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Studying behavioural lateralization in animals holds great potential for answering important questions in laterality research and clinical neuroscience. However, comparative research encounters challenges in reliability and validity, requiring new approaches and innovative designs to overcome. Although validated tests exist for some species, there is yet no standard test to compare lateralized manual behaviours between individuals, populations, and animal species. One of the main reasons is that different fine-motor abilities and postures must be considered for each species. Given that pawedness/handedness is a universal marker for behavioural lateralization across species, this article focuses on three commonly investigated species in laterality research: dogs, cats, and rats. We will present six apparatuses (two for dogs, three for cats, and one for rats) that enable an accurate assessment of paw preference. Design requirements and specifications such as zoometric fit for different body sizes and ages, reliability, robustness of the material, maintenance during and after testing, and animal welfare are extremely important when designing a new apparatus. Given that the study of behavioural lateralization yields crucial insights into animal welfare, laterality research, and clinical neuroscience, we aim to provide a solution to these challenges by presenting design requirements and innovations in methodology across species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat stress (HS) has negative effects on reproductive parameters in male animals. This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of Vitis vinifera L., which has a natural antioxidant property, on reproductive parameters, testicular oxidative stress, reproductive hormones, and testicular histopathology in male rats treated with HS. Fifty male rats were divided into 5 different groups (control, HS, HS + 100, HS + 200, and HS + 300). It was determined that subsieve V. vinifera extract given at different doses eliminated the negative effects of HS administration on reproductive parameters. It was determined that V. vinifera increased sperm motility and density and decreased the rate of abnormal sperm regardless of dose (P < .001). It was determined that increased oxidative stress and decreased luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone levels as a result of HS administration improved in the extract-treated groups (P < .05), and FSH and testosterone levels increased in the HS + 200 and HS + 300 groups compared to the control group (P < .001). Histopathologically, it was determined that the degeneration, edema, and congestion caused by HS disappeared due to the extract administration. As a result of this study, the protective effect of subsieve V. vinifera extract on HS on male reproductive parameters was revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of pharmacological studies of the veterinary medicinal product for external use in the form of ointment - "Dibutalastin Ointment" is a mandatory stage of preclinical research of the drug, which is a new development of PP "Biopharm" and LLC "DEVIE". In a scientific experiment on laboratory animals, it is possible to assess the drug's safety for different terms of use to determine the zone of toxic action and doses that do not cause harmful effects on health. Therefore, the work aimed to carry out pharmacological studies of the drug with methyl salicylate and dimethyl sulfoxide in the form of an ointment for treating European fallow deer, deer, dogs, and cats with mastitis, arthritis, myositis, and injuries of various origins. The toxicological characteristics of the studied ointment "Dibutalastin" based on methyl salicylate and dimethyl sulfoxide were studied in an "acute" study on warmblooded animals. The average lethal dose (LD50) for intragastric administration could not be established, as the volume exceeded the permissible level. It was established that according to the "average lethal dose when entering the stomach" indicator, the veterinary medicinal product belongs to relatively non-toxic substances (toxicity class IV). The results of pharmacological studies indicate the absence of resorptive-toxic effects, sensitizing properties, and irritating effects on the mucous membranes of the eyes and skin. Pathomorphological studies of animal organs when studying the acute toxicity of the drug showed that the developed ointment with methyl salicylate and dimethyl sulfoxide does not cause pathological changes in internal organs. From the point of view of veterinary toxicology, this drug is safe. Further studies will be the next stage of pre-registration tests aimed at studying the embryotoxic effect of "Dibutalastin Ointment", which is mandatory material of the "Safety and residue studies" section of the dossier for this medicinal product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between muscle architectural properties and hind foot drumming of African mole-rats has yet to be determined using established methodology. Therefore, the internal structure of 32 hind limb muscles was evaluated in two drumming and one non-drumming species of Bathyergidae. The muscle mass (MM), fascicle length (Lf), and angle of pennation were measured to calculate the physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) as well as estimate the maximum isometric force of contraction (Fmax). The most significant differences for the various muscle architecture parameters analyzed in synergistic muscle groups and individual muscles were observed between the rapid drumming Georychus capensis and the non-drumming Cryptomys hottentotus natalensis. The PCSA values of the hip extensors, hip adductors, knee extensors, and knee flexors of G. capensis were significantly larger than that of C. h. natalensis. Additionally, the hip extensors and knee flexors of both the drumming species (G. capensis and Bathyergus suillus) were shown to be capable of higher power output compared to the non-drumming species, and the hip adductors of G. capensis capable of faster contraction. M. gracilis anticus may play a key role in facilitating hind foot drumming as it was the only muscle to be significantly different in G. capensis and C. h. natalensis for all three muscle architecture parameters analyzed. Furthermore, it features in the high shortening capacity quadrant of the functional space plot of both G. capensis and B. suillus but not the non-drumming C. h. natalensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mammalian pheromones often linger in the environment and thus are particularly susceptible to interceptive eavesdropping, commonly understood as a one-way dyadic interaction, where prey sense and respond to the scent of a predator. Here, we tested the "counterespionage" hypothesis that predator and prey co-opt each other's pheromone as a cue to locate prey or evade predation. We worked with wild brown rats (predator of mice) and wild house mice (prey of brown rats) as model species, testing their responses to pheromone-baited traps at infested field sites. The treatment trap in each of two trap pairs per replicate received sex attractant pheromone components (including testosterone) of male mice or male rats, whereas corresponding control traps received only testosterone, a pheromone component shared between mouse and rat males. Trap pairs disseminating male rat pheromone components captured 3.05 times fewer mice than trap pairs disseminating male mouse pheromone components, and no female mice were captured in rat pheromone-baited traps, indicating predator aversion. Indiscriminate captures of rats in trap pairs disseminating male rat or male mouse pheromone components, and fewer captures of rats in male mouse pheromone traps than in (testosterone-only) control traps indicate that rats do eavesdrop on the male mouse sex pheromone but do not exploit the information for mouse prey location. The counterespionage hypothesis is supported by trap catch data of both mice and rats but only the mice data are in keeping with our predictions for motive of the counterespionage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In fear conditioning, where a conditioned stimulus predicts the arrival of an aversive stimulus, the animal encodes the time interval between the two stimuli. Here we monitored respiration to visualize anticipatory behavioral responses in an odor fear conditioning in rats, while recording theta (5–15 Hz) and gamma (40–80 Hz) brain oscillatory activities in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), basolateral amygdala (BLA), dorsomedial striatum (DMS) and olfactory piriform cortex (PIR). We investigated the temporal patterns of respiration frequency and of theta and gamma activity power during the odor-shock interval, comparing two interval durations. We found that akin to respiration patterns, theta temporal curves were modulated by the duration of the odor-shock interval in the four recording sites, and respected scalar property in mPFC and DMS. In contrast, gamma temporal curves were modulated by the interval duration only in the mPFC, and in a manner that did not respect scalar property. This suggests a preferential role for theta rhythm in interval timing. In addition, our data bring the novel idea that the respiratory rhythm might take part in the setting of theta activity dynamics related to timing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maternal