Electroacupuncture stimulation at BL20, BL23 and SP6 prevents hind limb unloading–induced osteoporosis in rats

2021 ◽  
pp. 096452842199549
Author(s):  
Honghui Wang ◽  
Desheng Wang ◽  
Zhili Li ◽  
Shujuan Liu ◽  
Jingjing Dong ◽  
...  

Background: Bone loss induced by microgravity is a serious problem in space flight. However, the effects of acupuncture stimulation on osteoporosis induced by microgravity have not been studied. With the goal of developing an effective countermeasure, our aim was to evaluate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation at BL20, BL23, and SP6 on osteoporosis induced by simulated microgravity in rats. Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats (aged 10 weeks) were randomly divided into three groups: healthy control group (CON, n = 10), hind limb unloading by tail-suspension group (T-S, n = 10), and EA treatment group (TRE, n = 10). Rats in the T-S and TRE groups were subjected to tail-suspension at −30° for 30 days, while the CON group experienced freedom of activity. In this period, the TRE group received EA treatment at BL20, BL23, and SP6 for 30 min every other day, which continued for 30 days. The microarchitecture of the proximal tibia and the biomechanical features of the femur in the rats were analyzed. In addition, the levels of serum biomarkers bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and osteocalcin (BGP) were measured. Results: Compared with the CON group, the value of bone volume/total volume (BV/TV) and trabecular number (Tb.N) of the tibias in the TRE group remarkably decreased ( p  < 0.01). However, these changes were markedly less than those of the T-S group after 4 weeks of EA treatment ( p  < 0.05). Moreover, the serum concentration of BGP in the TRE group was also significantly higher than that of the T-S group ( p  < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings indicate that EA stimulation at BL20, BL23, and SP6 retards osteoporosis induced by hind limb unloading in rats.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hesam Parsa ◽  
Tayebeh Shiravand ◽  
Kamal Ranjbar ◽  
Alireza Komaki

Abstract Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most important causes of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Portulaca oleracea (P.oleracea) is a rich source of antioxidants, which reduces inflammation and oxidative stress in diabetic rats. Exercise training has also been shown to improve mental function and enhance learning and memory efficacy. Therefore, this study was designed to explore the potential combined effect of P. oleracea and exercise training on neurobehavioral dysfunction in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic male rats. Methods: For this purpose, 50 male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: 1) healthy control group (Con), 2) sedentary diabetic group (D), 3) diabetic rats treated with P. oleracea(D+Po), 4) diabetic rats treated with exercise training (D+Ex), and 5) diabetic rats treated with P.oleracea and exercise training (D+Po+Ex) simultaneously. Animals in the exercise groups were subjected to progressive swimming training for 12weeks. P.oleracea was mixed with standard pellet food for 12weeks. Neurobehavioral dysfunction was investigated by elevated plus-maze, shuttle box, open field, and novel object recognition tests.Results: Compared with the normal control group, rats in the sedentary diabetic group showed a more passive avoidance memory deficit and more anxiety, and less exploration. Due to exercise training and treatment with P. oleracea, the neurobehavioral deficit in the trained diabetic rats receiving P. oleracea reached the normal levels of those in the healthy group.Conclusion: These data demonstrated that diabetes causes significant neurobehavioral deficit. Nevertheless, swimming training and P. oleracea synergistically ameliorate and reverse the neurobehavioral deficit in STZ-induced diabetic male rats.


2000 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 338-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. D. Vaziri ◽  
Y. Ding ◽  
D. S. Sangha ◽  
R. E. Purdy

Prolonged exposure to microgravity during spaceflight or extended bed rest results in cardiovascular deconditioning, marked by orthostatic intolerance and hyporesponsiveness to vasopressors. Earlier studies primarily explored fluid and electrolyte balance and baroreceptor and vasopressor systems in search of a possible mechanism. Given the potent vasodilatory and natriuretic actions of nitric oxide (NO), we hypothesized that cardiovascular adaptation to microgravity may involve upregulation of the NO system. Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to a control group or a group subjected to simulated microgravity by hindlimb unloading (HU) for 20 days. Tissues were harvested after death for determination of total nitrate and nitrite (NOx) as well as endothelial (e), inducible (i), and neuronal (n) NO synthase (NOS) proteins by Western blot. Separate subgroups were used to test blood pressure response to norepinephrine and the iNOS inhibitor aminoguanidine. Compared with controls, the HU group showed a significant increase in tissue NOx content and an upregulation of iNOS protein abundance in thoracic aorta, heart, and kidney and of nNOS protein expression in the brain and kidney but no discernible change in eNOS expression. This was associated with marked attenuation of hypertensive response to norepinephrine and a significant increase in hypertensive response to aminoguanidine, suggesting enhanced iNOS-derived NO generation in the HU group. Upregulation of these NOS isotypes can contribute to cardiovascular adaptation to microgravity by promoting vasodilatory tone and natriuresis and depressing central sympathetic outflow. If true in humans, short-term administration of an iNOS inhibitor may ameliorate orthostatic intolerance in returning astronauts and patients after extended bed rest.


