Hours Of Food Deprivation Research Articles

Features of Klotho Protein Expression in Rat Kidneys in Experimental Hyperglycemia Against the Background of Pharmacological Correction with GABA Derivatives

The aim is to identify the features of Klotho protein expression in the epithelium of the convoluted tubules of the kidney during prolonged experimental hyperglycemia and pharmacological correction with GABA derivatives. Material and methods. The study used 50 mongrel male rats (initial weight: 330,0–360,0 g) with streptozotocin diabetes lasting 6 months. 6 months after the injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg), animals with a glycemic level of ≥ 15 mmol/l were included in the study (after 4 hours of food deprivation), then GABA derivatives (aminalon, mefargine, succicard) were administered orally for 30 days. Proteinuria and serum creatinine concentrations were evaluated. After euthanasia, kidney tissue was fixed in buffered neutral formalin and examined using immunofluorescence microscopy. The intensity of the glow was evaluated based on a visual-analog scale. Results. In the group with chronic hyperglycemia without treatment, there was a significant increase in the protein content in daily urine and serum creatinine levels (p<0,05). In the group of animals with chronic hyperglycemia without treatment, there was a significant decrease in the expression of Klotho protein compared to the group of intact animals during immunofluorescence analysis. In the group treated with the GABA derivative succicard, there was an improvement in the functional state of the kidneys, accompanied by a significant increase (p≤0,0001) in the area of Klotho-positive material in the epithelium of the convoluted tubules of the kidney in relation to the group of animals with prolonged hyperglycemia without treatment. Conclusion. Prolonged hyperglycemia causes severe renal dysfunction in rats with streptozotocin diabetes: an increase the proteinuria and serum creatinine levels is accompanied by a decrease in the expression of Klotho protein in the kidneys. The GABA derivative succicard with course administration improves kidney function and this effect is accompanied by an increase in the expression of Klotho protein.

The Effect of an Aerobic Exercise Period on Levels of Depression and Interleukin- 6 Cytokine During Pregnancy and Postpartum in NMRI Mice

Background and Objectives Depression during pregnancy is a common mental disorder that has many side effects, including a disorder of the immune system. Recently, the available evidence supports the use of aerobic exercise interventions in reducing depressive symptoms in mothers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an aerobic exercise period on levels of depression and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration during pregnancy and postpartum in NMRI female mice. Methods In this experimental and baseline study, 40 female NMRI mice with an approximate age of 80- 90 days and a weight of 22-25 g were divided into four groups: Non Exercise in Pregnancy, Non Exercise in Postpartum, Exercise in Pregnancy, Exercise in Postpartum. After seeing the vaginal plaque and confirming the day of pregnancy of the animals, two running wheels were placed inside the cage of each pregnant animal for aerobic activity. In order to induce depression during pregnancy and postpartum, pregnant mice from day 5 to 19 of pregnancy were exposed to stress for three sessions a day, and to assess depression levels, the rate of delay in access to food after 24 hours of food deprivation was measured in seconds. At the end of the protocol, blood samples were taken from the heart to assess IL-6 and the data were analyzed using one-way Analysis of variance (ANOVA) . Results According to the findings of this study, moderate and low intensity aerobic exercise during pregnancy as well as in the postpartum period led to a significant decrease in levels of depression (P<0.05) and concentration of IL-6 as an inflammatory cytokine in trained mice compared to sedentary mice (P<0.05). Conclusion This results of the present study showed, the aerobic activity used was able to reduce the levels of depression and the concentration of inflammatory factor IL-6 during pregnancy and postpartum. Therefore, low-intensity aerobic activity can probably be used as a non-pharmacological intervention during this period to reduce depressive symptoms and improve immune function.

High-intensity interval resistance training (HIIRT) improves liver gluconeogenesis from lactate in Swiss mice.