malnutrition plays a critical role in the developmental programming of later metabolic diseases susceptibility in the offspring, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Because the liver is the major organ that produces and supplies blood glucose, we aimed at defining the potential role of liver glycogen autophagy in the programming of glucose metabolism disturbances. To this end, newborns were obtained from pregnant Wistar rats fed ad libitum with a standard diet or 65% food-restricted during the last week of gestation. We found that newborns from undernourished mothers showed markedly high basal insulin levels whereas those of glucagon were decreased. This unbalance led to activation of the mTORC1 pathway and inhibition of hepatic autophagy compromising the adequate handling of glycogen in the very early hours of extrauterine life. Restoration of autophagy with rapamycin but not with glucagon, indicated no defect in autophagy machinery per se, but in signals triggered by glucagon. Taken together, these results support the notion that hyperinsulinemia is an important mechanism by which mobilization of liver glycogen by autophagy is defective in food-restricted animals. This early alteration in the hormonal control of liver glycogen autophagy may influence the risk of developing metabolic diseases later in life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) imitate observed behavior less than age-matched and typically developing peers, resulting in deterred learning ability and social interaction. However, this deficit lacks preclinical assessment tools. A previous study has shown that mice exhibit contagious itch behavior while viewing a scratching demonstrator mouse, as opposed to an ambulating demonstrator mouse, but whether autism mouse models imitate observed scratching behavior remains unknown. Here, we investigated contagious itch behavior in the mouse model of fragile X syndrome (FXS), a common form of inherited intellectual disabilities with a high risk for ASDs. We found that the mouse model of FXS shows deficits in contagious itch behavior. Our findings can be used as a new preclinical assessment tool for measuring imitative deficits in the study of neurodevelopmental disorders including FXS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive intake of fat causes accumulation of fat in liver, leading to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). High-fat diet (HFD) upregulates the expression of Factor D, a complement pathway component, in the liver of mice. However, the functions of Factor D in liver are not well known. Therefore, the current study investigated the relationship between Factor D and hepatic lipid accumulation using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated Factor D knockout (FD-KO) mice. Factor D deficiency downregulated expression of genes related to fatty acid uptake and de novo lipogenesis in the liver. Furthermore, Factor D deficiency reduced the expression of inflammatory factors (Tnf and Ccl2) and fibrosis markers and decreased accumulation of F4/80-positive macrophages. These data suggest that the Factor D deficiency improved hepatic lipid accumulation and hepatic inflammation in HFD-fed mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Too many pre-clinical experiments are giving results which cannot be reproduced. This may be because the experiments are incorrectly designed. In "Completely randomized" (CR) and "Randomised block" (RB) experimental designs, both the assignment of treatments to experimental subjects and the order in which the experiment is done, are randomly determined. These designs have been used successfully in agricultural and industrial research and in clinical trials for nearly a century without excessive levels of irreproducibility. They must also be used in pre-clinical research if the excessive level of irreproducibility is to be eliminated. A survey of 100 papers involving mice and rats was used to determine whether scientists had used the CR or RB designs. The papers were assigned to three categories "Design acceptable", "Randomised to treatment groups", so of doubtful validity, or "Room for improvement". Only 32 ± 4.7% of the papers fell into the first group, although none of them actually named either the CR or RB design. If the current high level of irreproducibility is to be eliminated, it is essential that scientists engaged in pre-clinical research use "Completely randomised" (CR), "Randomised block" (RB), or one of the more specialised named experimental designs described in textbooks on the subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anti-inflammatory effects of vagus nerve stimulation are well known. It has recently been shown that low-level, transcutaneous stimulation of vagus nerve at the tragus (LLTS) reduces cardiac inflammation in a rat model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The mechanisms by which LLTS affect the central neural circuits within the brain regions that are important for the regulation of cardiac vagal tone are not clear. Female Dahl salt-sensitive rats were initially fed with either low salt (LS) or high salt (HS) diet for a period of 6 weeks, followed by sham or active stimulation (LLTS) for 30 min daily for 4 weeks. To study the central effects of LLTS, four brainstem (SP5, NAb, NTS, and RVLM) and two forebrain sites (PVN and SFO) were examined. HS diet significantly increased the gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines in the SP5 and SFO. LLTS reversed HS diet-induced changes at both these sites. Furthermore, LLTS augmented the levels of antioxidant Nrf2 in the SP5 and SFO. Taken together, these findings suggest that LLTS has central anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that could mediate the neuromodulation of cardiac vagal tone in the rat model of HFpEF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present there is no approved food antidote for cyanide poisoning. Therefore, plants are being tested as possible antidotes for cyanide (CN) toxicity. This study aimed to evaluate the possible protective role of the ethanolic extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera (T. tetraptera) against cyanide nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in male rats. Forty five male albino rats divided into nine groups were used for the experiment: Group 1 received water only, Group 2 received CN only, Group 3 received CN + thiosulphate, Groups 4, 5 and 6 received 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg T tetraptera extract, respectively. Groups 7, 8 and 9 received CN in addition to 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg T tetraptera, respectively. The results showed elevated levels of lipid peroxidation, aminoaspartate transferase, alanine amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, and urea in the serum and tissues of cyanide treated rats. Significant decreases in superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were also observed in the liver and kidney of cyanide treated rats. Histological analysis showed CN- induced structural distortions of the liver and kidney tissues. However treatment with T. tetraptera fruit extract was able to mitigate these damages. This study indicates that T. tetraptera fruit extract possesses hepato-and-nephroprotective properties and can be used as an antidote for cyanide poisoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of modern technology and the growing industrial age have led to a more widespread occurrence of occupational diseases related to a variety of toxic metals, especially because some of them are carcinogenic. Lithium has been used extensively in the treatment of certain neuropsychiatric disorders.In our current study, the genotoxicity of Lithium carbonate was evaluated in mouse bone marrow cells using the micronucleus (mni) test, chromosome aberrations in bonemarrow cells. Lithium carbonate was administered to whit mice by gavage in doses of 300, 600 and 900 mg/kg.b wt and used Retinoic acid as the positive control (0.001 mg/kg. bwt.) intrapretonial injection. The results of current study shows that three experimental doses of Lithium carbonate 300, 600, 900 mg/kg. bwt. induced a significant increase p ≤ 0.05 in the frequency of MN(11.4±1.080, 1608±1.080 and 37.00±1.080) compared with the negative control. Significant increase p ≤ 0.05 in means of total numerical structural chromosome aberrations (1.00 ± 0.48, 2.00 ± 0.48 and 2.00 ± 0.48) and in structural chromosome aberrations (10.2± 0.84, 13.2± 0.84 and 15.6± 0.84) compared with of negative control in bone marrow. These results propose that Lithium carbonate has genotoxic potential in vivo tests. Our study indicate that lithium carbonate is good candidate for further in vivo therapeutic trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypothyroidism is a systemic disease resulted from anatomical or functional absence of thyroid gland. Levothyroxine (LT4) is the principal substitution treatment in hypothyroidism. Overtreatment of hypothyroidism with levothyroxine has many adverse consequences. Also, several medications, supplements and foods can interfere with the absorption and action of levothyroxine. Caraway considered one of the plants which can cause leanness, hand tremor, tachycardia, sweating,if ingested for prolong periods. These impacts are similar to that of hyperthyroid symptoms.Cariumcarviwhere extracted; chemical analysis of the extract where done (Phytochemical screening