Behavior of rats treated with Rhus toxicodendron 200cH

One of the main pathogenetic characteristics of Rhus toxicodendron (Rhus-t) is the presence of articular pain and aggravation on standing, which improve only by motion. The present study proposes an experimental model to evaluate the action of Rhus-t 200cH. Rats were divided into 3 groups according to treatment received (Rhus-t, diazepam and water); each group was further divided into two sub-groups according to the initial pattern of behavior (hyperactive and hypoactive) as assessed by open-field procedure. A second evaluation of behavior performed 24 hours later pointed out to the effects of the medications under study. Results were analyzed through Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn’s test, with a level of significance p=0.05. Keywords: Rhus toxicodendron; Animal behavior; Open-field; Idiosyncrasy.  Conduta de ratos tratados com Rhus toxicodendron 200cH Resumo Uma das características patogenéticas principais de Rhus toxicodendron (Rhus-t) é a presença de dor articular e agravação em pé, melhorando exclusivamente com o movimento. O presente estudo propõe um modelo experimental para avaliar a ação de Rhus-t 200cH. Ratos foram divididos em 3 grupos de tratamento (Rhus-t, diazepam e água); cada grupo doi subdividido em 2 subgrupos de acordo com o padrão inicial de conduta (hiper e hipoativos) em procedimento de campo aberto. Uma segunda avaliação da conduta, realizada 24 horas após, indicou o efeito dos medicamentos sob estudo. Os resultados foram analisados pelo teste de Kruskal-Ealis/Dunn com nível de significância p=0,05. Palavras-chave: Rhus toxicodendron; comportamento animal; Campo aberto; idiossincrasia.  Conducta da ratones tratados con Rhus toxicodendron 200cH Resumen Una de las principales características patogenéticas de Rhus toxicodendron (Rhus-t) es la presencia de dolor articular y agravación de pie, que mejora exclusivamente por el movimiento. Este estudio propone un modelo experimental para evaluar la acción de Rhus-t 200cH. Ratones fueron divididos en 3 grupos de tratamiento (Rhus-t, diazepam y agua); cada grupo fue subdividido en 2 subgrupos según el padrón inicial de conducta (hiper e hipoactivos) en procedimiento de campo abierto. Una segunda evaluación de la conducta, realizada 24 horas después, indicó el efecto de los medicamentos en estudio. Los resultados fueron analizados por el test de Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn con nivel de significancia p=0,05. Palabras-clave: Rhus toxicodendron; Comportamiento animal; campo abierto; Idiosincrasia.  Correspondence author: Leoni Villano Bonamin; Universidade Paulista, Brazil; [email protected] How to cite this article: Rocha MPS, Soares FM, Martini LC, Bonamin LV. Behavior of rats treated with Rhus toxicodendron 200cH. Int J High Dilution Res [online]. 2008 [cited YYYY Mmm DD]; 7(22): 3-6. Available from: http://journal.giri-society.org/index.php/ijhdr/article/view/265/333. ÂÂÂ

The Effect and Mechanism of Exercise Training on Rats with Poststroke Depression Based on the Intestinal Flora

Depression of poststroke depression (PSD) is the most common neuropsychiatric complication after stroke. Patients with PSD had higher mortality, more cognitive disorder, lower quality of life, and higher suicidal tendency. The pathogenesis of PSD mainly involves neurotransmitter inflammatory factors, HPA and BDNF. Enteral dysfunction and intestinal flora disorders caused by stroke can participate in the pathogenesis of PSD through various ways, such as immune, endocrine, and nervous system. In this experiment, we used exercise training as an intervention means to explore the curative effect and possible mechanism by observing the changes of behavior, inflammatory factors, and intestinal flora in rats. The results show that the mechanism of exercise training to improve the depressive behavior of rats may be related to inhibiting the expression of proinflammatory factors and increasing the number of lactic acid bacteria in the intestine.

