Rat Stomach Research Articles

Bordo grape marc (Vitis labrusca): Evaluation of bioactive compounds in vitro and in vivo

This study aimed to characterize the bioactive compounds found in grape marc and determine if antioxidant capacity in vitro is comparable with antioxidant capacity in rat feces and its effects on lipid profile, morphometry and transit gastrointestinal. It was observed that grape marc contains high amounts of phenolic compounds (1396.07 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g grape marc) and mainly comprises flavonols, phenolic acids, anthocyanins and flavanols, respectively. Its intake increased the content of phenolics found in feces that were also visualized as an increase in antioxidant capacity. The effects of grape marc ingestion were also observed in vivo as the time of permanence of food in stomach of rats increased (from 150.2 min to 170.5 min in 15 days). At the same time, intestinal transit was accelerated, resulting in a lower weight gain in the rats that consumed chow with a higher amount of grape marc. In addition, the non-HDL-C levels reduced after ingesting enriched chow demonstrating benefits for metabolic and gastrointestinal health.

Multiple areas of the cerebral cortex influence the stomach

The central nervous system both influences and is influenced by the gastrointestinal system. Most research on this gut-brain connection has focused on how ascending signals from the gut and its microbiome alter brain function. Less attention has focused on how descending signals from the central nervous system alter gut function. Here, we used retrograde transneuronal transport of rabies virus to identify the cortical areas that most directly influence parasympathetic and sympathetic control of the rat stomach. Cortical neurons that influence parasympathetic output to the stomach originated from the rostral insula and portions of medial prefrontal cortex, regions that are associated with interoception and emotional control. In contrast, cortical neurons that influence sympathetic output to the stomach originated overwhelmingly from the primary motor cortex, primary somatosensory cortex, and secondary motor cortex, regions that are linked to skeletomotor control and action. Clearly, the two limbs of autonomic control over the stomach are influenced by distinct cortical networks.

Using μX-Ray CT to observe postmortem diffusion from the stomach in a rat model

The stomach has long been recognised as a depot for postmortem diffusion. A better understanding of the phenomena of postmortem diffusion would aid forensic practitioners in their interpretation of toxicological results. A limitation of previous stomach diffusion studies was the lack of ability to visualise postmortem diffusion in real time, the use of μX-ray Computed Tomography (CT) could overcome this problem. We utilised CT to track the diffusion of the contrast medium caesium ions (Cs+) (administered by oral gavage) from the rat stomach over 6 days. We investigated the influence of temperature (4°C and 20°C) and body position (horizontal and vertical). The results show that the a) diffusion of Cs+ from the stomach can be visualised over 6 days, over which a significant amount (∼50%) of the diffusion occurs in the first 24h following administration; b) storing the rat at 4°C reduces the distance of diffusion from the stomach by ∼66%; c) body position influences the route of diffusion and d) in 2 of the 16 rats studied Cs+ was found in the right lobe of the liver. Overall these results show that CT using Cs+ is a good model to visualise postmortem diffusion and that bodies show significant variation in postmortem diffusion. It is also clear that bodies should be refrigerated and postmortem samples should be taken as soon as possible to minimise the influences of postmortem diffusion from the stomach.

Endokinin A/B stimulates rat gastric motility through myogenic NK1 receptors located in the fundus.

Endokinin A/B (EKA/B), the common C-terminal decapeptide in endokinins A and B, is a preferred ligand of the NK1 receptor and regulates pain and itch. The study focused on the effects of EKA/B on rat gastric motility in vivo and in vitro. Gastric emptying was measured to evaluate gastric motility in vivo. Intragastric pressure and the contraction of gastric muscle strips were measured to evaluate gastric motility in vitro. Moreover, various neural blocking agents and neurokinin receptor antagonists were applied to explore the mechanisms. TAC4 and TACR1 mRNAs were expressed throughout rat stomach. EKA/B promoted gastric emptying by intraperitoneal injection in vivo. Correspondingly, EKA/B also increased intragastric pressure in vitro. Additionally, EKA/B contracted the gastric muscle strips from the fundus but not from the corpus or antrum. Further studies revealed that the contraction induced by EKA/B on muscle strips from the fundus could be significantly reduced by NK1 receptor antagonist SR140333 but not by NK2 receptor antagonist, NK3 receptor antagonist, or the neural blocking agents used. Our results suggested that EKA/B might stimulate gastric motility mainly through the direct activation of myogenic NK1 receptors located in the fundus.

