Parameters In Wistar Rats Research Articles

Reduction of abdominal fat accumulation in rats by 8-week ingestion of a newly developed sweetener made from high fructose corn syrup

Many studies have shown that ingestion of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) may cause an increase in body weight and abdominal fat. We recently developed a new sweetener containing rare sugars (rare sugar syrup; RSS) by slight isomerization of HFCS. Here, the functional effects of RSS on body weight and abdominal fat, and biochemical parameters in Wistar rats were examined. Rats (n=30) were randomly divided into three groups and maintained for 8-weeks on starch, starch+HFCS (50:50), and starch+RSS (50:50) diets. Rats in the Starch and HFCS groups gained significantly more body weight and abdominal fat than the RSS group. Fasting serum insulin in the RSS group was significantly lower than in the Starch and HFCS groups, although serum glucose in the HFCS and RSS groups was significantly lower than that in the Starch group. Thus, the substitution of HFCS with RSS prevents obesity induced by the consumption of HFCS.

The Impact of Transportation on Physiological and Behavioral Parameters in Wistar Rats: Implications for Acclimatization Periods

Transportation of laboratory rodents unavoidably causes stress. Nevertheless, very little is known about the effects of transportation and how long it takes for the animal to recuperate. In the present study, we investigated physiological and behavioral parameters before and after transportation in both transported and nontransported animals. We took blood samples to analyze plasma corticosterone and creatine kinase, and performed physiological measurements by means of telemetry, measuring heart rate, blood pressure, and activity. Behavior was measured by means of home cage observations. This study revealed that plasma corticosterone levels increased at least up to 16 days after transportation, blood pressure and heart rate showed a lasting decrease after transportation, grooming increased, and social interactions and locomotor activity decreased after transportation. With these data we demonstrate that there is a long-lasting effect of transportation on physiological and behavioral parameters. Our results show that the stressful impact of transportation embraces all parts of the procedure, including for example the packing of the animals. Researchers must be aware of this impact and provide a sufficient acclimatization period to allow for the (re-)stabilization of parameters. Insufficient acclimatization periods endanger not only the reliability of research results but also the welfare of the animal used.

Effect of essential oil of the leaves of Eucalyptus globulus on heamatological parameters of wistar rats

The study was designed to evaluate the effect of essential oil extract of Eucalyptus globulus on haematological parameters of wistar rats. Twenty-five adult wistar rats weighing between 80 to 130 g were used. The rats were divided into five groups; with group one as the control group. Increasing doses (12.5, 25.0, 50.0, 72.5 mg/ml) of the extract were administered orally daily to the other four groups for a period of four weeks. The animals were sacrificed and the blood collected for haematological parameters using automated haematological analyzer K-X-21 machine. The results indicate significant increases in level of Haemoglobin (Hb), White Blood Cell (WBC), and Red Blood Cell (RBC) but a decrease in the levels of the Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). The study confirmed that extract oil of eucalyptus globulus have some significant effects on haematological parameters of the wistar rats and these effects are dose dependent. Key words: Eucalyptus globulus, oil extract, haematological parameters, wistar rats.

The Influence of Different Levels of Acute Calorie Restriction on Several Hematological and Biochemical Parameters in Wistar Rats

Calorie Restriction (CR) is a diet in which calorie intake is reduced, also defined as under-nutrition without malnutrition. In this experiment we used two levels of calorie restriction: 25% and 40% of calorie intake reduction than normal. We used 24 male Wistar rats, divided in 4 groups: ad libitum fed, 100% of normal calorie intake, 75% and 60% of normal calorie intake, for a period of 30 days. After harvesting the blood samples and hematological and biochemical analisys of the blood, we statistically interpreted them by calculating the mean, standard deviation, standard eror of the mean and ``t`` test (Student). After the statistical interpretation of the result, we concluded that acute mild and moderate CR did not have any negative effects on hematological and biochemical parameters comprised in this study. Moreover, it suggests beneficial effects regarding the fat and glucose metabolisms.

