Long-Term Impact of Acute Retinoic Acid Supplementation at the Young Age on Testicular Architecture of Wistar Albino Rats

Introduction: Inappropriate and excess vitamin supplementation, particularly for vitamin A, is increasingly recognized as a public health problem in developed countries. On the other hand, blind supplementation of vitamin A, for children in developing countries is a subject of controversy in the literature. The crucial role of vitamin A in the process of spermatogenesis in adult rodents is well established, but only a few publications are consecrated to the long-term effect of vitamin A intake at a young age on testicular development and differentiation. Objectives: Our study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of acute supplementation at an early age, in the post-natal period, on spermatogenesis and testicular trophicity at adult age. Material and Methods: Young Wistar Albinos rats of 22 days received an acute high dose of supplementation of vitamin A (retinyl palmitate). The control group, group 1, received only extra virgin olive oil, Group 2 a dose of 7000 IU/kg of retinyl palmitate, group 3, 14,000 IU/kg, and Group 4 a dose of 28,000 IU/kg. At 10 weeks of age, the testes’ testosterone levels were measured by ELISA. For histological assessment, sections were stained with Hematoxylin eosin, and the Johnsen score was used to evaluate spermatogenesis in the seminiferous tubules. Results: The average testicular weights of rats were significantly lower in group 4 (p < 0.05), and so was the testosterone level in the testis compared to the control group (p .01). Most of the seminiferous tubules were concerned by an arrest of spermatogenesis and the Johnsen score was decreased with a mean score of 5.96 ± 1.60 (p .001) in that Group. In Group 3, Johnsen’s score was significantly better than the one obtained with the control. Conclusion: We observed a negative effect in the long term with a high acute dose of supplementation of retinyl palmitate at a young age, on testicular development and differentiation. Despite a return to normal diet after that supplementation, during childhood, impaired spermatogenesis was identified at the adult age with an arrest of spermatogenesis. The reversibility of that lack of differentiation by a return to a normal diet is questionable and would need more investigation.

Chronic morphine drinking establishes morphine tolerance, but not addiction in Wistar rats

Objective： Some animal models apply morphine in the drinking water to generate addiction, but related reports are not free of conflicting results. Accordingly, this study aimed to figure out if chronic consumption of morphine in the drinking water can induce morphine addiction in Wistar rats. Methods： For 3 weeks, the animals received a daily morphine dose of 35 mg/kg by offering a calculated volume of sugar water （5% sucrose） with morphine （0. l mg/ml） to each rat; animals receiving just sugar water served as controls. Immediately after the treatment phase, the tail immersion test was used to check for morphine tolerance, and all animals were then kept on tap water for one week （withdrawal phase）. Afterwards, all rats were allowed to choose their drinking source by offering two bottles, containing sugar water without and with morphine, simultaneously for two days （preference phase）. Results： While the chronic consumption of morphine led to a reduction in body weight and to morphine tolerance, the morphine-treated Wistar rats did not show any preference for the opiate-containing sugar water. Conclusion： Body weight loss and tolerance do not reveal a condition of drug craving, and current animal models should be re-evaluated regarding their potential to establish morphine addicted animals.

Chemoprevention of tea on colorectal cancer induced by dimethylhydrazine in Wistar rats

