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Epilobium hirsutum L., commonly known as hairy willowherb, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to Europe and Asia. In Romania, the Epilobium genus includes 17 species that are used in folk medicine for various purposes. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antitumor potential of the optimized extract of Epilobium hirsutum (EH) in animal models. The first study investigated the anti-inflammatory properties of EH optimized extract and the model used was carrageenan-induced paw inflammation. Wistar rats were divided into three groups: negative control, positive control treated with indomethacin, and a group treated with the extract. Oxidative stress markers, cytokine levels, and protein expressions were assessed. The extract demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties comparable to those of the control group. In the second study, the antitumor effects of the extract were assessed using the tumor model of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma. Swiss albino mice with Ehrlich ascites were divided into four groups: negative, positive treated with cyclophosphamide (Cph), Group 3 treated with Cph and EH optimized extract, and Group 4 treated with extract alone. Samples from the ascites fluid, liver, and heart were analyzed to evaluate oxidative stress, inflammation, and cancer markers. The extract showed a reduction in tumor-associated inflammation and oxidative stress. Overall, the EH optimized extract exhibited promising anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects in the animal models studied. These findings suggest its potential as a natural adjuvant therapeutic agent for addressing inflammation and oxidative stress induced by different pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Propranolol, timolol, and minoxidil have all shown benefits in treatment of burn injury and other skin wounds. The study evaluated their effects on full-thickness thermal skin burns in a Wistar rat model. Performed on 50 female rats; two dorsal skin burns were created on each animal. On the next day, the rats were divided into 5 groups (n = 10); each has received a specific treatment daily for 14 days: group I—topical vehicle (control), group II—topical silver sulfadiazine (SSD), group III—oral propranolol (5.5 mg) associated with topical vehicle, group IV—topical timolol 1% cream, and group V—topical minoxidil 5% cream. Wound contraction rates, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH, GSSG), and catalase activity in skin and/or serum were evaluated, and histopathological analyses were performed. Propranolol did not show advantages in necrosis prevention and wound contraction and healing, and did not reduce oxidative stress. It impaired keratinocyte migration, and promoted ulceration, chronic inflammation, and fibrosis, yet reducing the necrotic zone. Timolol prevented necrosis and promoted contraction and healing, increased antioxidant capacity and promoted keratinocyte migration and neo capillarization in comparison to the other treatments. Minoxidil reduced necrosis and enhanced contraction, resulting in positive outcomes after 1 week of treatment regarding local antioxidant defense, keratinocyte migration, neo capillarization, chronic inflammation, and fibrosis rates. However, after 2 weeks, it resulted in contrasting outcomes. In conclusion, topical timolol promoted wound contraction and healing, reducing local oxidative stress and improving keratinocyte migration, bringing arguments for potential benefits in skin epithelization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing body of evidence suggests that the gut microbiota affects the cardiovascular system directly and indirectly via biologically active molecules. TMAO, a key metabolite produced by gut bacteria is implicated in atherosclerosis and chronic endothelial dysfunction, but with an unclear effect on vascular tone, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Our study aimed to evaluate the acute effects of TMAO on vascular contractility in relation with oxidative stress markers and inflammation. Aortic rings were harvested from laboratory rats and placed in a tissue bath system containing TMAO in concentrations of 300, 100, 10 µM, and control. Vascular tone under the influence of vasoconstrictor phenylephrine and non-endothelial-dependent vasodilator sodium nitroprusside was assessed using force transducers connected to a computer-based acquisition system. Oxidative stress and inflammation were quantified by vascular assessment of the activity of NF-κB, NRF2, SOD1, and iNOS by western-blotting and MDA by spectrofluorimetry. After the incubation of the aortic rings in TMAO solutions for 1 h, there was no difference in vasoconstrictor and non-endothelial vasodilator response between the studied doses. TMAO acutely induced oxidative stress and inflammation, significantly increasing levels of MDA and the expression of NF-κB, NRF2, SOD1, and iNOS, mostly in a dose-dependent manner. Our study showed the lack of a short-term effect of studied TMAO doses