In order to assess the risk of parenteral aluminium (Al) exposure, we evaluated the effects of intraperitoneal administration of aluminium hydroxide, a compound widely used in medicine. Mice (strain Pzh:SFIS) received intraperitoneally, every two weeks 1 mg Al or 0.1 mg Al for five days a week. Controls received injections of saline. Al concentrations in liver, bone and brain were evaluated by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry after exposure to 2 mg, 4 mg, and 6 mg Al. The concentration was the highest in liver and occurred after exposure to only 2 mg Al (265.1 +/- 27.7 mg/kg, 233.5 +/- 28.0 mg/kg). Generally further accumulation was not dose- and treatment-dependent. The only exception was a significant Al increase in the liver after exposure to 6 mg Al, injected 0.1 mg Al five days/week. Development of resorption granulomas was observed in the liver, Al being revealed by Morin fluorescence in constituent macrophages and giant cells. By electron probe X-ray microanalysis, Al was identified predominantly in lysosomes of macrophages and Kupffer cells. In tibia of mice, a dose-dependent Al accumulation was observed. The highest level of Al concentration after the 6 mg treatment was 23.5 +/- 3.82 mg/kg and 25.06 +/- 2.3 mg/kg. The Al concentration in the brain of mice had not changed significantly during Al treatment.

External gigong emitted by a quartz crystal upon application of electric current was evaluated by its biological effects, such as changes in frequency-analyzed electroencephalograms (EEG) in rabbits and spontaneous electrical activity of the rat pineal gland. Physical properties of this external gigong cannot be evaluated by currently available physical means. Three types of EEG changes were produced depending on the intensity of current applied to the crystal. These changes corresponded fairly well to the dose-dependent EEG changes after intravenous administration of 5-hydroxytryptophan. A gigong-containing medal also produced similar EEG changes depending on threshold to gigong. Human gigong similarly influenced EEG. All EEG changes disappeared after pinealectomy or after application of methysergide (10 mg/kg), a serotonin antagonist. The rate of spontaneous electrical activity of the pineal gland was depressed by reorientation of the rat to the north or to the south, by gigong emitted by a quartz crystal, or by application of a gigong-containing medal. Human gigong also depressed this electrical activity. The EEG changes produced by external gigong might be caused by increased serotonin concentration in the pineal gland, since the pineal gland is responsive to gigong as well as the earth's magnetic field, which is known to inhibit N-acetyltransferase by increasing serotonin concentration in the pineal gland. Hence, the finding that current-intensity-dependent EEG changes induced by quartz crystal-emitted gigong were analogous to dose-dependent EEG changes produced by 5-hydroxytryptophan might be attributed to increased serotonin levels by current-intensity-dependent inhibition of N-acetyltransferase by external gigong.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of Nigella sativa (NS) on the heart rate, some hematological values, and pancreatic beta-cell damage in cadmium (Cd)-treated rats. The rats were randomly grouped into one of three experimental groups: Control, Cd treated, and Cd + NS treated. Each group contained 10 animals. The Cd-treated and Cd + NS-treated groups were injected subcutaneously daily with CdCl2 dissolved in isotonic NaCl in the amount of 2 mL/kg for 30 d, resulting in a dosage of 0.49 mg Cd/kg/d. The control group was injected with only isotonic NaCl (2 mL/kg/d) throughout the experiment (for 30 d). Three days prior to administration of CdCl2, the Cd + NS-treated group received the daily intraperitoneal (ip) injection of 2 mL/kg NS until the end of the study; animals in all three groups were fasted for 12 h and blood samples were taken for the determination of the glucose and insulin levels, red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts, packet cell volume (PCV), and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration. The heart rates of rats were also measured by a direct writing electrocardiograph before the blood withdrawals. It was found that NS treatment increased the lowered insulin levels, RBC and WBC counts, PCV, and neutrophil percentage in Cd-treated rats. However, the WBC count of Cd-treated rats with NS treatment was still lower than those of control values. NS treatment also decreased the elevated heart rate and glucose concentration of Cd-treated rats. Pancreatic tissues were also harvested from the sacrificed animals for morphological and immunohistochemical examinations. Cd exposure alone caused a degeneration, necrosis, and weak degranulation in the beta-cells of the pancreatic islets. In Cd + NS-treated rats, increased staining of insulin and preservation of islet cells were apparent. It is concluded that NS treatment might decrease the Cd-treated disturbances on heart rate, some hematological values, and pancreatic beta-cell.