Effects of Ascorbic Acid on Garlic-induced Alterations in Semen Parameters Of Wistar Rats

Effects of Ascorbic Acid on Garlic-induced Alterations in Semen Parameters Of Wistar Rats

Effect of Wheat and Barley Bran on Weight and Certain Blood Parameters in Wistar Rats

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of food diet supplemented consisting of 30% cereal bran (barley and wheat) on the development of “wistar” rats. Sixty six male “wistar” rats with a mean weight of 173 ± 5g were examined for a period of three months. The experimental diets include a standard diet (S), hypercaloric diet (H), enriched diet with wheat bran (WB) or enriched diet with barley bran (BB). A significant increase (P<0.05) in weights was noted especially in rats under hypercaloric diet (H). Glycemia, total cholesterol, triacylglycerols and LDL-C increased in rats under hypercaloric diet and decrease with diets enriched with wheat and barley bran.

The Effect of Crude Methanolic Leaf Extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum on Some Haematological Parameters in Wistar Rats

Bryophyllum pinnatum (B. pinnatum) is a perennial herb growing widely and used in folkloric medicine. Much research work has not been carried out on its effect on hematological parameters. We therefore decided to investigate the effect of crude methanolic leaf extract of B. pinnatum on some hematological parameters in Wistar rats. Twenty (20) male Wistar rats aged 2 to 3 months obtained from the Animal House of College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus were acclimatized for two weeks. They were divided into five groups labeled A to E. Groups A to D were orally fed with graded doses of the crude leaf extract (100, 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight respectively) once daily for 28days in lower concentrations compared to an oral LD 50 of 800 mg/kg body weight. Group E served as control without receiving the extract. On Day 29 about 2.5mL of blood sample were collected from each rat through the median canthus into K 3 -EDTA anticoagulant containers for hemoglobin (Hb), Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Total White Blood Cell (TWBC), and Platelet count. The results revealed significantly increased Hb in all the treated groups, A=15.9±1.0, B = 16.8±1.0, C = 17.5±1.0 and D = 18.7±1.0 g/dL when compared with control E = 13.5±0.5 g/dL (p<0.05). The PCV of the treated groups were also significantly increased, A = 0.48±0.01, B = 0.51±0.01, C = 0.53±0.01 and D = 0.56±0.01 L/L when compared with control E = 0.38±0.01 L/L (p<0.05). The TWBC were significantly increased in all the treated groups (A = 6.2±1.0, B = 6.5±1.0, C = 7.1±1.0 and D = 7.7±1.0×10 9 /L when compared with control E = 4.0±1.0×10 9 /L. The platelet count were decreased in all the treated groups but was significant only in group A = 135±13×10 9 /L when compared with control E = 225±20×10 9 /L (p<0.05). The blood film examination revealed normocytic and normochromic red blood cells. This result pattern suggests that crude methanolic leaf extract of B. pinnatum may have properties that increase the Hb, PCV and TWBC, while decreasing the platelets, hence care should be taken while consuming such extracts to avoid haematological disturbances such as thrombocytopaenia. Also, constant monitoring the hematological parameters should be ensured in subjects taking such medicinal herbs for whatever purposes.

Toxicological evaluation of ethanolic root extract of Morinda lucida (L.) Benth. (Rubiaceae) in male Wistar rats

Background: There are fairly extensive data on the trado-medical, phytochemistry, biological and pharmacological activity of Morinda lucida. Yet, there is dearth of information on the safety/toxicity of the root extract. Materials and Methods: The present study investigated the toxicological effect of the ethanolic root extract of the plant at 50, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight on haematology, kidney and liver function parameters in Wistar rats for 21 days. Results: The extract did not exhibit any signifi cant (P < 0.05) effect on red blood cells (RBCs), hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), red cell width coeffi cient of variation (RDW-CV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and levels of total protein, albumin, globulin, sodium, potassium and calcium at all doses tested. The extract caused a signifi cant reduction in the serum levels of white blood cells, platelets, alkaline phosphate (ALP), cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). At lower doses, the extract increased the aspertate aminotransferase (AST), but at higher doses the parameter was signifi cantly reduced. Similarly, the extract at all doses led to signifi cant increase in the body and absolute organ weights of the animals but no effect on the liver, kidney, heart and lungs body-weight ratios. Conclusion: Although, the extract produced some alterations in the parameters investigated, it is unlikely to be haematotoxic, hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic if consumed repeatedly at the doses investigated in this study.