on vascular contractility, but demonstrated an acute prooxidative effect and activation of major inflammatory pathways, which can partially explain the detrimental effects of TMAO in cardiovascular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to identify possible influences of extraction methods as well as extraction parameters on the phytochemical and biological profiles of Xanthium spinosum L. extracts. Extraction methods were chosen as follows: classical methods, maceration and Soxhlet extraction; innovative extraction methods, turboextraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and a combination of the latter two. Extracts were subjected to total polyphenolic and flavonoid content spectrophotometric analysis. The phytochemical profile was determined for the best-yielding extracts using HPLC-MS analysis. Following the newly acquired data, another sorting of the extracts was performed. Biological activities such as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory actions were evaluated, as well as oxidative stress reduction potential, on a Wistar rats inflammation model. Comparable results were achieved with Soxhlet extraction and ultrasound-assisted extraction, both surpassing all other tested methods in terms of yields. Bioactive compound concentrations tended to increase with the increase in extraction time and temperature. These maximal values lowered once the degradation points of the bioactive compounds were reached. Extracts demonstrated good protection against Gram-negative bacteria. Additionally, they provided good cellular protection and increased the antioxidant defense in the analyzed rat plantar tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to gain an insight into the manner in which several extraction processes (both classical as well as innovative) affected bioactive compound yield, and subsequently to assess several of their biological activities. Red clover extracts were obtained using maceration, Soxhlet extraction, turbo-extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and a combination of the last two. The resulting extracts were analyzed for total phenolic and flavonoid content. The extracts presenting the best results were subjected to a phytochemical assessment by way of HPLC-MS analysis. After a final sorting based on the phytochemical profiles of the extracts, the samples were assessed for their antimicrobial activity, anti-inflammatory activity, and oxidative stress reduction potential, using animal inflammation models. The Soxhlet extraction yielded the most satisfactory results both qualitatively and quantitatively. The ultrasound-assisted extraction offered comparable yields. The extracts showed a high potential against gram-negative bacteria and induced a modest antioxidant effect on the experimental inflammation model in Wistar rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article titled "Evaluating Hepatic Toxicity of Chitosan and Chitosan-Functionalized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in a Rat Model of Peripheral Nerve Injury -- Relevance for Rehabilitation Medicine" by Nadina Liana Pop et al. was published in the Balneo & PRM Research Journal in June 2024. The study examines the potential liver toxicity of chitosan and chitosan-functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles in a rat model of peripheral nerve injury. The authors aim to determine the relevance of these findings for rehabilitation medicine. The article provides the necessary references and contact information for further exploration. [Extracted from the article]

ype 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is caused by the insulin deficiency resulting from the progressive destruction of pancreatic β cells. Thiazolidine-2,4-diones (TZDs) activate the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) and enhance the actions of insulin. 5-((6-methyl-4-oxo-4Hchromen- 3-yl)methylene)-3-(2-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-oxoethyl)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione (TZDd) is a heterocyclic derivative synthesized in our laboratory. The purpose of this study was to examine whether TZDd has hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects in diabetic rats. Its effects were compared with those of quercetin (Que), a potent antioxidant, and with pioglitazone (Pio), a well-known antidiabetic drug. Type 1 DM was induced in Wistar rats by the intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin (STZ) (60 mg/kg). The non-diabetic and diabetic rats were treated with Que (30 mg/kg/day), pioglitazone (30 mg/kg/day), or TZDd (30 mg/kg/day), for 5 weeks. The serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC) groups, and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in the blood were then assessed. The results indicated that the TZDd decreased the blood oxidative stress parameters in the treated diabetic rats, compared to Que and pioglitazone. In conclusion, the hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects of TZDd in diabetic rats, suggest its therapeutic properties for the clinical