Search

In 2013, it was reported that pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) could be applied to obtain a systemic anti-inflammatory effect. Patients with chronic pain and patients with an inflammatory condition from other disciplines could potentially profit from this finding. At that time, intravenous application was used, but since then, it became clear that it could be applied transcutaneously as well. This procedure was named RedoxPRF. This can be used both for regional and for systemic application. Recently, the basic element of the mode of action has been clarified from the analysis of the effects of PRF on a standard model of muscle injury in rats. The objective of this paper is to present a hypothesis on the mode of action of RedoxPRF now that the basic mechanism has become known. Cell stress causes an increased production of free radicals, disturbing the redox equilibrium, causing oxidative stress (OS) either directly or secondarily by other types of stress. Eventually, OS causes inflammation and an increased sympathetic (nervous) system activity. In the acute form, this leads to immune paralysis; in the chronic form, to immune tolerance and chronic inflammation. It is hypothesized that RedoxPRF causes a reduction of free radicals by a recombination of radical pairs. For systemic application, the target cells are the intravascular immune cells that pass through an activated area as on an assembly line. Hypothesis conclusions: 1. RedoxPRF treatment works selectively on OS. It has the unique position of having a point of engagement at the most upstream level of the train of events. 2. RedoxPRF has the potential of being a useful tool in the treatment of inflammatory diseases and possibly of stage 4 cancer. 3. In the treatment of chronic pain, RedoxPRF is an entirely new method because it is different from ablation as well as from stimulation. We propose the term "functional restoration". 4. Controlled studies must be conducted to develop this promising new field in medicine further.

Colonial approaches to animal and zoonotic diseases are often scrutinized in terms of their recognition or dismissal of indigenous knowledge. In this article I examine British colonial approaches to "Mahamari plague" in mid-nineteenth century Kumaon and Garhwal, in the Indian Himalayas. Discussing two key colonial medical expeditions in the region, I argue that the eventual recognition of the validity of Kumaoni and Garhwali knowledge of Mahamari and its relation to rats intensified intrusive colonial intervention on indigenous lifeways. I examine this neglected impact of the colonial recognition of indigenous knowledge and urge for approaches that place more emphasis on the practical impact of colonial epistemologies.

Shortly after the introduction of (1)H MRI, fluorinated molecules were tested as MR-detectable tracers or contrast agents. Many fluorinated compounds, which are nontoxic and chemically inert, are now being used in a broad range of biomedical applications, including anesthetics, chemotherapeutic agents, and molecules with high oxygen solubility for respiration and blood substitution. These compounds can be monitored by fluorine ((19)F) MRI and/or MRS, providing a noninvasive means to interrogate associated functions in biological systems. As a result of the lack of endogenous fluorine in living organisms, (19)F MRI of 'hotspots' of targeted fluorinated contrast agents has recently opened up new research avenues in molecular and cellular imaging. This includes the specific targeting and imaging of cellular surface epitopes, as well as MRI cell tracking of endogenous macrophages, injected immune cells and stem cell transplants., (Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

The problem with which human ecology confronts medical librarians is that of inherent complexity combined with vagueness of definition and thought, associated with the risk of dispersing effort and funds ineffectually and too widely. Much of this paper is concerned with explaining why ecology must primarily be concerned with the "physiology of ecosystems," an ecosystem being an organized assemblage of populations of various living organisms plus all the nonliving components with which they interact or through which they exchange information. This is the broadest view of synecology. Much of the great complexity of an ecosystem is only apparent, because the integration of the components gives it statistical simplicities and, especially, some reliable homeostasis. In practice, fragmentary studies must be made, the lowliest of these being the autecology of an individual or a species such as man or the Norway rat. It is only in such studies that the term "environment" has meaning: the concept of environment disappears in the ecosystem, of which environments are simply component parts. For such fragmentary studies, it is recommended that the prefix "aut-" be retained, or that "bionomics" be used instead. Such studies should be made always with the intention of relating them to the ecosystem. An ecosystem becomes much more difficult to study if it is rapidly evolving. Ecosystems which include man as a dominant species are not only evolving, but contain whimsical and irrational human social elements lacking in animal groups. It should suffice to restrict the responsibilities of the medical librarian to catering for modern epidemiology (medical ecology). The range of disciplines involved is summarized and some practical hints added; the contributions of an active group (department, institute, or another) and cross-campus cooperation are stressed.

Abstract Conditioned media (CM) is derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) culture and contains biologically active components. CM is easy to handle and reduces inflammation while repairing injured joints. Combination therapy of the CM with cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA) could ameliorate the beneficial effect of HA in treating degenerative changes of articulating surfaces associated with arthritic rats’ temporomandibular joints (TMJs). This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of HA hydrogel combined with bone marrow stem cells-conditioned medium (BMSCs-CM) on the articulating surfaces of TMJs associated with complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis. Fifty female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into five equal groups. Rats of group I served as the negative controls and received intra-articular (IA) injections of 50 µl saline solution, whereas rats of group II were subjected to twice IA injections of 50 µg CFA in 50 µl; on day 1 of the experiment to induce persistent inflammation and on day 14 to induce arthritis. Rats of group III and IV were handled as group II and instead, they received an IA injection of 50 µl HA hydrogel and 50 µl of BMSCs-CM, respectively. Rats of group V were given combined IA injections of 50 µl HA hydrogel and BMSCs-CM. All rats were euthanized after the 4th week of inducing arthritis. The joints were processed for sectioning and histological staining using hematoxylin and eosin, Masson’s trichrome and toluidine blue special staining, and immunohistochemical staining for nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). SPSS software was used to analyze the data and one-way analysis of variance followed by post-hoc Tukey statistical tests were used to test the statistical significance at 0.05 for alpha and 0.2 for beta. In the pooled BMSC-CM, 197.14 pg/ml of platelet-derived growth factor and 112.22 pg/ml of interleukin-10 were detected. Compared to TMJs of groups III and IV, TMJs of group V showed significant improvements (P = 0.001) in all parameters tested as the disc thickness was decreased (331.79 ± 0.73), the fibrocartilaginous layer was broadened (0.96 ± 0.04), and the amount of the trabecular bone was distinctive (19.35 ± 1.07). The mean values for the collagen amount were increased (12.29 ± 1.38) whereas the mean values for the NF-κB expression were decreased (0.62 ± 0.15). Combination therapy of HA hydrogel and BMSCs-CM is better than using HA hydrogel or BMSCs-CM, separately to repair degenerative changes in rats’ TMJs associated with CFA-induced arthritis.

