Single exercise stress reduces central neurotrophins levels and adenosine A and A receptors expression, but does not revert opioid-induced hyperalgesia in rats.

Background: This study assessed the effects of an acute stress model upon the long-term hyperalgesia induced by repeated morphine administration in neonatal rats. We also evaluated neurotrophins and cytokines levels; expressions of adenosine and acetylcholine receptors, and acetylcholinesterase enzyme at the spinal cord.

Material And Methods: Male Wistar rats were subjected to morphine or saline administration from P8 to P14.

Morphine exposure during early life alters thermal and mechanical thresholds in rats.

Background: Morphine is an opioid analgesic used to relieve moderate-to-severe pain, including pain in neonates at the intensive care unit. In our previous study, we showed that repeated morphine exposure during early life could trigger long-lasting implications on the developing nervous system, such as long-term neurochemical and behavioral alterations in adult rats.

Aims: The aim of our study was to determine the short-, intermediate-, and long-term effects of repeated morphine administration during early life on the thermal and mechanical thresholds and on the central levels (cerebral cortex and brainstem) of neurotrophins (brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF] and nerve growth factor [NGF]) and cytokines (interleukin-6 [IL-6] and IL-10).

Subchronic treatment with acai frozen pulp prevents the brain oxidative damage in rats with acute liver failure.

Acai has been used by the population due to its high nutritional value and its benefits to health, such as its antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of acai frozen pulp on oxidative stress parameters in cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum of Wistar rats treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl). Thirty male Wistar rats (90-day-old) were orally treated with water or acai frozen pulp for 14 days (7 μL/g).

Hypoestrogenism alters mood: Ketamine reverses depressive-like behavior induced by ovariectomy in rats.

Background: Estrogen deficiency is associated with the onset of depressive and anxiety symptoms, cognitive impairment, and adverse consequences. We investigated depressive-like behaviors in ovariectomized rats and ketamine's effect on this behavior.

Methods: Twenty-eight female Wistar adult rats were initially divided into two groups: ovariectomized (OVX) and sham surgery (SHAM).

Protracted alcohol abstinence induces analgesia in rats: Possible relationships with BDNF and interleukin-10.

Exposure to ethanol alters the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in central regions such as, the hippocampus, cortex and striatum. Moreover, chronic alcohol intake is known to induce selective neuronal damage associated with an increase in the inflammatory cascade, resulting in neuronal apoptosis and neurodegeneration. In the present study, we investigated the nociceptive response after 24h of protracted alcohol abstinence.