treatment of T1DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar ultraviolet radiation (UV) is a major cause of ocular injury contributing to photokeratitis, cataract and pterygium development. The aim of the study was to investigate the oxidant/antioxidant status of Wistar rat eyes after exposure to various doses of UVB in correlation with morphological and structural changes. Five groups of 8 animals each, randomly divided, were treated as follows: group 1: control, no UVB irradiation; group 2: a single UVB exposure to a dose of 45 mJ/cm²; group 3: a single UVB exposure to 90 mJ/cm²; group 4: a single UVB exposure to 180 mJ/cm²; group 5: a single UVB exposure to 360 mJ/cm². At 24 hrs after UVB irradiation the animals were anaesthetized and sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The rat eyes from 5 animals were extracted and used for biochemical determinations and from 3 animals were harvested and used for histopathological investigation. Our results demonstrated that a single UVB exposure at different doses disturbs the oxidant-antioxidant balance in the eye tissues by lipid peroxides generation, activation of CAT and SOD and adaptative increasing of GSH levels, particularly at high doses. Twenty hours following UVB irradiation the cornea showed significant lesions: inflammation, hemorrhage, superficial/deep ulcerous keratitis and epithelial exfoliation. Severity of injuries was dose-dependent. These data suggest that oxidative stress may be responsible for the corneal lesions induced by UVB irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic syndrome incidence is increasing, especially in industrialized countries. Lack of exercise and obesity are a major cause of morbidity and mortality at ages becoming younger. Exercise is proven to be a cardiovascular protective factor. Oxidant-antioxidant balance is modified with the advent of any pathological process. The aim of the study was to observe the effect antioxidant administration (coenzyme Q10) has in different types of diet and at different activity status. Research was conducted on male Wistar rats, divided into 12 groups of 10 animals, in two 6 lots stages. Animals received in the first stage the normal diet (I, II), high-sugar diet (III, IV), high-fat diet(V, VI), were carried out daily exercise (II, IV, VI) or were sedentary (I, III, V ). During the second stage, study model conducted in the first stage was added oral coenzyme Q10 gavage(100mg/kgc). After 28 days, the animals were euthanized and the liver was collected. Histopathological examination of liver biopsies not revealed significant changes in terms of steatosis, inflammation or macular degeneration regardless of diet, supplementation with coenzyme Q10 or performing exercise [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic stress is a major factor that contributes to several disorders. A common animal model, performed in order to evaluate the environmental experimentally-induced-stress is hypothermia. L-Carnitine is a natural substance required in the energetic metabolism of the mammals, which also has an antioxidant function. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of chronic hypothermic stress on oxidant/antioxidant balance in the serum and tissues, (liver and muscle), on rats with and without carnitine supplementation. Rats were divided randomly into four groups often rats each: control group (I); hypothermic stress (II) - exposed to cold stress; supplemented with carnitine (HI) supplemented with carnitine and exposed to hypothermic stress (TV). Our experimental results showed that chronic hypothermic stress increases the oxidative stress (OS) indicators in serum and tissues and decreased those of antioxidant (AO) defense. Carnitine supplementation in chronic hypothermic stress conditions had benefic effects on OS and AO defense indicators, this compound being likely to have favorable effects in an experimental hypothermic stress model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The aim of the present study was to assess the innocuity of isoflurane in rat lung and liver through histopathological examination. Experimental protocol: 20 female Wistar rats were divided intro 4 groups, each consisting of 5 individuals: control group, group I, II and III. Female rats from the control group were not exposed to any anesthetic treatment, while female rats from the other groups (I, II and III) were exposed to isoflurane three times, for 2 hours, every other day. Animals from the control group and group I were sacrificed immediately after the last exposure (0 h). Group II was sacrificed 6 hours after the last exposure and group III 24 hours after the last exposure. Fragments of the lung and liver were collected from the 20 female rats taken into study and then histologically processed (fixed in 10% buffered formalin and embedded in paraffin). After obtaining 5 μm thick sections, they were stained using Goldner's Trichrome method. Histopathological examination of the tissue specimens showed no structural changes perceptible through light microscopy, thus showing that isoflurane did not exert a toxic action in these two organs. The present study proved a good innocuity of isoflurane in rat lung and liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aim. Photodynamic therapy, PDT, is a promising option among the local treatments with oncolytic potential. Although the basic principle is simple, its intricate mechanisms allow for a broad range of optimization methods. