Examining the Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on the Cardiovascular System and Oxidative Stress in Insulin-Treated and Non-Treated Diabetic Rats.

BACKGROUND: This study explored the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on the cardiovascular system and oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: DM group (diabetic rats), DM+HBOT group (diabetic rats exposed to HBOT for 1 h daily, five days a week, at 2.8 atmosphere absolute (ATA) with 100% oxygen for two weeks), DM+INS group (diabetic rats treated with neutral protamine hagedorn (NPH) insulin at a dosage of 3-5 U/day), and DM+HBOT+INS group (diabetic rats treated with both NPH insulin and HBOT for two weeks). METHODS: Evaluations included glycemic control, oxidative stress parameters, and cardiac function measurements. RESULTS: NPH insulin treatment reduced blood glucose levels, although normoglycemia was not achieved. The DM+HBOT+INS group demonstrated the lowest pro-oxidative marker levels. NPH insulin treatment improved cardiac function, and combination therapy effectively restored cardiac function in diabetic animals. CONCLUSIONS: NPH insulin treatment reduced hyperglycemia and improved cardiac function in diabetic rats. The combined approach of NPH insulin and HBOT resulted in decreased pro-oxidative markers. These findings provide valuable insights for managing cardiovascular complications and oxidative stress in diabetes.

The impact of different diuretics on regression of myocardial reperfusion injury in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The study's objective was to ascertain the results of sub-chronic therapy of various diuretics on the ischemia/reperfusion dysfunction of the heart in hypertensive rats by a global ischemia in an isolated rat heart model. The research included 40 spontaneously hypertensive male rats (Wistar Kyoto strain, body mass 250 ± 30 g, 8 weeks old) grouped into four groups. The animals were treated for 4 weeks with 10 mg/kg of hydrochlorothiazide, indapamide, or spironolactone per os. After a period of sub-chronic treatment, we analyzed hemodynamic measurements, echocardiography, and myocardial function according to the Langendorff retrograde perfusion method. The hearts were subjected to 20 min of global ischemia and then reperfused for 30 min (I20:R30). Cardiovascular parameters that depict the left ventricle functions were continuously monitored, while flowmetry was used to determine coronary flow values. Markers of oxidative stress were estimated from coronary venous effluent using spectrophotometry. All three examined diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide, spironolactone, indapamide) lowered the production of the majority of the detected prooxidants, reducing myocardial oxidative damage. The cardiological examination of heart function in vivo demonstrated that treatment with indapamide and spironolactone mitigates left ventricular hypertrophy but without significant lowering of blood pressure or increment in ejection fraction. Additionally, monitoring of cardiac function ex vivo indicated the cardiodepressant effect of spironolactone in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Nandrolone Decanoate and Swimming Affects Cardiodynamic and Morphometric Parameters in the Isolated Rat Heart.

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to show the effects of swimming and nandrolone administration on cardiodynamic and morphometric parameters of the isolated rat heart. (2) The study included 72 Wistar rats, divided into three groups, scheduled to be sacrificed after the second, third, and fourth week. Each group was divided into four subgroups: control (T-N-), nandrolone (T-N+), swimming training (T+N-), and swimming training plus nandrolone (T+N+) group. The rats from T+N- and T+N+ swam 1 h/day, 5 days/week while ones from T-N+ and T+N+ received weekly nandrolone decanoate (20 mg/kg). The isolated hearts were perfused according to the Langendorff technique and measured parameters: dp/dt max/min, SLVP, DLVP, heart rate, and coronary flow. Hearts were fixed and stained with H/E and Masson trichrome dyes. (3) dp/dt max and dp/dt min were increased in the T-N+ group at higher perfusion pressure compared to the T-N- group. SLVP and DLVP were increased in all groups after the 4th week. Collagen content was increased in T-N+ by 403% and in T+N+ by 357% groups, while it was decreased in T+N- compared to the control after 4th week. (4) Conclusions: Nandrolone alone or combined with swimming had a deleterious effect on myocardial function and perfusion.

Redox and apoptotic potential of novel ruthenium complexes in rat blood and heart.

