scholarly journals Assessment of an Electronic Mechanical Sensory Threshold Testing Device (RatMet) in Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Author(s):  
Chelsea J Schuster ◽  
Daniel SJ Pang

von Frey (vF) monofilaments are used to quantify mechanical hypersensitivity and nociception in rodents; however, this method of testing has been criticized due to inconsistencies in testing methods, filament properties, and nonlinearity. This study compared withdrawal thresholds measured by using vF monofilaments with those of a novel mechanical threshold testing device currently in development (RatMet) in a carrageenan inflammatory model in 9- to 11-wk-old male Wistar rats. Rats were randomly assigned to assessment of mechanical hypersensitivity after intraplantar carrageenan injection by using either vF monofilaments (n = 10) or the RatMet device equipped with 3 sizes of probe tips (0.9 mm [RM0.9], n = 15; 0.5mm [RM0.5], n = 11; and 0.09 mm [RM0.09], n = 11). All RatMet probe sizes and vF monofilaments identified a reduction in withdrawal threshold after treatment. Systematic differences in threshold were identified between vF and both RM0.9 and RM0.5 groups; RM0.09 did not differ from vF. Withdrawal thresholds showed linear relationships with probe diameter, square root of probe diameter, and area of the RatMet probes. In contrast, exponential relationships were observed with the vF monofilaments. Furthermore, none of the RatMet probe results differed in accuracy when comparing a single test with the averages of 3 or 5 tests per time point. Overall, the RatMet device measurements have construct validity even when the number of testing replicates is low. These data indicate that the RatMet device produces data comparable with those from vF monofilaments, with the potential for a shortened testing period without a decrease in accuracy.

2013 ◽  
pp. 119-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. TANAKA ◽  
J. NAKANO ◽  
Y. HAMAUE ◽  
Y. SEKINO ◽  
J. SAKAMOTO ◽  
...  

Our aim was to investigate the influence of microgravity on the sensitivity of the skin to mechanical stimulation, epidermal thickness, peripheral nerve density in the upper dermis, and serum levels of a stress marker in a rat hindlimb suspension (HS) model. Thirty 8-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: HS, n=10; sham HS, n=10; control, n=10. The suspension system was attached to rat tails in both the HS and sham-HS groups, but the hindlimbs were suspended only in the HS group. The HS and sham-HS groups were treated for 4 weeks. In behavioral tests using von-Frey filaments (n=5 in each group), mechanical hypersensitivity developed in the HS and sham HS groups. Serum corticosterone levels increased significantly in the HS and sham HS groups compared to the control group, and no changes in epidermal thickness or peripheral nerve density were observed immediately after the removal of HS (n=5 in each group). These data indicated that the mechanical hypersensitivity observed in the HS group was not caused by microgravity or inactivity, but rather by restraint stress. We suggest that microgravity does not affect skin sensitivity and histology in these animals.


Author(s):  
I. Stachura ◽  
M. Pardo ◽  
J. Costello ◽  
D.M. Landwehr

Under experimental conditions severe reduction of renal mass results in the hyperfiltration of the remaining nephrons leading to a progressive renal insufficiency. Similar changes are observed in patients with various renal disorders associated with a loss of the functioning nephrons. The progression of renal damage is accelerated by high protein and phosphate intake, and may be modified by the dietary restrictions.We studied 50 five-sixth nephrectarrized male Wistar rats on a standard diet (Rodent Laboratory Chow 5001 Ralston Purina Co., Richmond, Indiana; containing 23.4% protein) over a 20 week period.


Author(s):  
Masoud Nasiri ◽  
Saja Ahmadizad ◽  
Mehdi Hedayati ◽  
Tayebe Zarekar ◽  
Mehdi Seydyousefi ◽  
...  

Abstract. Physical exercise increases free radicals production; antioxidant supplementation may improve the muscle fiber’s ability to scavenge ROS and protect muscles against exercise-induced oxidative damage. This study was designed to examine the effects of all-trans resveratrol supplementation as an antioxidant to mediate anti-oxidation and lipid per-oxidation responses to exercise in male Wistar rats. Sixty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four equal number (n = 16) including training + supplement (TS), training (T), supplement (S) and control (C) group. The rats in TS and S groups received a dose of 10 mg/kg resveratrol per day via gavage. The training groups ran on a rodent treadmill 5 times per week at the speed of 10 m/min for 10 min; the speed gradually increased to 30 m/min for 60 minutes at the end of 12th week. The acute phase of exercise protocol included a speed of 25 m/min set to an inclination of 10° to the exhaustion point. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) activity, non-enzymatic antioxidants bilirubin, uric acid, lipid peroxidation levels (MDA) and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured after the exercise termination. The data were analyzed by using one-way ANOVA. The result showed that endurance training caused a significant increase in MDA level [4.5 ± 0.75 (C group) vs. 5.9 ± 0.41 nmol/l (T group)] whereas it decreased the total antioxidant capacity [8.5 ± 1.35 (C group) vs. 7.1 ± 0.55 mmol/l (T group)] (p = 0.001). In addition, GPx and CAT decreased but not significantly (p > 0.05). The training and t-resveratrol supplementation had no significant effect on the acute response of all variables except MDA [4.3 ± 1.4 (C group) vs. 4.0 ± 0.90 nmol/l (TS group)] (p = 0.001) and TAC [8.5 ± 0.90 (C group) vs. 6.6 ± 0.80 mmol/l (TS group)] (p = 0.004). It was concluded that resveratrol supplementation may prevent exercise-induced oxidative stress by preventing lipid peroxidation.