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of Resveratrol and Curcumin as adjuvants of PDT on experimental tumors. Methods. Sixty-six Wistar male rats were divided into 11 groups: control, Curcumin (CUR), Resveratrol (RES) alone or followed by irradiation (IR) (CUR+IR and RES+IR, respectively), 5,10,15,20-tetra-sulphonato-phenyl-porphyrin (TSPP), TSPP+IR (PDT), and CUR or RES administered prior to or after PDT (CUR+TSPP+IR, RES+TSPP+IR, TSPP+IR+CUR, TSPP+IR+RES). Results. Both CUR and RES significantly decreased lipid peroxidation, while RES also showed an increase in glutathione (GSH) levels, especially when it was administered before PDT (p<0.01). Both antioxidants decreased cyclooxygenase (COX)2 expression, to a minimum when they administered prior to PDT (p<0.001 and p<0.01) while nitric oxide synthase (NOS)2 expression diminished in the combined regimen, particularly in RES associated with PDT. CUR and RES induced similar changes in terms of cell death, but CUR seemed to be more efficient on tumor necrosis and showed a higher apoptotic index when was administered after PDT (p<0.001). Conclusion. Both RES and CUR in association with PDT decreased oxidative stress, diminished the COX2 and NOS2 expressions and increased cell death by positively influencing the necrotic rate and apoptotic index, particularly when CUR was administered after PDT. The results show that CUR is a promising class to study in PDT optimization and further invites to exploit its promises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The antioxidant effects of lycopene, evidenced in vitro and in vivo under pathological conditions, led us to study in an experimental model of complex combined stress (exposure to moderate hypobaric hypoxia and physical exercise) the changes in the tissue oxidant/antioxidant (O/AO) balance following lycopene supplementation. Aims. The influence of chronic hypobaric hypoxia exposure and lycopene supplementation on tissue redox homeostasis under physical exercise conditions was studied in the brain, myocardium, lungs and striated muscles. Methods. The research was performed in 3 groups of white male Wistar rats: group I - control group, sedentary rats under normoxia conditions; group II - animals exposed to hypobaric hypoxia for 42 days (corresponding to the altitude of 2500 m), followed by exercise under normoxia conditions; group III - animals exposed to moderate hypobaric hypoxia for 42 days, followed by lycopene administration and daily exercise. Exposure was simulated in the hypobaric chamber for 42 days, 20 hours a day, at 2500 m. Groups II and III were trained daily for 42 days under normoxia conditions, using the swimming test. Group III received 0.0375 mg/kg body weight lycopene by oral gavage, before exercise, daily. In order to measure the indicators of the oxidant/antioxidant (O/AO) balance, tissue samples were taken from the brain, myocardium, lungs and femoral quadriceps muscle. On day 3, the following were determined: malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyls (PC), glutathione (GSH) and total sulfhydryl (SH) groups. Results. Our results support the protective effect of lycopene against OS, with a significant PC decrease in the myocardium and lungs and an insignificant PC decrease in the brain and muscles after chronic exposure to hypoxia and exercise. Antioxidant defense shows an insignificant decrease on account of GSH in the brain, myocardium and lungs and a significant decrease on account of the same indicator in the muscles of the group exposed to hypoxia, lycopene supplementation and exercise. Conclusions. Chronic hypoxia exposure and lycopene supplementation followed by physical exercise for 42 days has protective effects on the O/AO balance at muscular level, with a significant decrease in GSH and induces redox changes with a decrease in PC at myocardial and pulmonary level, and the maintenance of OS on account of a significant increase in MDA in the myocardium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Hypothermia and immobilization are stressful agents used in order to induce experimental stress. Aims. The study evaluated the effects of acute hypothermic (5°C) and restraint stress on spontaneous motility and emotivity in carnitine supplemented rats. Methods. The study has been performed on four groups of male rats, adult (n=10 animals/group), Wistar breed, for 3 days: group I - exposed to hypothermic stress (5°C), group II - exposed to anakinetic stress, group III - exposed to combined stress (hypothermic 5°C and anakinetic stress), group IV - supplemented with carnitine and exposed to combined stress. Spontaneous motility (movements and rearings) and emotivity (micturitions and defecations) were evaluated by