Whey Protein and Its Components Lactalbumin and Lactoferrin Affect Energy Balance and Protect against Stroke Onset and Renal Damage in Salt-Loaded, High-Fat Fed Male Spontaneously Hypertensive Stroke-Prone Rats.

Background: Whey protein (WH)-enriched diets are reported to aid in weight loss and to improve cardiovascular health. However, the bioactive components in whey responsible for causing such effects remain unidentified.

Objective: We determined the effects of whey and its components [α-lactalbumin (LA) and lactoferrin (LF)] on energy balance, glucose tolerance, gut hormones, renal damage, and stroke onset in rats.

Intercellular Conduction Optimizes Arterial Network Function and Conserves Blood Flow Homeostasis During Cerebrovascular Challenges.

Objective: Cerebral arterial networks match blood flow delivery with neural activity. Neurovascular response begins with a stimulus and a focal change in vessel diameter, which by themselves is inconsequential to blood flow magnitude, until they spread and alter the contractile status of neighboring arterial segments. We sought to define the mechanisms underlying integrated vascular behavior and considered the role of intercellular electrical signaling in this phenomenon.

Magnetic resonance imaging detection of multiple ischemic injury produced in an adult rat model of minor stroke followed by mild transient cerebral ischemia.

Objectives: To determine whether cumulative brain damage produced adjacent to a minor stroke that is followed by a mild transient ischemia is detectable with MRI and histology, and whether acute or chronic recovery between insults influences this damage.

Materials And Methods: A minor photothrombotic (PT) stroke was followed acutely (1-2 days) or chronically (7 days) by a mild transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). MRI was performed after each insult, followed by final histology.

Combined damage produced by multiple mild cerebral insults assessed using MRI in neonatal rats.

Purpose: To determine whether damage to neonatal brain is exacerbated with multiple mild cerebral insults as detected with MRI and corroborated using histology.

Materials And Methods: The combined brain injury produced by multiple procedures was compared in neonatal rats having: Sham surgery at P5, Sham surgery at P5 plus a diffuse mild transient unilateral cerebral hypoxia ischemia (HI) at P7, HI alone, and a minor photothrombotic (PT) stroke at P5 followed by HI. MRI after the ischemic insults was followed by final histology.

Diets enriched in whey or casein improve energy balance and prevent morbidity and renal damage in salt-loaded and high-fat-fed spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rats.

High-fat diets induce obesity and increase risks of diabetes and cardiovascular and renal disorders. Whey- or casein-enriched diets decrease food intake and weight gain; however, their cardiovascular and renal benefits are unclear. We determined whether whey- and casein-enriched diets improve energy balance and are protective against renal damage and morbidity associated with stroke in an obesogenic and hypertensive experimental setting.