scholarly journals Effect of Sulfur Dioxide Inhalation on Lung Microbiota in Rat Model

2020 ◽  
pp. 21-26
Author(s):  
Xiaoyu Li ◽  
Qianru Wang ◽  
Meng Wang
Keyword(s):  
Sulfur Dioxide ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wall Thickening ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Exposure Group ◽  
Bronchial Wall ◽  
And Control ◽  
Pathological Structure

Purpose: To investigate the effect of sulfur dioxide on the lung microbiota of healthy rats. Methods Fifteen male rats were randomly divided into high dose and low dose exposure group and control group. After 7 days of SO2 exposure, the lung tissues were obtained and the lung microbiota was identified by Illumina high-throughput sequencing. Results The microbial community of lung microbiota was significantly alternated in the exposure group and the dominant phylum changed from Firmicutes to Proteobacteria. In addition, the SO2 exposure caused the bronchial wall thickening and a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration in the lungs of rats in exposure groups. Conclusions The results suggest that SO2 can significantly alter the lung microbiota and pathological structure of the lungs.

Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Bisphenol A (BPA) Exposure During Breastfeeding on the Biochemical and Endocrine Profiles in Rats

2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (06) ◽  
pp. 491-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Santos-Silva ◽  
Egberto de Moura ◽  
Cintia Pinheiro ◽  
Elaine Oliveira ◽  
Patricia Lisboa
Keyword(s):  
Bisphenol A ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Adult Rat ◽  
Endocrine Profiles ◽  
And Control

AbstractNeonates can be exposed to bisphenol A (BPA) through placenta and milk, and BPA is associated with disorders such as precocious puberty and obesity. We evaluated the effects of BPA exposure during breastfeeding on the biochemical and endocrine profiles in young and adult rat progeny. From postnatal day (PND) 3 to 15 dams were divided into low-dose BPA treatment [50 μg/kg/day s.c. (BPA-LD)], high-dose BPA treatment [5 mg/kg/day s.c. (BPA-HD)], and Control (vehicle) groups. Milk was collected at PND15 and 21, which represents the end of exposure and 6 days after withdrawal, respectively. Dams were euthanized at weaning. Offspring of both genders were euthanized at PND15, 21, and 180. Milk estradiol levels were lower in the BPA-HD group than in the control group at PND 15; however, they were higher at PND21. Female rats whose mothers were BPA-exposed showed more significant differences from those in the control group, including better glycemic control and lipid profiles and higher food intake without higher adiposity, in adulthood than in the weaning period, when they presented with higher adiposity and hyperestrogenism. Conversely, male rats showed more abnormalities after BPA exposure compared to control rats, including insulin, leptin, testosterone, and thyroid hormone changes, when young but exhibited fewer alterations in adulthood, with increase only in LDLc in the BPA-HD rats. Taken together, the present findings suggest that exposure to BPA exclusively through milk affects adiposity, metabolism, and/or hormones of offspring in the short and long term, possibly compromising normal development in both sexes.

scholarly journals Pulmonary changes on HRCT scans in nonsmoking females with COPD due to wood smoke exposure

2013 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Auxiliadora Carmo Moreira ◽  
Maria Alves Barbosa ◽  
Maria Conceição de Castro Antonelli Monteiro de Queiroz ◽  
Kim Ir Sen Santos Teixeira ◽  
Pedro Paulo Teixeira e Silva Torres ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Data ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Smoke Exposure ◽  
Wood Smoke ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wall Thickening ◽  
Bronchial Wall ◽  
History Of ◽  
Pulmonary Changes ◽  
And Control

OBJECTIVE: To identify and characterize alterations seen on HRCT scans in nonsmoking females with COPD due to wood smoke exposure. METHODS: We evaluated 42 nonsmoking females diagnosed with wood smoke-related COPD and 31 nonsmoking controls with no history of wood smoke exposure or pulmonary disease. The participants completed a questionnaire regarding demographic data, symptoms, and environmental exposure. All of the participants underwent spirometry and HRCT of the chest. The COPD and control groups were adjusted for age (23 patients each). RESULTS: Most of the patients in the study group were diagnosed with mild to moderate COPD (83.3%). The most common findings on HRCT scans in the COPD group were bronchial wall thickening, bronchiectasis, mosaic perfusion pattern, parenchymal bands, tree-in-bud pattern, and laminar atelectasis (p < 0.001 vs. the control group for all). The alterations were generally mild and not extensive. There was a positive association between bronchial wall thickening and hour-years of wood smoke exposure. Centrilobular emphysema was uncommon, and its occurrence did not differ between the groups (p = 0.232). CONCLUSIONS: Wood smoke exposure causes predominantly bronchial changes, which can be detected by HRCT, even in patients with mild COPD.

