scholarly journals Mediterranean Natural Extracts Improved Cognitive Behavior in Zebrafish and Healthy Rats and Ameliorated LPS-induced Cognitive Impairment in a Sex Dependent Manner

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Pusceddu ◽  
Julia Hernandez-Baixauli ◽  
Francesc Puiggrós ◽  
Lluis Arola ◽  
Antoni Caimari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Cognitive Behavior ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Novel Object ◽  
Natural Extracts ◽  
The Mediterranean

Abstract Background: Several findings suggest neuroinflammation as a contributing factor for the onset of psychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and anxiety. There is increasing evidence pointing out that the Mediterranean diet influences brain and behavior. Mediterranean herbs and spices have been shown to be within those components of the Mediterranean diet involved in cognitive enhancement. Thus, we investigated the influence of Mediterranean natural extracts (MNE), Rosemary extract (RE) and Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract (GGRE), on cognitive behavior. Results: Adult zebrafish were exposed to RE or GGRE (100 and 250 mg/L) treatments. Both MNE improved memory retention during the T-maze test, although no improvements were observed during the novel object preference. Similarly, chronic administration of RE (150 mg/Kg) and GGRE (150 mg/Kg) improved, respectively, spatial and retention memory, as assessed by the Morris Water Maze (MWM), and the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) in healthy male rats. However, no improvements were observed during the novel object recognition. Finally, male, and female rats were chronically treated with lipopolysaccharide [(LPS) 300 ug/kg] and orally administered with RE. Interestingly, RE reversed LPS-induced cognitive deficit during the MWM and EPM in female rats. Conclusions: We found that MNE improved cognition in both zebrafish and rats. Moreover, MNE rescued LPS-induced cognitive impairment in a gender-specific manner. Therefore, our study supports the view that zebrafish represent a valuable preclinical model for drug discovery in neuroscience. These findings contribute to an exciting and growing body of research suggesting that MNE may play an important role in the prevention of cognitive impairment.

scholarly journals Antidiarrheal Activity of Dissotis multiflora (Sm) Triana (Melastomataceae) Leaf Extract in Wistar Rats and Subacute Toxicity Evaluation

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alian Désiré Afagnigni ◽  
Maximilienne Ascension Nyegue ◽  
Chantal Florentine Ndoye Foe ◽  
Youchahou Njankouo Ndam ◽  
Frédéric Nico Njayou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wistar Rats ◽  
Leaf Extract ◽  
Shigella Flexneri ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Subacute Toxicity ◽  
Antidiarrheal Activity ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Ethanolic Leaf Extract

The present work was undertaken to evaluate antidiarrheal activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Dissotis multiflora (Sm) Triana (D. multiflora) on Shigella flexneri-induced diarrhea in Wistar rats and its subacute toxicity. Diarrhea was induced by oral administration of 1.2 × 109 cells/mL S. flexneri to rats. Antidiarrheal activity was investigated in rats with the doses of 111.42 mg/kg, 222.84 mg/kg, and 445.68 mg/kg. The level of biochemical parameters was assessed and organs histology examined by 14 days’ subacute toxicity. S. flexneri stool load decreased significantly in dose-dependent manner. The level of ALT increased (p<0.05) in male rats treated with the dose of 445.68 mg/kg while creatinine level increased in rats treated with both doses. In female rats, a significant decrease (p<0.05) of the level of AST and creatinine was noted in rats treated with the dose of 222.84 mg/kg of D. multiflora. Histological exams of kidney and liver of treated rats showed architectural modifications at the dose of 445.68 mg/kg. This finding suggests that D. multiflora leaf extract is efficient against diarrhea caused by S. flexneri but the treatment with doses lower than 222.84 mg/kg is recommended while further study is required to define the exact efficient nontoxic dose.

scholarly journals GPER modulates tone and coronary vascular reactivity in male and female rats

2017 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelina Rafaela Debortoli ◽  
Wender do Nascimento Rouver ◽  
Nathalie Tristão Banhos Delgado ◽  
Vinicius Mengal ◽  
Erick Roberto Gonçalves Claudio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Expression ◽  
Vascular Reactivity ◽  
Coronary Circulation ◽  
Superoxide Production ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Coronary Perfusion ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Coronary Tone

Compared with age-matched men, premenopausal women are largely protected from coronary artery disease, a difference that is lost after menopause. The effects of oestrogens are mediated by the activation of nuclear receptors (ERα and ERβ) and by the G protein-coupled oestrogen receptor (GPER). This study aims to evaluate the potential role of GPER in coronary circulation in female and male rats. The baseline coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) and the concentration–response curve with a GPER agonist (G-1) were evaluated in isolated hearts before and after the blockade of GPER. GPER, superoxide dismutase (SOD-2), catalase and gp91phox protein expression were assessed by Western blotting. Superoxide production was evaluated ‘in situ’ via dihydroethidium fluorescence (DHE). GPER blockade significantly increased the CPP in both groups, demonstrating the modulation of coronary tone by GPER. G-1 causes relaxation of the coronary bed in a concentration-dependent manner and was significantly higher in female rats. No differences were detected in GPER, SOD-2 and catalase protein expression. However, gp91phox expression and DHE fluorescence were higher in male rats, indicating elevated superoxide production. Therefore, GPER plays an important role in modulating coronary tone and reactivity in female and male rats. The observed differences in vascular reactivity may be related to the higher superoxide production in male rats. These findings help to elucidate the role of GPER-modulating coronary circulation, providing new information to develop a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of coronary heart disease.

