Effect of lindane on testicular antioxidant system and steroidogenic enzymes in adult rats

Aim: To find out the effect of lindane on testicular antioxidant system and testicular steroidogenesis in adult malerats. Methods: Adult male rats were orally administered with lindane at a dose of 5.0 mg/kg body weight per dayfor 30 days. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment the rats were killed using anesthetic ether. Testes, epididymis,seminal vesicles and ventral prostate were removed and weighed. A 10% testicular homogenate was prepared and cen-trifuged at 4℃. The supernatant was used for various biochemical estimations. Results; The body weight and theweights of testes, epididymis, seminal vesicles and ventral prostate were reduced in lindane-treated rats. There was asignificant decline in the activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione reduc-tase while an increase in hydrogen peroxide (H_2O_2) generation was observed. The specific activities of testicularsteroidogenic enzymes 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase were decreased. Thelevels of DNA, RNA and protein were also decreased in lindane-treated rats. Conclusion: Lindane induces oxida-tive stress and decreases antioxidant enzymes in adult male rats.

Comparison of T-2 Toxin and HT-2 Toxin Distributed in the Skeletal System with That in Other Tissues of Rats by Acute Toxicity Test

Twelve healthy rats were divided into the T-2 toxin group receiving gavage of 1 mg/kg T-2 toxin and the control group receiving gavage of normal saline. Total relative concentrations of T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin in the skeletal system（thighbone, knee joints, and costal cartilage） were significantly higher than those in the heart, liver, and kidneys（P 〈 0.05）. The relative concentrations of T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin in the skeletal system（thighbone and costal cartilage） were also significantly higher than those in the heart, liver, and kidneys. The rats administered T-2 toxin showed rapid metabolism compared with that in rats administered HT-2 toxin, and the metabolic conversion rates in the different tissues were 68.20%-90.70%.

A Music Preference Test System for Rats

In music preference experiments, housing conditions and the control of parameters for animals can affect experimental results. However, the needs of animals are indeed insufficiently considered in many reports of animal experiments. In order to evaluate which music rats prefer, we developed a new music preference test system. Dwelling time and visiting frequency can be recorded automatically when rats moving among different compartments of the system. We can also observe the behaviors of rats captured by a video camera. By this system, the music preference can be found, and then the related music can be used in following various studies. In this paper, we described the design of this music preference test system of rat, and some primary results were reported.

Nutritional Metabolism of Antarctic Krill Product Protein in Rats

This work conducted a four-week metabolism test on rats to study the digestion and absorption characteristics of five protein-based krill products prepared from Antarctic krill as raw material.It aimed to provide theoretical support for the effective use of Antarctic krill protein and the development of novel protein resources.The results showed that the weight gain and true digestibility of the rats fed with krill meat,surimi and ordinary krill powder were significantly higher(P<0.05)than those of the rats fed with traditional casein.Compared to casein,proteins from the five Antarctic krill products were found to significantly improve the net protein utilization(P<0.05),and reduce the total cholesterol and triglycerides in the serum of rats(P<0.05).In summary,the Antarctic krill protein-based products with high nutritional values can be used as a potential novel protein resource in the food industry.

Helplessness-like escape deficits of NIH-HS rats predict passive behavior in the forced swimming test:Relevance for the concurrent validity of rat models of depression

The genetically heterogeneous NIH-HS rat stock has been characterized by its response to anxiety- and fear-inducing situations, thus leading to the conclusion that they are a rather anxious and passive coping type of rats. Taking advantage of these profiles, and knowing that they show very poor performance in the two-way active (shuttle box) escape/avoidance task, we have tested NIH-HS rats (n = 80) in the forced swimming test (FST) as well as we have studied escape response deficits (i.e. response failures) of the same animals in the two-way shuttle box task. They were also tested for anxiety in the elevated zero-maze. The goal of such a study was that of investigating whether there are associations or relationships among helplessness-like or passive coping responses between both models of depression, i.e. the FST and the helplessness-like escape deficits in the shuttle box task. The results for the first time show associations among responses from both depression models and that selecting rats for displaying extreme (active or passive) responses in one of the models predict in a coherent manner (according to the hypothesis) their behaviour in the other model. These findings are discussed in the context of the concurrent validity of both models of depression as well as concerning the possible relevance of NIH-HS rats as a tool for future studies on this field.

