Physical activity induces depression-like behavior in intact male rats.

Testosterone affects behavior. Whether regular physical training does influence these effects is unknown. The assumption that testosterone induces muscular hypertrophy if combined with physical training has not been confirmed experimentally. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether activity and/or testosterone treatment affects depression-like behavior and to observe the effects of activity and testosterone on muscle fiber diameter. Forty-three male rats were divided into 4 groups: two groups (TST act and TST lazy) were treated with testosterone (5mg/kg) and two groups were used as control (CTRL act and CTRL lazy). Two of the groups (CTRL act and TST act) underwent 2weeks of exercise. The forced swim test was used as a test of depression-like behavior. Sex steroids were measured and the diameter of skeletal muscle fibers was evaluated. Testosterone was significantly higher in both testosterone-treated groups (p<0.001). Physically active groups had higher immobility times in the forced swim test than inactive groups. Groups CTRL act and TST lazy showed significantly larger diameter of muscle fibers in comparison to the TST act group. Our results suggest that physical activity induces depression-like behavior in rats. Controversial antagonistic effects of testosterone and physical activity on muscle fiber diameter were found.

Cella media distance in human brain in relation to age and gender.

AIMS: To determine whether simple linear measurements can be used as an accurate and reproducible replacement of the volumetric ones. METHODS: We measured the cella media distance (CM1) and the distance between the right and left human brain surfaces (CM2)--measured along the CM1 line--in the groups of women (F) and men (M) who were divided according to diagnoses into three subgroups (F1-3 and M1-3). Examinations were carried out under standardized conditions: axial serial CT (Computed Tomography) images, in 4 mm layers (333 patients). Measured values were detected by Osiris Software. Recorded values were statistically analysed. RESULTS: We found very highly significant (subgroups M1, M3), and significant (subgroups F1, F2, F3, M2) associations between the cella media distance and the decade of age. There were only non-significant differences in CM1 distances between men and women and between the diagnoses groups as well. Correlation between cella media distance and volume of lateral ventricles was greater in men in both, subgroup M1 (r = 0.659, P < 0.0001) and in a mixed group where all the three male subgroups M1-3 were combined into one group (r = 0.675, P < 0.0001). Among women the correlation was lower, however still significant (r = 0.357, P < 0.0001 for F1 and r = 0.465, P < 0.0001 for F1-3). CONCLUSIONS: The cella media distance is much better predictor of brain lateral ventricular volume in men than in women.

Effect of prenatal phenytoin administration on the fine structure of rat myocardium and aorta.

Phenytoin (PHT) is an antiepileptic drug known to have teratogenic effects. The aim of this study was to examine the ultrastructure of the left ventricle, the left atrium, and the aorta of 3-month-old offspring and 4-month-old mother animals after oral PHT (150 mg/kg/day) administration to Wistar/DV rats on days 7-18 of gestation. Electron microscopy of the myocardium revealed a heterogeneous population of cardiomyocytes with conventional architecture, and hypoxia/ischemia-like subcellular changes. Cardiomyocytes of offspring hearts were more vulnerable to PHT administration compared with the mother animals. Atrial cardiomyocytes of both mother animals and offspring were less affected by PHT than the ventricular ones. In the myocardium, both interstitial fibrosis and injury of capillaries were noted. Electron microscopy of the aorta revealed a higher resistance of maternal endothelial and smooth muscle cells to PHT compared with offspring cells. Nuclei of endothelial and smooth muscle cells showed pronounced mitotic activity with one and/or two hyperactive nucleoli, more frequently observed in offspring. PHT administration resulted in aortic arteriogenesis in both offspring and mother animals. Interestingly, bundles of myocardial fibers consisting of ischemia-like altered cardiomyocytes with own capillary network were noted in off-spring aortic adventitia. These results are indicative of harmful effects of PHT on rat myocardium and aorta.

Fluorescence of hematoxylin and eosin-stained histological sections of the human spleen.

A major problem in the morphometric evaluation of human spleen is the simple but reliable determination of the border between T-cell and B-cell dependent areas, and other structures of the spleen. It was investigated whether cryostat sections of frozen surgical specimens of the human spleen and sections of paraffin-embedded specimens could be used for this purpose after being stained with haematoxylin and eosin and mounted in autofluorescence-free medium for fluorescence microscopical evaluation. Comparison was made with sections that were immunohistochemically-stained for fibronectin and collagens type II and type IV. Both in cryostat sections and paraffin sections, fluorescence was found in circumferential reticulum of periarterial lymphatic sheets, arterial terminals, arterial walls and walls of red pulp sinuses in the spleen. Evaluation was hindered by fluorescence of erythrocytes in paraffin sections but not in cryostat sections. Results were similar as those obtained with immunohistochemical fibronectin staining and are sufficient for morphometric evaluation or orientation in the tissue in case of neoplasia.