Danzhi Xiaoyao Powder Promotes Neuronal Regeneration by Downregulating Notch Signaling Pathway in the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Background: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is one of the most common types of anxiety disorders with unclear pathogenesis. Our team’s previous research found that extensive neuronal apoptosis and neuronal regeneration disorders occur in the hippocampus of GAD rats. Danzhi Xiaoyao (DZXYS) Powder can improve the anxiety behavior of rats, but its molecular mechanism is not well understood.Objective: This paper discusses whether the pathogenesis of GAD is related to the abnormal expression of Notch signal pathway, and whether the anti-anxiety effect of DZXYS promotes nerve regeneration in the hippocampus by regulating the Notch signaling pathway.Methods: The animal model of GAD was developed by the chronic restraint stress and uncertain empty bottle stimulation method. After the model was successfully established, the rats in the model preparation group were divided into the buspirone, DZXYS, DZXYS + DAPT, and model groups, and were administered the corresponding drug intervention. The changes in body weight and food intake of rats were continuously monitored throughout the process. The changes in anxiety behavior of rats were measured by open field experiment and elevated plus-maze test, and morphological changes and regeneration of neurons in the rat hippocampus were observed by HE staining and double immunofluorescence staining. Changes in the expression of key targets of the Notch signaling pathway in the hippocampus were monitored by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and western blotting.Results: In this study, we verified that the GAD model was stable and reliable, and found that the key targets of the Notch signaling pathway (Notch1, Hes1, Hes5, etc.) in the hippocampus of GAD rats were significantly upregulated, leading to the increased proliferation of neural stem cells in the hippocampus and increased differentiation into astrocytes, resulting in neuronal regeneration. DZXYS intervention in GAD rats can improve appetite, promote weight growth, and significantly reverse the anxiety behavior of GAD rats, which can inhibit the upregulation of key targets of the Notch signaling pathway, promote the differentiation of neural stem cells in the hippocampus into neurons, and inhibit their differentiation into astrocytes, thus alleviating anxiety behavior.Conclusion: The occurrence of GAD is closely related to the upregulation of the Notch signaling pathway, which hinders the regeneration of normal neurons in the hippocampus, while DZXYS can downregulate the Notch signaling pathway and promote neuronal regeneration in the hippocampus, thereby relieving anxiety behavior.

Electroacupuncture Reverses CUMS-Induced Depression-Like Behaviors and LTP Impairment in Hippocampus by Downregulating NR2B and CaMK II Expression

Objective. Depression is a global mental health problem with high disability rate, which brings a huge disease burden to the world. Electroacupuncture (EA) has been shown to be an effective method for the treatment of depression. However, the mechanism underling the antidepressant effect of EA has not been clearly clarified. The change of synaptic plasticity is the focus in the study of antidepressant mechanism. This study will observe the effect of EA on LTP of hippocampal synaptic plasticity and explore its possible mechanism. Methods. The depression-like behavior rat model was established by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). EA stimulation (Hegu and Taichong) was used to treat the depressed rats. The depression-like behavior of rats was tested by weight measurement, open field test, depression preference test, and novelty suppressed feeding test. Long-term potentiation (LTP) was recorded at CA1 synapses in hippocampal slices by electrophysiological method. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 2B (NR2B) and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II) protein levels were examined by using western blot. Results. After the establishment of CUMS-induced depression model, the weight gain rate, sucrose preference rate, line crossing number, and rearing times of rats decreased, and feeding time increased. At the same time, the LTP in hippocampus was impaired, and the expressions of NR2B and CaMK II were upregulated. After EA treatment, the depression-like behavior of rats was improved, the impairment of LTP was reversed, and the expression levels of NR2B and CaMK II protein were downregulated. Conclusion. EA can ameliorate depression-like behaviors by restoring LTP induction, downregulating NR2B and CaMK II expression in CUMS model rats, which might be part of the mechanism of EA antidepressant.

Prolactin-releasing peptide increases rat anxiety

BACKGROUND: Prolactin-releasing peptide(Prl-RP), in addition to stimulating the production of prolactin, interacts with various parts of the central nervous system, participating in the implementation of many functions that are reflected in behavior.AIM: The effect of Prl-RP on the anxiety of white Wistar rats was studied since there were no data in the literature on the relationship between Prl-RP and anxiety.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anxiety was assessed in two tests. In the elevated plus-maze (EPM), the time spent in the open arms and the number of edge reactions were recorded. In the social preference test, the time spent near a stranger, near a familiar individual, and in neutral territory were recorded.RESULTS: The administration of Prl-RP at a dose of 10-10 M with a volume of 10 µl in each nostril reduced the time spent by the animals in the open arms of the EPM, and the number of edge reactions. For testing the social interaction, animals were pre-selected for high or low levels of anxiety in the EPM. In rats with initially low levels of anxiety, Prl-RP reduced the time spent near a stranger, indicating an increase in anxiety levels. The behavior of rats with initially high levels of anxiety did not change after application of the Prl-RP.CONCLUSION: The results of our experiments indicate that the intranasal administration of Prl-RP increases the anxiety of rats.

CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR OF LABORATORY RATS WHEN EXPOSED TO VARIOUS SENSORY ORGANS: VISION, TASTE, SMELL

В работе представлены выявленные изменения поведения крыс при проведении эксперимента «Открытое поле» с хроническим воздействием на различные анализаторы крыс. Предположен адаптивный характер полученных результатов, связанный со стрессовой ситуацией при воздействии на органы чувств крыс. The paper presents the revealed changes in the behavior of rats during the "Open Field" experiment with chronic exposure to various rat analyzers. The adaptive nature of the results obtained is assumed to be associated with a stressful situation when exposed to the sensory organs of rats.

Niacinamide and undenatured type II collagen modulates the inflammatory response in rats with monoiodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis

The current work aimed to examine the properties of oral supplementation of niacinamide and undenatured type II collagen (UCII) on the inflammation and joint pain behavior of rats with osteoarthritis (OA). Forty-nine Wistar rats were allocated into seven groups; control (no MIA), MIA as a non-supplemental group with monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced knee osteoarthritis, MIA + undenatured type II collagen (UCII) at 4 mg/kg BW, MIA + Niacinamide at 40 mg/kg BW (NA40), MIA + Niacinamide at 200 mg/kg BW (NA200), MIA + UCII + NA40 and MIA + UCII + NA200. Serum IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF-α, COMP, and CRP increased in rats with OA and decreased in UCII and NA groups (p < 0.05). Rats with osteoarthritis had greater serum MDA and knee joint MMP-3, NF-κB, and TGβ protein levels and decreased in treated groups with UCII and NA (p < 0.05). The rats with OA also bore elevated joint diameters with joint pain behavior measured as decreased the stride lengths, the paw areas, and the paw widths, and increased the Kellgren-Lawrence and the Mankin scores (p < 0.05) and decreased in UCII treated groups. These results suggest the combinations with the UCII + NA supplementation as being most effective and reduce the inflammation responses for most OA symptoms in rats.

Cumulative effect and subchronic toxicity of the supramolecular complex of fenbendazole

The purpose of the research is to study the cumulative effect and subchronic toxicity of supramolecular complex of fenbendazole (SMCF).Materials and methods. The cumulative effect of SMCF was studied on 20 outbred white rats weighing 180 g that were divided into experimental and control groups of 10 animals each. SMCF was administered intragastrically to rats of the experimental groups for 24 days at the dose of 2000 mg/kg (1/10 of the previously established single LD50 (20000 mg/kg)) on the first day, then the dose was increased by 1.5 times every four day. The main criterion for evaluation of the results was the death of animals; we also observed the overall condition and behavior of rats. Subchronic toxicity was studied on 40 male white rats weighing 220–240 g. The animals were divided into 4 equal groups. The drug was administered daily to rats of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd experimental groups intragastrically using the doses of 1/5 (4000 mg/kg), 1/10 (2000 mg/ kg) and 1/20 (1000 mg/kg) of LD50 (20000 mg/kg) respectively for 7 days. The control group received 1% starch paste in an appropriate volume throughout the experiment. During the experiment, we observed physical signs and behavior of animals, food and water consumption; weight gains of animals on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th days of the experiment. After the drug administration, animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The laboratory examinations for hematological parameters and biochemical parameters were performed after treatment. Samples of organs (liver, heart, lungs, kidneys, spleen) were taken during necropsy to calculate mass coefficients and to make macroscopic examinations.Results and discussion. We found that the SMCF did not have any cumulative properties. The overall condition and behavior of rats was within the physiological range; animals consumed food and water and showed no signs of intoxication after oral administration of SMCF at doses of 1/5, 1/10 and 1/20 of LD50 for 7 days. The drug did not have influence on weight gains of animals. Hematological and biochemical parameters did not undergo significant changes and were comparable with the parameters of the control group. The mass coefficients of the internal organs did not differ statistically in experimental and control groups of rats.