Nonlinear surface EMG analysis to detect the neuroprotective effect of citicoline in rat sciatic nerve crush injury.

Surface electromyography (sEMG) is a method involving physiological signals with a complex behavior. The aim is to analyze the sEMG signals by nonlinear techniques for investigating the possible neuroprotective effect of citicoline for early period of administration in rat sciatic nerve crush injury. Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomized into four groups: the sham-operated group with the intact sciatic nerve and the sciatic nerve crush groups, which received crush on the left sciatic nerve and administrated i.p. citicoline (50 and 250 mg/kg/day, 7 day) or saline (control group). Function assessment analysis was performed and sEMG signals were recorded and analyzed with nonlinear methods. Citicoline administration improved functional recovery in comparison with control group. Largest Lyapunov exponent and correlation dimension parameters were decreased due to the crush injury and increased related with the healing of sciatic nerve. Results of nonlinear analysis of sEMG are in line with the results of functional recovery and electrophysiological assessments. These results suggest that administration of citicoline protects the sciatic nerve from the crush injury which may be attributed to its antioxidative properties. Nonlinear analysis of sEMG is a promising supporting method for determining the nerve regeneration process during the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries.

Acute effects of energy drink on hemodynamic and electrophysiologic parameters in habitual and non-habitual caffeine consumers.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The consumption of energy drinks has significantly increased in recent years but their adverse effects are yet to be identified. The objective of the study is to determine the acute effects of energy drink on habitual and non-habitual caffeine consumers and if caffeine consumption habit causes a difference in the hemodynamic and electrophysiological responses. METHODS: We carried out a non-randomized, non-placebo controlled, three-arm parallel assignment with 48 students enrolled at Aydin Adnan Menderes University. Four main groups were determined according to the results of the application acceptance survey. Blood pressure, electrocardiogram, breath rate, haemoglobin oxygen saturation and bioelectrical impedance analysis were measured before consuming the drinks. After consuming the drinks, measurements were repeated at 30 min and 60 min. In addition, Participant's Situation Anxiety Scale was recorded. RESULTS: Energy drink consumption led to a significant increase in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate for non-habitual caffeine consumers. PR interval and QRS complex were not affected significantly, however QTc interval reduced in time. Haemoglobin oxygen saturation and breathing rate did not change. Body fat percentage values of habitual energy drink consumers were smaller than the other groups. Body metabolism rate increased after energy drink consumption. There was no significant change for high-habitual caffeine consumers in all parameters evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Energy drink consumption has a negative effect on hemodynamic parameters. But as the habituation level increases the impact of energy drink on hemodynamic parameters tends to decrease. CLINICALTRIALS REGISTRATION: Registered under ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier No: NCT04223167.

Non-linear analysis of heart rate variability for evaluating the acute effects of caffeinated beverages in young adults.

Caffeinated beverages are the most consumed substances in the world. High rate of uptake of these beverages leads to various cardiovascular disorders ranging from palpitations to coronary failure. The objective of the study is to ascertain how the complexity parameters of heart rate variability are affected by acute consumption of caffeinated beverages in young adults.Electrocardiogram measurements were performed before consuming drinks. After consuming the drinks, measurements were done again at 30 minutes and 60 minutes. Heart rate variability signals were acquired from electrocardiogram signals. Also, the signals were reconstructed in the phase space and largest Lyapunov exponent, correlation dimension, approximate entropy, and detrended fluctuation analysis values were calculated.Heart rate increased for energy drink and cola groups but not in coffee group. Non-linear parameter values of energy drink, coffee, and cola group are increased within 60 minutes after drink consumption. This change is statistically significant just for energy drink group.Energy drink consumption increases the complexity of the cardiovascular system in young adults significantly. Coffee and cola consumption have no significant effect on the non-linear parameters of heart rate variability.

