scholarly journals Mice behavioural models with pooled data analysis of Gelsemium studies and new findings about Ignatia and Aconitum

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (36) ◽  
pp. 198-200
Author(s):  
Paolo Bellavite ◽  
Paolo Magnani ◽  
Marta Marzotto ◽  
Mirko Cristofoletti ◽  
Mariaelisabetta Zanolin ◽  
...  

Objective: We investigated the effects of three different homeopathic medicines in several dilutions/dynamizations on mice, using validated models which explore anxiety-like and emotional symptoms. Two complete series of investigations were performed in order to assess the activity of Gelsemium sempervirens; furthermore, we investigated Ignatia amara and Aconitum napellus in the same model systems. Methods: Mice of CD1 strain were randomized in different cages (minimum 8 mice per treated group in each experiment) and treatment solutions were coded in such a way that all protocols were carried out fully in blind. The indicated compounds at various centesimal dilutions/dynamizations, a control solution (the solvent vehicle of drugs, which was succussed before administration) or the reference drugs diazepam (1 mg/kg body weight) or buspirone (5 mg/kg body weight) diluted in the same succussed solvent were delivered intraperitoneally (0.3 ml/mice) for 9 days. A series of changes of animal behavior were assessed by the Light-Dark (LD) choice test and the Open-Field (OF) exploration test. Two series of studies with little technical differences, exploiting a total of 14 separate experiments, were carried out with Gelsemium, five complete experiments with Ignatia and four complete experiments with Aconitum. Results: In both series of experiments Gelsemium showed anxiolytic-like effects using both OF test (permanence and movement in centre area of field) and LD test (time spent in lit area and number of light-dark transitions). However, due to high variability of animal responses and possibly to some minor differences in protocols, those effects reached the threshold of statistical significance only in OF in the first series and only in LD in the second series. Cumulative analysis of the two series demonstrated a highly significant (p

2006 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yukari Egashira ◽  
Shin Nagaki ◽  
Hiroo Sanada

We investigated the change of tryptophan-niacin metabolism in rats with puromycin aminonucleoside PAN-induced nephrosis, the mechanisms responsible for their change of urinary excretion of nicotinamide and its metabolites, and the role of the kidney in tryptophan-niacin conversion. PAN-treated rats were intraperitoneally injected once with a 1.0% (w/v) solution of PAN at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight. The collection of 24-hour urine was conducted 8 days after PAN injection. Daily urinary excretion of nicotinamide and its metabolites, liver and blood NAD, and key enzyme activities of tryptophan-niacin metabolism were determined. In PAN-treated rats, the sum of urinary excretion of nicotinamide and its metabolites was significantly lower compared with controls. The kidneyα-amino-β-carboxymuconate-ε-semialdehyde decarboxylase (ACMSD) activity in the PAN-treated group was significantly decreased by 50%, compared with the control group. Although kidney ACMSD activity was reduced, the conversion of tryptophan to niacin tended to be lower in the PAN-treated rats. A decrease in urinary excretion of niacin and the conversion of tryptophan to niacin in nephrotic rats may contribute to a low level of blood tryptophan. The role of kidney ACMSD activity may be minimal concerning tryptophan-niacin conversion under this experimental condition.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 331
Author(s):  
Jung-Yun Lee ◽  
Tae Yang Kim ◽  
Hanna Kang ◽  
Jungbae Oh ◽  
Joo Woong Park ◽  
...  

Excess body weight is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and associated metabolic complications, and weight loss has been shown to improve glycemic control and decrease morbidity and mortality in T2D patients. Weight-loss strategies using dietary interventions produce a significant decrease in diabetes-related metabolic disturbance. We have previously reported that the supplementation of low molecular chitosan oligosaccharide (GO2KA1) significantly inhibited blood glucose levels in both animals and humans. However, the effect of GO2KA1 on obesity still remains unclear. The aim of the study was to evaluate the anti-obesity effect of GO2KA1 on lipid accumulation and adipogenic gene expression using 3T3-L1 adipocytes in vitro and plasma lipid profiles using a Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat model. Murine 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were stimulated to differentiate under the adipogenic stimulation in the presence and absence of varying concentrations of GO2KA1. Adipocyte differentiation was confirmed by Oil Red O staining of lipids and the expression of adipogenic gene expression. Compared to control group, the cells treated with GO2KA1 significantly decreased in intracellular lipid accumulation with concomitant decreases in the expression of key transcription factors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (CEBP/α). Consistently, the mRNA expression of downstream adipogenic target genes such as fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), fatty acid synthase (FAS), were significantly lower in the GO2KA1-treated group than in the control group. In vivo, male SD rats were fed a high fat diet (HFD) for 6 weeks to induced obesity, followed by oral administration of GO2KA1 at 0.1 g/kg/body weight or vehicle control in HFD. We assessed body weight, food intake, plasma lipids, levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) for liver function, and serum level of adiponectin, a marker for obesity-mediated metabolic syndrome. Compared to control group GO2KA1 significantly suppressed body weight gain (185.8 ± 8.8 g vs. 211.6 ± 20.1 g, p < 0.05) with no significant difference in food intake. The serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were significantly lower in the GO2KA1-treated group than in the control group, whereas the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level was higher in the GO2KA1 group. The GO2KA1-treated group also showed a significant reduction in ALT and AST levels compared to the control. Moreover, serum adiponectin levels were significantly 1.5-folder higher than the control group. These in vivo and in vitro findings suggest that dietary supplementation of GO2KA1 may prevent diet-induced weight gain and the anti-obesity effect is mediated in part by inhibiting adipogenesis and increasing adiponectin level.