Black and green tea improves lipid profile and lipid peroxidation parameters in Wistar rats fed a high-cholesterol diet

In the present study, the efficacy of black tea (BT) and green tea (GT) was studied in relation to serum and hepatic oxidative abnormalities in hypercholesterolemic rats. Hypercholesterolemia was induced in male Wistar rats (8 week old) by feeding them with a high-cholesterol diet (HCD) for 35 days. The experimental rats were given BT and GT as a supplement (7 g/L) via drinking water. Increased hepatic and serum lipid profile along with abnormalities in oxidative marker, with a concomitant increase in the body weight, food intake, and food efficiency, were seen in hypercholesterolemic rats. Following the supplementation of BT and GT to rats fed with HCD, significantly lower levels of serum and hepatic cholesterol, triglycerides, serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were observed, when compared with hypercholesterolemic group. Further, significantly lower levels in the serum and hepatic lipid peroxidation, body weight gain, and food efficiency were observed in BT and GT group when compared with control and HCD fed group. However, no such significant changes were observed in the food intake upon supplementation with BT and GT. These results suggest that supplementation of BT and GT may protect against the serum and hepatic abnormalities in hypercholesterolemic rats.

Changes of behavioral parameters during long-term food restriction in middle-aged Wistar rats

Food restriction (FR) has a beneficial effect on aging process and exerts a significant effect on the responses of rodents to standard behavioral tasks. The aim of this study was to assess the cumulative influence of FR on the behavioral and biochemical parameters in Wistar rats. Six-month-old rats were subjected to restrictive feeding (50% of the daily food intake, every-other-day feeding regimen) for one month or for six months until ages of 7 and 12 months, respectively. We examined the habituation of exploratory movement, amphetamine (AMPH)-induced motor activity, as well as changes in serum corticosterone (CORT) and glucose levels. The results obtained from FR animals were compared with ad libitum (AL)-fed age-matched control rats. Habituation of motor activity was only affected by six months of restrictive feeding. The sensitization of the motor response to AMPH that was observed in animals exposed to FR for one month was not observed in animals that were exposed to the same feeding regimen for six months. Serum CORT was increased and serum glucose was decreased in both FR groups. These results clearly show that despite the similarity of the biochemical changes that were induced by one and six months of FR, the nature of the changes in motor activities in these two groups of animals during habituation and after AMPH treatment was different. Our findings indicate that long-term FR has complex behavioral consequences that need to be carefully evaluated with respect to animal age, duration of FR and severity of the diet.

Impact of Hyperthyroidism and Its correlation on regional blood flow in rats

Thyroid hormones (TH) exert multiple effects on the heart and vascular system. In the hyperthyroidism, besides the direct effects of TH on cardiac tissue inducing hypertrophy in rats, TH also lead to an important increase in heat rate and reduction in systemic vascular resistance. In the present study we evaluated the effect of hyperthyroidism (T3, 7ug/100g body wt/2 wk) on regional blood flow (coronary, lung and kidney) and blood pressure parameters in Wistar rats. Hyperthyroidism promoted significant left ventricular (+27.56%) and right ventricular (+33.56%) hypertrophy. Although T3 has promoted a marked increase on blood flow in the myocardium (+98,7%), an important decrease on lung blood flow (−35 %) was observed, which was followed by discrete but significant decrease on cardiac output (−14%). Regard to hemodynamic variables, the hyperthyroidism promoted a significant increase in mean, systolic and diastolic arterial pressure as well as HR compared to control group. These findings show that hyperthyroidism is accompanied by intense changes on the blood flow to lung and myocardium and hypertension. Considering that the reduction in cardiac output and pulmonary blood flow are associated with right ventricular hypertrophy, these findings may have clinical implications by serving as an explanation for the development of pulmonary hypertension and heart failure observed in hyperthyroid patients and point out the importance of adequate control of TH levels.