AIM To investigate the chemopreventiveeffects of green tea and tea pigment on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine(DMH)-induced rat colorectalcarcinogenesis.METHODS Male weaning Wistar rats wererandomly allocated into four groups.Rats in thepositive control group were given s.c.injectionof DMH,once a week for ten weeks;rats in tea-treated groups,with the same DMH treatment asin the positive group,received 2% green tea and0.1% tea pigments;rats in the negative controlgroup were given s.c.injection of the samevolume of saline as well as DMH in the positivegroup.Animals were sacrified and necropsied atthe end of week 16 and week 32.RESULTS Aberrant cryptic foci(ACF)wereformed in animals in DMH-treated groups at theend of week 16.Compared to the DMH group,green tea and tea pigments groups had less ACF(148.25 and 204.25,respectively,P【0.01).Atthe end of week 32,all rats in DMH groupdeveloped large intestinal tumors.The resultsalso showed that DMH increased labeling index(LI)of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)of intestinal mucosa and the expression of ras-p21.However,in the tea-treated groups,PCNA-LI was significantly reduced as compared withthe positive control group(36.63 and 40.36 inthe green tea group and tea pigment group,respectively,at the end of the experiment,P【0.01).ras-p21 expression was alsosignificantly reduced(2.07 and 2.36 in the colontumors of rats in the green tea group and teapigments group,respectively at the end of theexperiment,P【0.01).Furthermore,green tea and tea pigment inhibited the expression of Bcl-2protein(2,5,1,0 and 2,4,1,0,respectively,at the end of the experiment P【0.01),andinduced expression of Bax protein(0,1,3,4and 0,1,4,3,respectively,P【0.01).CONCLUSION Chinese green tea drinkinginhibited ACF and colonic tumors formation inrats,which showed that tea had a significantchemopreventive effect on DMH-inducedcolorectal carcinogenesis.Such effects may bedue to suppression of cell proliferation andinduction of apoptosis in the intestinal crypts.

Effects of Total Flavonoids ofHippophae RhamnoidesL.on Intracellular Free Calciumin Cultured Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats and Wistar-Kyoto Rats

To explore the effects of total flavonoids of Hippophae rhamnoides L. （TFH） quercetin （Que） and isorhamnetin （Isor） on the intracellular free calcium （[Ca^2＋]） in vascular smooth muscle cells （VSMC） of spontaneously hypertensive rats （SHR） and Wistar-Kyoto rats （WKY）. Metheds： Fluo 3-acetoxymethylester（Fluo-3/AM） was used to observe the effects of TFH （100mg/L） and its essential monomers, namely Que （10^-4mol/L） and Isor （10^-4mol/L） on changes of [Ca^2＋]1 in cultured SHR and WKY VSMC （abbr. to Ca-SHR ＆ Ca-WKY） following exposure to high K^＋, norepinephrine （NE） and angiotensin Ⅱ （AngⅡ）, and to compare with the effects of verapamil （Ver）. Results： （1） TFH, Que and Isor had inhibitory effects on resting Ca-SHR （P〈0.05）, but had no significant effects on Ca-WKY （P〉0.05）. （2） High K^＋ could increase Ca-SHR more significantly than Ca-WKY （P〈0.05）; TFH, Que and Isor could inhibit the elevation of [Ca^2＋]1 induced by high K^＋ -depolarization, with the effects similar to that of Ver, and the effect on Ca-SHR was more significant than that on Ca-WKY （P〈0.05）. （3） NE and Ang Ⅱ could increase Ca-SHR more significantly than Ca-WKY （P〈0.05）, TFH, Que and Isor had remarkably inhibitory effect on the elevation of Ca-SHR and Ca-WKY induced by NE or Ang Ⅱ. （4） In the absence of extracellular Ca^2＋ , TFH, Que and Isor also had certain inhibitory effect on Ca-SHR and Ca-WKY induced by NE, and the effect on the former was more significant than that on the latter（P〈0.05）. Ceaclusiea： TFH, Que and Isor might decrease the levels of [Ca^2＋], in VSMCs by blocking both voltage-dependent calcium channels （VDC） and receptoroperated calcium channels （ROC） in physiological or pathological state, which may be one of the important mechanisms of their hypotensive and protective effects on target organs in patients with hypertension.