Author(s):  
Pertiwi Ishak ◽  
Peter Kabo ◽  
Yulia Yusrini Djabir

ABSTRACT Excessive doses of paracetamol have the potential to cause acute kidney injury and even death. Gynura procumbens has been traditionally used as folk-medicine for kidney disease. This study aimed to examine the nephroprotective effect of Gynura procumbens leaf extract against paracetamol-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Twenty-five male wistar rats (150-200 g) were divided into 5 groups. Healthy control group, placebo group, and 3 extract treatment groups that received either 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg or 300 mg/kg dose. The placebo (sodium carboxymethyl cellulose) or extract was given 4 consecutive days prior to paracetamol (2400 mg/kg) administration on day 5. Blood samples were withdrawn before treatment initiated (day 0), after treatment before paracetamol administration (day 5) and 24-hour after paracetamol administration (day 6). Blood samples were analyzed to obtain urea and creatinine levels. In addition, histopathological analysis was performed on the renal tissue.  Paracetamol administration was shown to significantly increase the urea and creatinine levels, and the extract at 300 mg/kg dose was able to significantly prevent the elevation of the renal biomarkers. The histopathological analysis also revealed a significant reduction in renal histopathological injury in 300 mg/kg extract group. It can be concluded that the ethanolic extract of the Gynura procumbens at a dose of 300 mg/kg has a good protective effect on kidney function and tissue structure. Key words: Gynura procumbens, nephroprotective, paracetamol


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 265-270
Author(s):  
Mahsa Salehian-Dehkordi ◽  
Hossein Sazegar

Background and aims: The positive effects of medicinal herbs on diabetes have been proved in previous studies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of active Momordica Charantia on the treatment of liver diseases resulting from diabetes and the expression level of the Mcl-1 gene, which is a proapoptotic gene and becomes antiapoptotic in the event of damage. Methods: In this study, 42 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 7 groups including healthy, diabetic, metformin, 150 mg/kg M. charantia controls, and three groups that received the active M. charantia with doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg. All groups became diabetic with streptozotocin injected intraperitoneally except for the control and M. charantia. Afterward, they received the active M. charantia by gavage for four weeks (three times a week). Finally, the Kruskal-Wallis method was used for comparison among the groups. The statistical tests were analyzed using SPSS software, version 22. Results: The level of Mcl-1 expression in the diabetic control group (C) was significantly higher than that in the healthy control (A) and the M. charantia-receiving control group (B, P<0.05). The group receiving 150 mg/kg dose of M. charantia drug (G) had a better effect compared to the group that received 100 mg/kg (F), and this difference was significant (P<0.05). This increase indicated that the medication was dose-dependent. Conclusion: In general, a reduction in the level of Mcl-1 gene expression relied on the M. charantia dose. After the development of diabetes, this level significantly increased in the diabetic groups, but decreased after receiving M. charantia, leading to a decrease in the side effects and symptoms associated with diabetes.


Author(s):  
Zafer Sahin ◽  
Alpaslan Ozkurkculer ◽  
Omer Faruk Kalkan ◽  
Ahmet Ozkaya ◽  
Aynur Koc ◽  
...  