High-intensity physical exercise favors anaerobic glycolysis and increases lactatemia. Lactate is converted back to glucose in the liver, so that the lactate threshold, an indicator of physical performance, must be related to the gluconeogenic capacity of the liver. This research assessed the effect of a high-intensity interval resistance training (HIIRT) on liver gluconeogenesis from lactate. Swiss mice were trained (groups T) on vertical ladder with overload of 90% of their maximal load. Control animals remained untrained (groups C0 and C8). In situ liver perfusion with lactate and adrenaline was performed in rested mice after 6 hours of food deprivation. There were larger outputs of glucose (T6, 71.90%; T8, 54.53%) and pyruvate (T8, 129.28%) (representative values for 4 mM lactate) in the groups trained for 6 or 8 weeks (T6 and T8), and of glucose in the presence of adrenaline in group T8 (280%). The content of PEPCK, an important regulatory enzyme of the gluconeogenic pathway, was 69.13% higher in group T8 than in the age-matched untrained animals (C8). HIIRT augmented liver gluconeogenesis from lactate and this might improve the lactate threshold. Novelty: The liver metabolizes lactate from muscle into glucose. Physical training may enhance the gluconeogenic capacity of the liver. As lactate clearance by the liver improves, lactate threshold is displaced to higher exercise intensities.

The effect of 6 weeks moderate intensity endurance training on skeletal muscle fibrosis in diabetic rats

Background: Diabetes leads to both structural and functional dysfunction in the tissues and causes problems such as fibrosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 6 weeks moderate intensity endurance training on skeletal muscle fibrosis in diabetic rats. Methods: Twenty eight adult male wistar rats in the weight range of 200-250gr, randomly assigned to four equal groups: diabetes and training, diabetes control, healthy and training, healthy control. After twelve hours of food deprivation, intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin solution method was used. Two weeks after STZ injection, the moderate intensity endurance training protocol was performed for six weeks. Twenty four hours after the last training session, soleus and EDL muscles were dissected. Mason’s trichrome staining method was used for analysis of fibrosis. Results: Compared with the healthy control group, diabetes caused a significant increase in fibrosis in soleus muscle (P=0.002) and extensor digitorum longus muscle (P=0.048). Also, endurance training resulted in significant reduction of fibrosis in soleus muscle in the Diabetes and training group compared to the diabetes control group (P=0.043), but endurance training did not have a significant effect on fibrosis of the extensor digitorum longus muscle (P=0.341). The exercise also significantly reduced blood glucose levels in the diabetic group compared to the control group. Conclusion: It seems that moderate intensity endurance training could inhibit from muscle fibrosis caused by diabetes. So, it is suggested that moderate intensity endurance training could be used as a non-pharmacotherapy intervention for inhibition of fibrosis in diabetic patient’s muscles.

Optimization of food deprivation and sucrose preference test in SD rat model undergoing chronic unpredictable mild stress.

BackgroundThe chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model has long been considered the best model for exploring the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying depression. However, there are no widely recognised standards for strategies for modeling and for behavioral testing. The present study aimed to optimize the protocols for food deprivation and the sucrose preference test (SPT) for the CUMS model.MethodsWe first evaluated the effects of different long periods of food deprivation on the body weight of Sprague Dawley (SD) rats by testing food deprivation for 24 hours (8:00‐8:00+), food deprivation for 12 hours during the daytime (8:00‐20:00) and food deprivation for 12 hours at night (20:00‐8:00+). Next, we established a SD rat CUMS model with 15 different stimulations, and used body weight measurement, SPT, forced swim test (FST), open field test (OFT) and Morris water maze (MWM) test to verify the success of the modeling. In the SPT, consumption of sucrose and pure water within 1 and 12 hours was measured.ResultsTwelve hours of food deprivation during the daytime (8:00‐20:00) had no effect on body weight, while 12 hours of food deprivation at night (20:00‐8:00+) and 24 hours of food deprivation (8:00‐8:00+) significantly reduced the mean body weight of the SD rats. When SPT was used to verify the successful establishment of the CUMS rat model, sucrose consumption measured within 12 hours was less variable than that measured within 1 hour.ConclusionsTwelve hours of food deprivation in the daytime (8:00‐20:00) may be considered a mild stimulus for the establishment of a CUMS rat model. Measuring sucrose consumption over 12 hours is recommended for SPT.

