Rat Stomach Research Articles

Distribution and morphology of P2X3-immunoreactive subserosal afferent nerve endings in the rat gastric antrum.

The present study investigated the morphological characteristics of subserosal afferent nerve endings with immunoreactivity for the P2X3 purinoceptor (P2X3) in the rat stomach by immunohistochemistry of whole-mount preparations using confocal scanning laser microscopy. P2X3 immunoreactivity was observed in subserosal nerve endings proximal and lateral to the gastric sling muscles in the distal antrum of the lesser curvature. Parent axons ramified into several lamellar processes to form net-like complex structures that extended two-dimensionally in every direction on the surface of the longitudinal smooth muscle layer. The axon terminals in the periphery of P2X3-immunoreactive net-like structures were flat and looped or leaf-like in shape. Some net-like lamellar structures and their axon terminals with P2X3 immunoreactivity were also immunoreactive for P2X2. P2X3-immunoreactive nerve fibers forming net-like terminal structures were closely surrounded by S100B-immunoreactive terminal Schwann cells, whereas axon terminals twined around these cells and extended club-, knob-, or thread-like protrusions in the surrounding tissues. Furthermore, a retrograde tracing method using fast blue dye indicated that most of these nerve endings originated from the nodose ganglia of the vagus nerve. These results suggest that P2X3-immunoreactive subserosal nerve endings have morphological characteristics of mechanoreceptors and contribute to sensation of a mechanical deformation of the distal antral wall associated with antral peristalsis.

Immunohistochemical relationships of huntingtin-associated protein 1 with enteroendocrine cells in the pyloric mucosa of the rat stomach

Huntingtin-associated protein 1 (HAP1) is a neuronal cytoplasmic protein that is predominantly expressed in the brain and spinal cord. In addition to the central nervous system, HAP1 is also expressed in the peripheral organs including endocrine system. Different types of enteroendocrine cells (EEC) are present in the digestive organs. To date, the characterization of HAP1-immunoreactive (ir) cells remains unreported there. In the present study, the expression of HAP1 in pyloric stomach in adult male rats and its relationships with different chemical markers for EEC [gastrin, marker of gastrin (G) cells; somatostatin, marker of delta (D) cells; 5-HT, marker of enterochromaffin (EC) cells; histamine, marker of enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells] were examined employing single- or double-labelled immunohistochemistry and with light-, fluorescence- or electron-microscopy. HAP1-ir cells were abundantly expressed in the glandular mucosa but were very few or none in the surface epithelium. Double-labelled immunofluorescence staining for HAP1 and markers for EECs showed that almost all the G-cells expressed HAP1. In contrast, HAP1 was completely lacking in D-cells, EC-cells or ECL-cells. Our current study is the first to clarify that HAP1 is selectively expressed in G-cells in rat pyloric stomach, which probably reflects HAP1’s involvement in regulation of the secretion of gastrin.

Free Radical Production and Production Mechanism in the Early and Advanced Stages of Gastrointestinal Lesions

Disruption of redox balance due to the overproduction of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) could cause protein denaturation, lipid peroxidation, and DNA mutation. These lead to an induction of gastrointestinal diseases such as gastric ulcers induced by long-term administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and ulcerative colitis. Magnetic resonance technique, which is non-invasive and free of radiation exposure, is a promising tool for evaluating redox status in the living body. This study investigated ROS production in rats with gastric ulcers induced by a typical NSAIDs indomethacin using in vivo ESR/spin probe technique. The ESR signal intensity of membrane-permeable nitroxyl probe in the indomethacin group showed enhanced decay compared with the vehicle group, but the enhancement was not observed in the presence of a membrane-permeable ROS scavenger, suggesting the intracellular ROS production. The imaging analysis using Overhauser-enhanced MRI (OMRI) with dual probes labeled with 14N and 15N enabled visualization of ROS production in the glandular stomach of rat with indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers. The intracellular ROS production in the distal and proximal colon in the initiation stage and intra- and extra-cellular ROS production of the advanced stage of colitis induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) using the OMRI/dual-probe technique was observed. Furthermore, nitration of src homology protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 in macrophages might be involved in the activation of Toll-like receptor 4 and NF-κB, inducing infiltration of activated neutrophils into colonic mucosa to produce ROS in DSS-induced colitis mice.

