scholarly journals Effects of DI-(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate on Rat Ovarian Function

2011 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 309-316
Author(s):  
Cheng-kang Xu ◽  
Xiao-hong Wang ◽  
Shuang-bo Tang

Effects of DI-(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate on Rat Ovarian FunctionThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) on estrous cycle, sex hormone levels and ovary histological features. A total of 80 female SD rats were randomly divided into 8 groups (n=10 per group): short-course control group, short-course low-dose group, short-course medium-dose group, and short-course high-dose group, long-course control group, long-course low-dose group, long-course medium-dose group and long-course high-dose group. Intragastrical DEHP was administrated at 1000 mg/kg/d (low dose), 2000 mg/kg/d (medium dose) and 3000 mg/kg/d (high dose) independently for 14 days (short course) or 28 days (long course). Rats in control groups were untreated. Vaginal smearing was used to detect the estrous cycle and rats were weighed at every Monday and Thursday to evaluate the growth status. At the end of study, rats were sacrificed and bilateral ovaries were obtained for histological examination. In addition, ELISA determined levels of serum progesterone, estradiol, testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. DEHP treatment limited body weight gain (p<0.05), prolonged the estrous cycle (p<0.05), decreased the ovarian mass index (p<0.05) and ovarian weight. No evident degeneration, necrosis or other pathological features were found in the ovaries. The testosterone levels were decreased by DEHP treatment in a dose dependent manner. DEHP treatment could increase serum testosterone level, inhibit ovulation and prolong the estrous cycle of rats, exerting reproductive toxicity in a dose dependent manner. We speculate DEHP can affect the endocrine regulatory function of the ovary and limit the body weight gain, resulting in chronic toxicity.

2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-243
Author(s):  
TONG TONG ◽  
XIAOHUI NIU ◽  
QIAN LI ◽  
YUXI LING ◽  
ZUMING LI ◽  
...  

Lactobacillus plantarum BW2013 was isolated from the fermented Chinese cabbage. This study aimed to test the effect of this strain on the gut microbiota in BALB/c mice by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. The mice were randomly allocated to the control group and three treatment groups of L. plantarum BW2013 (a low-dose group of 108 CFU/ml, a medium-dose group of 109 CFU/ml, and a high-dose group of 1010 CFU/ml). The weight of mice was recorded once a week, and the fecal samples were collected for 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing after 28 days of continuous treatment. Compared with the control group, the body weight gain in the treatment groups was not significant. The 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing analysis showed that both the Chao1 and ACE indexes increased slightly in the medium-dose group compared to the control group, but the difference was not significant. Based on PCoA results, there was no significant difference in β diversity between the treatment groups. Compared to the control group, the abundance of Bacteroidetes increased in the low-dose group. The abundance of Firmicutes increased in the medium-dose group. At the genus level, the abundance of Alloprevotella increased in the low-dose group compared to the control group. The increased abundance of Ruminococcaceae and decreased abundance of Candidatus_Saccharimonas was observed in the medium-dose group. Additionally, the abundance of Bacteroides increased, and Alistipes and Candidatus_Saccharimonas decreased in the high-dose group. These results indicated that L. plantarum BW2013 could ameliorate gut microbiota composition, but its effects vary with the dose.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Won Park ◽  
Jeffrey R. Curtis ◽  
Min Jung Kim ◽  
Hajeong Lee ◽  
Yeong Wook Song ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives To investigate the incidence of pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) and its risk factors in patients with rheumatic disease receiving non-high-dose steroid treatment, along with the risks and benefits of PCP prophylaxis. Methods This study included 28,292 treatment episodes with prolonged (≥ 4 weeks), non-high-dose steroids (low dose [< 15 mg/day, n = 27,227] and medium dose [≥ 15 to < 30 mg/day, n = 1065], based on prednisone) over a 14-year period. Risk factors for PCP and prophylactic effect of trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) were investigated if the 1-year incidence rate (IR) of PCP in each dose group was > 0.1/100 person-years. Cox regression with LASSO was used for analysis. Results One-year PCP IR in the low-dose group was 0.01 (95% CI 0.001–0.03)/100 person-years, and only the medium-dose group showed eligible PCP IR for further analysis. In the medium-dose group, prophylactic TMP-SMX was administered in 45 treatment episodes while other episodes involved no prophylaxis (prophylaxis group vs. control group). In 1018.0 person-years, 5 PCP cases occurred exclusively in the control group, yielding an IR of 0.5 (0.2–1.2)/100 person-years. Concomitant steroid-pulse treatment and baseline lymphopenia were the most significant risk factors for PCP. Treatment episodes with at least one of these factors (n = 173, high-risk subgroup) showed higher 1-year PCP IR (3.4 (1.1–8.0)/100 person-years), while no PCP occurred in other treatment episodes. TMP-SMX numerically reduced the risk (adjusted HR = 0.2 (0.001–2.3)) in the high-risk subgroup. The IR of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) related to TMP-SMX was 41.5 (22.3–71.6)/100 person-years, including one serious ADR. The number needed to treat with TMP-SMX to prevent one PCP in the high-risk subgroup (31 (17–226)) was lower than the number needed to harm by serious ADR (45 (15–∞)). Conclusion Incidence of PCP in patients with rheumatic diseases receiving prolonged, medium-dose steroids depends on the presence of risk factors. Prophylactic TMP-SMX may have greater benefit than potential risk in the high-risk subgroup.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-50
Author(s):  
IO Osonuga ◽  
AS Faponle ◽  
EN Ezima ◽  
TK Adenowo ◽  
AA Adelegan

