Gastrodin attenuates lithium-pilocarpine-induced epilepsy by activating AMPK-mediated PPARα in a juvenile rat model

Author(s):  
Yanfei Yang ◽  
Yabin Li ◽  
Jinli Han ◽  
Yanfen Wang

Abstract Gastrodin has shown the potential as an anticonvulsant. Epilepsy is a neurological disease with significant effects in children. In the current study, the therapeutic potential of gastrodin in handling pediatric epilepsy was explored by focusing on AMPK/PPARα pathway. Three-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to lithium-pilocarpine method to induce epileptic symptoms and then administrated with gastrodin. The effects of gastrodin on rats were firstly assessed using electroencephalogram (EEG) recording, Racine classification, Morris water maze (MWM) test, and histological staining. The levels of BDNF and NGF, and the activity of AMPK/PPARα were measured. Based on the results of EEG, behavior analyses, and histological staining, epileptic symptoms were significantly alleviated by gastrodin. Moreover, the administration of gastrodin also suppressed the levels of BDNF and NGF, and activated AMPK/PPARα pathway. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that gastrodin contributed to the alleviation of pediatric epilepsy by activating AMPK/PPARα signaling transduction.

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan-Dan Mao ◽  
Wen-Yu Yang ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
Jian-Wei Lin ◽  
Shi-Yu Gao ◽  
...  

Objective. To investigate the effects of QKF on expression of amyloid-beta (Aβ), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) using a rat model of AD.Materials and Methods. Fifty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven groups (eight rats each): control group, sham-operated group, AD model group, groups of AD rats administered with low, medium, and high doses of QKF, and the donepezil group. AD was established by bilateral injection ofβ-amyloid (Aβ) 1–40 into the hippocampus. Two days after AD was established, drugs were administered by gavage. After 14 days of treatment, we used RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry to measure the transcript expression and protein abundance of Aβ, IL-1β, and GFAP, and methenamine silver staining was used to detect amyloid protein particle deposition.Results. Compared to the control group, the rats from the AD model group showed significantly greater expression levels of Aβ, IL-1β, and GFAP. However, these differences in expression were abolished by treatment with QKF or donepezil.Conclusion. QKF possesses therapeutic potential against AD because it downregulated Aβ, IL-1β, and GFAP in the hippocampus of AD rats. Future studies should further examine the mechanisms through which QKF produces its effects and the consequences of long-term QKF administration.


2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (6) ◽  
pp. 797-804 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sivaprakasam R. Saroja ◽  
Ajinkya Sase ◽  
Susanne G. Kircher ◽  
Jia Wan ◽  
Johannes Berger ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaske Oberman ◽  
Iris Hovens ◽  
Jacco de Haan ◽  
Joana Falcao-Salles ◽  
Barbara van Leeuwen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Inflammation is considered a key factor in the development of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). Therefore, we hypothesized that pre-operative anti-inflammatory treatment with ibuprofen would inhibit POCD in our rat-model. Methods Male Wistar rats of 3 or 23 months old received a single injection of ibuprofen (15 mg/kg i.p.) or were control handled before abdominal surgery. Timed blood and fecal samples were collected for analyses of inflammation markers and gut microbiome changes. Behavioral testing was performed from 9 to 14 days after surgery, in the open field, novel object- and novel location-recognition tests and Morris water maze. Neuroinflammation and neurogenesis were assessed by immune histochemistry after sacrifice on postoperative day 14. Results Ibuprofen improved short-term spatial memory in the novel location recognition test, and increased hippocampal neurogenesis. However, these effects were associated with increased hippocampal microglia activity. Whereas plasma cytokine levels (IL1-β, IL6, IL10, and TNFα) were not significantly affected, VEGF levels increased and IFABP levels decreased after ibuprofen. Long-term memory in the Morris water maze was not significantly improved by ibuprofen. The gut microbiome was neither significantly affected by surgery nor by ibuprofen treatment. In general, effects in aged rats appeared similar to those in young rats, though less pronounced. Conclusion A single injection of ibuprofen before surgery improved hippocampus-associated short-term memory after surgery and increased neurogenesis. However, this favorable outcome seemed not attributable to inhibition of (neuro)inflammation. Potential contributions of intestinal and blood-brain barrier integrity need further investigation. Although less pronounced compared to young rats, effects in aged rats indicate that even elderly individuals could benefit from ibuprofen treatment.