The effect of broccoli extract (BE)-enriched diet was studied in order to evaluate its ability to counteract liver cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) induced by acute strenuous exercise in rats. Thirty-two female Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control diet without exercise (C), BE-enriched diet without exercise (B), control diet with acute exhaustive exercise (S) and BE-enriched diet with acute exhaustive exercise (BS). The study lasted 45days and on the last day, rats of S and BS groups were forced to run until exhaustion on a treadmill. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) were determined in liver. Exhaustive exercise was clearly responsible for tissue damage, as evidenced by the increase of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) plasma activity in the S group. Moreover, the exercise protocol reduced CAT activity in liver, while it did not affect GST, GR and GPx. BE-enriched diet raised GST, GR and CAT activities in rats of BS group. The main COPs found were 7α-hydroxycholesterol, 7β-hydroxycholesterol, 7-ketocholesterol, cholestanetriol, 24-hydroxycholesterol and 27-hydroxycholesterol. The BE-enriched diet led to reduced cholesterol oxidation following exhaustive exercise; the highest level of COPs was found in the S group, whereas the BS rats showedthe lowest amount. This study indicates that the BE-enriched diet increases antioxidant enzyme activities and exerts an antioxidant effect towards cholesterol oxidation in rat liver, suggesting the use of phytochemicals in the prevention of oxidative damage and in the modulation of the redox environment.

This study aimed to determine the effect of exercise training alone and in combination with coenzyme Q10 (Q10) supplementation on the Q10 level, oxidative damage, and antioxidant defense markers in blood and skeletal muscle tissue in young and aged rats.The study included 4-month old (young) and 20-month old (aged) rats. Each group was further divided into control, exercise training, Q10 supplementation, and Q10 supplementation plus exercise training groups. The exercise training program consisted of swimming for 8 weeks, and Q10 or vehicle during the same period.The Q10 concentration in plasma (P < 0.05), but not in skeletal muscle (P > 0.05) increased significantly following Q10 supplementation in both the young and aged rats. Plasma SOD and CAT activity were significantly higher in the aged rats in the Q10 and Q10 plus exercise training groups than in the other groups (P < 0.05); however, there was no significant difference between the groups in skeletal muscle (P > 0.05). Additionally, plasma and skeletal GSH levels did not differ between the groups (P > 0.05).The present findings indicate that Q10 supplementation increased the Q10 concentration in blood but not in skeletal muscle tissue. On the other hand, Q10 administration alone and in combination with exercise challenge improved antioxidant enzyme capacity especially in the aged rats.

OBJECTIVES:Chlorella is a type of unicellular green algae that contains various nutrients. Habitual exercise and chlorella treatment can improve insulin resistance in obese or diabetic animal models. However, the additive effects of combined chlorella intake and aerobic exercise training remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a combination of chlorella intake and aerobic exercise training would produce greater effects on improving glycemic control in rats with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS:Twenty-wk-old male rats with type 2 diabetes (Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty [OLETF] rats) were randomly divided into four groups: sedentary control, aerobic exercise training (treadmill running for 1 h, 25m/min, 5 d/wk), chlorella intake (0.5% chlorella powder in normal diet), or combination of aerobic exercise training and chlorella intake for 8 wk (n = 7 per group).

RESULTS:Chlorella intake and aerobic exercise training significantly decreased fasting blood glucose, insulin levels, and total glucose area under the curve during the oral glucose tolerance test and increased the insulin sensitivity index concomitant with muscle phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) activity, protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation, and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation levels. Furthermore, a combination of chlorella intake and aerobic exercise training significantly further improved these effects compared with aerobic exercise training or chlorella intake alone.

