Effects of acute carbon monoxide poisoning on liver damage and comparisons of related oxygen therapies in a rat model.

Acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning may cause liver damage and liver dysfunction. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to compare the efficiency of normobaric oxygen (NBO) and high-flow nasal cannula oxygen (HFNCO) treatments on liver injury. For that purpose, 28 male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups (Control, CO, CO + NBO, and CO + HFNCO). The control group was allowed to breath room air for 30 min. Acute CO poisoning in CO, CO + NBO, CO + HFNCO was induced by CO exposure for 30 min. Thereafter, NBO group received 100% NBO with reservoir mask for 30 min. HFNCO group received high-flow oxygen through nasal cannula for 30 min. At the end of the experiment, all animals were sacrificed by cardiac puncture under anesthesia. Serum liver function tests were measured. Liver tissue total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels, tissue histomorphology and immunoexpression levels of Bax, Caspase 3, TNF-α, IL-1ß, and NF-κB were also examined. Our observations indicated that acute CO poisoning caused significant increases in blood COHb, serum aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT0, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein, albumin, and globulin levels but a decrease in albumin to globulin ratio (all, p < 0.05). Furthermore, acute CO poisoning significantly increased the OSI value, and the immunoexpresssion of Bax, Caspase 3, TNF-α, IL-1ß, and NF-κB in liver tissue (all, p < 0.05). These pathological changes in serum and liver tissue were alleviated through both of the treatment methods. In conclusion, both the NBO and HFNCO treatments were beneficial to alleviate the acute CO poisoning associated with liver injury and dysfunction.

Effects of Diet-Induced Obesity and Programs for Body Weight Reduction on the Histostructure of the Triceps Surae Muscle in Male Rats.

We studied the effects of visceral obesity induced by a high-calorie diet and health-improving variants of its correction on morphological characteristics of the muscle tissue in male Wistar rats. At stage I, the rats received standard (StD) or high-calorie diet (HCD) for 8 weeks. At stage II, the animals were divided into the following subgroups: no correction (StD and HCD), switching from HCD to StD (HCD/StD) and/or connection of physical activity in the form of treadmill running (StD+running, HCD+running, and HCD/StD+running) for the next 8 weeks. Diet-induced visceral obesity was shown to result in a decrease in the weight of the triceps surae muscle, fatty infiltration, intracellular edema, partial lysis of contractile elements, weak inflammatory response, and decreased muscle fiber area on cross section. Treadmill running (HCD+running) exacerbates the morphological changes, but returns muscle fiber area to normal. Correction of visceral obesity and relative normalization of muscle tissue structure was noted when switching to a standard diet (HCD/StD and HCD/StD+running).

Safety evaluation of ondansetron after gestational exposure on male reproductive parameters in rats.

Ondansetron is a 5HT3 receptor antagonist widely used to treat hyperemesis gravidarum, although its safety is still questionable. Since 5HT3 receptors, which are the target of this drug, can interfere with brain development through changes in neurotransmitter levels, this study evaluated whether the prenatal exposure to this drug could compromise reproductive and behavioral parameters in male offspring. Pregnant rats were treated with ondansetron (1.7 and 2.5 mg/kg/body weight; gavage), from gestational day 1-21. No exposure-related changes in clinical signs, body weight, food consumption, pregnancy length, and necropsy findings were observed in dams. Ondansetron exposure did not alter the anogenital distance or age of preputial separation in male offspring. Similarly, males exposed to therapeutic doses of ondansetron did not exhibit changes in play behavior. In adulthood, there were no changes in sperm parameters, as well as in testosterone level, sexual behavior and fertility. Furthermore, ondansetron did not interfere with testicular and epididymal histology, and with androgen receptor expression in hypothalamus. In conclusion, prenatal exposure to ondansetron did not cause maternal toxicity, as well as did not interfere with reproductive parameters of male offspring, indicating its safety after gestational exposure in rats.

Impact of Mephedrone on Fear Memory in Adolescent Rats: Involvement of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) Receptor.

Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is complicated by the presence of drug use disorder comorbidity. Here, we examine whether conditioned fear (PTSD model) modifies the rewarding effect of mephedrone and if repeated mephedrone injections have impact on trauma-related behaviors (fear sensitization, extinction, and recall of the fear reaction). We also analyzed whether these trauma-induced changes were associated with exacerbation in metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and the GluN2A and GluN2B subunits of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor expression in such brain structures as the hippocampus and basolateral amygdala. Male adolescent rats underwent trauma exposure (1.5 mA footshock), followed 7 days later by a conditioned place preference training with mephedrone. Next, the post-conditioning test was performed. Fear sensitization, conditioned fear, anxiety-like behavior, extinction acquisition and relapse were then assessed to evaluate behavioral changes. MMP-9, GluN2A and GluN2B were subsequently measured. Trauma-exposed rats subjected to mephedrone treatment acquired a strong place preference and exhibited impairment in fear extinction and reinstatement. Mephedrone had no effect on trauma-induced MMP-9 level in the basolateral amygdala, but decreased it in the hippocampus. GluN2B expression was decreased in the hippocampus, but increased in the basolateral amygdala of mephedrone-treated stressed rats. These data suggest that the modification of the hippocampus and basolateral amygdala due to mephedrone use can induce fear memory impairment and drug seeking behavior in adolescent male rats.

Impact of Adipose Tissue Depot Harvesting Site on the Multilineage Induction Capacity of Male Rat Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells: An In Vitro Study.

Recently, substantial attention has been paid toward adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AdMSCs) as a potential therapy in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. Rat AdMSCs (r-AdMSCs) are frequently utilized. However, the influence of the adipose depot site on the multilineage differentiation potential of the r-AdMSCs is still ambiguous. Hence, the main objective of this study was to explore the influence of the adipose tissue harvesting location on the ability of r-AdMSCs to express the stem-cell-related markers and pluripotency genes, as well as their differentiation capacity, for the first time. Herein, we have isolated r-AdMSCs from the inguinal, epididymal, peri-renal, and back subcutaneous fats. Cells were compared in terms of their phenotype, immunophenotype, and expression of pluripotency genes using RT-PCR. Additionally, we investigated their potential for multilineage (adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic) induction using special stains confirmed by the expression of the related genes using RT-qPCR. All cells could positively express stem cell marker CD 90 and CD 105 with no significant in-between differences. However, they did not express the hematopoietic markers as CD 34 and CD 45. All cells could be induced successfully. However, epididymal and inguinal cells presented the highest capacity for adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation (21.36-fold and 11.63-fold for OPN, 29.69-fold and 26.68-fold for BMP2, and 37.67-fold and 22.35-fold for BSP, respectively, in epididymal and inguinal cells (p < 0.0001)). On the contrary, the subcutaneous cells exhibited a superior potential for chondrogenesis over the other sites (8.9-fold for CHM1 and 5.93-fold for ACAN, (p < 0.0001)). In conclusion, the adipose tissue harvesting site could influence the differentiation capacity of the isolated AdMSCs. To enhance the results of their employment in various regenerative cell-based therapies, it is thus vital to take the collection site selection into consideration.

Assessment of Ante- and Postnatal Development of the Offspring of Male Rats Crossed in Delayed Periods after Treatment with Methotrexate in Low Doses.

We studied ante- and postnatal development of the offspring of intact female rats crossed with males injected with low doses of methotrexate 3 and 6 months before mating. The time of crossing corresponded to the manifestation of the cytostatic effect on spermatogonial stem cells. The offspring of methotrexate-treated males was characterized by increased preimplantation losses and fetal growth restriction in the antenatal period and inhibition of physical development, delayed formation of sensory-motor reflexes, and impaired learning abilities in the postnatal period.