tests and Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis). Thyrotropic activity of ethanolic caraway seeds extract has been studied by using two doses of caraway seed extract 1000 and 2000mg/kg and compare with control group (DMSO10ml/kg), hypothyrodisim group (propylthiouracil PTU 10mg/ kg) and standard treatment therapy group (LT4 15 mcg/kg). The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of carvone and limonene.In comparsion to hypothyroid group, the extract cause significant reduction thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), total cholesterol (TC) levels and significant elevation in in thyroxin (T4 ), deiodinase type 1 (DIO1), glucose-6-phosphatase (G6pase) levels, while malondialdhyde (MDA) were slightly reduced and catalase (CAT) slightly raised. Light microscopical observation of thyroid tissue illustrated that group which received antithyroid agent (propylthiouracil) for 14 days, show distorted and hypertrophied thyroid follicles when compared with control that show no change in thyroid follicles. After treatment of hypothyroidism with levothyroxine for two weeks, thyroid follicles return more or less to normal size. This finding consists with that of the last two groups, which received caraway seed extract at different doses for the same period. Caraway seeds extract showed stimulatory effects on the thyroid gland, suggesting its beneficial role in treating hypothyroidism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cutaneous leishmaniasis infection affects the immune system, including interlukin-6 (IL-6) and the tumor necrosis factor (TNF-á). In this study, we notice a significant increase in the levels of TNF-á from the normal level in the blood serum of adult male laboratory rats who are experimentally infected with the cutaneous leishmaniasis comparison with control groups, where TNF-á concentrations were (mean / SD) 0.042 ± 0.019 pg / mL recorded, whereas control group recorded 0.018 ± 0.008 pg / mL that is (P <0.05). The resulting TNF-á that consists of mast cells, macrophages and T cells has roles in regulating the immune and inflammatory response and response to programmed cell death in affected tissues. The results showed that there significant differences with statistically cytokine IL-6 in the blood serum of male experimentally with cutaneous leishmaniasis, where the rate of interleukin-6 in the group with CL reached 0.0123 ± 0.009 pg/mL compared to control group 0.015 ± 0.005 pg/mL (P <0.05). Explained that there is a significant strong direct with Pearson Correlation Coefficient between the two elements TNF-á and IL-6, where was recorded (R = 0.612, P-value = 0.061). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The liver is the most metabolically active tissue and is responsible for the majority of drug metabolism. The current study was designed to determine the indomethacin at dose (20, 50mg/kg) effects on histological structure of liver in rats after daily oral administration and show the protective effect of hesperidin at dose (40mg/kg) on liver for three months. The histopathological change of liver of rats that treated with indomethacin at daily dose (20 mg/kg) that demonstrated congestion bleeding in central vein, necrosis, damaged hepatocytes, lymphocyte accumulation and very diluted sinusoid when compared with normal control, but the indomethacin (50mg/kg) showed dilation of central vein and bleeding, Hypertrophy of hepatocyte and degeneration also presence of Vaculation, necrosis and pyknotic nuclei. But when used hesperidin at does (40mg/kg) showed the protective effect of the liver tissue also show rapier and regeneration of liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wound healing is an extremely common and vital process coordinately mediated by multiple cell types and molecular pathways. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is one of major growth factors thatare related to the healing processinjured skin. The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of this growth factor and it’s direct expression changein healing process and to detect key role phase. This study was conducted on forty adult male albino mice aged between 3-6 months, with 25-28 ± 50 g body weight, these were divided into five groups(8 animals in each ), namely the experimental and control groups. Experimental groups had linear incision of the skin about 2-3 cm in length on the back, injury was followed in 4 different times, after one day, 3day, one week and 2week. In addition to control group (without injury) all animals were treated according to National Institute of Health (NIH). The skin tissues were collected after injury and processed for paraffin blocks. Paraffin section of 5ìm thickness was made, for general histological examination hematoxyline and eosin was used. The tissue sections were treated with anti-FGF2 (sc-74412). The Immunohistochemical changes were quantifiable experimental groups and the control using Aperio Scope Image analysis software that was used to evaluate the Immunohistochemical reactivity. The statistical analysis using SPSS software was performed. Histological examination of H&E stained section were meant to follow up healing process. The site of injury after clot formation showed heavy infiltration of different types of inflammatory cells. The mean level of bFGF decrease in the second group first day after injury (FD) (0.609 pixl/ì²) in comparison to first group (control) (0.675 pixl/ì²), moreover, the third group expose redaction in the number of inflammatory cells and thickness edges of epidermis adjacent to the site of injury with approaching of both dermal and epidermal line of demarcation, while the mean level increased in the third group third day after injury (RD) (0.769 pixl/ì²) to reached high level comparison with another groups. The main changes in the fourth group in the first week after injury (1wk) showed heavy vascular infiltration of the dermal area with few number of inflammatory cells was seen scattered near dermal area in the site of injury, large number of fibroblasts and endothelial cells in the dermal layer at the wound bed and we found new collagen fibers in the stage. In the some experimental animals in this group we showed a completed thin epidermal layer (early healing), while others in same group were (delayed healing) according to immunity of animals. From this study, it has been concluded that healing progression is a process with overlapping phases and that bFGF is significantly elevated in the 1st week and starts to decline by the end of 2rd week. This timing can be used as a guide line in using topical and injection of bFGF after injury to enhance healing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leptin is adeponectin that plays a role in organogenesis of different organs through its receptors (OBR), its role in liver organogenesis is not clarified yet; therefore this study aimed to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of leptin receptors in liver parenchymal tissue during perinatal development and it’s relation to hepatocytes maturation and glycogen deposition. Ten adult female rats (Rattus rattus norvegicus) were kept for fertilization with 5 male rats in plastic cages; embryos of them were divided into: Group A embryos at 14 days, Group B embryos at 18 days gestation respectively (prenatal period), (postnatal period): Group C animals at 7 days and Group D animal control adult female non pregnant rats. The liver tissues were fixed in 10% NBF and embedded in paraffin wax, sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, PAS stain used to evaluate glycogen in hepatocytes as maturation index and anti leptin-receptors mouse monoclonal antibody Ob-R(B3) SC-8391. That evaluated by Aperio Scope Image analysis software. Result showed significant increase in immunohistochemical expression of leptin receptor in liver tissue at group A that reduced significantly in group B & group C, while glycogen not appearin group A but appeared at the later stages at group B and C, this proof a role of leptin in hepatocytes maturation and may involve in their early sensitization to insulin that lead to glycogen deposition at later stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the ameliorative effect of Mel, Vit. C and/orit combination on acrylamide toxicities of Wistar rats (that ACR induced adrenal disfunctions) by biochemical and histological changes. This study was designed contain sixty male rats were divided into two periods, two groups in first period GA (control group): 20 male rats given 5ml of distal water and GII (ACR group): fourty male rats given ACR (0.5µg/kg BW/day) for 45 days. After 45 days the groups in the first period divided into six group: GA (normal control): give distal water orally, GB (positive control) give melatonin orally (5mg/kg BW/day), GC: ACR rats given distal water orally, GD: ACR rats given Mel (5mg/kg BW/day), GE: rats of ACR given Vit. C (200 mg/kg BW/day), GF: ACR rats given Mel+Vit. C (5+200 mg/kg BW/day) for 21 days. The result of this study revealed that significant differences in serum adernocorticosteroid hormone levels were recorded in all treated groups compared with ACR-non treated group and still significantly higher compared with control. The adrenal histological sectioningroup treated with Mel showing the normal adrenal gland with normal cells of zona glomerulosa, zona fasculuta and zona reticularus with vacuolation and the adrenal gland of ACR-Vit.C group shows clear enlargement of its cells with the clear vacuolation and enlarged nuclei that compared these results with section of ACR treated group which stillshowing destructed cortex with distorted cells of large pyknotic nuclei and vacuolation. The adrenal gland of GF treated by doses of melatonin combination with vitamin C appeared clear capsule and normal cellular nuclei with the enlarged and vacuolated glomeruloza cells in adrenal histological section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of silica nanoparticles on pregnant mice and fetal development. Silica nanoparticles (12nm) were injected intraperitoneally (90, 104, 172 mg/kg) in pregnant mice daily from the 7 th.