Effects of opioid receptor ligands in rats trained to discriminate 22 from 2 hours of food deprivation suggest a lack of opioid involvement in eating for hunger

It is well accepted that opioids promote feeding for reward. Some studies suggest a potential involvement in hunger-driven intake, but they suffer from the scarcity of methodologies differentiating between factors that intersect eating for pleasure versus energy. Here, we used a unique food deprivation discrimination paradigm to test a hypothesis that, since opioids appear to control feeding reward, injection of opioid agonists would not produce effects akin to 22 h of food deprivation. We trained rats to discriminate between 22 h and 2 h food deprivation in a two-lever, operant discrimination procedure. We tested whether opioid agonists at orexigenic doses produce discriminative stimulus effects similar to 22 h deprivation. We injected DAMGO, DSLET, or orphanin FQ in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN), a site regulating hunger/satiety, and butorphanol subcutaneously (to produce maximum consumption). We assessed the ability of the opioid antagonist, naltrexone, to reduce the discriminative stimulus effects of 22 h deprivation and of the 22 h deprivation-like discriminative stimulus effects of PVN-injected hunger mediator, neuropeptide Y (NPY). In contrast to PVN NPY, centrally or peripherally injected opioid agonists failed to induce discriminative stimuli similar to those of 22 h deprivation. In line with that, naltrexone did not reduce the hunger discriminative stimuli induced by either 22 h deprivation or NPY administration in 2 h food-restricted subjects, even though doses used therein were sufficient to decrease deprivation-induced feeding in a non-operant setting in animals familiar with consequences of 2 h and 22 h deprivation. We conclude that opioids promote feeding for reward rather than in order to replenish lacking energy.

Rebound Feeding in the Wake of Short-Term Suspension of Food Intake Differs in the Presence of Estrous Cycle Peak versus Nadir Levels of Estradiol.

BackgroundShort-term interruption of feeding is ordinary in modern life but negatively impacts appetite control and body weight. Estradiol (E) imposes long-term inhibitory tonus on food consumption; however, E influence on energy repletion secondary to food deprivation (FD) is unclear. This study investigated the hypothesis that E signal strength regulates hyperphagic responses to FD of varying duration.MethodsOvariectomized female rats were implanted with E-containing silastic capsules (30 [E-30] or 300 µg [E-300]/mL) to replicate plasma concentrations at cycle nadir versus peak levels.ResultsData show that food intake was increased equally in E-30 and E-300 rats after 12 hours of food deprivation (FD-12); yet, FD of 18 hours (FD-18) amplified refeeding by E-300 versus E-30. Caudal fourth ventricular administration of the 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibitor compound C (Cc) did not modify FD-induced hyperphagia in E-30 (regardless of FD interval) or E-300 animals exposed to FD-12, but diminished refeeding after FD-18 in E-300 rats. Cc-reversible hyperglycemia occurred in refed FD-18 groups. Serum insulin was resistant to FD-12 plus refeeding, but was elevated by AMPK-dependent mechanisms in refed E-300 FD-18 rats; equivalent Cc-insensitive decrements in circulating leptin occurred in all FD groups.ConclusionCurrent results show that estrous cycle peak, but not baseline, E levels engage hindbrain AMPK signaling to intensify hyperphagia in response to prolongation of FD. Observations of hindbrain AMPK-dependent hyperglycemia, alongside elevated insulin secretion, in refed rats exposed to FD-18 implicate this sensor in insulin resistance mechanisms of glucose partitioning in response to this metabolic imbalance.

Does Endurance Training Compensate for Neurotrophin Deficiency Following Diabetic Neuropathy?

BackgroundA lack of neurotrophic support is believed to contribute to the development of diabetic neuropathy. On the other hand, neurotrophins have consistently been shown to increase in the central and peripheral nervous system following exercise, but the effects of exercise intervention on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in diabetic neuropathy are not understood.ObjectivesThis experimental study was designed and carried out at the Tarbiat Modares university (TMU) in Tehran, Iran, to investigate the hypothesis that increased activity as endurance training can help to increase the endogenous expression of neurotrophins in diabetic rats.MethodsThis was an experimental study with 2 × 2 factorial plans performed at TMU in Iran. Sampling was accidental and 28 adult male Wistar rats in the body mass range of 326.3 ± 8.4 g comprised the sample, with each rat randomly assigned to four groups: diabetic control (DC), diabetic training (DT), healthy control (HC), and healthy training (HT). To induce diabetic neuropathy, after 12 hours of food deprivation, an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) solution (45 mg/Kg) method was used. Two weeks after STZ injection, the endurance training protocol was performed for 6 weeks; 24 hours after the last training session, the rats were sacrificed. Real-time PCR was used for BDNF and NGF expression.ResultsThe data indicate that diabetes decreases BDNF and NGF expression in sensory (92%, P = 0.01; 90%, P = 0.038, respectively) and motor (93%, P = 0.05; 60%, P = 0.029, respectively) roots. However, NGF mRNA levels in the DT group were significantly higher than in the HC group ((7.1-fold), P = 0.01; (2.2-fold), P = 0.001, respectively, for sensory and motor roots), but this was not shown for BDNF. In addition, endurance training can increase NGF expression in healthy rats ((7.4-fold), P = 0.01; (3.8-fold), P = 0.001, respectively, for sensory and motor roots).ConclusionsThis study shows that BDNF and NGF expression decreases in diabetic neuropathy. However, this decrease can be reversed through endurance training. These results also indicate that endurance training may have a potential role in compensating for neurotrophin deficiency following diabetic neuropathy.