THE PECULIARITIES OF BIOCHEMICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN THE HEART OF THE CASTRATED RATS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADRENALIN DAMAGE OF HEART.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the state of oxidation processes and morphological changes in the heart of castrated rats during the development of epinephrine heart damage (EHD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods. The study was performed on 120 white male Wistar rats. The animals were divided into four series: 1 - control, 2 - castration. For EHD, rats were injected once intraperitoneally with a 0.18% solution of adrenaline hydrotartrate at the rate of 0.5 mg/kg of weight. Castration was performed under anesthesia. The concentration of diene and triene conjugates (DC, TC), Schiff's bases (SB), TBA-active products (TBA-ap), oxidatively modi"ed proteins (OMP), activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were determined in the heart. A morphological study of preparations stained with Azantrichrome was carried out. All studies were performed in control, 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days after adrenaline injection. RESULTS: Results: In the I series DC and TC increased after 1 day of EHD, fell to control values after 3 days, and then had wave-like character (highest - after 14 days). SB decreased (minimal after 7 days), TBA-ap increase (maximal after 14 days). OMP370 increased after 1 and 3 days, after 7 days they did not differ from the control, after 14 days they were higher than in control, and after 28 days they decreased to the control values. OMP430 and OMP530were greater than the control indicators in all terms, except the last; the maximum was noted after 14 days. The activity of antioxidant enzymes was lower than the control indicators at all times of the study. Castration caused an increase of lipid peroxidation. After 7 days, DC and TC, were lower and SB - higher, than in the I series. Castration caused a decrease in OMP. In EHD all values of OMP, compared to the castrated control rats, were higher at all studed times Castration leads to increase of SOD, and decrase of CAT. All indicators of SOD and CAT exceeded the indicators of animals of the I series at all times of the study. Biochemical changes are consistent with morphological changes. After injection of epinephrine, severe vascular disorders, adventitia edema, perivasal edema, endothelial cell damage, dilatation of hemicapillaries, full blood vessels, stasis, hemorrhages in the surrounding tissues, and sclerosing of the walls of arteries and venules were observed. Cardiomyocytes were swollen, shortening, necrosis was observed, myocytolysis was noted. Edema of the stroma was noted. In the stroma, around the vessels, located cells of connective tissue elements were observed. Indicate more damage to the myocardium in the process of development of EHD in animals of the I series. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Castration of rats causes an increase of lipid peroxidation products and CAT activity in the heart, but a decrease in the content of OMP. Adrenaline injection causes activation of lipid peroxidation and an increase in the content of OMP. During the development of EHD, the activity of antioxidants is significantly higher in II group. Biochemical changes are consistent with morphological, and indicate more damage to the myocardium in the development of EHD in animals of the I series.

Short Juvenile Stress Has No Long-Lasting Effects on Anxiety-Like Behavior, Object Recognition Memory, or Gross Brain Morphology but Affects Dendritic Spines in the Hippocampus in Male Rats.

PURPOSE: During the juvenile stage, such areas as the hippocampus and corpus callosum (CC) are still immature and sensitive to stress exposure. The present study investigated whether two different types of stressors in the juvenile stage of life have a long-lasting impact on behavior and biological outcomes in adult rats. METHODS: Male juvenile rats were exposed to restraint or predator stress on postnatal day 25 (P25) for 3 days. Thirty-two days later (P60-74), behavioral and biological analyses were conducted. The behavioral analysis included measures of anxiety-like behavior and recognition memory. The biological analysis investigated gross cerebral morphology, based on volume analysis of the CC and hippocampus, perirhinal cortex thickness, and dendritic spine density. RESULTS: Neither restraint stress nor predator stress affected anxiety-like behavior or object recognition memory in adulthood. Body weight and adrenal gland weight were unaffected by both types of stress. Overall, volumetric measures of the CC and hippocampus were not significant, with no changes in perirhinal cortex thickness. Spine density in the medial prefrontal cortex also was unaffected, but a decrease in dendritic spine density was found in the hippocampus in response to restraint stress and an increase to predator stress. CONCLUSION: Short-term and daily restraint and predator stress during the juvenile stage had no long-lasting effects on anxiety-like behavior, object memory, volume of the CC or hippocampus, or perirhinal cortex thickness, but a decrease in dendritic spine density was found in the hippocampus. These findings suggest that different types of stressors have different impacts on microstructures in the brain without affecting behavior or the gross morphology of stress-sensitive brain areas.