2013 ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
Michael Patterson ◽  
John Tadross ◽  
Keisuke Suzuki ◽  
Kylie Beale ◽  
Charoltte Boughton ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 146
Author(s):  
BRILIAN DINANTI ◽  
FITRI HANDAJANI

<p>Liver is an organ with complex metabolism. When the liver is inflamed, cellular immunity will defend against inflammatory agents by stimulating immune cells to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). Excessive ROS accumulation cause oxydative stress with increased  liver malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Some researches showed that purple sweet potato contain flavonoids (anthocyanins) that functioned as antioxydants. This study aimed to show the prophylactic effect of purple sweet potato extract to the liver MDA level of male Wistar rats induced by carrageenan.</p><p>This study used post-only control group method using 18 male Wistar rats divided into 3 groups: group of rats without treatment, group of rats induced by 0,1 ml of 1% carrageenan by intraplantar injection on day-8, and group of rats given with 872 mg/kgBW of purple sweet potato extract for 7 days and induced by 0,1 ml of 1% carrageenan. In the end of the study, the liver MDA levels were measured by Thio-Barbituric Acid method on each groups.</p><p>The results of One-Way ANOVA test showed there was no significant difference (p = 0,290) between group of rats without treatment (<em>x̅</em>= 207,50) and group of rats induced by carrageenan (<em>x̅</em>=233,17). Then, there is no significant difference (p = 0.978) between group of rats induced by carrageenan and group of rats given with prophylactic purple sweet potato extract and induced by carrageenan (<em>x̅</em>= 232,50).</p><p>The conclusion of this study is giving intraplantar injection of carrageenan can increase liver MDA level insignificantly and giving prophylactic purple sweet potato extract has an effect to decrease the liver MDA level of rats induced by carragenan insignificantly because it contains anthocyanins as antioxidants.</p><p> </p><strong>Keywords: </strong>Liver, <em>Ipomoea batatas</em> L., Malondialdehyde, Anthocyanins


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-56
Author(s):  
Sri Winarti ◽  
Agung Pasetyo

The consumption of prebiotics is known to affect the balance of gut microbiota. The purpose of this study was to explore how a galactomannan-rich effervescent drink can affect the population of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, E. coli, and the concentration of short-chain fatty acids in the cecum of rats. Twenty-eight male Wistar rats (aged 2 months) were divided equally into 7 groups and treated orally each day for 15 days with 2 mL effervescent drinks with increasing levels of prebiotic galactomannan. The dosage of 500 mg galactomannan increased the growth of Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. with inhibition of the growth of E.coli with increased formation of short-chain fatty acids such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate in the cecum of rats.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 302-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla R.F. Volobuff ◽  
Pedro C.O. Junior ◽  
Sidney M. dos Santos ◽  
Zefa V. Pereira ◽  
Diego C. Ferreira ◽  
...  

Background: The genus Psychotria and Palicourea are reported as a source of alkaloids and iridoids, which exhibit biological activities. This study aimed to evaluate antiproliferative and anticholinesterase activities and quantification of the alkaloids of seven species among the genus found in Mato Grosso do Sul region in Brazil. Methods: Concentrations of alkaloids were measured spectrophotometrically. The extracts were submitted to antiproliferative activity against ten cell lines. The anticholinesterase activity of the extracts was developed using brain structures of male Wistar rats: cerebral cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus and striatum by the Ellman method. Results: Alkaloids from Psychotria and Palicourea species were quantified which showed values of 47.6 to 21.9 µg/g. Regarding the antiproliferative potential, Palicourea crocea demonstrated selectivity against the 786-0 cell line (GI50: 22.87 µg/mL). Psychotria leiocarpa inhibited cell growth against OVCAR-3 (GI50: 3.28 µg/mL), K-562 (GI50: 5.26 µg/mL), HaCaT (GI50: 27.20 µg/mL), PC-3 (GI50: 34.92 µg/mL), MCF-7 (GI50: 35.80 µg/mL) and P. capillacea showed activity against OVCAR-3 (GI50: 2.33 µg/ml) and U251 (GI50: 16.66 µg/ml). The effect of acetylcholinesterase inhibition was more effective in the hippocampus, demonstrating inhibition for Paliourea crocea, Psychotria deflexa, P. brachybotrya and P. leiocarpa of 70%, 57%, 50% and 40%, respectively, followed by P. poeppigiana and P. capillacea, inhibiting 21%, compared to the control. Conclusion: Herein, the present work showed for the first time, anticholinesterasic and antiproliferative activities of extracts of Palicourea and Psychotria seem to be mainly associated with the levels of alkaloids in the leaves of these species.


2007 ◽  
Vol 72 (10) ◽  
pp. 1350-1364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Stiborová ◽  
Helena Dračínská ◽  
Dagmar Aimová ◽  
Petr Hodek ◽  
Jiří Hudeček ◽  
...  

The antineoplastic agent ellipticine was investigated for its ability to induce the biotransformation enzyme NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (DT-diaphorase, EC 1.6.99.2) in male Wistar rats. Using the real-time polymerase chain reaction, the levels of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase mRNA were determined in livers, kidneys and lungs of rats treated intraperitoneally with ellipticine (40 mg/kg body weight) and of control (untreated) rats. Cytosolic fractions were isolated from the same tissues of control and ellipticine-treated rats and tested for NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase protein expression and its enzymatic activity. The results demonstrate that ellipticine is a potent inducer of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase in rat livers and kidneys, while no induction of this enzyme was detectable in rat lungs. The increase in levels of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase mRNA correlates with the increase in expression of its protein and enzymatic activity, measured with menadione and 3-nitrobenzanthrone as substrates. The results, the identification of the potential of ellipticine to induce NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase, suggest that this drug is capable of modulating biological efficiencies of the toxicants and/or drugs that are reductively metabolized by this enzyme.


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