Abstract Dealing with spinal cord injuries presents problematic due to multiple secondary mechanisms. Beyond primary concerns like paralysis and disability, complications including urinary, gastrointestinal, cardiac, and respiratory disorders, along with substantial economic burdens may occur. Limited research focuses on modeling and treating contusion and compression injuries. Tissue engineering emerges as an innovative treatment, targeting lesion pathophysiology. This study was evaluated implanting injectable biomaterials into injury-induced cavity before glial scar formation, avoiding tissue incisions and minimizing further damage. The efficacy of injectable alginate/thiolated chitosan hydrogel was investigated for acute spinal cord injury induced by Vanický method in Wistar rats. Three days post-injury, hydrogel was administrated through microinjection after laminectomy. After 60 days, the hydrogel group demonstrated notable motor function enhancement compared to the control by the BBB locomotor test (P

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major chronic disease, and airway remodeling is an important pathological mechanism. Bufei Yishen formula and effective-component compatibility of Bufei Yishen formula Ⅲ (ECC-BYF Ⅲ) are effective for COPD treatment. ECC-BYF Ⅲ significantly improves airway remodeling of COPD model rats, however, the components compatibility remains to be revealed. Objective To evaluate the effect of ECC-BYFⅢ and components compatibility in treating airway remodeling of COPD based on the COPD rat model. Methods The components of ECC-BYFⅢ were divided into four categories: Buqi, Bushen, Huatan, and Huoxue. The four categories were divide into different groups according to the method of mathematical permutation. The animal experiment were performed during May to September in 2018. 216 SD rats were randomly divided into normal, model, ECC-BYF Ⅲ, different components compatibility and aminophylline groups, and 12 rats in each model. From week 1 to week 8, rat model of COPD in stable phase was established by cigarette smoke exposure combined with repeated bacterial infections. The rats were orally gavaged with corresponding drugs from week 9 to week 16. Hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining technique was used to observe the changes of bronchial wall and airway smooth muscle. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of matrix metalloprotein 12 (MMP-12), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in serum and levels of collagen (COL) -1, COL-3, and MMP-12 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Region (R) value comprehensive evaluation method was used to evaluate the effect of different component compatibility on airway remodeling in COPD rats. Results ECC-BYFⅢ, different components compatibility and aminophylline weakened the thickness of airway wall, when compared to model group. ECC-BYFⅢ, Buqi Huatan, Fuzheng Huatan, Fuzheng Huoxue, Buqi Quxie and aminophylline significantly decreased the number of airway smooth muscle hyperplasia (P

Background:Remdesivir (GS-5734), an antiviral drug, recommended for the management of pandemic COVID-19 patients. This emergency medicine has not been fully investigated for its possible adverse effects on female reproductive capacity. Objective:To investigate the effects of remdesivir on the reproductive function through biochemical and morphological evaluation of ovaries, and to assess the conception outcomes and pups physical development in albino rat model study. Materials and Methods:A total of 24 adult female rats were equally divided into two groups. Experimental group was given a dose of 5 mg/kg of remdesivir intra-peritoneally for 10 consecutive days at intervals of 24 h. One day after treatment, half of rats (IIA) were weighted and sacrificed. The remaining rats (IIB) were housed with male. Following parturition, the weight of mothers and pups were measured, and the indices of physical development of nursing pups were recorded. Later, mothers were scarified on day 60 from last exposure. During the experiment, serum levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) was measured and the ovaries were subjected to morphologic and morphometric assessments. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 2.0 for statistically significant difference. Results:The mean concentration of AMH for the control group and the experimental groups (IIA) and (IIB) was 4.276 ± 1.582, 1.818 ± 1.554, and 3.339 ± 1.219 ng/mL, respectively. The IIA group had the lowest AMH level. There was slight recovery in the AMH level in experimental group IIB. The mean count of atretic follicles and corpus lutea was significantly different in experimental group IIA, with P-values of 0.041 and 0.033, respectively. The indices of physical development of nursing pups were significantly low (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusion:Remdesivir could produce an intermittent reproductive disruption shortly after administration manifested by transient decline in ovarian reserve. Therefore, more attention should be paid to when this medicine is prescribed for women, especially for reproductive-aged women seeking for near-future pregnancy.

Background:Lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT) is a widely used pyrethroid to control insect pests in agriculture, public health, and homes. Objectives:The aim of this study was to evaluate the oxidative stress evaluation of LCT pesticides and and antioxidants (vitamin E) in male rats. Materials and Methods:Thirty adult male rats were separated evenly into three groups after 3 weeks of acclimatization as follows: For 12 weeks, group-normal C’s feed and water were given to 10 rats. Group T was given LCT at a dose of 0.5 mL per 100 g of body weight for 12 weeks (n = 10 rats) and group E was given (LC + vitamin E) at a dose of 0.5 mL per 100 g of body weight. Results:At a results significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the T group compared with the E group and C group. Significant decrease of glutathione (GSH) levels in the T group compared with the E group and C group. Macroscopic and microscopic lesions demonstrated atrophy of the kidney in the T group and congestion in the G group while the C group was normal the microscopic lesion of the kidney in the T group multiplied the area of the renal cast at renal tubules with degenerative changes and multiply the area of hemorrhage at the interstitial area but E group show mild degenerative changes in the structure of the renal tubule. It is interesting to note that every modification showed how detrimental LTC is to the kidneys and how vitamin E’s antioxidant capacity benefits them. Conclusions:Exposure to pesticides continuously creates a health concern, particularly in the agricultural working environment where animal and human life are intertwined. Thus, the study findings demonstrate the impact of LCT on oxidative stress and renal function as well as the antioxidant role of vitamin E.

Abstract Topical eye drop approaches to treat ocular inflammation in dry eyes often face limitations such as low efficiency and short duration of drug delivery. Nanofibers serve to overcome the limitation of the short duration of action of topical eye drops used against ocular inflammation in dry eyes. Several attempts to develop suitable nanofibers have been made; however, there is no ideal solution. Here, we developed polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers loaded with dexamethasone acetate (DEX), prepared by electrospinning, as a potential ocular drug delivery platform for corneal injury treatment. Thirty-nine Sprague Dawley rats (7 weeks old males) were divided into four treatment groups after alkaline burns of the cornea; negative control (no treatment group); dexamethasone eyedrops (DEX group); PCL fiber (PCL group); dexamethasone loaded PCL (PCL + DEX group). We evaluated therapeutic efficacy of PCL + DEX by examining the epithelial wound healing effect, the extent of corneal opacity and neovascularization. Additionally, various inflammatory factors, including IL-1β, were investigated through immunochemistry, western blot analysis, and quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). PCL + DEX group showed histologically alleviated signs of corneal inflammation compared with DEX group, which showed a decrease in IL-1β and MMP9 in the corneal stroma. The quantitative expression on day 1 after alkaline burn of pro-inflammatory markers, including IL-1β and IL-6, in the PCL + DEX group was significantly lower than that in the DEX group. Notably, PCL + DEX treatment significantly suppressed neovascularization, and enhanced the anti-inflammatory function of DEX during the acute phase of ocular inflammation. Collectively, these findings suggest that PCL + DEX may be a promising approach to effective drug delivery in corneal burn injuries.

Abstract The goal of our research is to elucidate and better assess placental function in rats with preeclampsia through an innovative application of ultrasound-based radiomics. Using a rat model induced with L-NAME, we carefully investigated placental dysfunction via microstructural analysis and immunoprotein level assessment. Employing the Boruta feature selection method on ultrasound images facilitated the identification of crucial features, consequently enabling the development of a robust model for classifying placental dysfunction. Our study included 12 pregnant rats, and thorough placental evaluations were conducted on 160 fetal rats. Distinct alterations in placental microstructure and angiogenic factor expression were evident in rats with preeclampsia. Leveraging high-throughput mining of quantitative image features, we extracted 558 radiomic features, which were subsequently used to construct an impressive evaluation model with an area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) of 0.95. This model also exhibited a remarkable sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 88.7%, 91.5%, 90.2%, 90.4%, and 90.0%, respectively. Our findings highlight the ability of ultrasound-based radiomics to detect abnormal placental features, demonstrating its potential for evaluating both normative and impaired placental function with high precision and reliability.