-18th gestations day. At the 18th gestations day, the mice were euthentized, necropsied and pathological (gross and microscopic) examination of the mice and their embryos was done. In low and moderate doses (90 and 104 mg/kg) of silica nanoparticles, there was a significant increase in activity of mice compared to controls. In contrast, a decreased activity was noted in the high dose (172 mg/kg) group. Abortion was recorded at the rates 10%, 15% and 25% in groups treated with doses of 90,104 and 172 mg/kg, respectively. Fetal malformations were noted at rates of 57%, 70% and 85% for the doses 90, 104, and 172 mg/ kg, respectively. Malformations included cleft lips, cleft palate, exophthalmia, anencephalon, meningocele, encephalomeingocele, myelocele, spina bifida and micromelia. Microscopically, degenerative, necrotic and inflammatory changes in the kidneys, liver and brain were noted. The lungs showed deposition of brown-black material in the interstitium, emphysema, hyperplasia of epithelial cells lining the alveoli, hypertrophy of bronchiolar smooth muscles, fibrinous exudate in the interalveolar septa, thickening of blood vessels, and hyperplasia of the bronchiolar associated lymphoid tissue. Additionally, in five of the experimental animals (5/30), acinar adenocarcinoma of the lungs was seen. The embryos showed delayed development of the renal, nervous and pulmonary systems. Additionally, there were degenerative and necrotic changes in the kidneys, liver and brain. These results indicated that in vivo exposure to silica nanoparticles caused abortion and toxic changes in the kidneys, liver, lungs and brain of pregnant mice and their embryos. They also indicated that silica nanoparticles have teratogenic and probably carcinogenic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gold is considered one of the biochemical components of the human body and has an effect on the activity of some organs including the reproductive system. This study inspects the impact of gold metal on male reproductive system. A total of 12 mature males were divided into two equal groups. The first group (Control) injected subcutaneously (s/c) with physiological sterile saline solution o.5ml/kg body weight/day for 28 days. The second animal group (induction) was injected with 0.2 mg gold chloride/ ml (in sterile distilled water) /kg body weight/day for 28 days. The results showed that rats treated with gold chlorideled to both extreme significant decrease (P< 0.001) of testosterone level and a highly significant increase (P< 0.01) in GOT & GOP levels in comparison to control group. Furthermore, an extremely significant decrease (P< 0.001) of relative sperm content level to control group. While in this study, no significant differences appeared concerning Hb content and total WBCs differential count values in comparison to control group. However, histological section of testis of gold treated (induction) group showed vaculation of seminiferous tubules, a decrease in the amount of sperms in the seminiferous tubules lumen and degeneration of interstitial cell compared with control ones. In the present study, the results have shown that there was an inhibition (negative) effect of gold metal on male fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to find out hepatoprotective activity of berberine (BRB) 50,100mg/kg body weight (b.w.) against oxytetracycline (OXT) 200 mg/kg induced hepatic toxicity in rats. Thirty two male rats were divided into four groups, group1: control (1 ml/kg Saline orally) group 2: OXT (200 mg/kg), intraperitoneally (i.p.) for (7) consecutive days, group 3: OXT (200 mg/kg), i.p. plusBRB (50 mg/kg) orally for (7) consecutive days, group 4: OXT (200 mg/kg), i.p. plus BRB (100 mg/ /kg) orally for (7) consecutive days. All the rats were killed on the (8) day of the experiment, and then the blood, and livers samples were taken. OXTinduced hepatic damage was proved by a significant (p e” 0.01) reduction in the body weight,and a significant (p ≤ 0.01) increased serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), Malonaldehyde enzyme (MAD) and histopathological, immunohistochemical changes. Protective hepatic toxicity effect and oxidative damage caused by OXT significantly (p ≤ 0.01) increasing in body weight and significantly (p ≥ 0.01) decreasing AST, ALT, MAD and improving tissue morphology in BRB (50 mg//kg) while, BRB (100 mg//kg) has more impact. These results confirm that BRB (100 mg/ /kg) antioxidant effects can protect OXT -induced hepatotoxicity in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify the anticancer effect of gallic acid fraction from alcoholic extract of Calvatia craniiformis mushroom in white mice with mammary gland tumor (M-22) as a model for treatment of mammary gland tumor in human. Sixty albino mice were injectedwith M22 cells. Tumor growth was appear after 7-10 days in 50 mice. Tumor size was measured twice a week to after administration of gallic acid of C. craniiformis in 0.2mg/kg, 0.4mg/kg, 0.8 mg/kg to M22 tumor-bearing mice to determine relative tumor volume and growth inhibition (GI%). Administration of gallic acid of C. craniiformis in 0.2mg/kg, 0.4mg/kg, 0.8 mg/kg to M22 tumor-bearing mice show significant differences (P≤0.05) in tumor size compared with control group. Tumor size development was significantly slower in all treated group compared with control (P<0.05). The most effective dose for last days was 0.8mg/kg treated group compared with control, the tumor size was 35.12mm³ compared to 240.15 mm³ and 91.24 mm³ for second and third dose and 3855.80 mm³ for control group. Gallic acid (0.2 mg/kg, 0.4 mg/kg) leads to gradual increase in tumor size until 27 days after inoculation, when the size was reduced significantly after 10 doses, in the last day of experiment the size was 109.00 mm³ ; 41.34 mm³ compared with 1734.23 mm³ in control group. Gallic acid (0.8 mg/kg) leads toslow growth in tumor until 27 days after inoculation, when the size was reduced significantly after 10 doses, in the last day of experiment the size was 15.88 mm³ compared with control group. Significant difference between gallic acid treated group and control group (P>0.05). Tumor inhibition (GI%) increase significantly for all doses with time (P>0.05). The most effective doses was (0.4mg/kg, 0.8 mg/kg) in which GI% was 87.06 and 83.91%, respectively, while in 0.2mg/kg, GI% was 71.91%. There was significant difference in body weight (BW) among treated groups with 0.2 mg/kg; 0.4 mg/kg and 0.8 mg/kg (P < 0.05) compared with control. Gallic acid fraction of C. craniiformis was highly efficient in tumor growth inhibition, causing reduction in the tumor size clinically. Antitumor activity of C. craniiformis alcoholic extract was dose and duration dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polysaccharides from morels possess many characteristics beneficial to health, such as anti-tumor and immunomodulatory activities. The gut microbiota plays a critical role in the modulation of immune function. However, the impact of morel polysaccharides on the gut microbiota has not yet been explored. In this study, a high-throughput pyrosequencing technique was used to investigate the effects of MP, a new heteropolysaccharide extracted from wild morels, on the diversity and composition of microbiota along the intestine in mice, as well as the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). The results showed that MP treatment increased the number of operational taxonomic unit (OTUs) and diversity along the intestine, especially in the small intestine. MP treatment induced a significant decrease in the number of Firmicutes and a significant increase in the number of Bacteroidetes in the small intestine microbiota. It was also observed that the relative abundance of SCFAproducing bacteria, especially Lachnospiraceae, was increased in both the cecum and colon of MP-treated mice. Moreover, MP promoted the production of SCFAs in mice. These results provide a foundation for further understanding the health benefits conferred by morel polysaccharides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant proteins are known to possess important bioactive peptides and have a positive impact on gut microbial modulation. In this study, we studied the ability of a single dose of a fermented soy protein product (P-SPI) to reduce high blood pressure in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) and how it modulates the gut microbiota after six weeks of feeding. SHRs were fed with P-SPI, Captopril or distilled water once, and their blood pressures were monitored from the first to twelfth-hour post-administration. Consumption of P-SPI significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressures up to the sixth hour by 25 ± 4 mmHg and 40 ± 5 mmHg respectively. P-SPI consumption inhibited serum ACE activity, increased superoxide dismutase activity and nitric oxide levels and reduced malondialdehyde levels in serum. Analysis of fecal microbial 16S rRNA of hypertensive rats revealed a significant reduction in microbial richness and diversity in the gut, while P-SPI consumption improved microbial richness and increased diversity. Also, P-SPI feeding significantly reduced the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, increased propionate- and H2S-producing bacteria and reduced Streptococcaceae and Erysipelotrichales levels. Our results show that P-SPI is a potential antihypertensive functional food which could remodel the altered gut microbiota of hypertensive patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated anti-acetylcholinesterase and antioxidant potentials in mice hippocampus treated with essential oils (EO) of Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck (orange) in vitro and in vivo. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was evaluated by using an adapted spectrophotometric method by Ellman after administration (30 consecutive days) in albino mice at doses of 50.00 mg/kg (EO 50), 100.00 mg/kg (EO 100) and 200.00 mg/kg (EO 200). The results showed that there was a significant decrease on enzymatic activity of AChE in mice hippocampus treated with essential oil of C. sinensis at doses of 50.00 mg/kg (vehicle= 9.89±0.19, OE 50= 2.63±0.21) [P <0.05], 100.00 mg/kg (vehicle= 9.89±0.19, EO 100= 1.65±0.15) [P <0.05] and 200.00 mg/kg (vehicle= 9.89±0.19, EO 200= 2.38±0.12) [P <0.05] when compared with vehicle group (0.05% Tween 80 dissolved in saline 0.9%). Concerning antioxidant activity, there was a significant reduction (P <0.05) of 20% on lipid peroxidation level in mice hippocampus treated with a dose of 200.00 mg/kg. The results obtained from the current studies showed that the essential oil of C. sinensis has considerable antioxidant and activity and inhibitory effect on AChE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cortical neurons show distinct firing patterns across multiple task epochs characterized by different computations. Recent studies suggest that such distinct patterns underlie dynamic population code achieving computational flexibility, whereas neurons in some cortical areas often show coherent firing patterns across epochs. To understand how coherent single-neuron code contributes to dynamic population code, we analyzed neural responses in the rat perirhinal cortex (PRC) during cue and reward epochs of a two-alternative forced-choice task. We found that the PRC neurons often encoded the opposite choice directions between those epochs. By using principal component analysis as a population-level analysis, we identified neural subspaces associated with each epoch, which reflected coordination across the neurons. The cue and reward epochs shared neural dimensions where the choice directions were consistently discriminated. Interestingly, those dimensions were supported by dynamically changing contributions of the individual neurons. These results demonstrated heterogeneity of coherent single-neuron representations in their contributions to population code. Tomoya Ohnuki et al. show that individual neurons in the rat perirhinal cortex coherently encoded choice directions across cue and reward epochs. Individual neurons also displayed dynamically changing contributions to population encodings between these epochs, suggesting that they flexibly coordinate to support computations associated with different epochs while holding temporally coherent representations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the important roles of glycolysis in T cells have been demonstrated, the regulatory mechanism of glycolysis in activated T cells has not been fully elucidated. Furthermore, the influences of glycolytic failure on the T cell-dependent immune response in vivo remain unclear. We therefore assessed the role of glycolysis in the T cell-dependent immune response using T cell-specific Pgam1-deficient mice. Both CD8 and CD4 T cell-dependent immune responses were attenuated by Pgam1 deficiency. The helper T cell-dependent inflammation was ameliorated in Pgam1-deficient mice. Glycolysis augments the activation of mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and the T-cell receptor (TCR) signals. Glutamine acts as a metabolic hub in activated T cells, since the TCR-dependent increase in intracellular glutamine is required to augment glycolysis, increase mTORC1 activity and augment TCR signals. These findings suggest that mTORC1, glycolysis and glutamine affect each other and cooperate to induce T cell proliferation and differentiation. Toriyama et al. delete the glycolytic enzyme Pgam1 in T cells to investigate the role of glycolysis in T cell-mediated immune responses. They find that glycolysis, mTORC1 and glutamine affect each other and cooperate to induce T cell proliferation and differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor reproducibility is considered a serious problem in laboratory animal research, with important scientific, economic, and ethical implications. One possible source of conflicting findings in laboratory animal research are environmental differences between animal facilities combined with rigorous environmental standardization within studies. Due to phenotypic plasticity, study-specific differences in environmental conditions during development can induce differences in the animals' responsiveness to experimental treatments, thereby contributing to poor reproducibility of experimental results. Here, we studied how variation in weaning age (14–30 days) and housing conditions (single versus group housing) affects the phenotype of SWISS mice as measured by a range of behavioral and physiological outcome variables. Weaning age, housing conditions, and their interaction had little effect on the development of stereotypies, as well as on body weight, glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations, and behavior in the elevated plus-maze and open field test. These results are surprising and partly in conflict with previously published findings, especially with respect to the effects of early weaning. Our results thus question the external validity of previous findings and call for further research to identify the sources of variation between replicate studies and study designs that produce robust and reproducible experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared therapeutic properties of natural and engineered chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) agonists in a rat acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) model utilizing the PaO2/FiO2-ratio as a clinically relevant primary outcome criterion. Ventilated rats underwent unilateral lung ischemia from t = 0–70 min plus hemorrhage to a mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) of 30 mmHg from t = 40–70 min, followed by reperfusion/fluid resuscitation until t = 300 min. Natural CXCR4 agonists (CXCL12, ubiquitin) and engineered CXCL12 variants (CXCL121, CXCL22, CXCL12K27A/R41A/R47A, CXCL12 (3–68)) were administered within 5 min of fluid resuscitation. Animals treated with vehicle or CXCL12 (3–68) reached criteria for mild and moderate ARDS between t = 90–120 min and t = 120–180 min, respectively, and remained in moderate ARDS until t = 300 min. Ubiquitin, CXCL12, CXCL121 and CXCL122 prevented ARDS development. Potencies of CXCL12/CXCL121/CXCL122 were higher than the potency of ubiquitin. CXCL12K27A/R41A/R47A was inefficacious. CXCL121 > CXCL12 stabilized MAP and reduced fluid requirements. CXCR4 agonists at doses that preserved lung function reduced histological injury of the post-ischemic lung and reduced mortality from 55 to 9%. Our findings suggest that CXCR4 protein agonists prevent development of ARDS and reduce mortality in a rat model, and that development of new engineered protein therapeutics with improved pharmacological properties for ARDS is possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies have shown that acupuncture is very effective in treating chronic stress depression. However, little is known about the therapeutic mechanism of electro-acupuncture. Metabolomics, on the other hand, is a technology that determines the metabolic changes of organisms caused by various interventions as a whole and is related to the overall effect of electro-acupuncture (EA). 