Lectinocytochemical study of rat stomach mucosa under the conditions of cyclooxygenase-1/-2 blockage and pretreatment witH H-Glu-Asp-Gly-OH

Lectinocytochemical study of rat stomach mucosa under the conditions of cyclooxygenase-1/-2 blockage and pretreatment witH H-Glu-Asp-Gly-OH

Acute effects of vagus nerve stimulation parameters on gastric motility assessed with magnetic resonance imaging.

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an emerging bioelectronic therapy for regulating food intake and controlling gastric motility. However, the effects of different VNS parameters and polarity on postprandial gastric motility remain incompletely characterized. In anesthetized rats (N=3), we applied monophasic electrical stimuli to the left cervical vagus and recorded compound nerve action potential (CNAP) as a measure of nerve response. We evaluated to what extent afferent or efferent pathway could be selectively activated by monophasic VNS. In a different group of rats (N=13), we fed each rat a gadolinium-labeled meal and scanned the rat stomach with oral contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) while the rat was anesthetized. We evaluated the antral and pyloric motility as a function of pulse amplitude (0.13, 0.25, 0.5, 1mA), width (0.13, 0.25, 0.5ms), frequency (5, 10Hz), and polarity of VNS. Monophasic VNS activated efferent and afferent pathways with about 67% and 82% selectivity, respectively. Primarily afferent VNS increased antral motility across a wide range of parameters. Primarily efferent VNS induced a significant decrease in antral motility as the stimulus intensity increased (R=-.93, P<.05 for 5Hz, R=-.85, P<.05 for 10Hz). The VNS with either polarity tended to promote pyloric motility to a greater extent given increasing stimulus intensity. Monophasic VNS biased toward the afferent pathway is potentially more effective for facilitating occlusive contractions than that biased toward the efferent pathway.

MORPHOFUNCTIONAL STATE OF THE STOMACH AND CAECUM IN WHITE RATS AFTER THE COURSE OF CLARITHROMYCIN

Introduction. The pathogenesis of dysbacterioses associated with antibiotic therapy is an urgent medical problem, although some other exogenous and endogenous factors may contribute to the microbiocenosis distortion in the host organism. Purpose. The paper was aimed at studying the morphofunctional state of the stomach and caecum of albino rats after the course of clarithromycin. Material and methods. 30 mature albino male rats weighting 200,0±20,0 g were involved into the experiment. Antibiotic was given to the rodents as a food supplement during their two-meals-a-day feeding. Portions of the stomach and caecum have been studied. Serial paraffin sections were analyzed by using the “Konus” light microscope. Morphometric characteristics of the tissue structures were obtained by the Sigeta X 1 mm/100 Div.x0.01mm stage micrometer. Results and conclusions. In 12 out of 30 subjects, the comparative volume of the caecum was almost twice as less than the volume of the stomach due to a significant enlargement of its fundus, caused by isometric flattening and convergence between its mucous membrane and muscular tunic. In 18 experimental animals, the volumetric capacity of the caecum was twice as larger than the stomach. In contrast, a decrease in the volume of the cecum is associated with a thickening of its wall and increased formation of folds of the mucous membrane that is, probably, caused by insufficient entering of metabolic by-products from the small intestine.

Characteristics of Gastric Microbiota in GK Rats with Spontaneous Diabetes: A Comparative Study.