CONCLUSIONS:These results suggested that chlorella intake combined with aerobic exercise training had more pronounced effects on the improvement of glycemic control via further activation of muscle PI3K/Akt/GLUT4 signaling in rats with type 2 diabetes.

The present study was aimed to test the hypothesis that paracetamol (PCM) can precipitate autistic like features when used to counteract vaccine-induced fever using experimental rat pups. The pups were treated with measles mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria tetanus and pertussis (DPT) vaccines and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with subsequent PCM treatment. The pups were evaluated for postnatal growth (weight gain, eye opening) and behavior alterations (swimming performance, olfactory discrimination, negative geotaxis, nociception, and locomotor activity) by performing battery of neurobehavioral test. Significant correlation was observed between social behavioral domains (nociception, anxiety and motor coordination) and pro-inflammatory load in the pups when treated with MMR/LPS along with PCM. A significant change in pro and anti-inflammatory (IL-4, IL-6, IL-10) markers were observed in rats treated with PCM, MMR, LPS, DPS alone or in combination with MMR, LPS and DPT (5128.6 ± 0.000, 15,488 ± 0.000, 9661.1 ± 157.29, 15,312 ± 249.29, 10,471 ± 0.00, 16,789 ± 273.34and 12,882 ± 0.00). Pups were also scrutinized for the markers of oxidative stress, inflammation and histopathologically. All the treatment groups showed significant alteration in the behavioral changes, oxidative markers (TBARS-in control-4.33 ± 0.02, PCM-9.42 ± 0.18, MMR-5.27 ± 0.15, MMR + PCM-8.57 ± 0.18, LPS-6.84 ± 0.10, LPS + PCM-4.51 ± 0.30, DPT-5.68 ± 0.12, DPT + PCM-7.26 ± 0.18) and inflammatory markers without following any specific treatment. These observation could be accorded to variable phenotypes of autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs).

3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NP) causes severe neurotoxicity in animals, which depicts Huntington's disease (HD) in humans. Embelin, the main active constituent of Embelia ribes, has been reported to possess various pharmacological actions, mainly anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticonvulsant and neuroprotective. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of embelin against 3-NP induced experimental HD in rats. Adult Wistar rats were pretreated with vehicle/embelin (10 and 20mg/kg p.o.) for 7 days. From 8th day onwards, embelin was co-treated with 3-NP (15mg/kg, i.p.) for 7 days. At the end of the treatment schedule, animals were evaluated for behavioral alterations and brain homogenates were used for estimation of oxidative stress parameters (lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione, catalase and glutathione-S-transferase). 2,3,5-Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) stained brain slices were used for lesion size measurement. Administration of 3-NP significantly altered the behavioral and neuronal antioxidant status and caused significant neuronal damage in striatal region. Embelin, at both the tested doses, caused a significant reversal of behavioral and antioxidant status alterations and reversed the striatal neuronal damage induced by 3-NP. These findings suggest the neuroprotective effect of embelin against HD. The observed protective effect might be attributed to the antioxidant properties of embelin.

This work aimed to study the effect of swimming exercise on serum vitamin D level and tissue vitamin D receptors in experimentally induced type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Sixty adult male rats were divided into control and diabetic groups. Each was further subdivided into sedentary and exercised subgroups. Diabetes Mellitus was induced by a single intraperitoneal dose of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) dissolved in cold 0.01 M citrate buffer (pH 4.5). The exercised subgroups underwent swimming for 60 min, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. Serum glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), lipids, vitamin D and tissue Vitamin D receptors (VDR) were evaluated. Significant increase in serum glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, cholesterol, triglycerides, and low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in sedentary diabetic rats was detected. On the other hand, high density lipoprotein (HDL), free fatty acids, serum vitamin D and pancreatic, adipose, and muscular VDR showed a significant decrease in the same group. It is evident that all these parameters were reversed by swimming exercise indicating its beneficial role in type 2 Diabetes. In diabetic groups; serum vitamin D was found to be correlated negatively with serum glucose, insulin, HOMA, cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL and positively correlated with HDL and tissue VDR. In conclusion, Disturbed vitamin D is associated with metabolic impairments in sedentary diabetic rats. Moderate swimming exercise is beneficial in improving these consequences through modulation of vitamin D status. Future studies could be designed to investigate the effect of the combination of vitamin D intake with exercise in diabetic patients.