Constraint-induced movement therapy promotes motor function recovery and downregulates phosphorylated extracellular regulated protein kinase expression in ischemic brain tissue of rats

Motor function impairment is a common outcome of stroke.Constraint-induced movement therapy（CIMT）involving intensive use of the impaired limb while restraining the unaffected limb is widely used to overcome the effects of＇learned non-use＇and improve limb function after stroke.However,the underlying mechanism of CIMT remains unclear.In the present study,rats were randomly divided into a middle cerebral artery occlusion（model）group,a CIMT＋model（CIMT）group,or a sham group.Restriction of the affected limb by plaster cast was performed in the CIMT and sham groups.Compared with the model group,CIMT significantly improved the forelimb functional performance in rats.By western blot assay,the expression of phosphorylated extracellular regulated protein kinase in the bilateral cortex and hippocampi of cerebral ischemic rats in the CIMT group was significantly lower than that in the model group,and was similar to sham group levels.These data suggest that functional recovery after CIMT may be related to decreased expression of phosphorylated extracellular regulated protein kinase in the bilateral cortex and hippocampi.

Direct muscle neurotization after end-to-end and end-to-side neurorrhaphy An experimental study in the rat forelimb model

The need for the continuous research of new tools for improving motor function recovery after nerve injury is justified by the still often unsatisfactory clinical outcome in these patients. It has been previously shown that the combined use of two reconstructive techniques, namely end-to-side neurorrhaphy and direct muscle neurotization in the rat hindlimb model, can lead to good results in terms of skeletal muscle reinnervation. Here we show that, in the rat forelimb model, the combined use of direct muscle neurotization with either end-to-end or end-to-side neurorrhaphy to reinnervate the denervated flexor digitorum muscles, leads to muscle atrophy prevention over a long postoperative time lapse （10 months）. By contrast, very little motor recovery （in case of end-to-end neurorrhaphy） and almost no motor recovery （in case of end-to-side neurorrhaphy） were observed in the grasping activity controlled by flexor digitorum muscles. It can thus be concluded that, at least in the rat, direct muscle neurotization after both end-to-end and end-to-side neurorrhaphy represents a good strategy for preventing denervation-related muscle atrophy but not for regaining the lost motor function.

Transplantation of human hepatocytes into tolerized genetically immunocompetent rats

AIM: To determine whether normal genetically immunocompetent rodent hosts could be manipulated to accept human hepatocyte transplants with long term survival without immunosuppression. METHODS: Tolerance towards human hepatocytes was established by injection of primary human hepatocytes or Huh7 human hepatoma cells into the peritoneal cavities of fetal rats. Corresponding cells were subsequently transplanted into newborn rats via intrasplenic injection within 24h after birth. RESULTS: Mixed lymphocyte assays showed that spleen cells from non-tolerized rats were stimulated to proliferate when exposed to human hepatocytes, while cells from tolerized rats were not. Injections made between 15 d and 17 d of gestation produced optimal tolerization. Transplanted human hepatocytes in rat livers were visualized by immunohistochemical staining of human albumin. By dot blotting of genomic DNA in livers of tolerized rats 16 weeks after hepatocyte transplantation, it was found that approximately 2.5 X 10(5) human hepatocytes survived per rat liver. Human albumin mRNA was detected in rat livers by RT-PCR for 15 wk, and human albumin protein was also detectable in rat serum. CONCLUSION: Tolerization of an immuno-competent rat can permit transplantation, and survival of functional human hepatocytes.

