Soda intake influences phenotype, antioxidants and inflammatory status in high protein-fed wistar rats.

An increasing population of people, especially young adults who exercise, consume high protein diets along with carbonated drinks. While there are numerous studies on the effect of high protein diets, there is a need to understand how protein diets in combination with carbonated drinks impact physiology. In order to assess these effects on wistar rats' phenotype, antioxidants and inflammatory profiles, 64 wistar rats were divided into dietary groups of 8 male and 8 female animals each. The animals were fed standard diet as control (chow), chow and carbonated soda, a high protein diet (48.1% energy from protein) and a high protein diet with carbonated soda according to their groups. Body measurements, blood glucose levels, serum insulin levels, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant activity, adipokines and inflammatory markers concentrations were all determined. At the end of the study, body measurements, inflammatory markers and adipokine concentration were increased in animals fed the high protein diet and high protein-soda diet. There was a decrease in antioxidant and lipid peroxidation levels in protein fed male and female animals but those fed protein in combination with soda had increased lipid peroxidation levels. In conclusion, high protein diet in combination with carbonated soda impacts physiology differently from a high protein diet alone, and may stimulate weight gain, oxidative stress and HPD-related inflammation in Wistar rats.

Modulatory action of Moringa oleifera Lam. on L-arginine induced acute pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVES: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas with high morbidity and mortality. This study investigates the effect of Moring oleifera (MO) on L-arginine-induced AP in Wistar rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven groups. Control, AP, Magnesium groups, all fed with standard rat diet, MO leaf groups (5% MLF and 15% MLF), and MO seed groups (5% MSD and 15% MSD) were fed with five or 15% MO leaf or seed supplemented diet for four weeks prior to induction of AP. AP was induced by administration of double doses of L-arginine (320 mg/100 g i.p.) at 1 h interval. All animals were sacrificed 72 h thereafter. RESULTS: Weekly mean feed consumption and body weight were significantly higher in MO groups compared to the control. Amylase level, MDA, MPO, and NO were significantly higher in the AP group than in the control but decreased in Mg and MO groups. While CAT, SOD, GSH, and SH-group were significantly depleted in AP groups, which was attenuated in MO groups. Rats in AP groups showed severe inflammation, necrosis, and edema. These effects were significantly improved in MO groups resulting in lower histological scores compared to the AP group. CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment with MO could attenuate AP via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action.

Biochemical and histopathological effects of low dose vanadium in the healing of acetic acid-induced colitis in male wistar rats.

OBJECTIVES: Vanadium has been reported to possess relevant therapeutic properties such as anti-diabetic and anti-tumoral. This study aimed at determining the effects of vanadium on experimentally induced colitis in rats. METHODS: Forty-five male Wistar rats (103 ± 3.90 g, n=15) were used for this study and were divided into three groups. Group 1 (Untreated control) had nothing added to their drinking, while groups 2 and 3 received sodium metavanadate at a dose of 50 and 200 mg/L respectively in their drinking water for 10 weeks. Colitis was thereafter induced by intra colonic administration of 1.50 mL of 6% acetic acid. Animals were sacrificed on day 0 (pre-induction), three- and seven-days post induction. Blood samples were collected for haematological variables and the distal 8 cm of the colon was collected for macroscopic, histological and biochemical (malondialdehyde-MDA, superoxide dismutase-SOD, catalase-CAT, glutathione peroxidase- GPx and nitrite concentration- NO) assessment. RESULTS: Low dose vanadium proved beneficial in ameliorating acetic acid-induced colitis by improving both histopathological and haematological changes. Gross observation showed a faster healing rate in vanadium treated groups (50 and 200 mg/L) compared with untreated control at day 3 (40 and 26.20 vs. 2.50%) and day 7 (80 and 66.70 vs. 42%) respectively. Vanadium also appears to exert its beneficial effects on acetic acid-induced colitis via up regulation of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx) and NO while decreasing the over production of MDA. CONCLUSIONS: Vanadium at small concentration functions as an essential trace element and may be able to promote healing process during ulcerative colitis.

Effects of caffeine and caffeic acid on selected biochemical parameters in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats.