Open Field Test. Results. The combined stress induced significant decreases of the spontaneous motility and significant increases of the emotivity as compared to the control group; carnitine supplementation in acute combined stress induced insignificant spontaneous motility increases when compared to the control animals. Conclusions. Acute combined stress induces hypomotility and hiperemotivity. Carnitine does not improve emotivity, but induces insignificant increases of motility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanomaterials such as gold nanoparticles (NPs) conjugated with natural products have shown good results in lowering the glycated hemoglobin and have an anti-inflamatory effect. The aim of our study is to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of NPs functionalized with S ambucus nigra L. (SN) extract on experimental model of diabetes in rats. Diabetes was induced to 18 Wistar male rats (n = 6) by a single intramuscular injection of streptozotocin (30 mg/kg body weight − b.w.). SN extract (15 mg/kg b.w.), NPs (0.3 mg/kg b.w.) and vehicle (normal saline) were administered by gavage once a day, every morning, for 2 weeks. Other 18 animals were used as control groups and were treated with the same compounds, at the same time. Afterwards, blood, liver and muscle samples were taken to assess the oxidant/antioxidant status and the liver for the evaluation of metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and 9 activities, COX-2 and NFKB expressions and for immunohistochemistry. Serum glycemia, cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) were also measured. The administration of NPs extract increased the muscle and systemic GSH/GSSG ratio in the diabetic group vs. diabetic (p < 0.03) or non-diabetic groups treated with vehicle (p < 0.05) and decreased MDA levels compared to non-diabetic group (p < 0.05). COX-2 expression (p < 0.0001) and proMMP-2 activity (p < 0.05) decreased after pretreatment with NPs in parallel with the reduction of Kupffer cells percent ( < 0.001). No morphological abnormalities were detected in histopathology. NPs present a great potential for further usage as adjuvants in the diabetic therapy due to the increase of antioxidant defence and reduction of MMPs activity and inflammation in liver tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The beneficial cellular protective and antioxidative effects of melatonin and chitosan, by limiting the molecular destruction, could stimulate the peripheral nerve regeneration and exert a neuroprotective action. Aims. In this study we proposed to investigate the influence of melatonin and chitosan on the functional neuromotor recovery, by measuring the sciatic functional index (SFI) in rats with peripheral nerve injuries. Material and methods. The sciatic nerve was acutely injured by crush lesion in 3 groups of white Wistar rats, male (n=10 animals/group). The experimental groups were: control group, group I - treated with 0,01 mg/kgc melatonin (day 1-28); group II - treated with 1,5 mg/kgc chitosan (day 1-28). SFI was determined in all groups in days 1 and 28. Results. During the recovery period, administration of melatonin and chitosan improved significantly the functional recovery. SFI was significantly better in melatonin treated group than in chitosan treated group. Conclusions. 1) Administration of melatonin and chitosan improves motor function in peripheral nerve lesion recovery. 2) Melatonin has favorable effects on nerve regeneration even in low-doses. 3) The beneficial antioxidative effects of melatonin treatment after sciatic nerve crush injury could persist for the whole time length of peripheral nerve recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The favorable effect on in vitro cellular growth and development, produced by the reactive species of oxygen and nitrogen and the beneficial antioxidant effect of moderate exercise could stimulate the peripheral nerve regeneration and could have neuroprotective action. Aims. We intended to study the exercise influence on early phase of neuromotoric functional recovery by measuring the sciatic functional index (SFI) in rats with peripheral nerve lesions. Methods. The sciatic nerve was acutely injured by crush lesion in Wistar rats, white, male. The control group (n=10) was sedentary; the exercise group (n=10) was subjected to 14 days of swimming exercise training, starting with the 14th day after surgery. Results. During the early phase of the recovery period, exercise training enhanced functional recovery. The SFI was significantly better in the trained group than in the control group. Conclusions. 1) Exercise training enhances the return of motoric function in the early phase of recovery from peripheral nerve lesion. 2) The beneficial effects of 14 days of swimming training after crush could persist in the late phase of peripheral nerve recovery. 