Normal Diet Rats Research Articles

An increase in alveolar fluid clearance induced by hyperinsulinemia in obese rats with LPS-induced acute lung injury

A lower mortality rate is observed in obese patients with acute lung injury (ALI), which is referred to as the obesity paradox, in several studies and recent meta-analyses. Hyperinsulinemia is characterized as the primary effect of obesity, and exogenous insulin attenuates LPS-induced pulmonary edema. The detailed mechanism responsible for the effect of hyperinsulinemia on pulmonary edema and alveolar filling needs to be elucidated. SD rats were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) for a total of 14 weeks. SD rats were anesthetized and intraperitoneally injected with 10 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS), while control rats received only saline vehicle. Insulin receptor antagonist S961 (20 nmol/kg) was given by the tail vein and serum, and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase-1 (SGK-1) inhibitor EMD638683 (20 mg/kg) was administrated intragastrically prior to LPS exposure. The lungs were isolated for the measurement of alveolar fluid clearance. The protein expression of epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) was detected by Western blot. Insulin level in serum was significantly higher in HFD rats compared with normal diet rats in the presence or absence of LPS pretreatment. Hyperinsulinemia induced by high fat feeding increased alveolar fluid clearance and the abundance of α-ENaC, β-ENaC, and γ-ENaC in both normal rats and ALI rats. Moreover, these effects were reversed in response to S961. EMD638683 prevented the simulation of alveolar fluid clearance and protein expression of ENaC in HFD rats with ALI. These findings suggest that hyperinsulinemia induced by obesity results in the stimulation of alveolar fluid clearance via the upregulation of the abundance of ENaC in clinical acute lung injury, whereas theses effects are prevented by an SGK-1 inhibitor.

Kukoamine B Ameliorate Insulin Resistance, Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Other Metabolic Abnormalities in High-Fat/High-Fructose-Fed Rats.

BackgroundObesity is characterized by excessive body fat, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, which increases the chances of developing chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases, some types of cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. Kukoamine B (Kuk B) is a spermine alkaloid obtained from Lycium chinense, and it has been shown to possess antidiabetic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic effect of Kuk B on high-fat diet/high-fructose (HFDFr)-induced insulin resistance and obesity in experimental rats.Materials and MethodsRats were fed with either normal rat diet or HFDFr for 10 consecutive weeks. The groups that were fed with HFDFr received Kuk B (25 and 50 mg/kg) from the beginning of the 6th week to the 10th week. After treatment, the effect of Kuk B on body weight, food, water intake, insulin, blood glucose, serum biochemical parameters, hepatic oxidative stress (malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and proinflammatory cytokine (interleukin (IL)-6, interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)) levels was determined. Histopathological analysis of the liver tissues was also performed.ResultsHFDFr-fed rats showed a significant increase in body weight, fasting blood glucose, insulin, lipid accumulation and liver function enzymes. In addition, HFDFr diet increased hepatic MDA, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 and decreased hepatic SOD, CAT and GSH-Px activities. On the other hand, Kuk B significantly attenuated body weight, insulin resistance, lipid accumulation, oxidative stress and inflammation.ConclusionThese results indicated that Kuk B showed protective effect against HFDFr-induced metabolic disorders by downregulating lipid accumulation, oxidative stress and inflammatory factors.

Maternal exposure to a high-fat diet showed unfavorable effects on the body weight, apoptosis and morphology of cardiac myocytes in offspring.

The study intends to explore the functions of maternal high-fat diet exposure on progeny weight and heart. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, fed on a high-fat diet, were used to establish a model of weight gain before and during pregnancy. The body and cardiac weight of neonatal, 1-month- and 3-month-old rats were measured. The morphology of myocardial cells was observed by hemotoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The expression of caspase-3, 8, 9 was measured by qRT-PCR and western blot. Normal pregnant rats, fed on a high-fat diet throughout pregnancy, had a significant increase in body and cardiac weight of their neonates, and more fat deposition in myocardial cells and an increased expression of caspase-3, 8, 9, compared with that of the normal pregnant rats + normal diet group. These phenomena were relieved through later diet control. Pregnant rats, which fed on a high-fat diet throughout pregnancy, showed more adverse effects on neonatal body and cardiac weight, myocardial cell fat deposition, and the expression of caspase-3, 8, 9, compared with pregnant rats exposed to high-fat diet + normal diet and pregnant rats exposed to high-fat diet + normal diet + exercise. These phenomena cannot be fully restored via controlling later diet. Our results stated that a proper diet before and during pregnancy was important for the cardiac health of offspring.

