Novel pilot study on plasma metabolites and biomarkers in a rat model of silica-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis.

Silica-induced lung damage may be associated with changes in distinct metabolites potentially serving as biomarkers. Due to the lack of metabolomic data from animal models, this pilot study aimed to evaluate changes in markers of inflammation and fibrosis, as well as plasma metabolites in rats at 14 and 28 days after silica instillation. Adult male Wistar rats were administered a single oropharyngeal intratracheal dose of silica suspension or sterile saline in controls.

Radiation-induced bystander effect on the brain after fractionated spinal cord irradiation of aging rats.

We investigated the influence of the so-called bystander effect on metabolic and histopathological changes in the rat brain after fractionated spinal cord irradiation. The study was initiated with adult Wistar male rats (n = 20) at the age of 9 months. The group designated to irradiation (n = 10) and the age-matched control animals (n = 10) were subjected to an initial measurement using in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H MRS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Effects of Green Tea Polyphenol Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate on Markers of Inflammation and Fibrosis in a Rat Model of Pulmonary Silicosis.

Inhalation of silica particles causes inflammatory changes leading to fibrotizing silicosis. Considering a lack of effective therapy, and a growing information on the wide actions of green tea polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the aim of this study was to evaluate the early effects of EGCG on markers of inflammation and lung fibrosis in silicotic rats. The silicosis model was induced by a single transoral intratracheal instillation of silica (50 mg/mL/animal), while controls received an equivalent volume of saline.

Anatomic and metabolic alterations in the rodent frontal cortex caused by clinically relevant fractionated whole-brain irradiation.

Radiation-induced brain injury (RII) is a harmful side-effect occurring after conventional radiation therapy (usually fractionated whole-brain irradiation/fWBI) of patients with cerebral tumors and metastases. An important role in the quality of patients' lives plays cognitive, executive, and emotional functions, regulation on which are involved in frontal cortices pathways. This study assessed the morphologic and metabolic alterations in the rodent frontal cortex caused by fWBI with the total dose of 32 Gy in 4 fractions performed by linear accelerator Clinac iX.

Effect of fractionated whole-brain irradiation on brain and plasma in a rat model: Metabolic, volumetric and histopathological changes.

In the present study, we investigated the correlation between histopathological, metabolic, and volumetric changes in the brain and plasma under experimental conditions. Adult male Wistar rats received fractionated whole-brain irradiation (fWBI) with a total dose of 32 Gy delivered in 4 fractions (dose 8 Gy per fraction) once a week on the same day for 4 consecutive weeks. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H MRS) and imaging were used to detect metabolic and volumetric changes in the brain and plasma.

Early cardiac injury in acute respiratory distress syndrome: comparison of two experimental models.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by diffuse lung damage, inflammation, oedema formation, and surfactant dysfunction leading to hypoxemia. Severe ARDS can accelerate the injury of other organs, worsening the patient´s status. There is an evidence that the lung tissue injury affects the right heart function causing cor pulmonale.

Pathological changes in the central nervous system following exposure to ionizing radiation.

Experimental studies in animals provide relevant knowledge about pathogenesis of radiation-induced injury to the central nervous system. Radiation-induced injury can alter neuronal, glial cell population, brain vasculature and may lead to molecular, cellular and functional consequences. Regarding to its fundamental role in the formation of new memories, spatial navigation and adult neurogenesis, the majority of studies have focused on the hippocampus.

Effects of PDE3 Inhibitor Olprinone on the Respiratory Parameters, Inflammation, and Apoptosis in an Experimental Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

This study aimed to investigate whether a selective phosphodiesterase-3 (PDE3) inhibitor olprinone can positively influence the inflammation, apoptosis, and respiratory parameters in animals with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) model induced by repetitive saline lung lavage. Adult rabbits were divided into 3 groups: ARDS without therapy (ARDS), ARDS treated with olprinone (1 mg/kg; ARDS/PDE3), and healthy ventilated controls (Control), and were oxygen-ventilated for the following 4 h. Dynamic lung-thorax compliance (Cdyn), mean airway pressure (MAP), arterial oxygen saturation (SaO), alveolar-arterial gradient (AAG), ratio between partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood to a fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO/FiO), oxygenation index (OI), and ventilation efficiency index (VEI) were evaluated every hour.

