scholarly journals Khat distorts the prefrontal cortex histology and function of adult Wistar rats

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1121-1131
Author(s):  
Isaac Echoru ◽  
Edmund E.M. Bukenya ◽  
Godfrey Masilili ◽  
Elna Owembabazi ◽  
Ann Monima Lemuel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Selective Attention ◽  
Wistar Rats ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Body Weight Ratio ◽  
Pharmacological Significance ◽  
The Brain

Khat is a psychoactive herbal drug of pronounced ethno-pharmacological significance often abused due to its unregulated use. It affects many brain centers including the prefrontal cortex which is the anterior most part of the frontal lobe. The prefrontal cortex modulates working memory, planning complex cognitive behaviors however; it is linked to many psychological disorders such as depression, schizophrenia and memory loss. We studied the effects exerted by khat on the PFC cytoarchitecture and functions since this part of the brain is highly interconnected with various cortical regions. This was an experimental study of 6 weeks. A total of 24 male adult wistar rats of 130g-155g were divided into four groups of 6 animals that received respective khat doses of 2000mg/kg, 1000mg/kg, 500mg/kg and 10ml/kg of distilled water for the controls. Brain to body weight ratio was determined at week 6 using an analytical balance (Fisher Science Education™, RS232C; USA). Histology of the brain was determined using H and E and Kulvers staining technique. Khat exhibited features of prefrontal cortex disorientation such as necrosis, vacuolations, chromatolysis, demyelination, cortical degeneration and hemorrhage in a dose dependent manner. Selective attention and working memory were impaired well as brain to body weight ratio was reduced significantly (P ≤ 0.05). Repeated exposure to khat distorts the prefrontal cortex cytoarchitecture and impairs selective attention and working memory accuracy due to ischemia and cell exhaustion by khat toxicity.Keywords: Khat, prefrontal cortex histology, working memory, selective attention

scholarly journals NEUROPROTECTIVE PROPERTIES OF DRY EXTRACTS OF FUMARIA SCHLEICHERI AND OCIMUM BASILICUM

2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 66-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vadim Vladimirovich Tsyvunin ◽  
Sergey Yurevich Shtrygol ◽  
Yuliya Sergeevna Prokopenko
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Neuroprotective Effect ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Cognitive Disorders ◽  
Ocimum Basilicum ◽  
Body Weight Ratio ◽  
Reference Drug ◽  
Brain Mass ◽  
The Brain

On the model of closed traumatic brain injury in rats dry extracts of Fumaria schleicheri and Ocimum basilicum have shown a neuroprotective effect by the reduction of behavioral and cognitive disorders, normalization of the brain mass / body weight ratio and the prooxidative-antioxidative balance in CNS. According to the sum of the effects the extracts take precedence over reference drug bilobile.

scholarly journals Lipoic Acid Exacerbates Oxidative Stress and Lipid Accumulation in the Liver of Wistar Rats Fed a Hypercaloric Choline-Deficient Diet

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1999
Author(s):  
Lidia V. Kravchenko ◽  
Ilya V. Aksenov ◽  
Nikolay S. Nikitin ◽  
Galina V. Guseva ◽  
Ludmila I. Avrenyeva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Liver Disease ◽  
Lipoic Acid ◽  
Lipid Accumulation ◽  
Wistar Rats ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Body Weight Ratio ◽  
Deficient Diet ◽  
Male Wistar Rats

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently estimated as the most prevalent chronic liver disease in all age groups. An increasing body of evidence obtained in experimental and clinical data indicates that oxidative stress is the most important pathogenic factor in the development of NAFLD. The study aimed to investigate the impact of α-lipoic acid (LA), widely used as an antioxidant, on the effects of a hypercaloric choline-deficient diet. Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control diet (C); hypercaloric choline-deficient diet (HCCD), and hypercaloric choline-deficient diet with α-lipoic acid (HCCD+LA). Supplementation of HCCD with LA for eight weeks led to a decrease in visceral adipose tissue/body weight ratio, the activity of liver glutathione peroxidase and paraoxonase-1, plasma, and liver total antioxidant activity, as well as an increase in liver/body weight ratio, liver total lipid and triglyceride content, and liver transaminase activities compared to the HCCD group without LA. In conclusion, our study shows that α-lipoic acid detains obesity development but exacerbates the severity of diet-induced oxidative stress and lipid accumulation in the liver of male Wistar rats fed a hypercaloric choline-deficient diet.

scholarly journals Effect of Aqueous Extract of Senna occidentalis Leaves on Haematological and Liver Biochemical Parameters in Wistar Rats