Modification of lung endoplasmic reticulum genes expression and NF-kB protein levels in obese ovalbumin-sensitized male and female rats

AimsPrevious studies showed a close relationship between obesity and asthma. In this study, we investigated the expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress genes in the lung tissue of obese ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized male and female rats. Main methodsThe rats were divided into eight groups (n = 5 per group) as follows: female and male rats fed with normal diet (FND and MND, respectively), female and male OVA-sensitized rats fed with normal diet (F-OND and M-OND, respectively), female and male rats fed with high-fat diet (F-HFD and M-HFD, respectively), female and male OVA-sensitized rats fed with high-fat diet (F-OHFD and M-OHFD, respectively). All rats were fed with a high-fat diet or standard pelts for 8 weeks, and for another 4 weeks, they were sensitized by OVA or saline. At the end of the study, lung tissue NF-kB protein level was assessed, and ER stress markers genes expression was determined by Real Time-PCR. Key findingOVA-sensitization and diet-induced obesity caused the curve of methacholine concentration-response to shift to the left. In addition, the results indicated that the EC50 (the effective concentration of methacholine generating 50% of peak response) in F-OHFD rats was statistically lower than that of the M-OHFD group (p < 0.05). Moreover, the results showed that diet-induced obesity increased the expression of ATF4, ATF6, GRP78, XBP-1, and CHOP as well as the protein level of NF-kB in this experimental model of asthma, markedly in the F-OHFD group. SignificanceThe results suggest that ER stress may be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma observed in obese OVA-sensitized rats, especially in the female animals.

Vaspin antagonizes high fat-induced bone loss in rats and promotes osteoblastic differentiation in primary rat osteoblasts through Smad-Runx2 signaling pathway

BackgroundVisceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor (vaspin), an adipose-derived hormone, exhibits various biological functions. Recently, studies showed that vaspin is closely related to bone metabolism. However, how vaspin influences bone formation and its underlying mechanisms in high fat-induced obese rats and rat primary osteoblasts (OBs) are not fully understood. In this study, the effects of vaspin on bone mechanical parameters and microarchitecture were evaluated.MethodsA total of 40 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at 5-week old were fed with high fat diet (HFD) and normal diet (ND) for 12 weeks followed by treatment of vaspin for 10 weeks. Micro CT and three-point bending tests were conducted to evaluate bone microstructure and biomechanics. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), Osterix (Osx), Collegen alpha1 (Colla1) procollagen I N-terminal peptide (PINP), C-telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), Smad2/3 and p-Smad2/3 was detected by different methods.ResultsOur data indicated that, compared with ND rats, HFD rats exhibited high body weight, decreased bone strength and deteriorative bone quality. In contrast, vaspin reduced the body weight, improved the whole body metabolic status, enhanced bone strength, trabecular bone mass, and expression of Runx2, Osx, PINP, and decreased the expression level of plasma CTX. In vitro studies showed that vaspin promoted osteogenic differentiation and ALP activity in rat primary OBs in a dose dependent manner. Vaspin also upregulated mRNA expression of osteogenesis-related genes Runx2, Osx and Colla1 and protein expression of Runx2, Smad2/3 and p-Smad2/3.ConclusionsOur results indicated that vaspin protects against HFD-induced bone loss, and promotes osteogenic differentiation by activating the Smad2/3-Runx2 signaling pathway.

Effects of exercise on biological trace element concentrations and selenoprotein P expression in rats with fructose-induced glucose intolerance.

