Female Spraque-Dawley Rats Research Articles

Microbiological Investigation of the Effects of Olanzapine with Timokinon on the Intestine

The aim of our study is to examine the effect of thymoquinone (TQ) in obese rats induced with an antipsychotic drug olanzapine (OL). Thirty-five female Spraque-Dawley rats were divided into five groups (n = 7): Control, OL (2 mg / kg OL daily), OL + TQ1 (2 mg / kg OL + 20 mg / kg TQ), OL + TQ2 (2 mg / kg OL + 40 mg / kg TQ) and the OL + TQ3 group (2 mg / kg OL + 80 mg / kg TQ). On the 15th day of treatment, intestinal tissue was removed for analysis. It has been found that TQ treatment affects the levels of Firmicutes and Bacteroides at varying rates in the intestinal flora in OL + TQ1, OL + TQ2 and OL + TQ3 groups, and also has a significant role in the apoptotic effect of TQ. In conclusion, with this study, it was determined that the treatment of TQ has a protective property against the side effects of OL. TQ can be an effective treatment method to increase therapeutic effectiveness.

The Influence of Supplementation with Zinc in Micro and Nano Forms on the Metabolism of Fatty Acids in Livers of Rats with Breast Cancer.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of zinc supplementation (in the form of nano or microparticles) on the profile and metabolism of fatty acids in the liver microsomes of rats with induced breast cancer. The activity of desaturases (Δ5, Δ6, Δ9) and the level of cholesterol and its oxidized derivatives were measured. The aim of this study was also to determine the effect of various forms of zinc supplements on rats that were on 5-, 12- and 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic (5-, 12- and 15-HETE) and hydroxyoctadecadienoic (HODE) acids, and the level of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Female Spraque-Dawley rats (n = 24) were divided into 2 groups that were supplemented with zinc in the micro form (342 nm) or nano form (99 nm) particles, respectively, and a group with a standard diet (control group). All animals received 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene twice for the induction of breast cancer. Dietary nano-Zn supplementation increased vaccenic acid content (p = 0.032) and decreased Δ6-desaturase activity (p = 0.006), whereas micro-Zn increased cholesterol (p = 0.006), ∑COPs (total cholesterol-oxidation products) (p = 0.019) and PGE2 (p = 0.028) content. Dietary enrichment with Zn microparticles resulted in lower concentrations of the metabolites 15-, 12- and 5-HETE and HODE. Our study indicates that the effect of zinc supplementation on the metabolism of fatty acids in the liver microsomes under neoplastic conditions depends on the form in which it is administered.

In vivo protective effect of rosemary ethanol extract on osteoporosis through regulation of osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption activity

Bone is dynamic tissue that is constantly destroyed or resorbed by osteoclasts and then replaced by osteoblasts in physiological process referred to as bone remodeling. In this study, the protective effect of rosemary ethanol extract (REE) on osteoporosis was investigated using RANKL-induced osteoclasts and ovariectomized rats. In animal study, the total of sixty 8 week-old female Spraque-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group and four ovariectomized (OVA) groups: OVA, OVA + 17β-estradiol (E2, 50 μg/kg/day) and OVA + REE (125 or 250 mg/kg/day). Daily oral administration of E2 or REE began 3 weeks after surgery and lasted for 12 weeks. REE inhibited the decrease in total BMD and BMC of the femur induced by OVA, which was accompanied by a significant reduction in bone remodeling. The bone turnover markers such as BALP, PICP, OPG, RANKL, TRAP, and ICTP were regulated by REE treatment. In addition, TRAP and bone resorption activity were dose-dependently by REE in RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation. In conclusion, the protective of REE on osteoporosis can be accomplished by attenuating RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption activity. These results indicate that REE may utilized as a therapeutic agent for the prevention of bone metabolism-related diseases as osreoporosis

The Effects of Ficus Carica Fruit on Bone Markers and Oestrogen Level of Post-Menopausal Osteoporotic Rats

