scholarly journals Traditional Chinese Medicine Shenmayizhi Decoction Ameliorates Memory and Cognitive Impairment Induced by Multiple Cerebral Infarctions

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Chengcheng Sun ◽  
Jiangang Liu ◽  
Nannan Li ◽  
Meixia Liu ◽  
Zenggang Luo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Cortex ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Embolic Agent ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Distilled Water ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Multiple Cerebral Infarctions

This study aimed to illustrate the mechanism by which Shenmayizhi decoction (SMYZD) improves the learning memory of rats with vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). Fifty male and female Wistar rats of specific pathogen-free grade (SPF grade) were used to establish the model by the administration of a microsphere embolization. This was accomplished by injecting sterile, standardized, mass-produced microspheres of uniform particle size (100–200 µm in diameter) in a sodium alginate microsphere vascular embolic agent suspension to induce VCI. The VCI model was successfully established in 40 rats, including both male and female rats, and the rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 10 rats each. The model group was administered an equal volume of distilled water. The donepezil group was administered 0.45 mg/kg/d donepezil, which is equivalent to the clinical dosage. The SMYZ-H group was administered 11.88 g/kg/d SMYZ, which is 4 times higher than the clinically equivalent dosage. The SMYZ-L group was administered 2.97 g/kg/d SMYZ, which is the clinically equivalent dosage. A sham-operated group was used as the control group and administered an equal volume of distilled water. The rats in the 4 groups were treated by gavage with equal volumes of liquid and the indicated concentration of drug diluted in distilled water for 8 consecutive weeks. Two months later, the Morris water maze (MWM) was used to evaluate the spatial memory of all the rats. Ultrastructural and ultrapathological changes in the capillaries of the cerebral cortex were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, Western blot and RT-PCR analyses were used to assess the levels of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFR-β), neuron-glial antigen 2 (NG2), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), and angiopoietin 1 (Ang1) in the cerebral cortex of the rats. The results showed that SMYZD at concentrations of 11.88 g/kg/d and 2.97 g/kg/d (SMYZ-H and SMYZ-L) significantly shortened the escape latency (EL). In addition, SMYZ-H significantly prolonged the distance traveled and the time spent in the original platform quadrant by the rats with VCI. SMYZ-H significantly increased the NG2 and Ang1 protein expression levels and increased the PDGFR-β and Ang1 mRNA levels. These results demonstrated that Shenmayizhi decoction can improve the memory abilities of rats with VCI induced by multiple cerebral infarctions by preventing pericyte degeneration.

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.

Abstract 15602: Sex-differences in Extreme Exercise-induced Adverse Cardiovascular Remodeling

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemma Sanguesa ◽  
Aline Meza ◽  
Anna Alcarraz ◽  
Cira Rubies ◽  
Lluis Mont ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Intensity ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Descending Aorta ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Cardiovascular Remodeling ◽  
High Intensity Training ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Exercise Induced

Introduction: There is emerging evidence in men that sustained high-intensity training promotes an adverse cardiovascular remodeling, thereby increasing the risk of atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias and coronary calcification. Whether men and women are similarly affected by high intensity exercise-induced harm is unclear. Our aim was to study sex differences in a long-term endurance training rat model. Methods: Male and female Wistar rats were subjected to high intensity training for 16 weeks (INT, 60min 60cm/s, male n=20, female n=15). Sedentary rats (SED, male n=20, female n=18) were used as controls. At the end of the training period, rats had an electrocardiogram and echocardiography performed. Vascular fibrosis was assessed in descending aorta, left carotid, and intramyocardial arteries (IMA), right and left atria, and left ventricle (LV) histological samples. mRNA levels of cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, oxidative stress and inflammation genes were assessed in LV samples by Real-Time PCR. Results: INT male rats presented lower heart rate (382±9, 340±10, SED vs INT, p<0.01) and a longer QRS duration (18.8±0.6, 22.4±1.1, SED vs INT, p<0.01), while these were not modified in the INT female group. Echocardiography showed eccentric LV hypertrophy in both trained male and female rats. High intensity exercise induced fibrosis in the descending aorta and carotid in both males and females, but IMA were only affected in trained male rats. In the heart, exercise-induced atrial fibrosis similarly occurred in both trained male and female rats. No training-induced fibrosis was evident in the LV of both INT male and female rats. Regarding LV mRNA analysis, INT males showed a reduction of desmin, TTN and N2BA/N2B ratio, whereas INT females exhibited higher desmin mRNA levels and lower αMHC/βMHC ratio. Intense exercise did not increase LV mRNA levels of fibrosis, oxidative stress and inflammation markers neither in males nor in females. In comparison to males, females had lower LV myocardial fibrosis as well as lower fibrosis markers. Conclusions: Male and female rats exhibit qualitatively different cardiovascular remodeling after extreme exercise. Nevertheless, both sexes might develop exercise-induced adverse vascular and cardiac effects.