In the present study, we investigated the effects of exercise intended to prevent or treat lifestyle-related diseases on the glucose tolerance, insulin level, lactic acid utilization, muscle glycogen synthesis, hepatic and renal oxidative stress, hepatic selenoprotein P and biological trace element levels in organs of obese, glucose-intolerant rats. We fed normal, healthy rats a 20% casein diet while the glucose-intolerant, obese rats received a high-fructose diet. They were forced to run for one hour per day, six days per week, for ten weeks. Exercise reduced visceral fat and ameliorated glucose tolerance in the high-fructose group, lowered blood lactic acid levels, improved lactic acid usage efficiency, and increased oxidative stress and hepatic levels of Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn in the normal and high-fructose groups. Additionally, exercise significantly upregulated hepatic selenoprotein P expression in both groups, however, its effect was remarkable in healthy group. On the other hand, muscle glycogen synthesis was not markedly enhanced in high-fructose-diet rats but in normal-diet rats in response to exercise. It is concluded that exercise conditions rather than exercise load must be customized and optimized for each health and disease states in advance before starting exercise training intended to prevent or treat lifestyle-related diseases.

Nanoemulsification of Rice Bran Wax Policosanol Enhances Its Cardio-protective Effects via Modulation of Hepatic Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor gamma in Hyperlipidemic Rats.

Policosanol, a mixture of long-chain alcohols found in animal and plant waxes, has several biological effects including lipid-lowering that have been extensively studied. However, its bioavailability is low. To investigate the effect of nanoemulsified rice bran wax policosanol (NPOL) on plasma homocysteine, heart and liver histology in hyperlipidemic rats, high-fat diet containing 2.5% cholesterol was used to induce hyperlipidemia in Sprague Dawley rats. The hyperlipidemic rats were treated with NPOL and rice bran wax policosanol (POL) in comparison with normal diet (ND), high-cholesterol diet (HCD) and simvastatin-treated rats. Plasma homocysteine, heart and liver histology, and hepatic mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG) were evaluated. The NPOL group, similar to the simvastatin group, showed reduced plasma homocysteine, preserved heart and liver histology, and down-regulated hepatic PPARG mRNA in comparison to the control group, and was better than the POL group. The results suggest that the modest effect of NPOL on homocysteine and preservation of heart and liver histology could be through the regulation of PPARG expression on a background of increased assimilation of rice bran wax policosanol.

Effects of a High-Fat Diet on Neuroinflammation and Apoptosis in Acute Stage After Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats.

A high-fat diet (HFD) is correlated with a higher risk of metabolic syndrome. The effect of HFD on neuroinflammation and apoptosis in acute stage after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats is not well known. Five-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed a HFD or normal diet (ND) for 8weeks. Anesthetized male SD rats were divided into two subgroups: sham-operated and TBI. Motor function was measured using an inclined plane. The numbers of apoptotic neurons (markers Neu-N, TUNEL, caspase-3), activated astrocytes (marker GFAP) and microglia (marker OX42), and TNF-α expression in microglia and astrocytes in the ischemic cortex were investigated using an immunofluorescence assay. All of the parameters were measured on the 3rd day after TBI. Rats fed a HFD for 8weeks had higher body weight, serum cholesterol, and triglycerides. TBI-induced motor deficits, neuronal decrease, neuronal apoptosis, astrocyte and microglia activation, and TNF-α expression in microglia and astrocytes in the ischemia cortex were significantly increased in ND and HFD rats compared to sham rats. However, these parameters were not significantly different between the ND and HFD TBI groups, except motor deficit. HFD has no significant effects on neuronal apoptosis or neuroinflammation in acute stage compared with ND for 8weeks after moderate TBI in experimental rats.

Dapagliflozin not only improves hepatic injury and pancreatic endoplasmic reticulum stress, but also induces hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes expression in obese rats.