Protective Effect of Ursolic Acid in Prunella vulgaris L. on LPS-Induced Asthenozoospermia via Bcl-2/Bax Apoptosis Signaling Pathway.

Asthenozoospermia, also known as lack of sperm motility, accounts for about 27.8% of male infertility as a separate factor, and is often associated with abnormal quantity and morphology of spermatozoa. Therefore, oligozoospermia has become one of the most important factors affecting male infertility. Ursolic Acid (UA), also known as wusu acid, is the main active component isolated from Prunella vulgaris L. and has a variety of pharmacological effects. However, the protective effect of UA on asthenozoospermia disease has not been reported. In the current study, the purpose of this study was to investigate the regulatory effect of UA in rats with LPS-induced asthenozoospermia disease. SD rats were treated with 5 mg/kg LPS, respectively. After different concentrations of UA were infused into the stomach of SD rats, microscopy, flow cytometry, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), qRT-PCR and western blot were used to detect sperm motility, apoptosis, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, and Bcl-2/Bax apoptosis pathway related proteins in rat serum and epididymis tissues. Compared with the normal group, the sperm motility and Bcl-2 level in LPS group decreased significantly, while the expression of inflammatory factors and Bax proteins increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with LPS group, UA intervention group has the opposite result and dose dependence. This study shows that UA can protect LPS-induced asthenozoospermia of rats by increasing sperm density and motility, regulating Bcl-2/Bax apoptosis pathway and reducing inflammatory apoptosis response. This experiment provides ideas for improving the clinical treatment of infertile patients with oligoasthenospermia.

Optimization of the method for isolation of epithelial cells from the non-glandular part of the rat stomach for flow cytometry

Traditional methods in cell proliferation studies are based on immunohistochemical detection of proliferating cells in the target tissue. Since they are time consuming, optimization of novel, more efficient methods is important for large scale proliferation studies. In this study, we aimed to optimize the isolation of single epithelial rat forestomach cells for flow cytometry. As a marker of cellular proliferation we used the Ki-67 antibody to detect this nuclear protein expressed in proliferating cells. We also performed immunohistochemical detection of Ki-67 positive cells and propidium iodide staining to validate the results. 3-tert- butyl -4-hydroxyanisole was used as the positive control to ensure cellular proliferation. The results showed that isolation of epithelial cells with collagenase, trypsin and cell strainer ensures great cell viability (&gt;95%) and the purity of the samples. Flow cytometry and immunostaining with the Ki-67 antibody indicated that 3-tert- butyl-4-hydroxyanisole treatment leads to a significant increase in proliferation. A significant positive correlation was observed between the results obtained by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry, but the flow cytometric data had a smaller measurement error, suggesting the equal sensitivity and greater accuracy of this method. Propidium iodide staining showed that the percentage of cells in the G2+S phase of the cell cycle correlated positively with the percentage of Ki-67 positive cells assessed by flow cytometry, indicating that Ki-67 positive cells reflect an active dividing cell pool. We conclude that the isolation of forestomach epithelial cells described is a simple and reliable method for obtaining viable cells for use in flow cytometry. Compared to immunohistochemistry, flow cytometric detection of the Ki-67 antigen is equally sensitive, but much faster and provides more accurate results.

Pathological changes on stomach of rats treated with a high dose of ethanol and the protective role of licorice ethanolic extract

This study aimed to identify the lesions resulting from administration high dose of ethanol in stomach of rats for 60 days, also to identify the protective role of the alcoholic extract of licorice to reduce effects of ethanol. This study included four groups, group one considered as control, while the second dealed with the effect of ethanol alone at a concentration 40% and a dose of 3000 mg/kg body weight orally, the third group was a protective (alcoholic licorice extract at a dose 200 mg/kg body weight orally before two hours of ethanol administration), while the fourth group using of alcoholic licorice extract alone. Results revealed significant elevation in MDA level as well as significant decrease in the GSH in all treated group. Gross pathological changes in ethanol treated group showed the presence of erosion in gastric epithelium. Histologically, it has been showed the presence of necrosis in gastric pits and glands with atrophy of some of them and infiltration of inflammatory cells and hemorrhage, while the protective group showed presence of necrosis in epithelial cells linning the gastric glands and desquemation from basement membrane at 60 day, while the histopathological changes was mild in the group given licorice ethanolic extract alone. In conclusion, inefficiency of licorice ethanolic extract in reducing the effects of high dose of ethanol on the stomach.

