The superior beneficial effects of exercise training versus hormone replacement therapy on skeletal muscle of ovariectomized rats.

Previous studies have highlighted the positive effects of Estradiol (E2) replacement therapy and physical exercise on skeletal muscle during menopause. However, the comparison effects of exercise training (ET) and estradiol replacement therapy during menopause on skeletal muscle have not been investigated to date. This study aimed to compare the effects of endurance exercise training versus E2 replacement therapy on mitochondrial density, redox status, and inflammatory biomarkers in the skeletal muscle of ovariectomized rats.

Maternal flaxseed oil intake during lactation changes body fat, inflammatory markers and glucose homeostasis in the adult progeny: role of gender dimorphism.

We evaluated maternal flaxseed oil intake during lactation on body composition, lipid profile, glucose homeostasis and adipose tissue inflammation in male and female progeny at adulthood. Lactating rats were divided into the following: control 7% soybean oil (C), hyper 19% soybean oil (HS) and hyper 17% flaxseed oil+2% soybean oil (HF). Weaned pups received a standard diet.

Nandrolone decanoate induces cardiac and renal remodeling in female rats, without modification in physiological parameters: The role of ANP system.

Unlabelled: Anabolic-androgenic steroids are misused, including women, but little is known about the cardiovascular effects of these drugs on females.

Aim: Evaluated the effects of nandrolone decanoate (ND), physical exercise and estrogen deficiency on female rats.

Main Methods: Female Wistar rats were divided into 8 groups: S and OVX: (SHAM: sham surgery; OVX: ovariectomy, vehicle), SE and OVXE (resistance exercise 5 times a week, vehicle), SD and OVXD (treated with ND, 20 mg/kg/week for 4 weeks); SDE and OVXDE.

Tibolone has anti-inflammatory effects in estrogen-deficient female rats on the natriuretic peptide system and TNF-alpha.

Cardiovascular and immune system abnormalities have been reported in females with estrogen deficiency. To control these disorders in post-menopausal women, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been used. Tibolone has been used as a HRT, but the effects of tibolone on the natriuretic peptide system have not been determined.

The effect of saponins from Ampelozizyphus amazonicus Ducke on the renal Na+ pumps' activities and urinary excretion of natriuretic peptides.

Background: In a previous study, we showed that a saponin mixture isolated from the roots of Ampelozizyphus amazonicus Ducke (SAPAaD) reduces urine excretion in rats that were given an oral loading of 0.9 % NaCl (4 ml/100 g body weight). In the present study, we investigated whether atrial natriuretic peptides (ANP) and renal ATPases play a role in the SAPAaD- induced antidiuresis in rats.

Estrogen therapy attenuates adiposity markers in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Ovarian hormones modulate the metabolism of adipose cells and present a protective effect against hypertension. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of estradiol on adiposity markers in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Ovariectomized spontaneously hypertensive rats treated with estradiol (5 μg/100 g/day), three weeks after ovariectomy, presented decreased blood pressure and insulin levels and increased hepatic glycogen content.

Natriuretic peptide system: a link between fat mass and cardiac hypertrophy and hypertension in fat-fed female rats.

The present study was designed to develop an animal model of hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy associated with obesity in female rats. Furthermore, we studied the involvement of the natriuretic peptide system in the mechanisms of these conditions. Obesity was induced in Wistar rats by a high fat diet and ovariectomy.

Regulation of steroidogenesis by atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in the rat testis: differential involvement of GC-A and C receptors.

Previous studies have established a stimulatory effect of natriuretic peptides (NP) on testosterone production in mouse Leydig cells as intense as that of LH. Chronic administration of ANP in mice, on the other side, reduced testosterone levels. So, the understanding of the role of ANP on testicular steroidogenesis has been impaired by discrepant findings.

A panic attack-like unusual stress reaction.

Ever since the seminal studies of Hans Selye, activation of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is emblematic of stress. Consequently, the lack of HPA axis responses following the undisputable psychological stress of a panic attack stands out as one of the most intriguing findings of contemporary psychiatry. On the other hand, the defensive behaviors and aversive emotions produced by stimulation of the dorsal periaqueductal gray matter (DPAG) have been proposed as a model of panic attacks.

Medial preoptic area adrenergic receptors modulate glycemia and insulinemia in freely moving rats.

In order to investigate the role of medial preoptic area (MPOA) adrenoceptors in regulation of plasma glucose and insulin secretion, we injected 40 nmol of noradrenaline, clonidine or isoproterenol into the MPOA of freely moving Wistar rats. The animals were fitted with chronic jugular catheters for blood sampling and unilateral intracerebral cannulae placed into MPOA. The results showed that noradrenaline injection into MPOA produced a rapid increase in plasma glucose levels and insulin secretion, reaching a peak at 15 min post stimulus (25% over basal, P<0.

Acute metabolic effects of thiopental anesthesia on fed and fasted rats chronically treated with bromocriptine.

We investigated the acute effects of thiopental anesthesia (4 mg/100 g, i.v.) on plasma glucose, insulin, triacylglycerol, and prolactin levels in rats treated with bromocriptine (BR) (0.

Brain natriuretic peptide and left ventricular dysfunction in Chagas' disease.

Left ventricular dysfunction in Chagas' disease is common but can be difficult to detect. We investigated whether measurement of plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) could identify patients with left ventricular dysfunction who need further investigation or treatment. Among patients with an abnormal electrocardiogram or chest radiograph, a BNP concentration of 60.