Oral Supplements of Combined Lactobacillus plantarum and Asparagus officinalis Modulate Gut Microbiota and Alleviate High-Fat Diet-Induced Cognitive Deficits and Neurodegeneration in Rats.

High-fat diet (HFD) consumption disrupts the gut microbiome, instigating metabolic disturbance, brain pathology, and cognitive decline via the gut-brain axis. Probiotic and prebiotic supplementation have been found to improve gut microbiome health, suggesting they could be effective in managing neurodegenerative disorders. This study explored the potential benefits of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum 20174 (L.

Hordeum vulgare ethanolic extract mitigates high salt-induced cerebellum damage via attenuation of oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neurochemical alterations in hypertensive rats.

High salt intake increases inflammatory and oxidative stress responses and causes an imbalance of neurotransmitters involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension that is related to the onset of cerebral injury. Using natural compounds that target oxidative stress and neuroinflammation pathways remains a promising approach for treating neurological diseases. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.

Nano-sized titanium dioxide toxicity in rat prostate and testis: Possible ameliorative effect of morin.

This study investigated the effect of short-term oral exposure to nano-sized titanium dioxide (nTiO) on Wistar rat prostate and testis, and the associating reproductive-related alterations. The study also evaluated the potential ameliorative effect of the natural flavonoid, morin, on nTiO-induced aberrations. Intragastric administration of nTiO (50mg/kg/day for 1, 2 and 3weeks) increased testicular gamma-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT) activity and decreased testicular steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and c-kit gene expression, serum testosterone level and sperm count.

Detection of early glaucomatous damage in pseudo exfoliation syndrome by assessment of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness.

Purpose: To detect early glaucomatous changes in pseudo exfoliative patients with normal intraocular pressure (IOP), visual field and optic nerve head appearance; by measuring retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Design: A prospective observational case-control study.

Participants: Twenty non-glaucomatous (normal IOP, fundus and visual field) pseudo exfoliative patients and 20 age matched healthy control subjects.