days. RESULTS: Administration of paroxetine significantly reduced the levels of penile cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate (cGMP) and plasma nitric oxide. These decreases were dose dependently reversed by the aqueous extract of L. cupanioides root. The reversal by the 25 and 50mg/kg body weight of the extract compared favorably with the PowmaxM, whereas the 100mg/kg body weight of the extract compared favorably with the non-sexually impaired distilled water treated control animals. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that aqueous extract of L. cupanioides root restored the levels of cGMP and nitric oxide in sexually impaired rats. This study further lends credence to the use of aqueous root extract of L. cupanioides in the management of sexual dysfunction in Nigeria.