Abstract This study aimed to estimate the hepatic and immune ameliorating potential of extracted bovine lactoferrin (LF), Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) or their combination (LF/SeNPs) against bleomycin (BLM) induced hepatic injury. Fifty adult male rats (160–200 g) were equally divided into five groups: (1) the saline control group, (2) BLM-injected (15 mg/kg twice a week, ip), and (3–5) groups treated orally with LF (200 mg/kg/day), SeNPs (0.0486 mg/kg/day) or LF/SeNPs combination (200.0486 mg/kg/day) for 6 weeks post BLM-intoxication. Blood and liver samples were subjected to biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical analyses. The results revealed that BLM caused a significant increase in hepatic lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide, as well as serum markers of liver functions (AST, ALT and GGT activities), and levels of GM-CSF, CD4, TNF-α, IL-1β, TGF-β1, fibronectin, triglycerides, cholesterol and LDL-C. Additionally, hepatic glutathione, Na+/K+-ATPase, and glutathione peroxidase, as well as serum HDL-C, total protein and albumin levels were significantly reduced. Moreover, BLM injection resulted in marked histopathological alterations and severe expression of caspase 3. Post-treatment of BLM-intoxicated rats with LF, SeNPs or LF/SeNPs combination obviously improved the BLM-induced hepatic damages; this was achieved from the marked modulations in the mentioned parameters, besides improving the histopathological hepatic architecture. It is worth mentioning that LF/SeNPs exerted the greatest potency. In conclusion, the obtained results demonstrated that LF, SeNPs and LF/SeNPs succeeded in attenuating the BLM-induced hepatic dysfunction. Therefore, these supplements might be used to protect against drug-associated side effects.

Objective To investigate the key elements for model establishment and determine the evaluation indicators of animal models for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), providing a reference for improving modelling methods and optimizing the application of PID animal models. Methods The search query "Pelvic Inflammatory Disease" AND "Animal Model" OR "Rat" OR "Mouse" OR" Guinea Pig" OR "Rabbit" OR "Dog" OR "Pig" was used to retrieve relevant literature on PID animal models published from 2013 to 2023 in China Knowledge Network Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, and PubMed databases. The studies were analyzed and categorized based on experimental animal types, modelling methods, modelling cycles, detection indicators, positive control drugs, and administration duration. A database was established for statistical analysis. Results A total of 214 research articles on PID animal models meeting the inclusion criteria were identified. The most commonly used model animals are Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, followed by Wistar rats. The most frequently employed modelling method is a combination of mechanical injury and bacterial infection, followed by the phenol mucilage method. The most common modelling cycles for acute pelvic inflammatory disease (APID) and chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (CPID)/sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease (SPID) are 8 to 14 days, while for PID models without specific staging, the cycles are 7 days. High-frequency detection methods and indicators include histopathological observation using hematoxylin-eosin staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for serum-related indicators, morphological changes of tissues observed with the naked eye, and immunohistochemical detection of related protein expression in uterine tissues, and pathological scoring. The most frequently used positive control drugs are Fuke Qianjin Tablets, followed by Jingangteng Capsules. The most common administration duration for APID is 7 days, and for CPID/SPID models, it ranges from 15 to 21 days. Conclusion Currently, SD rats and Wistar rats are commonly used as experimental animals for PID models. The dual modelling method of mechanical injury combined with mixed bacterial infection aligns closely with clinical pathogenesis and can be used to establish a PID model that simulates postoperative uterine cavity infection. Depending on the research objectives, different positive drugs and detection indicators should be selected for comprehensive evaluation. Most existing PID animal model studies are based on western medical diagnosis, with fewer studies focusing on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndromes. There is a need to integrate TCM theories of etiology and pathogenesis to construct PID animal models that are more in line with TCM clinical symptoms.

Objective: To evaluate the protective effects of probiotic microorganisms on the reproductive and nervous systems of male rats treated with acrylamide. Methods: Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into 4 groups and received normal saline through gavage (control), acrylamide 20 mg/kg body weight, acrylamide plus probiotic microorganisms (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis, Streptococcus thermophilus and fructooligosaccharides, all mixed in sachets) 20 or 200 mg/kg body weight, respectively. After 30 days, the testis, prostate, seminal vesicle and cerebellum were removed, fixed and stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H & E). The Johnsen score was used to classify spermatogenesis. Cavalieri's principle method was used to evaluate the total volume (in mm3) of the testes. The number of each intratubular cell type as well as intertubular Leydig cells in whole samples was measured using the physical dissector counting techniques. Stereological analysis and the grids were used to determine the volume of cerebellar layers as well as the Purkinje cell number. Results: The testis weight decreased significantly in the acrylamide- treated group compared to the other groups (P

Objective(s): Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an abrupt inflammatory condition characterized by a storm of inflammatory cytokines leading to high morbidity and mortality. The current study aimed to examine the efficacy of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 (GBE) in the treatment of L-arginine-induced AP and its associated lung injury. Materials and Methods: Forty rats were randomly assigned into four groups. The normal group received only saline intraperitoneally while the other groups received two intraperitoneal L-arginine injections (250 mg/100 g b.wt) separated by a 1-hour interval to provoke AP. GBE (200 and 400 mg/kg/day, PO) was administered for 2 weeks post-induction of pancreatitis. Sera and pancreatic tissues were isolated.Results: The outcome of the present study revealed that GBE ameliorated the elevated levels of serum amylase, lipase, and pancreatic inflammatory mediators viz., tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), mitogen-activated protein kinase P38 (MAPK-P38), c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). Moreover, GBE restored the pancreatic gene expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and prostatic acid phosphatase-2 (PAP-2). Pancreatic and lung histopathological examinations confirmed the aforementioned parameters. Conclusion: GBE interfered with the mechanistic pathway of L-arginine-induced acute pancreatic and its associated lung injury. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, GBE can be used as a novel therapeutic candidate for the treatment of AP through down-regulating TLR-4/MAPK-p38/JNK and MAPK- p38/NF-κB signaling cascades.

Abstract Cyclophosphamide (CTX) is the most commonly used effective alkylating drug in cancer treatment, but its use is restricted because its toxic side effect causes testicular toxicity. CTX disrupts the tissue redox and antioxidant balance and the resulting tissue damage causes oxidative stress. In our study based on this problem, kefir against CTX-induced oxidative stress and testicular toxicity were investigated. Rats were divided into 6 groups: control, 150 mg/kg CTX, 5 and 10 mg/kg kefir, 5 and 10 mg/kg kefir + 150 CTX. While the fermented kefirs were mixed and given to the rats for 12 days, CTX was given as a single dose on the 12th day of the experiment. Testis was scored according to spermatid density, giant cell formation, cells shed into tubules, maturation disorder, and atrophy. According to our biochemical findings, the high levels of total oxidant status (TOS), and the low levels of total antioxidant status (TAS) in the CTX group, which are oxidative stress markers, indicate the toxic effect of CTX, while the decrease in TOS levels and the increase in TAS levels in the kefir groups indicate the protective effect of kefir. In the CTX-administered group, tubules with impaired maturation and no spermatids were observed in the transverse section of the testicle, while in the kefir groups, the presence of near-normal tubule structures and tubule lumens despite CTX showed the protective effect of kefir. In our study, it was observed that kefir had a protective and curative effect on CTX-induced toxicity and oxidative stress and could be a strong protector.

