scholarly journals Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) vapor exposure produces conditioned rewarding effects in male and female rats

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Frances Moore ◽  
Catherine M Davis ◽  
Elise M Weerts
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Place Preference ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Place Conditioning ◽  
Exposure Condition ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Background: Vaping of cannabis and cannabis extracts containing Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the primary psychoactive constituent of cannabis) is on the rise. Development of animal models using vapor exposure is important for increasing our understanding of the rewarding and aversive effects of vaped cannabinoids. Currently there are limited data on the conditioned rewarding effects of THC vapor in rats, and no studies to date examining sex differences. Methods: Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats (N=96; 12 per sex/group) underwent place conditioning after exposure to vaporized THC or vehicle (propylene glycol, PG). THC vapor-conditioned rats received one of three THC vapor exposure amounts (THC Group 1: 5 puffs of 100 mg/ml THC, THC Group 2: 5 puffs of 200 mg/ml THC, or THC Group 3: 10 puffs of 200 mg/ml THC) and matched vehicle vapor (PG) exposure and on alternate days for two sets of 8 daily sessions (16 days total). Vehicle-conditioned rats (Veh Group 0) received only PG vapor exposure each day. Rats were passively administered vapor for 30-min immediately before daily, 30-min conditioning sessions. Untreated rats completed place preference tests after the 8th and 16th conditioning sessions and then testing continued daily until extinction occurred. Following extinction, rats underwent a THC vapor-primed reinstatement session. Results: Male and female rats showed an exposure-dependent preference for the THC vapor-paired chamber, though sex differences were observed. The lowest THC vapor exposure group tested (THC Group 1) did not produce CPP in males or females. Exposure to the middle condition tested (THC Group 2) resulted in preference for the THC vapor-paired chamber in males, but not females. The highest THC vapor exposure condition tested (THC Group 3) produced place preference in both males and females. Preference for the THC-paired chamber extinguished more quickly in males than in females. Following extinction, THC vapor re-exposure (i.e., drug-prime) did not result in reinstatement of place preference for either sex. Conclusion: This study demonstrated conditioned rewarding effects of THC vapor in both male and female rats, and provides evidence for sex differences in doses of THC vapor that produce CPP and in time to extinction. Conditioned place aversion was not observed at any of the THC vapor exposure amounts tested. These data provide a foundation for future exploration of the conditioned rewarding effects vaporized THC, cannabis and its constituents in preclinical models.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Some Male and Female Rats’ Reproductive Hormones Following Administration of Aspartame With or Without Vitamin C or E

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 14-20
Author(s):  
Omar H Azeez
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin C ◽  
Reproductive Hormones ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Group 4 ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 2

Aspartame (ASP) is a sugar substitute. Its use rose because it has been demonstrated to have deleterious effects after being metabolized. In the presence of antioxidant vitamins C or E, the effects of ASP on reproductive hormones of adult male and female Albino Wister rats were investigated. A total of eighty male and female rats were used in this study. The rats were divided into four groups: group 1, received no treatment; group 2, received ASP at 40 mg/kg BW; group 3, received ASP at 40 mg/kg BW with vitamin C at 150 mg/kg BW; and group 4, received ASP at 40 mg/kg BW and vitamin E at 100 mg/kg BW. All treatments were given orally by gavage needle once daily for consecutive 90 days. The levels of estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone hormone (TH) were measured after 90 days in blood plasma. In comparison with the control group, ASP treatment resulted in lower levels of E2, FSH, and LH in male and female rats. When the antioxidants vitamin C or E was given, the effects of ASP were reversed, and the levels of E2, LH, and FSH were increased. The testosterone hormone was likewise significantly increased by ASP, but testosterone hormone concentrations were decreased by vitamin C or E treatments. Long-term ASP consumption caused interfering with testicular and ovarian hormonal activity, while vitamins C and E on the other hand, overcome longstanding consumption ASP's effects.

Maternal hypothyroidism prolongs gestation period and impairs glucose tolerance in offspring of Wistar rats

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ubong Edem David ◽  
Jerome Ndudi Asiwe ◽  
Adesoji Adedipe Fasanmade
Keyword(s):  
Glucose Tolerance ◽  
Wistar Rats ◽  
Female Offspring ◽  
Male Offspring ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Gestation Period ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Abstract Objectives Pregnancy is a critical period keenly regulated by both maternal and foetal factors and a shift in these factors could result in severe complications manifesting in foetal and adult life. However, maternal hypothyroidism before and/or during pregnancy is a critical factor. This study investigated the effect of maternal hypothyroidism on glucose tolerance and thyroid function in male and female offspring. Methods Fifteen adult female Wistar rats were divided into three groups: Group 1 (sham-control), Group 2 (thyrodectomized) and Group 3 (thyroidectomised + L-thyroxine treated). Blood thyroxine (T4) level was measured on the day 10 after thyroidectomy in Groups 1 and 2, and day 35 in Group 3. Males were introduced to the female rats after T4 measurement. At PND-112, T4 levels of their offspring were measured. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) was measured in offspring at PND-133. Results Thyroxine reduced significantly in Group 2 and their offspring (male and female) compared to Group 3 while gestation period was prolonged significantly in Group 2 compared to Group 1. Hypothyroid male offspring showed depressed glucose tolerance, however, no effect was observed in female offspring. Conclusions This study suggests that maternal hypothyroidism prolonged gestation period, induced foetal hypothyroidism in both genders and depressed glucose tolerance in male offspring.