With an increasing prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome, exploring the effects and delineating the mechanisms of possible therapeutic agents are of critical importance. We examined the effects of SGLT2 inhibitor-dapagliflozin on insulin resistance, hepatic gluconeogenesis, hepatic injury and pancreatic ER stress in high-fat diet-induced obese rats. Male Wistar rats were fed with normal diet (ND) or high-fat diet for 16 weeks. Then high-fat rats were given vehicle (HF) or dapagliflozin (1 mg/kg/day; HFDapa) or metformin (30 mg/kg/day; HFMet) for another 4 weeks. We found that dapagliflozin ameliorated high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance. The fasting plasma glucose level was comparable among groups, although dapagliflozin treatment led to substantial glycosuria. Hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes, PEPCK, G6Pase and FBPase, expression was not different in HF rats compared with ND rats. Meanwhile, dapagliflozin-treated group exhibited the elevation of these enzymes in parallel with the rise of transcription factor CREB, co-factor PGC1α and upstream regulator SIRT1. Hepatic oxidative stress, inflammation and NAFLD activity score as well as hepatic and pancreatic ER stress and apoptosis in obese rats were attenuated by dapagliflozin. We conclude that dapagliflozin improved obesity-related insulin resistance, hepatic and pancreatic injury independent of fasting plasma glucose level. Of note, dapagliflozin-induced glycosuria apparently triggered the up-regulation of hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes to prevent hypoglycemia.

Aging induced by D-galactose aggravates cardiac dysfunction via exacerbating mitochondrial dysfunction in obese insulin-resistant rats.

The prevalence of obesity and an aging population are increasing worldwide. Both obesity and aging are independently known to be associated with cardiac dysfunction. However, in obese insulin-resistant subjects, the effects of aging on metabolic status and cardiac and mitochondrial functions are not completely understood. We hypothesized that in the obese insulin-resistant condition, aging induced by D-galactose increases cardiac senescence markers and aggravates the impairment of metabolic parameters, cardiac and mitochondrial function, and increases oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy. Sixty-four male Wistar rats were fed with either normal diet (ND) or high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks. Then, rats were divided into vehicle groups (0.9% NSS, subcutaneous injection (SC)) or D-galactose groups (150 mg/kg/day, SC). After 0.9%NSS or D-galactose treatment for 4 weeks and 8 weeks, metabolic and cardiac functions were determined. The heart was then removed to determine mitochondrial functions and enable biochemical studies. After 4 weeks of D-galactose injection, ND rats treated with D-galactose (NDD4), HFD rats treated with vehicle (HFV4), and HFD rats treated with D-galactose (HFD4) had reduced cardiac function, impaired cardiac mitochondrial function and autophagy, and increased oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Interestingly, after 8 weeks, HFD rats treated with D-galactose (HFD8) had the worst impairment of cardiac and mitochondrial function, autophagy, and apoptosis in comparison to the other groups. Aging induced by D-galactose aggravated cardiac dysfunction in obese insulin-resistant rats through the worsening of cardiac mitochondrial function, autophagy, and increased apoptosis in a time-dependent manner.

Effects of di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and high-fat diet on lipid metabolism in rats by JAK2/STAT5.

Exposure to di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) induces lipid metabolism disorder and high-fat diet (HD) may have joint effects with DEHP. We aim to clarify the role of JAK2/STAT5 pathway in the process and reveal the effects of HD on the toxicity of DEHP. Wistar rats (160 animals) were fed with HD or normal diet (ND) respectively and exposed to DEHP 0, 5, 50, and 500 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks. Lipid levels, as well as the morphology of liver and adipose, mRNA levels, and protein levels of JAK2, STAT5A, STAT5B, FAS, ap2, and PDK4 were detected. The results showed that DEHP exposure leads to increased weight gain. The JAK2/STAT5 pathway was activated in adipose after DEHP exposure and promoted the expression of FAS, ap2, and PDK4 in ND rats. While in the liver, JAK2 was inhibited, and lipid synthesis and accumulation were increased. However, rats exposed to DEHP in combination with HD showed a complete disorder of lipid metabolism. Therefore, we conclude that DEHP affects lipid metabolism through regulating the JAK2/STAT5 pathway and promotes adipogenesis and lipid accumulation. High-fat diet may have a joint effect with DEHP on lipid metabolism disorder.