The aim of this study was to determine the sources of superoxide anion radical (O₂⁻•) in rat heart homogenate under conditions of surgical trauma inflicted against the background of an experimental model of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Materials and methods. The experiments were conducted on 42 white Wistar rats weighing (220±10) g, divided into 6 groups: Group 1 – intact animals; Group 2 – rodents with PTSD modeled by reproducing single prolonged stress (SPS); Group 3 – rats that underwent a sham operation; Group 4 – animals that underwent laparotomy; Group 5 – rats that underwent a sham operation after SPS modeling; Group 6 – animals that underwent laparotomy after reproducing SPS. The rate of O₂⁻• generation in the heart homogenate was studied using a spectrophotometric test with nitroblue tetrazolium. Results. The modeling of PTSD (SPS) and surgical trauma leads to a significant increase in oxidative stress in the rat heart, evidenced by an elevated rate of O₂⁻• generation involving NADPH-dependent electron transport chains (ETC) in microsomes, NO synthase, the mitochondrial respiratory chain, and leukocyte NADPH oxidase. In the post-laparotomy period following SPS, the oxidative stress enhanced significantly and was manifested through increased O₂⁻• generation by NADPH-dependent microsomal and NO synthase ETC by 72.3%, by NADH-dependent mitochondrial ETC by 72.9%, and leukocyte NADPH oxidase by 80.9% compared to intact control. When compared to group 2, these indicators rose by 29.6%, 24.4%, and 26.8%, respectively. Group 4 demonstrated an even more pronounced increase in O₂⁻• generation, reaching 54.0%, 54.6%, and 62.9% respectively. Furthermore, O₂⁻• production rates from all sources in group 4 were likely higher than those in group 5 by 29.8%, 21.2%, and 21.5% , respectively. Conclusions. The combined effect of laparotomy and experimental PTSD synergistically enhances O₂⁻• production in the heart homogenate from various sources, significantly exceeding the levels observed with either laparotomy or SPS alone.

Abstract Electrochemotherapy (ECT) combines the reversible electroporation (rEP) with intravenous (i.v.) or intratumoral (i.t.) administration of chemotherapeutic drugs. We conducted this study to compare the efficacy of i.v., i.t., and i.v. + i.t. injection of bleomycin (BLM) in ECT treatment of colorectal hepatic metastases in a rat model. WAG/Rij rats were randomized into three groups and underwent ECT with i.v., i.t., or i.v. + i.t. injection of BLM. Tumor volumes and oxygenation were measured by means of ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging. Moreover, liver and tumor tissue were analyzed by histology and immunohistochemistry. The i.v. and i.v. + i.t. groups exhibited a 44.0% and 46.6% reduction in oxygen saturation of the tumor tissue when compared to pretreatment values, whereas the i.t. group only showed a reduction of 35.2%. The extent of tumor tissue necrosis did not statistically differ between the groups. However, the i.t. group showed a tendency towards a lower necrosis rate. Cell proliferation, apoptotic cell death, vascularization, and immune cell infiltration were comparable in the treated tumors of the three groups. ECT with i.v. administration of BLM should be preferred in clinical practice, as the combined i.v. + i.t. therapy did not show superior oncological outcomes in the present study.

Introduction: Omentin-1 is a newly discovered adipokine often secreted from visceral adipose tissue and is inversely related to obesity. Additionally, the adipocyte-specific protein adiponectin plays a significant role in the metabolic effects of obesity. This study aimed to investigate the interventions of submaximal aerobic exercise and flax oil supplementation on the expression of adiponectin and omentin-1 hormone genes in obese rats.Methods: Thirty laboratory rats were divided into five equal groups: a) a control group (with normal food consumption), and four groups with high-fat food consumption including b) linseed oil supplement, c) a submaximal exercise program, d) a combination of exercise intervention and flax oil supplement, and e) sham group (high-fat diet). An aerobic training program of running with an intensity equal to 55-70% vo2max was implemented five days a week for eight weeks. The intervention of linseed oil, one gram per kilogram of the weight of obese rats, was also administered to the rats five days a week for eight weeks.Results: The exercise program intervention increased the gene expression of adiponectin and omentin-1 hormones in visceral white adipose tissue of obese rats (P0.05). However, the simultaneous intervention of independent variables significantly affected the gene expression of adiponectin and omentin-1 hormones in rats (P

Abstract Chronic exposure to heavy metals as aluminum chloride (AlCl3) could result in severe health hazards such as chronic renal injury. The present study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) in comparison to their microvesicles (MV) in AlCl3-induced chronic renal injury. Forty-eight adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Control group, AlCl3-treated group, AlCl3/ASC-treated group, and AlCl3/MV-treated group. Biochemical studies included estimation of serum urea and creatinine levels, oxidative biomarkers assay, antioxidant biomarkers, serum cytokines (IL-1β, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-33), real time-PCR analysis of renal tissue MALT1, TNF-α, IL-6, and serum miR-150-5p expression levels. Histopathological studies included light and electron microscopes examination of renal tissue, Mallory trichrome stain for fibrosis, Periodic acid Schiff (PAS) stain for histochemical detection of carbohydrates, and immunohistochemical detection of Caspase-3 as apoptosis marker, IL-1B as a proinflammatory cytokine and CD40 as a marker of MVs. AlCl3 significantly deteriorated kidney function, enhanced renal MDA and TOS, and serum cytokines concentrations while decreased the antioxidant parameters (SOD, GSH, and TAC). Moreover, serum IL-10, TNF-α, miR-150-5p, and renal MALT1 expression values were significantly higher than other groups. Kidney sections showed marked histopathological damage in both renal cortex and medulla in addition to enhanced apoptosis and increased inflammatory cytokines immunoexpression than other groups. Both ASCs and MVs administration ameliorated the previous parameters levels with more improvement was detected in MVs-treated group. In conclusion: ASCs-derived MVs have a promising ameliorating effect on chronic kidney disease.

People who expose to mixture of crude oil products had been reported to show several diseased-symptoms including hypertension, liver failure and chronic complications. The drugs for treating multiple-complex diseases are scarcely available. Cashew nut snack is known to check multiple diseases and easily accessible by indigenous-patients with no lethal-effects. Here, we examined the corrective-measures of roasted-cashew-nut (RCN) against hypertension co-morbidity with liver-failure in male rats on exposure to mixture of fractionated-petroleum-products (MFPP). Seventy (70) male-albino-rats (n = 10) were randomly exposed to MFPP for 14 days. Group 1: control rats were given basal-diet. Group 2 was given basal diet + 0.2 ml/day-MFPP. Group 3 was given 0.2 ml/day-MFPP + 50 mg/kg Atenolol. Group 4 was given 0.2 ml/day-MFPP + 10 % RCN. Group 5 was given 0.2 ml/day-MFPP + 20 % RCN. Group 6 was given 10 % RCN. Group 7 was given 20 % RCN. We found that high activities of liver-arginase, MAO-A, AChE, ADA, PDE-51 and ATP-hydrolytic-enzymes with low-bioavailability of NO-level on exposure to MFPP implicated liver-failure and hypertension. Also, up-regulation of HIF-1, p53, TNF-α, and MCP-1 with reduced-level of 1L-10 were connected to liver-failure and hypertension. However, post-treatment with 10 % RCN and 20 % RCN for 14-days corrected liver-failure and hypertension by inhibiting liver-arginase, MAO-A, AChE, ADA, PDE-51 and ATP-hydrolytic-enzymes. Also, liver-failure characterized by vascular-congestion and sinusoidal-dilation on exposure to 0.2 ml/day-MFPP was reversed by 10 % RCN and 20 % RCN via down-regulation of liver HIF-1, p53, TNF-α, MCP-1 with increased 1L-10. We conclude that 10 % RCN and 20 % RCN may be an innovative-snacks against hepatocellular damage co-morbidity with hypertension.