A high-fat diet combined with food deprivation increases food seeking and the expression of candidate biomarkers of addiction.

A mouse model has been developed to study the effect of dietary fat combined with food deprivation periods on palatable food seeking and on the expression of three potential addiction biomarkers in the nucleus accumbens: fumarate hydratase (FH), ATP synthase subunit alpha (ATP5a1) and transketolase (TKT). Forty C57BL/6 J male mice, four-week old, were fed either with a high-fat (HF) diet or standard diet along the experiment. After 3 weeks of differential feeding, animals underwent a two-week training period of two daily sessions where visual cues were paired either to palatable food (chocolate cereals) or no food at all. This training was prolonged one more week with similar, one daily sessions preceded by 12 hours of food deprivation. A behavioural test was finally conducted where mice were confined for 30 minutes either in food unpaired compartments or in compartments previously paired with cereals, but now with empty food trays. Total activity during this behavioural test and serum corticosterone levels right after it were similar in all experimental groups. Mice tested in food-paired compartments showed a marked preference for the empty food tray that gradually disappeared in standard diet-fed individuals but persisted in HF-fed mice. HF-fed mice also overexpressed FH, ATP5a1 and TKT, which positively correlated with the persistence of preference for the empty food tray. It is suggested that HF diets combined with food deprivation may enhance food seeking behaviours while upregulating FH/ATP5a1/TKT, which are further envisaged as biomarkers of addiction.

A prospective audit of preprocedural fasting practices on a transplant ward: when fasting becomes starving.

To investigate the prevalence and duration of preprocedural medically ordered fasting during a period of hospitalisation in an Australian population of patients with hepatic cirrhosis or following liver transplantation and to identify potential solutions to reduce fasting times. Protein-energy malnutrition is a common finding in patients with hepatic cirrhosis and can impact significantly on survival and quality of life. Protein and energy requirements in patients with cirrhosis are higher than those of healthy individuals. A significant feature of cirrhosis is the induction of starvation metabolism following seven to eight hours of food deprivation. Many investigative and interventional procedures for patients with cirrhosis necessitate a period of fasting to comply with anaesthesia guidelines. An observational study of the fasting episodes for 34 hospitalised patients with hepatic cirrhosis or following liver transplantation. Nutritional status was estimated using subjective global assessment and handgrip strength. The prevalence and duration of fasting practices for diagnostic or investigational procedures were estimated using electronic records and patient notes. Thirty-three patients (97%) were malnourished. Twenty-two patients (65%) were fasted during the observation period. There were 43 occasions of fasting with a median fasting time of 13·5 hours. On 40 occasions fasting times exceeded the maximum six-hour guideline recommended prior to the administration of anaesthesia by the majority of Anaesthesiology Societies. The majority of procedures (77%) requiring fasting occurred after midday. Eating breakfast on the day of the procedure reduced fasting time by 45%. Medically ordered preprocedural fasting times almost always exceed existing guidelines in this nutritionally compromised group. Adherence to fasting guidelines and eating breakfast before the procedure can reduce fasting times significantly and avoid the potential induction of starvation metabolism in this nutritionally at risk group.