The Effect of Dietary Calcium Loading on Some Heamorheological Parameters of Albino Wistar Rats

The effect of dietary calcium loading and it’s haemorheological changes in albino rats were determined using different methods, depending on the different haemorheological parameters studied. Westergren tubes was used to determine Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), microhaematocrit centrifuge was used in the determination of Pack Cell Volume (PCV), while Sahli Haemoglobinometer tube was used to determine the hemoglobin concentration (HB) of the blood. Blood samples were collected into EDTA bottles. 15 albino wistar rats of average weight of 300g were randomly divided into three groups of A, B and C, with each group containing five rats. Group B and C were feed on salt loading diet (2, 4, 6 and 8g calcium chloride diet) and their haemorheological parameters were compared to the control on normal rat diet for a period of eight weeks. Blood samples were obtained from the tail of the rats and the haematocrit, erythrocyte and packed cell volume were determined in both groups. Blood samples were analyzed within 2 hours of collection. The result showed significant increase in haematocrit value (PCV) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), although not too significant. There was a significant increase in hemoglobin concentration in rats on salt loaded diets compared to control (P&lt;0.05)This study shows that increase in these haemorheological parameters in association with chronic salt loading, hence suggest a role played by chronic salt ingestion in the etiology of hypertension.

Effect of Synthetic Red Dye Orange Red and Natural Red Dye Alizarin on Biochemical and Hematological Parameters in Male Wistar Rats

Nowadays synthetic food dyes are mostly preferred than natural plant derived dyes due to low cost and intense coloration. In this study hematological and biochemical parameters were determined in male wistar rats after 30 days treatment with synthetic red dye orange red and natural plant derived red dye alizarin. 25 male wistar rats were divided into 5 groups with 5 animals per group. Group I rats were taken as control treated with normal rat diet and distilled water. Group II and III rats (experimental) were oral gavaged with 50 mg and 150 mg/kg body weight of alizarin dye. Group IV and V rats (experimental) were gavaged with 50 mg and 150 mg/kg body weight of orange red dye. Treatment of group V rats with 150 mg/kg body weight of orange red dye produce significant changes in RBC, Hb, Hct, MCH, serum aminotransferase enzymes and serum protein fraction. In comparison to this in group IV rats a significant change was observed only in Hb, serum aminotransferase enzymes and serum protein fraction when compared with control (group I) rats. However in group II and III alizarin treated rats no significant change was observed in different biochemical and hematological parameters relative to their respective control. In conclusion synthetic orange red dye proved to be more toxic than natural plant derived red dye alizarin.

Antiobesity, Regulation of Lipid Metabolism, and Attenuation of Liver Oxidative Stress Effects of Hydroxy-α-sanshool Isolated from Zanthoxylum bungeanum on High-Fat Diet-Induced Hyperlipidemic Rats.

Zanthoxylum bungeanum is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used to relieve pain, dispel dampness, stop diarrhea, and prevent itching. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiobesity and hypolipidemic effects of hydroxy-α-sanshool (HAS) isolated from Z. bungeanum on hyperlipidemic rats. Wistar rats (n = 48) were randomly divided into six groups: (1) normal diet rats (ND), (2) high-fat diet- (HFD-) treated rats, (3) HFD+fenofibrate-treated rats (HFD+FNB), (4) HFD+low dose of HAS-treated rats (HFD+LD, 9 mg/kg), (5) HFD+middle dose of HAS-treated rats (HFD+MD, 18 mg/kg), and (6) HFD+high dose of HAS-treated rats (HFD+HD, 36 mg/kg). The body weight and food intake of the rats were recorded during the treatment period. After 4 weeks of HAS treatment, abdominal adipose tissues were observed and total cholesterol (T-CHO), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-C) of serum and liver tissues were determined. Furthermore, histochemical examinations using oil red O and hematoxylin-eosin staining (H&E) were carried out and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the liver were determined. After HFD feeding, the body weight gain and food efficiency ratio of HFD rats were significantly enhanced (p < 0.05vs. ND rats) and HAS treatment (18 and 36 mg/kg) significantly decreased the body weight gain and food efficiency ratio (p < 0.05vs. HFD rats). In addition, HAS treatment could decrease the abdominal adipose tissues and liver adipocytes. Furthermore, HAS treatment significantly decreased the T-CHO, TG, and LDL-C, whereas it increased HDL-C (p < 0.05vs. HFD rats) in serum and the liver. HAS treatment increased the GSH level and SOD activity in the liver (p < 0.05vs. HFD rats), whereas it decreased the levels of MDA (p < 0.05vs. HFD rats). mRNA analyses suggested that HAS treatment increases the expression of Pparg (proliferator-activated receptor γ) and Apoe (peroxisome apolipoprotein E). Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting indicated that HAS stimulation increased the levels of PPARγ and APOE in the liver, as a stress response of the body defense system. These results revealed that HAS exerts antiobesity and hypolipidemic activities in HFD rats by reducing liver oxidative stress and thus could be considered as a potential candidate drug to cure or prevent obesity and hyperlipidemia.

