scholarly journals The Effects of High Peripubertal Caffeine Exposure on the Adrenal Gland in Immature Male and Female Rats

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 951 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ki-Young Ryu ◽  
Jaesook Roh
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Adrenal Glands ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Water Control ◽  
Cortical Function ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
High Doses ◽  
Caffeine Exposure

The consumption of high levels of dietary caffeine has increased in children and adolescents. Human and animal studies have shown that chronic intake of high doses of caffeine affects serum glucocorticoid levels. Given that glucocorticoids play a role in peripubertal organ growth and development, chronic high doses of caffeine during puberty might impair maturation of the adrenal glands. To evaluate any effects of caffeine exposure on growing adrenal glands, 22-day-old male (n = 30) and female Sprague Dawley rats (n = 30) were divided into three groups (n = 10/group); group 1 received tap water (control) and groups 2 and 3 received water containing 120 and 180 mg/kg/day caffeine, respectively, via gavage for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, adrenal glands were weighed and processed for histological analysis. Relative adrenal weights increased in both groups of caffeine-fed males and females, whereas absolute weights were decreased in the females. In the female caffeine-fed groups the adrenal cortical areas resembled irregularly arranged cords and the medullary area was significantly increased, whereas no such effects were seen in the male rats. Our results indicate that the harmful effects of caffeine on the adrenal glands of immature rats differ between females and males. Although female rats seemed to be more susceptible to damage based on the changes in the microarchitecture of the adrenal glands, caffeine affected corticosterone production in both female and male rats. In addition, increased basal adrenocorticotropic hormone levels in caffeine-fed groups may reflect decreased cortical function. Therefore, caffeine may induce an endocrine imbalance that disturbs the establishment of the hypothalamo–pituitary adrenal axis during puberty, thereby leading to abnormal stress responses.

scholarly journals Acute and Subacute Toxicity of Oxalis barrelieri (Oxalidaceae) Aqueous Aerial Parts Extract

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christophe Mezui ◽  
André Perfusion Amang ◽  
Rigobert Espoir Ayissi Mbomo ◽  
Mimosette Mesmine Kuissu Teukam ◽  
Merveille-Celeste Lontsi-Nolah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Toxicity ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Aerial Parts ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Vascular Congestion ◽  
High Doses ◽  
Physiology Laboratory

Aims: The present study was carried out to investigate the toxic effects of the Oxalis barrelieri aqueous aerial parts extract. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biological Sciences (Animal Physiology Laboratory), Higher Teachers’ Training College, University of Yaoundé I. Between April 2017 and June 2018. Materials and Methods: Acute toxicity using a single dose of 2000 mg/kg was administered to mice and effects were observed for 14 days. In sub-acute toxicity, the experimental rats (males and females) received aqueous extract of Oxalis barrelieri at doses of 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg daily for 28 days while the control and satellite control groups received distilled water and satellite test group received extract at the dose of 800 mg/kg. The physical parameters were evaluated throughout the treatment, while the haematological, biochemical and histological parameters were evaluated at the end of the treatment. Results: In acute toxicity, the results obtained show no death and no significant variation (p>0.05) in behavioral and morphological parameters. In sub-acute toxicity assay, few modifications were observed in haematological and biochemical parameters. At the higher dose of extract (800 mg/kg),the rate of red blood cells decreased significantly (p<0.05) two weeks after treatment in male rats , there were a significant increase (P˂0.001) in ASAT activity in male and female rats two weeks after extract administration, and a reversible significant increase (P˂0.05) in triglyceride level in male rats only. Histopathology showed a reversible slight dose dependent structural alteration of the kidney and reversible vascular congestion in liver. Conclusion:  The aqueous aerial parts extract of Oxalis barrelieri could possess moderate toxicity at high doses and adequate caution should be exercised in its use in ethnomedicine.