MK-801 attenuates lesion expansion following acute brain injury in rats: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of MK-801 and its effect on lesion volume in rat models of acute brain injury.DATA SOURCES: Key terms were "stroke","brain diseases","brain injuries","brain hemorrhage, traumatic","acute brain injury","dizocilpine maleate","dizocilpine","MK-801","MK801","rat","rats","rattus" and "murine". PubMed, Cochrane library, EMBASE, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang database, the VIP Journal Integration Platform(VJIP) and SinoMed databases were searched from their inception dates to March 2018.DATA SELECTION: Studies were selected if they reported the effects of MK-801 in experimental acute brain injury. Two investigators independently conducted literature screening, data extraction, and methodological quality assessments.OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes included lesion volume and brain edema. The secondary outcomes included behavioral assessments with the Bederson neurological grading system and the water maze test 24 hours after brain injury.RESULTS: A total of 52 studies with 2530 samples were included in the systematic review. Seventeen of these studies had a high methodological quality. Overall, the lesion volume(34 studies, n = 966, MD =-58.31, 95% CI:-66.55 to-50.07;P < 0.00001) and degree of cerebral edema(5 studies, n = 75, MD =-1.21, 95% CI:-1.50 to-0.91;P < 0.00001) were significantly decreased in the MK-801 group compared with the control group. MK-801 improved spatial cognition assessed with the water maze test(2 studies, n = 60, MD =-10.88, 95% CI:-20.75 to-1.00;P = 0.03) and neurological function 24 hours after brain injury(11 studies, n = 335, MD =-1.04, 95% CI:-1.47 to-0.60;P < 0.00001). Subgroup analysis suggested an association of reduction in lesion volume with various injury models(34 studies, n = 966, MD =-58.31, 95% CI:-66.55 to-50.07;P = 0.004). Further network analysis showed that 0–1 mg/kg MK-801 may be the optimal dose for treatment in the middle cerebral artery occlusion animal model.CONCLUSION: MK-801 effectively reduces brain lesion volume and the degree of cerebral edema in rat models of experimental acute brain injury, providing a good neuroprotective effect. Additionally, MK-801 has a good safety profile, and its mechanism of action is well known. Thus, MK-801 may be suitable for future clinical trials and applications.

民用飞机RAT发电机自然结冰环境飞行试验研究

为了检验某型飞机RAT发电机在自然结冰环境下能否正常释放和供电,对该RAT发电机自然结冰试飞进行研究。首先,阐述RAT发电机进行自然结冰试飞的原因、目的以及民用航空标准对自然结冰环境的要求;其次,介绍RAT发电机自然结冰的试飞方法;最后,对试飞结果进行分析。结果表明:RAT发电机自然结冰环境条件满足适航规章要求,能够在可预期的自然结冰环境下实现手动释放功能且供电功能正常。

Chronic Toxicity Study in Rats Orally Exposed to Mulberry Sea-Buckthorn Beverage Concentrate

Objective: This study is designed to observe the chronic toxicity after the administration of mulberry sea-buckthorn beverage concentrate for 3 months on rats and to predict the possible adverse effect and the potential toxicity target organs. Method: The rats (SPF level) were randomly divided into high-dose (20 mL/kg BW), middle-dose (10 mL/kg BW), low-dose (5 mL/kg BW) groups and negative control group (20 mL/kg BW of purified water) with 30 rats in each group. Each group was orally given mulberry sea-buckthorn beverage concentrate for 3 months and recovered by stop feeding samples for 2 weeks for a recovery observation. The rats’ general condition, the organ coefficient, the indexes of hematology and blood biochemistry and the histological changes of the main organs were determined. Result: The appearance and behavior of activity in rats showed no anomalies in all these groups and all the rats put on weight during this period. Comparing to the negative control group, no obvious differences were observed in the weekly weight and organ coefficient of each dose group. After 3 months of administration, HGB in both mulberry sea-buckthorn beverage concentrate low-dose group and high-dose group were increased. No significant differences were observed in the indexes of hematology after 2 weeks of recovery. CREA in low-dose, middle-dose and high-dose groups were significantly increased after 3 months of administration and it remained in the high level in middle-dose and high-dose group even after 2 weeks of recovery. No drug-related lesions were observed in the histological changes of major organs. Conclusion: The results show that long term use of mulberry concentrated sea-buckthorn beverage can lead to increased CREA, which suggested kidney toxicity. Although no obvious pathological change was found in kidney, we should pay attention to chronic kidney damage in the further research.

Teratogenic Effect of Paulownia Flower Extract on Rats

In this study, Paulownia flower extract of different concentrations was administered to pregnant rats by gavage to investigate its teratogenic effect. It was found that Paulownia has neither teratogenic effect nor growth inhibitory effect on rats, and it can be used in animal production as new feed additive.