Role of bone marrow derived-mesenchymal stem cells against gastric ulceration: Histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study.

The current study aimed to assess the antiulcerogenic impact of mesenchymal bone marrow stem cells (BMMSCs) against gastric ulcer induced by the use of piroxicam in rats and to compare this effect with the antiulcer drug “Pantoloc ®” proton pump inhibitors. The study included histological, histochemical, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural examination in stomach of rats in different study groups. In the ulcerated group, the glandular region of the stomach displayed clear mucosal lesions occurring as perforations along the stomach axis. In addition, stomach displayed degeneration of surface mucous cells accompanied by pyknosis, vacuolation among parietal cells in ishmus region, basal region with vacuolated chief cells and karyolitic nucleus of parietal cells. Moreover, Stomach sections of ulcer model rats showed intensive immunoreactivity to cytokeratin 20, Cox 2 and PCNA. Findings of the present study have shown that BMMSCs have an ameliorative effect against piroxicam-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Collectively, the proposed work has shown that BMMSCs have a curative capacity as an antiulcer due to their high antioxidant activity. Further studies are required in molecular levels to understand the mechanism of action during treatment.

Bileome: The bile acid metabolome of rat

Bile acids (BA) play a vital physiological role in vivo. They are not only detergent of dietary lipids and nutrients, but also important hormones or nutrient signaling molecules in metabolic regulation process. Recent studies have also shown BA involvement in various cancers and diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s and liver diseases. However, majority of the reported literature about BA is restricted to enterohepatic circulation. Hitherto, there has been no comprehensive study of the BA profile in all the major tissue and biofluids in rat has been reported. In this first bileomics study, BA profile of 14 different rat biological specimens (liver, serum, kidney, heart, stomach, ovary, mammary, uterus, small intestine, big intestine, spleen, brain, feces and urine) were studied by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Here I report the comprehensive identification and measurements of bile acids, the bileome, in rat. PCA analysis show distinct separate clusters of tissues as well as biofluids based on BA composition profile. Furthermore, we found that BA profiles of the organs that are involved in enterohepatic circulation were different than the other organs. Most of BA in brain, spleen, heart, ovary, urine, feces and uterus were in the unamidated form, and LCA and MOCA are the most abundant BAs in these organs. Whereas, most of BAs in liver, serum, mammary, large intestine, small intestine, stomach and kidney existed in amidated form, and TCA and T-β-MCA are primary BAs. Finally, first time, BAs are found and measured in kidney, heart, stomach, ovary, mammary, uterus, and spleen of rats.

Effects of single- and tri-frequency ultrasound on self-assembly and characterizations of bionic dynamic rat stomach digestion of pepsin-soluble collagen from chicken leg skin

Chicken feet, aplenty by-products in the chicken industry, are rich in collagen and contain abundant amino acids so that it can be used as an important source for the collagen market. Pepsin-soluble collagen (PSC) was extracted from chicken leg skin and explored the effects of single- and tri-frequency ultrasound on the self-assembly and vitro digestion characteristics. By the diverging and tri-frequency ultrasound reactor, PSC was treated with 20 kHz/270w (C20H5m), 40 kHz/270w (C40H5m), 60 kHz/270w (C60H5m), 20/40/60 kHz/90w × 3 (CtH5m) for 5 min. Results showed that ultrasound could accelerate the process of collagen self-assembly, and 60 kHz/270w was the fastest. Microfiber diameters of C60H5m were 65–89 nm, which was significantly lower than the control without ultrasound (80–161 nm). The digestion results indicated polypeptides with relative molecular weights founded in the range 200–5000 Da were exceeded 85%. The final digested product had the highest content of oligopeptide, consistent rheological properties, and elastic behavior. The cavitation and mechanical of ultrasound have effects on the self-assembly process and collagen gel structure and digestion characteristics, which is of great significance for the development of the chicken industry and collagen market.