BackgroundThe Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rat, developed from repeated inbreeding of glucose-intolerant Wistar rats, has been widely used to explore the development of spontaneous type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the gastric microbiota of GK and Wistar rats are still unclear. This study aimed to understand the gastric microbiota characteristics of GK rats by comparing it with non-diabetic Wistar rats.Materials and MethodsMale Wistar rats and GK rats were housed in specific pathogen-free (SPF) environment for 12 weeks with free access to sterilized food and water. Body weight and random blood glucose (BG) levels were determined. At the end of the experiment, the gastric contents of the rats were collected for the identification of gastric microbiota using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.ResultsThe richness of gastric microbiota in GK rats was similar to that of Wistar rats (P > 0.05). The results of Shannon, Simpson, beta diversity indices, and ANOSIM analysis showed that alpha and beta diversity of gastric microbiota in GK rats were significantly lower than that of Wistar rats (P < 0.01). Firmicutes (96.0%), Proteobacteria (1.9%) and Cyanobacteria (0.8%) were the dominant gastric microbiota in GK rats accounting for 72.9%, 14.7% and 10.9%, respectively. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) revealed that phylum Firmicutes and four genera (Anaerovibrio, Collinsella, Prevotellaceae_UCG_001, and Lactobacillus) were significantly abundant in the stomachs of GK rats. In contrast, seven genera (unidentified_Chloroplast, Porphyromonas, Neisseria, Rubrobacter, Veillonella, Lachnospiraceae_UCG_005, and unidentified_Erysipelotrichaceae) were significantly abundant in the stomachs of Wistar rats. Blood glucose was positively correlated with Anaerobibrio and Lactobacillus, and negatively correlated with four genera (Porphyromonas, Rubrobacter, Lachnospiraceae_UCG_005, and unidentified_Erysipelotrichaceae). In addition, chemoheterotrophy and fermentation were the most important functions of gastric microbiota.ConclusionThe gastric microbiota of GK rats with spontaneous T2DM showed the typical characteristics of low diversity and significant enrichment of Firmicutes phylum and four genera (Anaerovibrio, Collinsella, Prevotellaceae_UCG_001, and Lactobacillus) compared with gastric microbiota of Wistar rats.

In Hydronephrosis‐Rats, BPC 157 Exerts a Strong Anti‐Ulcer Effect in Both Stomach and Duodenum along with Marked Kidney Recovery

Background/HypothesisWe focused on the anti‐ulcerogenic potential of the stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 in rats used to have unilateral ureter obstruction. Prolonged unilateral ureter obstruction (UUO) after obstruction removal in addition to renal injury, may produce significant stomach and duodenal lesions in rats. Previously, BPC 157 markedly counteracted gastric lesions in nephrectomized rats (FASEB J 2016; 30: 1 Suppl:720.2; FASEB J 2015;29: 1:628.10).MethodsRats had ureteral ligation for 72 hours, and thereby, hydronephrosis, fibrosis development, tubular cell damage, and interstitial inflammation. Then, at 5 min after the ureter was obstruction was removed, we applied medication (stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 (10 μg/kg; 10 ng/kg) or saline) given as an intraperitoneal bath (1mL bath/rat). Assessment was at 24 h and 96 h after medication and included renal lesions (0‐ healthy kidney, 1‐ mild hydronephrosis, 2‐ moderate hydronephrosis, visible dilation of renal pelvis, few lesions on kidney surface, 3‐ severe hydronephrosis, dilatation of renal pelvis, thinning of the renal parenchyma and considerable number of lesions on the kidney surface), gastric and duodenal lesions (sum of the longest diameters, mm), urea, creatinine, AST, ALT, bilirubin, K, Na, Mg, Ca, inorganic phosphates in serum, as described (Sikiric et al, Curr Pharm Des. 2014;20(7):1126–35).ResultsBPC 157 medication results in marked and advanced improvement, seen at 24 h and 96 h thereafter. For illustration, regular severe hydronephrosis, dilatation of renal pelvis, thinning of the renal parenchyma was reversed to only mild or no hydronephrosis. Likewise, both gastric and duodenal lesions, that regularly appear as quite severe hemorrhagic lesions (gastric 12±1; duodenal 9±2 at 24h), were markedly reduced, or completely eliminated after BPC 157 medication, either 10 μg or 10 ng regimen (stomach 1±1; duodenal 1±1 at 24 h, 10 ng‐regimen).ConclusionsIn hydronephrosis‐rats, BPC 157 exerts a strong anti‐ulcer effect in both stomach and duodenum along with marked kidney recovery.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by the University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia (Grant BM 099).Figure 1

Flavonoid-Rich Extract of Dissotis rotundifolia Whole Plant Protects against Ethanol-Induced Gastric Mucosal Damage.