Ruthenium(II) complexes offer the potential for lower toxicity compared with platinum(II) complexes. Our study aimed to compare cardiotoxicity of [Ru(Cl-tpy)(en)Cl][Cl], [Ru(Cl-tpy)(dach)Cl][Cl], [Ru(Cl-tpy)(bpy)Cl][Cl], cisplatin, and saline through assessment of redox status and relative expression of apoptosis-related genes. A total of 40 Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups. Ruthenium groups received a single dose of complexes intraperitoneally (4 mg/kg/week) for a 4-week period; cisplatin group received cisplatin (4 mg/kg/week) and control group received saline (4 mL/kg/week) in the same manner as ruthenium groups. In collected blood and heart tissue samples, spectrophotometric determination of oxidative stress biomarkers was performed. The relative expression of apoptosis-related genes (Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3) in hearts was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Our results showed that systemic and cardiac pro-oxidative markers (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and nitrite) were significantly lower in ruthenium groups compared with cisplatin group, while concentrations of antioxidative parameters (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and oxidized glutathione) were significantly higher. Ruthenium administration led to significantly lower gene expression of Bax and caspase-3 compared with cisplatin-treated rats, while Bcl-2 remained unchanged. Applied ruthenium complexes have less pronounced potential for induction of oxidative stress-mediated cardiotoxicity compared with cisplatin. These findings may help for future studies that should clarify the mechanisms of cardiotoxicity of ruthenium-based metallodrugs.

Antitumor Activity of Ruthenium(II) Terpyridine Complexes towards Colon Cancer Cells In Vitro and In Vivo.

Ruthenium complexes have attracted considerable interest as potential antitumor agents. Therefore, antitumor activity and systemic toxicity of ruthenium(II) terpyridine complexes were evaluated in heterotopic mouse colon carcinoma. In the present study, cytotoxic effects of recently synthesized ruthenium(II) terpyridine complexes [Ru(Cl-tpy)(en)Cl][Cl] (en = ethylenediamine, tpy = terpyridine, Ru-1) and [Ru(Cl-tpy)(dach)Cl][Cl] (dach = 1,2-diaminocyclohexane, Ru-2) towards human and murine colon carcinoma cells were tested in vitro and in vivo and compared with oxaliplatin, the most commonly used chemotherapeutic agent against colorectal carcinoma. Ruthenium(II) complexes showed moderate cytotoxicity with IC50 values ranging between 19.1 to 167.3 µM against two human, HCT116 and SW480, and one mouse colon carcinoma cell line, CT26. Both ruthenium(II) terpyridine complexes exerted a moderate apoptotic effect in colon carcinoma cells, but induced significant necrotic death. Additionally, both complexes induced cell cycle disturbances, but these effects were specific for the cell line. Further, Ru-1 significantly reduced the growth of primary heterotopic tumor in mice, similarly to oxaliplatin. Renal damage in Ru-1 treated mice was lower in comparison with oxaliplatin treated mice, as evaluated by serum levels of urea and creatinine and histological evaluation, but Ru-1 induced higher liver damage than oxaliplatin, evaluated by the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase. Additionally, the interaction of these ruthenium(II) terpyridine complexes with the tripeptide glutathione (GSH) was investigated by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy. All reactions led to the formation of monofunctional thiolate adducts [Ru(Cl-tpy)(en)GS-S] (3) and [Ru(Cl-tpy)(dach)GS-S] (4). Our data highlight the significant cytotoxic activity of [Ru(Cl-tpy)(en)Cl][Cl] against human and mouse colon carcinoma cells, as well as in vivo antitumor activity in CT26 tumor-bearing mice similar to standard chemotherapeutic oxaliplatin, accompanied with lower nephrotoxicity in comparison with oxaliplatin.

The impact of high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training regimes on cardiodynamic parameters in isolated heart of normotensive and hypertensive rats.

This study aimed to assess the impact of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) vs. moderate-intensity continuous training (MIT) on cardiodynamic parameters in isolated rat heart. Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to groups according to running protocol: sedentary control, MIT, and HIIT; spontaneous hypertensive rat (SHR) sedentary control, SHR + MIT, and SHR + HIIT. HIIT groups performed the running in 5 sprints × 45-55 m/min for 30-90 s, with 2 min of rest after each sprint, while MIT groups performed the running of 10-15 m/min for 1 h with 3 min of rest every 100 m; both protocols were implemented 5 days/week over 4 weeks with 1 week of adaptation before protocols started. Isolated rat hearts were perfused according to Langendorff technique at gradually increased coronary perfusion pressures (40-120 cmH2O). Using a sensor placed in the left ventricle, we registered maximum and minimum rate of pressure development in the left ventricle, systolic and diastolic left ventricular pressure, and heart rate. Coronary flow was measured flowmetrically. MIT was connected with cardiac depression in normotensive conditions, while HIIT leads to cardiac depression in hypertensive rats. HIIT induced more significant increase of contractile and relaxation parameters of the isolated rat heart, especially in hypertensive animals.

