Serum Of Rats In Group Research Articles

Effect of Nutmeg on Transaminase Activities in Liver and Serum of Adult Wistar rats

This study examines the activities of alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the liver of 30 adult Wistar rats exposed to nutmeg for 30 days. 1 g of nutmeg was administered to group A (n=10), 2 g of nutmeg to group B (n=10) and group C (n=10) was used as the control. Enzyme activities were assayed in both serum and liver (tissue homogenate) spectrophotometrically. Results obtained showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in level of AST in serum of rats in group A and B (20.2±7.29 and 23.2 ± 3.27 U/L) when compared to the control group (14.8± 1.78 U/L) while serum ALT level was significantly reduced (5.2± 1.78 and 4.2 ± 0.04 U/L) compared to the control group (7.0 ± 2.6 U/L) but the differences based on dosage was statistically insignificant (p≥ 0.05). The enzyme activities in liver tissue homogenate showed a significant increase (p˂ 0.05) in AST levels (13.8 ± 1.14, 14.6 ± 1.78 and 12.8 ± 0.08 U/L) among test groups and between controls but ALT levels though lower in treated groups than control, was statistically insignificant (p≥ 0.05) among test and between control group (4.6 ± 1.34, 4.0 ± 0.08 and 5.8 ± 0.03 U/L). Differences in enzyme activities due to nutmeg administration may lead to hepatocellular injury as well as myocardial infarction. The results suggests that dosage and long-term consumption of nutmeg could have severe health implication as it affects liver function as well as other associated organ of the body.

Rosuvastatin promotes osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in the rat model of osteoporosis by the Wnt/β-catenin signal.

The aim of this study was to explore the promoting effect of rosuvastatin on the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in the rat model of osteoporosis through the Wnt/β-catenin signal. A total of 30 rats were purchased from the Animal Research Center of Shanxi Medical University. All rats were randomly allocated into three groups, including: group A (control group, n=10), group B (ovariectomized group, n=10), and group C (rosuvastatin gavage group, n=10). The bone metabolism indexes, bone mineral density (BMD) and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related proteins in blood samples of rats in each group were measured, respectively. Furthermore, the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells of rats were used for alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining. All data were analyzed using the Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) 22.0 software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). The rats firstly received 9 consecutive weeks of feeding with drug intervention. The imaging results revealed that trabecular thickness in group A was significantly higher than that of group B and group C, showing statistically significant differences (p<0.05). After 9 consecutive weeks of feeding with drug intervention, BMD of the femurs of rats in group A and group C was significantly higher than that of group B, showing statistically significant differences (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in BMD between group A and group C (p>0.05). The level of calcium representing bone absorption level in serum of rats in group B was remarkably higher than that of group A, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). However, the level of ALP representing bone absorption level in the serum of rats in group B was significantly lower than that of group A (p<0.05). No significant differences were found in the levels of calcium and ALP that represented bone absorption level between group C and group A (p>0.05). Meanwhile. the levels of phosphorus in the three groups were similar, showing no statistically significant difference (p>0.05). Moreover, the expression of ALP-positive cells in the rats of group A and group C was markedly higher than that of group B (p<0.05). After drug intervention through feeding for 9 consecutive weeks, no evident difference was found in the relative expression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related protein glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) among the three groups. The relative expression of the protein phosphorylated GSK-3β (p-GSK-3β) in group C was significantly lower than that of group B (p<0.05). Furthermore, the relative protein expressions of β-catenin and cyclin D1 in group C were significantly higher than those in group B (p<0.05). Rosuvastatin can improve bone metabolism in osteoporosis rats and increasing BMD of bone tissues in rats with osteoporosis. Besides, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the regulation of the stem cell self-renewal and bone genesis.