This study aimed to investigate changes in protein signaling associated with muscle regeneration in aged rats with obesity and diabetes following high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and SP supplementation. Forty male Wistar rats weighting 280-325 g were used in this study. Obesity was induced by eight weeks of a high-fat diet, and diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 40 mg/kg streptozocin. Rats were randomly divided into control (CON), sham, SP, HIIT, and HIIT+SP groups. HIIT was performed five times per week during the 8-week period. SP dose was 50 mg/kg. Real-time PCR was used to evaluate the expression of myogenin, MyoD1, and Pax7. The decreases in body mass in the HIIT, HIIT+SP and SP groups were significantly higher than those in the sham and CON groups (p=0.0001). The soleus muscle mass increased significantly only in the HIIT and HIIT+SP groups (p

Today, the issue of the consequences of disrupting the normal “light-dark” cycle is becoming increasingly important, and the link between the development of a systemic inflammatory response (SIR) and circadian rhythm disorders has been confirmed. The effect of monosodium glutamate on the human body is being actively studied. The aim of the work was to find out the influence of monosodium glutamate on the development of oxidative-nitrosative stress in the homogenate of the large cerebral hemispheres of rats with a combination of acute desynchronosis (AD), SIR and administration of monosodium glutamate. Material and methods. The research was carried out on 72 white Wistar rats weighing 150–200 of different sexes, divided into 5 groups: control (n = 15), AD (n = 13), SIR (n = 15), a combination of SIR and AD (n = 14), a combination of SIR, AD, and glutamate (n = 15). To simulate AD, a normal “light-dark” cycle (12 hours of light, 12 hours of darkness) was formed for 3 weeks, and the next 3 days the “light-dark” phases were shifted back by 6 hours. SIR was reproduced by intraperitoneal injection of Salmonella typhi lipopolysaccharide in the first week at a dose of 0.4 μg/kg 3 times per week, the following seven weeks – once a week. Sodium glutamate was administered intragastrically for 20 days at a dose 30 mg/kg, dissolved in 0.5 ml of distilled water. In a 10 % homogenate of the large cerebral hemispheres, we determined the rate of superoxide anion radical (SAR) production, the content of products that react with thiobarbituric acid (TBA-reactants), their increase, activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), concentration of nitrites, peroxynitrites, total activity of NO-synthase (NOS), its constitutive (cNOS) and inducible (iNOS) isoforms. Results. In the group of SIR, AD and glutamate combination, compared to the control, the following was noted: an increase in the rate of basic production of SAR by 175.8 %, by the microsomal pathway by 20.0 %, by the mitochondrial pathway by 51.2 %, the concentration of TBA-reactants by 83.4 %, their increase – by 61.7 %, decrease in the activity of SOD by 57.1 %, catalase – by 38.1 %; an increase in peroxynitrite content by 116.7 %, ODC activity by 161.5 %, total NOS activity by 25.6 % and iNOS by 27.4 %, a decrease in cNOS activity by 15.0 % and nitrite concentration by 35.0 % in brain tissues. Conclusions. Sodium glutamate administration in combination with AD and SIR leads to increased oxidative-nitrosative stress, inhibition of antioxidant protection; contributes to the activation of the general activity of NO-synthase and iNOS, suppresses the activity of cNOS.

ObjectiveTo screen biomarkers for forensic identification of acute myocardial infarction （AMI） by non-targeted metabolomic studies on changes of urine metabolites in rats with AMI.MethodsThe rat models of the sham surgery group, AMI group and hyperlipidemia + acute myocardial infarction （HAMI） group were established. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry （UPLC-MS） was used to analyze the changes of urine metabolic spectrometry in AMI rats. Principal component analysis, partial least squares-discriminant analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis were used to screen differential metabolites. The MetaboAnalyst database was used to analyze the metabolic pathway enrichment and access the predictive ability of differential metabolites.ResultsA total of 40 and 61 differential metabolites associated with AMI and HAMI were screened, respectively. Among them, 22 metabolites were common in both rat models. These small metabolites were mainly concentrated in the niacin and nicotinamide metabolic pathways. Within the 95% confidence interval, the area under the curve （AUC） values of receiver operator characteristic curve for N8-acetylspermidine, 3-methylhistamine, and thymine were greater than 0.95.ConclusionN8-acetylspermidine, 3-methylhistamine, and thymine can be used as potential biomarkers for AMI diagnosis, and abnormal metabolism in niacin and nicotinamide may be the main causes of AMI. This study can provide reference for the mechanism and causes of AMI identification.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of microRNA (miRNA, miR)-887-3p on the proliferation and apoptosis of rat intervertebral disc annulus fibrosus cells and its underlying molecular mechanism.MethodsAnnulus fibrosus tissues were obtained from 8-week-old SPF-grade SD male rats, centrifuged to prepare and identify annulus fibrosus cells. Rats in the experiment were randomly divided into four groups: a Normal group consisting of primary annulus fibrosus cells without any treatment; a Control group treated with 10 ng/mL interleukin-1β (IL-1β) for 24 hours to establish a degenerative cell model; an interference group (miR-887-3p inhibitor) transfected with miR-887-3p inhibitor using Lipo3000 based on the Control group; and an overexpression group (miR-887-3p mimics) transfected with miR-887-3p mimics using Lipo3000 based on the Control group. CCK-8 assay was used to assess cell viability; flow cytometry was used to measure cell apoptosis rates; real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to detect the expression levels of miR-887-3p and murine double minute 4 (MDM4) mRNA; Western blotting was used to measure the protein expression levels of MDM4, Bcl-2, and Caspase-3.ResultsImmunofluorescence staining of isolated and cultured cells revealed a Collagen I positive rate of over 90% in rat intervertebral disc annulus fibrosus cells, indicating a cell purity level greater than 90%. Real-time fluorescence qPCR results showed that after establishing an annulus fibrosus degenerative cell model using IL-1β, the expression level of miR-887-3p significantly increased compared to the Normal group (P

Objectives: Dyslipidemia has currently become a major health challenge that still opens for safer and more effective modes of treatment. The plant Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb. (pandan) has been indicated to contain active ingredients that interfere with the pathological pathway of dyslipidemia. The aim of the study was to test the effects of pandan leaves ethanol extract on lipid and proinflammatory profiles in a rat dyslipidemic model. Methods: Dyslipidemia was induced by administration of high-fat feed for 8 weeks. Treatments (vehicle, the reference drug simvastatin at 1.8 mg/kg, and extract at 200, 300 or 600 mg/kg) were given for 4 weeks following the completion of induction. Results: Significant post-treatment decreases in total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglyceride levels in groups receiving all doses of extract and simvastatin were observed. Similar results were also found in regards to proinflammatory cytokines levels. Pandan extracts significantly lowered the concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α, and NFκB p65. Characterization of metabolite contents of the extract confirmed the presence of the previously suggested active alkaloids pandamarilactonine-A and B. Conclusion: Taken together, results of the present study implied the ameliorating effects of pandan leaves ethanol extract in dyslipidemic condition which is potential for opening an avenue in combating this essential component of metabolic disorder.

