Choline-deprivation alters crucial brain enzyme activities in a rat model of diabetic encephalopathy.

Diabetic encephalopathy describes the moderate cognitive deficits, neurophysiological and structural central nervous system changes associated with untreated diabetes. It involves neurotoxic effects such as the generation of oxidative stress, the enhanced formation of advanced glycation end-products, as well as the disturbance of calcium homeostasis. Due to the direct connection of choline (Ch) with acetylcholine availability and signal transduction, a background of Ch-deficiency might be unfavorable for the pathology and subsequently for the treatment of several metabolic brain diseases, including that of diabetic encephalopathy.

Combined thirty-day exposure to thioacetamide and choline-deprivation alters serum antioxidant status and crucial brain enzyme activities in adult rats.

Choline (Ch) is an essential nutrient that seems to be involved in a wide variety of metabolic reactions and functions that affect the nervous system, while thioacetamide (TAA) is a well-known hepatotoxic agent. The induction of prolonged Ch-deprivation (CD) in rats receiving TAA (through the drinking water) provides an experimental model of mild progressive hepatotoxicity that could simulate commonly-presented cases in clinical practice. In this respect, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a 30-day dietary CD and/or TAA administration (300 mg/L of drinking water) on the serum total antioxidant status (TAS) and the activities of brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE), Na(+),K(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase of adult rats.

Effects of adult-onset streptozotocin-induced diabetes on the rat brain antioxidant status and the activities of acetylcholinesterase, (Na(+),K (+))- and Mg(2+)-ATPase: modulation by L-cysteine.

Uncontrolled diabetes is known to affect the nervous system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the antioxidant L: -cysteine (Cys) on the changes caused by adult-onset streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes on the rat brain total antioxidant status (TAS) and the activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), (Na(+),K(+))-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase. Thirty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: C(A) (8-week-control), C(B) (8-week-control + 1-week-saline-treated), C + Cys (8-week-control + 1-week-Cys-treated), D(A) (8-week-diabetic), D(B) (8-week-diabetic + 1-week-saline-treated) and D + Cys (8-week-diabetic + 1-week-Cys-treated).

Acute liver acetaminophen toxicity in rabbits and the use of antidotes: a metabonomic approach in serum.

The metabonomic approach has been widely used in toxicology to investigate mechanisms of toxicity. In the present study alterations in the metabolic profiles, monitored by (1)H-NMR spectroscopy, on serum samples in acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury in rabbits were examined. Furthermore, the effect of the established antidote N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and the proposed antidotes silybinin (SIL), cimetidine (CIM) and SIL/CIM was also investigated.

Effects of short-term exposure to manganese on the adult rat brain antioxidant status and the activities of acetylcholinesterase, (Na,K)-ATPase and Mg-ATPase: modulation by L-cysteine.

Manganese (Mn) is an essential metalloenzyme component that in high doses can exert serious oxidative and neurotoxic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effect of the antioxidant L-cysteine (Cys, 7 mg/kg) on the adult rat brain total antioxidant status (TAS) and the activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), Na+,K+-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase induced by short-term Mn administration (as Mn chloride, 50 mg/kg). Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: A (saline-treated control), B (Mn), C (Cys) and D (Mn and Cys).

Effects of choline-deprivation on paracetamol- or phenobarbital-induced rat liver metabolic response.

Choline is an essential nutrient that seems to be involved in a wide variety of metabolic reactions and functions in both humans and rodents. Various pathophysiological states have been linked to choline deprivation (CD). The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of CD upon biochemical, histological and metabolic alterations induced by drugs that affect hepatic functional integrity and various drug metabolizing systems via distinct mechanisms.

Effect of sibutramine on regional fat pads and leptin levels in rats fed with three isocaloric diets.

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate: a) the differential effect of the three main macronutrients on food intake, fat depots and serum leptin levels and b) the impact of sibutramine on the above parameters in rats fed ad libitum with three isocaloric diets.

Methods: Three groups of male Wistar rats (n = 63) were fed with a high fat diet (HFD), a high carbohydrate diet (HCD) or a high protein diet (HPD) for 13 weeks. In the last three weeks, each group was divided into three subgroups and received sibutramine (S) either at 5 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg, or vehicle.

Equilibrated diet restores the effects of early age choline-deficient feeding on rat brain antioxidant status and enzyme activities: the role of homocysteine, L-phenylalanine and L-alanine.

Choline is an essential nutrient that seems to be involved in a wide variety of metabolic reactions and functions, that affect the developing brain. The aim of this study was to: (a)examine the effects of early age choline deficient diet (CDD) administration on the total antioxidant status (TAS) and the activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), (Na(+),K(+))-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase in the rat brain, (b)investigate the effect of feeding restoration into an equilibrated diet on the above parameters, and (c)study the role of homocysteine (Hcy), L: -phenylalanine (Phe) and L: -alanine (Ala) in certain of the above effects. Male and female Wistar rats were continuously kept off choline (Ch) during their gestational period of life, as well as during the first 6 weeks of their post-gestational life.

Antinociceptive properties of 1,8-Cineole and beta-pinene, from the essential oil of Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves, in rodents.

1,8-cineole (cineole) and beta-pinene, two monoterpenes isolated from the essential oil obtained from Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn leaves were tested for antinociceptive properties. Tail-flick and hot-plate methods, reflecting the spinal and supraspinal levels, respectively, were used in mice and/or rats using morphine and naloxone for comparison. Cineole exhibited an antinociceptive activity comparable to that of morphine, in both algesic stimuli.

Effects of gestational and lactational choline deprivation on brain antioxidant status, acetylcholinesterase, (Na(+),K(+))- and Mg(2+)-ATPase activities in offspring rats.

Background: Choline plays an important role in brain development. Choline-deficient diet (CDD) is known to produce (among other effects) a decrease in acetylcholine in rat brains. The aim of our study was to investigate how CDD administration during gestation and lactation could affect total antioxidant status (TAS) and activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), (Na(+),K(+))- and Mg(2+)-ATPase in the brains of both male and female newborn and suckling (21-day-old) rats.

Effects of mu-CPP and mesulergine on dietary choices in deprived rats: possible mechanisms of their action.

Although it has been well established that compounds that stimulate 5-HT(2C) and/or 5-HT(1B) receptors induce hypophagia by promoting satiety process, the relative role of these receptor subtypes in dietary choices remains to be fully determined. m-CPP is considered a useful probe of 5-HT(2C) receptor function in vivo and its administration reduces food intake and appetite in humans and rats. Conversely, the non-selective 5-HT(2C) receptor antagonist mesulergine elicits feeding in rats.