Model-based calculation of thyroid gland normal tissue complication probability in head and neck cancer patients after radiation therapy.

Aim: Primary hypothyroidism is one of the late complications that can occur after radiation therapy for malignant tumors in the head and neck region. The aim of this retrospective study was to show the validity of the Lyman-Kutcher-Burman (LKB) normal tissue complication model for thyroid gland based on clinical results.

Methods: Thyroid function was evaluated by measuring thyroid-stimulating hormone and free thyroxine serum levels before radiation therapy, 3 months after the beginning of radiation therapy, and afterwards at each follow-up visit.

Effects of nitric oxide donor on the lung functions in a saline lavage-induced model of ARDS.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by acute hypoxemia, neutrophil-mediated inflammation, and lung edema formation. Whereas lung damage might be alleviated by nitric oxide (NO), goal of this study was to evaluate if intratracheal NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) can positively influence the lung functions in experimental model of ARDS. New Zealand rabbits with respiratory failure induced by saline lavage (30 ml/kg, 9+/-3 times) were divided into: ARDS group without therapy, ARDS group treated with SNAP (7 mg/kg i.

Effects of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor sildenafil on the respiratory parameters, inflammation and apoptosis in a saline lavage-induced model of acute lung injury.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is associated with deterioration of alveolar-capillary lining and transmigration and activation of inflammatory cells. Sildenafil, phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, inhibits degradation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) by competing with cGMP for binding site of PDE5. Positive effects of sildenafil treatment result from influencing proliferation of regulatory T cells and production of proinflammatory cytokines and autoantibodies as well as from modulation of platelet activation, angiogenesis, and pulmonary vasoreactivity.

Reduction of lung inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis by the PDE4 inhibitor roflumilast in experimental model of acute lung injury.

Damage of alveolar-capillary barrier, inflammation, oxidative injury, and lung cell apoptosis represent the key features of acute lung injury (ALI). This study evaluated if selective phosphodiesterase (PDE)-4 inhibitor roflumilast can reduce the mentioned changes in lavage-induced model of ALI. Rabbits with ALI were divided into 2 groups: ALI without therapy (A group) and ALI treated with roflumilast i.

Metabolic and histopathological changes in the brain and plasma of rats exposed to fractionated whole-brain irradiation.

In the present study we investigated the correlation between radiation-induced metabolic and histopathological changes in the brain under experimental conditions. Adult male Wistar rats received fractionated whole-brain irradiation (fWBI) with a total dose of 40 Gy administered in 5 fractions (dose 8 Gy per fraction) once a week on the same day for 5 consecutive weeks. Radiation-induced alteration in plasma and brain metabolites were measured by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H NMR)-based metabolomics and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (HMRS).

Effects of fractionated whole-brain irradiation on cellular composition and cognitive function in the rat brain.

Purpose: The aim of this study was investigate whether histopathological changes in the neurogenic region correlate with appropriate cognitive impairment in the experimental model of radiation-induced brain injury.

Materials And Methods: Adult male Wistar rats randomized into sham (0 Gy) and two experimental groups (survived 30 and 100 days after treatment) received fractionated whole-brain irradiation (one 5 Gy fraction/week for four weeks) with a total dose of 20 Gy of gamma rays. Morris water maze cognitive testing, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy were used to determine whether the cognitive changes are associated with the alteration of neurogenesis, astrocytic response and activation of microglia along and/or adjacent to well-defined pathway, subventricular zone-olfactory bulb axis (SVZ-OB axis).

Effect of whole-brain irradiation on the specific brain regions in a rat model: Metabolic and histopathological changes.

Effect of ionizing radiation on the brain affects neuronal, glial, and endothelial cell population and lead to significant morphological, metabolic, and functional deficits. In the present study we investigated a dose- and time-dependent correlation between radiation-induced metabolic and histopathological changes. Adult male Wistar rats received a total dose of 35Gy delivered in 7 fractions (dose 5Gy per fraction) once per week in the same weekday during 7 consecutive weeks.