scholarly journals Effect of Different Doses of Nitrate Supplements on hepatocellular Damage Markers in Male Sprague Dawley Rats Following One Session of Exercise

2020 ◽  
pp. 119-133
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Hepatocellular Damage ◽  
Sprague Dawley Rats ◽  
And Control ◽  
Different Doses

Background: Hepatocellular damage caused by physical activity or the use of supplements is one of the serious problems facing athletes in various fields. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different doses of nitric oxide supplements on AST and ALT liver enzymes and the ratio of AST to ALT following a session of eccentric exercise in Sprague Dawley male rats. Materials and Methods: In this study, 36 Sprague Dawley male rats (two months old) were divided into three groups of control, low dose (4.8 mg/kg body weight), and high dose of NO supplements (15.4 mg/kg body weight). Supplements were given to rats for seven days. Subsequently, all three groups of rats were forced to run on a treadmill for 45 min with a speed of 20 m/min, and a slope of -15 degrees. Blood samples were taken directly from cardiac puncture of rats 24 h after the running exercise. Blood serum variables of the study were measured afterward. Results: Low dose of nitrate supplements did not change AST and ALT indices, while the high dose of nitrate supplements increased ALT serum level and decreased AST to ALT ratio, compared to a low dose of NO supplements and control group. Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, the consumption of a low dose of NO supplements does not change hepatocellular damage markers, while the high dose of NO supplements causes degeneration of hepatic cells in athletes.

scholarly journals Effects of Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH-γ-Isomer, Lindane) Intoxication on the Proliferation and Apoptosis in Rat Testes

2009 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 615-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hayati Yuksel ◽  
Erkan Karadas ◽  
Hikmet Keles ◽  
Hasan Huseyin Demirel
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cell ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Histopathological Changes ◽  
Proliferation And Apoptosis ◽  
Group A ◽  
Higher Doses ◽  
Group 1

In this study, experimentally lindane-induced histopathological changes and proliferation and/or apoptosis in germ cells in the rat testes were investigated. A total of 40 healthy fertile 3-month-old male rats were used. Animals were divided into 4 groups, each containing 10 rats. Group 1 (control) was given only pure olive oil, Groups 2, 3 and 4 were administered lindane at 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg/bw, respectively, by gastric gavage for 30 days. Microscopically, degenerative changes were observed in the lindane-treated groups. For proliferative activity PCNA immunolabelling and for germ cells apoptosis TUNEL methods were performed. Although a strong PCNA positivity in the control group was observed, a gradual decrease was noted in the lindane-treated groups especially at higher doses. Significant increases of apoptosis were seen in the lindane-treated groups compared to the control group. A decrease in testosterone concentrations was observed in lindane-treated groups compared to the control group. The study indicates that high-dose lindane intoxication contributes to the suppression of spermatogenesis through a reduction of germ cell proliferation and an increase of germ cell death in rat testes.

Lipidomics Study of the Therapeutic Mechanism of Plantaginis Semen in Potassium Oxonate-Induced Hyperuricemia Rat

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenjun Shi ◽  
Fei Yang ◽  
Liting Wang ◽  
Nankun Qin ◽  
Chengxiang Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Male Rats ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Intragastric Administration ◽  
Group Model ◽  
Model Group ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Plantaginis Semen ◽  
Potassium Oxonate

Abstract BackgroundPlantaginis semen has been widely used as folk medicine and health care food against hyperuricemia (HUA) and gout, but little was known about its pharmacological mechanism. MethodsThe model was established by potassium oxonate intragastric administration. 42 Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were randomly divided into the control group, model group, benzbromarone group (10 mg/kg) and three Plantaginis semen groups (n = 7). The Plantaginis semen groups were treated orally with Plantaginis semen at 0.9375, 1.875 and 3.75 g/kg for 28 days. The levels of serum uric acid (UA), creatinine (Cr), triacylglycerol (TG) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Ultra performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) was used as the basis for serum lipidomics analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was carried out for the pattern recognition and characteristic metabolites identification. The relative levels of critical regulatory factors of urate anion transporter 1(URAT1) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/ protein kinases B (PI3K/Akt) were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). ResultsCompared with the model group, the levels of serum UA, Cr, and TG were significantly (p<0.01) decreased in benzbromarone and three Plantaginis semen groups and the level of serum TNF-α was significantly (p<0.05) decreased in benzbromarone and low dose of Plantaginis semen group. With lipidomics analysis, significant lipid metabolic perturbations were observed in HUA rats, 13 metabolites were identified as potential biomarkers and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway was mostly affected. These perturbations can be partially restored via treatment of benzbromarone and Plantaginis semen. Additionally, the URAT1 and PI3K/Akt mRNA expression levels were significantly decreased (p<0.05) after treatment with benzbromarone and high dose of Plantaginis semen. ConclusionsPlantaginis semen had significant anti-HUA, anti-inflammatory and renal protection effects and could attenuate potassium oxonate-induced HUA through regulation of lipid metabolism disorder. Trial registrationNot applicable

scholarly journals Effect of Astragalus membranaceus Oral Solution on Lifespan and Learning and Memory Ability of Honey Bees