Gastroprotective Effect of Chinese Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. pekinensis) Juice in Sprague Dawley Rats

Background: Chinese cabbage or Brassica oleracea L. var. pekinensis is an edible leafy green vegetable in the family of Brassicaceae. Ethnopharmacological studies have shown that the juice of cabbage leaves is commonly used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, minor cuts and wounds and mastitis. Objective: This study was aimed to examine the gastroprotective effect of Chinese cabbage (Family: Brassicaceae) juice in rats by using ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model. Methods: Thirty albino male Sprague Dawley rats (150 ± 20 g) were divided into 6 groups with five rats (n = 5) in each group. The normal control group was treated with distilled water while the positive control group was intragastrically administered with omeprazole (20 mg/kg). Cabbage juice at 500 mg/kg was given orally to three experimental groups for 1-day, 7-day and 14-day, respectively. Ethanol (70 % v/v) was orally treated to all rats one hour after the last dose treatment except the normal control group. Results: Results obtained showed that repeated consumption of cabbage juice for 7 days and 14 days exhibited an increase in accumulation mucus and in the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione- s-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) as well as a reduction in gastric lesion area induced by ethanol compared with the ulceration control group. Conclusion: In conclusion, the gastroprotective effect of Chinese cabbage juice could be associated with its ability to increase endogenous antioxidant activities of SOD, GST and GSH-Px and mucus secretion in rat stomach.

Toxicological and Biological Assessment of the Effect of Sapropel of the Prybych Lake during Cutaneous Application in Rats

BACKGROUND: The use of sapropel in balneology, cosmetology, and also products of its processing as an active pharmaceutical ingredient for the creation of medicines requires a mandatory assessment of the degree of toxicity. The toxicological and biological characteristics of sapropel (silt deposits) from the Prybych lake of the Shatsky Lakes group of the Volyn region of Ukraine were based on the results of studies of the functional state of the central nervous system (CNS), autonomic reactions, and structural and functional changes in the internal organs (heart, stomach, liver, and kidneys) of white rats with external use of sapropel. An analysis of acute toxicity, locally irritating, and sensitizing action of sapropaste (a product from sapropel) was also carried out.&#x0D; AIM: This study aimed to conduct of toxicological and biological assessment of the effect of sapropel from the Prybych Lake during cutaneous application in rats to justify the prospects for its further use in balneology, medicine, and for the development of new drugs.&#x0D; METHODS: This study was an in vivo experimental study. As many as, 50 rats were grouped into three treatment groups and two groups of controls.&#x0D; RESULTS: In essence, indicators of locomotor activity and orientation-research behavior of animals do not change (p &gt; 0.5). A stimulating effect on the emotional state of animals, characterized by an increase of grooming duration (p &lt; 0.001), was found. Animals feel calm. A moderate stimulating effect on vegetative reactions manifests itself in a slight increase in urination acts (p &lt; 0.05). Microscopic studies confirmed the absence of the damaging effect of sapropels on the structural and functional state of the organs studied, and signs of increased secretory activity of the gastric mucosa were also noted.&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS: It was experimentally established that the sapropel of the Prybych Lake does not have a harmful or toxic effect on the CNSs functional state and the liver, kidneys, heart, and stomach of rats. Sapropaste does not exhibit sensitizing and locally irritating properties and belongs to the class of practically non-toxic substances (toxicity Class V).

Sleeve gastrectomy-induced endocrine changes in the remnant stomachs of premenopausal and postmenopausal rats: role of the estrogen receptors.