Knockdown of central ghrelin O-acyltransferase by vivo-morpholino reduces body mass of rats fed a high-fat diet

The enzyme ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT) activates the orexigenic peptide ghrelin by transferring an acyl group from fatty acids to the serine-3 residue of the ghrelin molecule. This allows ghrelin to bind to its only known receptor, the growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a (GHSR1a). While studies have examined the hypothalamic transcriptional response of GOAT to metabolic challenge in mice, little has been examined in the rat hypothalamus. Furthermore, it has not been possible to identify the role of central GOAT separate from that of the periphery, since previous studies either knocked out GOAT system-wide or administered a GOAT inhibitor intraperitoneally. To determine if central GOAT expression is modulated by changes in energy state, we subjected rats to either forty-eight hours of food deprivation or three weeks of food restriction and found that GOAT mRNA increases significantly in both the hypothalamus and the stomach fundus in response to both metabolic challenges. We also found increases in hypothalamic ghrelin mRNA and stomach GHSR1a mRNA in response to food deprivation, as well as increases in hypothalamic GHSR1a mRNA in response to food restriction. We then conducted a second study where we continuously infused amorpholino antisense oligonucleotide into the lateral ventricles of rats to knock-down GOAT centrally while the animals were exposed to a high fat diet. Our results show that rats receiving the GOAT antisense gained less weight, and decreased their caloric efficiency when eating a high fat diet compared to control animals. These data suggest that central GOAT plays a role in modulating metabolism in rats.

Re‐Feeding Food‐Deprived Male Meadow Voles Affects the Sperm Allocation of Their Rival Males

An individual's nutritional status affects the manner in which same- and opposite-sex conspecifics respond to that individual, which may affect their fitness. Male meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus, increase their sperm allocation if they encounter the scent mark of an unfamiliar male that is not nutritionally challenged. If, however, the scent mark comes from a male that has been food deprived for 24 hours, stud male voles do not increase their sperm allocation. Food deprived males may be viewed as being lower quality and a reduced risk of sperm competition by rival males. We hypothesized that stud males in promiscuous mating systems tailor their sperm allocations depending on whether rival males have been food deprived and then re-fed. We predicted that newly re-fed males will be considered a strong risk of sperm competition because of the potentially high fitness and survival costs associated with food deprivation in males, and that they will cause stud males to increase their sperm allocation. Our results, however, showed that the recovery period from 24 hours of food deprivation was a relatively slow process. It took between 96 hours and 336 hours of re-feeding male scent donors that were food deprived for 24 hours to induce stud males to increase their sperm allocation to levels comparable to when scent donors were not food deprived. Stud male voles may be conserving the amount of sperm allocated until the male scent donors have recovered from food deprivation and subsequent re-feeding.

Starvation Compromises Paneth Cells

Lack of enteral feeding, with or without parenteral nutritional support, is associated with increased intestinal permeability and translocation of bacteria. Such translocation is thought to be important in the high morbidity and mortality rates of patients who receive nothing by mouth. Recently, Paneth cells, important constituents of innate intestinal immunity, were found to be crucial in host protection against invasion of both commensal and pathogenic bacteria. This study investigates the influence of food deprivation on Paneth cell function in a mouse starvation model. Quantitative PCR showed significant decreases in mRNA expression of typical Paneth cell antimicrobials, lysozyme, cryptdin, and RegIIIγ, in ileal tissue after 48 hours of food deprivation. Protein expression levels of lysozyme and RegIIIγ precursor were also significantly diminished, as shown by Western blot analysis and IHC. Late degenerative autophagolysosomes and aberrant Paneth cell granules in starved mice were evident by electron microscopy, Western blot analysis, and quantitative PCR. Furthermore, increased bacterial translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes coincided with Paneth cell abnormalities. The current study demonstrates the occurrence of Paneth cell abnormalities during enteral starvation. Such changes may contribute to loss of epithelial barrier function, causing the apparent bacterial translocation in enteral starvation.

Hematological profile of beef cattle with divergent residual feed intake, following feed deprivation

The objective of this work was to characterize the hematological profiles of steers and bulls, according to residual feed intake (RFI), after feed deprivation. Twenty‑month‑old Nellore steers and bulls were fed feedlot diets for 70 and 56 days, respectively. RFI was calculated as the difference between actual feed intake and expected feed intake. More and less efficient steers and bulls, according to RFI, were subjected to 24 hours of food deprivation. Blood was sampled prior to and following the withdrawal period. Hematological analyses included total and differential white blood cell count, red blood cell count and morphology, and plasma glucose concentration. Variation in RFI did not influence plasma glucose concentration or blood cell profiles. Glucose concentrations in bulls decreased from 114 to 97 mg dL‑1, but remained unchanged in steers, and the neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio increased from 0.39 to 0.57 following deprivation. Hematological profiles do not differ between more and less efficient steers and bulls, according to RFI.