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) is strongly correlated with progressive cognitive decline in neurological diseases, such as vascular dementia (VaD) and Alzheimer's disease. Exercise can enhance learning and memory, and delay age-related cognitive decline. However, exercise-induced hippocampal neurogenesis in experimental animals submitted to CCH has not been investigated. The present study aimed to investigate whether hippocampal neurogenesis induced by exercise can improve cognitive deficit in a rat model of VaD. Male Wistar rats (age, 8 weeks; weight, 292±3.05 g; n=12-13/group) were subjected to bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (2VO) or sham‑surgery and each group was then subdivided randomly into no exercise and treadmill exercise groups. Exercise groups performed treadmill exercise daily at 15 m/min for 30 min for 4 weeks from the third to the seventh week after 2VO. It was demonstrated that the number of neural progenitor cells and mature neurons in the subgranular zone of 2VO rats was increased by exercise, and cognitive impairment in 2VO rats was attenuated by treadmill exercise. In addition, mature brain‑derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the hippocampus were increased in the exercise groups. Thus the present study suggests that exercise delays cognitive decline by the enhancing neurogenesis and increasing BDNF expression in the context of VaD.

The antioxidant enzyme system helps protect against intense exercise-induced oxidative damage and is related to the physical status of athletes. Evidence suggests that intestinal microbiota may be an important environmental factor associated with host metabolism, physiology, and antioxidant endogenous defense. However, evidence of the effect of gut microbiota status on exercise performance and physical fatigue is limited. We investigated the association of intestinal bacteria and exercise performance in specific pathogen-free (SPF), germ-free (GF), and Bacteroides fragilis (BF) gnotobiotic mice. Endurance swimming time was longer for SPF and BF than GF mice, and the weight of liver, muscle, brown adipose, and epididymal fat pads was higher for SPF and BF than GF mice. The serum levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase were greater in SPF than GF mice. Serum superoxide dismutase activity was lower in BF than SPF and GF mice. In addition, hepatic GPx level was higher in SPF than GF and BF mice. Gut microbial status could be crucial for exercise performance and its potential action linked with the antioxidant enzyme system in athletes.

Experimental and epidemiological studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of the traditional Mediterranean diet (TMD) on the incidence and progression of atherosclerosis. Several genes play a major role in determining atherosclerosis susceptibility. We compared the short-term effects of two TMD diets versus a control diet on the expression of pro-atherogenic genes. One TMD diet was supplemented with virgin olive oil (VOO) (TMD+VOO) and the other with nuts (TMD+nuts). Gene expression was analyzed in monocytes from 49 asymptomatic high cardiovascular-risk participants (23 men, 26 women), aged 55-80 years. Monocytes were isolated from blood before and 3 months after dietary intervention. We analyzed the expression of genes involved in inflammation [cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1)], genes involved in foam cell formation [low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP1), LDL receptor and CD36], and genes involved in thrombosis [tissue factor (TF) and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI)]. We found that TMD+VOO intervention prevented an increase in COX-2 and LRP1, and reduced MCP-1 expression compared to TMD+nuts or control diet interventions. TMD+nuts specifically increased the expression of CD36 and TFPI compared to TMD+VOO and control diet intervention. Our findings showed that the Mediterranean diet influences expression of key genes involved in vascular inflammation, foam cell formation and thrombosis. Dietary intervention can thus actively modulate the expression of pro-atherothrombotic genes even in a high-risk population.