Effects of different intensity interval exercise of 6 weeks on body composition of obese rats

To investigate the effects of different intensity intermittent exercise on the body function of obese rats, and to provide basis for the prevention and treatment of obesity. Eighty SD rats were randomly divided into normal diet group (n=20) and high-fat diet group (n=60). After adaptive feeding for 8 weeks, 8 normal diet rats and 32 high-fat obese rats were selected for follow-up experiments. The experimental rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=8): control diet-sedentary (CS),with ordinary feed and without any exercise; high diet-sedentary (HS), with high-fat feed feeding and without any exercise; high diet-continual exercise(HC), 60 min/day,5 days/week with 6 weeks; high diet-long time-low frequency interval exercise(HLL), 30 min/time,twice/day (intermittent 6 h), 5 days/week with 6 weeks; high diet-short time-high frequency interval exercise(HSH), 20 min/ time, 3 times/d (intermittent 3 h), 5 days/week with 6 weeks. The training intensity of rats in each exercise group was 25 m/min. After 6 weeks, rats in each groups were weighed, and resting metabolic rate(RMR), fasting blood glucose(FBG), triglyceride(TG) and other biochemical indexes were detected, and fat and muscle weight were measured. Before experiment, there were no significant differences in RMR, FBG and TG in each groups(P＞0.05).The body weight of HSH, HLL, HC and HS groups was higher than that of CS group (P＜0.05). After the experiment, RMR of the HSH,HLL and HC groups was significantly higher than that of HS and CS groups (P＜0.05), but without significant difference among the HSH,HLL and HC groups (P＞0.05).The body weight of HSH, HLL and HC groups was significantly lower than that of HS group (P＜0.05), but the three groups was not significant (P＞0.05); perirenal fat(PF), idymis fat(EF), perirenal fat/weight(PF/W) and epididymis fat/weight(EF/W) of HSH, HLL, HC group were significantly lower than those of HS group (P＜0.01), while there was no statistical difference among the three groups (P＞0.05). There was no significant difference in gastrocnemius(GM) and quadricep(QF) of each group (P＞0.05), gastrocnemius/weight(GM/W) and quadriceps/weight (QF/W) in HSH,HLL and HC groups were higher than those of HS group (P＜0.05),while there was no significant difference among HSH,HLL and HC groups (P＞0.05);FEB,TG of HSH,HLL,HC group were lower than those of CS and HS group (P＜0.05),but the difference with HS group was more significant (P＜0.01),there was no significant difference among training groups(P＞0.05). 6 weeks of intermittent exercise of different intensity had a good intervention effect on the body composition of obese rats, and high diet-short time-high frequency interval exercise (HSH) may be more effective.

Effects Of Dietary And Hiit On Lipid Metabolism Of The Liver Tissue In Obese Rats