Interleukin-1 Receptor Type I mRNA Levels in Brain Regions From Male and Female Rats

1997 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 463-467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dave Gayle ◽  
Sergey E. Ilyin ◽  
Carlos R. Plata-Salamán
Keyword(s):  
Interleukin 1 ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Receptor Type ◽  
Type I ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Male And Female Rats

Different effect of l-NAME treatment on susceptibility to decompression sickness in male and female rats

2014 ◽  
Vol 39 (11) ◽  
pp. 1280-1285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Mazur ◽  
Peter Buzzacott ◽  
Kate Lambrechts ◽  
Qiong Wang ◽  
Marc Belhomme ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decompression Sickness ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Bubble Formation ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Control Group ◽  
No Production ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Expression Activity ◽  
No Bioavailability

Vascular bubble formation results from supersaturation during inadequate decompression contributes to endothelial injuries, which form the basis for the development of decompression sickness (DCS). Risk factors for DCS include increased age, weight–fat mass, decreased maximal oxygen uptake, chronic diseases, dehydration, and nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Production of NO is often affected by diving and its expression–activity varies between the genders. Little is known about the influence of sex on the risk of DCS. To study this relationship we used an animal model of Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) to induce decreased NO production. Male and female rats with diverse ages and weights were divided into 2 groups: treated with l-NAME (in tap water; 0.05 mg·mL–1 for 7 days) and a control group. To control the distribution of nitrogen among tissues, 2 different compression–decompression protocols were used. Results showed that l-NAME was significantly associated with increased DCS in female rats (p = 0.039) only. Weight was significant for both sexes (p = 0.01). The protocol with the highest estimated tissue pressures in the slower compartments was 2.6 times more likely to produce DCS than the protocol with the highest estimated tissue pressures in faster compartments. The outcome of this study had significantly different susceptibility to DCS after l-NAME treatment between the sexes, while l-NAME per se had no effect on the likelihood of DCS. The analysis also showed that for the appearance of DCS, the most significant factors were type of protocol and weight.

scholarly journals Toxicity Evaluation of a Traditional Polyherbal Unani Formulation Jawarish Shahi in Rats

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 412-418
Author(s):  
Mohd Urooj ◽  
◽  
Mohammad Ahmed Khan ◽  
G. Thejaswini ◽  
Munawwar Husain Kazmi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Salix Caprea ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Dose Levels

Jawarish Shahi (JS) is a compound polyherbal Unani pharmacopoeial formulation indicated for Khafqan (Palpitation), Nafkh-e-Shikam (Flatulence) and Waswas (Insanity; false perception and hallucinations). Jawarish Shahi contains herbs like Halela (Terminalia chebula), Amla (Emblica officinalis), Kishneez (Coriandrum sativum), Elaichi Khurd, (Elettaria cardamomum), and Bed Mushk (Salix caprea). The present study was carried out as per OECD 408 guidance to evaluate 90 days repeated oral dose toxicity in male and female Sprague Dawley rats. The study was performed at dose levels 1028 and 2000 mg/kg bw. No adverse effects were reported with respect to body weight, feed intake, behavior and clinical signs indicative of systemic toxicity. The expected growth pattern was observed in body weight and feed intake as compared to control group at both dose levels in male and female rats. There were few significant alterations with respect to hematology, and clinical biochemistry, however the results were within normal range thus considered toxicologically insignificant. The microscopic examination of different organ/tissue showed that no histopathological changes were observed. The findings of the study showed that No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) for JS is greater than 2000 mg/kg body weight

scholarly journals Effects of Maternal Deprivation on Anxiety, Depression, and Empathy in Male and Female Offspring of Wistar Rats in the Face of Novel Objects

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 1093
Author(s):  
Solmaz Khalifeh ◽  
Fariba Khodagholi ◽  
Mehrad Moghtadaei ◽  
Ali Behvarmanesh ◽  
Afshin Kheradmand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Stress ◽  
Wistar Rats ◽  
Female Offspring ◽  
Maternal Deprivation ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Novel Objects ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Background: Early life stress (ELS) models such as maternal deprivation (MD) are used to in¬vestigate behavioral changes in rodents under stressful situations. MD is a situation in which rat pups are separated from the dam; MD has different paradigms. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effects of maternal deprivation on anxiety, depression, and empathy in adult Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: MD was applied to pups as per specifically designed protocol to compare rats of the control group with maternal deprivation rats and also the group, which faced novel objects. Each group consisted of eight rats. In this study, separation started from postnatal day (PND) 14 for various periods up to PND 60. EPM test was undertaken to measure anxiety; moreover, FST was used to indicate levels of depression. Also, changes in the empathy ratio were also demonstrated. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey’s post hoc analysis, and t-test were applied to analyze the results. Results: MD-treated rats showed a significant decrease in anxiety and empathy indexes compared with those in the control group (P<0.05). However, MD significantly increased depression in both male and female rats (P<0.05). Final¬ly, exposure to novel objects decreased depression but did not have any effect on anxiety and empathy levels in MD rats (P<0.05). Conclusion: ELS may lead to various states of mood and behavior in adulthood. According to the findings of this study, depression increases due to MD, though both anxiety and empathy decrease in both male and female Wistar rats. Moreover, ex¬posure to novel objects decreases depression, while anxiety and empathy do not change signifi¬cantly with exposure to novel objects. [GMJ.2019;8:e1093]

