Cholecalciferol (VD3) Attenuates L-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesia in Parkinsonian Mice Via Modulation of Microglia and Oxido-Inflammatory Mechanisms.

L-DOPA, the gold standard for managing Parkinson's disease (PD) is fraught by motor fluctuations termed L-Dopa-Induced Dyskinesia (LID). LID has very few therapeutic options. Hence, the need for preclinical screening of new interventions.

Semaphorin 4B is an ADAM17-cleaved adipokine that inhibits adipocyte differentiation and thermogenesis.

Objective: The metalloprotease ADAM17 (also called TACE) plays fundamental roles in homeostasis by shedding key signaling molecules from the cell surface. Although its importance for the immune system and epithelial tissues is well-documented, little is known about the role of ADAM17 in metabolic homeostasis. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of ADAM17 expression, specifically in adipose tissues, on metabolic homeostasis.

The ADAM17 sheddase complex regulator iTAP/Frmd8 modulates inflammation and tumor growth.

The metalloprotease ADAM17 is a sheddase of key molecules, including TNF and epidermal growth factor receptor ligands. ADAM17 exists within an assemblage, the "sheddase complex," containing a rhomboid pseudoprotease (iRhom1 or iRhom2). iRhoms control multiple aspects of ADAM17 biology.

Current Status of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Type II Diabetes.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays a multifunctional role in lipid biosynthesis, calcium storage, protein folding, and processing. Thus, maintaining ER homeostasis is essential for cellular functions. Several pathophysiological conditions and pharmacological agents are known to disrupt ER homeostasis, thereby, causing ER stress.

Frequent exposure to varied home cage sizes alters pain sensitivity and some key inflammation-related biomarkers.

Background: Nature and size of rodent cages vary from one laboratory or country to another. Little is however known about the physiological implications of exposure to diverse cage sizes in animal-based experiments.

Method: Here, two groups of male Swiss mice (Control group - Cage stationed, and Test group - Cage migrated) were used for this study.

Crosstalk between metabolism and immunity: the 3rd Annual Research Symposium of Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência.

The 'Crosstalks of immunity and metabolism' Symposium was focused on how the intercommunication between different organs and the immune system affects organismal health. At this meeting, experts in immunology and metabolic research provided novel insights into the growing field of immunometabolism. This report attempts to review and integrate views, ideas, propositions, and conclusions that emanated from the symposium.

Deletion of iRhom2 protects against diet-induced obesity by increasing thermogenesis.

Objective: Obesity is the result of positive energy balance. It can be caused by excessive energy consumption but also by decreased energy dissipation, which occurs under several conditions including when the development or activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) is impaired. Here we evaluated whether iRhom2, the essential cofactor for the Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF) sheddase ADAM17/TACE, plays a role in the pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome.

Oral Ingestion of : Risks, Benefits, and Effects on Malaria-Infected Hosts.

The emergence of a multidrug-resistant strain of () raises concern about malaria control strategies. Unfortunately, the role(s) of natural plants/remedies in curtailing malaria catastrophe remains uncertain. The claims of potential antimalarial activity of have not been well established nor the consequences defined.

Using invertebrate model organisms for neuroscience research and training: an opportunity for Africa.

Africa is faced with an increasing underrepresentation of her research progress in many fields of science including neuroscience. This underrepresentation stems from the very low investments directed towards research by African governments as these are thought to be high-priced. Scientists and researchers within the continent are left to compete highly for the very limited research grants or choose to fund research from their personal purse.

Advancing Neuroscience Research in Africa: Invertebrate Species to the Rescue.

Neuroscience research and training in many African countries are difficult due to funding and infrastructure deficit. This has resulted in few neuroscientists within Africa. However, invertebrates such as Drosophila and Caenorhabditis elegans could provide the perfect answer to these difficulties.

Glucocorticoid receptor activation selectively influence performance of Wistar rats in Y-maze.

Glucocorticoid receptors (GR) are ubiquitously expressed in metazoans. Different and contrasting phenotypes have been reported upon their activation. This study investigated the behavioral phenotypes characteristic of GR stimulation in male Wistar rats.