3) The exercise represents a kinetotherapeutic intervention which must be applied from the early phase of peripheral nerve regeneration, together with other therapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Starting from existing studies on the influence of acute anakinetic stress on the motor and emotional behavior of rats, we studied the influence of chronic anakinetic stress on the same indicators. Aims. The influence of experimental chronic anakinetic stress on aerobic exercise capacity, on spontaneous motility and emotional behavior was studied. Methods. Groups (n = 10 animals/group): group I - exercise trained animals for 42 days; group II - training (21 days) preceded by anakinetic stress through immobilization (21 days); group III - training (21 days) preceded by anakinetic stress alternating with physical exercise (21 days). Anakinetic stress was induced by the immobilization of the rats for 3 hours/day. In order to determine exercise capacity, the running test was used. The monitored indicators were emotional behavior and motility. The time moments included in the study were T1, T21, and T42. Statistical calculations were performed using the SPSS 13.0, Statistica 8.0 and Microsoft Excel applications. Results. Experimental immobilization contributes to the diminution of hyperkinetic stress controlled by exercise, as well as of involuntary motility and emotional behavior. Training determines significant increases in aerobic exercise capacity and significant decreases in the spontaneous motility and emotional behavior score, which might contribute to the improvement of physical performance in athletes. Conclusions. Anakinetic stress followed by physical exercise has an unfavorable influence on aerobic exercise capacity, it increases the spontaneous motility score and decreases the emotional behavior score. Training preceded by alternating anakinetic and hyperkinetic stress determines significant increases in aerobic exercise capacity, insignificant decreases in the motility score, and significant decreases in the emotional behavior score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Our previous research regarding the favorable effect of dietary supplementation with hemp (Cannabis sativa) oil on the aerobic capacity of rats led us to study the histological changes induced in tissues under the same conditions. Aims. We studied the experimental effect of training at different intensities, with or without hemp seed oil supplementation, on the brain and myocardium of rats. Methods. The research was conducted in four groups (n = 10 animals/group) of adult male Wistar rats, trained at different intensities. Groups I and III included animals supplemented with hemp oil. In all groups we studied the histological changes in the brain and myocardium. Exercise training was conducted for 28 days. Results. Training with loading induced histological changes of necrosis/apoptosis in the brain and did not cause histological changes in the myocardium during the study. Conclusions. Post-exercise neuronal changes of necrosis/apoptosis support the experimental hypothesis of brain neurogenesis and plasticity in the central nervous system. Hemp oil supplementation has a reduced neuroprotective effect in trained animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Alcohol is the most widely consumed drug in the world. The effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy manifest on both the mother and the offspring. Some studies consider maternal alcohol consumption as a risk factor for ADHD. Aims. The changes in the spontaneous motor and emotional behavior of the offspring of female rats that were administered alcohol during pregnancy were studied. Methods. Researches were performed in Wistar rats of both sexes, born to females that were administered ethyl alcohol intraperitoneally, for 14 days during pregnancy. The offspring rats separated from the pregnant females were assigned to 4 groups as follows: group I (L I) - female offspring of control pregnant females; group II (L II) - male offspring of control pregnant females; group III (L III) - female offspring of pregnant females receiving prenatal alcohol; group IV (L IV) - male offspring of pregnant females receiving prenatal alcohol. The offspring rats, maintained under adequate vivarium conditions, were tested at 3 times: T1 - day 21; T2 - day 42; T3 - day 90. The tests used were the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) test and the Open Field Test (OFT). Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 13.0, Statistica 8.0 and Microsoft Excel applications. Results. The disorders of motor and emotional behavior found in the male offspring of pregnant females that were administered alcohol during pregnancy are characterized by hypermotility, hyperemotionality and hypoanxiety. The changes found are ADHD-like changes; they occur early, last for a long time and increase with adult age. Conclusions. Prenatal alcohol consumption can be a risk factor for ADHD in male offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Immobilization is a stressful agent used in order to induce experimental laboratory stress. The controversies regarding the effects of carnitine administration on motility and emotivity in sportsmen, determined us to perform experimental studies. Aims. The study evaluated the