scholarly journals Stem cell treatment improves post stroke neurological outcomes: a comparative study in male and female rats

2021 ◽  
pp. svn-2020-000834
Author(s):  
Koteswara Rao Nalamolu ◽  
Bharath Chelluboina ◽  
Casimir A Fornal ◽  
Siva Reddy Challa ◽  
David M Pinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Motor Function ◽  
Infarct Volume ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Human Umbilical Cord ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Males And Females

Background and purposeThe therapeutic potential of different stem cells for ischaemic stroke treatment is intriguing and somewhat controversial. Recent results from our laboratory have demonstrated the potential benefits of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in a rodent stroke model. We hypothesised that MSC treatment would effectively promote the recovery of sensory and motor function in both males and females, despite any apparent sex differences in post stroke brain injury.MethodsTransient focal cerebral ischaemia was induced in adult Sprague-Dawley rats by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Following the procedure, male and female rats of the untreated group were euthanised 1 day after reperfusion and their brains were used to estimate the resulting infarct volume and tissue swelling. Additional groups of stroke-induced male and female rats were treated with MSC or vehicle and were subsequently subjected to a battery of standard neurological/neurobehavioral tests (Modified Neurological Severity Score assessment, adhesive tape removal, beam walk and rotarod). The tests were administered at regular intervals (at days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14) after reperfusion to determine the time course of neurological and functional recovery after stroke.ResultsThe infarct volume and extent of swelling of the ischaemic brain were similar in males and females. Despite similar pathological stroke lesions, the clinical manifestations of stroke were more pronounced in males than females, as indicated by the neurological scores and other tests. MSC treatment significantly improved the recovery of sensory and motor function in both sexes, and it demonstrated efficacy in both moderate stroke (females) and severe stroke (males).ConclusionsDespite sex differences in the severity of post stroke outcomes, MSC treatment promoted the recovery of sensory and motor function in male and female rats, suggesting that it may be a promising treatment for stroke.

scholarly journals Analysis of sex differences in dietary copper-fructose interaction-induced alterations of gut microbial activity in relation to hepatic steatosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming Song ◽  
Fang Yuan ◽  
Xiaohong Li ◽  
Xipeng Ma ◽  
Xinmin Yin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Hepatic Steatosis ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Calorie Intake ◽  
Dietary Copper ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Rrna Sequencing

Abstract Background Inadequate copper intake and increased fructose consumption represent two important nutritional problems in the USA. Dietary copper-fructose interactions alter gut microbial activity and contribute to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this study is to determine whether dietary copper-fructose interactions alter gut microbial activity in a sex-differential manner and whether sex differences in gut microbial activity are associated with sex differences in hepatic steatosis. Methods Male and female weanling Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed ad libitum with an AIN-93G purified rodent diet with defined copper content for 8 weeks. The copper content is 6 mg/kg and 1.5 mg/kg in adequate copper diet (CuA) and marginal copper diet (CuM), respectively. Animals had free access to either deionized water or deionized water containing 10% fructose (F) (w/v) as the only drink during the experiment. Body weight, calorie intake, plasma alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and liver histology as well as liver triglyceride were evaluated. Fecal microbial contents were analyzed by 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) sequencing. Fecal and cecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results Male and female rats exhibit similar trends of changes in the body weight gain and calorie intake in response to dietary copper and fructose, with a generally higher level in male rats. Several female rats in the CuAF group developed mild steatosis, while no obvious steatosis was observed in male rats fed with CuAF or CuMF diets. Fecal 16S rRNA sequencing analysis revealed distinct alterations of the gut microbiome in male and female rats. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe) identified sex-specific abundant taxa in different groups. Further, total SCFAs, as well as, butyrate were decreased in a more pronounced manner in female CuMF rats than in male rats. Of note, the decreased SCFAs are concomitant with the reduced SCFA producers, but not correlated to hepatic steatosis. Conclusions Our data demonstrated sex differences in the alterations of gut microbial abundance, activities, and hepatic steatosis in response to dietary copper-fructose interaction in rats. The correlation between sex differences in metabolic phenotypes and alterations of gut microbial activities remains elusive.