2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Ivanova ◽  
Yordanka Gluhcheva ◽  
Sonja Arpadjan ◽  
Mariana Mitewa

ABSTRACT Cadmium (Cd) is a well-known nephrotoxic agent. Cd-induced renal dysfunction has been considered as one of the causes leading to the development of hypertension. The correlation between Cd concentration in blood and urine and cardiovascular diseases has been discussed in many epidemiological studies. A therapy with chelating agents is utilized for the treatment of toxic metal intoxication. Herein we present novel information indicating that monensin (applied as tetraethylammonium salt) is a promising chelating agent for the treatment of Cd-induced renal and cardiac dysfunction. The study was performed using the ICR mouse model. Adult ICR male mice were divided into three groups with six animals in each group: control (received distilled water and food ad libitum for 28 days); Cd-intoxicated (treated orally with 20 mg/kg b.w. Cd(II) acetate from day 1 to day 14 of the experimental protocol), and monensin treated group (intoxicated with Cd(II) acetate as described for the Cd-intoxicated group followed by oral treatment with 16 mg/kg b.w. tetraethylammonium salt of monensic acid for 2 weeks). Cd intoxication of the animals resulted in an increase of the organ weight/body weight indexes. Cd elevated significantly creatinine and glucose level in serum. Monensin treatment improved the organ weight/body weight ratios. The therapy of the Cd-intoxicated animals with monensin ameliorated the creatinine and glucose level in serum and decreased the concentration of the toxic metal ions in the heart and kidneys by 54 % and 64 %, respectively


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
E. Panero ◽  
L. Gastaldi ◽  
W. Rapp

Squat exercise is acquiring interest in many fields, due to its benefits in improving health and its biomechanical similarities to a wide range of sport motions and the recruitment of many body segments in a single maneuver. Several researches had examined considerable biomechanical aspects of lower limbs during squat, but not without limitations. The main goal of this study focuses on the analysis of the foot contribution during a partial body weight squat, using a two-segment foot model that considers separately the forefoot and the hindfoot. The forefoot and hindfoot are articulated by the midtarsal joint. Five subjects performed a series of three trials, and results were averaged. Joint kinematics and dynamics were obtained using motion capture system, two force plates closed together, and inverse dynamics techniques. The midtarsal joint reached a dorsiflexion peak of 4°. Different strategies between subjects revealed 4° supination and 2.5° pronation of the forefoot. Vertical GRF showed 20% of body weight concentrated on the forefoot and 30% on the hindfoot. The percentages varied during motion, with a peak of 40% on the hindfoot and correspondently 10% on the forefoot, while the traditional model depicted the unique constant 50% value. Ankle peak of plantarflexion moment, power absorption, and power generation was consistent with values estimated by the one-segment model, without statistical significance.


2008 ◽  
Vol 294 (3) ◽  
pp. H1452-H1458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rgia A. Othman ◽  
Miyoung Suh ◽  
Gabor Fischer ◽  
Nazila Azordegan ◽  
Natalie Riediger ◽  
...  

Both fish and flaxseed oils are major sources of different n-3 fatty acids. Beneficial effects of fish oil on posttransplantation complications have been reported. The current study aimed to compare the effects of flaxseed and fish oils in a rat cardiac allograft model. Male Fischer and Lewis rats were used as donors and recipients, respectively, to generate a heterotopic cardiac allograft model. Animals were randomly assigned into three groups and fed a diet supplemented with 1) 5% (wt/wt) safflower oil (control, n = 7), 2) 5% (wt/wt) flaxseed oil ( n = 8), or 3) 2% (wt/wt) fish oil ( n = 7), and an intraperitoneal injection of cyclosporine A (CsA; 1.5 mg·kg−1·day−1) over 12 wk. Body weight, blood pressure, plasma levels of lipids, CsA, select cytokines, as well as graft function and chronic rejection features were assessed. Body weight and blood CsA levels were similar among the groups. Relative to controls, both treated groups had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure and plasma levels of macrophage chemotactic protein-1. Treatment with fish oil significantly ( P < 0.05) lowered plasma levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol. HDL-cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher ( P < 0.05) in the flaxseed oil-treated group compared with the other two groups. Both flaxseed oil and fish oil may provide similar biochemical, hemodynamic, and inflammatory benefits after heart transplantation; however, neither of the oils was able to statistically significantly impact chronic rejection or histological evidence of apparent cyclosporine-induced nephrotoxicity in this model.