Acute and subchronic toxicity of hydroxylammonium nitrate in Wistar rats

Hydroxylammonium nitrate(HAN) is a major constituent in a class of liquid monopropellants and is extensively used in nuclear industry and space propulsion.Previous toxicological studies have focused on oral,inhalation and dermal routes of exposure to HAN-based propellant blends.In this study,acute and subchronic toxicity of HAN in Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injections were evaluated.In this acute study,doses of HAN at 115,125,135,147,160 or 174 mg/kg were administered.No adverse effects were observed during a 14-day period and at gross histopathological examination.In the subchronic study,HAN at 7,14 or 28 mg/kg were administered for 13 weeks.The treatment with HAN caused significant changes in the weight of spleen,in the level of hematological parameters,total bilirubin,direct bilirubin,uric acid and carbondioxidecombining power and histopathological damages of the lung,liver,spleen and kidney.Overall,the study suggests that 13-week HAN treatment caused abnormal hematological changes and tissue lesions,and the risk of toxicity to mammals is not negligible.

Adrenocortical system activity in alloxan-resistant and alloxan-susceptible Wistar rats

In the dynamics of the disease development, diuresis and glycosuria increase in alloxan-susceptible rats, while in alloxan-resistant rats the increase in the values of these indices is expressed to a lesser extent, and they begin to decrease by day 8 of the disease. In alloxan-susceptible rats, the mass index of adrenal gland is increased, and that of thymus is decreased and corticosterone concentration in blood, adrenal gland and urine as well as alanine and aspartate aminotransferase activities in liver are increased;in alloxan-resistant rats the values of these indices do not differ from those of rats of the control group.

Neuronal c-Fos Reactivity of Medial Prefrontal Cortex and Basolateral Amygdala in Perinatally Underfed Lactating Wistar Rats

Pre- and neonatal food restriction interferes with the neuronal and functional organization of longterm social adaptive responses including the maternal response to ensure pup survival. We addressed this issue by using low percentages of food from gestational days G6 to G 19 (50% to 30%) followed by a balanced diet from G20 to G21. After birth, pups were underfed by rotating two lactating dams, one with tied nipples, every 12 h. Weaning was at 25 days of age and thereafter an ad libitum diet. The F1 dams’ motivation (pup retrieval, handling shavings and crouching) was evaluated (10 min) at 4 and 12 days of lactation, when they had reached 90 days of age. The maternal neuronal functionality was measured by immunostaining the medial prefrontal cortex and the basolateral amygdala when the pups were removed from their dams 90 min after suckling. Underfed dams exhibited significantly lower pup retrieval, handling shavings and crouching frequencies, as well as prolonged latencies for pup retrieval and for handling shavings and crouching. Furthermore, early underfed dams had Fos-I neuron deficiencies mainly in the pre-frontal cortex, with minor effects on the amygdala, possibly because the pups’ cues to elicit maternal motivation were suboptimal and/or because of the deficient network activation.

Curcumin alters motor coordination but not total number of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum of adolescent male Wistar rats

OBJECTIVE： The present study aimed at coordination and the estimate of the total investigating the effects of curcumin on the motor number of cerebellar Purkinje cells of adolescent Wistar rats exposed to ethanol. METHODS： The total of 21 male Wistar rats aged 37 d old were divided into three groups, namely ethanol, ethanol-curcumin, and control groups. The ethanol group received 1.5 g/kg ethanol injected intraperitoneally and water given per oral; the ethanol-curcumin group received 1.5 g/kg ethanol injected intraperitoneally and curcumin extract given per oral; the control group received saline injection and oral water. The treatment was carried out daily for one month, after which the motor coordination performance of the rats was examined using revolving drum apparatus at test days 1, 8, and 15. The rats were finally sacrificed and the cerebellum of the rats was further processed for stereological analysis. The estimate of the total number of Purkinje cells was calculated using physical fractionator method. RESULTS： The ethanol-curcumin group performed better than both ethanol and control groups in the motor coordination ability at day 8 of testing （P〈 0.01）. No Purkinje cell loss was observed as a result of one month intraperitoneal injection of ethanol. CONCLUSION： Curcumin may exert beneficial effects on the motor coordination of adolescent rats exposed to ethanol via undetermined hormetic mechanisms.