Abstract. Alterations of essential elements in the brain are associated with the pathophysiology of many neuropsychiatric disorders. It is known that chronic/overwhelming stress may cause some anxiety and/or depression. We aimed to investigate the effects of two different chronic immobilization stress protocols on anxiety-related behaviors and brain minerals. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups as follows ( n = 10/group): control, immobilization stress-1 (45 minutes daily for 7-day) and immobilization stress-2 (45 minutes twice a day for 7-day). Stress-related behaviors were evaluated by open field test and forced swimming test. In the immobilization stress-1 and immobilization stress-2 groups, percentage of time spent in the central area (6.38 ± 0.41% and 6.28 ± 1.03% respectively, p < 0.05) and rearing frequency (2.75 ± 0.41 and 3.85 ± 0.46, p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively) were lower, latency to center area (49.11 ± 5.87 s and 44.92 ± 8.04 s, p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively), were higher than the control group (8.65 ± 0.49%, 5.37 ± 0.44 and 15.3 ± 3.32 s, respectively). In the immobilization stress-1 group, zinc (12.65 ± 0.1 ppm, p < 0.001), magnesium (170.4 ± 1.7 ppm, p < 0.005) and phosphate (2.76 ± 0.1 ppm, p < 0.05) levels were lower than the control group (13.87 ± 0.16 ppm, 179.31 ± 1.87 ppm and 3.11 ± 0.06 ppm, respectively). In the immobilization stress-2 group, magnesium (171.56 ± 1.87 ppm, p < 0.05), phosphate (2.44 ± 0.07 ppm, p < 0.001) levels were lower, and manganese (373.68 ± 5.76 ppb, p < 0.001) and copper (2.79 ± 0.15 ppm, p < 0.05) levels were higher than the control group (179.31 ± 1.87 ppm, 3.11 ± 0.06 ppm, 327.25 ± 8.35 ppb and 2.45 ± 0.05 ppm, respectively). Our results indicated that 7-day chronic immobilization stress increased anxiety-related behaviors in both stress groups. Zinc, magnesium, phosphate, copper and manganese levels were affected in the brain.


2016 ◽  
Vol 86 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 9-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bekir Ucan ◽  
Mustafa Sahin ◽  
Muyesser Sayki Arslan ◽  
Nujen Colak Bozkurt ◽  
Muhammed Kizilgul ◽  
...  

Abstract.The relationship between Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and vitamin D has been demonstrated in several studies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate vitamin D concentrations in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the effect of vitamin D therapy on the course of disease, and to determine changes in thyroid autoantibody status and cardiovascular risk after vitamin D therapy. We included 75 patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and 43 healthy individuals. Vitamin D deficiency is defined as a 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D3) concentration less than 20ng/mL. Vitamin D deficient patients were given 50.000 units of 25(OH)D3 weekly for eight weeks in accordance with the Endocrine Society guidelines. All evaluations were repeated after 2 months of treatment. Patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis had significantly lower vitamin D concentrations compared with the controls (9.37±0.69 ng/mL vs 11.95±1.01 ng/mL, p < 0.05, respectively). Thyroid autoantibodies were significantly decreased by vitamin D replacement treatment in patients with euthyroid Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Also, HDL cholesterol concentrations improved in the euthyroid Hashimoto group after treatment. The mean free thyroxine (fT4) concentrations were 0.89±0.02 ng/dL in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and 1.07±0.03 ng/dL in the healthy control group (p < 0.001). The mean thyroid volumes were 7.71±0.44 mL in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and 5.46±0.63 mL in the healthy control group (p < 0.01). Vitamin D deficiency is frequent in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and treatment of patients with this condition with Vitamin D may slow down the course of development of hypothyroidism and also decrease cardiovascular risks in these patients. Vitamin D measurement and replacement may be critical in these patients.


2006 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 111-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Matsuzaki ◽  
Misao Miwa

The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of dietary calcium (Ca) supplementation on bone metabolism of magnesium (Mg)-deficient rats. Male Wistar rats were randomized by weight into three groups, and fed a control diet (control group), a Mg-deficient diet (Mg- group) or a Mg-deficient diet having twice the control Ca concentrations (Mg-2Ca group) for 14 days. Trabecular bone volume was significantly lower in the Mg - and Mg-2Ca groups than in the control group. Trabecular number was also significantly lower in the Mg - and Mg-2Ca groups than in the control group. Mineralizing bone surface, mineral apposition rate (MAR), and surface referent bone formation rate (BFR/BS) were significantly lower in the Mg - and Mg-2Ca groups than in the control group. Furthermore, MAR and BFR/BS were significantly lower in the Mg-2Ca group than in the Mg - group. These results suggest that dietary Ca supplementation suppresses bone formation in Mg-deficient rats.