scholarly journals Vulnerability factors for mephedrone-induced conditioned place preference in rats—the impact of sex differences, social-conditioning and stress

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Wronikowska ◽  
Maria Zykubek ◽  
Łukasz Kurach ◽  
Agnieszka Michalak ◽  
Anna Boguszewska-Czubara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Conditioned Place Preference ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Social Factor ◽  
Place Preference ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Social Conditioning ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Rationale Mephedrone is a frequently overused drug of abuse that belongs to the group of novel psychoactive substances. Although its mechanism of action, as well as toxic and psychoactive effects, has been widely studied, the role of different factors that could contribute to the increased vulnerability to mephedrone abuse is still poorly understood. Objectives The aim of the presented study was to assess the impact of several factors (sex differences, social-conditioning, and chronic mild unpredictable stress — CMUS) on the liability to mephedrone-induced reward in Wistar rats. Methods The rewarding effects of mephedrone in male and female rats were assessed using the conditioned place preference (CPP) procedure. Furthermore, the impact of social factor and stress was evaluated in male rats using social-CPP and CMUS-dependent CPP, respectively. Results Mephedrone induced classic-CPP in female (10 mg/kg), as well as in male (10 and 20 mg/kg) rats. However, the impact of mephedrone treatment during social-CPP was highly dose-dependent as the rewarding effects of low dose of mephedrone (5 mg/kg; non-active in classic-CPP) were potentiated when administered during social-conditioning. Interestingly, social-conditioning with a higher dose of 20 mg/kg (that induced classic-CPP) was able to reverse these effects. Finally, CMUS potentiated rewarding effects of a low dose of mephedrone (5 mg/kg) and increased the level of corticosterone in rats’ prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Conclusions Altogether, the presented results give new insight into possible factors underlying the vulnerability to mephedrone abuse and can serve as a basis for further studies assessing mechanisms underlying observed effects.

scholarly journals Sex Differences in Escalated Methamphetamine Self-Administration and Altered Gene Expression Associated With Incubation of Methamphetamine Seeking

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 710-723 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atul P Daiwile ◽  
Subramaniam Jayanthi ◽  
Bruce Ladenheim ◽  
Michael T McCoy ◽  
Christie Brannock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Nucleus Accumbens ◽  
Fixed Ratio ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Self Administration ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Orexin Receptors ◽  
Male And Female Rats

Abstract Background Methamphetamine (METH) use disorder is prevalent worldwide. There are reports of sex differences in quantities of drug used and relapses to drug use among individuals with METH use disorder. However, the molecular neurobiology of these potential sex differences remains unknown. Methods We trained rats to self-administer METH (0. 1 mg/kg/infusion, i.v.) on an fixed-ratio-1 schedule for 20 days using two 3-hour daily METH sessions separated by 30-minute breaks. At the end of self-administration training, rats underwent tests of cue-induced METH seeking on withdrawal days 3 and 30. Twenty-four hours later, nucleus accumbens was dissected and then used to measure neuropeptide mRNA levels. Results Behavioral results show that male rats increased the number of METH infusions earlier during self-administration training and took more METH than females. Both male and female rats could be further divided into 2 phenotypes labeled high and low takers based on the degree of escalation that they exhibited during the course of the METH self-administration experiment. Both males and females exhibited incubation of METH seeking after 30 days of forced withdrawal. Females had higher basal mRNA levels of dynorphin and hypocretin/orexin receptors than males, whereas males expressed higher vasopressin mRNA levels than females under saline and METH conditions. Unexpectedly, only males showed increased expression of nucleus accumbens dynorphin after METH self-administration. Moreover, there were significant correlations between nucleus accumbens Hcrtr1, Hcrtr2, Crhr2, and Avpr1b mRNA levels and cue-induced METH seeking only in female rats. Conclusion Our results identify some behavioral and molecular differences between male and female rats that had self-administered METH. Sexual dimorphism in responses to METH exposure should be considered when developing potential therapeutic agents against METH use disorder.

scholarly journals Comparative parasitological and electron microscopic studies on the effects of Nitazoxanide and Praziquantel in Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 228
Author(s):  
Hend A. El-Taweel ◽  
Mona H. El-Sayad ◽  
Sahar A. Abu Helw ◽  
Mohammad A. Al-Kazzaz
Keyword(s):  
Schistosoma Mansoni ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopic ◽  
Antischistosomal Activity ◽  
Microscopic Studies ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