Protective effects of citicoline on TNBS-induced experimental colitis in rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of citicoline on the development of colitis and antioxidant parameters in rats subjected to tribenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis. Twenty four Wistar Albino female rats were divided into four subgroups (n=6) (control, colitis control, colitis + 50 mg/kg citicoline, colitis + 250 mg/kg citicoline). Colitis was induced using an enema of TNBS and ethanol; following which citicoline was administrated for 3 days and effects of citicoline was subsequently evaluated. Based on microscopic damage scores, there was no difference between rats of the TNBS-colitis and 50 mg/kg citicoline treated groups, whereas treatment with 250 mg/kg citicoline, caused significant reduction in colon injury compared to that observed in rats of TNBS-colitis group. In terms of the biochemical analyses, myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and IL-6 levels in rats from 250 mg/kg citicoline group were significantly different from that TNBS-colitis group. The levels of MPO, MDA, GSH and IL-6 in control rats were also significantly different those of rats in the TNBS-colitis group. Citicoline may have a positive protective effect on the inflammatory bowel disease treatment process and could, therefore, be used as an adjunct therapy in colitis. These effects of citicoline may exist through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanism.

Topical use of liposomal copper palmitate formulation blocks porphyrin-induced photosensitivity in rats.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new treatment modality that uses porphyrin derivatives and visible light, especially for the treatment of cancer. However, PDT with certain photosensitisers can cause prolonged skin photosensitization. This is particularly true for Photofrin II (Photofrin)-mediated PDT where patients are required to avoid direct exposure to sunlight for a period of 4-6 weeks. This is the only long-term adverse reaction to the drug. Recent studies have shown that topical copper treatment avoids this type of inflammatory reaction. In this study, we have tested the efficiency of the liposomal formulation of copper palmitate on porphyrin-photosensitized rats. Initially, adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were rendered photosensitive either by administration of Photofrin or aminolevulinic acid (ALA), a precursor of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX). Prior to this, their dorsal skin was shaved and treated topically with a cream consisting of either empty or copper palmitate-encapsulated liposomal formulation. After being kept in a dimmed light environment, the rats were exposed to visible light, and inflammatory responses were inspected. Histological studies revealed that no inflammatory cells were present at the skin sites treated with liposomal cream containing copper palmitate in the Photofrin-sensitized group while no reduction in the number of inflammatory cells was observed at the skin samples treated with the empty liposomes. In conclusion, the data demonstrate the significant protective effect of topically-applied liposome-encapsulated copper palmitate against both Photofrin and ALA-induced PpIX photosensitivity.

The effect of quercetin on renal ischemia and reperfusion injury in the rat.

Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury occurs in many clinical conditions such as hypovolemic shock, thromboembolism, injury and after renal transplantation. Under these conditions, ROS are considered to be the reason for cellular damage. Bioflavonoids have antioxidant and renoprotective properties. We studied the effect of quercetin, a bioflavonoid, on ischemia and reperfusion in rats. The rats (n = 28) were separated into three groups. Group I was the control group. Animals in groups II (IR) and III (IR + Q) underwent 30 min ischemia and 45 min reperfusion, respectively. Rats, in group III, also received 50 mg kg(-1) quercetin before 45 min of reperfusion. The activities of SOD, CAT, GPx, and concentrations of GSH and GSSGR were determined in renal cortex and erythrocytes. Also, the levels of MDA in renal cortex and plasma, and XO in renal cortex were measured in these groups. The renal cortex XO levels in the IR group were higher than that of the control and IR+Q groups (p<0.001). The renal cortex and plasma MDA levels in the IR group were also found to be higher than the control and IR+Q groups (p<0.01, and p<0.001, respectively). However, a decrease in MAD level of the IR+Q group was found in renal cortex and erythrocytes. In addition, SOD, CAT, and GPx activities in renal cortex and erythrocytes of quercetin-treated animals were enhanced compared to animals of the IR group. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the SOD, CAT, and GPx activities of the control and IR+Q group. A reduction of GSH and GSSGR levels in IR and IR+Q groups was detected but no significant differences were found between these groups. This study stresses that high concentration of ROS leads to renal ischemia and reperfusion, and quercetin reduces the renal injury by preventing the oxidative stress dependent on ischemia and reperfusion. Quercetin may be used in renal transplantation as an antioxidant drug.