Introduction: Post-menopausal osteoporosis is the most common type of osteoporosis, which occurs due to a deficiency of oestrogen following menopause. Considering the adverse effects of oestrogen replacement therapy, natural products may serve to replace the current conventional treatment. Ficus carica (FC) which is commonly known as fig may have a potential in treating post-menopausal osteoporosis due to their abundance of important minerals and bioactive compounds such as phenolic, flavonoid and anthocyanins. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of FC on bone metabolism of ovariectomized rats. Materials and Methods: Fifty-six female Spraque-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven groups; SHAM operated (SHAM), ovariectomized control (OVX), ovariectomized + 64.5 µg/kg oestrogen (ERT), ovariectomized + 50 mg/kg aqueous extract of FC (AQ50), ovariectomized + 100 mg/kg aqueous extract of FC (AQ100), ovariectomized + 50 mg/kg raw FC (RW50), and ovariectomized + 100 mg/kg raw FC (RW100). After eight weeks of treatments, rats were euthanized and femurs were dissected out to measure bone osteocalcin, Ctelopeptide of type 1 collagen and bone estrogen level. Results: RW50 and RW100 showed an increasing trend in osteocalcin levels and also oestrogen level, but no significant difference between all groups. RW50 and RW100 also showed significantly reduced C-telopeptide of type 1 collagen levels compared to OVX group. Conclusion: These findings suggested that raw FC at the doses of 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg have potential to improve bone in treating post-menopausal osteoporosis. However, this need to be confirmed with higher doses.

The effect of trimethazidine on mortality in an experimental acute pancreatitis model1.

Acute pancreatitis has a high morbidty and mortality. Its physiopathogenesis has not been enlightened up to the present. This study aims to investigate trimetazidine (antiischemic, antioxidant and cardioprotective agent) 's effects on the acute pancreatitis. In this study, four aqual groups are formed with 43 female Spraque-dawley type rats weighed between230-300 gr (mean 265 gr). 0.9% NaCl is injected intraperitoneally after laparotomy to the Group 1 (n=6). Group 2 (n=6) is control group that without any intervention. Acute pancreatitis is formed in Group 3 (n=16) via injection of Na-taurokolat in the common bile duct. Group 4 (n=15) is being formed pancreatitis and treated with Trimetazidine. In group 4 Trimetazidine 10 mg/kg/day drugs were given, 30 minutes, 24 and 72 hours after formation of acute pancreatitis, in three equal doses by orogastric way. In all groups, the rats have been laparatomised 72 hours later under general anesthesia and pancreas tissues has been extracted and studied histopathologically. Amylase, lipase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate transaminase, alanine tranaminase levels in the rats serum and superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, protein carbonyl, glutathione peroxidase levels in the rats tissue also have been looked up. Serum and tissue findings and histopathologically examination of the pancreas tissues show significant decrease in the treatment group compare to study group. Trimetazidine protects pancreas tissue and decreases the mortality by significantly lowering the biochemical and histopathological changes in the early stages of acute pancreatitis.

The protective effect of resveratrol against risperidone-induced liver damage through an action on FAS gene expression.

The purpose of the study is to examine the protective effect of resveratrol on the fatty acid synthase gene expression against the side-effects of risperidone in an experimental model in rat liver. In this study, thirty-five female Spraque-Dawley rats were divided into five groups (n = 7): Control, RIS (2 mg/kg risperidone daily), RSV1 (2 mg/kg risperidone + 20 mg/kg resveratrol), RSV2 (2 mg/kg risperidone + 40 mg/kg resveratrol), and RSV3 group (2 mg/kg risperidone + 80 mg/kg resveratrol). On treatment day 15, liver tissue was taken for analysis. The resveratrol treatment significantly reduced weight gain as opposed to the risperidone administration. Moreover, the fatty acid synthase gene expression level increased significantly in RSV1 group (p = 0.011). In addition, resveratrol enhanced the total antioxidant status, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and decreased alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total cholesterol, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, oxidative stress index, triglycerides, and total oxidant status levels significantly (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study revealed that treatment with resveratrol might protect liver tissue against the side--effects of risperidone over fatty acid synthase gene expression. Resveratrol could be an effective course of therapy for enhancing therapeutic efficacy.

The protective effect of resveratrol against risperidone-induced brain damage and metabolic side effects

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of resveratrol (RSV) against risperidone (RIS) on weight gain/loss via of the expression of some various neurotransmitter receptors. Materials and Methods: Thirty five female Spraque-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups (n=7): Control, RIS, RIS+RSV-1, RIS+RSV-2, RIS+RSV-3. Rats were treated orally with RIS (2 mg/kg/day) and RSV (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg/day) for 14 days. On treatment day 15, blood and brain tissues were removed for analysis. Results: The reduced neuropeptide Y1 expression levels in the RSV groups correlated with the RSV-induced weight loss. The Dopamine D1 receptor and seratonin 5-HT2c expression levels decreased significantly with RSV treatment. In addition, the RSV increased the glucose, triiodothyronine, tetraiodothyronine, and total antioxidant status, and decreased the cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoproteins, low density lipoproteins, thyroid-stimulating hormone, oxidative stress index, and total oxidant status levels significantly. Conclusion: The daily treatment with RSV increased the antioxidant capacity, protected the apoptotic cell injury, and the possibility of death. RSV could be an effective course of therapy to enhance therapeutic efficacy.