Although alterations in the plasma levels of leptin, glucagon-like peptide-1, and gastrin were linked with bariatric surgery outcomes, gastric production of these peptides was not elucidated before. The aim was to evaluate the impact of estrogen depletion and estrogen receptors (ERs) on sleeve gastrectomy (SG)-induced alterations in gastric hormone production, gastric mucosal integrity, and bone mass. Physiology Research Lab at the University. Female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent ovariectomy or sham operation (control), and 2 months later SG or sham SG was performed. Rats received either nonselective agonist 17 β, ER-α agonist, ER-β agonist, or vehicle for 3 weeks. Trunk blood and gastric tissues were collected for biochemical measurements, while histopathologic examination was performed in gastric and femur samples. In the presence of intact ovaries, SG-induced weight loss was accompanied by reductions in the gastric synthesis of leptin and gastrin, while gastric glucagon-like peptide-1 was additionally decreased when SG was performed at the postmenopausal state. SG elevated the depleted serum estradiol levels of menopause, implicating a beneficial effect, but the occurrence of severe gastric mucosal injury was triggered. On the other hand, using ER agonists upregulated gastrin-expressing cells, ameliorated gastric injury, and improved bone loss. SG, either at premenopausal or postmenopausal state, resulted in considerable loss in bone mass, along with reductions in the gastric levels of gastrin and leptin. Functional status of the ovaries needs to be taken into consideration when monitoring the outcomes of SG, and ER agonists could be of value in controlling SG-induced complications.

Leptin Distribution in Rat Foetal and Extraembryonic Tissues in Late Gestation: A Physiological View of Amniotic Fluid Leptin.

Prenatal leptin is key to regulating foetal growth and early metabolic programming. The presence of intact leptin in rat foetal (at late gestation) and neonatal (immediately after birth) stomach content and mucosa has been previously described, suggesting that it may act as a regulatory nutrient for the neonate rats, be internalised by the stomach, and play a physiological role early in life, which requires to be further investigated, including its origin. We aimed to study the ontogeny of the presence of leptin in the foetal stomach and key extraembryonic tissues in rats at late gestation (days 18–21). Leptin concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and placental leptin immunolocalisation was analysed by immunohistochemistry. Leptin showed a sudden appearance in the amniotic fluid (AF) at day 20 of gestation, gastric content (swallowed AF), stomach, and umbilical cord, significantly increasing at day 21. Leptin levels in these fluids and tissues were positively correlated. In the placenta, leptin was detectable at all the studied days, but its localisation changed from widespread throughout the placenta at day 18 to well-defined in the labyrinth zone from day 19 onwards. The results support a possible internalisation of AF leptin by the immature stomach of near-term foetuses and suggest that changes in placental leptin localisation might help to explain the sudden appearance of leptin in AF at gestational day 20, with potential physiological significance regarding short-term feeding control and metabolic programming in the developing offspring.

Antiulcerogenic Effects of Selected African Nightshades (Solanum nigrum Linn.) Genotypes on the Rat Stomach: A Morphologic and Morphometric Study

Antiulcerogenic Effects of Selected African Nightshades (Solanum nigrum Linn.) Genotypes on the Rat Stomach: A Morphologic and Morphometric Study

Co-drug of isoniazid and sulfur containing antioxidant for attenuation of hepatotoxicity and treatment of tuberculosis

The prolonged use of isoniazid (INH) – a highly effective drug in the treatment of tuberculosis – causes fatal liver injury. In order to overcome this adverse effect, a unique amide codrug was designed by covalently linking INH with sulfur-containing antioxidant- alpha-lipoic acid for possible hepatoprotective and antimycobacterial effect. Co-drug LI was prepared by Schotten Baumann reaction and was characterized by spectroscopic analysis. To check the bioreversibility of LI, in vitro release tests were conducted in buffers of specific pH, stomach, and intestinal homogenates of rat employing HPLC. Male Wistar rats were used for the evaluation of the hepatoprotective activity. Liver function markers, oxidative stress markers, and biochemical parameters were estimated. The antimycobacterial efficacy of LI was examined in terms of its ability to decrease the lung bacillary load in Balb/c mice infected intravenously with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. LI resisted hydrolysis in buffers of pH 1.2 (acidic), pH 7.4 (basic), and stomach homogenate of the rat while displayed significant hydrolysis (88.19%) in intestinal homogenates over a period of 6 h. The effect of LI on liver function, antioxidant and biochemical paradigms was remarkable as it reestablished the enzyme levels and restored hepatic cytoarchitecture representing its abrogating effect. The findings of antimycobacterial activity assessment evidently demonstrated that LI was as potent as INH in lowering the mycobacterial load in mice. The outcome of this exploration confirmed that the described co-drug can offer desirable safety and therapeutic benefit in the management of tuberculosis.