Background:Pregabalin (PGB) is one kind of gabapentinoid. The main mechanism of action is binding at the alpha-2-delta site, which inhibits calcium influx in response to depolarization at nerve terminals and, in turn, suppresses the release of glutamate, noradrenaline, and substance P.Objectives:This study aimed to study the pathological effects of PGB toxicity on brain and liver of rats.Materials and Methods:We chose 20 mature albino rats, both sexes, averaging 220 g in weight; these were divided into two groups (10 rats per group): the toxic group and the control group. Tablets of Lyrica (Pfizer) may be purchased over the counter. The 300 mg of PGB in each tablet was dissolved in 3 mL of 0.9% normal saline. The dosage was determined using the maximum lethal oral dose in rats (5000 mg/kg) (Pfizer, 2017). Based on the rats’ weights, a toxic dosage of 1000 mg of PGB was determined and reconstituted in normal saline (0.9% in 3 mL). Each animal in the acute toxicity group received a single dose of the produced medication orally. After 24 h, all of the animals in both groups were euthanized. The brain and liver were quickly dissected and removed, washed in saline solution, and then processed for histopathological study.Results:Focal regions of hemorrhage and congestion were seen in H&E-stained sections from the acute toxicity group, and most pyramidal cells were degraded, pyknotic, and exhibited karyolysis. Cerebellar cortical layers were preserved; however, Purkinje cells were destroyed in the acute toxicity group, which also exhibited an increase in pyknotic cells, hemorrhage, vascular congestion, and localized loss of tissue. Hemorrhages, congestion of portal region blood vessels, and central veins and hepatic sinusoids were some of the most notable pathological abnormalities seen in the livers of those using PGB. Hepatocytes show nuclear pyknosis and a homogeneously acidophilic cytoplasm as a result of severe degenerative alterations, such as vacuolar degeneration and severe necrotic changes.Conclusion:PGB can cause pathological lesions in the brain and liver at a single toxic dose.

Abstract Using ferric chloride (FeCl3) to induce experimental superior sagittal sinus (SSS) thrombosis might interfere with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-assisted visualization and evaluation of the thrombus, the brain parenchyma, and the quality of the occlusion. The aim of this study was to investigate whether aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced thrombosis of the SSS has comparable properties to those of FeCl3 without causing artifacts in MRI. SSS thrombosis was induced in 14 male Wistar rats by exposure of the SSS and subsequent topical application of a filter paper strip soaked in AlCl3 (n = 7) or FeCl3 (n = 7) over a period of 15 min. The animals with AlCl3-induced SSS thrombosis showed a constant and complete occlusion with in histological analysis large thrombi. Blood flow measurements indicated a significant reduction on the first and seventh postoperative day compared to preoperative measurements. MRI enabled visualization and subsequent evaluation of the thrombus and the surrounding parenchyma. In comparison, FeCl3-induced SSS thrombosis could not be evaluated by MRI due to artifacts caused by the paramagnetic properties and increased susceptibility of FeCl3. The occluded sinus and the surrounding area appeared hypointense. The quality of SSS occlusion by AlCl3 was comparable to that of FeCl3. AlCl3 therefore represents a significant alternative substance in experimental SSS thrombosis ideally suited for studies using MRI.

Abstract Postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions represent a significant post-surgical problem. Its complications can cause a considerable clinical and cost burden. Herein, our study aimed to investigate the effect of Everolimus on peritoneal adhesion formation after inducing adhesions in rats. In this experimental study, adhesion bands were induced by intraperitoneal injection of 3 ml of 10% sterile talc solution in 64 male albino rats. The first group served as the control group. The second one received oral Prednisolone (1 mg/kg/day), the third received Everolimus (0.1 mg/kg/day), and group four received both drugs with similar dosages for four consecutive weeks. The formation of adhesion bands was qualitatively graded according to the Nair classification. The rats in the control group had extensive adhesions between the abdominal wall and the organs. Regarding substantial adhesion formation, 50% (8/16) of animals in the control group had substantial adhesions, while this rate in the groups receiving Prednisolone, Everolimus, and combination treatment was 31%, 31%, and 31%, respectively. Also, 68.75% (5/11) of the Prednisolone recipients had insubstantial adhesions, the same as Everolimus recipients, while in the combination group, 66.66% (10/15) rats had insubstantial adhesions. Everolimus demonstrated satisfactory results in reducing the rates of induced peritoneal adhesion in an experimental model, similar to Prednisolone and superior to a combination regime.

Abstract Cardiovascular function and adipose metabolism were markedly influenced under high altitudes. However, the interplay between adipokines and heart under hypoxia remains to be elucidated. We aim to explore alterations of adipokines and underlying mechanisms in regulating cardiac function under high altitudes. We investigated the cardiopulmonary function and five adipokines in Antarctic expeditioners at Kunlun Station (4,087 m) for 20 days and established rats exposed to hypobaric hypoxia (5,000 m), simulating Kunlun Station. Antarctic expeditioners exhibited elevated heart rate, blood pressure, systemic vascular resistance, and decreased cardiac pumping function. Plasma creatine phosphokinase-MB (CK-MB) and platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (sPecam-1) increased, and leptin, resistin, and lipocalin-2 decreased. Plasma leptin significantly correlated with altered cardiac function indicators. Additionally, hypoxic rats manifested impaired left ventricular systolic and diastolic function, elevated plasma CK-MB and sPecam-1, and decreased plasma leptin. Chronic hypoxia for 14 days led to increased myocyte hypertrophy, fibrosis, apoptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction, coupled with reduced protein levels of leptin signaling pathways in myocardial tissues. Cardiac transcriptome analysis revealed leptin was associated with downregulated genes involved in rhythm, Na+/K+ transport, and cell skeleton. In conclusion, chronic hypoxia significantly reduced leptin signaling pathways in cardiac tissues along with significant pathological changes, thus highlighting the pivotal role of leptin in regulation of cardiac function under high altitudes.

Background. The mechanisms underlying the development of the heart contractile apparatus and the distribution of myofibrils in cardiomyocytes following intrauterine ethanol intoxication continue to be a topic of significant debate. The aim of this paper is to determine the dynamics of postnatal changes in the ultrastructure of ventricular contractile cardiomyocytes in the rat heart after chronic alcoholization of the maternal organism. Methods. The study focused on the hearts of rat offspring from birth to adulthood. Transmission electron microscopy was utilized to examine the ultrastructure of cardiomyocytes in various zones of the ventricular myocardium. Results. It has been observed that prenatal alcohol exposure induces cardiomyocyte heteromorphism, characterized by varying degrees of damage throughout postnatal ontogenesis in rat offspring. Specifically, cells exhibiting critical signs of destruction in the myocardium of intramural and subepicardial zones of both ventricles aggregate into clusters surrounded by morphologically intact cardiomyocytes, while irreversibly damaged cells with subendocardial localization appear isolated. Following birth, there is a progressive accumulation of mitochondria exhibiting signs of limited functional activity. These polymorphic organelles, featuring a matrix of moderate or low electron density with sporadically developed cristae, primarily concentrate in paranuclear regions and are dispersed along the interstices of myofibril dissociation. Conclusion. Maternal chronic alcohol intoxication results in enduring harm to the contractile apparatus of ventricular cardiomyocytes in rat offspring. This damage manifests as sarcomere structure disorganization, myofibril fragmentation and misalignment, notable suppression of sarcomerogenesis, and reduced myofibril content, all closely linked to mitochondrial alterations.