Effects of Vepacide (Azadirachta indica) on asp artate and al anine aminotransferase profiles in a subchronic study with rats

2001 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 243-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
M F Rahman ◽  
M KJ Siddiqui ◽  
K Jamil
Keyword(s):  
Coconut Oil ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Treatment Withdrawal ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Predictive Toxicology ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Liver And Kidney ◽  
Simultaneous Decrease ◽  
High Doses

The aim of this study was to ascertain the long-term effects of Vepacide, a neem-based pesticide on biochemical profiles. Albino Wistar rats were treated orally with 80 (low), 160 (medium) and 320 mg/kg (high) doses of Vepacide in coconut oil for 90 days. Control rats received the same volume of the vehicle. Vepacide caused increase of aspartate and alanine aminotransferase in serum, kidney and lung, and these enzymes decreased in liver in both male and female rats when measured after 45 and 90 days of treatment. The two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the alterations in these enzymes were dose–and time-dependent. Sexual dimorphism was observed when male rats were compared with female rats (Student t-test at P< 0.05). Positive correlation was observed with regard to these enzymes between serum, kidney and lung, whereas in the case of serum and liver, a negative correlation was recorded. These enzyme profiles elucidate that they increased in serum with simultaneous decrease in liver, indicating necrosis of liver, whereas in other tissues, the level of enzymes increased, showing an adaptive mechanism due to the chemical stress. The affected enzymes were recovered to normal conditions after 28 days of post-treatment (withdrawal study). Due to the Vepacide treatment, lung was more affected followed by liver and kidney. This study has indicated that these enzymes could be useful as biomarkers for the insult of any toxicant. Besides, they can also help in predictive toxicology.

Effects of mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids on compensatory adrenal growth in rats

1985 ◽  
Vol 248 (4) ◽  
pp. E450-E456 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Phillips ◽  
C. Crock ◽  
J. Funder
Keyword(s):  
Adrenal Gland ◽  
Compensatory Growth ◽  
Adrenal Glands ◽  
Pituitary Hormones ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Unilateral Adrenalectomy ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Male And Female Rats

The rapid compensatory growth seen in the remaining adrenal gland of the rat after unilateral adrenalectomy appears to require a functioning neural arc between the adrenal glands and the hypothalamus, but the role of adrenal or pituitary hormones is unclear. We have examined the effect of several steroids on the compensatory adrenal growth (CAG). Female and male rats (average wt 140 g) were unilaterally adrenalectomized and treated with aldosterone (2.1 micrograms/day), corticosterone (B, 28 micrograms/day), dexamethasone (28 micrograms/day), 9 alpha-fluorocortisol (9 alpha FC, 28 micrograms/day), or deoxycorticosterone (DOC, 28 micrograms/day) by continuous infusion for 3 days and then killed. The growth in the remaining adrenal was compared both with sham-operated rats treated with steroid infusions and with noninfused controls. In rats of this size females have larger adrenals than males; untreated male rats have significantly heavier left than right adrenals. In male rats the extent of CAG after no treatment or treatment with aldosterone B, 9 alpha FC, or DOC depended on the size of the adrenal gland removed. In both male and female rats CAG was not significantly affected by aldosterone, in contrast with a recent report, nor by B, 9 alpha FC, or DOC; no significant CAG was seen after dexamethasone. Taken together, these results and previous reports suggest that neurally mediated activation of pituitary and/or local adrenal growth factors may be responsible for CAG.

scholarly journals Prepro-Orexin and Orexin Receptor mRNAs Are Differentially Expressed in Peripheral Tissues of Male and Female Rats

Endocrinology ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 142 (8) ◽  
pp. 3324-3331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olaf Jöhren ◽  
Steffi J. Neidert ◽  
Marco Kummer ◽  
Andreas Dendorfer ◽  
Peter Dominiak
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Adrenal Glands ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Receptor Subtypes ◽  
Rat Tissues ◽  
Steroid Synthesis ◽  
Peripheral Tissues ◽  
Receptor Mrna ◽  
Male And Female Rats

Abstract Orexins are produced specifically by neurons located in the lateral hypothalamus. Recent results suggested peripheral actions of orexins. Therefore, we analyzed the mRNA expression of prepro-orexin and the orexin receptor subtypes OX1 and OX2 in peripheral rat tissues. Using real-time quantitative RT-PCR we detected significant amounts of prepro-orexin mRNA in testis, but not in ovaries. OX1 receptor mRNA was highly expressed in the brain and at lower levels in the pituitary gland. Only small amounts of OX1 receptor mRNA were found in other tissues such as kidney, adrenal, thyroid, testis, ovaries, and jejunum. Very high levels of OX2 receptor mRNA, 4-fold higher than in brain, were found in adrenal glands of male rats. Low amounts of OX2 receptor mRNA were present in lung and pituitary. In adrenal glands, OX2 receptor mRNA was localized in the zona glomerulosa and reticularis by in situ hybridization, indicating a role in adrenal steroid synthesis and/or release. OX1 receptor mRNA in the pituitary and OX2 receptor mRNA in the adrenal gland were much higher in male than in female rats. In the hypothalamus, OX1 receptor mRNA was slightly elevated in female rats. The differential mRNA expression of orexin receptor subtypes in peripheral organs indicates discrete peripheral effects of orexins and the existence of a peripheral orexin system. This is supported by the detection of orexin A in rat plasma. Moreover, the sexually dimorphic expression of OX1 and OX2 receptors in the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands suggests gender-specific roles of orexins in the control of endocrine functions.