Background: The leaves of Telfairia occidentalis (locally known as Ugu) are widely consumed as part of a staple in the southern region of Nigeria. Its nutritional benefits include its rich mineral contents and antioxidant properties. It has been suggested that the leaf extracts may affect blood parameters. Objectives: To investigate the effects of aqueous extracts of T. occidentalis leaves on haematological indices and liver enzymes in rats. Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats weighing between 150g and 200g were used for the study. They were categorized into four groups of six rats each viz: high-dose, medium-dose, low-dose, and control groups. The leaf extract was administered in doses of 300mg/kg, 200mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg, respectively, while the control group received distilled water rather than leaf extracts.  Results: There was a dose-dependent decrease in the concentrations of liver enzymes and an increase in blood parameters. There was a significant difference (p = 0.000) in the mean red blood cells countof the control group (7.5±0.2×1012/L) compared to the low-dose group (9.1±0.1×1012/L), the medium-dose group (11.7±0.2×1012/L) and the high-dose group (13.3±0.2×1012/L).For the liver enzymes, there was a significant decrease in the mean AST levels in the high-dose group (42.8±3.5 IU/L), the medium-dose group (53.7±5.7IU/L) and the low-dose group (68.5±3.5IU/L) were compared to the value for the control group (88.6 ±2.5× 1012/L). Conclusions: Using an animal model, Telfairia occidentalis may have hepatoprotective and haemopoietic properties.


Author(s):  
O. H. Ayoade ◽  
G. G. Akunna ◽  
F. I. Duru

This study evaluated camphora-induced androgenic and histopathological changes in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Thirty-five animals weighing 200 g±20 g were used for this study and randomly divided equally into five groups, with seven rats in each group. Group A animals (normal control group) were served water and rat chow only; Groups B-D (treatment groups) were orally administered camphora in doses of 1 g/kg (Low-dose), 2 g/kg (Medium-dose) and 4 g/kg (High-dose) respectively while Group E (vehicle group) were orally administered 6 mL/kg olive oil (a solvent for camphora) per day for 56 days. There was a significant decrease (P< .05) in activity levels of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH); Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) when the treatment was compared with the control group. Also, a significant decrease (P< .05) in activity level of FSH was observed when the Medium-dose group was compared with Low-dose group. Insignificant irregular pattern in activity level of Testosterone was observed across the treatment groups when compared with the control. However, a significant increase (P< .05) in activity level of Testosterone was observed when the High-dose group was compared with the Medium-dose group. There was a significant increase (P< .05) in activity levels of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) when the treatment was compared with the control group. Semen analysis showed reduction in sperm concentration, motility and morphology with increasing concentration of camphora. Significant decrease was recorded in testicular weight when High-dose group was compared to Control and Low-dose groups. Histopathological changes were seen in the testes of the camphor administered groups, ranging from mild disintegrated interstitial tissues in Low-dose to severe degeneration and disintegration of both seminiferous and interstitial tissues in the testes in the Medium-dose and High-dose groups. In conclusion, camphora had androgenic and toxic effects on testis and may cause testicular tissue damage.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 109-114
Author(s):  
Jie Xu ◽  
Yilong Wang ◽  
Anxin Wang ◽  
Zhiqiang Gao ◽  
Xiaoping Gao ◽  
...  

