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Introduction: Prenatal exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can lead to structural damage and CNS dysfunction. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of prenatal administration of pycnogenol (PYC) against the negative effects of bacterial LPS on anxiety-like behavior, gonadotropin and sex hormone serum levels, and sperm quality and quantity in the adult male offspring of NMRI mice. Methods: Pregnant mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 per group): 1. Saline group: received a single dose of saline as solvent of pycnogenol by gavage for 3 days on gestation days 16-18. 2. LPS group: received a single dose of LPS (20 µg/kg, subcutaneously) on gestation day 20. 3. PYC: received 200 mg/kg/day of pycnogenol by gavage for 3 days, intraperitoneally, on gestation days 16-18. 4. LPS + PYC: received a single dose of LPS (20 µg/kg) on gestation day 20 and pycnogenol (200 mg/kg/day) by gavage for 3 days on gestation days 16-18. After maturity/puberty in male pups (60 days old), the anxiety-like behavior test was performed. After the behavioral test, serum levels of gonadotropins (luteinizing hormone, LH, follicle stimulating hormone, FSH), testosterone hormone and sperm quality were assessed. Results: LPS administration increased anxiety-like behaviors and decreased serum LH and testosterone levels; however, PYC treatment reversed the negative effects of LPS to normal levels. Conclusion: PYC treatment improves anxiety-like behavior and gonadotropin and testosterone secretions. Therefore, this substance can be used as a protectant and an aphrodisiac agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The α-Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (αCaMKII) is a crucial enzyme controlling plasticity in the brain. The autophosphorylation of αCaMKII works as a 'molecular memory' for a transient calcium activation, thereby accelerating learning. We investigated the role of αCaMKII autophosphorylation in the establishment of alcohol drinking as an addiction-related behavior in mice. We found that alcohol drinking was initially diminished in αCaMKII autophosphorylation-deficient αCaMKIIT286A mice, but could be established at wild-type level after repeated withdrawals. The locomotor activating effects of a low-dose alcohol (2 g/kg) were absent in αCaMKIIT286A mice, whereas the sedating effects of high-dose (3.5 g/kg) were preserved after acute and subchronic administration. The in vivo microdialysis revealed that αCaMKIIT286A mice showed no dopamine (DA) response in the nucleus accumbens to acute or subchronic alcohol administration, but enhanced serotonin (5-HT) responses in the prefrontal cortex. The attenuated DA response in αCaMKIIT286A mice was in line with altered c-Fos activation in the ventral tegmental area after acute and subchronic alcohol administration. In order to compare findings in mice with the human condition, we tested 23 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CAMK2A gene for their association with alcohol dependence in a population of 1333 male patients with severe alcohol dependence and 939 controls. We found seven significant associations between CAMK2A SNPs and alcohol dependence, one of which in an autophosphorylation-related area of the gene. Together, our data suggest αCaMKII autophosphorylation as a facilitating mechanism in the establishment of alcohol drinking behavior with changing the DA-5-HT balance as a putative mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Maternal infection during pregnancy is a risk factor for some behavioral problems with neurodevelopmental origin. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of exposure of pregnant mice to the bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on sexual behaviour and serum level of pituitary-gonadal hormones of offspring in adulthood. Materials and Methods: In this Expremental study, pregnant NMRI mice (n=7/group) were treated with intra-peritoneal administration of LPS (1, 5 and 10 µg/kg) at day 10 of gestation. Induction of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured in maternal serum 2 hours following the maternal LPS challenge. Behavior in the adult male offspring reproductive activity was investigated using receptive female mice. Concentrations of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in adult offspring serum were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method (at postnatal day 60, n=10/group). Results: One-way ANOVA showed that LPS administration induces a significant increase in TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 levels of maternal serum. Prenatal LPS exposure reduces sexual behavior and serum concentration of LH and testosterone in adult male offspring. Conclusion: The overall results suggest that prenatal exposure to LPS increases pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, affects development of neuroendocrine systems and results in the inhibition of reproductive behaviors and reactivity of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in adult male offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s) There is well documented evidence for the increase in widespread use of complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of physical and psychiatric symptoms and disorders within the populations. In the present study, we investigated the influence of Vitex agnus-castus (vitex) on anxiety-like behaviors of rats. Materials and Methods Elevated plus maze which is one of the methods used for testing