Search

zheimer's disease (AD) causes amyloid beta (Aβ) plaque formation in regions such as the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, which have a cognitive function. Besides oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and acetylcholine, the degeneration of glutamatergic pathways in individuals with AD causes acetylcholine accumulation in the cortex and hippocampus, leading to the formation of Aβ plaque. Herein, we investigated the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) which are Cannabis sativa components on AD-like cognitive deficit induced by intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of Aβ1-42. Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups: i) Control, ii) Alzheimer, iii) Alzheimer+CBD, and iv) Alzheimer+CBG. The AD model was induced by icv injection of Aβ1-42 and then CBD and CBG treatments were administrated for 2 weeks. Open field test, passive avoidance test, and Morris' water maze test were performed, and on 15th day, the rats were decapitated. Hippocampus and cerebral cortex were removed from the brain, and levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured by ELISA, and Aβ1-42 expression was evaluated immunohistochemically. There was no significant difference between the groups in the parameters evaluated by the open field test. In passive avoidance and Morris's water maze tests, both CBD and CBG enhanced the learning-memory functions impaired by AD. CBD and CBG treatments successfully reduced the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in AD. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed decreased expression of Aβ1-42 in CBD and CBG treatment groups. CBD and CBG treatments improved learning and memory deficits in the Aβ1-42 induced AD model. We implicate that these experimental findings would lead to better avenues for targeted studies on C. sativa (a natural product of herbal origin and its components) that can potentially be developed for AD treatment. K [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empagliflozin and dapagliflozin exert their effects by inhibiting sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), which inhibits glucose absorption from renal tubules. This class of drugs has also been demonstrated in studies to be protective against cardiovascular complications associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Even in cases without T2DM, they have clinical utility due to their cardioprotective effects. The effects of empagliflozin and dapagliflozin on cardiovascular disorders remain incompletely understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent a class of small, non-coding RNA molecules that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular damage. miRNA expressions increase or decrease due to hyperglycemia and oxidative stress that occur in T2DM. This study intended to explore the SGLT2 inhibitor effects on miR-133a expressions in diabetic heart tissue by establishing a streptozotocin (STZ)/nicotinamide (NA)-induced diabetic rat model. Also, antioxidant activities were investigated in the heart and aorta tissue. Male-female Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with NA (100 mg/kg) and STZ (55 mg/kg) intraperitoneally (i.p.) respectively. One week after induction T2DM, treatments were carried out for four weeks. At the and of the treatment, the heart and thoracic aortic tissues of rats were removed. In the heart tissue glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxides (LPO), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels, and in the aorta tissue GSH and LPO levels were determined by fluorences method. miR-133a expression changes were assessed in the heart tissue by RT-PCR analyses. According to our results, dapagliflozin showed an antioxidant effect by increasing GSH levels in the heart (p<0.01) and aorta tissue more than empagliflozin. miR-133a expressions increased in the T2DM group and decreased in the EMPA (p<0.05) and DAPA groups (p<0.01). Studies on miR-133a expressions in different diabetes models are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This comprehensive study delves into the profound impact of low frequency whole-body vibrations (WBV) on health, focusing on the utilization of rat models for understanding this complex phenomenon. It highlights the adverse effects of low frequency vehicle vibrations on human health, encompassing musculoskeletal discomfort, fatigue, concentration deficits, potential gastrointestinal issues, hearing impairment, and psychological stress. WBV's influence extends to physiological and cognitive consequences, affecting multiple systems. Prolonged WBV exposure, particularly in the lumbar region, is associated with spinal disorders. To navigate ethical challenges in studying WBV in humans, rat models are crucial tools. These models, with customized parameters, offer insights into various health aspects, including bone density, muscle strength, hormonal responses, cardiovascular parameters, and more. Advantages and disadvantages of using low-frequency vibrations in rat models are discussed. While demonstrating WBV's potential effect in research, further exploration is essential to