ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Depression is a prevalent condition that is costly to individuals and society. In view of a role of tryptophan (TRP), selenium (Se), vitamin D (Vit D), magnesium (Mg) and serotonin in depression, the present study concerns to evaluate the circulating levels of TRP, Se, Vit D, Mg and serotonin in depression as well as the correlation between TRP and other serum analytes is also established.METHODS: Healthy (n=48) and depressed (n=48) subjects were recruited and their blood samples were obtained after an overnight fast of 12 h, serum was stored for the determination of levels of TRP, Se, Vit D, Mg, and serotonin.RESULTS: show that levels of TRP, Se, Vit D, Mg, and serotonin were decreased in the depressed patient when compared to normal subjects. There is a direct correlation between TRP and Vit D, and TRP and Se while the inverse correlation between TRP and Mg, and TRP and serotonin in depressed subjects. The association among TRP and other biomarkers is non-significant.CONCLUSION: In conclusion, depression is associated with deficiency of TRP, Se, Vit D, Mg, and serotonin displays the characteristics of biomarkers. The correlation between TRP and other biomarkers/trace elements is also important in depression.
Subject(s)
Humans , Biomarkers , Depression , Magnesium , Selenium , Serotonin , Trace Elements , Tryptophan , Vitamin DABSTRACT
Diet has a great impact on brain health and function. It plays an important role to improve and control a number of psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, hyperactivity and behavioral impulsivity. Anorexia Nervosa [AN] is one of the psychiatric disorder which is associated with diet. In AN, patients show extreme dieting, weight loss, hyperactivity, depression/anxiety, self-control and behavioral impulsivity. Previous studies showed that during diet restriction, tryptophan decreases serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT] metabolism in the brain due to its less availability and contributes psychiatric problems associated with AN. The present study is designed to investigate the effects of tryptophan administration on 5-HT metabolism in diet-restricted rats. Tryptophan at a dose of 50 or 100mg/kg was given orally to respective freely fed [FF] or diet restricted [DR] animals daily for five weeks. Behavioral activities were also monitored weekly. The results show significant effect [p<0.05] on behavior in activity box, open field and in light/dark transition test by tryptophan administration in diet-restricted rats. This may be associated with the increased in serum tryptophan and brain 5-HT metabolism. Therefore, it is concluded that diet-restriction-induced behavioral changes might be reverted back with the administration of tryptophan and may be helpful to improve psychological problems in AN
ABSTRACT
The present study was aimed to investigate the anti-stress and memory enhancing effects of banana [Musa sapientum L.] fruit pulp and peel extract in male mice. Locally bred albino Wistar mice were divided into control and 2 test groups [n=10]. Control rats received drinking water while test groups were treated with banana fruit pulp [600 mg/kg; oral administration] and extract of banana peel [400mg/kg; oral administration]. Behavioral activities of animals were monitored 14 days post administration of banana pulp and peel extract. Depression-like symptoms were measured by forced swimming test [FST]. Anxiety like behavior was monitored using light-dark activity [LDA] test and plus maze activity [PMA] test and memory functions of rats were assessed by morris water maze [MWM] test. Following 2 weeks animals were decapitated and brain was removed for estimation of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase [CAT], super oxide dismutase [SOD] and reduced glutathione [GSH]. In the present study both banana peel and pulp increased the time spent in light box and open arm, suggesting anxiolytic effects. A significant decrease in immobility time was observed in FST in both banana pulp and peel treated animals suggesting antidepressant like effects. Moreover, learning and memory assessed by MWM showed decrease in time to reach platform in both short term and long term memory test suggested increased memory function in both banana pulp and peel treated animals as compared to control animals. The activities of all antioxidant enzymes were significantly [p<0.05] greater in banana pulp and peel treated animals than control. It is concluded that both banana pulp and peel have anti-anxiety, antidepressant effect as well as strengthen the memory possibly via its antioxidant mechanism. Therefore, it is recommended that supplementation of banana could be taken a vital role in stress [anxiety and depression] relief and increased in memory function possibly by phytoantioxidants
