Selenium supplementation during pregnancy and lactation promotes metabolic changes in Wistar rats' offspring.

Epidemiological and animal studies have demonstrated a strong association between selenium (Se) supplementation and metabolic disorders, we aimed to evaluate whether maternal Se supplementation was able to change metabolic parameters in rats' offspring. Moreover, as Se is a deiodinase (DIO) cofactor, we decided to investigate how thyroid hormones (THs) would be involved in such metabolic changes. Thereby, two groups (n = 6, ~250 g) of female Wistar rats underwent isotonic saline or sodium selenite (1 mg/kg, p.

Social stress-induced hypothyroidism is attenuated by antidepressant treatment in rats.

Although serotonergic system has been classically implicated in mood modulation, there has been relatively little study on the relationship between this system and thyroid hormones (TH) economy in stress models. When TH are studied, the effects of stress on thyroid function seems to be complex and depend on the kind and time of stress which counts for the elusiveness of mechanisms underlying changes in TH economy. Herein, we hypothesized that serum TH are affected in a time-dependent fashion after repeated social stressful stimuli and serotonergic system is implicated in these changes.

Study of GABAA receptors on the sleep-like behavior in Coturnix japonica (Temminck Schlegel, 1849) (Galliformes: Aves).

The present study was carried out to investigate the influence of GABAA signaling on sleep-like behaviors through systemic administration of bicuculline and picrotoxin (GABAA antagonists) and thiopental (an allosterical modulator). A thiopental (20 mg/kg) injection increased the eye closure frequency compared to the control group. The birds quickly became sleepy with a low frequency of early behavioral stages, such as rapid oral movement (ROM), feather ruffling and blinking.

New bisphosphorothioates and bisphosphoroamidates: synthesis, molecular modeling and determination of insecticide and toxicological profile.

A series of new compounds, N,N'-bis(dialkylphosphoryl)diamines and S,S'-bis(dialkylphosphoryl)-1,3-propanedithiols were prepared by a Todd-Atherton like reaction of dialkylphosphites with symmetrical diamines and 1,3-propanedithiols in a biphasic system [F.R. Athertoon, H.

Phytochemical and pharmacological study of Sedum dendroideum leaf juice.

The fresh juice from leaves of Sedum dendroideum Moc & Sessé (Crassulaceae) is used in Brazilian traditional medicine for the treatment of gastric and inflammatory disorders. The present investigation was carried out to evaluate in vivo antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of this plant material. The oral administration (0.

A reassessment of the role of serotonergic system in the control of feeding behavior.

The role of serotonergic system in the feeding behavior was appraised by electrolytic lesions in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and administration of para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA, 3 mg/5 microl, icv). Chronic evaluations were accomplished through 120 and 360 days in PCPA-injected and DRN-lesioned rats, respectively. Acute food intake was evaluated in fasted rats and submitted to injection of PCPA and hydroxytryptophan (LHTP, 30 mg/kg, ip).

Brain serotonin depletion enhances the sodium appetite induced by sodium depletion or beta-adrenergic stimulation.

We investigate the influence of brain serotonin depletion on the sodium appetite. Rats depleted of serotonin through the systemic administration of p-chlorophenylalanine (300 mg/kg, ip, for 2 days) showed an intense natriorexigenic response induced by sodium depletion (furosemide, 20 mg/kg, sc, 24 h before water and 1.8% NaCl presentation).