Dissotis rotundifolia is a plant in the family Melastomataceae. The methanolic extract of the whole plant is reported to be rich in C-glycosylflavones such as vitexin and orientin. Though there are several reports on the ethnomedicinal use of this plant extract in stomach ulcers, experimental-based data is unavailable. The drive for carrying out this research was to obtain data on the possible ameliorative effect of the whole plant extract of Dissotis rotundifolia (DRE) in gastric ulcerations induced by ethanol in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. SD rats were pretreated with 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg of DRE for 14 days after which an ulcerogen-ethanol was administered. Gross examinations of the stomach lining and histological analysis of gastric lesions were carried out coupled with an assessment of the antioxidant activity of gastric mucosa using MDA, GSH, CAT, and SOD as indicators. The data suggested a significant attenuation in gastric mucosal damage in DRE-pretreated ethanol-induced gastric ulcer reflected in the antioxidant status. There was also a reduction or absence of hemorrhage, edema, and leucocytes infiltration in DRE-treated groups compared to the negative control group. DRE conserved glutathione (GSH) levels, reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and enhanced catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme levels. The present study shows that DRE possess protective effects against ethanol-induced ulcer damage in the stomach of rats, which could be attributed to its antioxidant activity.

Terminalia catappa L. infusion accelerates the healing process of gastric ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevanceTerminalia catappa L. (Combretaceae), known as “amendoeira da praia” in Brazil, has been recognized as a medicinal plant in folk medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and other inflammatory conditions. The present study aimed to investigate the preventive and healing effects of the infusion of leaves of T. catappa (ILTC) against gastric lesions caused by ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury and characterize its mechanism of action in the gastric mucosa of rats. Materials and methodsDifferent doses (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg) of ILTC were orally administered as acute and subacute treatments against I/R-induced gastric lesion in rats. After treatment, the stomach of rats was collected to measure the lesion area, redox parameters malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione (GSH) and inflammatory parameters myeloperoxidase activity (MPO), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). The activities of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMPs 2 and 9) were assessed by zymography method to clarify the mechanisms of the healing acceleration promoted by ILTC. ResultsPretreatment with ILTC (100 mg/kg) was effective in preventing the aggravation of lesions in the acute model by reducing MPO activity by 38% relative to control group, despite the lack of clarity of this action at the macroscopical level at the lesion area (p < 0.05). After three days of treatment with ILTC (30 and 100 mg/kg), this infusion significantly reduced the lesion area by 95% and 89%, respectively, compared the control (p < 0.05). The gastric healing effect of all doses of ILTC was followed by a reduction in MPO activity (decrease by 70–78%). Compared to the negative control, an improvement in gastric healing owing to treatment with ILTC was observed and this was followed by an increase in MMP-2 (20–47%) (p < 0.05). ConclusionThree days of treatment with ILTC could accelerate the healing process in I/R-induced lesions in rats. By decreasing MPO levels, ILTC enabled the action of MMP-2, which led to tissue recovery in the gastric mucosa.

The gastroprotective effects of arrowroot tuber starch (Maranta arundinacea L.) on ethanol-induced gastric damages in rats

Empirically, arrowroot tubers ( Maranta arundinacea L.) have been widely used in the treatment of gastric ulcers. They are known to contain carbohydrates and flavonoids that play a role in reducing inflammation. This study sought to identify the gastroprotective effects of arrowroot tuber starch ( Maranta arundinacea L.) on the ulcer index, % protection ratio, and the histopathological image of Wistar rat models of gastric ulcers. The test animals were divided into six groups. Group I was given free access to food and water (normal control), while Group II was given ethanol without treatment (negative control). Groups III, IV, and V were treated with arrowroot tuber starch at the doses of 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg BW, respectively. Group VI was given sucralfate at the dose of 400 mg/kg BW (positive control). All treatments were administered orally for 14 days and followed by 24 hours of fasting. On Day 15, all groups, except for the normal control, were given 96% ethanol orally at the dose of 1 ml/200gr BW. After one hour, they were dissected, and their stomach was removed for further analyses. The results showed that the administrations of arrowroot tuber starch at 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg BW produced ulcer indices of 2, 1.25, and 1.5, respectively, smaller than the negative control (4.25), and % protection ratios higher than the positive control. The histopathological imaging showed that the stomach of rats receiving arrowroot tuber starch at 250 mg/kg BW presented no pathological changes. Based on these findings, the arrowroot tuber starch is proven to have the ability as a gastroprotective agent.