Expression and Regulation of the Fkbp5 Gene in the Adult Mouse Brain

BackgroundChronic stress has been found to be a major risk factor for various human pathologies. Stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is tightly regulated via, among others, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). The activity of the GR is modulated by a variety of proteins, including the co-chaperone FK506 binding protein 51 (FKBP5). Although FKBP5 has been associated with risk for affective disorders and has been implicated in GR sensitivity, previous studies focused mainly on peripheral blood, while information about basal distribution and induction in the central nervous system are sparse.Methodology/Principal FindingsIn the present study, we describe the basal expression pattern of Fkbp5 mRNA in the brain of adult male mice and show the induction of Fkbp5 mRNA via dexamethasone treatment or different stress paradigms. We could show that Fkbp5 is often, but not exclusively, expressed in regions also known for GR expression, for example the hippocampus. Furthermore, we were able to induce Fkbp5 expression via dexamethasone in the CA1 and DG subregions of the hippocampus, the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and the central amygdala (CeA). Increase of Fkbp5 mRNA was also found after restrained stress and 24 hours of food deprivation in the PVN and the CeA, while in the hippocampus only food deprivation caused an increase in Fkbp5 mRNA.Conclusions/SignificanceInterestingly, regions with a low basal expression showed higher increase in Fkbp5 mRNA following induction than regions with high basal expression, supporting the hypothesis that GR sensitivity is, at least partly, mediated via Fkbp5. In addition, this also supports the use of Fkbp5 gene expression as a marker for GR sensitivity. In summary, we were able to give an overview of the basal expression of fkbp5 mRNA as well as to extend the findings of induction of Fkbp5 and its regulatory influence on GR sensitivity from peripheral blood to the brain.

Decreased exploratory activity in a mouse model of 15q duplication syndrome; implications for disturbance of serotonin signaling.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have garnered significant attention as an important grouping of developmental brain disorders. Recent genomic studies have revealed that inherited or de novo copy number variations (CNVs) are significantly involved in the pathophysiology of ASDs. In a previous report from our laboratory, we generated mice with CNVs as a model of ASDs, with a duplicated mouse chromosome 7C that is orthologous to human chromosome 15q11-13. Behavioral analyses revealed paternally duplicated (patDp/+) mice displayed abnormal behaviors resembling the symptoms of ASDs. In the present study, we extended these findings by performing various behavioral tests with C57BL/6J patDp/+ mice, and comprehensively measuring brain monoamine levels with ex vivo high performance liquid chromatography. Compared with wild-type controls, patDp/+ mice exhibited decreased locomotor and exploratory activities in the open field test, Y-maze test, and fear-conditioning test. Furthermore, their decreased activity levels overcame increased appetite induced by 24 hours of food deprivation in the novelty suppressed feeding test. Serotonin levels in several brain regions of adult patDp/+ mice were lower than those of wild-type control, with no concurrent changes in brain levels of dopamine or norepinephrine. Moreover, analysis of monoamines in postnatal developmental stages demonstrated reduced brain levels of serotonin in young patDp/+ mice. These findings suggest that a disrupted brain serotonergic system, especially during postnatal development, may generate the phenotypes of patDp/+ mice.

The Effects of Vitamin C Administration, Acute Food Deprivation, and Acute Food Intake on Vitamin C Levels in Different Brain Areas of Guinea Pigs

Vitamin C is crucial for the brain. We aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin C administration following 24 hours of acute food deprivation and 24 hours of acute food intake on changes in vitamin C levels in different brain areas of guinea pigs. Vitamin C was administered as a single intraperitoneal dose (500 mg kg(-1) body weight) both before acute food deprivation and before acute food intake. At the end of our study, we measured the vitamin C levels in cerebral cortex lobes, brain stem structures, hypophysis, hypothalamus, cerebellum, hippocampus, and amygdala. Vitamin C levels in the frontal and parietal lobes were found to be significantly higher in animals pretreated with vitamin C prior to 24 hours of food deprivation (p < 0.05). Temporal lobe vitamin C level was significantly lower in animals that were subjected to 24 hours of acute food intake following 24 hours of food deprivation (p < 0.05). Increased vitamin C levels were observed in the occipital lobe of all animals that received vitamin C administration (p < 0.05). Vitamin C levels in the brain stem structures such as mesencephalon and pons were significantly decreased in animals pretreated with vitamin C before normal feeding (p < 0.05). Vitamin C level in the hypothalamus was significantly increased after 24 hours of food deprivation (p < 0.05). In conclusion, different areas of the brain may differ in terms of vitamin C content during nutritional changes with or without vitamin C pretreatment, such as 24 hours of food deprivation or 24 hours of food intake following 24 hours of food deprivation. These differences may be attributed to several functions of vitamin C which may occur under these circumstances.