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.

Regulation of adenosine A2Areceptor gene expression in a model of binge eating in the amygdaloid complex of female rats

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (12) ◽  
pp. 1550-1561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Vittoria Micioni Di Bonaventura ◽  
Mariangela Pucci ◽  
Maria Elena Giusepponi ◽  
Adele Romano ◽  
Catia Lambertucci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Binge Eating ◽  
Epigenetic Regulation ◽  
Methylation Status ◽  
Amygdaloid Complex ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Compensatory Mechanism ◽  
Mrna Levels

Background:Pharmacological treatment approaches for eating disorders, such as binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa, are currently limited.Methods and aims:Using a well-characterized animal model of binge eating, we investigated the epigenetic regulation of the A2AAdenosine Receptor (A2AAR) and dopaminergic D2 receptor (D2R) genes.Results:Gene expression analysis revealed a selective increase of both receptor mRNAs in the amygdaloid complex of stressed and restricted rats, which exhibited binge-like eating, when compared to non-stressed and non-restricted rats. Consistently, pyrosequencing analysis revealed a significant reduction of the percentage of DNA methylation but only at the A2AAR promoter region in rats showing binge-like behaviour compared to the control animals. Focusing thus on A2AAR agonist (VT 7) administration (which inhibited the episode of binge systemically at 0.1 mg/kg or intra-central amygdala (CeA) injection at 900 ng/side) induced a significant increase of A2AAR mRNA levels in restricted and stressed rats when compared to the control group. In addition, we observed a significant decrease in A2AAR mRNA levels in rats treated with the A2AAR antagonist (ANR 94) at 1 mg/kg. Consistent changes in the DNA methylation status of the A2AAR promoter were found in restricted and stressed rats after administration of VT 7 or ANR 94.Conclusion:We confirm the role of A2AAR in binge eating behaviours, and we underline the importance of epigenetic regulation of the A2AAR gene, possibly due to a compensatory mechanism to counteract the effect of binge eating. We suggest that A2AAR activation, inducing receptor gene up-regulation, could be relevant to reduction of food consumption.

scholarly journals Tissue-specific regulation of the expression of rat kallikrein gene family members by thyroid hormone

1990 ◽  
Vol 267 (3) ◽  
pp. 745-750 ◽  
Author(s):  
J A Clements ◽  
B A Matheson ◽  
J E Funder
Keyword(s):  
Gene Family ◽  
Hormonal Regulation ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Hormonal Status ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Tissue Specific ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Specific Regulation

We have altered the thyroid hormonal status of both male and female rats and examined the expression of six functional members of the rat kallikrein gene family (PS, S1, S2, S3, K1 and P1) in the submandibular gland (SMG), kidney, prostate, testis and anterior pituitary gland (AP) of these animals. On Northern-blot analysis with gene-specific oligonucleotide probes, the steady-state mRNA levels of S1, S2, S3, K1 and P1 were all dramatically altered in the SMG of male and female rats treated with propylthiouracil (PTU; 100 mg/litre of drinking water) or thyroxine (T4; 10 micrograms/100 mg body wt.) for 3 weeks. The SMG mRNA levels of these five genes were all lowered (30-90%) in hypothyroid (PTU-treated) male and female rats and elevated (1.4-4-fold, male; 1.5-11-fold, female) in the hyperthyroid (T4-treated) and PTU/T4-treated animals. In contrast, PS (true kallikrein) mRNA levels in the male or female SMG or kidney were essentially unchanged. K1 mRNA levels in the kidney were considerably less responsive to thyroid status than those in the SMG. Changes in S3 and P1 mRNA levels in the prostate were also variable, but essentially unaffected by these treatments. AP PS mRNA levels were also unaffected by changes in thyroid-hormonal status, as were levels of a novel P1-like mRNA in the testis. In summary, these studies demonstrate that the same kallikrein gene family member(s) may be differentially regulated by thyroid hormones in the rat SMG, kidney, prostate and pituitary, and thus further extend the concept of tissue-specific expression and hormonal regulation of the kallikrein gene family in the rat.

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