Neuroprotective Effects of Berberine Hydrochloride on Cognitive Dysfunction-Induced by Methamphetamine: Immunohistochemical and Behavioral Studies in Rats

Introduction: Methamphetamine (MA) as an addictive psychostimulant drug affects the central nervous system. The present research aimed at evaluating the impact of Berberine-hydrochloride on cognitive function Improvement and neuroprotective effects in MA Addicted Rats. Methods: In this study, 27 Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to three groups, including Control, MA addiction and MA addiction with Berberine Hydrochloride (100 mg/kg/day) per oral during the three-week period of withdrawal. Two groups received inhaled MA self-administration for two weeks (up to 10 mg/kg). Following the experimental procedures, Morris Water Maze (MWM) and shuttle box were used to assess memory and hippocampal sections from the animals were examined for caspase-3, ki-67 and GFAP expression. Results: The obtained results from MWM showed that Berberine Hydrochloride decreases (p<0.01) the distance moved and spent time to reach the hidden platform in four-day learning trails phase and there were significant differences in the distance moved, spent time and frequency of motion in target quadrant on probe test day between groups. Berberine Hydrochloride reduced also the latency to enter animals into the dark chamber in the treated group in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). A significant decrease in activation of caspases-3, higher percentages of Ki67 expression and increase in GFAP expression of cells in Addicted group was found to compare with Berberine-treated and control groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: Berberine Hydrochloride administration for 3 weeks improves cognition function in MA addiction and it has a potential for neuroprotective efficacy.

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When is a Match Sufficient? A Score-based Balance Metric for the Synthetic Control Method

Journal of Causal Inference ◽

10.1515/jci-2020-0013 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 209-228

Author(s):

Layla Parast ◽

Priscillia Hunt ◽

Beth Ann Griffin ◽

David Powell

Keyword(s):

Los Angeles ◽

Control Method ◽

Control Unit ◽

Treated Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Synthetic Control ◽

Donor Pool ◽

Synthetic Control Method ◽

The Mean ◽

The Impact

AbstractIn some applications, researchers using the synthetic control method (SCM) to evaluate the effect of a policy may struggle to determine whether they have identified a “good match” between the control group and treated group. In this paper, we demonstrate the utility of the mean and maximum Absolute Standardized Mean Difference (ASMD) as a test of balance between a synthetic control unit and treated unit, and provide guidance on what constitutes a poor fit when using a synthetic control. We explore and compare other potential metrics using a simulation study. We provide an application of our proposed balance metric to the 2013 Los Angeles (LA) Firearm Study [9]. Using Uniform Crime Report data, we apply the SCM to obtain a counterfactual for the LA firearm-related crime rate based on a weighted combination of control units in a donor pool of cities. We use this counterfactual to estimate the effect of the LA Firearm Study intervention and explore the impact of changing the donor pool and pre-intervention duration period on resulting matches and estimated effects. We demonstrate how decision-making about the quality of a synthetic control can be improved by using ASMD. The mean and max ASMD clearly differentiate between poor matches and good matches. Researchers need better guidance on what is a meaningful imbalance between synthetic control and treated groups. In addition to the use of gap plots, the proposed balance metric can provide an objective way of determining fit.

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Neuroprotective effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and relationship to promotion of angiogenesis after spinal cord injury in rats

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2011.5.spine10421 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. 414-421 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Junko Kawabe ◽

Masao Koda ◽

Masayuki Hashimoto ◽

Takayuki Fujiyoshi ◽

Takeo Furuya ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Treated Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor ◽