This study was designed to evaluate antischistosomal activity of Nitazoxanide (NTZ) in Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice compared to Praziquantel (PZQ). Fifty four infected mice were recruited into 3 groups, each of 18 mice. Group 1 was infected non-treated control. Group 2 was infected and then treated with PZQ 500 mg for two days, and group 3 was infected and treated with NTZ 100 mg/kg for seven days. Efficacy of drugs was assessed by Parasitological, and scanning electron microscopic studies. PZQ reduced (4.9%, 22.5% and 50.7%) of faecal eggs, (22%, 22.6% and 55.1%) of intestinal eggs, (20.4%, 44.3% and 46.7%) of hepatic egg counts and (27%, 45.1% and 64.9%) of total worm load whereas, NTZ reduced (4.9%, 22.5% and 50.7%),of faecal eggs, (22%, 22.6% and 55.1%) of intestinal eggs ,(20.4%, 44.3% and 46.7%) of hepatic egg counts and (27%, 45.1% and 64.9%) of total worm load at 1, 2 and 4 WPT, respectively. The percentages of dead eggs were more than 80% after PZQ treatment and only 30% after NTZ at 4 WPT. PZQ showed extensive tegumental damages in male and female worms more than NTZ at 2 WPT. Our findings concluded that Nitazoxanide showed weaker antischistosomal activity in animal models than praziquantel.

Investigation of TAp63 gene Expression and Follicle Count Using Melatonin in Cisplatin-induced Ovarian Toxicity

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hacı Öztürk Şahin ◽  
Mehmet Nuri Duran ◽  
Fatma Sılan ◽  
Ece Sılan ◽  
Duygu Sıddıkoglu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Histological Evaluation ◽  
Saline Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Ovarian Toxicity ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Abstract Background: Premature ovarian failure is among the most important side effects of chemotherapy during reproductive period. Preserving ovarian function is gradually gaining importance during oncologic treatment. The present study aims to investigate the potential of melatonin to protect from cisplatin-induced ovarian toxicity in rats. Twenty nine female rats were divided to three groups: Saline control group (Group 1), cisplatin group (Group 2), and cisplatin+melatonin group (Group 3). While the rats in Groups 2 and 3 were administered 5 mg/kg single dose of cisplatin via intra-peritoneal (IP) route, the rats in Group 3 were started on melatonin (20 mg/kg IP) before cisplatin administration and continued during 3 consecutive days. Ovaries were removed one week after cisplatin administration in all groups. Blood samples were obtained before the rats were decapited. Histological evaluation, follicle count, and classification were performed. TAp63 mRNA expression was evaluated using mRNA extraction and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Serum estradiol (E2) and anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) values were measured with enzyme immune-assay technology. Results: While primordial follicles were seen to decrease in Group 2 as compared to Group 1 (p:0.023), primordial follicle count was observed to be preserved significantly in melatonin group as compared to Group 2 (p:0.047). Moreover, cisplatin-induced histo-pathological morphology was preserved in favor of normal histology in melatonin group. A significant difference was not observed between groups with regard to mean serum AMH and E2 values (p:0.102 and p:0.411, respectively). While TAp63 gene expression significantly increased in Group 2 as compared to control group (p:0.001), we did not detect a statistically significant difference in cisplatin+melatonin group, although gene expression decreased (p:0.34). Conclusion: We conclude that concurrent administration of melatonin and cisplatin may protect from ovarian damage.

Hepatic cytochrome P-450 in rats submitted to chronic hypobaric hypoxia

1990 ◽  
Vol 259 (4) ◽  
pp. C654-C659 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. E. Costa
Keyword(s):  
Hypobaric Hypoxia ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Adaptation To Hypoxia ◽  
Simulated Altitude ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Liver Homogenates ◽  
Cytochrome P 450 ◽  
Hepatic Cytochrome ◽  
Group 1

Hepatic cytochrome P-450 content in adaptation to hypobaric hypoxia was studied in three groups of rats and in their respective controls at sea level atmospheric pressure. The experimental groups were as follows: 1) young male and female rats submitted to 4,400 m (simulated altitude) for 6-8 mo, 2) the same animal model of group 1 submitted to 5,500 m (simulated altitude) for a subsequent period of 2-3 mo, and 3) adult males exposed to 5,500 m for 35 days. Hypoxia caused a marked polycythemia in all three groups, body weight loss in males of the three groups and at 5,500 m also in females, whereas liver weight was normal in groups 1 and 2 and slightly decreased in group 3. Cytochrome P-450 content measured in microsomal suspensions of groups 1 and 2 was unchanged. In liver homogenates, cytochrome P-450 content was normal at 4,400 m (group 1) and decreased at 5,500 m (groups 2 and 3). Therefore, endoplasmic reticulum mass, calculated as the ratio of cytochrome P-450 in the homogenates and in the isolated microsomes, was unchanged in group 1 (4,400 m) and decreased in group 2 (5,500 m). The content of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, measured in liver homogenates of group 3, were markedly decreased (by 40, 30, and 35%, respectively). Results do not support the hypothesis that an increase in cytochrome P-450 content plays a role in adaptation to hypoxia.

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