A combined treatment with selective androgen and estrogen receptor modulators prevents bone loss in orchiectomized rats.

PURPOSE: Enobosarm (EN), a selective androgen receptor modulator and raloxifene (RAL), a selective estrogen receptor modulator, have been shown to improve bone tissue in osteoporotic males. The present study evaluated the effects of a combination therapy of EN and RAL on bone properties in orchiectomized rats compared to the respective single treatments. METHODS: Eight-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were either left intact (Non-Orx) or orchiectomized (Orx). The Orx rats were divided into four groups (n = 15 each): 1) Orx, 2) EN treatment (Orx + EN), 3) RAL treatment (Orx + RAL), 4) combined treatment (Orx + EN + RAL). EN and RAL (0.4 mg and 7 mg/kg body weight/day) were applied immediately after Orx with a soy-free pelleted diet for up to 18 weeks. The lumbar spine and femora were examined by micro-CT, biomechanical, histomorphological, ashing, and gene expression analyses. RESULTS: EN exhibited an anabolic effect on bone, improving some of its parameters in Orx rats, but did not affect biomechanical properties. RAL exhibited antiresorptive activity, maintaining the biomechanical and trabecular parameters of Orx rats at the levels of Non-Orx rats. EN + RAL exerted a stronger effect than the single treatments, improving most of the bone parameters. Liver weight increased after all treatments; the kidney, prostate, and levator ani muscle weights increased after EN and EN + RAL treatments. BW was reduced due to a decreased food intake in the Orx + RAL group and due a reduced visceral fat weight in the Orx + EN + RAL group. CONCLUSION: The EN + RAL treatment appeared to be promising in preventing male osteoporosis, but given the observed side effects on liver, kidney, and prostate weights, it requires further investigation.

PHYSIOLOGICAL AND HISTOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE CALCIUM OXIDE NANOPARTICLES EFFECT ON THE TESTIS OF MALE WISTER RATS.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: The study carried out to determine the effect of the Calcium Oxide Nano Particles on the male rats. In this study were used calcium oxide nano powder to enhancing apoptosis in germ cells and disrupting hormonal regulation of reproductive processes in the adult male rats. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The experiment using nine male rats, were distributed into three groups. Group one A was doses orally of Calcium Oxide Nano Particles 50 mg/kg of body weight, while group two B was doses orally of Calcium Oxide Nano Particles 100 mg/kg of body weight; also, group three C were a control C group treated with 0.9% saline only, these orally doses continuous 10 days. After 10 days blood samples collected and all rats were euthanatized and the weights, histological changes and hormonal analysis were conducted. RESULTS: Results: Results show a significantly increased at p<0.05 for both groups A & B compare with control C in weight of testis tissue and the level of testosterone hormone, also histology changes in testis of treatment rats include: necrosis of spermatogonia, primary spermoocyte and spermatids in both groups compared to control group. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Through the study, it is recommended to use medium or low doses of CaO NPs that can be used as a testicular tonic and urge it to increase production of the Testosterone hormone.

Punicalagin effect on total sleep deprivation memory deficit in male Wistar rats.

Sleep deprivation has deteriorating effects on cognitive functions and activation of brain inflammation mechanisms has been reported by some studies following total sleep deprivation. Some studies have reported the health benefits of punicalagin, a main abstract from Punica granatum L., including those for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The antioxidant characteristic of punicalagin and the fact that sleep deprivation accelerates mediators of inflammation led us to further explore the possible neuroprotective role of punicalagin in total sleep deprivation memory impairment in a rat model. In this study, male Wistar rats were implanted with a canula in the lateral ventricle to receive intracerebroventricular injections (drug or vehicle). The animals were trained for the passive avoidance test and then received intracerebroventricular injections of different doses of punicalagin (0.001, 0.01, or 0.1 µg/rat). Then, they were placed in the sleep deprivation apparatus for 24 hours and tested afterwards for memory retrieval and locomotion. Our results indicated that 24 hours of total sleep deprivation impaired memory processes. PG microinjection before TSD did not prevent the deteriorating effect of total sleep deprivation on memory, and only showed a tendency of restoring the memory impairment. Comparison of the locomotor activity between the animals in different groups showed a significant increase in the total sleep deprivation sham groups that received two of the highest doses of punicalagin. Considering the reported beneficial actions of PG by other studies, further investigation is needed into the possible effects of PG in memory alterations.