1HNMR, serum sample analysis, and histopathology and molecular biology analysis were used to evaluate the effects of EA. The results show that electro-acupuncture points can regulate the heat pain threshold of chronic stress model rats and change the morphology of adrenal cortex cells Structure, and regulate the contents of corticotropin-releasing hormone, Corticosterone (CORT), glucose, alanine and valine in the samples. These findings help to clarify the therapeutic mechanism of electro-acupuncture on heterologous chronic stress model rats. The effect of electro-acupuncture on improving chronic stress is likely to be achieved by regulating glucose metabolism, which can provide a reference for clinical acupuncture treatment of chronic stress depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goal-directed navigation can be based on world-centered (allocentric) or body-centered (egocentric) representations of the environment, mediated by a wide network of interconnected brain regions, including hippocampus, striatum and prefrontal cortex. The relative contribution of these regions to navigation from novel or familiar routes, that demand a different degree of flexibility in the use of the stored spatial representations, has not been completely explored. To address this issue, we trained mice to find a reward relying on allocentric or egocentric information, in a modified version of the cross-maze task. Then we used Zif268 expression to map brain activation when well-trained mice were required to find the goal from a novel or familiar location. Successful navigation was correlated with the activation of CA1, posterior-dorsomedial striatum, nucleus accumbens core and infralimbic cortex when allocentric-trained mice needed to use a novel route. Allocentric navigation from a familiar route activated dorsomedial striatum, nucleus accumbens, prelimbic and infralimbic cortex. None of the structures analyzed was significantly activated in egocentric-trained mice, irrespective of the starting position. These data suggest that a flexible use of stored allocentric information, that allows goal finding even from a location never explored during training, induces a shift from fronto-striatal to hippocampal circuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of different dosage of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in an experimental model of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis. One hundred male Wistar rats were used and divided into the following groups: CG, control group; AG, animals group with left TMJ arthritis induced by intra-articular injection of Complete Freund's adjuvant - CFA; LG5, LG10 and LG20 - animals with arthritis and treated with LLLT at doses 5, 10, and 20 J/cm2, respectively. Morphological analysis was performed by TMJ histological sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE), picrosirius (PSR), and toluidine blue (TB), as well as histomorphometric evaluation of cartilage, articular disc, and masticatory muscles. The amount of feed consumed within 3 weeks was evaluated, and biochemical analysis of TMJ tissues included measurement of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2 and 9 zymography, and ELISA for cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β. Only the 20 J/cm2 dose promoted higher feed intake compared to AG. On the other hand, all LLLT doses promoted better organization of articular disc collagen fibers, greater number of proteoglycans in articular cartilage, increased area and diameter of left lateral pterygoid fibers, reduced latent and active MMP 9 and 2 activity, and lower IL-1β concentration compared to AG. Considering the study limitations, it was observed that LLLT treatments were effective in protecting and tissue cleansing joint structures, accelerating tissue repair, especially at lower doses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reconstructive techniques have been widely used in Veterinary Medicine. The post-operative adjuvants therapies like the low-level laser therapy (LLLT) are used to decrease inherent complications to reconstructive surgeries. This article purposed to define the LLLT effects on the healing, inflammation, and vascularization of the skin grafts in applicable time intervals to veterinary surgical routine. Forty rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus wistar) were used and each one was submitted to autogenous cutaneous mesh grafting in the interescapular region. The rats were randomly distributed in five groups (G1, G2, G3, G4, and G5) in accordance with the 6 J/cm2 or 10 J/cm2 dose every 3 or 5 days. These treatments were applied on the skin graft for 15 days. The histochemical evaluation with Picrosirius showed greater expression of collagen type 1 - red in grafts of G5 (p < 0.05), while in G1 did not; the expression of collagen type III - green was not induced by LLLT. The histochemical evaluation with hematoxylin-eosin showed greater numbers of fibroblasts in grafts of G4 (p < 0.05) and less hemorrhage in grafts of G5 (p < 0.05). There was modulation of the inflammatory response in irradiated skin grafts. It is concluded the exhibition of the skin grafts to 6 J/cm2 or 10 J/cm2 dose every 5 days improved the healing and the modulation of the local inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this work was to construct an energy-dependent response curve of photobiomodulation on arterial pressure in hypertension animal model. To reach this objective, we have used a two-kidney one clip (2K-1C) rat model. Animals received acute laser light irradiation (660 nm) on abdominal region using different energy (0.6, 1.8, 3.6, 7.2, 13.8, 28.2, 55.8, and 111.6 J), the direct arterial pressure was measured by femoral cannulation, and systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), heart rate (HR), and time of effect were obtained. Our results indicated that 660 nm laser light presents an energy-dependent hypotensive effect, and 28.2 J energy irradiation reached the maximum hypotensive effect, inducing a decreased SAP, DAP, and HR (decrease in SAP: - 19.23 ± 1.82 mmHg, n = 11; DAP: - 9.57 ± 2.23 mmHg, n = 11; HR: - 39.15 ± 5.10 bpm, n = 11; and time of hypotensive effect: 3068.00 ± 719.00 s, n = 11). The higher energy irradiation evaluated (111.6 J) did not induce a hypotensive effect and induced an increase in HR (21.69 ± 7.89 bpm, n = 7). Taken together, our results indicate that red laser energy irradiation from 7.2 to 55.8 J is the effective therapeutic window to reduce SAP, DAP, MAP, and HR and induce a long-lasting hypotensive effect in rats, with effect loss at higher energy irradiation (111.6 J). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Objective: the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Chrysobalanus icaco on adiposity and its mechanism of action in the gene and protein expression of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), a key enzyme in lipogenesis. Method: Wistar rats were divided into a regular or control group (CG) and a high-fat diet (HFD) group. HFD was treated with saline or aqueous extract of Chrysobalanus icaco (AECI) for four weeks. Body weight and food intake were assessed. Subcutaneous, retroperitoneal and periepididymal adipose tissue samples were collected and weighed. Adipocytes from periepididymal tissue were isolated and analyzed. The gene and protein expression of ACC in subcutaneous tissue was determined. Results: AECI showed no effect on intake or body weight. However, the weight of the fat pads and the gene and protein expression of ACC were lower, and glucose tolerance was improved. Conclusion: the aqueous extract of Chrysobalanus icaco proved beneficial for the treatment of obesity, preventing fat storage and improving glycemic homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Meandros Medical & Dental Journal is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The role of fish oil, primrose oil and their mixture in ameliorating the changes in Alzheimer's like model was evaluated in rats. Primrose oil and primrose/fish oil mixture fatty acids composition was assessed by gas chromatography. The rat experiment consisted of 5 groups; the first fed on balanced diet as control normal (CN); the other four groups treated with intraperitoneal aluminum lactate and consumed dyslipidemic diet; one group served as control Alzheimer's like disease (CA) while the other three groups (test groups) received daily oral dose from primrose oil, fish oil and primrose/fish oil mixture separately for 5 weeks. Results showed primrose oil and primrose/fish oil mixture to contain gamma linolenic acid as 9.15 and 4.3% of total fatty acids, respectively. Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic were present as 10.9 and 6.5%, respectively in the oil mixture. Dyslipidemia and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), plasma butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), brain malondialdehyde (MDA) and NO with decrease in plasma magnesium, brain catalase, reduced glutathione, body weight gain and brain weight were demonstrated in CA compared to CN. Brain histopathology and immuno-histochemistry showed neuronal degeneration and neurofibrillary tangles with elevated myeloperoxidase and nuclear factor-kappa B in CA compared to CN. The tested oils demonstrated neuro-protection reflected in the variable significant improvement of biochemical parameters, immuno-histochemistry and brain histopathology. Primrose/fish oil mixture was superior in reducing ESR, brain MDA, plasma activity of BChE and brain histopathological changes along with elevating plasma magnesium. Primrose/fish oil mixture and fish oil were more promising in improving plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) than primrose. Fish oil was the most efficient in improving plasma total cholesterol (T-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol and T-C/HDL-C. Primrose/fish oil mixture and primrose oil were superior in elevating brain catalase compared to fish oil. Other parameters were equally improved by the different oil treatments. Primrose oil, fish oil and their mixture reduced the progression of Alzheimer's disease in rats with superiority to primrose/fish oil mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Surgery & Medicine (JOSAM) is the property of Journal of Surgery & Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Inhibins are important ovarian hormones that control the action of the pituitary gonadotropins which regulate the ovarian cycle. The