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Tao Hong ◽  
Long-Xue Li ◽  
Xiao-ping Han ◽  
Jing-liang Shi ◽  
Cai-yun Dan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Learning And Memory ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Dose Group ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Oral Solution ◽  
Astragalus Membranaceus ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Dose ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control

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.

scholarly journals Vaginal Microbiota Diversity of Patients with Embryonic Miscarriage by Using 16S rDNA High-Throughput Sequencing

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Linfen Xu ◽  
Lingna Huang ◽  
Chengying Lian ◽  
Huili Xue ◽  
Yanfang Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
16S Rdna ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Interleukin 2 ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Operational Taxonomic Units ◽  
Causative Relationship ◽  
Rdna Sequencing ◽  
And Control

Embryonic miscarriage severely affects the life quality and physical and mental state of pregnant women. However, the detailed mechanism underlying embryonic miscarriage is not fully understood. This study is aimed at analyzing embryonic miscarriage. We collected samples from 25 normal pregnant women and 25 embryonic miscarriage patients of similar age to analyze microbiota isolated from the vagina. Crude examination of the vagina isolates showed that compared with the control group, 80% of the embryonic miscarriage group contained a significantly lower number of Lactobacillus, the major healthy microbe in the vagina. Furthermore, the levels of Th1 and Th2 secreted cytokine interleukin 2 (IL-2) and interleukin10 (IL-10), respectively, were examined. Results showed that the IL2 level was higher, and IL10 level was lower in the embryonic miscarriage group than in the control group, whereas the IL2/IL10 level was higher in the embryonic miscarriage group than in the control group. This finding suggested that the immune response was suppressed in the embryonic miscarriage group. To further dissect the microbiota of the vagina in the two groups, 16S rDNA sequencing was performed. Bioinformatics analysis showed that 1096 and 998 overlapped operational taxonomic units were identified from the embryonic miscarriage and control groups, respectively. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Fam_Finegoldia, Lac_Coprococcus_3, and Lac_Roseburia significantly differed in the embryonic miscarriage group. Overall, our analyses provided potential biomarkers for embryonic miscarriage and elucidated the causative relationship between microbiota and immune responses and may enable the possible diagnosis and therapeutics of early pregnancy loss.

scholarly journals Protective Effects of Resveratrol against Chronic Immobilization Stress on Testis

ISRN Urology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gulsah Bitgul ◽  
Isil Tekmen ◽  
Didem Keles ◽  
Gulgun Oktay
Keyword(s):  
Immobilization Stress ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Stress Group ◽  
Group I ◽  
Stress Application ◽  
Chronic Immobilization Stress

Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate protective effects of resveratrol, a strong antioxidant, against possible negative effects of chronic immobilization stress on testes of male rats histochemically, immunohistochemically, ultrastructurally, and biochemically. Material and Methods. Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (n=7). Group I, control group (C), was not exposed to stress. Group II, stress group (S), was exposed to chronic immobilization stress. In Group III, low dose resveratrol + stress group (LRS), rats were given 10 mg/kg/day resveratrol just before the stress application. In Group IV, high dose resveratrol + stress group (HRS), rats were given 20 mg/kg/day resveratrol just before the stress application. For chronic immobilization stress application animals were put in the plastic tubes (6 cm in diameter, 15 cm in length) during 32 days for 6 hours. All animals were sacrificed 18 hours after the last stress application. Results. Histochemical and ultrastructural investigations showed that in stress group there was germ cell deprivation in seminiferous tubules and increase of connective tissue on interstitial area. No significant changes were seen in low and high dose resveratrol groups. After immunohistochemical investigations, TUNEL (+) and Active Caspase-3 (+) cells were increased in seminiferous tubules of stress group compared with those control group, but they were decreased in low and high dose resveratrol groups. According to biochemically results, MDA, GSH, and testosterone levels in stress group showed no significant difference when compared with those of the other groups. Conclusion. The chronic immobilization stress increases oxidative stress and apoptosis and causes histological tissue damages; resveratrol can minimize the histological damage in testes significantly.