Increasing doses of diminazene aceturate:adverse reproductive effects in female Wistar rats

Objective:To investigate the effects of comparatively high doses of diminazene aceturate on the reproductive performance of female rats in the early stage of pregnancy.Methods:After oestrus synchronisation and successful mating,20 pregnant female rats were randomly divided into four groups(A-D).Group A rats served as the control and were given single intraperitoneal injection of 0.5 mL sterile water(vehicle only) while groups B.C and D rats were given single intraperitoneal doses of 7,14 and 21 mg/kg body weight diminazene aceturate respectively,on day 7 of pregnancy.The gestation length,litter size and weight at birth,and areas of foetal resorption in the uterus were determined post partum.The post-implantation survival index(%) and the gestation index(group%) were also evaluated for rats in all the groups.Results:There was a graded increase in the number of observed resorbed foetuses as the dose of diminazene aceturate was increased,although only groups C(14 mg/kg) and D(21 mg/kg) revealed a significant decrease(P<0.01,ANOVA) in the post implantation survival index of rat embryos.There was also a significant decrease(P<0.05) in the litter weights of rats in groups C and D.Conclusions: Although the pregnant rats showed no overt signs of systemic toxicity even at the highest dose of 21 mg/kg body weight diminazene aceturate in this study,it was concluded that the use of high doses of diminazene aceturate in an effort to combat resistant trypanosomes could have adverse reproductive effects on female animals in the early period of pregnancy.

Effect of <i>Chromolaena odorata</i>Extracton Hematotoxicity and Spleen Histopathology Induced by <i>Salmonella typhi</i>in Wistar Rats

Salmonella typhi is a facultative intracellular pathogen that causes typhoid fever in humans. In the present study, the effect of Salmonella typhi infection on hematological indices and spleen histology in Wistar rats was investigated and was followed by an evaluation of the ameliorative potential of the methanol leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata (MLECO) compared with ciprofloxacin treatment. The animals were divided into six groups: group 1 was normal control, group 2 was infected with Salmonella typhi without treatment (negative control), groups 3, 4 and 5 were Salmonella typhi infected and treated with 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of the extract respectively and group 6 was also Salmonella typhi infected and treated with 500 mg/70kg of ciprofloxacin. The animals were inoculated with a single infectious dose of Salmonella typhi bacteria and thereafter, treated with the extract and ciprofloxacin for a period of seventeen days, after the animals were confirmed infected. The rats were humanely sacrificed and blood samples taken for haematological investigations, and the spleen harvested and processed for histological examinations. Chromolaena odorata administration reversed the adverse hematotoxicity and histopathological changes in the spleen induced by?Salmonella typhi?infection.

Effect of vitamin A and E on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in diet-induced obese wistar rats

In the present study, we investigated the biochemical alterations and gene expression of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism after oral administration of vitamin A and E for 2 months in diet-induced obese Wistar rats. Vitamin A and E administration reduced significantly the increase in body weight and food intake and normalized the alterations in lipid profiles in obese rats compared to normal rats. Moreover, both vitamins decreased the fat accumulation in liver tissues of obese rats. Finally, they up-regulated mRNA expression of Pyruvate Kinase (PK) and Glucose Transporter-2 (GLUT-2), and increased lipolysis and cholesterol metabolism through up-regulation of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), Sterol Responsible Element Binding Protein-1a (STREBP-1a) and STREBP-1c mRNA expression. In conclusion, vitamin A and E regulate gene expression of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and also ameliorate changes associated with obesity induced by high fat diet in Wistar rats.

Histological Patterns of Neurodegeneration of Frontal Cortex Neurons in Datura stramonium Treated Wistar Rats