Design and Synthesis of Some Novel Estrogen Receptor Modulators as Anti-Breast Cancer Agents: In Vitro & In Vivo Screening, Docking Analysis.

A series of novel coumarin-chalcone hybrids have been synthesized in good yields and evaluated for their in vitro & in vivo anticancer activity. Cytotoxicity study was done against MCF-7 and Zr-75-1 human cancer cell lines. All compounds exhibited significant antiproliferative properties on both cell lines. The most active ER modulators found in in vitro screening are subjected for in vivo screened using methyl nitrosourea (MNU) induced mammary carcinoma in female spraque dawley rats. The Glide XP docking was performed for designed scaffold to optimize its structural requirement for ER-α inhibition.

The influence of locally applied granulocyte-colony stimulating factoron osteoporotic bone.

The compromised capacity of bone healing in osteoporotic population renders a serious concern of patients and clinicians. This study aimed to investigate the influence of G-CSF on bone reconstruction using an osteoporotic animal model. Sixty skeletal mature female Spraque-Dawley rats underwent bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) and were assigned into three groups (n=20). Three months after OVX, defects of 5mm in cranial and 2mm in femur were surgically created on all the animals. The defects were left unfilled, filled with gelatin sponge (GS), or filled with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) infused GS. Specimens were retrieved for histomorphometric and micro-CT analyses at weeks 1, 4, 8, and 12 after surgery. At early stage of week 1 to week 8, the histomorphometric and micro-CT analysis demonstrated more advanced bone formation in femur in the control group; by week 12, all groups achieved cortical closure. In cranial bone, more advanced bone formation was exhibited in G-CSF-treated group at both early and late stages, although this observation was not statistically significant. The results indicated that in osteoporotic bone, G-CSF may advance bone healing in cranial bone where spontaneous bone formation was insufficient.

Effect of maternal chronic intermittent hypoxia during gestation on offspring growth in the rat

Obstructive sleep apnea, a breathing disorder caused by the repetitive collapse of the upper airway during sleep, results in a state of chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH). Although the etiology and consequences of CIH are extensively investigated in the adult, the developmental ramifications of this disease process are unknown. This study was done to investigate the effect of CIH during gestation on offspring development. Pregnant female Spraque-Dawley rats were exposed to daily CIH throughout the gestational period. Postnatal day-1 offspring from CIH mothers were asymmetrically growth restricted, with decreased body weights and elevated brain-weight:liver-weight ratios. Furthermore, CIH newborns had elevated heart- and brain-weight:body weight ratios, and decreased liver-weight:body weight ratios. By adulthood, body weights of growth restricted offspring were significantly greater, as were the liver-weight:body weight ratios. CIH offspring also had greater body fat deposition, were hyperglycemic and had elevated plasma levels of insulin during development into adults. These data suggest that alteration of the maternal intrauterine environment by gestational CIH effects the long-term development of the offspring and increases the risk of the offspring to metabolic diseases in adulthood.

The effect of sibutramine on platelet morphology of Spraque‐Dawley rats fed a high energy diet

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Sibutramine on platelet ultrastructure and discuss the morphological observations in relation to known physiological effects of the compound. Six-week-old, female Spraque-Dawley rats were used in this study. The animals were placed on a high energy diet after which sibutramine administration followed. Blood was drawn on the day of termination and platelet rich plasma was obtained to prepare plasma smears for analysis. Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the ultrastructure of the platelets. Platelets of the Sibutramine-treated animals showed smooth surface with limited pseudopodia formation when compared with that of the control animals. Higher magnification of the platelet surface showed membrane tears and swelling, typically seen in necrotic cells. It can therefore be concluded from these results that Sibutramine alters the membrane morphology of platelets to that typical of necrotic cells.

Effect of curcumin on aortic changes in ovariectomized rats fed with repeatedly heated soy oil: a preliminary electron microscopic study.