BackgroundEdaravone Dexborneol is a novel neuroprotective agent that comprised edaravone and (+)-borneol, a food additive with an anti-inflammatory effect in animal ischaemic stroke models. This study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of Edaravone Dexborneol compared with edaravone in treating patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS).MethodsIn this multicentre, randomised, double-blind, multiple-dose, active-controlled, phase II clinical trial, patients with AIS within 48 hours after stroke onset were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) to low-dose (12.5 mg), medium-dose (37.5 mg) or high-dose (62.5 mg) Edaravone Dexborneol groups, and an active control group with edaravone (30 mg) by 30 min intravenous infusion every 12 hours, for 14 consecutive days. The primary efficacy outcome was the proportion of modified Rankin Scale (mRS)score ≤1 at 90 days and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score change from baseline to 14 days after randomisation. The safety outcome included any adverse event during 90 days after treatment.ResultsOf 385 patients included in the efficacy analysis, 94 were randomised to low-dose group, 97 to medium-dose group, 98 to high-dose group and 96 to the control group. No significant difference was observed among the four groups on mRS score (mRS ≤1, p=0.4054) at 90 days or NIHSS score change at 14 days (p=0.6799). However, a numerically higher percentage of patients with mRSscore ≤1 at 90 days in the medium-dose (69.39%) and high-dose (65.63%) groups was observed than in the control group (60.64%). No significant difference in severe adverse events was found among the four groups (p=0.3815).ConclusionsCompared with edaravone alone, Edaravone Dexborneol was safe and well tolerated at all doses, although no significant improvement in functional outcomes was observed at 90days.Trial registration numberNCT01929096.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 176
Author(s):  
Toshiaki Iba ◽  
Jerrold H. Levy ◽  
Koichiro Aihara ◽  
Katsuhiko Kadota ◽  
Hiroshi Tanaka ◽  
...  

(1) Background: The endothelial glycocalyx is a primary target during the early phase of sepsis. We previously reported a newly developed recombinant non-fucosylated antithrombin has protective effects in vitro. We further evaluated the effects of this recombinant antithrombin on the glycocalyx damage in an animal model of sepsis. (2) Methods: Following endotoxin injection, in Wistar rats, circulating levels of hyaluronan, syndecan-1 and other biomarkers were evaluated in low-dose or high-dose recombinant antithrombin-treated animals and a control group (n = 7 per group). Leukocyte adhesion and blood flow were evaluated with intravital microscopy. The glycocalyx was also examined using side-stream dark-field imaging. (3) Results: The activation of coagulation was inhibited by recombinant antithrombin, leukocyte adhesion was significantly decreased, and flow was better maintained in the high-dose group (both p < 0.05). Circulating levels of syndecan-1 (p < 0.01, high-dose group) and hyaluronan (p < 0.05, low-dose group; p < 0.01, high-dose group) were significantly reduced by recombinant antithrombin treatment. Increases in lactate and decreases in albumin levels were significantly attenuated in the high-dose group (p < 0.05, respectively). The glycocalyx thickness was reduced over time in control animals, but the derangement was attenuated and microvascular perfusion was better maintained in the high-dose group recombinant antithrombin group (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: Recombinant antithrombin maintained vascular integrity and the microcirculation by preserving the glycocalyx in this sepsis model, effects that were more prominent with high-dose therapy.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 171
Author(s):  
Hamid Reza Adeli Bhroz ◽  
Kazem Parivar ◽  
Iraj Amiri ◽  
Nasim Hayati Roodbari

Background and Aim: Thyroid is one of the endocrine glands, (T3 and T4) play a significant role in the development of prenatal brain and the following stages. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of hypothyroidism on the amount of expression of NT4, NT3, nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in brain of one-day rat neonates with hypothyroidism.Materials and Methods: In total, 25 mature mice of Albino NMRI race were selected after mating, divided into three group, control, as well as low-dose and high-dose intervention groups. Samples of the control group received pure water during pregnancy, whereas subjects of the intervention group with low and high doses of the medication were administered with 20 mg and 100 mg methimazole powder (dissolved in 100 cc water), respectively. After child delivery, blood samples were obtained from mother mice to determine the level of T3 and T4 in blood serum. Following that, the brain of one-day mice were removed by surgery and assessed to determine the amount of expression of NT4, NT3, NGF and BDNF using the complete kit of RT-PCR.Results: Levels of T4 and T3 in the control group were 28 ug/dl and 1.59 ug/dl, respectively. In the low-dose intervention group, the amounts of the mentioned hormones were 8 ug/dl and 0.85 ug/dl, significantly, indicating a significant reduction in the expression of NT4, NT3, NGF and BDNF genes, compared to the control group. Moreover, T4 and T3 were 6 ug/dl and 0.79 ug/dl in the high-dose group, respectively, conveying a significant decrease in the expression of NT4, NT3, NGF and BDNF genes, compared to the control group (P<0.05).