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
OWOLARAFE TAJUDEEN ALOWONLE
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Aqueous Extract ◽  
Biochemical Parameters ◽  
Wistar Rats ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Haematological Parameters ◽  
Histological Evaluation ◽  
Albino Rats ◽  
Body Weight Ratio ◽  
Glutamyl Transferase

This study evaluated the effect of aqueous extract of Senna occindentalis leaves on some biochemical parameters in Wistar rats. Twenty albino rats equally divided into four experimental groups were used. One group served as control and received the carrier solvent treatment. Three test groups were treated with S. occidentalis extract at 500, 1000 and 1500 mg/kg body weight respectively. The experiment lasted for 14 days after which the rats were sacrificed and blood collected for biochemical and haematological evaluation. Liver-body weight ratio was computed and liver histoarchitecture was investigated. The results showed that all haematological parameters were significantly (P<0.05) affected except the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular volume. There were also significant (P<0.05) alterations in the activities of gamma-glutamyl transferase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase, as well as the levels of total protein, albumin and globulin in the serum. No significant (P>0.05) alterations were observed in the computed liver-body weight ratio but marked alterations in histoarchitecture of the liver cells were present. These alterations in the haematological parameters, liver function enzymes and histological evaluation suggest a selective toxicity of the extract on the animals.

scholarly journals Nigella Sativa Prevented Parkinson's-Like Motor Functions Impairment, Dopamine Depletion and Neuronal Degeneration in the Striatum of Mptp-Induced Balb/C Mice

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Royhaan Folarin ◽  
Akinola Olonade ◽  
Imam Aminu ◽  
Praise Ogunkunle ◽  
Paul Folarin
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Recognition Memory ◽  
Neuronal Degeneration ◽  
Nigella Sativa ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Dopamine Depletion ◽  
Body Weight Ratio ◽  
Object Recognition Test ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Background Parkinsonism is a neurological disease characterised by dopaminergic neuron degeneration in the substantial nigra and dopamine deficiency in the brain, with motor and psycho-cognitive implications, while limitations masked the efficacy of the available drugs, thus the need to find alternatives with less side effects are essential. Nigella sativa is a multi-potent plant with therapeutic potentials in the brain and other body organs. This study investigated the effects of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on the cognitive and other Parkinsonism endophenotypes elicited by MPTP in the BALB/c strain mice. Materials and Methods Body weights, brain-body ratios, recognition memory (through novel object recognition test), as well as fronto-cortical, striatal and cerebellar dopamine and neuronal density were assayed in thirty-two (32) male BALB/c mice (18 g − 25 g). They were randomized into four groups exposed to; normal feed, 18 mg/kg MPTP i.p, 1 ml/kgbw NSO p.o., and NSO + MPTP respectively, for 5 consecutive days. Behaviours were analysed 24 hours after the last exposure, subsequently euthanized, the brains removed and processed for biomarkers analysis and histochemistry. Results Parkinsonism-like traits such as mild tremor, down-regulation of striatal and fronto-cortical dopamine and neurons were recorded in the BALB/c mice administered with MPTP only. However, significant increase (p < 0.05) in appetite, body weight, brain-body weight ratio, and recognition memory was also recorded in the MPTP-administered mice, though Nigella sativa was significantly prophylactic against the negative Parkinsonic features, and ‘moderative’ of the up-regulations induced by MPTP. Conclusion While this suggests selective MPTP sensitivity and resistance in BALB/c strains, this study recommends the investigation of possible (though ironic) beneficial potentials of MPTP.

scholarly journals Naringin Supplementation during Pregnancy Induces Sex and Region-Specific Alterations in the Offspring’s Brain Redox Status

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4805
Author(s):  
Bernardo Gindri dos Santos ◽  
Caroline Peres Klein ◽  
Mariana Scortegagna Crestani ◽  
Rafael Moura Maurmann ◽  
Régis Mateus Hözer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Wistar Rats ◽  
Redox Status ◽  
Disease Models ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Sensitive Periods ◽  
The Brain

Research has shown the beneficial effects of naringin supplementation to adult rodents, which can ameliorate oxidative stress in disease models. However, evidence has demonstrated that polyphenol supplementation induced detrimental effects when consumed during sensitive periods of development, such as pregnancy. Therefore, we investigated the effect of maternal naringin supplementation during pregnancy on the offspring’s cerebral redox status. Pregnant Wistar rats were divided into control and naringin groups and supplemented from gestational day 15 to gestational day 21. On postnatal days 1, 7, and 21, offspring were euthanized, and the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, striatum, and cerebellum dissected. On postnatal day 1, maternal naringin supplementation positively modulated the pups’ brain redox status. On postnatal day 7, a pro-oxidative milieu was observed in the offspring’s striatum and cerebellum in a sex-dependent manner, even though the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were not negatively affected. Besides, the alterations observed on postnatal day 7 did not persist up to weaning. Our findings demonstrated that the effect induced by naringin supplementation in the brain redox status differed according to the period of development in which naringin was consumed since the beneficial effects usually found in the adult rodents became detrimental when the supplementation was applied during pregnancy.