Consumption of repeatedly heated soy oil has been linked with incidence of atherosclerosis particularly in oestrogen deficient states. In the present study, effect of curcumin extract on the prevention of atherosclerosis was evaluated. Forty eight female Spraque-Dawley rats (weighing 200-250 gm) were divided into eight groups. All groups were fed with 2% cholesterol diet. The sham control groups consisted of vitamin E free-RBD Olein (IV62) that acted as vehicle, and curcumin treated groups without undergoing ovariectomy. The other six groups were subjected to ovariectomy and later treated with vehicle-only, curcumin-only, once heated soy oil (1HSO) with vehicle, 1HSO with curcumin, five times heated soy oil (5HSO) with vehicle and 5HSO with curcumin. Curcumin was administered orally at a dose of 50 mg/kg which was commenced two weeks following ovariectomy. Following four months, the rats were sacrificed and serial sections of arch of aorta were harvested and processed for electron microscopic studies (EM). EM studies showed thickened tunica intima, fenestration of internal elastic lamina and migration of smooth muscle cells from tunica media to tunica intima in the ovariectomized control, 1HSO and 5HSO treated groups, with the latter being most prominent. There were no significant ultra structural changes in the curcumin-treated groups compared to the non-treated groups. Oral administration of curcumin at a dose of 50 mg/ kg body weight did not show any changes in the aorta of the ovariectomized rats fed with 2% cholesterol and heated soy oil.

261 ELUCIDATING MECHANISMS FOR RISK OF URINARY TRACT INFECTION WITH NEUROGENIC BLADDER

You have accessJournal of UrologyPediatrics: Basic Research1 Apr 2011261 ELUCIDATING MECHANISMS FOR RISK OF URINARY TRACT INFECTION WITH NEUROGENIC BLADDER Zarine Balsara, Patrick Seed, and Sherry Ross Zarine BalsaraZarine Balsara Durham, NC More articles by this author , Patrick SeedPatrick Seed Durham, NC More articles by this author , and Sherry RossSherry Ross Durham, NC More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2011.02.352AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Neurogenic bladder (NB) poses an increased risk for urinary tract infections (UTI) and progressive renal damage. Currently, there are no successful strategies to reduce incidence of recurrent UTI (rUTI). With the aim of developing new therapeutics, we report the development of a model of experimental E. coli UTI in spinal cord injured (SCI) rats. We hypothesized that SCI rats would require lower inocula of E. coli to establish infection, have an exaggerated inflammatory response, and have delayed clearance of infection compared to normally voiding rats. METHODS Following a 2-week recovery period from T10 spinal cord transection or sham surgery, female Spraque-Dawley rats were transurethrally inoculated with 107–108 colony forming units (CFU) of the prototypic E. coli cystitis strain, UTI89. At 24h post-infection (hpi), urine, bladders, and kidneys were harvested and plated to enumerate CFU. Histopathology was performed to score inflammation. RESULTS T10 transection resulted in a NB phenotype with elevated residual urine volumes that stabilized at 2.4ml (range = 0.5ml-6.0ml) at 2 weeks post-injury. An inoculum of 107 CFU produced infection in 82% of SCI animals. SCI and control rats had statistically equivalent CFU in all samples (Table 1) and similar inflammatory infiltrates, predominated by neutrophils. Intracellular bacterial communities (IBC), which are collections of bacteria that serve as intracellular foci for rapid bacterial replication protected from the host inflammatory response and antibiotics, were also found in the bladder epithelium of both groups. This demonstrates that the SCI epithelium retains competence for intracellular replication by E. coli. Table 1:. Recovery of E. coli UTI89 from genito-urinary organs of SCI and control rats at 24hpi SCI rats Control rats CFU/ml-organ(GeometricMean) 95%CI(Lower,Upper) CFU/ml-organ(GeometricMean) 95%CI(Lower,Upper) p-value(Mann-Whitney) Urine 1.08×106 3.18×104,3.67×107 1.04×106 2.00×102,2.80×1010 0.9479 Bladder 6.38×105 9.42×103,4.32×107 9.73×105 2.00×102,1.42×1010 0.9480 RightKidney 9.18×104 3.07×103,2.75×106 5.88×104 2.00×102,3.24×108 1.0000 LeftKidney 9.38×103 6.55×102,1.34×105 5.49×104 2.00×102,3.96×108 0.4727 CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that SCI and control rats have similar susceptibility to initiating UTI with E. coli. Other mechanisms, such as differences in clearance or establishment of persistent intracellular bacterial reservoirs, may account for higher rates of rUTI in patients with NB. Ongoing studies will address differences in clearance of infection and differential inflammatory responses between SCI and control rats. These studies will elucidate underlying mechanisms for increased rates of rUTI in NB and lay the groundwork for new antibiotic-sparing preventative therapies. © 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 185Issue 4SApril 2011Page: e105 Peer Review Report Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Zarine Balsara Durham, NC More articles by this author Patrick Seed Durham, NC More articles by this author Sherry Ross Durham, NC More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