Decreased expression of Paneth cell antimicrobial peptides coincide with bacterial translocation after starvation

The lack of enteral feeding, with or without parenteral nutritional support has been reported to result in increased translocation of bacteria, which is considered to play an important role in the high morbidity and mortality rates of critical illnesses such as acute pancreatitis. Recently, Paneth cells, important constituents of the innate intestinal immunity, were shown to be crucial in host protection against invasion of both commensal and pathogenic bacteria.This study investigates the influence of food deprivation on Paneth cell function and small intestinal integrity. Significant decreases in RNA expression of lysozyme (p&lt; 0.01), cryptdin (p&lt; 0.05) and RegIIIγ (p&lt;0.05) were seen after 48 hours of food deprivation in C57BL/6 mice (n=15/group). Accordingly, protein expression of lysozyme and the precursor form of RegIIIγ were also shown to decrease significantly (p&lt;0.01, p&lt;0.05 respectively). Furthermore, increased bacterial translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes occurred (p&lt;0.01), while HE staining showed normal intestinal architecture, distribution and expression of respectively tight junction proteins zonula occludens‐1 and claudin‐3 were unchanged.In conclusion, the current study demonstrates that enteral starvation causes Paneth cell dysfunction paralleled by increased bacterial translocation without disturbances of the small intestinal physical barrier.

The endocannabinoid system as a link between homoeostatic and hedonic pathways involved in energy balance regulation

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) and, in particular, cannabinoid CB(1) receptors, their endogenous agonists (the endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol) and enzymes for the biosynthesis and degradation of the latter mediators are emerging as key players in the control of all aspects of food intake and energy balance. The ECS is involved in stimulating both the homoeostatic (that is, the sensing of deficient energy balance and gastrointestinal load) and the hedonic (that is, the sensing of the salience and the incentive/motivational value of nutrients) aspects of food intake. The orexigenic effects of endocannabinoids are exerted in the brain by CB(1)-mediated stimulatory and inhibitory effects on hypothalamic orexigenic and anorectic neuropeptides, respectively; by facilitatory actions on dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens shell; and by regulating the activity of sensory and vagal fibres in brainstem-duodenum neural connections. In turn, the levels of anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol and/or CB(1) receptors in the brain are under the control of leptin, ghrelin and glucocorticoids in the hypothalamus, under that of dopamine in the limbic forebrain and under that of cholecystokinin and ghrelin in the brainstem. These bi-directional communications between the ECS and other key players in energy balance ensure local mediators such as the endocannabinoids to act in a way coordinated in both 'space' and 'time' to enhance food intake, particularly after a few hours of food deprivation. Alterations of such communications are, however, also among the underlying causes of overactivity of the ECS in hyperphagia and obesity, a phenomenon that provided the rationale for the development of anti-obesity drugs from CB(1) receptor antagonists.

Nursing for 46 patients undergoing computed tomographic virtual enteroscopy

Objective To summarize the nursing experiences of 46 patients before and after the examination of computed tomographic virtual enteroscopy. Methods The patients accepted 10 hours of food deprivation before the examination, and water deprivation 2 hours before the examination. Patients with constipation orally took 50% magnesium sulfate or polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder for intestinal cleaning 10 hours before the examination. Before the examination all patients took iodine allergy test. Inserting gastric canal to descending duodenum, and venting 1 000 ～ 1 200 ml air through the gastric canal to the small intestine were conducted. The patients accepted another 2 hours of food deprivation after the examination, and symptomatic treatments were given to patients with the side effects of abdominal distension, vomiting and nausea. Results During the examination of the 46 patients undergoing computed tomographic virtual enteroscopy, no complication appeared. Conclusions The key point is to insert the gastric canal to the descending duodenum. Key words: Computed tomographic virtual euteroscopy; Nursing care