Biologically active compounds such as caffeine and caffeic acid can be obtained in plants especially cocoa and coffee. Hence, the combinatory effect of caffeine and caffeic acid as well as their individual effect were assessed on the activities of arginase, angiotensin-1-converting enzyme (ACE) as well as nitric oxide (NOx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the Nω-Nitro-L-arginine-methylester (L-NAME)-induced hypertensive rats. The individual and combinatory effect of caffeine and caffeic acid were investigated in L-NAME-induced rats. Animals were grouped into eleven containing six animals each. Hemodynamic parameter was determined by tail-cuff plethysmography. Furthermore, the result showed a notable rise in ACE and arginase activities of L-NAME-induced group compared with the control group. However, pretreatment with test compounds lowered ACE, arginase activities, and MDA content with rise in NOx. This study supports that caffeine and caffeic acid combinations demonstrated antihypertensive properties by lowering the systolic blood pressure in L-NAME-induced rats. PRATICAL APPLICATIONS: This duo bioactive compounds; caffeine (alkaloid) and caffeic acid (phenolic acid) are lavishly distributed in coffee. Their cardiopotective and cardiomodulatory roles have been investigated due to their biological activities. As far as we are aware, this could be foremost in-depth study on the antihypertensive and cardioprotective effect of the combinations of caffeine and caffeic acid targeting the key enzymes system relevant to hypertension. Decreased ACE and arginase activities as well as high nitric oxide (NOx) and low MDA level may be associated with its antihypertensive effect. This present study suggests that the combinations of this phenolics and alkaloid compound might proffer a therapeutic strategy in the management of hypertension.

Attenuation of ischemia-reperfusion-induced gastric ulcer by low-dose vanadium in male Wistar rats.

AIM: Vanadium, a trace element found in food and water sources has been previous reported to attenuate ulcer formation without much insight into its mechanism of action. This study highlights the mechanism by which vanadium exhibits its gastro-protective activity. MAIN METHODS: Eighty male Wistar rats (80-100 g) were randomized into 8 equal groups. Groups 1 (control) and 2 (Ulcerated control) received water only, groups 3-8 received vanadium at 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 200 ppm respectively in their drinking water for ten weeks. Gastric ulcer was thereafter induced in groups (2-8) via ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) technique. The stomachs were excised for macroscopic examination, evaluation of mucous content, oxidative stress markers, hydrogen/potassium (H+/K+) and calcium (Ca++) ATPases activities plus expression of induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Vanadium at low doses inhibited IR induced gastric ulcer by 62.62% (10 ppm), 54.80% (25 ppm) and 43.50% (50 ppm). KEY FINDINGS: Low dose vanadium increased mucous content, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione activities and nitrite concentrations compared to ulcerated control group. The observed increase in malondialdehyde, Ca++ and H+/K+ ATPase activities, iNOS and COX-2 expression following IR were significantly reduced by pretreatment with vanadium. SIGNIFICANCE: This study demonstrated that vanadium at low doses exhibit gastro-protective activities on IR induced gastric ulcer in rat model by inhibiting proton pump activities and decreasing expressions of iNOS and COX-2, thereby giving more insight into the protective action of vanadium.

Seeds of Buchholzia coriacea in Diet Mitigate Ischemic Reperfusion-Induced Gastric Ulceration in Experimental Rats.

Buchholzia coriacea (B. coriacea) seeds, in folk medicine, have been documented to prevent gastric ulceration though the mechanism is not fully elucidated. To clarify this, the gastro-healing activities were investigated using graded incorporation of B. coriacea seeds in the diet. Male Wistar rats (150-200 g) were divided into 7 groups (n = 15): unulcerated untreated control, ulcerated untreated control, unulcerated B. coriacea low (10%), ulcerated B. coriacea low (10%), nulcerated B. coriacea high (25%), ulcerated B. coriacea high (25%), and ulcerated omeprazole-treated groups. Rats were fed with B. coriacea diets for 7 weeks; thereafter, ulcer was induced by ischemic reperfusion method. Daily body weight, gastric acid secretion, hematological parameters, stomach ulcer score, and biochemical and histological analyses were evaluated on days 0, 3, and 7 post-ulcer induction. Results were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and presented as mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM); p ≤.05 was considered significant. Significant decreases were observed in mean body weight of B. coriacea-fed compared with control and omeprazole-treated groups from week 7. Ulcerated B. coriacea-fed showed significant decrease in gastric acid secretion by days 3 and 7 compared with ulcerated control groups. Malondialdehyde content was significantly decreased in ulcerated B. coriacea-fed compared with control and omeprazole-treated groups. Significant increases in hematological variables (notably platelet count), superoxide dismutase, catalase, and nitric oxide levels of B. coriacea-fed compared with control and omeprazole-treated groups by days 0 and 3 were observed. Histological evaluations further confirmed these observations. B. coriacea diet enhanced gastric healing activities on ischemic reperfused gastric ulcer. Increased platelet count and nitric oxide levels may play significant roles in this process.