The role of estrogen receptors, erbB receptors, vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors, and vascular endothelial growth inhibitor in the development of the rat mammary gland

We identified the localization and distribution of cell-specific epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs: erbB-1, erbB-2, erbB-3, erbB-4), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptors [VEGFRs: VEGF-R1 (flt-1), VEGF-R2 (flk-1/KDR), VEGF-R3 (flt-4)], vascular endothelial growth inhibitor (VEGI), and estrogen receptor (ER), and determined whether or not these growth factors in rat mammary glands are functional. Thirty-five adult female Spraque-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups, each of which were at the 7th, 14th, and 21st day of pregnancy; 7th day post-delivery; and 7th day after weaning. It was determined that erbB, VEGF and its receptors, VEGI, and ER stained at different intensities. Intense staining was observed, in particular, in erbB receptors during pregnancy and involution, and also in VEGF and its receptors during lactation, while ER stained during the last periods of pregnancy and lactation. In conclusion, the expression of erbB, VEGF and its receptors, and ER were determined at varying intensities at different sites of the mammary gland during pregnancy, lactation, and involution periods.

Combining gastric and ileal segments, does it overcome segment-related complications? An experimental study on rats

Bladder augmentation has revolutionized the care of children with neurogenic bladder but it is associated with certain short- and long-term complications. Using the combination of gastric and ileal segments to balance effects of these segments might be a solution for complications. A total of 39 female Spraque-Dawley rats randomly divided into four groups: ileocystoplasty (11), gastrocystoplasty (9), ileogastrocystoplasty (11) and control (8). Serum/urine electrolytes and pH values, and serum creatinine levels and urine mucus concentration were measured. Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric variance analysis was performed to compare the groups and p < 0.05 was accepted as significant. Metabolic alkalosis with significantly lower urine pH was observed in gastrocystoplasty group. Gastroileal group showed similar results with the ileal group in all parameters. No stone formation was detected in the sham and gastric cystoplasty groups. Metaplastic and hyperplastic changes were observed in all segments surrounding urothelium. In conclusion, combination of gastric and ileal segments does not significantly reduce the rate of metabolic impairments, stone and mucus formation. Besides it is not associated with significant improvement in histological outcome since urine is still in contact with the gastrointestinal mucosa.

The role of sialoadenectomy and epýdermal growth factor (EGF) in skin development

In this study, the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on skin development was investigated. A total of 24 adult female Spraque-Dawley rats were used in the study. The rats were divided into 3 equal groups as control, sialoadenectomy (SX) and sialoadenectomy+epidermal growth factor (SX+EGF). Sialoadenectomy was performed on the other groups except control. After a 21-day recovery period, subjects were made to mate. SX+EGF group rats were also given 12.5 ig/day EGF for each animal orally in the 16, 17th, 18th and 19th days of pregnancy. After pregnancy, the offsprings obtained were grown until the 28th day. All 28-day-old offsprings in all groups were weighed and sacrificed. Skin samples from interscapular region were examined under light and electron microscope. In light and electron microscopy, skin sections of SX group, atrophy in epiderm, hyperkeratosis, decrease in hair follicles and sebaceous glands, along with local thinning of basal membrane, hemidesmosome loss and necrotic cells were seen. In skin sections of SX+EGF group, the view was similar to controls. As a result, epidermal growth factor was concluded to have an important role in skin development.

Examination of Long Term Magnetic Fields on Rat Calvarial and Mandibular Bone Mass

ABSTRACTBy means of long term extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF), this study examined the effect of long term magnethic field on rat calvarian and mandibular bone mass.Fourty five female Spraque-Dawley rats were selected for the study. The rats were divided into 3 groups (n=15); ELF MF with 50Hz, 1.5mT was applied for 6 months, 4 hours/day. Total cranial and mandibular bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) of rats were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA; Discovery QDR series, Discovery A, Hologic, Inc.). Measurements were recorded for all groups before and after the applications, all data were collected and analyzed statistically.The variations in Group 1, before and after the ELF MF applications with respect to BMC and BMD were considered significant (p<.01, p<.001). The variations in Group 2, that has bone loss with respect to BMC and BMD were considered not significant (p>0.05). The variations in control group, Group 3, with respect to BMC and BMD were considered significant (p<0.05).