Chlorpyrifos-Induced Alteration of Hematological Parameters in Wistar Rats: Ameliorative Effect of Zinc

Chlorpyrifos-Induced Alteration of Hematological Parameters in Wistar Rats: Ameliorative Effect of Zinc

Study of the Influence Of Apitherapy in Acrylamide Experimentally Induced Liver Disease Regarding Blood Count Parameters in Wistar Rats

Introduction. The purpose of this experiment was to study the influence of apitherapy in acrylamide-induced liver disease in rats. The experimental study objectives were the evaluation of blood count parameters in conditions of chronic liver damage induced by acrylamide. To reduce the factors that accelerate the progress of liver damage we have administered Apitherapy products. Materials and Methods. Materials: Apitherapy products Apiregya, ApiImunomod, ApiImunostim. The Apitherapy products were purchased from Stupina LLC. The animals were handled under thiopental induced general anesthesia. Determining the level of investigated parameters, i.e. serum total protein was measured using an automatic analyzer (Aeroset, Abbott) and commercial kits (Abbott, USA). A total of 40 Wistar white rats were used in the study; they were divided evenly into four groups: standard diet control group (group I), apitherapy and royal jelly control group (group II), acrylamide group (group III), acrylamide-apitherapy- royal jelly control group (group IV). The animals were kept under standard light and temperature conditions with access to food and water ad libitum. The toxic liver disease in rats was experimentally induced by gastric gavage administration of acrylamide (in aqueous solution, 50 mg /kg body weight). Results and discussions. The administrationof the apitherapy + RJ to the group that first received the acrylamide (group IV) was effective for maintaining the parameters within limits that were close to the standard food values group (group II) regarding the leukocyte count, erythrocyte number, hemoglobin, hematocrit, VEM, HEM, CHEM, erythrocyte distribution width, thrombocyte count, average thrombocyte volume, width of thrombotic distribution. Conclusions. The study proves that Apitherapy preparations like Apiregya, ApiImunostim, ApiImunomod are efficient in treating liver damage disease and they normalize the liver blood count. Acknowledgments: Financing was done by Human Resources Development Operational Programme through performance by integrating doctorate in European research area project (PERFORM-ERA) ID 57649.

Effect of an extract of Aloe vera on the biodistribution of sodium pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4) in rats

Aloe vera is a tropical plant popularly known in Brazil as babosa. We have investigated the effect of aqueous extract of Aloe vera on the biodistribution of Na99mTcO4 and laboratorial parameters in Wistar rats. Twelve animals were divided into treated and control groups. In the treated group, Aloe vera was given by gavage (5mg/mL/day) during 10 days. The control group received sorbitol by the same way and period. One hour after the last dose, we injected 0.1mL of Na99mTcO4 by orbital plexus. After 60 min, all the animals were killed. Samples were harvested from the brain, liver, heart, muscle, pancreas, stomach, femur, kidneys, blood, testis and thyroid and the percentage of radioactivity (%ATI/g) was determined. Biochemical dosages were performed. There was a significant increase of %ATI/g in blood, femur, kidneys, liver, stomach, testis and thyroid and also in blood levels of AST and ALT. A significant decrease in levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine and urea occurred. The statistical analyses were performed by Mann-Whitney test and T-Student test (p<0.05). The aqueous extract of Aloe vera facilitated the uptake of Na99mTcO4 in organs of rats and it was responsible to a high increase of levels of AST and ALT.

Age-Related Changes in Ceruloplasmin Content in W/SSM Rats

The content of ceruloplasmin was studied in W/SSM rats with hereditary galactosemia. Carbohydrate component constitutes about 40% of the molecule of this antioxidant. The content of ceruloplasmin in 2- and 11-month-old W/SSM rats was elevated compared to the corresponding parameters in Wistar rats.

Metabolic disorders of acute exposure to malathion in adult Wistar rats

Malathion is a widely organphosphorus insecticide used in agriculture, which shows strong insecticidal effects. However, the use of this insecticide leads to disruption in metabolic pathways. The aim of this study is to evaluate the acute effects of malathion on metabolic parameters in Wistar rats. Malathion was administered orally to rats at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight dissolved in corn oil. Glucidic and lipidic status were analyzed in plasma, cholinesterase activities were also determined. Malathion induces a transitory hyperglycaemia which correlated with depletion on glycogen content. Plasma triglycerides and LDL level increased significantly in malathion treated-rats. HDL rate was unchanged and cholesterol plasma content decrease transitory but rapidly reached a normal level. Results of this study indicate, clearly, that malathion in acute exposure leads to a disruption of lipid metabolism with an enhancement in LDL and triglyceride contents and may play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Disruption in plasma lipid profile may leads to a kind of insulin resistance which results in hyperglycaemia.