Aim: Datura stramonium (DS) is a known hallucinogen and depressant of the central nervous system, but it is commonly used in alcoholic beverages to increase intoxication. Pharmacological, physiological and ultra-structural studies have demonstrated the neurotoxicity of this drug inanimals and humans at high doses. The present study investigated the histological patterns of neurodegeneration of frontal cortex (FC) neurons in Wistar rats treated with high doses of DS seed extract. Materials and methods: Ethanolic extract of DS dried seeds was diluted in normal saline and administered to male and female Wistar rats weighing 200 g - 250 g. The animals were first placed in three groups which were further sub-divided into four sub-groups. The treated sub-groups received intraperitoneal administration (i.p.) of 750 mg/kg of diluted DS seed extract once daily in group 1, twice daily (1500 mg/kg/day) in group 2 and thrice daily (2250 mg/kg/day) in group 3. The treatment was carried out for 4 weeks while the control groups received normal saline during the same period. The rats were euthanized and sections of the frontal cortices of the brain were histologically processed from all groups. Silver impregnation stain for degenerating axons and neurons was used to elucidate the pattern of degeneration induced by DS seed extract on the neurons of the FC. Results: The results of intraperitoneal administration of DS extract showed no changes in groups 1 & 2 treated rats while group 3 showed a significant pattern of histological changes like axonal atrophy, vacuolization and neuronal deaths in the frontal cortices neurons compared to the controls. Conclusion: DS may have a specific pattern of neurodegeneration at higher doses of administration. This could provide a useful model in understanding how DS intoxication can affect frontal cortex neurons with an implication of neurological disorders, mental diseases and behavioural deficits.

Comparative Study of Bovine Pericardium and Gore-Tex in Tissual Interaction with Wistar Rats Diaphragm

Introduction: Simple suture isn’t always possible in large congenital diaphragmatic hernia (cdh) defects. Synthetic materials are used for correction such as Silastic&reg, Gore-Tex&reg (GT), Teflon&reg or biological, such as autologous muscle patches. It was shown that bovine pericardium (bp) was effective to correct those large defects with many positive outcomes when compared with syntactic materials. Aim: This study aims to establish an experimental model of correction for large diaphragmatic defect with PB and GT patches to compare histologically the tissue interaction between them and diaphragm in young Wistar rats. Materials & Methods: 15 wistar rats were divided in 3 groups: Rats that used BP was named G1;Rats that used GT was named G2;and rats with only scraping in the diphragm, named G3 (control). Animals were submited to a laparotomy and fixed pathces to diaphragms and harvested 3 weeks later. Area between normal diaphragm and patches were isolated and separated for histological analysis, such as lymphocytic infiltration (inflammation), neovascularization and fibrosis. Results: G1 presented inflammation between BP and Diaphragm In 5 Samples. G2 Presented Neovascularization In 5 Samples, But No inflammation. Fibrotic tissue overlapping GT patches occurred in 3 samples in G2. Comparing G1 with G2 there was a significant statistical difference concerning inflammation (P = 0.0079), in G1. Comparing neovascularization there is no significant statistical difference (P = 0.4444), despite a slight higher incidence in G2. Fibrosis in both groups presented no significant statistical difference (P = 0.4444), despite a slight higher incidence in G2. There were no alterations in G3. Discussion: Despite the statistical difference in the inflammatory process was more frequent in G1 (P = 0.0079), neovascularization and fibrosis were more frequent in G2. Conclusion: The proposed experimental model was satisfactory to reproduce suture of patches in the diaphragm. These results suggests that inflammation, neovascularization and fibrosis indeed contribute to a benign healing process that reacts differently in each group but can drive to a more lasting and permanent results when biological patch is considered. Statistical report suggests that this study should be continued with a larger sample of animals and a wider period of time before harvest.

Antidiabetic and haematological effect of aqueous extract of stem bark of Afzelia africana(Smith) on streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats

Objective:To investigate the antidiabetic properties of aqueous extract of stem bark of Afzelia africana(A.africana)and its beneficial effect on haematological parameters in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.Methods:A total of 30 rats including 24 diabetic and 6 normal rats were used for this study.Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin.After being confirmed diabetic,animals were orally treated with distilled water or extracts at 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight daily for 10 days.The haematological parameters including red blood and white blood cells and their functional indices were evaluated in diabetic treated groups compared with the controls.Results:The extract significantly reduced the blood glucose levels while the best result was obtained at 200 mg/kg body weight The feed and water intake in diabetic rats were significantly reduced while weight loss was minimized at both dosages.Similarly,the levels of red blood,white blood cells and their functional indices were significantly improved after extract administration at both doses.Conclusions:It can be concluded that the aqueous extract of bark of A.africana possesses antihyperglycemic properties.In addition,the extract can prevent various complications of diabetes and improve some haematological parameters.Further experimental investigation is needed to exploit its relevant therapeutic effect to substantiate its ethnomedicinal usage.