scholarly journals Increase of Anteroventral Periventricular Kisspeptin Neurons and Generation of E2-Induced LH-Surge System in Male Rats Exposed Perinatally to Environmental Dose of Bisphenol-A

Endocrinology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 152 (4) ◽  
pp. 1562-1571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yinyang Bai ◽  
Fei Chang ◽  
Rong Zhou ◽  
Peng-Peng Jin ◽  
Hirokazu Matsumoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bisphenol A ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Perinatal Exposure ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptor ◽  
Control Male ◽  
Lh Surge ◽  
G Protein Coupled

Abstract Perinatal exposure to environmental levels of bisphenol-A (BPA) impairs sexually dimorphic behaviors in rodents. Kisspeptin neurons in anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV), which plays an important role in the activation of GnRH neurons and the initiation of LH-surge, have been suggested to be sexual dimorphism in rats. This study focused on exploring the influence of a perinatal exposure to an environmental dose of BPA on the development and maturation of male AVPV kisspeptin neurons and hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis. Female rats were injected sc with 2 μg BPA/kg·d from gestation d 10 through lactation d 7. Anatomical and functional changes in AVPV kisspeptin neurons and hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis were examined in prepubertal, pubertal, and adult male rats exposed perinatally to BPA (BPA-rats). Here, we show that in postnatal d (PND)30/50/90 BPA-rats, the number of AVPV kisspeptin-immunoreactive cells was persistently increased in comparison with age-matched control male rats. The number of GnRH-immunoreactive cells in PND30 BPA-rats declined approximately 40% compared with control male rats, whereas that in PND50/90 BPA-rats was increased in a G protein-coupled receptor 54-dependent manner. Estradiol could induce a stable LH-surge in PND90 BPA-rats and control female rats, which was sensitive to the G protein-coupled receptor 54 inhibitor. In PND30/50 BPA-rats, plasma level of LH was higher, but the level of testosterone was lower than control male rats. These findings provide evidence that perinatal exposure to an environmental dose of BPA causes a sustained increase in AVPV kisspeptin neurons in male rats, leading to the generation of estradiol-induced LH-surge system.

scholarly journals Adolescent Binge-Type Ethanol Exposure in Rats Mirrors Age-Related Cognitive Decline by Suppressing Cholinergic Tone and Hippocampal Neurogenesis

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole L. Reitz ◽  
Polliana T. Nunes ◽  
Lisa M. Savage
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
Spontaneous Alternation ◽  
Ethanol Exposure ◽  
Hippocampal Neurogenesis ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Novel Object ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Spatial Tasks

Heavy alcohol consumption followed by periods of abstinence (i.e., binge drinking) during adolescence is a concern for both acute and chronic health issues. Persistent brain damage after adolescent intermittent ethanol exposure in rodents, a model of binge drinking, includes reduced hippocampal neurogenesis and a loss of neurons in the basal forebrain that express the cholinergic phenotype. The circuit formed between those regions, the septohippocampal pathway, is critical for learning and memory. Furthermore, this circuit is also altered during the aging process. Thus, we examined whether pathology in septohippocampal circuit and impairments in spatial behaviors are amplified during aging following adolescent intermittent ethanol exposure. Female and male rats were exposed to intermittent intragastric gavage of water (control) or 20% ethanol (dose of 5 g/kg) for a 2 days on/off cycle from postnatal days 25–55. Either 2 (young adult) or 12–14 (middle-age) months post exposure, rats were tested on two spatial tasks: spontaneous alternation and novel object in place. Acetylcholine efflux was assessed in the hippocampus during both tasks. There was no adolescent ethanol-induced deficit on spontaneous alternation, but middle-aged male rats displayed lower alternation rates. Male rats exposed to ethanol during adolescence had blunted behavioral evoked acetylcholine during spontaneous alternation testing. All ethanol-exposed rats displayed suppression of the cholinergic neuronal phenotype. On the novel object in place task, regardless of sex, ethanol-exposed rats performed significantly worse than control-treated rats, and middle aged-rats, regardless of sex or ethanol exposure, were significantly impaired relative to young adult rats. These results indicate that male rats display earlier age-related cognitive impairment on a working memory task. Furthermore, male rats exposed to ethanol during adolescence have blunted behavior-evoked hippocampal acetylcholine efflux. In addition, middle-aged and ethanol-exposed rats, regardless of sex, are impaired at determining discrete spatial relationship between objects. This type of pattern separation impairment was associated with a loss of neurogenesis. Thus, binge-type adolescent ethanol exposure does affect the septohippocampal circuit, and can accelerate age-related cognitive impairment on select spatial tasks.

scholarly journals Short-term treadmill running in the rat: what kind of stressor is it?