An Experimental Comparison of the Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Safflower Oil, Benzydamine HCl, and Naproxen Sodium.

The study aims to establish how feasible a natural therapy option (safflower oil) is in the treatment of postoperative pain. Naproxen sodium has already been experimentally proven to be effective for this purpose. Accordingly, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of safflower oil were compared with those obtained with benzydamine HCl and naproxen sodium. Forty-two, healthy, adult female rats of Wistar albino species were divided at random into six groups of seven rats. The intervention allocation was as follows: Group No. 1-physiological saline 0.9%; Group No. 2-safflower oil 100 mg/kg; Group No. 3-safflower oil 300 mg/kg; Group No. 4-benzydamine HCl 30 mg/kg; Group No. 5-benzydamine HCl 100 mg/kg; and Group No. 6-naproxen sodium 10 mg/kg. Following allocation of treatment, pain was induced experimentally and tested in various ways (hot plate test, tail-pinching test, and writhing test) and the efficacy of each treatment in providing peripheral and central analgesia was evaluated. The second stage consisted of providing different treatments to four groups (groups 7-10) of seven rats each, chosen at random. The allocations were as follows: Group No. 7-physiological saline 0.9%; Group No. 8-safflower oil 300 mg/kg; Group No. 9-benzydamine HCl 100 mg/kg; and Group No. 10-naproxen sodium 10 mg/kg. To create experimental inflammation, 2% formaldehyde was injected into the experimental animal's paw and the resulting edema was measured and recorded for a 10-day period. Edema inhibition was calculated as a percentage. The rats were sacrificed and the paw and stomach dissected for histopathological examination. The data were used for statistical analysis, using the Shapiro-Wilk, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and two-way analysis of variance. In the tail-pinching test, it was determined that a 300 mg/kg dose of safflower oil shows central spinal analgesic efficacy and this effect is close in magnitude to 10 mg/kg of the reference material, naproxen sodium. In the squirming test, it was observed that the 100 and 300 mg/kg doses of safflower oil had a peripheral analgesic effect when compared with the serum physiological (placebo) group. The peripheral efficacy of 300 mg/kg safflower oil was found to approximate that of 10 mg/kg naproxen sodium. In rats treated with benzydamine HCl 100 mg/kg, similar peripheral analgesic efficacy to naproxen sodium 10 mg/kg was noted. In the hot plate test, no difference in the analgesic efficacy between the various agents was found. The change in inhibition of edema between the 1st and 10th days was most marked in rats receiving naproxen sodium 10 mg/kg. A significant difference was determined in the safflower oil 300 mg/kg and benzydamine HCl 100 mg/kg groups (P < .001). Regarding histopathology findings in the rat paw, significant differences were seen in venous congestion between placebo and safflower oil 300 mg/kg and in inflammation between the control and benzydamine HCl 100 mg/kg groups. Regarding the histopathology findings in the rat stomach, significant differences were observed in venous congestion between placebo and safflower oil 300 mg/kg; in damage to the epithelium between placebo and safflower oil 300 mg/kg and between naproxen sodium 10 mg/kg and safflower oil; and in cell infiltration and development of edema between placebo and safflower oil 300 mg/kg. It is predicted that further research into safflower oil and benzydamine HCl will create opportunities to develop analgesic-anti-inflammatory therapeutics of a novel kind for the treatment of postoperative pain and inflammation.

Estradiol Replacement Improves High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity by Suppressing the Action of Ghrelin in Ovariectomized Rats.

This study aims to investigate the effects of estradiol replacement on the orexigenic action of ghrelin in ovariectomized (OVX) obese rats fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). Four weeks after OVX at 9 weeks of age, Wistar rats were subcutaneously implanted with either 17β-estradiol (E2) or placebo (Pla) pellets and started on HFD feeding. After 4 weeks, growth hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP)-6, a growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) agonist injected intraperitoneally, induced changes in HFD intake, and c-Fos-positive neurons in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) were measured in both groups. The ghrelin protein and mRNA levels, as well as GHSR protein in stomach, were analyzed by Western blotting and real-time PCR. HFD increased energy intake and body weight in the Pla group, while it temporarily reduced these in the E2 group. GHRP-6 enhanced HFD intake and activated neurons in the ARC only in the Pla group. Furthermore, gastric ghrelin and GHSR protein levels were lower in the E2 group than in the Pla group, but plasma acyl ghrelin levels were similar in both groups. Our results suggest that E2 replacement improves obesity by inhibiting the orexigenic action of ghrelin via downregulation of ghrelin and its receptor in stomach in HFD-fed OVX rats.