Effects of 2 or 5 consecutive exercise days on adipocyte area and lipid parameters in Wistar rats

BackgroundExercise has been prescribed in the treatment and control of dyslipidemias and cholesterolemia, however, lipid responses to different training frequencies in hypercholesterolemic men have been inconsistent. We sought to verify if different frequencies of continuous moderate exercise (2 or 5 days/week, swimming) can, after 8 weeks, promote adaptations in adipocyte area and lipid parameters, as well as body weight and relative weight of tissues in normo and hypercholesterolemic adult male rats.MethodsNormal cholesterol chow diet or cholesterol-rich diet (1% cholesterol plus 0.25% cholic acid) were freely given during 8 weeks to the rats divided in 6 experimentals groups: sedentary normal cholesterol chow diet (C); sedentary cholesterol-rich diet (H); 5× per week continuous training normal cholesterol chow diet (TC5) and cholesterol-rich diet (TH5); 2× per week continuos traning normal cholesterol chow diet (TC2) and cholesterol-rich diet (TH2).ResultsNo changes were observed in lipid profile in normal cholesterol chow diet, but both 2 a 5 days/week exercise improved this profile in cholesterol-rich diet. Body weight gain was lower in exercised rats. Decrease in retroperitoneal and epididymal relative weights as well as reductions in adipocyte areas under all diets types were observed only in 5 days/week, while 2 days/week showed improvements mainly in cholesterol-rich diet rats.ConclusionOur results confirm the importance of exercise protocols to control dyslipidemias and obesity in rats. The effects of 5 days/week exercise were more pronounced compared with those of 2 consecutive days/week training.

Effect of Luteolin on Nickel Chloride–Induced Renal Hyperproliferation and Biotransformation Parameters in Wistar Rats

Nickel, a major environmental pollutant, is a known potent nephrotoxic agent. In this communication, we report the chemopreventive effect of luteolin on nickel chloride (NiCl2)-induced renal oxidative stress, toxicity, and cell proliferation response in male Wistar rats. NiCl2 (250 µmol/kg b.wt./2 mL) enhances reduced renal glutathione content (GSH), glutathione S.-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), lipid peroxidation (LPO), H2O2 generation, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine with a concomitant decrease in the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (p < 0.001). NiCl2 administration also dose-dependently induced the renal ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity several-fold compared with the activity in saline-treated rats. Similarly, renal DNA synthesis, which is measured as [3H]thymidine incorporation in DNA, is also increased after NiCl2 treatment. Prophylactic treatment of rats with luteolin (10 and 20 µmol/kg b.wt.) daily for 1 week resulted in the diminution of NiCl2-mediated damage as evident from the downregulation of glutathione content, GST, GR, LPO, H2O2 generation, BUN, serum creatinine, DNA synthesis (p < 0.001), and ODC activity (p < 0.01) with concomitant restoration of GPx activity. Thus, the current investigation suggests that luteolin can be used as a chemopreventive agent for cancer prevention as evident from the study where it blocks or suppresses the events associated with chemical carcinogenesis.

Effect of Physical Preconditioning on Vascular Reactivity and Metabolic Parameters of Wistar Rats Treated with Cafeteria Diet

Effect of Physical Preconditioning on Vascular Reactivity and Metabolic Parameters of Wistar Rats Treated with Cafeteria Diet

Hematological Parameters in Wistar Rats in Conditions of Stress and Treatment with Heparin

The effects on hematological measures of emotional tension arising during the formation of food-procuring behavior in a multiple-choice maze and in conditions of pain (injection of 0.85% physiological saline i.m., 0.3 ml, daily for five days) were studied in Wistar rats. Physiological saline and training of intact animals led to increases in RBC volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin content, accompanied by significant increases in plasma corticosterone levels. At the same time, neither heparin (standard unfractionated heparin, Serva, doses of 64 and 640 IU/kg, daily for five days) nor training of heparinized rats produced any changes in these measures. The high levels of organization of the acquired behavior and the working capacity seen in heparinized rats were evidence for improvements in both the associative properties of conditioned reflex activity and the mechanisms supporting stable reproduction of the acquired habit. After administration of heparin, rats lost all types of manifestation reflecting psychoemotional tension as generally seen in animals in the active (administration of physiological saline) and passive (intact rats) controls.