BACKGROUND: The increased level of LDL-c in the serum has a high risk and the increased serum HDL-c level has a low risk for the development of atherosclerosis. The effect of Nigella sativa on levels of cholesterol fractions were determined in this study on rats. METHODS: 24 albino rats of 08 weeks age having equal number of males and females were kept at optimum atmospheric condition. The blood samples were taken at the start and different control and experimental diets were given for 20 weeks. The experimental diets were added with Nigella sativa as 30 mg/kg body weight. The blood samples were taken at the end of study. The blood samples drawn at the start and end of the study were estimated for serum cholesterol. The results of control and experimental groups were compared. RESULTS: Total serum cholesterol in the control group showed increase from 8.3+/-3.30 to 13.96+/-9.3 at 20 weeks. The serum HDL cholesterol showed increase from 44.4+/-6.12 to 80.45+/-5.95 level at 20 weeks. The serum LDL cholesterol showed increase from 8.3+/-3.30 to 13.96+/-9.3 at 20 weeks. The total serum cholesterol in experimental group was increased from 76.9+/-6.5 to 117.5+/-6.65 at 20 weeks. The serum HDL cholesterol levels was increased from 41.7+/-4.9 to 83.42+/-5.92 at 20 weeks as compared with control group. The LDL cholesterol levels were decreased from 12.7+/-6.9 to 8.5+/-7.8 at 20 weeks. CONCLUSION: This study shows significant decrease in serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol level, and increase in serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.

The aim of this study was to compare the treatment effects of laser photobiomodulation (LPBM) therapy and aerobic exercise on the biomechanical properties, tissue morphology and the expression of tendon matrix molecules during early remodeling of Achilles tendon (AT) injury in diabetic rats. Animals were randomly assigned to five groups: injured non diabetic (I, n = 15), injured diabetic (ID, n = 15), injured diabetic plus LPBM (IDL, n = 16), injured diabetic plus aerobic exercise (IDE, n = 16) and injured diabetic plus aerobic exercise and LPBM (IDEAL, n = 17). Type 1 diabetes was induced via a single intravenous injection of Streptozotocin at a dose of 40 mg/kg. A partial tenotomy was performed in the right AT. LPBM was performed with an indium-gallium-aluminum-phosphide 660 nm 10 mW laser device (spot size 0.04 cm2, power density 250 mW/cm2, irradiation duration 16 s, energy 0.16 J, energy density 4 J/cm2) on alternate days for a total of 9 sessions over 3 weeks (total energy 1.44 J), using a stationary contact technique to a single point over the dorsal aspect of the AT. Moderate aerobic exercise was performed on a motorized treadmill (velocity 9 m/min for 60 minutes). At 3 weeks post-injury, biomechanical analyzes as well as assessment of fibroblast number and orientation were performed. Collagen 1 (Col1) and 3 (Col3) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) -3 and 13 protein distributions were studied by immunohistochemistry; while Col1 and Col3 and MMP-2 and 9 gene expression were assessed by quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). IDEAL exhibited significant increases in several biomechanical parameters in comparison to the other groups. Moreover, IDEAL presented stronger Col1 immunoreactivity when compared to ID, and weaker Col3 immunoreactivity than IDE. Both IDL and IDEAL demonstrated weaker expression of MMP-3 in comparison to I, while IDL presented no expression of MMP-13 when compared to ID. ID, IDL and IDE showed an increased number of fibroblasts in comparison to I, while IDEAL decreased the number of these cells in comparison to ID and IDE. IDL and IDEAL groups exhibited decreased angular dispersion among the fibroblasts when compared to I. The gene expression results showed that IDE demonstrated a downregulation in Col1 mRNA expression in comparison to I and ID. IDEAL demonstrated upregulation of Col1 mRNA expression when compared to IDL or IDE alone and increased MMP-2 expression when compared to IDL and IDE. MMP-9 expression was upregulated in IDEAL when compared to I, IDL and IDE. Our results suggest a beneficial interaction of combining both treatment strategies i.e., aerobic exercise and LPBM, on the biomechanical properties, tissue morphology and the expression of matrix molecules in diabetic tendons.