Clinical Benefits of n-3 PUFA and ɤ-Linolenic Acid in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

(1) Background: Marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and ɤ-linolenic acid (GLA) are well-known anti-inflammatory agents that may help in the treatment of inflammatory disorders. Their effects were examined in patients with rheumatoid arthritis; (2) Methods: Sixty patients with active rheumatoid arthritis were involved in a prospective, randomized trial of a 12 week supplementation with fish oil (group I), fish oil with primrose evening oil (group II), or with no supplementation (group III). Clinical and laboratory evaluations were done at the beginning and at the end of the study; (3) Results: The Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS 28 score), number of tender joints and visual analogue scale (VAS) score decreased notably after supplementation in groups I and II (p < 0.001). In plasma phospholipids the n-6/n-3 fatty acids ratio declined from 15.47 ± 5.51 to 10.62 ± 5.07 (p = 0.005), and from 18.15 ± 5.04 to 13.50 ± 4.81 (p = 0.005) in groups I and II respectively. The combination of n-3 PUFA and GLA (group II) increased ɤ-linolenic acid (0.00 ± 0.00 to 0.13 ± 0.11, p < 0.001), which was undetectable in all groups before the treatments; (4) Conclusion: Daily supplementation with n-3 fatty acids alone or in combination with GLA exerted significant clinical benefits and certain changes in disease activity.

Cross-linguistic patterns in the acquisition of quantifiers.

Learners of most languages are faced with the task of acquiring words to talk about number and quantity. Much is known about the order of acquisition of number words as well as the cognitive and perceptual systems and cultural practices that shape it. Substantially less is known about the acquisition of quantifiers. Here, we consider the extent to which systems and practices that support number word acquisition can be applied to quantifier acquisition and conclude that the two domains are largely distinct in this respect. Consequently, we hypothesize that the acquisition of quantifiers is constrained by a set of factors related to each quantifier's specific meaning. We investigate competence with the expressions for "all," "none," "some," "some…not," and "most" in 31 languages, representing 11 language types, by testing 768 5-y-old children and 536 adults. We found a cross-linguistically similar order of acquisition of quantifiers, explicable in terms of four factors relating to their meaning and use. In addition, exploratory analyses reveal that language- and learner-specific factors, such as negative concord and gender, are significant predictors of variation.

Ratings of age of acquisition of 299 words across 25 languages: Is there a cross-linguistic order of words?

We present a new set of subjective age-of-acquisition (AoA) ratings for 299 words (158 nouns, 141 verbs) in 25 languages from five language families (Afro-Asiatic: Semitic languages; Altaic: one Turkic language: Indo-European: Baltic, Celtic, Germanic, Hellenic, Slavic, and Romance languages; Niger-Congo: one Bantu language; Uralic: Finnic and Ugric languages). Adult native speakers reported the age at which they had learned each word. We present a comparison of the AoA ratings across all languages by contrasting them in pairs. This comparison shows a consistency in the orders of ratings across the 25 languages. The data were then analyzed (1) to ascertain how the demographic characteristics of the participants influenced AoA estimations and (2) to assess differences caused by the exact form of the target question (when did you learn vs. when do children learn this word); (3) to compare the ratings obtained in our study to those of previous studies; and (4) to assess the validity of our study by comparison with quasi-objective AoA norms derived from the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories (MB-CDI). All 299 words were judged as being acquired early (mostly before the age of 6 years). AoA ratings were associated with the raters' social or language status, but not with the raters' age or education. Parents reported words as being learned earlier, and bilinguals reported learning them later. Estimations of the age at which children learn the words revealed significantly lower ratings of AoA. Finally, comparisons with previous AoA and MB-CDI norms support the validity of the present estimations. Our AoA ratings are available for research or other purposes.