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The study investigated the potential neuroprotective effects of metformin (MET) on alcohol-induced neurotoxicity in adult Wistar rats. The animals were randomized in four groups (n = 10): control, alcohol (ALC), ALC + MET, and MET. ALC (2 g/kg b.w.) and MET (200 mg/kg b.w.) were orally administered for 21 days, once daily. For the ALC + MET group, MET was administered 2 h after ALC treatment. On day 22, the open field test (OFT) and elevated plus maze (EPM) were performed. MET improved global activity and increased the time spent in unprotected open arms, decreased oxidative stress, both in the frontal lobe and in the hippocampus, and increased neuroglobin expression in the frontal cortex. Histopathologically, an increased neurosecretory activity in the frontal cortex in the ALC + MET group was noticed. Thus, our findings suggest that metformin has antioxidant and anxiolytic effects and may partially reverse the neurotoxic effects induced by ethanol.

Menopause is accompanied by enhanced oxidative stress and behavioral changes, effects attenuated by antioxidants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of caffeine on behavior and oxidative stress in an experimental model of menopause. Female rats were divided into the following groups: sham-operated (CON), sham-operated and caffeine-treated (CAF), ovariectomized (OVX), ovariectomized and caffeine-treated (OVX+CAF). Caffeine (6 mg/kg) and vehicle were administered for 21 days (subchronic) and 42 days (chronic), using 2 experimental subsets. Behavioral tests and oxidative stress parameters in the blood, whole brain, and hippocampus were assessed. The subchronic administration of caffeine decreased the lipid peroxidation and improved the antioxidant defense in the blood and brain. The GSH/GGSG ratio in the brain was improved by chronic administration, with reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes and enhanced nitric oxide and malondialdehyde levels. In particular, the lipid peroxidation in the hippocampus decreased in both experiments. The rats became hyperactive after 21 days of treatment, but no effect was observed after chronic administration. In both experimental subsets, caffeine had anxiolytic effects as tested in elevated plus maze. The administration of low doses of caffeine, for a short period of time, may be a new therapeutic approach to modulating the oxidative stress and anxiety in menopause.

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Background. Studies regarding the serum biochemical changes in redox homeostasis determined by chronic immobilization led us to investigate the serum and muscular effects of physical remobilization by exercise on the oxidant/antioxidant balance. Aims. We investigated whether physical exercise preceded by complex stress through repeated immobilization can influence the prooxidant effects of immobilization. Methods. The research was performed in 3 groups of white male Wistar rats: group I - control group, sedentary animals; group II - animals exercise trained for 28 days; group III - animals exposed to anakinetic stress (immobilization) for 3 hours daily and exercise trained for 28 days. The indicators of the oxidant/antioxidant balance were determined in the serum and muscle tissue. The moments included in the study were T1 and T28. Results. The chronic combined intermittent stress program - physical exercise preceded by immobilization (group III) induced, compared to the exercise trained group (group II), a diminution of oxidative stress with a significant decrease in serum malondialdehyde and a significant diminution of antioxidant defense on account of muscle glutathione, with insignificant changes in the other studied indicators, which supports the use of glutathione in antioxidant defense. Conclusions. Daily training for 28 days induces an increase of oxidative stress in the serum and muscles, a decrease of antioxidant defense in the serum and an increase of it in muscles. Daily training preceded by anakinetic stress for 28 days determines a decrease of oxidative stress in the serum and a decrease of antioxidant defense in muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]