Development of Wistar rat model of insulin resistance

AIM: To establish a simplified and reliable animal model of insulin resistance with low cost in Wistar rats. METHODS: Wistar rats were treated with a high fat emulsion by ig for 10 d. Changes of the diets, drinking and body weight were monitored every day and insulin resistance was evaluated by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemicclamp techniques and short insulin tolerance test using capillary blood glucose. Morphologic changes of liver, fat, skeletal muscles, and pancreatic islets were assessed under light microscope. mRNA expressions of GLUT2 and α-glucosidase in small intestine epithelium, GLUT4 in skeletal muscles and Kir6.2 in beta cell of islets were determined by in situ hybridization.RESULTS: KITT was smaller in treated animals (4.5±0.9)than in untreated control Wistar rats (6.8±1.5), and so was glucose injection rate. Both adipocyte hypertrophy and large pancreatic islets were seen in high fat fed rats,but no changes of skeletal muscles and livers wereobserved. mRNA levels of GLUT2, α-glucosidase in small intestinal epithelium and Kir6.2 mRNA in beta cells of islets increased, whereas that of GLUT4 in skeletal muscles decreased in high fat fed group compared with normal control group.CONCLUSION: An insulin resistance animal model in Wistar rats is established by ig special fat emulsion.

Evaluation of naproxen-induced oxidative stress, hepatotoxicity and in-vivo genotoxicity in male Wistar rats

Naproxen(NP), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug(NSAID), is used for the treatment of common pain, inflammation and tissue damage. Genotoxicity testing of NP is of prime importance as it represents the largest group of drugs to which humans are exposed. Not many genotoxic studies are reported on NP;therefore, the present study investigated the detailed genotoxic and oxidative stress properties of NP.Male Wistar rats were administered NP orally at the doses of 38.91 and 65.78 mg/kg body weight for 14 days. Reduced glutathione(GSH), superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase(CAT) and lipid peroxidation(LPO) activities/levels were measured in the liver, kidney and brain tissues. The aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activities, and total bilirubin(TBIL) levels were measured in the liver tissues. Micronucleus frequency(micronucleus test MNT)and DNA damage(comet assay) were performed in the bone marrow cells and leukocytes, respectively.The results showed that NP treatment decreased the GSH levels and increased the SOD, CAT, LPO, ALT,AST, ALP and TBIL activities/levels compared to the control(p o 0.05). Results of MNT showed an increased micronucleus induction and comet assay showed a significant increase in DNA damage in the NP treated animals(p o 0.05). Treatment of NP resulted in the biochemical imbalance and induced oxidative stress that deteriorated the integrity of the cells, which caused significant damage to the genetic material and affected liver function in male Wistar rats. Therefore, NP is a potential genotoxic agent that induces genotoxicity and oxidative stress.

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the ethanol extract of the leaves of Helianthus Annus in Wistar rats

Objective:To investigate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the ethanol extract of leaves of Helianthus annus L.(H.annus) in acclimatized Wistar rats.Methods:It was undertaken using the albumin induced paw edema model of inflammation as well as both the hotplate and tail immersion analgesic test methods.Doses of the extract tested in experimental rats were 0.5 g/kg,2 g/kg and 4 g/kg while negative and positive control rats received distilled water and indomethacin respectively.Results:It was shown that treatment with the tested doses of the extract effectively inhibited paw edema induced by egg albumin.This effect was comparable if not better than the observations made in rats treated with 10 mg/kg of indomethacin orally.Treatment with the extract was also observed to have significantly increased the mean tolerance time of rats to thermal noxious stimuli compared to control animals that had distilled water and appeared to be more effective than 10 mg/kg of indomethacin treatment.Conclusions: These observations confirmed the presence of a strong anti-inflammatory and anti-noiciceptive activity in the ethanol extract of the leaves of H.annus and therefore validated the folkloric use of the leaves of this plant in treatment of pro-inflammatory,post traumatic situations.