1997 ◽  
Vol 78 (03) ◽  
pp. 0990-0992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Hillarp ◽  
Bengt Zӧller ◽  
Peter J Svensson ◽  
Bjӧrn Dahlbäck

SummaryA dimorphism in the 3’-untranslated region of the prothrombin gene (G to A transition at position 20210) has recently been reported to be associated with increases in plasma prothrombin levels and in the risk of venous thrombosis (1). We have examined the prothrombin dimorphism among 99 unselected outpatients with phlebography verified deep venous thrombosis, and in 282 healthy controls. The prevalence of the 20210 A allele was 7.1% (7/99) in the patient group, and 1.8% (5/282) in the healthy control group (p = 0.0095). The relative risk of venous thrombosis was calculated to be 4.2 (95% Cl, 1.3 to 13.6), and was still significant when adjustment was made for age, sex and the factor V:R506Q mutation causing APC resistance [odds ratio 3.8 (95% Cl, 1.1 13.2)]. As previously reported, 28% of the patients were carriers of the factor V:R506Q mutation. Thus, 34% (one patient carried both traits) of unselected patients with deep venous thrombosis were carriers of an inherited prothrombotic disorder. To sum up, our results confirm the 20210 A allele of the prothrombin gene to be an important risk factor for venous thrombosis.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 146
Author(s):  
BRILIAN DINANTI ◽  
FITRI HANDAJANI

<p>Liver is an organ with complex metabolism. When the liver is inflamed, cellular immunity will defend against inflammatory agents by stimulating immune cells to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). Excessive ROS accumulation cause oxydative stress with increased  liver malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Some researches showed that purple sweet potato contain flavonoids (anthocyanins) that functioned as antioxydants. This study aimed to show the prophylactic effect of purple sweet potato extract to the liver MDA level of male Wistar rats induced by carrageenan.</p><p>This study used post-only control group method using 18 male Wistar rats divided into 3 groups: group of rats without treatment, group of rats induced by 0,1 ml of 1% carrageenan by intraplantar injection on day-8, and group of rats given with 872 mg/kgBW of purple sweet potato extract for 7 days and induced by 0,1 ml of 1% carrageenan. In the end of the study, the liver MDA levels were measured by Thio-Barbituric Acid method on each groups.</p><p>The results of One-Way ANOVA test showed there was no significant difference (p = 0,290) between group of rats without treatment (<em>x̅</em>= 207,50) and group of rats induced by carrageenan (<em>x̅</em>=233,17). Then, there is no significant difference (p = 0.978) between group of rats induced by carrageenan and group of rats given with prophylactic purple sweet potato extract and induced by carrageenan (<em>x̅</em>= 232,50).</p><p>The conclusion of this study is giving intraplantar injection of carrageenan can increase liver MDA level insignificantly and giving prophylactic purple sweet potato extract has an effect to decrease the liver MDA level of rats induced by carragenan insignificantly because it contains anthocyanins as antioxidants.</p><p> </p><strong>Keywords: </strong>Liver, <em>Ipomoea batatas</em> L., Malondialdehyde, Anthocyanins


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (27) ◽  
pp. 3341-3348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marek Femlak ◽  
Anna Gluba-Brzozka ◽  
Beata Franczyk ◽  
Jacek Rysz

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) due to its increasing prevalence and associated morbidity and mortality has become a serious public health problem. In DM, HDL may lose its beneficial features and become proatherogenic due to its altered biological activity thus increasing cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the presence of diabetes mellitus type 2 and its duration on the distribution of HDL subfractions. Moreover, the effect of statin treatment on HDL subfraction share was analysed in this study. Methods: The study group consisted of 50 patients with newly diagnosed DM and 50 persons with DM for longer than 10 years while the control group consisted of 50 healthy volunteers. HDL subfractions were analysed with the use of Lipoprint. Results: We demonstrated progressive worsening of heart functioning and impairment of its structure in the course of diabetes mellitus. Moreover, we observed that HDL-6 subfraction and intermediate HDL fraction are lowest in the group with advanced DMt2 compared to the group with newly diagnosed DM and a healthy control group. Finally, the results of our study indicated the effect of statin treatment on HDL subfractions that seems not to be advantageous. Conclusion: It seems that in patients with diabetes mellitus compromised antiatherogenic properties of HDL, as a result of oxidative modification and glycation of the HDL protein as well as the transformation of the HDL proteome into a proinflammatory protein, increase cardiovascular risk.


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