Purpose: Nicotine exposure during pregnancy directly or indirectly harms not only the mother but also the fetal tissues. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible effects of folic acid given against nicotine used during pregnancy on bone development of fetuses. Materials and Methods: 18 adult female rats were divided into control, low-dose nicotine (LDN), high-dose nicotine (HDN), low-dose nicotine + folic acid (LDN + FA), high-dose nicotine + folic acid (HDN + FA), and folic acid (FA) group equally. During 20 days, 1 ml/kg serum physiologic (SP) solution to the control group, 3 mg/kg nicotine to LDN, 6 mg/kg nicotine to HDN, 3 mg/kg nicotine and 400 µg/kg FA to LDN+FA, 6 mg/kg nicotine and 400 µg/kg FA to HDN+FA, 400 µg/kg FA to the FA group was administered. Bones of fetuses taken by cesarean section on the 20th day of pregnancy were stained with the bilateral skeleton staining technique. The stained anterior and posterior extremity bones were photographed under a stereomicroscope. Bone length, extent of ossification and percentage of ossification were measured. Statistical data were evaluated using the R programming language (v. 3.2.3). Results: The bone development of LDN and HDN groups was significantly lower and LDN+FA and HDN+FA groups was close to the control group (p

Objective To evaluate the effects of puerarin on bone density in rats and mice through a meta-analysis. Methods The databases, including CNKI, SinoMed, Wanfang data, VIP, PubMed, EMBase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Scopus from their inception to November 6, 2023, were searched for literature on the effects of puerarin treatment on bone density in rats and mice. Inclusion criteria for the literature were randomized controlled trials with a placebo or blank control group; the subject animals were rats or mice; the intervention was puerarin; and the results included bone density measurements. Exclusion criteria included combination therapy with puerarin; lack of original research data; unpublished studies; and using mandible as the measurement site for bone density. Risks of bias were assessed using SYRCLE's RoB tool. Data analysis was conducted with Stata 16.0 and Rev Man 5.3 software. Results After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 429 records were identified and 42 articles covering 41 studies were ultimately included. 925 animals were involved and the data analysis results indicated that puerarin improved bone density in rats and mice compared to the control group: femur [37 studies, n=824, standardized mean difference （SMD)=2.12, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.69-2.54, P < 0.000 1], lumbar spine (13 studies, n=271, SMD=2.25, 95% CI=1.49-3.01, P < 0.000 1), tibia (4 studies, n=95, SMD=0.94, 95% CI=0.05-1.83, P=0.04), and the whole body (4 studies, n=94, SMD=1.89, 95% CI=0.50-3.29, P=0.008), with all inter-group differences in bone density being statistically significant. Conclusion Puerarin can improve bone density in rats and mice. This study provides a valuable reference for clinical studies on the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis with puerarin.

The parathyroid glands play an important role in the regulation of calcium and phosphorus metabolism in the body. They are in close anatomical relationship with the thyroid gland and, considering their small size, can be accidentally removed during surgical interventions on it. To avoid mistakes, surgeons need to know the typical location of the parathyroid glands and non-typical variants. The laboratory animals, in particular white rats, can be used to improve the methods of surgical interventions and develop skills. Aim. To study the features of the location of the parathyroid glands relative to the lobes of the thyroid gland, classify into types and establish the frequency of their occurrence in mature rats. Material and methods. The study was carried out on 213 white outbred mature male rats. After taking the lobes of the thyroid gland with the parathyroid glands, the samples were processed according to the standard protocol. The sections of organs were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, toluidine blue, according to Van Gieson and to Grimelius. Light microscopy was used to study the location of the parathyroid glands on histological sections of the thyroid gland; the frequency of occurrence of each type was calculated. Results. In mature male rats, by location, one can distinguish typical, atypical and mixed parathyroid glands, occurring in 53.52, 45.54 and 0.94% of cases, respectively. Typical parathyroid glands in relation to the edge of the lobe of the thyroid gland are divided into centro-lateral and eccentrico-lateral; by invasion in the parenchyma of the lobes – marginal and incomplete; in shape – regular and irregular. Non-typical parathyroid glands are subdivided into single and group ones according to the number on the section of one lobe of the thyroid gland; by location – polar, intracapsular, occupying the center of the lobe or displaced from the center to the capsule; by invasion in the parenchyma of the lobes – without invasion, marginal, incomplete and complete; in shape – regular and irregular. Mixed parathyroid glands involve the presence of the typical and atypical glands by location in the same lobe of the thyroid gland. Conclusions. The parathyroid glands of mature male rats are characterized by a significant variability of localization in relation to the lobe of the thyroid gland – from superficial to complete invasion inside this organ, location in the pole or in the center, variability in shape and quantity.

The using of explosive substances and devices can lead to brain injuries, the diagnosis of which requires the determination of primary biomarkers. Therefore, the aim was to establish and study histopathological and ultrastructural changes in the rats brain after exposure to an air blast wave. The study was carried out on 18 male Wistar rats, which were randomly divided into two groups: sham (n=9) and experimental (n=9). The animals of the experimental group were anesthetized with halothane and gently fixed in a horizontal position on the abdomen with the front part of the rat's muzzle at a distance of 5 cm from the device opening and subjected to an excess pressure of 26-36 kPa. Animals of both groups were decapitated, brains were removed, fixed, histopathological and ultrastructural analyzes were conducted using standard methods. Intergroup differences were assessed by Mann-Whitney U-test. Light microscopy revealed primary lesions in the form of small focal, multifocal hemorrhages, cerebral vessel ruptures and microscopic ruptures of the brain substance. In almost all brain samples, there is a significant saturation of the venous vessels with the presence of erythrocyte stasis. Violation of the blood-brain barrier, the presence of edema of the perivascular space, and petechial hemorrhages in the neuropil were registered ultrastructurally. Based on the study results, a morphological algorithm for assessing primary histostructural intracranial brain injuries and their consequences after exposure to an air shock wave was proposed. The injuries were found to be caused by the direct traumatic effect of the air shock wave. In the acute post-traumatic period, histopathological and ultrastructural changes in the brain can manifest as changes in neurons and in the blood-brain barrier and be accompanied by perivascular multifocal small-focal hemorrhages, neuropil ruptures, edema of pericellular and perivascular spaces, which together can be considered as biomarkers of primary traumatic changes after exposure to an air shock wave.