Гастропротективное действие экстракта сухого &lt;i&gt;Ferulopsis hystrix&lt;/i&gt; (Bunge) Pimenov

Проведено исследование гастропротективного действия экстракта сухого Ferulopsis hystrix (Bunge) Pimenov на моделях эрозивно-язвенных повреждений желудка у крыс линии Вистар. Экстракт сухой F. hystrix в дозах 100 и 200 мг/кг и препарат сравнения плантаглюцид в дозе 300 мг/кг вводили животным внутрижелудочно в течение 7 дней, последнее введение осуществляли за 1 ч до ульцерогенного воздействия. Установлено, что экстракт сухой F. hystrix в дозе 200 мг/кг оказывает гастропротективное действие, превосходящее таковое для препарата сравнения плантаглюцида. На фоне введения животным экстракта F. hystrix в дозе 200 мг/кг в слизистой оболочке желудка не развиваются эрозии и полосовидные язвы, тогда как у крыс контрольной группы они выявляются у 100 и 50 % животных, соответственно. Индекс Паулса для точечных кровоизлияний в 2,7 раза ниже показателя контрольных животных. На фоне индометациновой гастропатии F. hystrix в дозе 200 мг/кг уменьшает среднее число эрозий и полосовидных язв в 2 и 5 раз (p ≤ 0,05), а индекс Паулса для них соответственно в 2 и 20 раз ниже по сравнению с контролем (p ≤ 0,05). Установлено, что экстракт F. hystrix в дозах 100 и 200 мг/кг усиливает темп желудочной секреции на 32 и 52 % (p ≤ 0,05), общую кислотность на 39 и 67 % (p ≤ 0,05). Полученные результаты позволяют рекомендовать экстракт сухой F. hystrix для дальнейших исследований в качестве перспективного растительного гастропротективного средства.

The Effects of Ghrelin on Renal Complications in Newborn Diabetic Rats

Objective: Ghrelin is an orexigenic hormone mainly released from the stomachs of rats and takes a significant part in the development of newborn rats. Ghrelin has been shown to possess antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we aimed to examine microscopical and biochemical parameters in the kidney of newborn nontreated diabetic and ghrelin-treated diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Wistar-type newborn rats were divided into four groups. First group: control rats given physiological saline for four weeks; second group: control animals given ghrelin from the third day to the fourth week; third group: diabetic rats given streptozotocin (STZ) on the second day after birth as a single dose; fourth group: diabetic rats given ghrelin from the third day to the fourth week. Results: There was no microscopic difference between the kidney tissues of non-treated diabetic and ghrelin-treated diabetic rats. Lipid peroxidation levels decreased, while superoxide dismutase, catalase activities, and glutathione levels increased in the diabetic group given ghrelin. Serum urea, uric acid, creatinine levels, myeloperoxidase, and xanthine oxidase activities decreased in diabetic rats treated with ghrelin. Conclusion: It can be said that the ghrelin given exogenously has a protective effect in some degree on renal complications in newborn diabetic rats.

Adverse health risk from prolonged consumption of formaldehyde-preserved carps in eastern region of Indian population.

Presence of formaldehyde as a preservative in commonly available fishes (Labeo rohita, Catla catla, Anabas testudineus and Clarias gariepinus) has become a serious health concern in the public health of eastern region of India. Formaldehyde content was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results showed high formaldehyde content in frozen carp (19.66 and 23.3mg/kg in Labeo rohita and Catla catla, respectively); however, the amount of formaldehyde was significantly reduced in boiled and fried fish (80°C and 100°C for 5min) in mustard, coconut, and sesame oils. However, formaldehyde contents in non-carp fishes (Anabas testudineus and Clarias gariepinus) were almost negligible, compared to those in L. rohita and C. catla. In vivo toxicity studies showed a time-dependent increase in blood formaldehyde levels in rats after they were fed formaldehyde-contaminated fish (23.3mg/kg) for 7days. Histopathological analysis of the stomach of rats fed contaminated fish showed destruction and granulation of the protective mucus layer and detachment from the secretory layer. Taken together, our results indicated that continuous consumption of formaldehyde-contaminated carps commonly available in the eastern region of India may be associated with adverse health effects.

