Tactile stimulation of adult rats modulates hormonal responses, depression-like behaviors, and memory impairment induced by chronic mild stress: Role of angiotensin II.

Physical touch can help to decrease the effects of stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of tactile stimulation on the hormonal and behavioral responses of young adult rats submitted to chronic mild unpredictable stress (CMS), considering the role of angiotensin II (Ang II). In Experiment 1, male rats were divided into 4 groups: control, stress, tactile stimulation (TS), and stress + TS.

Overexpression of urinary N-domain ACE in chronic kidney dysfunction in Wistar rats.

Local activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several renal disorders. In this study we investigated how chronic kidney disease (CKD) modulates RAS components in an experimental model. Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: sham, nephrectomized, and nephrectomized receiving losartan.

Metabolic profile of glycosaminoglycans in bladder and urethra of female rats during and after pregnancy.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The objective of this study is to evaluate pregnancy's action on glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) profile in bladder and urethra of female adult rats.

Methods: Twenty adult female rats were divided into four groups: control, day 10 pregnancy, day 20 pregnancy, and day 5 after delivery. Sulfated GAGs content were determined by densitometry.

[Prognostic value of plasmatic fibronectin and Child-Pugh classification in alcoholic cirrhotic patients. A comparative study].

Background: To assess the prognostic value of plasmatic fibronectin (FN), compared to numeric Child-Pugh classification and its biochemical parameters in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis followed prospectively during a 18 months-period.

Methods: Fifty patients with the diagnosis of cirrhosis by hepatic biopsy or clinical and biochemical criteria, were included in the study after the exclusion of hepatocarcinoma and GI bleeding, infection or continous alcohol ingestion in the last 30 days. The mean age was 51.