Colony Stimulating Factor ◽

Neuroprotective Effects ◽

Cord Injury ◽

Bone Marrow Derived Cells ◽

Stimulating Factor ◽

Angiogenic Cytokines

Object Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has neuroprotective effects on the CNS. The authors have previously demonstrated that G-CSF also exerts neuroprotective effects in experimental spinal cord injury (SCI) by enhancing migration of bone marrow–derived cells into the damaged spinal cord, increasing glial differentiation of bone marrow–derived cells, enhancing antiapoptotic effects on both neurons and oligodendrocytes, and by reducing demyelination and expression of inflammatory cytokines. Because the degree of angiogenesis in the subacute phase after SCI correlates with regenerative responses, it is possible that G-CSF's neuroprotective effects after SCI are due to enhancement of angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of G-CSF on the vascular system after SCI. Methods A contusive SCI rat model was used and the animals were randomly allocated to either a G-CSF–treated group or a control group. Integrity of the blood–spinal cord barrier was evaluated by measuring the degree of edema in the cord and the volume of extravasation. For histological evaluation, cryosections were immunostained with anti–von Willebrand factor and the number of vessels was counted to assess revascularization. Real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was performed to assess expression of angiogenic cytokines, and recovery of motor function was assessed with function tests. Results In the G-CSF–treated rats, the total number of vessels with a diameter > 20 μm was significantly larger and expression of angiogenic cytokines was significantly higher than those in the control group. The G-CSF–treated group showed significantly greater recovery of hindlimb function than the control group. Conclusions These results suggest that G-CSF exerts neuroprotective effects via promotion of angiogenesis after SCI.

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Effects of proportional high-protein/low-carbohydrate formulated diet consumption in diabetic rats: Beneficial impact on glycemic and weight control

African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development ◽

10.18697/ajfand.95.19950 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (07) ◽

pp. 16984-16996

Author(s):

MMC Anyakudo ◽

◽

DO Adeniji ◽

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Wistar Rats ◽

Treated Group ◽

Morphological Features ◽

High Protein ◽

Control Group ◽

Formulated Diet ◽

Low Carbohydrate ◽

Male Wistar Rats ◽

And Control

The metabolic response to nutrient ingestion and the rate of digestion and absorption of nutrient molecules in bowel physiology plays an important role in the metabolic control of some human chronic non-infectious diseases. This experimentally-controlled designed nutritional study which lasted eight weeks aimed to determine the effects of proportional high-protein/low-carbohydrate (HP/LC) formulated diet on glycemic tolerance, glycemic control, body weight, organ weight and organ morphometry in healthy and diabetic adult male Wistar rats. Twenty-four male Wistar rats purchased from a disease-free stock were randomly categorized into four groups (n = 6, each) after two weeks acclimatization period in raised stainless steel cages with 6 mm2mesh floor and replaceable numbered blotters papers placed under each cage in a well-ventilated animal house. Animal groups include: Healthy control group (HC), Healthy treated group (HT), Diabetic control group (DC) and Diabetic treated group (DT. The animals were fed according to the experimental design with water ad libitumfor eight weeks. Diabetes was inducted with freshly prepared alloxan monohydrate solution (150 mg/kg bw, intraperitoneally). Body weights and fasting blood sugar concentrations were measured twice weekly, while oral glucose tolerance test was conducted on the last day of the eighth-week study and subsequently followed by organs extraction after anesthesia for weight and gross assessment. Proportional high-protein/low-carbohydrate formulated diet caused significant reduction in mean body weight of treated diabetic (DT: 22.6%; P= .001) and healthy (HT: 5.8%; P= .007) rats while the control animals on control diet recorded significant (P< .05) increase in body weight gain (DC: 12.4%; HC: 11.2%). Glycemic tolerance and control improved significantly in diabetic treated rats over that of the healthy treated rats. Gross morphometry of the extracted organs (kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, spleen and testes) revealed sustained normal morphological features without any visible lesion. In conclusion, consumption of proportional high-protein/low-carbohydrate formulated diet enhanced body weight reduction and sustained normal organ morphological features with good glycemic tolerance and control in experimental rats, suggesting its dietary potentiality, safety and suitability to ameliorate obesity-related diabetes.