The metabolites and biotransformation pathways in vivo after oral administration of ocotillol, RT5 , and PF11.

Ocotillol, pseudo-ginsenoside RT5 (RT5 ), and pseudo-ginsenoside F11 (PF11 ) are ocotillol-type saponins that have the same aglycone structure but with different numbers of glucose at the C-6 position. In this study, the metabolites of ocotillol, RT5 , and PF11 in rat plasma, stomach, intestine, urine, and feces after oral administration were investigated by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The results showed that RT5 was easily biotransformed into metabolites in vivo, whereas PF11 and RT5 were difficult to be biotransformed. Hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, dehydration, deglycosylation, deoxygenation, hydration, phosphorylation, deoxidation, glucuronidation, and reactions combining amino acid were speculated to be involved in the biotransformation of ocotillol, RT5 , and PF11 . Based on the structural analysis of metabolites, it was deduced that hydrogenation, dehydration, deoxidation, and reactions combining amino acid occurred on the aglycone structure, whereas deglycosylation, hydration, and phosphorylation occurred on the glycosyl chain. Further, metabolites in plasma, urine, feces, and tissues were different: First, glucuronidation products were found in urine, stomach, intestine, and feces, but not in plasma. Second, the ocotillol prototype was not identified in urine samples. Third, the RT5 prototype was found in stomach, intestine, feces, and urine, but not in plasma.

Oily in situ gels as an alternative floating platform for ketoconazole release

Sodium alginate, calcium carbonate, and guar gum were mixed with oils such as olive oil (OO), sesame oil (SO), and medium chain triglyceride (MCT). The oily formulations were found to simplify the preparation of in situ floating gel. This was the aim of this study using ketoconazole (keto) as a model drug. The investigations for the floating property were established by In vitro gelling capacity study and In vitro floating study. Additionally, in vitro release study was applied to find the best formulations to delay the release of keto. Then, selected formulations were studied by FTIR and SEM. Lastly, in vivo gelation was performed to examine the gelation in the rat’s stomach. The results showed all formulations were floating after successful gelation as the least amount of sodium alginate to gel oils was 20% w/w. The gels in SO and OO were better than MCT in delaying keto release, and 30% w/w sodium alginate in SO was the best to delay the release of keto within 8 hours of the release study. Selected gels showed interactions between the keto molecules and the molecules of the gel contents by FTIR study, and SEM showed a difference in the internal structure of selected formulations. Lastly, the 30% w/w sodium alginate in SO proved to gel and remain in the rat's stomach in the following periods: 30 min, 1 hour, 2 hours, and after 8 hours. Oily suspension formulations showed floating properties in the stomach and slowed the release of keto and specifically 30% w/w of sodium alginate in SO.

Expression of asprosin in rat hepatic, renal, heart, gastric, testicular and brain tissues and its changes in a streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus model

In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of asprosin (ASP) in the liver, kidneys, heart, stomach, testicles and brain and to determine the serum and tissue asprosin levels in diabetic rats. A total of 14 male Wistar Albino rats were divided into two groups, each containing 7 rats: (I) control group and (II) experimental diabetes group. Control rats received no treatment and the rats in the experiment group received single-dose of streptozotocin (STZ) (50 mg/kg) dissolved in 0.1 M sodium citrate buffer (pH: 4.5) intraperitoneally. Serum levels of asprosin were measured using ELISA method. The presence of asprosin in hepatic, renal, cardiac, gastric, testicular and brain tissues was investigated using immunohistochemical staining. Asprosin was detected in hepatocytes in the liver, cortical distal tubule cells in the kidney, cardiomyocytes in heart, surface epithelial cells of stomach fundus, interstitial Leydig cells in testes and cortical neurons of the brain. Compared to control group, it was found that diabetic rats had decreased asprosin levels in liver, kidney and heart tissues, increased levels in gastric and testicular tissues and no significant changes in brain tissue. Serum asprosin levels of diabetic rats were found to be decreased compared to the control group.This is the first study in the literature that reports the presence of asprosin in liver, kidney, heart, stomach, testis and brain tissues in rats. The aim of the study is to determine the presence of ASP, a newly discovered adipokine, in various tissues and to examine tissue and serum level changes in STZ-induced diabetes.