Muscarinic receptor activation in the lumbosacral spinal cord ameliorates bladder irritation in rat cystitis models

To investigate whether activation of spinal cholinergic pathways affects bladder activity in rats with chemical cystitis induced by acetic acid (AA) and cyclophosphamide (CYP). The effects of intrathecal (i.t.) application of neostigmine as an acetylcholine esterase (AChE) inhibitor, oxotremorine-M (OXO-M) as a muscarinic ACh receptor (mAChR) agonist or epibatidine as a nicotinic AChR (nACHR) agonist with or without atropine as a mAChR antagonist or mecamylamine (MEC) as a nAChR antagonist at the level of L6-S1 spinal cord on C-fibre mediated bladder irritation were examined by using continuous-infusion cystometry (0.1 mL/min) in urethane-anaesthetized female Spraque-Dawley rats. Bladder irritation was induced by intravesical AA (0.25%) or pretreatment with intraperitoneal injection of CYP (150 mg/kg) 24 h before cystometry. In control rats during intravesical saline, the effects of above drugs on the bladder activity were also examined. The intercontraction intervals (ICI) in AA- and CYP-treated rats were significantly shorter than those in control rats. Neostigmine (i.t.) significantly increased ICI dose-dependently without changing maximum voiding pressure in all groups. The mean (sem) maximal percentage increases in ICI after i.t. neostigmine as compared with the pretreatment value in control, AA- and CYP-treated rats were 93.2 (18.5)%, 117.5 (20.2)% and 200.7 (19.6)%, respectively. The percentage increases of ICI in the CYP-treated group were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those in the AA-treated or control groups. In all groups, pretreatment with atropine, but not MEC, almost completely antagonized the inhibitory effects of neostigmine. OXO-M produced almost the same effects as that of neostigmine in all groups. Conversely, i.t. epibatidine decreased the ICI in all groups and these excitatory effects were completely antagonized by pretreatment with MEC and significantly inhibited by pretreatment with MK-801(noncompetitive n-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist). These results indicate that accumulation of ACh by AChE inhibition in the spinal cord can ameliorate frequent urination in chemical cystitis via mAChRs, but not nAChRs.

Effect of intrauterine ischaemia-reperfusion injury on rat skin

It was previously demonstrated that decreased maternal blood flow might create impairment in skin development. The aim of this study was to show by means of lipid peroxidation the effect of intrauterine ischaemia-reperfusion injury on fetal rat skin. In total, 24 female Spraque-Dawley rats, 19 days pregnant, were used. They were separated into three groups (n = 8): a control group, a sham-operated group and an experimental group. Laparotomy was performed on all three groups. In the sham-operated and experimental groups, utero-ovarian artery dissection was performed in addition. In the experimental group, fetal ischaemia was induced by clamping the utero-ovarian artery bilaterally for 30 min, and reperfusion was achieved by removing the clamps for 60 min. At the end of the experiment, the fetuses were removed by caesarean section and skin specimens were taken from the fetuses. Lipid peroxidation in the skin tissues was determined as thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) concentration for each fetal rat. One-way ANOVA and post hoc tests were used for statistical analysis. The level of TBARS was significantly increased in the fetal rat skin after ischaemia-reperfusion injury compared with the control group. Lipid peroxidation has an important role in intrauterine ischaemia-reperfusion-induced fetal skin damage in rats.

N-Acetylcysteine Prevents Deleterious Effects of Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury on Healing of Colonic Anastomosis in Rats

This study was designed to determine the effects of intraperitoneally or orally administered N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on wound healing following resection and anastomosis of a colon segment with ischemia/reperfusion injury. Forty female Spraque-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to one of four groups containing 10 rats each: (1) normal resection plus anastomosis; (2) ischemia/reperfusion plus resection plus anastomosis; (3) ischemia/reperfusion plus resection plus anastomosis plus intraperitoneal NAC; (4) ischemia/reperfusion plus resection plus anastomosis plus oral NAC. Group comparison showed that the anastomosis bursting pressure was significantly higher in group 3 than in the other groups. The mean tissue hydroxyproline concentration in the anastomotic tissue was significantly lower in group 2 than in the other groups. The collagen deposition was significantly increased on day 7 in groups 3 and 4 compared to the other groups. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that NAC significantly prevents the effects of reperfusion injury on colonic anastomoses in a rat model.