present experiment aims to study the role of steroid-free follicular fluid-antibodies (S-FBFF-ab) on the reproductive hormone levels at estrus and metestrus phases in cycling female rats. Follicular fluid was collected from mature ovarian follicles, centrifuged and treatment with activated charcoal. S-FBFF was isolated and used for immunization of adult male rabbits. After 5 injections, blood was withdrawn for separation of S-FBFF-ab. Eighty mature female rats were assigned into control and treatment groups (40 each). At late metestrus phase, females of the control were injected intra-peritoneally with 100 μL of physiological saline, whereas treated females were injected intra-peritoneally with 100 μL of S-FBFF-ab. At early estrus and early metestrus phases of each estrous cycle, serum concentrations of inhibin-B, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), and prolactin (PRL) were estimated. The results revealed that S-FBFF-ab has inhibin immuno-neutralization effect, which caused elevation in the concentrations of serum FSH and E2, and significant decline of serum PRL and inhibin- B, at early estrus, whereas significant elevation of E2 and PRL, and significant decline of serum FSH, at early metestrus. Furthermore, the results of gene expression revealed a significant elevation of ovarian aromatase gene at both early estrus and early metestrus phases, whereas pituitary PRL gene showed significant decline at early estrus phase and significant elevation at early metestrus phase. In conclusion, passive immunization against S-FBFF could augment the reproductive efficiency through increase reproductive endocrine activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was planned to verify the influence of saponin, that extracted from Glycyrrihiza glabra in activity of hepatic enzymes and some biochemical parameters of serum ovariectomized adult female rats. 15 adult female rats were randomly divided into three groups, which included sham-operated (sham), ovariectomized (ovx), and ovariectomized rats treated orally with (250 mg/kg/day) of saponin extract for (25) days. The results revealed, that ovx rats showed a significant elevation in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, Calcium level, a significant reduction in activities of creatine kinase (CK), aspartate amino transferase (AST), γ-Glutamyl transferase (GGT), and level of albumin, creatinine without any significant change in alanine amino transferase (ALT) activity and magnesium level comparison with sham -operated rats. Treatment ovx rats with 250 mg/kg of saponin caused a significant reduction in ALT and CK activities, and elevation in albumin and creatinine levels, and AST, GGT activities. In conclusion, the present results revealed that, saponin extracted of Glycyrrihiza glabra have an effect in hepatic enzyme activity and some biochemical parameters in ovariectomized female rats with osteoporosis results from reduction in estrogen level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims are investigating the effects of oral administration of AgNPs on some blood the parameters to show potential of toxicity of AgNPs as tool therapy and diagnosis. In this study, 20 healthy male and female rats were used. Randomly, rats were divided into 5 groups depending on the period variable respectively; AgNPs-treated rats' groups for a period of 3 days in concentration 0.2 and 0.4 gm/kg B.W, while the second period after 20 and 30 days after treatment with concentration 0.08 and 0.008 gm/ kg B.W. In addition to a control group. A Manual method was used to measure Hematological parameters. Rats treated with AgNPs showed the significant P<0.05 decrease in Hemoglobin, Packed Cell Volume, Red Blood Cells. Also, Mean Corpuscular Volume; Mean Corpuscular Hb and Mean Corpuscular Hb Concentration. Platelets levels and White Blood Cell Count were After the administration of AgNPs, a protective effect on hematopoietic levels and on Red Blood Cell morphology were shown respectively as it is assessed by Leishman stained blood smears resulted in ovalocytosis at the dose 0.4 gm/kg body weight, while at the dose, 0.08 gm/kg showed echinocytes, acanthocytes, tear drop, stomatocyte and codocyte (target RBCs). Thus, it is concluded that oral administration of AgNPs caused a decreased in the level of Hb concentration, PCV, RBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC, but increase PLTS and WBCs. It means that AgNPs has a toxic effect on blood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To observe the effect of vitaminD3 on airway inflammation and osteopontin (OPN) expression on cough variant asthma (CVA) models. Methods: SD rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group and treatment group, each group with 10 rats. The CVA model was induced by intraperitoneal injection combined with aerosolized ovalbumin (OVA), the treatment group was given 100 mg / ml of vitaminD3 30 minutes before challenge by administered orally. Airway hyperreaction were measured by airway resistance after inhalation of acetylcholine (Ach). Wright-Gimsa staining was used to observe the inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). HE and PAS were used to observe the morphological changes of lung tissue. OPN expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: 1) Airway hyperreaction: airway resistance after inhalation Ach in model group and treatment group were significantly higher than that in blank group (P <0.01), airway resistance in treatment group were lower than that in model group (P <0.01); 2) Classification of inflammatory cells: The percentage of macrophages, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils in the BALF of the model group and the treatment group were increased compared with the blank group (P <0.01),furthermore, the number of treatment group were lower than the model group(P <0.05); 3) Morphological changes of lung tissue: a large amount of inflammatory cells and goblet cell proliferation were observed in the lung tissue of the model group, and these changes were slight in treatment group compared with model group; OPN expression in lung tissue: The expression of OPN in model and treatment group were increased compared with blank group (P <0.05), and the treatment group was lower than that of model group (P <0.05). The OPN content was positively correlated with the percentage of inflammatory cells in BALF (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Vitamin D3 can reduce airway hyperreaction and airway inflammation in CVA rats. The mechanism may be related to the intervention of OPN expression in lung tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Although adhesion formation is a frequent adverse event following intraperitoneal surgery, efficient prophylactic interventions have not yet been established. We recently reported that blockade of interleukin (IL)-6 prevented postoperative adhesion after cecum cauterization. Intriguingly, this intervention dampened tumor necrosis factor (TNF) induction in the injured serosa. Herein, we addressed whether TNF might be a key target and, if so, how TNF blockade rescued adhesion formation. Methods: Mice were administered an anti-TNF biologic (etanercept) on days -2 and -1 before and upon cecal cauterization. The adhesion scores were evaluated at day 7 postoperatively. Histological alterations were examined by immunochemistry/immunofluorescence studies. We incubated human neutrophils and mesothelial cell line cells with recombinant TNF in the presence of etanercept and measured transcript levels of cytokines and chemokines by quantitative reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results: Etanercept rescued mice from adhesion formation, accompanied by a robust reduction of neutrophilia in the injured serosa. Immunofluorescence revealed a substantial formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) with the potential to induce tissue damage and profibrotic responses. In contrast, the etanercepttreated mice lacked NET formation. In addition, etanercept inhibited TNF-induced IL-6, TNF, and neutrophil-recruiting chemokines in neutrophils and mesothelial cells, a major cellular source of myofibroblasts in the adhesion band. Conclusion: Prophylactic administration of etanercept might be a potential strategy for preventing postoperative adhesion formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Sphingosine, a sphingoid long chain base, is a natural lipid with antimicrobial properties. Recent animal studies have shown that preventive sphingosine inhalation can rescue susceptible mice, such as cystic fibrosis-, burn injured- or aged mice from bacterial pulmonary infection. While preventing lung infections in susceptible patients has obvious clinical merit, treatment strategies for an established infection are also direly needed, particularly in the times of rising antibiotic resistance. Here, we tested the potential of sphingosine in treating an established pulmonary infection. Methods: We used a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model in male CF-1 mice and a Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain that was isolated from a septic patient (P. aeruginosa 762). We determined susceptibility to intranasal infection and ascertained when the pulmonary infection was established by continuous core body temperature monitoring. We quantified sphingosine levels in the tracheal epithelium by immunohistochemistry and studied the effects on sphingosine on bacterial