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Saw Palmetto Extract Inhibits Metastasis and Antiangiogenesis through STAT3 Signal Pathway in Glioma Cell

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2015/926946 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hong Ding ◽

Jinglian Shen ◽

Yang Yang ◽

Yuqin Che

Keyword(s):

Glioma Cell ◽

Treated Group ◽

Signal Pathway ◽

Control Group ◽

Human Glioma ◽

Saw Palmetto ◽

Stat3 Signaling ◽

Cell Metastasis ◽

Apoptosis Related Protein ◽

The Impact

Signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 3 (STAT3) plays an important role in the proliferation and angiogenesis in human glioma. Previous research indicated that saw palmetto extract markedly inhibited the proliferation of human glioma cells through STAT3 signal pathway. But its effect on tumor metastasis and antiangiogenesis is not clear. This study is to further clear the impact of saw palmetto extract on glioma cell metastasis, antiangiogenesis, and its mechanism. TUNEL assay indicated that the apoptotic cells in the saw palmetto treated group are higher than that in the control group (p<0.05). The apoptosis related protein is detected and the results revealed that saw palmetto extract inhibits the proliferation of human glioma. Meanwhile pSTAT3 is lower in the experimental group and CD34 is also inhibited in the saw palmetto treated group. This means that saw palmetto extract could inhibit the angiogenesis in glioma. We found that saw palmetto extract was an important phytotherapeutic drug against the human glioma through STAT3 signal pathway. Saw palmetto extract may be useful as an adjunctive therapeutic agent for treatment of individuals with glioma and other types of cancer in which STAT3 signaling is activated.

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Effect of Pistacia atlantica subsp. kurdica Gum in Experimental Periodontitis Induced in Wistar Rats by Utilization of Osteoclastogenic Bone Markers

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules25245819 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (24) ◽

pp. 5819

Author(s):

Shokhan H. Azeez ◽

Shanaz M. Gaphor ◽

Aram M. Sha ◽

Balkees T. Garib

Keyword(s):

Wistar Rats ◽

Bone Markers ◽

Inflammatory Cells ◽

Treated Group ◽

Surrounding Tissue ◽

Control Group ◽

Pistacia Atlantica ◽

Male Wistar Rats ◽

Experimental Periodontitis ◽

Serum Rankl

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of local application of essential oil of Pistacia atlantica kurdica (EOK) gel in treatment of experimentally induced periodontitis in rats and its effect on osteoclastogenic bone markers. Twenty-four male Wistar rats of 250 to 350 g were used in this study and were allocated into four groups. Control negative (without induced periodontitis), control positive (induced experimental periodontitis left without treatment), treatment control (induced experimental periodontitis and treated with Chlorhexidine gel) and EOK treated group (induced experimental periodontitis treated with EOK gel). The animals were sacrificed after 30 days, and the mandibular central incisor and surrounding tissue were dissected from the mandible and further processed for preparing H&E slides. Inflammatory cells, osteoclast cells, and periodontal ligament (PDL) were examined and measured histologically. Finally, the mean concentrations of both markers, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL) and (Interleukin-1β) IL-1β, were analyzed by ELISA. A significant reduction of inflammatory reaction and osteoclast numbers with improvement of PDL and low mean concentrations of RANKL and IL-1β were seen in the EOK treated group in comparison to the control group and the chlorhexidine group as well. The extract showed a protective effect in the healing of periodontitis that had been induced in rats and decreased bone resorption by down regulation of serum RANKL and IL-1β markers.

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Investigation of dacomitinib on reducing cell necrosis and enhancing cell apoptosis in C6 glioma rat model by MRI

Bioscience Reports ◽

10.1042/bsr20190006 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 39 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Wang-Sheng Chen ◽

Lan Hong ◽

Fei Wang ◽

Jian-Jun Li

Keyword(s):

Growth Factor Receptor ◽

Treated Group ◽

C6 Glioma ◽

Control Group ◽

Resonance Spectroscopy ◽

Cell Necrosis ◽

1H Mrs ◽

Ki 67 ◽

Adc Value ◽

Rat Glioma

Abstract Background: Glioma is one of the most epidemic and obstinate types of cancer in the central nervous system (CNS) with poor survival rate. Dacomitinib inhibited cell viability and proliferation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-amplified glioma. In the present study, the regional effects of Dacomitinib on tumor necrosis was investigated. Methods: A C6 rat glioma model was evaluated using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS), diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), and morphological T2-weighted imaging (T2W). The effects of Dacomitinib on glioma cells were investigated using methods of immunohistochemistry and Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining. Results: The obtained data indicated that metabolite ratios were significantly decreased (all P<0.05) in the Dacomitinib-treated group compared with C6 glioma control group. The ADC value of necrotic core in Dacomitinib group was significantly lower than that in control group. In addition, the expression of Ki-67 in Dacomitinib-treated group (50.32 ± 5.61) was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05). The apoptotic index (AI) (28.01 ± 2.37) in Dacomitinib-treated group was significantly higher than that in control group (11.58 ± 3.17). Conclusion: The results demonstrated that the Dacomitinib could suppress glioma cell necrosis and proliferation.