Effect of pyrethroid pesticides on the testis of male rats: A meta-analysis.

This study quantitatively evaluated the effects of pyrethroid pesticides on the testis of male rats. An extensive literature search for relevant studies was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, Excerpta Medica Database, the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. Pooled standard mean difference with corresponding 95% confidence interval was calculated via the random-effects model. I 2 was used to evaluate heterogeneity among studies. A total of 19 studies were included for analysis in our study. Results indicated that the sperm count of rats exposed to fenvalerate was lower than that of rats in control groups. The sperm count, sperm motility, and testosterone level of rats exposed to cypermethrin and deltamethrin were lower than those of rats in control groups. Moreover, the sperm morphology of rats exposed to these pyrethroid pesticides was abnormal compared with that of rats in control groups. The present meta-analysis indicates that pyrethroid pesticides decrease rat sperm count, sperm motility, and testosterone level and cause abnormal rat sperm morphology. Therefore, pyrethroid pesticides can damage the testis of male rats.

Reproductive toxicity of cadmium in pubertal male rats induced by cell apoptosis.

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that is widely present in modern industrial production. It is a known, highly toxic environmental endocrine disruptor. Long-term exposure to Cd can cause varying degrees of damage to the liver, kidney, and reproductive system of organisms, especially the male reproductive system. This study aimed to explore the mechanism of Cd toxicity in the male reproductive system during puberty. Eighteen healthy 6-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (control group, low-dose group, and high-dose group) according to their body weight, with six in each group. Cd (0, 1, and 3 mg/kg/day) was given by gavage for 28 consecutive days. The results showed that Cd exposure to each dose group caused a decrease in the testicular organ coefficient and sperm count, compared with the control group. Cd exposure resulted in significant changes in testicular morphology in the 3 mg/kg/day Cd group. In the 1 and 3 mg/kg/day Cd groups, serum testosterone decreased and apoptosis of testicular cells increased significantly (p < 0.05). In addition, compared with the control group, the activity of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in each Cd exposure dose group decreased, but the content of malondialdehyde in the high-dose, 3 mg/kg/day Cd treatment group significantly increased (p < 0.05). Although Cd exposure caused an increase in the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of Bcl-2, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in the testicular tissues (p < 0.05), Bcl-2 expression was unchanged (p > 0.05). The expression level of Akt mRNA in testicular tissue of rats in the high-dose 3 mg/kg/day Cd group was increased (p < 0.05). Our data suggest that Cd affected testosterone levels, and apoptosis was observed in spermatids.

Conjugated linoleic acid protects brain mitochondrial function in acrolein induced male rats.

Acrolein (AC) is a toxic substance that can have a neurotoxic effect. It can cause oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a dietary supplement, has many biological functions. Limited information is available about the effect of CLA on AC-induced brain toxicity. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the effect of CLA on mitochondrial oxidative stress, respiratory enzymes, krebs cycle enzymes and ATP levels in AC treated rat brain. Sprague Dawley male rats were given AC (5 mg/kg i.p.), CLA (200 mg/kg orally) and CLA with AC for six days per week for 30 days. Some oxidative stress parameters and mitochondrial enzymes such as manganese super oxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, NADP+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH), alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (α-KGDH), malate dehydrogenase, reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LP), protein carbonyl (PC), oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) enzymes, and ATP levels were determined. AC significantly decreased the activities of GSH, antioxidant enzymes, OXPHOS enzymes (complex I and IV), TCA enzymes (ICDH and α-KGDH) and ATP levels. Significant increases were also observed in mitochondrial LP and PC levels in AC group. Co-treatment with AC + CLA improved oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction caused by AC. As a result of our findings, it was observed that CLA was effective in improving oxidative stress and impaired mitochondrial functions in brain tissue by the effect of AC. Considering the association between neurodegenerative diseases and mitochondrial dysfunction, CLA can play a role in the prevention and therapy of neurodegenerative disorders.