membrane permeabilization and intracellular acidification using fluorescent probes. Results: We first determined that septic mice are highly susceptible to P. aeruginosa infection 2 days after inducing sepsis. Additionally, at this time, sphingosine levels in the tracheal epithelium are significantly reduced as compared to levels in healthy mice. Secondly, upon intranasal Pseudomonas inoculation, we ascertained that pulmonary infection was established as early as 2.5 h after inoculation as evidenced by a significant drop in core body temperature. Using these times of infection susceptibility and detection (2 days post CLP, 2.5h after inoculation) we treated with inhaled sphingosine and observed pulmonary bacterial loads reduced to levels found in infected healthy mice after inoculation and decreased infection-associated mortality. Further, our data demonstrate that sphingosine induces outer membrane permeabilization, disrupting the membrane potential and leading to intracellular acidification of the bacteria. Conclusion: Sphingosine shows efficacy in treating P. aeruginosa lung infections not only prophylactically, but also therapeutically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Sustained increases in the circulating concentration of saturated fatty acids (SFAs, e.g. palmitate (PA), as seen during obesity, induces a chronic low grade inflammatory state that has been linked to metabolic dysfunction in tissues such as skeletal muscle that is characterized by disturbances in mitochondrial function and heightened production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In contrast, monounsaturated (MUFAs, e.g. palmitoleate, PO; oleate, OL) and certain polyunsaturated (PUFAs, e.g. linoleate, LO) fatty acids have been shown to protect against some of the harmful metabolic effects induced by SFAs although it currently remains unknown whether this protection is associated with improved morphological and functional changes in mitochondrial biology and redox status in skeletal muscle cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate this issue. Methods: Rat skeletal (L6) myotubes were subject to sustained 16h incubation with SFAs either alone or in combination with a MUFA (PO, OL) or PUFA (LO) prior to performing subcellular fractionation, immunoblotting, fixed/live cell imaging (for assessment of mitochondrial morphology and ROS) or analysis of real time mitochondrial respiration. Results: Incubation of L6 myotubes with PA or stearate (SFA, C18:0) but not laurate (a medium chain SFA, C12:0) induced a robust increase in proinflammatory NFkB signaling as judged by loss of IkBa and increased expression of IL-6. This heightened SFA-induced proinflammatory tone was associated with increased production of ROS (superoxide and hydrogen peroxide) and significant loss in proteins involved in mitochondrial biogenesis, respiration and morphology (i.e. PGC1α, SDHA, ANT1 and MFN2). Consistent with these changes, PA induced profound fragmentation of the mitochondrial network and a marked reduction in mitochondrial respiratory capacity. These changes were not evident in myotubes incubated with PO, OL or LO alone, and, strikingly, these MUFAs and PUFA not only negated the proinflammatory action of PA, but antagonised the biochemical, morphological and functional changes in mitochondrial biology and ROS production induced in myotubes by the sustained oversupply of PA. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that PO, OL and LO exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics and, significantly, they can ameliorate SFA-induced disturbances in mitochondrial form and function. These observations may have important nutritional implications in developing strategies that could potentially help limit obesity-induced metabolic dysfunction in tissues such as skeletal muscle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: We recently described a novel regulatory role for histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) in protecting endothelial cells from oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL)-induced injury. In this study, we examined the effects of endothelial-specific HDAC2 overexpression on endothelial-dependent vasorelaxation and atherogenesis in vivo. Methods: Endothelial-specific HDAC2-overexpressing transgenic mice (HDAC2-Tg) were generated under control of the Tie2 promoter. An atherosclerosis model was produced by injecting HDAC2-Tg and wild-type (WT) mice with adeno-associated virus encoding a PCSK9 gain-of-function mutant under control of a liver-specific promoter and feeding them a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. Aortic stiffness in vivo was determined by measuring pulse wave velocity. Wire myography was used to measure endothelium dependent (acetylcholine) and independent (sodium nitroprusside) relaxation in isolated mice aortas. Atherosclerotic plaque burden in aortas was determined by Oil Red O staining and protein expression was determined by western blotting. Results: At baseline, HDAC2-Tg mice had normal mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and body weight, but pulse wave velocity (PWV), an inverse measure of vascular health and stiffness, was decreased, suggesting that their vessels were more compliant. Moreover, basal nitric oxide production was enhanced in the vessels of HDAC2-Tg mice as compared to that in WT controls, although no significant differences in acetylcholine (endothelial component)- or sodium nitroprusside (non-endothelial component)-mediated relaxation were observed. However, after exposure to OxLDL, aortas from HDAC2-Tg mice exhibited greater acetylcholine-induced relaxation than did those from WT mice. Thus, endothelial-specific vasodilator production was enhanced despite oxidative injury. Atherosclerosis induction in WT mice led to a significant increase in PWV, but in HDAC2-Tg mice, PWV and MAP remained unchanged. Further, aortic rings from HDAC2-Tg exhibited better endothelial-dependent vascular relaxation than did those from WT mice, but not when treated with nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME. Finally, plaque burden, determined by Oil red O staining, was significantly increased in WT, but not HDAC2- Tg mice, subjected to the atherogenic model. Deletion of endothelial HDAC2 led to impaired endothelial cell-dependent vascular relaxation and increased PWV, compared with those in littermate controls. Conclusion: HDAC2 protects against endothelial dysfunction and atherogenesis induced by oxidized lipids. Hence, overexpression or activation of HDAC2 represents a novel therapy for endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. HDAC2-Tg mice provide an opportunity to determine the role of endothelial HDAC2 in vascular endothelial homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hedgehog (Hh) signaling plays a broad role in the development of many organs including bone and teeth. It is noted that sustained Hh activity in osteoblasts negatively regulates postnatal development in mice. However, it remains unknown whether Hh signaling contributes to cementum formation. In this study, to define the roles of Hh signaling in cementum formation, we analyzed two kinds of transgenic mouse models for Hh signaling activation designed by the inactivation of Suppressor of Fused (Sufu), a negative regulator of Hh signaling, (SufuOC) and a forced endogenous activation of Smo (SmoM2OC) under the control of osteocalcin (OC) promoter-driven Cre recombinase. Interestingly, cellular cementum apposition was remarkably reduced in both mutants. Consistently, matrix formation and mineralization ability were down-regulated in OCCM-30, a cementoblast cell line, following treatment with a pharmaceutical Smo agonist. In addition, reductions in Osx expression and β-catenin activity, which are critical for cellular cementum formation, were also detected in vitro. Furthermore, the compound mutant mice designed for the stabilization of β-catenin with both Hh-Smo signaling activation in cementoblasts revealed a complete restoration of defective cellular cementum. In addition, Wnt antagonists such as Sostdc1 and Dkk1 were also induced by Smo activation and played a role in the reduction of Osx expression and β-catenin activity. Collectively, our data demonstrated that Hh signaling negatively regulates cementum apposition in a Wnt/β-catenin/Osx-dependent manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanism by which psychological stress elicits various physiological responses is unknown. We discovered a central master neural pathway in rats that drives autonomic and behavioral stress responses by connecting the corticolimbic stress circuits to the hypothalamus. Psychosocial stress signals from emotion-related forebrain regions activated a VGLUT1-positive glutamatergic pathway from the dorsal peduncular cortex and dorsal tenia tecta (DP/DTT), an unexplored prefrontal cortical area, to the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH), a hypothalamic autonomic center. Genetic ablation and optogenetics revealed that the DP/DTT→DMH pathway drives thermogenic, hyperthermic, and cardiovascular sympathetic responses to psychosocial stress without contributing to basal homeostasis. This pathway also mediates avoidance behavior from psychosocial stressors. Given the variety of stress responses driven by the DP/DTT→DMH pathway, the DP/DTT can be a potential target for treating psychosomatic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]