Comparative Tissue Distribution of 6 Major Polyphenolic Compounds in Normal and Myocardial Ischemia Model Rats After Oral Administration of the Polygonum orientale L. Extract

A simple, rapid, and selective ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (MS)/MS method was established to investigate tissue distribution of 6 polyphenolic compounds of Polygonum orientale L. extract in normal and myocardial ischemia (MI) model rat tissues, including isoorientin, orientin, vitexin, quercitrin, astragalin, and protocatechuic acid. An Agilent Eclipse Plus C18 column was used. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and water, both with 0.1% formic acid. Quantification was performed in negative ion multiple reaction monitoring mode. All the analysts had good linearity with r ≥ 0.9912. Accuracy ranged from 12.49% to −13.98% for the 6 compounds; within-day variation (precision) was ≤9.98% and interday precision was ≤11.88%. Extraction recovery of the analysts ranged from 80.55% to 99.92%; the matrix was 81.00%–98.73%. The analyst preparations were stable throughout. The 6 compounds were rapidly distributed in various tissues after oral administration, without accumulation over 12 hours. Compared with normal rats, distributions of 6 compounds in the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, brain, stomach, and intestine in MI model rats were different from those in the normal group. The study provides an insight for further research of P. orientale L.

The Effects of Age and Adiposity on the Digestibility of Micellar Casein in Rats

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the digestibility of casein and its amino acids (AA) in rats of different ages (2 months vs 11 months) and adiposity levels (normal vs high). Methods Wistar rats of 1 month (n = 15) and 10 months (n = 15) at their arrival were fed ad libitum for 28 days either with a standard diet (14% P/E, 75% C/E, 11% L/E) or a Western diet (14% P/E, 51% C/E, 35% L/E) in order to obtain respectively rats of normal and high adiposity levels. Four groups were constituted (n = 7/8): 2 months/normal adiposity (2 M/NA), 2 months/high adiposity (2 M/HA), 11 months/normal adiposity (11 M/NA) and 11 months/high adiposity (11 M/HA). After a week on the standard diet, the rats consumed a 4 g meal containing 15N labeled casein (Prodiet® 85B). Blood samples were taken at t = 0, t = 1 h, t = 3 h after meal consumption, and the rats were euthanized at t = 6 h. Digestive contents were collected and body composition was determined. Nitrogen quantity and 15N enrichment were analyzed in the meal and digestive contents by EA-IRMS, allowing for the estimation of casein digestibility. Concentrations in AA and their 15N enrichments were determined respectively by UHPLC and GC-C-IRMS to obtain the digestibility of individual AA. Results Weight did not differ between groups of the same age, but body composition analysis showed a significant difference in adiposity (P = 0.0008 between the 2 M groups; P = 0.0004 between the 11 M groups). Nitrogen fecal digestibility of casein increased significantly in rats with higher adiposity levels (2 M/NA = 94.1 ± 1.1%; 2 M/HA = 95.2 ± 1.7%; 11 M/NA = 94.5 ± 2.2% for 11 M/HA = 95.9 ± 0.7%; P = 0.0339). No difference was found in the digestibility of individual AA. 6 hours after meal ingestion, there was significantly more exogenous nitrogen in the stomach of rats aged 11 months compared to those of 2 months (3,9 ± 6,9% for the 2 M groups and 11,3 ± 9,2% for the 11 M groups P = 0.0188;). Except for methionine, there was no difference in plasma concentration levels of essential AA over time between the groups. Conclusions Our results suggest that age slows down digestion, in accordance with the literature. We showed that adiposity increased casein digestibility but without any effect at the level of individual AA digestibility. Funding Sources Ingredia.