An immunohistochemical examination of cinnamon extract administration on distribution of NGF (nerve growth factor) and Trk-A (tyrosine kinase-A) receptor for diabetic rats with pancreatic tissue.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the administration of cinnamon extract that is known to be effective in decreasing the high blood glucose and the distribution of NGF and Trk-A receptor in pancreas with immunohistochemistry way. METHODS: The experimental groups were defined as control, sham, cinnamon, diabetes, and diabetes-cinnamon. At the end of the experiment, the pancreatic tissue samples were obtained for the rats. The hematoxylin-eosin and triple staining were used to examine histology. The immunohistochemical methods were performed on the sections of pancreatic tissue. In all groups, the body weight and fasting blood glucose obtained from the male and female rats and the values were statistically evaluated. RESULTS: The NGF immunoreactivity was observed in acinus, excretory pars, excretorius ducts, and islets of Langerhans for the pancreatic tissues of female and male rats in all groups. The Trk-A immunoreactivity was observed in acinus and islets of Langerhans for the pancreatic tissues of female and male rats in the control, sham, and cinnamon groups. DISCUSSION: As a result, it was determined that the cinnamon, which is effective on blood glucose levels, has a positive effect on the NGF production in pancreas.

Cognitive training increases dendritic arborization in the dorsal hippocampal CA1 and CA3 neurons of female and male Long-Evans rats.

Experiences influence the development of the central nervous system. Cognitive training promotes changes in the structure of the brain, such as in its weight and number of cells, as well as ability to perform dendritic remodeling. The present study was designed to detect possible differences in the neuronal morphology of the dorsal hippocampus between female and male Long-Evans rats after cognitive training (CT). CT was promoted through three learning and memory tests: the Morris water maze, the Barnes circular maze, and Novel object recognition tests. Our data revealed no differences in learning or memory capacities between female and male rats; rats of the two sexes solved the behavioral test with equal efficiency. CT caused an increase in the basilar and apical dendritic arborization of CA1 neurons in male rats, whereas female rats that underwent CT presented only remodeling in the apical arbors of CA1 neurons. The basilar arbors of CA3 neurons of female rats showed an increase in arborization, but their apical arbors were not modified; the arbors of CA3 neurons of male rats submitted to CT were not modified. Total dendritic length was modified by CT in the apical arbors of CA1 neurons of female and male rats and in the basilar CA1 arbors of male rats. There was a significant increase in dendritic spine density in all arbors of CA1 and CA3 neurons of females and males subjected to CT. These results suggest that dendritic remodeling after CT is similar between female and male rats.

Cyclic glycine-proline normalizes systolic blood pressure in high-fat diet-induced obese male rats.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 deficiency is associated with a range of metabolic disorders. Cyclic glycine-proline (cGP) is a natural nutrient and regulates the amount of active IGF-1 in plasma. Plasma cGP decreases in hypertensive women whereas increases in obese women, suggesting its involvement in cardio-metabolic function. We therefore examined the effects of cGP on metabolic profiles and blood pressure in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese male rats. METHODS: Male rats were fed either a HFD or a standard chow diet (STD) ad-libitum from 3 to 15 weeks of age. Rats were administered either saline or cGP from 11 to 15 weeks of age. At 14 weeks of age, systolic-blood pressure (SBP) was measured by tail-cuff plethysmography and body composition quantified by DEXA. Blood and retroperitoneal fat tissues were collected. Plasma concentrations of insulin, IGF-1, IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3 and cGP were evaluated using ELISA and HPLC-MS respectively. RESULTS: Compared to STD, HFD feeding increased SBP, total fat mass and fat/lean ratio, retroperitoneal fat weight, fasting plasma insulin and cGP concentrations whereas decreased plasma IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 concentrations. Administration of cGP reduced SBP and retroperitoneal fat weight, but had no effect on body composition and plasma insulin concentrations. CONCLUSION: HFD-associated decreases in IGFBP-3 and increases in cGP represent an autocrine response to normalize IGF-1 function through improving the amount of bioavailable IGF-1 in the circulation of obese male rats. The beneficial effects of cGP on SBP and retroperitoneal fat mass may suggest a therapeutic potential for cGP in HFD-associated cardio-metabolic complications.