anxiety is used in our present study. Rats were orally administrated with vitex for two week. The anxiety test was carried out after two weeks of oral administration of vitex. For evaluating interaction of vitex and serotonergic systems, rats were anaesthetized with ketamine and special cannulas were inserted stereotaxically into the third ventricle (TV) of brain. After 1 week recovery, the effects of serotonegic agents on anxiety were studied. Results Oral administration of vitex (100, 200, 300 mg/kg) for two weeks induced an anxiogenic-like effect which was shown through specific decreases in the percentages of open arm time (OAT %) and open arm entries (OAE %). Intra-TV infusion of 5HT1A receptor agonist, 8-OH-DPAT (5, 10 and 25 ng/rat) increased OAT% and OAE%, indicating anxiolytic–like behavior. However, injection of 5HT1A receptor antagonist NAN190 (0.25, 0.5 and 1 μg/rat) produced anxiogenic-like behavior. The most effective dose of 8-OH-DPAT (10 ng/rat), when co-administered with vitex (100, 200, 300 mg/kg), attenuated the anxiogenic-like effects of vitex significantly. Injection of the less effective dose of NAN190 (0.5 μg/rat), in combination with vitex (100, 200, 300 mg/kg), potentiate anxiogenic effects of vitex. Conclusions These results illustrate that 5HT1A receptor is involved in the anxiogenic effects of vitex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we have investigated the effects of silymarine on depression and the possible role of serotonergic system in these effects. The rats were anesthetized intraperitoneally with ketamine hydrochloride and placed in a Stoelting stereotaxic instrument. A stainless steel guide cannula (22-gauge) was implanted in the third ventricular region. The third ventricular region was infused by means of an internal cannula (27-gauge), terminated 1 mm below the tip of the guide cannula. Forced swimming test was used for evaluating the depression. The results obtained from this study showed that oral administration of silymarin (35, 70, 140 and 280 mg/rat) for two weeks increased the immobility time in forced swimming test, indicating an increase in depression level of the treated rats. Intra-third-ventricle (Intra-TV) infusion of 5HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT (25 and 10 ng/rat) decreased the immobility time indicating an anti-depression effect, while injection of 5HT1A receptor antagonist NAN190 (0.25, 0.5 and 1 µg/rat) had no significant effect on immobility time. An effective dose of 8-OH-DPAT (10 ng/rat) co-administered with silymarin (140 and 280 mg/rat) decreased the depressogenic effects of silymarin. These results showed that the depressogenic effects of silymarin may be modulated via 5HT1A receptor of serotonin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) is one of the brain regions which play an important role in emotional behaviors. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the role of 5HT1A and 5HT1B receptors of the MPFC in modulation of anxiety behaviors in rats. The elevated plus maze (EPM) which is a useful test to investigate the effects of anxiogenic or anxiolytic drugs in rodents, was used. Bilateral intra-MPFC administration of 5HT1A receptor agonist, 8-OH-DPAT (5, 10, and 50ng/rat) decreased the percentages of open arm time (OAT%) and open arm entries (OAE%), indicating an anxiogenic response. Moreover, administration of 5HT1A receptor antagonist, NAN-190 (0.25, 0.5, and 1μg/rat) significantly increased OAT% and OAE%. Pre-treatment administration of NAN-190 (0.5μg/rat), which was injected into the MPFC, reversed the anxiogenic effects of 8-OH-DPAT (5, 10, and 50ng/rat). Intra-MPFC microinjection of 5HT1B receptor agonist, CGS-12066A (0.25, 0.5, and 1μg/rat) significantly decreased OAT% and OAE%, without any change in locomotor activity, indicating an anxiogenic effect. However, injection of 5HT1B receptor antagonist, SB-224289 (0.5, 1, and 2μg/rat) into the MPFC showed no significant effect. In conclusion, these findings suggest that 5HT1A and 5HT1B receptors of the MPFC region modulate anxiogenic-like behaviors in rats. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Pyrethroids are commonly used as insecticides for both household and agricultural applications, and have recently been linked to endocrine disruption. Cypermethrin is a type II pyrethroid which is used widely throughout the world. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of cypermethrin on the sexual behaviour and plasma level of pituitary-gonadal hormones of adult male mice. Materials and Methods: Research methodology comprised injecting mice daily with cypermethrin (10, 15, 20 mg/kg i.p.) or DMSO (0.2 ml) for five weeks. Receptive female mice were used to test male sexual behaviors (sniffing, following, mounting, and coupling). Plasma concentrations of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulation hormone (FSH) were measured after five weeks treatment using the ELISA method. Results: The results of the present study showed that cypermethrin-treated groups exhibited reduced sexual behavior when compared with the control group. Assay results demonstrate significantly reduced serum testosterone levels (p<0.05) versus the control group, whereas FSH and LH values increased significantly. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that cypermethrin reduces plasma testosterone concentrations and thus is able to disrupt sexual behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s) Anxiety is a common disorder which afflicts many people in any society and is often accompanied by physiological sensations such as tachycardia, chest pain, shortness of breath, insensitivity, etc. The purpose of present study was to evaluate the putative anxiolytic-like effects of phencyclidine (1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl) piperidine, CAS 956-90-1, PCP, I) and its methyl and methoxy hydroxyl derivatives (II, III) using elevated plus maze test of anxiety. Materials and Methods Phencyclidine as well as its methyl and methoxy hydroxyl derivatives (I, II, III) (hydrochloride, 1, 2, 5 mg/kg) were synthesized and administrated intraperitoneally (IP) on adult male Wistar rats. Results The results of this study demonstrated that, intraperitoneal (IP) administration of PCP analogues (I, II, III) hydrochloride (1, 2, 5 mg/kg) increases the percentage of open arm time (OAT%) and percentage of open arm entries (OAE%). Conclusion This study revealed that both derivatives of phencyclidine (II, III) were more effective than PCP (I) itself in modulation of anxiety behavior in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s) The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is a forebrain structure which is important in regulation of ingestive behavior and there is direct and circumstantial evidence to indicate that some circuits involved with feeding behavior include glutamatergic elements. The present study examined whether administration of NMA (N-Methyl-DL-aspartic acid) or MK801 into the CeA altered water intake under deprivation. Materials and Methods Animals were deprived for 24 hr before tested for water intake. NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) glutamatergic receptor agonist, NMA and its antagonist, MK801 were infused bilaterally, and water intake measured for 1 hr thereafter. Results The intra-CeA injection of NMDA glutamatergic agonist, NMA (0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 μg/rat) increased water intake (P<0.05). However, administration of NMDA glutamatergic antagonist, MK801 (0.25, 0.5 and 1 μg/rat) decreased water intake significantly (P<0.05).Conclusion These data suggest that NMDA receptors in the CeA are responsible for the glutamatergic modulation of water intake in this nucleus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Gallium-67 citrate has been known as a good infection agent in nuclear medicine for decades. In this work the value of 67Ga-citrate has been investigated in infected animal models using SPECT imaging at optimized/standardized conditions. Methods: The bacterial (Staphylococcus aureus; S.a. and Escherichia coli; E.c.) and fungal (Candidae albicans; C.a.) species from standard sources were cultured according to the standard procedures and wild-type NMRI rats were inoculated by the injection of 5×107 microorganisms (MO) into their thighs and animals incubated for infection site formation for 2 and 3 days followed by iv injection of freshly prepared 67Ga-citrate (45-50 μCi) and SPECT imaging performed at 2 ,4 and 24 hours post injection in parallel with control groups. Results: In S.a.-infected rats 67Ga-citrate demonstrated hot spot foci at all time intervals esp. 24h post injections in contrast with normal animal scans. In case of C.a., the infected animals also demonstrated significant accumulation foci being most significant after 24h. In E.c.-infected animals however weak positive scans were obtained even after 24 hours. Conclusion: Our animal models developed for the evaluation of new infection-targeting agents were successfully positive using 67Ga scan. These models can also be used in the evaluation of newly developed antibiotics in animal models for in vivo studies. The efficacy of 67Ga-scan in our microorganism infection models can be summarized as S.A.>C.a.>E.c.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and Lepidium sativum (LS) have therapeutic effects on infertility. Objective: To evaluate the combined effects of LS and CoQ10 on reproductive function in adult male NMRI mice. Materials and Methods: Eighty three-months-old male mice (35-40 gr) were divided into four groups (n = 10/each): control (treated with water), CoQ10-treated (200, 300, and 400 mg/kg/body weight), LS-treated (200, 400, 600 mg/kg/body weight), and co-treated (LS [600 mg/kg/body weight] + CoQ10 [200 mg/kg/body weight]) groups. Serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and gonadotropin realizing hormone (GnRH) levels were measured using ELISA method. The sperm quality was assessed using Sperm Class Analyzer® (SCA) CASA system and GnRH mRNA expression levels were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The number of sniffing and following behavior was significantly higher in LStreated (400 and 600 mg/ml/body weight) groups than the control group (p = 0.0007 and p = 0.0010, respectively). The number of mounting and coupling behaviors was significantly higher in the CoQ10 (300 and 400 mg/ml/body weight)-treated animals than the control group (p = 0.0170 and p = 0.0006, respectively). Co-treatment of CoQ10 (200 mg/ml/body weight) and LS (600 mg/ml/body weight) significantly increased all aspects of sexual behaviors as well as the levels of serum testosterone (p = 0.0011), luteinizing hormone (p = 0.0062), and follicle-stimulating hormone (p = 0.0001); sperm viability (p = 0.0300) and motility (p = 0.0010); and GnRH mRNA levels (p = 0.0016) compared to the control group. Conclusion: The coadministration of CoQ10 and LS significantly improves the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and enhances the reproductive parameters in adult male mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]