ABSTRACT
Obesity is an important risk factor for sleep disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the association of leptin, zinc and tryptophan [TRP] in obese subjects with sleep deficits [sleep apnea [SA], insomnia [IN]]. In this cross sectional case control, with the verbal and written consent 206, obese with sleep deficits and 30, non-obese/normal identified from various areas of Karachi, Pakistan. The socio-demographic data including; age, body mass index [BMI], education and residence, of participants was collected. After providing informed consent, fasting blood samples were taken and serum was collected. The serum concentration of leptin, zinc and TRP were analyzed by ELISA [Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay], FAAS [Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer] and HPLC [High performance liquid chromatography] respectively. A significant correlation was found between BMI [body mass index] and leptin, BMI and zinc, BMI and TRP. The correlation between leptin consecutively was significantly associated with zinc and TRP in obese patients. Sleep deficits elevated circulatory levels of leptin while lower zinc and TRP levels compared to levels seen in non-obese [Normal] subjects with no sleep deficits. Obese subjects exhibited significantly higher levels of leptin with sleep deficits compared with non-obese subjects with normal sleep pattern, while obese subjects with SA had significantly high levels of leptin than obese subjects with IN and IN+SA. Patients with sleep deficits had significantly lower levels of serum TRP and zinc than non-obese subjects with normal sleep pattern. Obese subjects with SA had significantly lower levels of zinc and elevated levels of TRP than obese subjects with IN. Obese patients with IN+SA had significantly lower levels of leptin and zinc than IN and SA , while TRP levels were significantly lower in subjects with IN than obese subjects with IN+SA and IN. These results suggest that elevated levels of leptin which are possibly by adiposity and lessened levels of zinc and TRP have a great impact on progression of obesity and their association can contribute to tempt sleep disorders
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This study is systematic review of the research, focused on all possible pathways involved in calcium [Ca2+] regulation in order to utilize them in the control and remediation of Alzheimer's disease [AD], because Ca2+ plays important role in pathogenesis of AD. Electronic databases, Science Direct and PubMed/Medline, for relevant publications between 2000- April 2017, were searched. Ca2+ ions are very important in cell signaling in body, specially the neuronal signaling. Many pathways are involved in normal neuronal Ca2+ signaling. AD is one of the most commonly known neurodegenerative disorders, causing dementia and some other neuropathological signs in mostly elderly people reaching a rate of 44 million until now. Depending upon certain possibilities, many hypothesis were proposed related to AD; out of which, one is Ca2+ hypothesis. According to this hypothesis, disturbance in Ca2+ signaling pathway due to certain reasons, such as accumulation of beta-amyloid proteins, ER stress, cytochrome c activation etc., causes AD. Due to less clinical research, only few FDA approved pharmaceuticals are available for treatment of AD. Reviewed studies suggest that Ca2+ channel blocker and initiator may play an important role in cure of AD
ABSTRACT
Effect of administration of Rice bran oil [RBO] was evaluated on haloperidol elicited tardive dyskinesia in rats. Albino Wistar rats treated with haloperidol in drinking water at a dose of 0.2mg/kg/day and RBO by oral tubes at a dose of 0.4 mL/day for 5 weeks. Motor coordination, VCMs and 8-hydroxy-2-[di-n-propylamino] tetraline][8-OHDPAT] _syndrome were monitored. Striatal serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT] and 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid [5- HIAA] levels were determined by high performance liquid chromatography [HPLC-EC]. Rats treated with haloperidol orally at a dose of for a period of 5 weeks developed VCMs, which increased progressively as the treatment continued for 5 weeks. Motor coordination impairment started after the 1[st] week and was maximally impaired after 3 weeks and gradually returned to the 1[st] week value. Co-administration of RBO prevented haloperidol_induced VCMs as well impairment of motor coordination. The intensity of 8-OH-DPAT_induced syndrome and decreased 5-HT metabolism were greater in water + haloperidol treated animals than RBO + haloperidol treated animals. The present study suggested that involvement of free radical in the development of TD and point to RBO as a possible therapeutic option to treat this hyperkinetic motor disorder
ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the biochemical consequences and platelet counts of birth asphyxia in neonates
Study Design: Cohort study
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Child Health, Nishter Medical College and Hospital, Multan, from September to November 2015
Methodology: The data of 50 [50%] asphyxiated neonates and 50 [50%] non-asphyxiated neonates, with age range less than 1 month, was collected from Children Ward of Nishtar Hospital, Multan, Pakistan. Data on platelet count in blood, kidney function tests [creatinine, urea], liver function tests [bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST]] and cardiac enzyme test [lactate dehydrogenase [LDH]] were analysed by paired sample t-test by SPSS software. Sociodemographic data of those neonate's mothers was also collected
Results: In asphyxiated neonates LDH, ALT, AST, creatinine, bilirubin, urea levels were higher than healthy infants, while the platelet count was smaller in asphyxiated neonates than healthy infants
Conclusion: There was a higher rate of alteration in platelet count, levels of LDH, AST, ALT, urea creatinine and bilirubin in asphyxiated infants. These alterations may be correlated with damage of vital organ of asphyxiated neonates
ABSTRACT
Outcome of imipramine [IMI] treatment was scrutinized on progression of haloperidol instigated tardive dyskinesia [TD]. 0.2 mg/kg/rat dosage of haloperidol provided orally to rats for 2 weeks enhanced vacuous chewing movements that escalated when the process proceeded for 5 weeks. Following 2 weeks co-injection 5 mg/kg dosage of IMI was diminished haloperidol-instigated VCMs and fully averted following five weeks. The potency of 8-OH-DPATinstigated locomotor activity exhibited higher in saline+haloperidol treated rats while not observed in IMI+ haloperidol treated rats. 8-OH-DPAT-instigated low 5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT; serotonin] metabolism was higher in saline+ haloperidol treated rats when compare to IMI+ haloperidol treated rats in both regions of brain [striatum and midbrain]. It is recommended that IMI possibly competent in averting TD, in cases receiving treatment to antipsychotics
ABSTRACT
Effects of administration of imipramine [IMI] are determined on haloperidoJ-induced extrapyramidal vmptoms [EPS]
Haloperidol is administered orally at a dose of 0.2 mg/rat/day in rats for a period of 5 weeks, by this catment rats developed vacuous chewing movements [VCMs] after 2 weeks, which increased in a time dependent iiianner as the treatment continued for 5 weeks. Motor coordination [assess on rota rod activity] impaired maximally after 3 weeks and tolerance was developed in the haloperidol induced motor impairment after 5 weeks of treatment. Motor activity in an open field or activity box was not altered
The administration of IMI [intraperitoneally, for 5 weeks] did not affect motor activity or motor coordination
Co-administration of IMI at a dose of 5 mg/ml/kg/day attenuated the induction of haloperidol elicited VCMs [Quantitative orofacial dyskinesia] as well impairment of motor coordination. Results are discussed in the context of the mechanism involved by which imipramine attenuated haloperidol-induced EPS
ABSTRACT
The present study was designed to monitor the responsiveness of 5-hydroxy tryptamine [5-HT]-2C receptor in rats treated with haloperidol exhibiting tardive dyskinesia [TD]. Results show that haloperidol injected at a dose of 1 mg/kg twice a day for two weeks elicited vacuous chewing movements [VCMs]. Which increased in a time dependent manner following the drug administration for 3-5 weeks. The behavioral effects of 1-[m-chlorophenyl]piperazine [m-CPP] a 5-HT-2C and 5-HT-1B agonist were monitored 2 days after 5 weeks of saline or haloperidol administration. The results show that hypophagic as well as anxiogenic-like effects of m-CPP are greater in repeated haloperidol than repeated saline injected animals, while hypolocomotive effects of m-CPP are not different in repeated saline and haloperidol injected animals. Results are discussed in the context of role of 5-HT-2C receptors in the regulation of the activity of dopaminergic neuron and its possible impact on elicitation of TD