optimize parameters and applications, always prioritizing ethical considerations and regulations. The article concludes by proposing measures to mitigate vehicle vibration impacts on drivers, emphasizing the collaboration of manufacturers, drivers, and regulators for safer and healthier driving experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex disease with an incompletely understood multifactorial etiopathogenesis. The importance of intestinal microbiota in IBD and the role of probiotics in the treatment are being extensively investigated. This study evaluated the therapeutic effects of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12, Lactobacillus reuteri, Saccharomyces boulardii and Bacillus clausii in trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis animal model. Rats were randomly grouped into 7: control, colitis, colitis+BB-12, colitis+L. reuteri, colitis+S. boulardii, colitis+B. clausii and colitis+methylprednisolone (positive control) treatment groups. Colitis was induced by the administration of intracolonically 80 mg/kg TNBS. Treatments continued for 7 days. Body weight, stool consistency, rectal bleeding, and disease activity index (DAI) scores were evaluated and recorded daily. Macroscopic and microscopic colonic damage were evaluated and scored in the last day of experiment. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and (GSH) and activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the colonic tissues were detected by ELISA. Our results showed that treatments with BB-12, L. reuteri, S. boulardii and B. clausii significantly improved on clinical symptoms and decreased macroscopic and microscopic colonic damage on experimental colitis in rats. In addition, L. reuteri and S. boulardii significantly increased GSH levels and decreased MDA levels and MPO activity. When we evaluate our findings, we think that supplements of these specific probiotics may have beneficial effects in the treatment of IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) has been used for centuries as a traditional herbal medicine in Europe and Asia. In this study, we aimed to describe the effect of Cornus mas L. (C. mas) on the activity of the antioxidant enzymes and a detoxification agent in rats fed a high-fat diet. Forty-eight adult Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to six groups of eight animals each: Standard diet (Control), High Fat Diet (HFD), HFD + C. mas (200 mg/kg/day; 8 weeks), HFD + Atorvastatin (20 mg/kg/day; 8 weeks), HFD post-treated with C. mas (200 mg/kg/day; 4 weeks), HFD posttreated with Atorvastatin (20 mg/kg/day; 4 weeks). The activity of the antioxidant enzymes, Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), detoxification agent glutathione (GSH), and oxidative stress parameter thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were measured in the liver tissues. GPx, SOD, and CAT enzyme levels were decreased in HFD groups compared to the control (p < 0.05). However, Cornus mas L. promoted antioxidant activity by increasing GPx, SOD, and CAT enzymes and It also reduced oxidative stress (as an increase in GSH) both in the HFD + C. mas group and the HFD post-treated C. mas group compared to the HFD group (p < 0.05). Our study showed that feeding a high-fat diet increases oxidative stress. Cornus mas L treatment improves antioxidant enzyme activity and oxidative stress parameters in the liver tissues of rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) are both characterized by similar pathologies, and studies have shown that various drugs from both groups may be effective in another. The effects of sodium-glucose co-transporter (SGLT)2 inhibitors in AD are unknown. According to molecular docking studies, various SGLT inhibitors have acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition activity, which is therapeutic target for AD. In this study, we investigated the effects of SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin on intracerebroventricular (icv) streptozotocin (STZ) induced sporadic AD rats using open field test (OFT), novel object recognition test (NORT), passive avoidance test (PAT) and Morris's water maze test (MWMT). Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: vehicle-control, icv STZ, dapagliflozin, and galantamine treatments groups. STZ was injected bilaterally in two divided doses on day 1 and 3. All treatments began on day 1 and continued to day 21. OFT was performed for evaluating animal locomotor activity and anxiety. Other behavioral tests, NORT, PAT, and MWMT was performed for determining of learning and memory ability of rats. On day 21, all rats were decapitated. Our results showed that treatments with dapagliflozin and galantamine significantly prevented learning and memory deficits in behavioral tests. Dapagliflozin may present as a potent dual inhibitor of SGLT2 and AChE. Our results may form the basis of future dual treatment against diabetes and diabetes-related neurological diseases. The effects of possible dual AChE and SGLT2 inhibition by a single compound may help to establish new drugs that perform both anti-AD and antidiabetic action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]