Effects of budesonide on the lung functions, inflammation and apoptosis in a saline-lavage model of acute lung injury.

Diffuse alveolar injury, edema, and inflammation are fundamental signs of acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Whereas the systemic administration of corticosteroids previously led to controversial results, this study evaluated if corticosteroids given intratracheally may improve lung functions and reduce edema formation, migration of cells into the lung and their activation in experimentally-induced ALI. In oxygen-ventilated rabbits, ALI was induced by repetitive saline lung lavage, until PaO2 decreased to < 26.

Intravenous dexamethasone attenuated inflammation and influenced apoptosis of lung cells in an experimental model of acute lung injury.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is characterized by diffuse alveolar damage, inflammation, and transmigration and activation of inflammatory cells. This study evaluated if intravenous dexamethasone can influence lung inflammation and apoptosis in lavage-induced ALI. ALI was induced in rabbits by repetitive saline lung lavage (30 ml/kg, 9+/-3-times).

Effects of S-Nitroso-N-Acetyl-Penicillamine (SNAP) on Inflammation, Lung Tissue Apoptosis and iNOS Activity in a Rabbit Model of Acute Lung Injury.

Acute lung injury is characterized by lung edema, surfactant dysfunction, and inflammation. The main goal of our study was to evaluate effects of S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP) on migration of cells into the lung and their activation, inducible NO synthase (iNOS) activity, and apoptosis in experimental acute lung injury (ALI) in rabbits. ALI was induced by repetitive lung lavage with saline.

Molecular, Cellular and Functional Effects of Radiation-Induced Brain Injury: A Review.

Radiation therapy is the most effective non-surgical treatment of primary brain tumors and metastases. Preclinical studies have provided valuable insights into pathogenesis of radiation-induced injury to the central nervous system. Radiation-induced brain injury can damage neuronal, glial and vascular compartments of the brain and may lead to molecular, cellular and functional changes.

Effect of Fractionated Irradiation on the Hippocampus in an Experimental Model.

Background: Ionizing radiation induces altered brain tissue homeostasis and can lead to morphological and functional deficits. The aim of the present study was to investigate the short-term and long-term effect of ionizing radiation on cell population resides adult rat hippocampus.

Materials And Methods: Adult male Wistar rats received whole- brain irradiation with fractionated doses of gamma rays (a total dose of 20 Gy) and were investigated 30 and 100 days later.

Differential expression of doublecortin and microglial markers in the rat brain following fractionated irradiation.

Ionizing radiation induces altered brain tissue homeostasis and can lead to morphological and functional deficits. In this study, adult male Wistar rats received whole-body exposure with fractionated doses of gamma rays (a total dose of 5 Gy) and were investigated 30 and 60 days later. Immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy were used to determine proliferation rate of cells residing or derived from the forebrain anterior subventricular zone (SVZa) and microglia distributed along and/or adjacent to subventricular zone-olfactory bulb axis.

Proliferation activity in the adult rat brain following exposure to ionizing radiation.

Background: The aim of our study was to investigate radiationinduced shortterm effects on the rat forebrain.

Material And Methods: Adult male Wistar rats received whole body exposure with fractionated doses of gamma rays (a total dose of 3 Gy) and were investigated seven and 14 days later. Immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy were used to determine proliferating cells derived from anterior subventricular zone (SVZa) and distributed along the subventricular zone olfactory bulb axis (SVZ OB axis).

Ionizing radiation induced long-term alterations in the adult rat rostral migratory stream.

Ionizing radiation can induce significant injury to normal brain structures. To assess radiation-induced late effects, adult male Wistar rats received whole-body exposure with fractionated doses of gamma rays (a total dose of 4Gy) and were investigated thirty, sixty and ninety days later. Immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy were used to determine the density of neuroblasts derived from the anterior subventricular zone (SVZa) and brain resident microglia distributed along and/or adjacent to subventricular zone-olfactory bulb axis (SVZ-OB axis).