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Metallothionein-II Inhibits Lipid Peroxidation and Improves Functional Recovery after Transient Brain Ischemia and Reperfusion in Rats

Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity ◽

10.1155/2014/436429 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Araceli Diaz-Ruiz ◽

Patricia Vacio-Adame ◽

Antonio Monroy-Noyola ◽

Marisela Méndez-Armenta ◽

Alma Ortiz-Plata ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lipid Peroxidation ◽

Frontal Cortex ◽

Neurological Deficit ◽

Neuroprotective Effect ◽

Treated Group ◽

Neurological Deficits ◽

Control Group ◽

Ischemia And Reperfusion ◽

Male Wistar Rats ◽

Neuroprotective Treatment

After transient cerebral ischemia and reperfusion (I/R), damaging mechanisms, such as excitotoxicity and oxidative stress, lead to irreversible neurological deficits. The induction of metallothionein-II (MT-II) protein is an endogenous mechanism after I/R. Our aim was to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of MT-II after I/R in rats. Male Wistar rats were transiently occluded at the middle cerebral artery for 2 h, followed by reperfusion. Rats received either MT (10 μg per rat i.p.) or vehicle after ischemia. Lipid peroxidation (LP) was measured 22 h after reperfusion in frontal cortex and hippocampus; also, neurological deficit was evaluated after ischemia, using the Longa scoring scale. Infarction area was analyzed 72 hours after ischemia. Results showed increased LP in frontal cortex (30.7%) and hippocampus (26.4%), as compared to control group; this effect was fully reversed by MT treatment. Likewise, we also observed a diminished neurological deficit assessed by the Longa scale in those animals treated with MT compared to control group values. The MT-treated group showed a significant (P<0.05) reduction of 39.9% in the infarction area, only at the level of hippocampus, as compared to control group. Results suggest that MT-II may be a novel neuroprotective treatment to prevent ischemia injury.

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Western diet in the perinatal period promotes dysautonomia in the offspring of adult rats

Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease ◽

10.1017/s2040174416000623 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 216-225 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

R. Vidal-Santos ◽

F. N. Macedo ◽

M. N. S. Santana ◽

V. U. De Melo ◽

J. L. de Brito Alves ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Low Density Lipoprotein ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Systolic Arterial Pressure ◽

Perinatal Period ◽

Western Diet ◽

Control Group ◽

Standard Diet ◽

Adult Rats ◽

Male Wistar Rats ◽

The Impact

The present study investigated the impact of a western diet during gestation and lactation on the anthropometry, serum biochemical, blood pressure and cardiovascular autonomic control on the offspring. Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups according to their mother’s diet received: control group (C: 18% calories of lipids) and westernized group (W: 32% calories of lipids). After weaning both groups received standard diet. On the 60th day of life, blood samples were collected for the analysis of fasting glucose and lipidogram. Cardiovascular parameters were measured on the same period. Autonomic nervous system modulation was evaluated by spectrum analysis of heart rate (HR) and systolic arterial pressure (SAP). The W increased glycemia (123±2v. 155±2 mg/dl), low-density lipoprotein (15±1v. 31±2 mg/dl), triglycerides (49±1v. 85±2 mg/dl), total cholesterol (75±2v. 86±2 mg/dl), and decreased high-density lipoprotein (50±4v. 38±3 mg/dl), as well as increased body mass (209±4v. 229±6 g) than C. Furthermore, the W showed higher SAP (130±4v. 157±2 mmHg), HR (357±10v. 428±14 bpm), sympathetic modulation to vessels (2.3±0.56v. 6±0.84 mmHg2) and LF/HF ratio (0.15±0.01v. 0.7±0.2) than C. These findings suggest that a western diet during pregnancy and lactation leads to overweight associated with autonomic misbalance and hypertension in adulthood.