1990 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 1804-1809 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. H. Martin ◽  
W. M. Kohrt ◽  
M. T. Malley ◽  
E. Korte ◽  
S. Stoltz

To determine whether extremity vasodilatory capacity may be augmented in older persons by endurance exercise training, lower leg blood flow and conductance were characterized plethysmographically at rest and during maximal hyperemia in 9 men and 10 women aged 64 +/- 3 (SD) yr before and after 31 +/- 6 wk of walking and jogging at 70-90% of maximal oxygen uptake for 45 min 3-5 days/wk. Maximal oxygen uptake expressed as milliliters per kilogram per minute improved 25% in men and 21% in women (P less than 0.01). Maximal leg blood flow and conductance increased in all nine men by an average of 39 +/- 33 (P less than 0.001) and 42 +/- 44% (P less than 0.004), respectively. Results were more variable in women and achieved unequivocal statistical significance only for maximal blood flow (+33 +/- 54% for blood flow and +29 +/- 55% for conductance; P less than 0.02 and P = 0.05, respectively). Body weight and skinfold adiposity declined in both sexes (P less than 0.05). Enhancement of vasodilatory capacity was related to weight loss in men and adipose tissue loss in women (r = 0.61 and 0.51, respectively; P less than 0.05). There were no significant changes in exercise capacity, body weight, or maximal blood flow in four male and three female controls aged 66 +/- 4 yr. Thus adaptability of the lower limb circulation to endurance exercise training is retained to at least age 65 yr.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saudy Saret Pablo-Pérez ◽  
María Mirian Estévez-Carmona ◽  
María Estela Meléndez-Camargo

<p class="Abstract">The aim of this study was to evaluate the diuretic activity of <em>Eysenhardtia polystachya</em> bark aqueous extract at different doses in a rat model. Different doses of <em>E. polystachya</em> (125, 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg body weight), furosemide (4 mg/kg) and vehicle were administered per os to female rats (n=6 animals per group). After 6 hours in metabolic cages, the effect on urinary flow, glomerular filtration rate and electrolyte balance of sodium and potassium were assessed in all animals. <em>E. polystachya</em> at the doses of 500 and 750 mg/kg induced diuretic activity, since markedly increased (p&lt;0.05) the urinary flow rate, similar to that of furosemide treated group. Only the dose of 750 mg/kg produced an increment in urinary excretion of sodium but not of potassium compared with control group. These findings indicate that<em> E. polystachya</em> bark-induced diuretic activity, providing evidence for its folkloric use.</p><p> </p>


2015 ◽  
Vol 70 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 151-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ye Pan ◽  
Peng Lü ◽  
Lijing Yin ◽  
Keping Chen ◽  
Yuanqing He

Abstract Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) was used to detect fluoride-induced alterations in the proteome of the rat hippocampus. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=30) were subjected to treatments three weeks after weaning. Animals of the first group were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with aqueous NaF (20 mg/kg/body weight/day), the second group, injected with physiological saline, served as the control. After 30 days, the body weight of the fluoride-treated rats was lower than that of the control, and F– levels in serum were higher than in the control. The hippocampus was subjected to proteomic analysis, and the fluoride-treated group was found to contain 19 up-regulated and eight down-regulated proteins. The proteins, identified by mass-spectroscopic analysis of their fragments obtained after digestion, were found to be involved in amino acid biosynthesis, the insulin signaling pathway and various other crucial functions. Our results also provide useful information on the mechanism of the reduction of the learning ability and memory induced by F.


2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willian R. Tebar ◽  
Luiz Carlos M. Vanderlei ◽  
Catarina C. Scarabotollo ◽  
Edner F. Zanuto ◽  
Bruna T. C. Saraiva ◽  
...  

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of abdominal obesity and its associated factors among adolescents, independent of confounders. Method: A sample of 14–17-year-old individuals (n=1.231), who were students from Londrina/PR-Brazil public schools, was studied. A questionnaire about physical activity, sedentary behaviour and socioeconomic conditions was applied. Anthropometry was composed of body weight (kg), height (m), body mass index (BMI=kg/m²) and waist circumference (cm). The association of abdominal obesity and independent variables was assessed using the chi-square test and the magnitude of associations was verified using Binary Logistic Regression in an unadjusted model and adjusted for confounders (gender, age, socioeconomic status, physical activity and sedentary behaviour). The confidence interval and statistical significance were set at 95% and 5%, respectively, using SPSS v15.0. Results: The abdominal obesity prevalence was 17.5% (CI = 15.4%–19.6%), and was higher in boys than in girls. Adolescents with abdominal obesity had higher values of body weight, height, body mass index and sedentary behaviour compared to eutrophic individuals. Being male increased the risk of abdominal obesity by 36% in adolescents. This risk was two times higher in those with high levels of sedentary behaviour. Conclusion: Abdominal obesity was significantly associated with gender and high levels of sedentary behaviour, regardless of confounding factors. Lifestyle habits are important modifiable risk factors that can effectively contribute to the reduction of obesity from an early age.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (07) ◽  
pp. 16984-16996
Author(s):  
MMC Anyakudo ◽  
◽  
DO Adeniji ◽  

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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