Impact of social isolation and resident intruder stress on aggressive behavior in the male rat

Stress studies frequently utilize physical stressors to establish animal models of stress. In the majority of cases, these models are not consistent with human circumstances. The present study simulated a social isolation plus resident intruder stress model in the rat. The rats were subjected to daily social isolation and resident intruder stress for 2 weeks. Behaviors were then tested. Rats subjected to social stress exhibited different aggressive behavior styles; some rats had greater scores on composite aggression behaviors, as well as locomotor and exploratory activity, but lower scores on latency than others. The high-aggressive group exhibited predominantly anger-out, while the low-aggressive group exhibited anger-in. Results suggest that social isolation plus resident intruder may serve as an appropriate model for anger-in and anger-out emotion modeling in the rat.

Effect of Chronic Aluminum Administration on Affective and Cognitive Behavior in Male and Female Rats

In this study, we investigated the effect of chronic exposure of low doses of Aluminum on affective and cognitive disorders in male and female rats. Twenty-five rats for each gender are used and the treatment carried out for 8 weeks. Animals received distilled water for control or an intraperitoneal injection of different doses of Aluminum: 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg. Behavioral performance is measured in various tests mainly the Open Field, Elevated Plus Maze, Force Swimming Test, Morris Water Maze, Y-maze and Object Recognition Test. Al exerts anxiogenic properties and depressive effect. The effect begins at 0.25 mg/kg to reach a maximum at 1 mg/kg. In addition, chronic exposure to Aluminum causes cognitive disorders characterized by affection of memory and influence spatial learning performance. The effect of Aluminum on working memory is effective just at 1 mg/kg, while the effect on spatial learning performance begins at 0.25 mg/kg to reach a maximum at 1 mg/kg. In conclusion, Aluminum enhances anxiety and depression parameters and cognitive disorders characterized by the affection of memory and spatial learning performance.

RAT矩函数在模态振形数据去噪中的应用

提出将RAT矩函数应用于三维结构模态振型数据去噪的方法,使用RAT矩函数对结构的振型数据进行矩变换,从振型数据中提取出包含所有振型信息的特征矩集,将幅值较小的矩值作为噪声从特征矩集中剔除,再利用特征矩集重构振型图像,即能实现对振型数据去噪。采用一个仿真的机匣结构,以正态分布的随机噪声模拟真实情况下的噪声,在不同噪声强度下利用RAT矩对振型数据去噪,来验证RAT矩函数的去噪能力。结果表明:RAT矩函数具有良好的抗噪性,能大幅度减小噪声对模态振型的影响。

Effects of clonidine on anxiety-like behaviors of rats subjected to chronic hypoperfusional cerebral ischemia

Aim To investigate the effect of clonidine on anxiety-like behaviors of rats subjected to chronic hy- popeffusional cerebral ischemia. Methods Chronic hypopeffusional cerebral ischemia was established by perma- nent bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion （two-vessel occlusion, 2VO）. Three weeks after 2VO, rats were given clonidine （0.05 mg·kg^-1, i. p. ） for 14 days. Behavioural experiments including elevated plus maze （EPM） and open field test （OFT） were applied to evaluate anxiey-like behaviour after four-week ischemia. Re- suits 2VO rats significantly spent less time in open arm of EPM and more time in peripheral region of OFT com- pared with sham rats. Clonidine notably increased open arm time in EPM and prolonged time spent in center region in OFT of 2VO rats. Conlusion Chronic hypopeffusional cerebral ischemia caused anxiety-like behaviors of rats and clonidine showed an important role in improving anxiety-like behaviors in 2VO rats.

Melatonin and Diazepam Affect Anxiety-Like and Depression-Like Behavior in Wistar Rats: Possible Interaction with Central GABA Neurotransmission

Recent studies have shown the importance of the GABA-ergic transmission in the pathophysiology of anxiety and depressive disorders in humans. Our present study aims to investigate the interaction of melatonin (MEL) with this system by exploring the effects of MEL with or without a facilitator of GABA-ergic neurotransmission, diazepam (DZ) on the levels of depression and anxiety in Wistar rats. For this purpose, different doses of MEL (2, 4 or 16 mg/kg) or DZ (2 mg/kg) are subchronically administered during 15 days. After pharmacological treatments, anxiety levels are evaluated in behavioral tests of Open Field (OFT) and elevated plus maze (EPM) and depression levels are evaluated by the forced swim test (FST). The results showed that MEL produces anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like effects in a dose-dependent manner;the maximum effect was obtained at a dose of 16 mg/kg. However, a dose of 4 mg/kg is necessary to induce an effect. The effect of MEL and DZ reported in this study concerns selective modulation of behavioral anxiety and depression since locomotor activity assessed by the OFT and EPM was not affected. The subchronic injection of MEL at 4 mg/kg, DZ at 2 mg/kg or the two combined molecules also induces also anxiety-like and antidepressant-like behavior. In addition, a potentiating effect between MEL and DZ was observed. These effects suggest that psychopharmacological actions of MEL are due, at least in part, to its ability to improve the central GABA-ergic transmission.