Hydrophilic Poly(urethanes) Are an Effective Tool for Gastric Retention Independent of Drug Release Rate

Acyclovir is a poorly permeable, short half-life drug with poor colonic absorption, and current conventional controlled release formulations are unable to decrease the frequency of administration. We designed acyclovir dosage forms to be administered less frequently by being retained in the stomach and releasing drug over an extended duration. We developed a conventional modified-release matrix tablet to sustain the release of acyclovir and surrounded it with a hydrophilic poly(urethane) layer. When hydrated, the porous poly(urethane) swells to a size near or beyond that of the relaxed pylorus diameter and does not affect drug release rate. We demonstrated that the formulation is retained in the stomach for extended durations as it slowly releases drug, allowing for similar area under the curve but delayed tmax relative to a nongastroretentive control tablet. Unlike many other gastroretentive formulations, this dosage form design decouples drug release rate from gastric retention time, allowing them to be modulated independently. It also effectively retains in the stomach regardless of the prandial state, differentiating from other approaches. Our direct observation of excised rat stomachs allowed for a rigorous assessment of the impact of polymer swelling extent and the prandial state on both the dosage form integrity and retention time.

Gastrointestinal Tracking and Gastric Emptying of Coated Capsules in Rats with or without Sedation Using CT imaging.

Following oral administration, gastric emptying is often a rate-limiting step in the absorption of drugs and is dependent on both physiological and pharmaceutical factors. To guide translation into humans, small animal imaging during pre-clinical studies has been increasingly used to localise the gastrointestinal transit of solid dosage forms. In contrast to humans, however, anaesthesia is usually required for effective imaging in animals which may have unintended effects on intestinal physiology. This study evaluated the effect of anaesthesia and capsule size on the gastric emptying rate of coated capsules in rats. Computed tomography (CT) imaging was used to track and locate the capsules through the gastrointestinal tract. Two commercial gelatine mini-capsules (size 9 and 9h) were filled with barium sulphate (contrast agent) and coated using Eudragit L. Under the effect of anaesthesia, none of the capsules emptied from the stomach. In non-anaesthetised rats, most of the size 9 capsules did not empty from the stomach, whereas the majority of the smaller size 9h capsules successfully emptied from the stomach and moved into the intestine. This study demonstrates that even with capsules designed to empty from the stomach in rats, the gastric emptying of such solid oral dosage forms is not guaranteed. In addition, the use of anaesthesia was found to abolish gastric emptying of both capsule sizes. The work herein further highlights the utility of CT imaging for the effective visualisation and location of solid dosage forms in the intestinal tract of rats without the use of anaesthesia.

Features of the glucose influence on the heart activity and the changes in the potentials of the stomach and the intestines at the heart insufficiency conditions

In acute rat experiments (thiopental sodium narcosis), it is established that introducing a 5 % glucose solution into the stomach lowers a frequency of heart rates (HR) and an amplitude of potentials of smooth muscles of the stomach and simultaneously raises doubtfully and shortly the potentials of sooth muscles (PSM) of the colon. Food additives used in the glutamate sodium, benzoate, tartrazine complex do not influence HR, but as before, reduces PSM of the stomach, and in the thick gut precise exciting or brake responses are marked. In the preliminarily developed heart insufficiency conditions, the glucose infusion into the stomach does not change HR. At the same time, the action of glucose, as well as of food additives, still results in reliable reactions of the stomach and the thick gut. Important is the present work information on the ability of glucose and food additives to modulate the heart activity estimated through the indicators of modification of electrocardiogram teeth. As appeared, the infusion of the specified irritants in the stomach of rats in control and heart insufficiency is accompanied by precise enough changes in such indicators as the RST duration, the amplitude and duration of the Т-wave, i. e. the prognostic attributes of the opportunity of occurrence of heart аrrhythmia, fibrillations.