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Tao Hong ◽  
Long-Xue Li ◽  
Xiao-ping Han ◽  
Jing-liang Shi ◽  
Cai-yun Dan ◽  
...  

In this study, the effects of Astragalus membranaceus oral solution on lifespan and learning and memory abilities of honey bees were evaluated. Two groups of bees were fed with sucrose syrup (50%) containing low dose (1.33%) and high dose (13.3%) of A. membranaceus oral solution, respectively. The proboscis extension response (PER) analysis was applied to examine the learning and memory capabilities of bees. Two genes related to memory formation in honey bees were determined by real-time PCR. High dose (13.3%) of A. membranaceus significantly decreased the mean lifespan of bees compared to the bees fed with low dose (1.33%) and control bees. No significant differences in lifespan of bees were found between low-dose-fed bees and control bees. The results of PER experiments showed apparent improvement in the memorizing ability of the high-dose group (in comparison with the control group). Moreover, the relative expression levels of Nmdar1 in the low-dose group and control group were significantly lower than those in the high-dose group. It is preliminarily concluded that A. membranaceus has an adverse effect on the mean lifespan of honey bees but might be helpful in strengthening memories.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Shaodong Deng ◽  
Hongmei Lu ◽  
Honggang Chi ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
Xiao Li ◽  
...  

Morinda officinalis F.C. How. (Rubiaceae) is a herbal medicine. It has been recorded that its oligosaccharides have neuroprotective properties. In order to understand the oligosaccharides extracted from Morinda officinalis (OMO), a systematic study was conducted to provide evidence that supports its use in neuroprotective therapies for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD rat models were prepared with D-galactose and Aβ25–35. The following groups were used in the present experiment: normal control group, sham-operated group, model group, Aricept group, OMO low-dose group, OMO medium-dose group, and OMO high-dose group. The effects on behavioral tests, antioxidant levels, energy metabolism, neurotransmitter levels, and AD-related proteins were detected with corresponding methodologies. AD rats administered with different doses of OMO all exhibited a significant (P<0.05) decrease in latency and an increase (P<0.05) in the ratio of swimming distance to total distance in a dose-dependent manner in the Morris water maze. There was a significant (P<0.05) increase in antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT), neurotransmitter levels (acetylcholine, γ-GABA, and NE and DA), energy metabolism (Na+/K+-ATPase), and relative synaptophysin (SYP) expression levels in AD rats administered with OMO. Furthermore, there was a significant (P<0.05) decrease in MDA levels and relative expression levels of APP, tau, and caspase-3 in AD rats with OMO. The present research suggests that OMO protects against D-galactose and Aβ25–35-induced neurodegeneration, which may provide a novel strategy for improving AD in clinic.


Blood ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 99 (11) ◽  
pp. 4237-4239 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Hermida ◽  
José Zarza ◽  
Ignacio Alberca ◽  
Ramón Montes ◽  
Marı́a Luz López ◽  
...  

The 2C9*3 and 2C9*2 polymorphisms of cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9 are associated with hypersensitivity to warfarin and bleeding. The effect of these polymorphisms on sensitivity to acenocoumarol is unknown. Three groups of patients, with low, medium, or high acenocoumarol-dose requirements, were studied. Age influenced the acenocoumarol sensitivity. Bearing the 2C9*3 allele was associated with the need for a lower acenocoumarol dose (odds ratio [OR], 6.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.50-24.18); 80% of carriers of the 2C9*3 allele required a low dose. The 2C9*2 allele was associated with a lower acenocoumarol-dose requirement (OR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.11-6.58) because of a reduced risk of the need for a high acenocoumarol dose (4.8% of the patients in the high-dose group carried the 2C9*2 allele versus 34.1% and 30.2%, respectively, in the medium-dose and low-dose groups). Therefore, carriers of 2C9*3 may need a low initial loading dose of acenocoumarol. Because acenocoumarol sensitivity with the 2C9*2 variant does not seem to be clinically relevant, the drug could be an alternative to warfarin in 2C9*2 carriers.


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