scholarly journals Creatine Alleviates Doxorubicin-Induced Liver Damage by Inhibiting Liver Fibrosis, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Cellular Senescence

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Nouf Aljobaily ◽  
Michael J. Viereckl ◽  
David S. Hydock ◽  
Hend Aljobaily ◽  
Tsung-Yen Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Liver Damage ◽  
Cellular Senescence ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Body Weight Ratio ◽  
Chromosomal Stability

Background: Treatment with the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin (DOX) may lead to toxicities that affect non-cancer cells including the liver. Supplementing the diet with creatine (Cr) has been suggested as a potential intervention to minimize DOX-induced side effects, but its effect in alleviating DOX-induced hepatoxicity is currently unknown. Therefore, we aimed to examine the effects of Cr supplementation on DOX-induced liver damage. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a diet supplemented with 2% Cr for four weeks, 4% Cr for one week followed by 2% Cr for three more weeks, or control diet for four weeks. Animals then received either a bolus i.p. injection of DOX (15 mg/kg) or saline as a placebo. Animals were then sacrificed five days-post injection and markers of hepatoxicity were analyzed using the liver-to-body weight ratio, aspartate transaminase (AST)-to- alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lipemia, and T-Bilirubin. In addition, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, Picro-Sirius Red staining, and immunofluorescence staining for CD45, 8-OHdG, and β-galactosidase were performed to evaluate liver morphology, fibrosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular senescence, respectively. The mRNA levels for biomarkers of liver fibrosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and senescence-related genes were measured in liver tissues. Chromosomal stability was evaluated using global DNA methylation ELISA. Results: The ALT/AST ratio and liver to body weight ratio tended to increase in the DOX group, and Cr supplementation tended to attenuate this increase. Furthermore, elevated levels of liver fibrosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and senescence were observed with DOX treatment, and Cr supplementation prior to DOX treatment ameliorated this hepatoxicity. Moreover, DOX treatment resulted in chromosomal instability (i.e., altered DNA methylation profile), and Cr supplementation showed a tendency to restore chromosomal stability with DOX treatment. Conclusion: The data suggest that Cr protected against DOX-induced hepatotoxicity by attenuating fibrosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and senescence.

Exercise and clenbuterol as strategies to decrease the progression of muscular dystrophy in mdx mice

1996 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 734-741 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. E. Dupont-Versteegden
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Mdx Mice ◽  
Body Weight Ratio ◽  
Muscle Weight ◽  
Sedentary Group ◽  
Running Activity ◽  
Tetanic Tension

The effects of exercise and the combination of exercise and clenbuterol on progression of muscular dystrophy were studied in mdx mice. At 3 wk of age, mdx mice were randomly assigned to sedentary (MS), exercise (ME), or combined exercise and clenbuterol (MEC) groups. Clenbuterol was given in the drinking water (1.0-1.5 mg . kg body weight-1 . day-1), and exercise consisted of spontaneous running activity on exercise wheels. At 3 mo or 1 yr of age, ventilatory function, contractile properties, and morphological characteristics of the soleus (Sol) and diaphragm (Dia) muscles were measured. The mdx mice receiving clenbuterol ran less than the mice without clenbuterol. The combination of clenbuterol and exercise was associated with an increase in Sol muscle weight and a muscle weight-to-body weight ratio of 30-35% compared with the sedentary group and approximately 20% compared to exercise alone. Myosin and total protein concentrations of the Sol and Dia increased in the MEC group at 1 yr of age only. Normalized active tension was increased in the Dia at 1 yr of age in both the ME and MEC groups by approximately 30%. Absolute tetanic tension of the Sol was increased at both 3 mo and 1 yr of age in the MEC compared with the MS group. At 1 yr of age, there was an additional 23% increase compared with the ME group. Fatigability increased in the MEC group by approximately 25% in the Sol and Dia muscles at both ages compared with the MS and ME groups. Results indicate that exercise and exercise plus clenbuterol decrease the progression of muscular dystrophy. However, different mechanisms may be involved because the combination of clenbuterol and exercise resulted in increased fatigability and the development of deformities, whereas exercise alone did not. Therefore, clenbuterol may not be suitable for use in patients with muscular dystrophy.

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