Adrenal glands of mice and rats: A comparative morphometric study

2021 ◽  
pp. 002367722110443
Author(s):  
Athanasios Siasios ◽  
Georgios Delis ◽  
Anastasia Tsingotjidou ◽  
Aris Pourlis ◽  
Ioannis Grivas
Keyword(s):  
Adrenal Glands ◽  
Zona Glomerulosa ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Zona Fasciculata ◽  
Image Analysis System ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Cortex Area

Mice and rats are among the most used laboratory animals. They share numerous similarities along with differences, some yet unexplored. One of them is the morphometry of their adrenal glands, whose characteristics may be related to differences in energy management, immune response, drug metabolism, behaviour and temperament. The present study tries to fill this knowledge gap with the evaluation and comparison of adrenal gland anatomical/morphometric parameters of mice and rats. In groups of 10 ( n = 10) adult, male and female BALB/c mice and Wistar rats, one in every 20 sections transverse to the longitudinal axis of the gland was used for measuring entire gland area, capsule, entire cortex, cortex zones and medulla with the aid of an image analysis system and subjected to statistical analysis. Quotients of the individual areas were calculated and comparison between the resulting ratios was performed. Gland length and volume were also calculated. Statistically significant differences were revealed between the rat female and male cortex area, rat and mouse medulla/cortex, medulla/gland, zona glomerulosa/cortex and cortex/gland ratios, male and female rats’ medulla/cortex, medulla/gland, capsule/gland, zona glomerulosa/cortex, zona reticularis/cortex and zona glomerulosa/zona fasciculata ratios, length and volume. The correlation evaluation revealed that in male rats and in female mice the larger medulla area was accompanied by a larger cortex area and vice versa. In general, a larger cortex area was accompanied by larger areas of cortex zones. The collected data and the revealed differences can possibly contribute to the understanding of the physiology of the two species.

scholarly journals Functional food promotes digestive functions and healthy growth of animals nurtured in confinement

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-88
Author(s):  
A. Ajibola ◽  
K. H. Erlwanger
Keyword(s):  
Tap Water ◽  
Nutrient Utilization ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Control Infant ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Healthy Growth

In the study, the growth pattern, morphometric and morphological changes in the gastrointestinal tract of growing male and female Sprague-Dawley rats fed crude honey (CH)-supplemented diets as measures of nutrient utilization, digestive functions and healthy growth were investigated. Thirty-five suckling (7-day old male and female) rats were fed CH either as low (10mLkg-1 BW) or high (20mLkg-1 BW) dose daily via stomach tube for 14 days, while the control group was gavaged with distilled water. Rats were kept with their dams to nurse freely between gavages. On weaning, CH was mixed with commercial rat feed as low (20%) or high, 50% (volume/weight, v/w), while 20% (v/w) tap water was added to the control diet. The feed intake of honey-fed male rats and control (infant: 6 – 10g; adult:31 – 38g) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than their high dose-diet mates (infant: 5 – 8g; adult: 31 – 38g). All the rats were killed at 13 weeks old for gross and microscopic measurements of the abdominal viscera. Grossly, there were no significant differences (p ≥ 0.05) in the relative lengths (%BW) and weight: length ratio (g cm-1 ) of the small and large intestines in both sexes. Crude honey increased the absolute and relative weights of the caecum (1.73 ± 0.05g; 0.38 ± 0.02%BW) and pancreas (2.52 ± 0.11g; 0.55 ± 0.03%BW), with significant influence (p<0.05) in the male rats. In addition, dietary inclusion of CH at low dose enhanced intestinal villi growth in height (84.0 ± 4.0µm) and width (25.2 ± 1.5µm). Dietary supplementation with crude honey also enhanced body weight gain of male rats (495.52 ± 8.98g) and females (242.52 ± 6.87g), improved abdominal organs' functional size: liver (10.92 ± 0.32g; 2.72 ± 0.13%BW); spleen (1.25 ± 0.06g; 0.27 ± 0.02%BW), devoid of pathological changes, as shown by liver histomorphology (1.2 ± 0.3) and normal hepatocellular architecture thereby conferring nutritional and health benefits on animals nurtured in confinement.

