RESUMO
Objective To investigate the effects of proanthocyanidins on depressant-like behaviors and the structure of adrenal gland in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rats. Methods Rats were randomly divided into 6 groups:control group, stressed group (CUMS + vehicle), three treatment groups (CUMS + proanthocyanidins 25,50,100 mg·kg-1,respectively) ,and imipramine group (CUMS + imipramine 10 mg·kg-1). Used the CUMS model in rats to investigate the effects of chronic oral administration (21 days) of proanthocyanidins and imipramine (ip) on the open-field;and forced swimming and sucrose consumption tests and the ratio of adrenal gland/body weight,and its thickness were examined by HE stain. Results Compared with control group, rats subjected to CUMS exhibited increased ratio of adrenal gland /body weight ( P < 0. 01), less sucrose consumption( P<0.01) and inhibited in the open-field test( P<0.01) as well as more despair time in the forced swimming test( P<0.01). While compared with stressed group,treatments with proanthocyanidins (25,50,100 mg·kg-1, po ,21 days) could significantly improve the activities in open-field test ((39.6±3.4) vs (49±4.5), (52.6±3.7),(54.1±1.8) ;all P<0.01) and sucrose consumption( (5.8±2.5)ml vs (8.1±3.3)ml,(8.5±4.1) ml, (9.2±2.6) ml; P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.01 respectively); Meanwhile, it could reduce the duration time in forced swimming test significantly( (103.5±10.2)s vs (83.7±8.8)s,(75.8±5.9)s,(67.2±6.5)s; all P<0.01) as well as thickness of the adrenal gland(P<0.05, P<0.01).Conclusions This study suggests that the proanthocyanidins (25,50,100 mg·kg-1) has an antidepressant-like effects in CUMS rats. The antidepressant actions of proanthocyanidins, in some degrees, may be related with the regulation of the adrenal gland's structure.
RESUMO
Objective To investigate the association of the expressions of glomerular nephrin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor (VEGFR) with proteinuria in preeclampsia rats. Methods A rat model of preeclampsia was developed by inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (L-NAME). The systolic blood pressure (SBP) and 24 h urine protein were compared among the normal female group (n=6), the normal pregnant group (n=8), nonpregnant control group (n=6) and preeclampsia group(n=8). The kidney biopsies of each group were observed by light and electron microscopy. The glomerular nephrin was detected by Western blotting and real-time PCR. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of WT1. The level of glomerular VEGF and VEGFR (Flt-1 and Flk-1) were evaluated by Western blotting. Results The level of glomerular nephrin protein in the rats with preeclampsia (0.0726±0.0074) was significantly lower compared with normal female group (0.3795±0.0509), normal pregnant group (0.2361±0.0437) and nonpregnant control group (0.7265±0.0503) (P＜0.01, respectively), while the levels of nephrin mRNA were not significantly different among 4 groups. The expression of WT1 was not significantly different among 4 groups as well. The level of glomerular VEGF in preeclampsia group (1.5429±0.0898) was significantly higher compared with normal female group (1.1870±0.1160), normal pregnant group (1.3741 ±0.1165) and nonpregnant control group (1.0155±0.0742)(P＜0.01,respectively). VEGFR (Flt-1 and Flk-1) was also significantly higher in preeclampsia rats compared with other control groups (P＜0.05, respectively). Conclusions In preeclampsia rats, nephrin is decreased significantly and the glomerular VEGF-VEGFR is increased significantly compared with the other control groups. The abnormal expression of nephrin and VEGF-VEGFR may be involved in the preeclampsia proteinuria. The underlying mechanism of this phenomenon needs further research.