New approach for reproductive toxicity assessment: chromatoid bodies as a target for methylmercury and polychlorinated biphenyls in prepubertal male rats

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (10) ◽  
pp. 914
Author(s):  
M. S. Garcia ◽  
W. A. Orcini ◽  
R. L. Peruquetti ◽  
J. E. Perobelli
Keyword(s):  
Corn Oil ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Reproductive Toxicity ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Long Term Effects

This study investigated the reproductive toxicity of methylmercury (MeHg) and Aroclor (Sigma-Aldrich), alone or in combination, following exposure of prepubertal male rats considering the chromatoid body (CB) as a potential target. The CB is an important molecular regulator of mammalian spermatogenesis, primarily during spermatid cytodifferentiation. Male Wistar rats were exposed to MeHg and/or Aroclor , according the following experimental design: control group, which was administered in corn oil (vehicle) only; MeHg-treated group, which was administered 0.5mg kg−1 day−1 MeHg; Aroclor-treated group, which was administered 1mg kg−1 day−1 Aroclor; Mix-LD, group which was administered a low-dose mixture of MeHg (0.05mg kg−1 day−1) and Aroclor (0.1mg kg−1 day−1); and Mix-HD group, which was administered a high-dose mixture of MeHg (0.5mg kg−1 day−1) and Aroclor (1.0mg kg−1 day−1). MeHg was diluted in distilled water and Aroclor was made up in corn oil (volume 1mL kg−1). Rats were administered the different treatments from PND23 to PND53 by gavage, . The morphophysiology of CBs was analysed, together with aspects of steroid hormones status and regulation, just after the last treatment on PND53. In addition, the long-term effects on sperm parameters were assessed in adult animals. MeHg exposure increased mouse VASA homologue (MVH) protein levels in seminiferous tubules, possibly affecting the epigenetic status of germ cells. Aroclor produced morphological changes to CB assembly, which may explain the observed morphological defects to the sperm flagellum and the consequent decrease in sperm motility. There were no clear additive or synergistic effects between MeHg and Aroclor when administered in combination. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that MeHg and Aroclor have independent deleterious effects on the developing testis, causing molecular and morphological changes in CBs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show that CBs are targets for toxic agents.

scholarly journals Short term, high-dose vitamin D supplementation for COVID-19 disease: a randomised, placebo-controlled, study (SHADE study)

2020 ◽  
pp. postgradmedj-2020-139065 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashu Rastogi ◽  
Anil Bhansali ◽  
Niranjan Khare ◽  
Vikas Suri ◽  
Narayana Yaddanapudi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Inflammatory Markers ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Baseline Serum ◽  
Cholecalciferol Supplementation ◽  
And Control

BackgroundVitamin D has an immunomodulatory role but the effect of therapeutic vitamin D supplementation in SARS-CoV-2 infection is not known.AimEffect of high dose, oral cholecalciferol supplementation on SARS-CoV-2 viral clearance.DesignRandomised, placebo-controlled.ParticipantsAsymptomatic or mildly symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 RNA positive vitamin D deficient (25(OH)D<20 ng/ml) individuals.InterventionParticipants were randomised to receive daily 60 000 IU of cholecalciferol (oral nano-liquid droplets) for 7 days with therapeutic target 25(OH)D>50 ng/ml (intervention group) or placebo (control group). Patients requiring invasive ventilation or with significant comorbidities were excluded. 25(OH)D levels were assessed at day 7, and cholecalciferol supplementation was continued for those with 25(OH)D <50 ng/ml in the intervention arm. SARS-CoV-2 RNA and inflammatory markers fibrinogen, D-dimer, procalcitonin and (CRP), ferritin were measured periodically.Outcome measureProportion of patients with SARS-CoV-2 RNA negative before day-21 and change in inflammatory markers.ResultsForty SARS-CoV-2 RNA positive individuals were randomised to intervention (n=16) or control (n=24) group. Baseline serum 25(OH)D was 8.6 (7.1 to 13.1) and 9.54 (8.1 to 12.5) ng/ml (p=0.730), in the intervention and control group, respectively. 10 out of 16 patients could achieve 25(OH)D>50 ng/ml by day-7 and another two by day-14 [day-14 25(OH)D levels 51.7 (48.9 to 59.5) ng/ml and 15.2 (12.7 to 19.5) ng/ml (p<0.001) in intervention and control group, respectively]. 10 (62.5%) participants in the intervention group and 5 (20.8%) participants in the control arm (p<0.018) became SARS-CoV-2 RNA negative. Fibrinogen levels significantly decreased with cholecalciferol supplementation (intergroup difference 0.70 ng/ml; P=0.007) unlike other inflammatory biomarkers.ConclusionGreater proportion of vitamin D-deficient individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection turned SARS-CoV-2 RNA negative with a significant decrease in fibrinogen on high-dose cholecalciferol supplementation.Trial register numberNCT04459247.

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