Subject(s)
Female , Animals, Laboratory , Haloperidol/adverse effects , Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced , Piperazines/pharmacology , Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
Present study was designed to monitor the responsiveness of 5HT [5-Hydroxytryptamine] -2C receptors following the long-term administration of haloperidol in rats. Effects of m-CPP [meta-Chlorophenyl piperazine] were monitored 48h after withdrawal from repeated [twice a day for 5 week] administration of haloperidol [at the dose of 1mg/kg]. Vacuous chewing movements [VCMs] were monitored on weekly basis. Two days after withdrawal, animals were injected with saline [1ml/kg of body weight] or m-CPP [3mr/kg of body weight]. Activities in open field and light dark activity box were monitored 15 and 30 min post injection respectively. Animals were then decapitated [4h post injection] to collect dorsal striatum [DS] samples for the neurochemical analysis by HPLC-EC [High performance Liquid Chromatography with Electrochemical detection] method. Results from the present study showed significant hypolocomotive effect of m-CPP [p<0.05] in both repeated haloperidol as well as repeated saline injected rats. Neurochemical analysis of DS by HPLC-EC method showed that administration of m-CPP significantly [p<0.05] decreased 5-HIAA [5-Hydroxyindol acetic acid] in repeated haloperidol injected rats. In conclusion, present study provides evidence that 5HT-2C receptors become hypersensitive in a rat model of Tardive Dyskinesia [TD]. These findings have potential implication in the treatment of TD and attenuation of EPS induced by typical neuroleptics
Subject(s)
Female , Animals, Laboratory , Neurochemistry , Behavior/drug effects , Piperazines , Rats , Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced , Receptors, Serotonin , Extrapyramidal Tracts/drug effectsABSTRACT
Stress is one of the environmental factors that may predispose psychiatric illness such as, depression. Stress may come from external environment in the form of stimuli such as heat, cold, loud noise and lack of oxygen. A deficiency of serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT] is described in human depression. Parallel studies on experimental animals show that exposure to an uncontrollable stress inducing situation elicits behavioral deficits and increases serotonin metabolism in the brain. Stress-induced behavioral deficits and the increases of brain serotonin did not occur when the stress was administered repeatedly for 5 days, suggesting adaptation has occurred. The present study shows that responses to 8-hydroxy-2-[di-n-propylamino]tetraline [8-OH-DPAT], a selective 5-HT 1A agonist decreased following exposure to single stress and the decreases were normalized following adaptation to stress. The drug 8-OH-DPAT was also found to attenuate stress-induced behavioral deficits. The results are discussed in the context of stress-induced psychiatric disorder such as, depression and its treatment by 5-HT 1A agonist
Subject(s)
Animals, Laboratory , Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A , General Adaptation Syndrome , Rats, Wistar , Serotonin Receptor AgonistsABSTRACT
Previously it has been shown that single episode of 2 hours restraint produced anxiety and other behavioral deficits in rats. In view of a role of neem leaves and also of 5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT] in anxiety the present study concerns effects of neem leaves extract on the synthesis of 5-HT in rat brain. Neem leaf extract [10 g/100 ml water] at a dose of 1 ml/kg was injected to rats for 6 day. Open field activity was monitored after 3 days administration on the 4th day. The animals were restrained for 2 hours on the 5th day and effects of restraint stress were determined on 24 hours food intake. Plus maze activity was monitored on the 6th day after which animals were killed to collect whole brains. Administration of neem leaves extract did not alter open field activity. Restraint stress induced decrease of food intake and plus maze activity was not observed in neem extract treated rats. 2 hours restraint stress did not produce any effect on brain typtophan levels but increased 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid [5-HIAA] concentration in saline but not in neem injected rats. Administration of neem leaves extract increased brain typtophan and decreased brain 5-HT concentration. The present study shows that neem extract could attenuate anxiogenic and appetite suppressant effect of stress by decreasing brain 5-HT and 5HIAA concentration