2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-167
Author(s):  
M.S. Berke ◽  
Klas S.P. Abelson

Abstract Aims This study investigated the effects of buprenorphine treatment on pain and welfare parameters and model specific parameters in a rat model of monoarthritis to eliminate unnecessary pain from this model. Methods 32 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups: (1) A negative control without arthritis receiving no analgesia. (2) A positive monoarthritic control group receiving no analgesia, but subcutaneous saline injections twice a day. (3) A positive control with monoarthritis receiving subcutaneous carprofen once a day and saline once a day. (4) A group with monoarthritis receiving subcutaneous buprenorphine twice a day. Monoarthritis was induced with an injection of 0.02 ml Complete Freund’s Adjuvant intra-articularly in the left tibiotarsal joint. Treatment with analgesia was initiated at day 15 and the rats were euthanized at day 23. Results The induced monoarthritis elicited a pronounced acute inflammation. Several parameters such as bodyweight, mobility, stance, joint-stiffness and lameness scores were affected. A marked mechanical hyperalgesia in the tarsal area was observed by Electronic Von Frey testing, but no severe compromise of the animal welfare was seen at any time. Signs of chronic development began to appear from day 10 after the monoarthritic induction. No significant change in serum cytokines and faecal corticosterone measurements was found after administration of buprenorphine. A minor decrease in body weight was seen, and a higher pain tolerance to mechanical stimuli was observed, indicating pain alleviation. The histological examination confirmed monoarthritic development in all monoarthritic rats and revealed periarticular lesions suggesting diffusion of adjuvant from intra-articular injection site to the periphery. Conclusions The study demonstrated that buprenorphine has an analgesic effect in the adjuvant induced monoarthritic rat model, without obvious interference with the development of arthritis.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3795
Author(s):  
Jihye Bang ◽  
Won Kyung Jeon

Mumefural (MF), a bioactive component of the processed fruit of Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc, is known to inhibit platelet aggregation induced by agonists in vitro. In this study, we investigated the anti-thrombotic effects of MF using a rat model of FeCl3-induced arterial thrombosis. Sprague–Dawley rats were intraperitoneally injected with MF (0.1, 1, or 10 mg/kg) 30 min before 35% FeCl3 treatment to measure the time to occlusion using a laser Doppler flowmeter and to assess the weight of the blood vessels containing thrombus. MF treatment significantly improved blood flow by inhibiting occlusion and thrombus formation. MF also prevented collagen fiber damage in injured vessels and inhibited the expression of the platelet activation-related proteins P-selectin and E-selectin. Moreover, MF significantly reduced the increased inflammatory signal of nuclear factor (NF)-κB, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-6 in blood vessels. After administration, MF was detected in the plasma samples of rats with a bioavailability of 36.95%. Therefore, we suggest that MF may improve blood flow as a candidate component in dietary supplements for improving blood flow and preventing blood circulation disorders.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Yudan Zhu ◽  
Shuzhang Zhang ◽  
Mei Shen ◽  
Zhiping Zhang ◽  
Kan Xu ◽  
...  

Dingxian pill has been used as an antiepilepsy agent in China from ancient to modern times, of which the concrete pharmacological characterization and the underlying molecular mechanism remain unclear. The present study was undertaken to investigate them by animal behavior, electroencephalogram (EEG), Morris water maze, immunohistochemistry, transcriptomics, and real-time PCR. In our results, the treatment of Dingxian pill dose-dependently inhibited PTZ-induced seizure-like behavior and reduced the seizure grades, LFP power spectral density, and brain wave of the epileptiform EEG component induced by PTZ. In Morris water maze tests, the learning and memory ability of kindled epileptic rats could be attenuated more efficiently by Dingxian pill. For the immediate early gene c-fos, the expression was reduced after Dingxian pill treatment, and the difference was significant between the treatment and the model group. Through the transcriptome analysis of the gene expression in hippocampus, Egr3, Nrg, Arc, and Ptgs2, closely related to epilepsy, had been proved to be downregulated by application of Dingxian pill. All of the results not only highlight the antiepileptic effects of Dingxian pill and its molecular mechanism, but also provide a modern validity theory for the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).