Protective effect of curcumin on busulfan-induced renal toxicity in male rats.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of curcumin in an experimental model of busulfan-induced renal toxicity with emphasis on importance of histological alterations. METHODS: In this study, we utilized 32 adult male Wistar rats (250 ± 10 g). All the animals were divided into four experimental groups randomly: (I) Control; (II) Busulfan (40 mg/kg); (III) Olive oil; and (IV) Curcumin (80 mg/kg/day). Finally, the rats were euthanized and kidney tissues were taken for histopathology experiments, serum BUN, and creatinine level, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and glutathione disulfide (GSH) activity. RESULTS: Our result showed that the reduction in body weight and kidney weight in busulfan groups in comparison with the control and curcumin groups. The result in this study also showed that the reduction in BUN, creatinine, and ROS production in curcumin groups in comparison with the busulfan group together with an increasing of GSH activity compared to busulfan induced rats. CONCLUSION: Our results of this study indicated that that the reduction in body weight, kidney weight, total volume of kidney, total length of nephron tubules, and numerical density of glomeruli and nephron tubules in busulfan groups in comparison with the control and curcumin groups However, curcumin can be an alternative choice for therapeutically and research purposes in the disturbing kidney after treatment with busulfan.

Effects of Stress Exposure during Adolescent Period on Inflammatory Pain Response, Psychoemotional Behavior, and Action of Antidepressants in Prenatally Stressed Adult Male Rats.

We studied the effects of stress exposure during the adolescent period of development (SAPD) on the parameters of inflammatory painful response and the level of depression-like behavior in prenatally stressed adult male rats. In addition, we analyzed the effects of selective serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine and 5-HT1A receptor agonist buspirone injected chronically to pregnant mothers for correction of behavioral disturbances caused by prenatal stress in their adult male progeny. In the formalin test, SAPD decreased integrated at the supraspinal level pain-like response that was increased by prenatal stress; under these conditions, buspirone and fluoxetine were ineffective in contrast to their antinociceptive action on spinally integrated pain-like response increased by SAPD. In the forced swimming test, SAPD had no effect on the level of depression-like behavior in prenatally stressed males; no differences in plasma corticosterone level were found in these animals.

[Effects of benzo[a]pyrene subacute administrate on the cardiovascular of male Wistar rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore subacute toxic effects of benzo[a]pyrene on the cardiovascular system of male Wistar rats. METHODS: Forty SPF grade male Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control group, solvent control group, low, medium and high dose group(B[a]P concentrations were 1. 0, 2. 5 and 6. 25 mg/kg, respectively), eight in each group. The solvent group was given the same amount of olive oil and the blank group was not treated at all for 28 consecutive days. After the end of the exposure, the left ventricular structural function and hemodynamic changes were observed with Prospect 3. 0 small animal ultrasound imager and BL-410 biological function test system. Pathological changes of rat thoracic aorta and left ventricle were observed by HE staining. RESULTS: The total difference in ejection fraction(EF), fractional shortening(FS) and left ventricular end diastolic pressure(LVEDP) between the groups was statistically significant(H=11. 497, P=0. 022; H=11. 422, P=0. 022; H=10. 104, P=0. 039). The EF and FS of the middle dose group were lower than the solvent group(adjusted P<0. 05), the LVEDP of the high dose group was higher than that of the solvent group(adjusted P<0. 05). The HE staining of thoracic aorta in the medium and high dose groups showed the loss of endothelial cells, the shedding of some endothelial cells, the exposure of subintimal collagen, the large gap of the middle layer. In the medium and high dose group, left ventricular transverse striations were blurred, muscle fibers reduced or disappeared, the myocardial space widened, inflammatory cells or the myocardial interspace bleeding phenomenon was occasionally observed. CONCLUSION: Benzo[a]pyrene can cause cardiovascular and endothelial damage in male Wistar rats.