INDUCTION OF GOITRE BY PTU OR KClO4 IN MALE AND FEMALE RATS. EFFECT OF GONADECTOMY

1973 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Jolín ◽  
M. J. Tarin ◽  
M. D. Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Iodine Content ◽  
High Plasma ◽  
Disc Electrophoresis ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Adult Rats ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Glucose Levels ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Tsh Levels

ABSTRACT Male and female rats of varying ages were placad on a low iodine diet (LID) plus KClO4 or 6-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) or on the same diet supplemented with I (control rats). Goitrogenesis was also induced with LID plus PTU in gonadectomized animals of both sexes. The weight of the control and goitrogen treated animals, and the weight and iodine content of their thyroids were determined, as well as the plasma PBI, TSH, insulin and glucose levels. The pituitary GH-like protein content was assessed by disc electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels. If goitrogenesis was induced in young rats of both sexes starting with rats of the same age, body weight (B.W.) and pituitary growth hormone (GH) content, it was found that both the males and females developed goitres of the same size. On the contrary, when goitrogenesis was induced in adult animals, it was found that male rats, that had larger B.W. and pituitary GH content than age-paired females, developed larger goitres. However, both male and female rats were in a hypothyroid condition of comparable degree as judged by the thyroidal iodine content and the plasma PBI and TSH levels. When all the data on the PTU or KClO4-treated male and female rats of varying age and B.W. were considered together, it was observed that the weights of the thyroids increased proportionally to B.W. However, a difference in the slope of the regression of the thyroid weight over B.W. was found between male and female rats, due to the fact that adult male rats develop larger goitres than female animals. In addition, in the male rats treated with PTU, gonadectomy decreased the B.W., pituitary content of GH-like protein and, concomitantly, the size of the goitre decreased; an opposite effect was induced by ovariectomy on the female animals. However, when goitrogenesis was induced in weight-paired adult rats of both sexes, the male animals still developed larger goitres than the females. Among all the parameters studied here, the only ones which appeared to bear a consistent relationship with the size of the goitres in rats of different sexes, treated with a given goitrogen, were the rate of body growth and the amount of a pituitary GH-like protein found before the onset of the goitrogen treatment. Moreover, though the pituitary content of the GH-like protein decreased as a consequence of goitrogen treatment, it was still somewhat higher in male that in female animals. The present results suggest that GH may somehow be involved in the mechanism by which male and female rats on goitrogens develop goitres of different sizes, despite equally high plasma TSH levels.

scholarly journals Analysis of sex differences in dietary copper-fructose interaction-induced alterations of gut microbial activity in relation to hepatic steatosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming Song ◽  
Fang Yuan ◽  
Xiaohong Li ◽  
Xipeng Ma ◽  
Xinmin Yin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Hepatic Steatosis ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Calorie Intake ◽  
Dietary Copper ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Rrna Sequencing

Abstract Background Inadequate copper intake and increased fructose consumption represent two important nutritional problems in the USA. Dietary copper-fructose interactions alter gut microbial activity and contribute to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this study is to determine whether dietary copper-fructose interactions alter gut microbial activity in a sex-differential manner and whether sex differences in gut microbial activity are associated with sex differences in hepatic steatosis. Methods Male and female weanling Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed ad libitum with an AIN-93G purified rodent diet with defined copper content for 8 weeks. The copper content is 6 mg/kg and 1.5 mg/kg in adequate copper diet (CuA) and marginal copper diet (CuM), respectively. Animals had free access to either deionized water or deionized water containing 10% fructose (F) (w/v) as the only drink during the experiment. Body weight, calorie intake, plasma alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and liver histology as well as liver triglyceride were evaluated. Fecal microbial contents were analyzed by 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) sequencing. Fecal and cecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results Male and female rats exhibit similar trends of changes in the body weight gain and calorie intake in response to dietary copper and fructose, with a generally higher level in male rats. Several female rats in the CuAF group developed mild steatosis, while no obvious steatosis was observed in male rats fed with CuAF or CuMF diets. Fecal 16S rRNA sequencing analysis revealed distinct alterations of the gut microbiome in male and female rats. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe) identified sex-specific abundant taxa in different groups. Further, total SCFAs, as well as, butyrate were decreased in a more pronounced manner in female CuMF rats than in male rats. Of note, the decreased SCFAs are concomitant with the reduced SCFA producers, but not correlated to hepatic steatosis. Conclusions Our data demonstrated sex differences in the alterations of gut microbial abundance, activities, and hepatic steatosis in response to dietary copper-fructose interaction in rats. The correlation between sex differences in metabolic phenotypes and alterations of gut microbial activities remains elusive.