2019 ◽  
Vol 172 (1) ◽  
pp. 132-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Cirillo ◽  
Fabio Vivarelli ◽  
Eleonora Turrini ◽  
Carmela Fimognari ◽  
Sabrina Burattini ◽  
...  

Abstract Despite the knowledge gap regarding the risk-benefit ratio of the electronic cigarette (e-cig), its use has grown exponentially, even in teenagers. E-cig vapor contains carcinogenic compounds (eg, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein) and free radicals, especially reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause toxicological effects, including DNA damage. The role of e-cig voltage customization on molecule generation has been reported, but the effects of the resistance on e-cig emissions and toxicity are unknown. Here, we show that the manipulation of e-cig resistance influences the carbonyls production from nonnicotine vapor and the oxidative and inflammatory status in a rat model. Fixing the voltage at the conventional 3.5 V, we observed that the amount of the selected aldehydes increased as the resistance decreased from 1.5 to 0.25 Ω. Under these conditions, we exposed Sprague Dawley rats to e-cig aerosol for 28 days, and we studied the pulmonary inflammation, oxidative stress, tissue damage, and blood homeostasis. We found a perturbation of the antioxidant and phase II enzymes, probably related to the increased ROS levels due to the enhanced xanthine oxidase and P450-linked monooxygenases. Furthermore, frames from scanning electron microscope showed a disorganization of alveolar and bronchial epithelium in 0.25 Ω group. Overall, various toxicological outcomes, widely recognized as smoke-related injuries, can potentially occur in e-cig consumers who use low-voltage and resistance device. Our study suggests that certain “tips for vaping safety” cannot be established, and encourages further independent investigations to help public health agencies in regulating the e-cig use.


2007 ◽  
Vol 292 (1) ◽  
pp. R253-R257 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. S. Sallam ◽  
H. M. Oliveira ◽  
H. T. Gan ◽  
D. N. Herndon ◽  
J. D. Z. Chen

Delayed gastrointestinal transit is common in patients with severe burn. Ghrelin is a potent prokinetic peptide. We aimed at testing the effect of ghrelin on burn-induced delayed gastrointestinal transit in rats. Gastric emptying (GE), intestinal transit (IT), and colonic transit (CT) studies were performed in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were randomized into two main groups as follows: sham injury and ghrelin-treated burn injury with doses of 0, 2, 5, and 10 nmol/rat ip 6 h after burn. Sham/burn injury was induced under anesthesia. Rats received a phenol red meal 20 min following ghrelin injection. Based on the most effective ghrelin dose, 1 mg/kg sc atropine was given 30 min before the ghrelin in one group of rats for each study. The rats in each group were killed 30–90 min later; their stomachs, intestines, and colons were harvested immediately, and the amount of phenol red recovered was measured. Percentage of gastric emptying (GE%) and geometric center for IT and CT were calculated. We found 1) severe cutaneous burn injury significantly delayed GE, IT, and CT compared with sham injury ( P < 0.05); 2) ghrelin normalized both GE and IT, but not the CT; 3) the most effective dose of ghrelin was 2 nmol/rat; and 4) atropine blocked the prokinetic effects of ghrelin on GE% and IT. In conclusion, ghrelin normalizes burn-induced delayed GE and IT but has no effect on CT in rats. The prokinetic effects of ghrelin are exerted via the cholinergic pathway. Ghrelin may have a therapeutic potential for burn patients with delayed upper gastrointestinal transit.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hoon Jang ◽  
Woong-Jin Bae ◽  
Seung-Mo Yuk ◽  
Dong-Seok Han ◽  
U-Syn Ha ◽  
...  

Seoritae is a type of black soybean that is known to have health-promoting effects due to its high isoflavone and anthocyanin contents. We evaluated whether Seoritae extract (SE) had beneficial effects on the reduction of prostate weight in a rat model of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH was induced by intramuscular injections of testosterone enanthate once a week for 5 weeks in Sprague-Dawley rats, and rats were treated with or without daily oral doses of SE during BPH induction. After 5 weeks, the oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine), apoptosis (caspase-3), and activity of 5-alpha reductase were evaluated in the serum and prostate. The SE treatment group showed a significant decrease in prostate weight, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and 5-alpha reductase activity compared to the nontreated BPH group. These results show that SE is effective in decreasing the weight and proliferation of the prostate, and suggest that SE may be an effective treatment for BPH.


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