Neuroscience in Nigeria: the past, the present and the future.

The science of the brain and nervous system cuts across almost all aspects of human life and is one of the fastest growing scientific fields worldwide. This necessitates the demand for pragmatic investment by all nations to ensure improved education and quality of research in Neurosciences. Although obvious efforts are being made in advancing the field in developed societies, there is limited data addressing the state of neuroscience in sub-Saharan Africa.

Cannabis-induced Moto-Cognitive Dysfunction in Wistar Rats: Ameliorative Efficacy of Nigella Sativa.

Background: Cannabis is a widely used illicit drug with various threats of personality syndrome, and Nigella sativa has been widely implicated as having therapeutic efficacy in many neurological diseases. The present study investigates the ameliorative efficacy of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on cannabis-induced moto-cognitive defects.

Methods: Scopolamine (1 mg/kg i.

Differential oxidative stress thresholds distinguishes cellular response to vascular occlusion and chemotoxicity in vivo.

Background: A major effect of cyanide toxicity (CN) and vascular occlusion (VO) is the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) linked with a defective energy coupling process in the mitochondria. In CN, oxygen is present but its conversion is blocked in the mitochondria (Complex V). By contrast, in VO, oxidative stress is induced via reduction of oxygen (blood) circulation to the occluded brain region.

Amitriptyline and phenytoin prevents memory deficit in sciatic nerve ligation model of neuropathic pain.

Background: Phenytoin and amitriptyline are often reported to attenuate pain in chronic conditions. Information on their ability to ameliorate cognitive impairment associated with neuropathic pain remains unclear due to mixed results from studies. This study investigated the effects of phenytoin and amitriptyline on memory deficit associated with neuropathic pain.

Honey prevents neurobehavioural deficit and oxidative stress induced by lead acetate exposure in male Wistar rats- a preliminary study.

This research sought to investigate the possible neuroprotective effects of honey against lead (Pb)-induced neurotoxicity. Twenty four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Control group that received 1 ml/kg distilled orally for 28 days; while groups II-IV received 0.2% lead in drinking water and 1 ml/kg of distilled water, 1 ml/kg of honey, 1.

Hepatoprotective and Pancreatoprotective Properties of the Ethanolic Extract of Nigerian Propolis.

Objective: Increased oxidative stress is associated with the progression of diabetic mellitus. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the ethanolic extract of Nigerian propolis (N. propolis) on markers of oxidative stress, histology of the liver and pancreas and glycaemia in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

-NMDA R/+VDR pharmacological phenotype as a novel therapeutic target in relieving motor-cognitive impairments in Parkinsonism.

Background: Parkinsonism describes Parkinson's disease and other associated degenerative changes in the brain resulting in movement disorders. The motor cortex, extrapyramidal tracts and nigrostriatal tract are brain regions forming part of the motor neural system and are primary targets for drug or chemotoxins induced Parkinsonism. The cause of Parkinsonism has been described as wide and elusive, however, environmental toxins and drugs accounts for large percentage of spontaneous cases in humans.

Cerebrovascular changes in the rat brain in two models of ischemia.

Background: Vascular occlusion and cyanide neurotoxicity induces oxidative stress and degeneration in the brain. This oxidant induced stress changes the vascular dynamics of cerebral blood vessels, and participates in homeostatic response mechanisms which balance oxygen supply to hypoxic stress-sensitive neurons. The associated changes in vascular morphology include remodeling of the microvasculature and endothelial changes, alterations in regional circulation and variations in the blood brain barrier (BBB).

Motor and memory function in rat models of cyanide toxicity and vascular occlusion induced ischemic injury.

Although oxidative stress is characteristic of global vascular occlusion and cyanide toxicity, the pattern of cerebral metabolism reconditioning and rate of progression or reversal of neural tissue damage differ for both forms of ischemia. Thus, it is important to compare cognitive and motor functions in both models of ischemia involving cyanide treatment (CN) and vascular occlusion (VO). Adult Wistar rats (N=30) were divided into three groups; VO (n=12), CN (n=12) and Control-CO (n=6).