Cordyceps militaris is the one of the most important medicinal mushrooms, widely used in East Asian countries. Polysaccharide is considered to be the principal active component in C. militaris and has a wide range of biological and pharmacological properties. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of polysaccharide from C. militaris (PCM) on physical fatigue induced in animals through a forced swimming test. The mice were divided into 4 groups receiving 28 days' treatment with drinking water (exercise control) or low-, medium-, and high-dose PCM (40, 80, and 160 mg/kg/day, respectively). After 28 days, the mice were subjected to the forced swimming test; the exhaustive swimming time was measured and fatigue-related biochemical parameters, including serum lactic acid, urea nitrogen, creatine kinase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, superoxide dismutase, glutathi- one peroxidase, catalase, malondialdehyde, liver glycogen, and muscle glycogen, were analyzed. The results showed that PCM could significantly prolong the exhaustive swimming time of mice; decrease concentrations of serum lactic acid, urea nitrogen, creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and malondialdehyde; and increase liver and muscle glycogen contents and the concentrations of serum superoxide dismutase, glutathione per- oxidase, and catalase. The data suggest that PCM has an antifatigue effect, and it might become a new functional food or medicine for fatigue resistance.

In recent years, the antioxidant efficacy of puerarin has been recognized. However, there is less research on Puerarin used in diabetes. This paper analyzes the effect of puerarin on type II diabetes mellitus induced by streptozotocin combined with orthopaedic footwear. In this study, 80 Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were fed with high fat and high sucrose diet for one month, and 1% streptozotocin (STZ) was used to induce type II diabetes mellitus. After 6 weeks aerobic exercise and puerarin intervention in rats, the effect of aerobic exercise and puerarin intervention on antioxidant ability in diabetic rats was investigated. The results showed that aerobic exercise and puerarin intervention can improve the insulin resistance in rats. Meanwhile, the annual incidence of foot ulcers in diabetic patients is 2%, while orthopaedic footwear can reduce the probability of diabetic foot ulcers. In general, exercise and puerarin intervention can really play a role in the prevention and treatment of diabetes, such as improving the metabolic status of diabetic patients and reducing their dependence on drugs.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of chronic quercetin treatment on mitochondrial biogenesis, endurance exercise performance and activation levels of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in rat skeletal muscle. Rats were assigned to a control or quercetin group and were fed for 7 days. Rats treated with quercetin showed no changes in the protein levels of citrate synthase or cytochrome C oxidase IV or those of sirtuin 1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α or phosphorylated AMPK. After endurance swimming exercise, quercetin-treated rats demonstrated no differences in blood and muscle lactate levels or glycogen utilization speed compared to control rats. These results indicate that quercetin treatment does not stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle and does not influence metabolism in a way that might enhance endurance exercise capacity. On the other hand, the AMPK phosphorylation level immediately after exercise was significantly lower in quercetin-treated muscles, suggesting that quercetin treatment might provide a disadvantage to muscle adaptation when administered with exercise training. The molecular results of this study indicate that quercetin treatment may not be advantageous for improving endurance exercise performance, at least after high-dose and short-term therapy.