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Neurotoxic Effects of Stanozolol on Male Rats‘ Hippocampi: Does Stanozolol cause apoptosis?

BioMolecular Concepts ◽

10.1515/bmc-2019-0009 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 73-81

Author(s):

Faezeh Nemati Karimooy ◽

Alireza Ebrahimzadeh Bideskan ◽

Abbas Mohammadi Pour ◽

Seyed Mahmoud Hoseini

Keyword(s):

Histopathological Examination ◽

Apoptotic Cell ◽

Cell Formation ◽

Treated Group ◽

Male Rats ◽

Control Group ◽

Cell Detection ◽

Apoptotic Effect ◽

Male Wistar Rats ◽

The Mean

AbstractStanozolol is an anabolic-androgenic steroid which is commonly abused by athletes for improved energy, appearance, and physical size. It has been previously shown to cause changes in behaviour and has various physical effects. Studies have previously been conducted on its neurotoxic effect on the central nervous system (CNS), which are typically psychological in nature. This study was performed to investigate the apoptotic effect of stanozolol on different parts of the rat hippocampus. Sixteen male Wistar rats were divided randomly into two groups (experimental and control). The experimental group received subcutaneous injections of stanozolol (5mg/kg/day) for consecutive 28 days, whereas the control group received saline using the same dosing schedule and administration route. After routine procedures, coronal sections of rat brain were stained with Toluidine blue and TUNEL for pre-apoptotic and apoptotic cell detection, respectively. In order to compare groups, the mean number of TUNEL-positive and pre-apoptotic neurons per unit area were calculated and analysed. Histopathological examination revealed that the mean number of pre-apoptotic and apoptotic neurons in the CA1, CA2, CA3 and DG areas of the hippocampus were significantly increased in the stanozolol treated group. In conclusion, stanozolol abuse may induce pre-apoptotic and apoptotic cell formation in different regions of the hippocampus.

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Impact of synbiotic diets including inulin, Bacillus coagulans and Lactobacillus plantarum on intestinal microbiota of rat exposed to cadmium and mercury

Veterinary Science Development ◽

10.4081/vsd.2015.6061 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Dornoush Jafarpour ◽

Seyed Shahram Shekarforoush ◽

Hamid Reza Ghaisari ◽

Saeid Nazifi ◽

Javad Sajedianfard

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Intestinal Microbiota ◽

Anaerobic Bacteria ◽

Bacillus Coagulans ◽

Treated Group ◽

Inhibitory Effect ◽

Control Group ◽

Standard Diet ◽

Male Wistar Rats ◽

Group 1

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of two probiotics and a prebiotic (inulin) on intestinal microbiota of rats exposed to cadmium and mercury. Fifty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into nine groups. All groups except control group were fed standard rat chow with 5% inulin and treated as follows: i) control (standard diet), ii) Lactobacillus plantarum- treated group (1×109 CFU/day), iii) Bacillus coagulans-treated group (1×109 spores/day), iv) cadmium-treated group (200 μg/rat/day), v) L. plantarum and cadmium-treated group, vi) B. coagulans and cadmium-treated group, vii) mercury-treated group (10 μg/rat/day), viii) L. plantarum and mercurytreated group, ix) B. coagulans and mercurytreated group. Cadmium, mercury and probiotics were daily gavaged to individual rats for 42 days. Treatment effects on intestinal microbiota composition of rats were determined. Data showed that cadmium and mercury accumulation in rat intestine affected the gastrointestinal tract and had a reduction effect on all microbial counts (total aerobic bacteria, total anaerobic bacteria, total Lactic acid bacteria, L. plantarum and B. coagulans counts) compared to the control group. It was also observed that application of synbiotics in synbiotic and heavy metals-treated groups had a significant effect and increased the number of fecal bacteria compared to the heavy metals groups. Based on our study, it can be concluded that L. plantarum and B. coagulans along with prebiotic inulin play a role in protection against cadmium and mercury inhibitory effect and have the potential to be a beneficial supplement in rats’ diets.

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