2007 ◽  
Vol 103 (6) ◽  
pp. 1979-1985 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Brown ◽  
Micah S. Johnson ◽  
Casey J. Armstrong ◽  
Joshua M. Lynch ◽  
Nicholas M. Caruso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Exercise ◽  
Citrate Synthase ◽  
Treadmill Running ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Physiological Variables ◽  
Systemic Stress

The use of short-term (1–5 days) treadmill running is becoming increasingly common as a model to study physiological adaptations following the exercise. Although the beneficial effects of acute exercise seem clear, a paucity of data exist describing potential markers of stress in response to forced running. We subjected male and female Sprague-Dawley rats to 0, 1, 2, 5, or 10 days of treadmill running. Twenty-four to 32 h after the last bout of exercise animals were killed and examined for training-induced changes in several physiological variables. No effect of skeletal citrate synthase activity was observed in the male animals after any duration, and only at 10 days of running did females show a significant increase in citrate synthase. Myocardial heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) content was higher in male rats than female rats, and exercise led to increased HSP72 in both sexes, although the time course was different between males and females. Animals displayed several markers of systemic stress in response to the treadmill running, and this was done in a sex-dependent manner. Serum corticosterone was significantly elevated in both sexes 24 h after exercise in three of four exercise groups. Corticosterone-binding globulin was higher in females, and decreased after running in female rats. Body and spleen weights decreased in males (but not females) in response to the exercise training, and running did not alter adrenal gland weights in either sex. These data indicate that in response to short-term treadmill running both male and female rats show signs of systemic stress, but that the pattern of changes occurs in a sex-specific manner.

Dopamine D4 receptor stimulation contributes to novel object recognition: Relevance to cognitive impairment in schizophrenia

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 442-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masanori Miyauchi ◽  
Nichole M Neugebauer ◽  
Herbert Y Meltzer
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Object Recognition ◽  
Effective Dose ◽  
Atypical Antipsychotic ◽  
Novel Object Recognition ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Receptor Stimulation ◽  
Atypical Antipsychotic Drug ◽  
Novel Object ◽  
D4 Receptor

Several atypical antipsychotic drugs (APDs) have high affinity for the dopamine (DA) D4 receptor, but the relevance to the efficacy for the treatment of cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS) is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of D4 receptor stimulation or blockade on novel object recognition (NOR) in normal rats and on the sub-chronic phencyclidine (PCP)-induced novel object recognition deficit. The effect of the D4 agonist, PD168077, and the D4 antagonist, L-745,870, were studied alone, and in combination with clozapine and lurasidone. In normal rats, L-745,870 impaired novel object recognition, whereas PD168077 had no effect. PD168077 acutely reversed the sub-chronic phencyclidine-induced novel object recognition deficit. Co-administration of a sub-effective dose (SED) of PD168077 with a sub-effective dose of lurasidone also reversed this deficit, but a sub-effective dose of PD168077 with a sub-effective dose of clozapine, a more potent D4 antagonist than lurasidone, did not reverse the sub-chronic phencyclidine-induced novel object recognition deficit. At a dose that did not induce a novel object recognition deficit, L-745,870 blocked the ability of clozapine, but not lurasidone, to reverse the novel object recognition deficit. D4 receptor agonism has a beneficial effect on novel object recognition in sub-chronic PCP-treated rats and augments the cognitive enhancing efficacy of an atypical antipsychotic drug that lacks affinity for the D4 receptor, lurasidone.

scholarly journals Androgens enhance adult hippocampal neurogenesis in males but not females in an age-dependent manner

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Duarte-Guterman ◽  
Dwayne K. Hamson ◽  
Steven R. Wainwright ◽  
Carmen Chow ◽  
Jessica Chaiton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hippocampal Neurogenesis ◽  
Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Young Males ◽  
Neuron Survival ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Age Dependent

AbstractAndrogens (testosterone and dihydrotestosterone) increase adult hippocampal neurogenesis by increasing new neuron survival in male rats and mice via an androgen receptor pathway, but it is not known whether androgens regulate neurogenesis in females and whether the effect is age-dependent. We investigated the effects of dihydrotestosterone, a potent androgen, on neurogenesis in adult and middle-aged males and females. Rats were gonadectomized and injected with the DNA synthesis marker, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). The following day rats began receiving daily injections of oil or DHT for 30 days. We evaluated cell proliferation (Ki67) and new neuron survival (BrdU and BrdU/NeuN) in the hippocampus of male and female rats using immunohistochemistry. As expected, DHT increased new neuron survival in young males but surprisingly not in middle-aged male rats. In females, DHT did not significantly affect adult neurogenesis in young or middle age. Our results indicate that DHT regulates adult hippocampal neurogenesis in a sex- and age-dependent manner.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document