Background Experiential effective prescription optimized Kuijie decoction can effectively improve the quality of life of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), promote the intestinal mucosal healing and clinical remission, but its mechanism remains unclear now. Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of optimized Kuijie decoction in UC rats with TCM syndrome differentiation of Qi stagnation and blood stasis. Methods From September to October 2023, 70 SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into the blank-control, model, salicylazosulfapyridine, low-dose, standard-dose, Qi-enhancing and Blood-activating groups, with 10 rats in each group. UC model with TCM syndrome differentiation of Qi stagnation and blood stasis was established by trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) /ethanol secondary inflammation combined with restraint method. Rats in the blank-control group were enucleated with 0.9% sodium chloride solution at the time of modeling and were grasped and fixed synchronously with the rats in the other groups, and were given an equal volume of water by gavage once per day after the establishing for 14 days; rats in the model group were given an equal volume of water by gavage once per day after the establishing for 14 days; rats in the salicylazosulfapyridine, low-dose, standard-dose, Qi-enhancing and Blood-activating groups were given intragastric administration with salicylazosulfapyridine suspension (0.54 g/kg), low-dose optimized Kuijie decoction (0.837 g/kg), standard-dose optimized Kuijie decoction (1.674 g/kg), Astragalus suspension (1.8 g/kg) and Safflower suspension (0.9 g/kg) once per day after the establishing for 14 days, respectively. High-precision transmission electron microscope was used to observe the ultrastructural changes in the colonic tissues of the seven groups of rats after intervention, the expression levels of CXCR4, VEGFA, and TAK1 were compared among the seven groups of rats after intervention. Results The ultrastructure of colonic tissue of rats in the low-dose and standard-dose groups tended to be normal after intervention. The gray ratios of proteins and relative mRNA expression quality of CXCR4, VEGFA and TAK1 in colonic tissues of rats in the model group were higher than the blank-control after intervention (P

There is a high risk of radiation contamination of the environment due to warfare taking place on the territory of Ukraine. The impact of ionizing radiation on the body is often combined with heavy physical exertion, which significantly exacerbates its negative effects. Many systems of the living organism become compromised and in particular the cardiovascular system. Therefore, the aim of this article is to study the active ion transport systems functioning and the adenine nucleotides content in the mitochondrial fraction of the heart muscle from irradiated rats subjected to intense physical exercise. Experimental studies were carried out on 50 sexually mature male Wistar rats. The animals were irradiated at a total dose of 154,8 mC/kg on a γ-therapeutic device AGAT-R No. 83 (isotope 60Co) under the following technical conditions: source-field distance 75 cm, dose rate 0,385 mA/kg. After 1 hour, 1 day, and 3 days after the exposure, the rats were subjected to heavy physical exertion, which was simulated using a treadmill. When the animals refused to run, they were decapitated. In the mitochondrial fraction of cardiomyocytes, the activity of Na+,K+-ATPase, the content of adenine nucleotides, their ratio and adenylate energy charge were measured. 1 hour after total-body irradiation and intense physical exercise, the content of ATP and the activity of Na+,K+-ATPase decrease by 29% and 39%, respectively, compared to the control group. However, compared to the group of animals that underwent intense physical exertion only, these parameters remain relatively unchanged. 24 hours after the irradiation, there is a certain increase in the concentration of ATP and Na+,K+-ATPase enzyme activity in relation to the previous period by 24% and 13%, respectively. That indicates an activation of compensatory and adaptive mechanisms. Still, no complete normalization of energy levels and active ion transport through the cell membrane is observed. The most prominent changes in the studied parameters are recorded on the 3rd day of the experiment, which coincides with the onset of acute radiation syndrome. There is a discharge of the adenylate energy system of the myocardial cells, which is evidenced by a significant decrease in the energy charge, ATP/ADP and ATP/AMP ratios. During this period, the activity of Na+, K+-ATPase is suppressed by 55% compared to the control group and by 19% in relation to non-irradiated exhausted animals. The authors concluded that the effect of total-body gamma irradiation at a dose of 154,8 mCl/kg followed by intense physical exercise leads to a more significant suppression of Na+, K+-ATPase activity in the heart muscle of rats and to a disturbance in the adenylate energy system compared to the animals that underwent physical exertion only. Negative changes in the studied indicators are determined by the time that has passed after the total-body gamma irradiation with a tendency to worsen on the 3rd day of the experiment.

Background: Neuroinflammation is closely related to Alzheimer's Disease (AD) pathology, hence supplements with anti-inflammatory property could help attenuate the progression of AD. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential anti-inflammatory effects of liposome encapsulated thymol (LET), administered orally, in prevention of Alzheimer in a rat model by anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Methods: The rats were grouped into six groups (n = 10 animals per group), including Control healthy (Con), Alzheimer's disease (AD) model, AD model treated with free thymol in 40 and 80 mg/kg body weight (TH40 and TH80), AD model treated with LET in 40 and 80 mg/kg of body weight (LET40 and LET80). The behavioral response of step through latency (Passive Avoidance Test), concentrations of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were assessed in serum and hippocampus. Results: The results showed that significant increase in concentrations of IL-1β (P = 0.001), IL-6 (P = 0.001), TNF-α (P = 0.001) and COX-2 (P = 0.001) in AD group compared with healthy control rats. AD induction significantly reduced step through latency and revealed deficits in passive avoidance performance. The results also showed the treatment with free thymol especially in higher concentrations and also LTE could decrease serum concentrations of IL-1β (P

Introduction and aim. Earlier our group showed that the Ukrainian phytocomposition “Balm Truskavets’” (UPhCBT) exerts classical adaptogenic effects on parameters of neuro-endocrine-immune complex as well as biophotonics and acupuncture in humans with maladaptation. The list of important properties of adaptogens includes their stress-limiting effect, which is usually tested in an experiment. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify modulating effects of UPhCBT on post-stress changes in neuro-endocrine-immune complex, metabolome, electrocardiogram (ECG), and gastric mucosa at rats. Material and methods. The experiment is at 18 male and 20 female Wistar rats. 10 animals remained intact with free access to tap daily water. Rats of the control group for 7 days loaded through a tube with same tap daily water (2 mL once), while the animals of main groups received according to a similar scheme 0,1 mL of PhCBT dissolved in 2 mL of daily water or bottled table water “Truskavetska”™. Over the next 10 days, one animal remained intact and 3 other rats were exposed to acute (4 hours) water-immersion and restraint stress. The next day after stressing, EEG, endocrine, immune and metabolic parameters as well as gastric mucosa injuries was recorded. Results. Acute stress causes in control animals an increase in sympathetic tone, serum levels of catecholamines and corticosterone, combined with a decrease in vagal tone and serum testosterone levels. Such a neuro-endocrine reaction is accompanied by damage to the myocardium and gastric mucosa, an increase in the percentage of macrophages and fibroblasts in the thymus, entropy in the spleen, natural killer cells in the blood. Instead, the mass of the spleen and the percentage of lymphoblasts in it, theophylline-sensitive T-lymphocytes in the blood, the content of α-LP cholesterol in the serum, as well as the catalase and Na,K-ATPase activity of erythrocytes, decrease. Preventive use of phytocomposition, first of all, minimizes or even completely prevents damage to the myocardium and adverse post-stress deviations from the norm of listed parameters. Secondly, it initiates an increase in the level of PTH and the activity of serum acid phosphatase, the percentage of reticulocytes in the spleen and the intensity of phagocytosis of blood neutrophils, but at the same time a decrease in their bactericidal activity, as well as the percentage of monocytes and B-lymphocytes in the blood. Thirdly, it potentiates the post-stress increase in sympathetic tone and damage to the gastric mucosa, as well as natural killers, on the one hand, and the decrease in vagal tone, the level of testosterone in the serum, as well as the mass of the spleen - on the other hand. Fourthly, it reverses the activity of catalase of erythrocytes and the entropy of the splenocytogram. Conclusion. Ukrainian phytocomposition “Balm Truskavets” has a generally favorable adaptogenic effect on the post-stress state of the neuro-endocrine-immune complex and metabolome. However, there are certain adverse effects as the so-called adaptation fee.