Anti-cancer effects of Ajwa dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in diethylnitrosamine induced hepatocellular carcinoma in Wistar rats

BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for major cancer-related deaths despite current advanced therapies. Treatment and prognosis of HCC is better in patients with preserved liver function. Many natural products including ajwa dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.), are claimed to have hepatoprotective and HCC inhibitory effects, but most lack scientific validation. To prove our hypothesis, we attempted to evaluate the HCC inhibitory effects, and other beneficial properties of the aqueous extract of ajwa dates (ADE) in a rat model of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced liver cancer.MethodsThirty-two male rats were divided into four groups of eight each as follows, Group A: untreated control; Group B: DEN control (180 mg/kg bw), Group C: DEN + ADE 0.5 g/kg bw; and Group D: DEN +1.0 g/kg bw. Rats from all groups were assessed for liver cancer progression or inhibition by evaluating histological, biochemical, antioxidant enzyme status, cytokines and gene expression profiles.ResultsDEN treatment Groups (B, C, D) showed histological features of HCC and in rats treated with ADE (Groups C, D) partial to complete reversal of normal liver architecture was observed. Antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutatione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) were increased, while the liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels and lipid peroxidation were significantly decreased in Group C and Group D compared to Group B. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β,, GM-CSF) were increased in the serum of rats in Group B while the anti-tumor cytokines (IL-2, IL-12) were increased in ADE treated Groups (C, D). In addition, Alpha-Feto Protein (AFP) and IL-6 gene expression levels were upregulated in Group B, while they were significantly downregulated in ADE treated Groups (C, D).ConclusionsADE helped in the reversal of DEN damaged liver towards normal. Restoration of anti-oxidant enzymes, liver enzymes, cytokines balance and gene expression to normal levels following ADE treatment indicates that ADE improves liver function and inhibits HCC. ADE can, therefore, be used together with conventional therapeutics for HCC.

Sustained delivery of difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) by means of implantable ceramic devices.

A total of 25 Sprague-Dawley albino male rats were assigned to five groups, each group consisting of five rats. Polylactic acid-impregnated ALCAP capsules filled with 40 mg DFMO were implanted subcutaneously (sc) or intraperitoneally (ip) in group I and II rats, respectively. Rats in group III were implanted with empty ALCAP capsules (ALCAP control). Group IV rats were administered orally 3% DFMO in drinking water. Rats in group V served as control. Blood samples were collected every week for six weeks via the tail artery. The concentration of DFMO was determined by a modified ninhydrin hydrindantin method. Data obtained in this investigation showed that the levels of DFMO in the serum of rats in groups I and II were 41.87 +/- 6.8 and 237.62 +/- 13.3 micrograms/mL, respectively. Body, spleen, liver, prostate, seminal vesicles, and testicular weights of the controls and DFMO treated rats were not significantly different (p less than 0.05) over the entire duration of this study. The diarrhea often noted in rats treated orally with DFMO was not observed in rats implanted with ALCAP capsules filled with DFMO. The results of this study suggest that (1) polymer-impregnated ALCAP ceramic capsules can be used to deliver DFMO in a sustained manner for long durations of time, (2) side effects associated with oral administration of DFMO can be avoided by using DFMO-filled ALCAP ceramic implants, and (3) a ceramic system can be designed to deliver DFMO and drugs such as DFMO in a sustained manner over long periods of time in humans.

Alcap Delivery Devices and the Sustained Release of Difluoronethylornithine (DFNO) in Vitro and in Vivo Using Male Rats

AbstractSprague-Dawley albino male rats (25) were divided into five groups consisting of five rats each. Polymer (polylactic acid) impregnated ALCAP capsules filled with 40 mg DFMO were implanted subcutaneously (SC) or intraperitoneally (IP) in Group I and II rats respectively. Rats in Group III were implanted with empty polymer impregnated ALCAP capsules (ALCAP control). Group IV rats were administered orally 3% DFMO in drinking water. Rats in Group V served as controls. Blood samples were collected every week for nine weeks via the tail artery. The concentration of DFNO in the plasma was determined. Data obtained showed that the levels of DFMO in the serum of rats in groups I, I, and IV were 64.71 ±4.08. 219.18 ± 14.48, 16.71 ± 5.21 ug ml−1, respectively at the end of nine weeks. Body weights of the controls and DFMO treated rats were not significantly different (p&lt;0.05). The diarrhea often noted in rats treated orally with DFHO was not observed in rats implanted with ALCAP or ALCAP capsules filled with DFMO. The results of this study suggest that: (1) polymer impregnated ALCAP ceramic implants can be used to deliver DFMO in vivo in a sustained manner for long durations of time, and (2) a ceramic system can be designed to deliver DFNO and drugs such as DFMO in a sustained manner over long durations of time in humans.