Modulation of antioxidant status in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male wistar rats following intake of red palm oil and/or rooibos

Objective:To investigate the role of red palm oil(RPO),rooibos tea extract(RTE)and their combined treatment(RPO+RTE)on antioxidant status in streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rats.Methods:Diabetes mellitus was induced by a single administration of streptozotocin(50 mg/kg)and the rats were treated for 7 weeks.Antioxidant enzymes[calalase(CAT),glutathione peroxidase(GPx),superoxide dismutase(SOD)],antioxidant capacity[trolox equivalence antioxidant capacity(TEAC),oxygen radical absorbance capacity(ORAC)]as well as total protein,albumin,globulin,total glutathione,conjugated diene and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS)were investigated.Results:Treatment with RPO,RTE and RPO+RTE significantly(p>0.05)improved liver SOD and plasma ORAC in the diabetic rats.Similarly,diabetic rats treated with RTE and RPO+RTE enhanced liver GPx.A significant(P<0.05)increase in the plasma TBARS in the diabetic control group was observed when compared with the normal control group.Treatment of diabetic rats with RTE and RPO+RTE reduced plasma TBARS to a level not significantly different at P<0.05 from the normal control group.Conclusions:The results revealed the anti-oxidative potentials of red palm oil,rooibos and their combination in diabetic conditions and hence,they could be useful in the management of diabetes and its complications.

Molsidomine ameliorates diabetic peripheral neuropathy complications in Wistar rats

Diabetic neuropathy is a disorder which affects various regions of the nervous sys-tem and there is no specific treatment available for it.So,the present study eval-uated protective effect of molsidomine in diabetic neuropathy in rats.Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by administrating streptozotocin(52 mg/kg i.p).Diabetic rats were administered with molsidomine 5 mg/kg p.o,and 10mg/kg p.o.as treatment.After 8 weeks of treatment,Motor coordination,Mechanical allodynia,Mechanical hyperalgesia,Nerve conduction velocity,Glycosylated hemoglobin were assessed.Thereafter animals were sacrificed and sciatic nerve was isolated.It was used for reduced glutathione,lipid peroxidation and for histopathology.Treatment with molsidomine significantly improved motor coordination,paw withdrawal threshold,mechanical threshold and nerve conduction velocity.Furthermore,mol-sidomine treatment also reduced malondialdehyde levels and prevented depletion of reduced glutathione in sciatic nerve homogenate.Histopathology shows molsid-omine treatment maintained normal architecture of sciatic nerve.The results of our study strengthens the alterative use of molsidomine in diabetic neuropathy.

Effects of ethanol extract of leaves of Helianthus annus on the fecundity of Wistar rats

Objective:To evaluate the effects of ethanol extract of leaves of Helianthus annus(H.annus) on the fecundity of Wistar rats.Methods:Forty(20 male and 20 female) Wistar rats,grouped into control,ethanol extract treated rats and untreated,were used for the study.Treated rats had 0.5 g/kg of ethanol extract orally for 2 weeks;control rats had 5%alcoholic water(solvent);and untreated rats had their normal feed and clean drinking water.Following treatment,the animals were sub-grouped into 5 mating groups to observe the coital frequency,pregnancy rate and average number of pups per group in pairs.Results:The results showed that coital frequency was unaffected by the extract treatment but pregnancy rate and number of pups per rat and per group were reduced significantly in groupsⅡ,ⅢandⅣcompared to those of groupⅠandⅤrats which were not treated with the ethanol extract of leaves of H.annus.Conclusions:The histodegenerative in the gonads reportedly induced by this ethanol extract in previous studies may be responsible for the reduced fecundity observed in treated adult rats.