The effects of 90-day feeding of D-psicose syrup in male wistar rats

D-Psicose is a rare sugar present in small quantities in natural products. In a previous study, we showed that D-psicose suppresses increase in plasma glucose and reduces body fat accumulation in rats. Based on acute and chronic toxicity testing in rats, D-psicose is classified as an ordinary and safe substance. Recently, we developed a high D-psicose syrup (PS) made from high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) by the alkaline isomerization method. However, the safety of PS as a food additive has not been demonstrated. In this study, we investigated the effects of 90-day feeding of PS in male Wistar rats. The rats were fed diets containing 3% D-psicose (control) or 4.3% PS for 90 days. The body weight gain and intra-abdominal adipose tissue weight did not differ between the control and PS group. The weights of the tissues did not differ between the two dietary groups. In clinical chemistry and hematological analyses, no differences were found between the control and PS groups. No gross pathological findings were evident at dietary doses of 4.3% PS. Therefore, the present study found no adverse effects of PS in rats fed a diet containing 4.3% PS for 90 days.

Does Argan Oil Supplementation Affect Metabolic Parameters and Behavior in Wistar Rats?

Argan oil is renowned for its particular biochemical profile: high-fat oleic and linoleic acids, tocopherols, sterols, polyphenols. This composition gives it nutritional, therapeutic and preventive properties against dermatological, metabolic and proliferative diseases. The composition of argan oil assigns its benefits to mental health;it would be provided with possible effects on the prevention and/or cure of stress related disorder. This work aims to evaluate the impact of argan oil dietary on the behavioral response, biochemical and hematological constants and histological profiles of adrenal involved in emotional responses to stress. The variation of these parameters was evaluated in Wistar rats receiving dietary 10 ml/Kg/day of argan oil, starting from weaning, for 13 weeks. Our results show that supplementation has resulted in an increase in locomotor activity, reduced sensitivity to frightening environments with sex dependent variation. Moreover, lipid markers, corticosterone and lymphocytes show a rising trend. If the important role of argan oil diet in cardio-metabolic health is generally well recognized;for mental health, it is the first study that needs further investigation linking between the nervous system, inflammation parameters and metabolism.

Tail nerve electrical stimulation-induced walking training promotes restoration of locomotion and electrophysiology in rats with chronic spinal cord injury

Functional recovery is the final goal in the treatment of spinal cord injury. However, to date, few treatment strategies have demonstrated significant locomotor improvement in animal experiments. By using tail nerve electrical stimulation (TANES) as an open-field locomotor training method combined with glial scar ablation and cell transplantation, we have successfully promoted locomotor recovery in rats with chronic spinal cord contusion injury. The purpose of the present study is to further investigate the mechanism of TANES and its effect on electrophysiology. Spinal cord segment T10 of female, adult Long-Evans rats was contused using the NYU impactor device with 25 mm height setting. After injury, rats were randomly divided into three groups. Group I was used as a control without any treatment, group II and group III were subjected to basic treatment including glial scar ablation and transplantation of olfactory lamina propria 6 weeks after injury, and group III received TANES-induced open-field locomotor training weekly after basic treatment. All animals were allowed to survive 22 weeks, except some rats which were transected. Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) open-field locomotor rating scale, horizontal ladder rung walking test, and electrophysiological tests were used to assess the restoration of functional behavior and conduction. Results showed that TANES significantly improves locomotor recovery and spinal cord conduction, reflex, as well as significantly reduces the occurrence of autophagia. Additionally, after transection, trained rats still maintained higher BBB score than that of control rats. This may be related to the activity-dependent plasticity promoted by TANES-induced locomotor training.