The effect of genistein on IGF-1, PlGF, sFLT-1 and fetoplacental development.

The mechanisms by which genistein, a phytoestrogen, affects fetoplacental development adversely are still poorly understood. It is reported that genistein ingestion modulates thyroid functions, leptin hormone, C-reactive protein, and thyroxin kinase activities. In this study, we evaluated changes in serum and placental insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1), placental growth factor (PIGF), and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFLT-1) in pregnant rats exposed to genistein using ELISA.

Watermelon rind ethanol extract exhibits hepato-renal protection against lead induced-impaired antioxidant defenses in male Wistar rats.

Lead acetate associated tissue injury has been linked to altered antioxidant defenses, hyperuricemia and inflammation. We hypothesized that watermelon rind extract, would ameliorate lead acetate-induced hepato-renal injury. Thirty Male Wistar rats received distilled water, lead acetate (Pb; 5 mg/kg) with or without watermelon rind extract (WM; 400 mg/kg; WM + Pb; 15 days of WM pretreatment); Pb + WM (15 days of WM post treatment) and simultaneous treatment (WM-Pb) for 30 days.

Modulatory role of genistein on placenta and maternal bone minerals composition: further insight into its influence on pregnancy and foetal development.

Pregnancy is a crucial period with an increased need to supply necessary minerals for both the mother and the developing foetus and with a tendency of altering the maternal bone mineral density when there is no balance between demand and supply of these minerals. This study evaluated the influence of genistein on the maternal bone and placenta mineral composition. Pregnant rats were grouped into control, 2 mg/kg and 4 mg/kg genistein groups, dosed accordingly till sacrificed at different gestation days (GD).

Aberrant effect of genistein on placenta development expressed through alteration in transforming growth factor-β1 and alkaline phosphatase across the maternal serum, the placenta and the amniotic fluid.

Objectives: The mechanism via which genistein, the major isoflavone content of soya, adversely influenced placenta and fetal development was evaluated in pregnant laboratory rats.

Materials And Methods: There were control, 2 mg/kg and 4 mg/kg genistein groups of rats with five sub-groups based on gestation termination day. At the end of the experiment, animals were sacrificed by CO and cervical dislocation, while plasma and serum were processed and stored.

Adverse effects of noise stress on glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Noise pollution remains a pervasive health hazard that people encounter especially in large commercial metropolis and has been implicated in many adverse non-auditory health conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, vascular (endothelial) dysfunction and metabolic disorders. There is a growing body of evidence showing that chronic noise exposure is associated with an increased risk of hypercholesterol, adiposity and development of type 2 diabetes. The present study investigated the effect of noise stress on parameters of glucose homeostasis in male rats and possible recovery after noise cessation.