scholarly journals Vulnerability factors for mephedrone-induced conditioned place preference in rats—the impact of sex differences, social-conditioning and stress

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Wronikowska ◽  
Maria Zykubek ◽  
Łukasz Kurach ◽  
Agnieszka Michalak ◽  
Anna Boguszewska-Czubara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Conditioned Place Preference ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Social Factor ◽  
Place Preference ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Social Conditioning ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Rationale Mephedrone is a frequently overused drug of abuse that belongs to the group of novel psychoactive substances. Although its mechanism of action, as well as toxic and psychoactive effects, has been widely studied, the role of different factors that could contribute to the increased vulnerability to mephedrone abuse is still poorly understood. Objectives The aim of the presented study was to assess the impact of several factors (sex differences, social-conditioning, and chronic mild unpredictable stress — CMUS) on the liability to mephedrone-induced reward in Wistar rats. Methods The rewarding effects of mephedrone in male and female rats were assessed using the conditioned place preference (CPP) procedure. Furthermore, the impact of social factor and stress was evaluated in male rats using social-CPP and CMUS-dependent CPP, respectively. Results Mephedrone induced classic-CPP in female (10 mg/kg), as well as in male (10 and 20 mg/kg) rats. However, the impact of mephedrone treatment during social-CPP was highly dose-dependent as the rewarding effects of low dose of mephedrone (5 mg/kg; non-active in classic-CPP) were potentiated when administered during social-conditioning. Interestingly, social-conditioning with a higher dose of 20 mg/kg (that induced classic-CPP) was able to reverse these effects. Finally, CMUS potentiated rewarding effects of a low dose of mephedrone (5 mg/kg) and increased the level of corticosterone in rats’ prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Conclusions Altogether, the presented results give new insight into possible factors underlying the vulnerability to mephedrone abuse and can serve as a basis for further studies assessing mechanisms underlying observed effects.

scholarly journals Sex Differences in Escalated Methamphetamine Self-Administration and Altered Gene Expression Associated With Incubation of Methamphetamine Seeking

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 710-723 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atul P Daiwile ◽  
Subramaniam Jayanthi ◽  
Bruce Ladenheim ◽  
Michael T McCoy ◽  
Christie Brannock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Nucleus Accumbens ◽  
Fixed Ratio ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Self Administration ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Orexin Receptors ◽  
Male And Female Rats

Abstract Background Methamphetamine (METH) use disorder is prevalent worldwide. There are reports of sex differences in quantities of drug used and relapses to drug use among individuals with METH use disorder. However, the molecular neurobiology of these potential sex differences remains unknown. Methods We trained rats to self-administer METH (0. 1 mg/kg/infusion, i.v.) on an fixed-ratio-1 schedule for 20 days using two 3-hour daily METH sessions separated by 30-minute breaks. At the end of self-administration training, rats underwent tests of cue-induced METH seeking on withdrawal days 3 and 30. Twenty-four hours later, nucleus accumbens was dissected and then used to measure neuropeptide mRNA levels. Results Behavioral results show that male rats increased the number of METH infusions earlier during self-administration training and took more METH than females. Both male and female rats could be further divided into 2 phenotypes labeled high and low takers based on the degree of escalation that they exhibited during the course of the METH self-administration experiment. Both males and females exhibited incubation of METH seeking after 30 days of forced withdrawal. Females had higher basal mRNA levels of dynorphin and hypocretin/orexin receptors than males, whereas males expressed higher vasopressin mRNA levels than females under saline and METH conditions. Unexpectedly, only males showed increased expression of nucleus accumbens dynorphin after METH self-administration. Moreover, there were significant correlations between nucleus accumbens Hcrtr1, Hcrtr2, Crhr2, and Avpr1b mRNA levels and cue-induced METH seeking only in female rats. Conclusion Our results identify some behavioral and molecular differences between male and female rats that had self-administered METH. Sexual dimorphism in responses to METH exposure should be considered when developing potential therapeutic agents against METH use disorder.

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