Antidepressant-like effect of salidroside and curcumin on the immunoreactivity of rats subjected to a chronic mild stress model.

Deregulated cytokines' production is found in depressed patients. Salidroside and curcumin both have been described with potential antidepressant-like activities. The present study investigated the effect of pure salidroside, curcumin and their combination on the immunoreactivity of animals, subjected to a chronic mild stress (CMS) model, followed by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation. Wistar male rats were separated in the following six groups: control, CMS model, fluoxetine (2.5 mg/kg, oral), salidroside (5 mg/kg, oral), curcumin (20 mg/kg, oral) and salidroside + curcumin (5 mg/kg + 20 mg/kg, oral). Changes in glucose preference, spatial learning and exploratory behavior were recorded. The IL-6 levels in the rats' sera and of the TNF-α levels in the rats' sera and the brain tissue homogenate were evaluated. The groups exposed to stress and treated with fluoxetine, salidroside, curcumin or salidroside + curcumin showed increase in the glucose preference and locomotor activity, as well as, decrease in the escape latency and the cytokines' levels compared to the CMS model group. The chronic stress induced behavioral alternations and increased cytokines' levels in rats which were reversed by administration of salidroside and curcumin, suggesting antidepressant-like effects comparable to that of fluoxetine and potential synergistic interaction regarding the anti-inflammatory and anti-stress effects.

Beneficial Effect of Chronic Treatment with Extracts from Rhodiola Rosea L. and Curcuma Longa L. on the Immunoreactivity of Animals Subjected to a Chronic Mild Stress Model.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in depression. AIM: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of extracts from Rhodiola and Curcuma on immunoreactivity of animals subjected to a chronic mild stress (CMS) model followed by lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats (n=56) divided in 7 groups were treated orally with: distilled water 10 ml/kg (control and CMS model groups); Rhodiola 250 mg/kg; Rhodiola 500 mg/kg; Curcuma 250 mg/kg; Curcuma 500 mg/kg, Rhodiola 250 mg/kg and Curcuma 250 mg/kg. All groups except the control were stressed daily according to a CMS protocol. Changes in glucose preference, weight gain and locomotor activity were recorded. In the sixth week the animals were challenged with LPS and rats' sera were obtained for ELISA evaluation of TNF-α and IL-6 levels. RESULTS: The animals from the model group decreased their weight gain, glucose preference and locomotor activity compared to controls. The groups exposed to stress and treated with Rhodiola 500 mg/kg, Curcuma 500 mg/kg and their combination increased their locomotor activity compared to the model group. High expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 were found in all groups exposed to CMS and challenged by LPS. CONCLUSIONS: The groups exposed to the stress procedure showed a variety of depression-like behavioral changes. In addition, ELISA tests showed that CMS is affecting rats' immunity by increasing the cytokines' levels. These changes could be reversed by administration of Rhodiola and Curcuma in combination suggesting synergic interaction regarding their anti-inflammatory and anti-stress effects.

Carbapenemase Production of Clinical Isolates Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from a Bulgarian University Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Production of Bla OXA-23, OXA-24, OXA-58 and hyperexpression of OXA-51 due to ISAba1 insertion sequence are the leading causes of carbapenem resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii. The loss of OprD transmembrane protein and the overexpression of some effl ux pumps are considered to be the main factors for carbapenem resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa whereas metallo-enzymes' production has a secondary role. AIM: Тo examine the carbapenem resistance due to carbapenemase production among clinically signifi cant Gram-negative non-fermenters from St George University hospital, Plovdiv: A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty three A. baumannii and 43 P. aeruginosa isolates, resistant or with intermediate resistance to imipenem and/or meropenem were included in the study. They were collected from patients admitted in 14 various hospital wards between 2010 and 2014. Both phenotypic and genetic methods were used for identifi cation and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. RESULTS: All A. baumannii demonstrated carbapenemase production determined by a modifi ed Hodge test whereas P. aeruginosa isolates did not show this phenomenon. OXA-23 genes were determined in 97.7% (42 out of 43) of A. baumannii isolates indistinguishable from the sequence of the classical ARI-1 gene. OXA-24, OXA-58 and overexpression of OXA-51 were not registered in any of the isolates. All P. aeruginosa were negative for blaVIM and blaIMP genes. CONCLUSION: The leading cause of carbapenem resistance in A. baumannii isolates from our hospital is the carbapenemase production due to the expression of OXA- 23 gene, whereas in P. aeruginosa - the loss of transmembrane OprD protein and the effl ux pumps' hyperexpression are suspected to be the main mechanisms.