Huntington's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease characterized by abnormal body movements called chorea, and a reduction of various mental abilities. 3-Nitropropionic acid, an inhibitor of complex II of the electron transport chain, causes Huntington's disease-like symptoms in rodents. Recently, it has been reported that oxidative stress, which is one of the pathological hallmarks of various neurodegenerative disorders, also plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Huntington's disease. The present study was designed to investigate effects of resveratrol, an antioxidant with cyclooxygenase I inhibitory activity, in the 3-nitropropionic acid-induced model of Huntington's disease. Intraperitoneal administration of 3-nitropropionic acid (20 mg/kg for 4 days) caused significant loss of body weight, a decline in motor function (locomotor activity, movement pattern and vacuous chewing movements) and poor retention of memory. Repeated treatment with resveratrol (5 and 10 mg/kg, orally), once daily for a period of 8 days beginning 4 days prior to 3-nitropropionic acid administration, significantly improved the 3-nitropropionic acid-induced motor and cognitive impairment. Biochemical analysis revealed that systemic 3-nitropropionic acid administration significantly increased lipid peroxidation, nitrite levels, and depleted reduced glutathione levels, and decreased succinate dehydrogenase activity in the brains of rats. The results of the present study indicate that resveratrol (5 and 10 mg/kg, orally) significantly reversed 3-nitropropionic acid-induced motor and cognitive impairment, and that the beneficial effects of resveratrol might be attributed to its antioxidant activity.

Dietary compounds like flavonoids may offer protection against neurodegeneration. Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by symptoms like chorea and dementia. 3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NP), a Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) inhibitor produces behavioral, biochemical and histological changes in the striatum, mimics HD in animals and humans. The present study was designed to examine the protective activity of Rutin (RT), a primary flavonoid from citrus fruits, green tea on 3-NP induced experimental model of HD in rats. Rats were pretreated with Rutin, a potent antioxidant (25 and 50 mg/kg b.w.) orally prior to the intraperitoneally (i.p.) administration of 3-NP (10 mg/kg b.w.) for 14 days. Behavioral assessments were carried out on 5th, 10th and 15th day after 3-NP treatment. Body weight, biochemical and histological studies were analyzed on 15th day. Systemic administration of 3-NP significantly reduced the body weight, locomotor activities (Rota rod, Open field test), memory (Morris water maze) and antioxidants such as Glutathione (GSH) levels, activities of Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Glutathione-S-transferase (GST), Glutathione reductase (GR). 3-NP also produces striatal damage by increased the levels of lipid peroxides, nitrite, Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) and activity of Acetylcholine esterase (AchE). Thus, Rutin treatment of 25 and 50 mg/kg b.w. has significantly restored all the biochemical, behavioral and histological alterations caused by the 3-NP through its antioxidant activity. The findings of our study indicates that Rutin may have an important role in protecting the striatum from oxidative/nitrosative insults caused by 3-NP. These results suggest that RT might be a drug of choice to treat HD.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on mitochondrial SDH and Na+ -K+ -ATPase activity, and lactate acid (LA) content in the peri-hemotoma tissue in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) so as to explore its mechanisms in resisting cerebral ischemia. METHODS: A total of 80 Wistar rats were randomized into normal group, sham group, model group, EA group. The last three groups were further divided into 24 h, 72 h and 168 h subgroups respectively, with 8 cases in each group/subgroups. ICH model was established by caudatum-injection (right) of Collagense VII/heparini solution (2 microl). EA (2 Hz, 1 mA) was applied to "Baihui" (GV 20)-"Taiyang" (EX-HN 5) for 30 min. Chondriosome suspension of the cerebral perihemotoma tissue was got by gradient centrifugation for detecting SDH and Na+ -K+ -ATPase activity, and LA content with chromometry. RESULTS: In comparison with sham-operation group and control group, SDH and mitochondrial Na+ -K+ -ATPase activity in cerebral peri-hemotoma tissue declined significantly from 72 h and 24 h on respectively (P<0.05), while LA level increased markedly from 24 h on (P<0.05) in model group. Compared with sham-operation group, SDH activity (168 h) and Na+ -K+ -ATPase activity (24 h, 72 h and 168 h) in EA group also decreased significantly (P<0.05); LA level (24 h, 72 h) in EA group increased considerably (P<0.05). Whereas compared with model group, SDH and Na+ -K+ -ATPase activity increased significantly at most time courses (P<0.05), and LA level decreased remarkably (P<0.05) in EA group. CONCLUSION: EA can improve the energy metabolism, upregulate the activity of chondriosome,and reduce the accumulation of LA in the cerebral perihemotoma tissue of ICH rats.