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of diet and High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on body mass gain, serum inflammatory markers and hepatic lipid metabolism of obese rats. METHOD: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with a normal standard diet (N) or a high fat diet (H; 45% kcal as fat) for eight weeks without exercise stimuli. Obese rats were defined as increased at least 20% body weight than normal diet rats. Normal diet rats were then continue fed with a normal diet (N), and half of obese rats were fed with a normal diet (ON), while the other half were continue fed with a high-fat diet (OH). Each diet type group was then divided into two subgroups, control (NC, ONC, OHC groups) and High Intensity Interval training (NHI, ONHI, OHHI groups) (n=10-12). The HIIT training consisted of a swimming exercise performed over eight weeks. RESULTS: Obese high fat diet rats showed greater body weight, visceral adipose mass, serum lipid levels (LDL, TG, TC), and inflammatory markers(MCP-1,IL-1β,TNF-α)in values than normal diet rats, but were significantly reduced with HIIT, but this phenomenon was not observed in obese normal diet rats, except MCP-1. In addition, compared to normal rats, OHC group rats exhibited high levels of hepatic wet weight and liver triglycerides, but not in ONC group. HIIT significantly deceased liver TG content compared with control groups, which consistent with liver oil red O stain images. Moreover, compare to the control groups, mitochondrial CS activity and the biogenesis marker PGC-1α expression were upregulated with HIIT in obese high fat diet rats, meanwhile, the activity of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation enzymes, include CPT-1α,β-HAD were significantly increased in HIIT groups. However, the activity of LPL and FAT/CD36 enzymes, which are key regulators of tissue fatty acid uptake from plasma were not changed with HIIT. CONCLUSION: HIIT was shown to be effective in controlling body weight, adiposity levels and serum lipid contents in high-fat diet fed obese rats, HIIT displayed positive effects on mitochondrial lipid oxidation enzyme activities and significantly attenuated lipid accumulation of liver tissue in obese rats. Additionally, diet and exercise was more effective than exercise alone in reducing body weight, VAT mass, serum inflammatory and liver TG content.

Synergistic effects of the capsaicinoid nonivamide and rosuvastatin on obesity-related endothelial dysfunction in rat fed a high-fat diet.

Capsaicinoid nonivamide (PAVA) and rosuvastatin (RSV) have been shown to exert antioxidant and anti-obesity effects in various animal models, but it is unknown whether their combination would be an effective treatment for obesity-related endothelial dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of PAVA in synergy with RSV. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given a high-fat diet (HFD) or normal diet during a 20-week period. At 16weeks, rats in each diet group were divided into subgroups. Normal diet rats were divided into Normal diet control, Normal diet with PAVA, and Normal diet with RSV groups. HFD rats were subdivided into HFD control, HFD with PAVA, HFD with RSV, and HFD with PAVA+RSV groups and evaluated for metabolic parameters, blood pressure, aortic function, and histological change of the aorta in rats. Our results showed the combined therapy had a significantly greater effect than the monotherapy in all measured parameters; this was indicated by improvement in insulin sensitivity and aortic function, decreased blood pressure, lower oxidative stress, and prevention of vascular damage. The synergistic effect of the PAVA and RSV can protect HFD-induced obesity-related endothelial dysfunction, suggesting that the combination of PAVA and RSV could be an effective alternative treatment for obesity-related complications in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Dietary fluted pumpkin seeds induce reversible oligospermia and androgen insufficiency in adult rats

ABSTRACTSome components of the human diets are believed to be promising male contraceptive agents. The present study examined the antispermatogenic efficacy, reversibility and toxicity of fluted pumpkin seed-supplemented diet (DFPS) in adult male Wistar rats. Adult rats were given DFPS at 2.5, 5 and 10% for 60 days followed by 60 days post-treatment period. The control animals received normal standard rat diet not supplemented with fluted pumpkin seeds. The sperm quality variables, testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), oxidative status of the testis, steroidogenic enzymes and gamma-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) activities and the histology of the testis were determined to evaluate the anti-fertility activity of fluted pumpkin seeds. Treatment of animals with DFPS at 5% and 10% resulted in decreased serum and intra-testicular testosterone and FSH concentrations. This effect was associated with decreased activity of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD), increased testicular oxidative stress and poor sperm quality in the 10% diet group. After 60 days DFPS post-treatment, intra-testicular 17β-HSD and γ-GT activities, FSH and testosterone levels recovered to control values. Furthermore, poor sperm motility, count, morphology and viability as well as severe loss of spermatogonia and other matured epithelial germ cells and Sertoli cells observed especially in the 10% DFPS-treated animals reverted to nearly control values 60 days after withdrawal of treatment. Dietary fluted pumpkin seeds may selectively act on the epithelial germ cells, possibly mediated via Sertoli cells, leading to oligospermia, oxidative damage and androgen insufficiency. The reversibility of these effects to near normal levels after withdrawal of treatment justifies further consideration of DFPS as it may be an effective and readily reversible agent that meets the required criteria of a male contraceptive agent.Abbreviations: GC-MS: gas-chromatography mass spectrophotometry; MPO: myeloperoxidase; NO: nitric oxide; DFPS: dietary fluted pumpkin seeds; DFPS (REV): DFPS post-treatment; MDA: malondialdehyde; SOD: superoxide dismutase; CAT: catalase; GSH: glutathione; 3β-HSD: 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase; 17β-HSD: 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase; NAD: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (oxidized); NADH: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (reduced); ITT: intra-testicular testosterone; FSH: follicle-stimulating hormone; FPS: fluted pumpkin seeds; NIST: National Institute Standard and Technology; Av: absolute volume; Ac: cross-sectional area; ST: seminiferous tubules; γ-GT: gamma glutamyl transferase.