effects of restraint stress on spontaneous motility and emotivity in carnitine supplemented rats. Methods. The study was made on four groups of male rats, adult (n=10 animals/group) Wistar breed, kept for 3 days in standard laboratory temperature (18-20°C): Group I - control, group II - exposed to anakinetic stress, group III - supplemented with carnitine, group IV - supplemented with carnitine and exposed to anakinetic stress. Spontaneous motility and emotivity was evaluated by Open Field Test. Results. The restraint stress determined significant decreases of the spontaneous motility (movement and rearings) and significant increases of the emotivity (defecations and micturitions). Carnitine supplementation in acute restraint stress exposed animals induces significant spontaneous motility decrease and significant emotivity increase as compared to the control group. Conclusions. Acute anakinetic stress with and without carnitine supplementation induces hypomotility and hiperemotivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Although intensively proposed for medical applications lately, carbon nanotubes still lack effect evaluation after their in vivo administration. Our aim was to assess the in vivo effects over oxidative equillibrium within renal tissue . Material and methods. Single- stand- DNA- single- wall- carbon- nanotube solution (DNA-CNT) was obtained through sonication. Male Wistar rats (180±20 g) were s.c. injected with 1,5 ml of 390 g/L DNA-CNT solutions. Controls were s.c. injected with 1,5 ml serum. In all groups protein carbonyl (PC), hydrogen donors (HD) assessed in renal tissue at 3, 6, 24 and 48 hours after administration. Results. Presence of carbon nanotubes within kidney tissue could not be detected at any of the follow-up intervals, except for the first 3 hours from administration. PC and HD levels presented an inhomogenous evolution. However, marker levels remained unsignifficantly different as compared to controls (p>0.05 for all time points). Conclusion. Subcutaneous injection of DNA-CNT does not induce long term aggregation at kidney site. Nanomaterial does not generate significant effects over oxidative equilibrium within 3-48 hours interval post injection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a vitamin-like compound with a direct and indirect antioxidant role, energetic role and with an increase of the immune system. The modifications of oxidant/antioxidant (O/AO) balance in exercise with the oxidative stress (SO) production, determined us to study the effects of CoQ10 supplementation on the leucocytes phagocytic capacity, which through the phagocytic function on the reactive species of oxigen (SRO) production have a favourable role in the antimicrobian defence in the body. Aims. The following were studied: 1. influence of CoQ10 supplementation on the aerobic exercise capacity; 2. influence of exercise and CoQ10 supplement on the leukocytes and phagocytic capacity. Methods. The investigation was carried out in 3 groups of 10 male albino Wistar rats: group I: animals trained to exercise; group II: animals trained to exercise with CoQ10 supplementation; group III: sedentary animals with CoQ10 supplementation. Venous blood samples were taken from the retroorbitar vein on the 1st day, 14th day and 28th day. Leukocytes count and the leukograme (polymorphonuclear neutrophil leucocytes: PMNN; monocytes: MO), phagocytic capacity (phagocytic index: FI; phagocytic activity: FA; peroxidase activity: Px) were detected. Results. The training determined significant increases of the aerobic exercise capacity, with or without CoQ10 supplementation. The exercise influence the phagocytic capacity, with the significant decreases of FI on the 14th day and on the 28th day as compared with the 1st day, the significant increases of FA on the 14th day and restoration to the initial values on the 28th day, and without significantly influence on the Px. The exercise and CoQ10 supplementation did not determine significant changes of the counts of leucocytes and PMNN, but produced significant MO increases, with maximum values on the 14th day, as compared with the 1st day; influencing favourably the phagocytic capacity, while supplementation in the sedentary animals determined a significant decrease of FI after 14 days and 28 days, and significant increases of FI and FA after 28 days; Px decreased significantly, as compared with the 1st day. The CoQ10 supplementation in sedentary animals determined the significant decrease of FI after 14 days and 28 days, and increases of FA which are significant after 28 days; Px increased significantly during the exercise, as compared with the 1st day. Conclusions. CoQ10 supplementation determined significant increases of the aerobic exercise capacity, without significant changes of the total leukocytes count; phagocytic capacity increased based on the FI and on the FA, but decreased because of Px. These changes can be attributed to the direct or indirect antioxidant role of the CoQ10 and to its energetic generating effect on the exercise capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]