Effect of branched chain amino acid on apoptosis of neurons after focal cerebral ischemia in rats

Objective To investigate the regulatory effect of branched chain amino acids(BCAA) on the expression of apoptosis related proteins after cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury and the protective effects of BCAA on ischemic brain injury in rats. Methods 40 male SD rats were randomly divided into normal diet group(n=20)and branched chain amino acid (BCAA) group(n=20)according to the random number table, and each group was randomly divided into control group (n=6), sham operation group (n=6) and model group (n=8) which used suture method to make ischemia reperfusion model. After modeling, modified Neurological Severity Scores (mNSS) was used to access the neurological impairment degree of 2, 6, 24, 48 and 72 h in each group. The expression of apoptosis related proteins (Cleaved, Bax/Bcl-2) after 72 h was detected by the method of immune protein imprinting (Caspase3) and compared between normal diet group and BCAA group. Results Compared with the normal diet rats, the mNSS of BCAA diet rats after modeling at 2, 6, 24, 48, 72 h decreased(11.35±2.78 vs. 7.15±2.41, P=0.019; 9.35±1.75 vs. 5.82±1.17, P=0.002; 6.11±1.16 vs. 4.39±1.46, P=0.048; 5.87±1.32 vs. 3.55±1.94, P=0.036; 4.98±2.24 vs. 2.09±1.33, P=0.022). The expression of cleaved caspase3 protein and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 decreased in BCAA group. Conclusion BCAA can alleviate the apoptosis of rats after ischemia and reperfusion, reduce the damage of nerve function, and has a positive protective effect on ischemic brain injury. Key words: Branched chain amino acid; Cerebral ischemia reperfusion; Apoptosis

The Effect of Benniseed Oil (Sesamum indicum Linn) on Induced Hypercholesterolemia in Albino Rats

The study was designed to investigate the antioxidant and antitoxicological potential of Sesamum indicum Linn seed (benni seed) oil on hypercholesterolemic rat. Albino rats weighing between 120-130 g were divided into two groups, group 1, was fed with normal rat diet(normal control), groups 2 was fed 1% cholesterol and 20% soya bean oil for 3 weeks to induce hypercholesterolemic state. Group 2 was later divided into groups 2, 3 and 4, group 2 was untreated, groups 3 and 4 were later fed with 5% and 10% Sesamum indicum L. seed oil incorporated in normal rat diet for another 6 weeks respectively. Significant (P&lt;0.05) increase in lipid peroxidation (TBARs) and reduction in superoxide dismutate (SOD) and catalase (CAT) was observed in the liver of the hypercholesterolemic rats as compared to the normal control. At the same time, the oxidative stress causes significant (P&lt;0.05) increase in serum level of Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of hypercholesterolemic rats.&#x0D; Administering Sesamum indicum Linn seed oil significantly reduced (P&lt;0.05), serum ALT, AST, ALP and lipid peroxidation, elevated the level of SOD and CAT in the liver of Sesamum oil treated hypercholesterolemic rats.&#x0D; These findings indicate that Sesamum indicum Linn seed oil show possible prevention of hepatic stress by high cholesterol and free radical mediated oxidative stress in cells of experimental hypercholesterolemic rats.