Changes in feed consumption and water intake among broiler chickens subjected to melatonin treatment during the hot-dry season.

The experiment was conducted to evaluate changes in feed consumption and water intake among broiler chickens subjected to melatonin treatment during the hot-dry season. A total of 300 broiler chicks were selected and assigned into three groups, by simple random sampling, comprising 100 chicks each: group I was exposed to natural photoperiod of about 12-h light and 12-h darkness cycle (12D/12L), without melatonin supplementation; group II was kept under 24-h continuous lighting (CL), without melatonin supplementation; and group III was raised under 24-h CL and administered daily with melatonin orally at 0.5 mg/kg (CL + MEL). Live weight (LW), feed consumption, and water intake for each group were obtained at weekly intervals over a period of 8 weeks. On day 42 of age, the LW of 2420 ± 50 g/bird was obtained in group III administered with melatonin (CL + MEL), while LW values recorded in the 12D/12L and CL groups not administered with melatonin were 1470.00 ± 30.00 and 1907.00 ± 38.00 g/bird, respectively. The mean weight gain in CL + MEL (345.00 ± 21.01 g) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of the 12D/12L (244.99 ± 18.67 g) and CL (307.48 ± 18.14 g) groups. Feed consumptions were significantly (P < 0.05) different in all the groups. Group II, raised on CL without melatonin supplementation, had the highest feed consumption value of 25.14 ± 0.51 g/bird from day 14, and attained the peak value of 206.77 ± 7.82 g/bird at day 56. The highest overall amount of water intake was recorded in the melatonin-treated group. In conclusion, melatonin administration to broiler chickens enhanced water intake but decreased feed consumption with increase in LW during the hot-dry season.

Effects of polysaccharide from the fruiting bodies of Auricularia auricular on glucose metabolism in 60Co-γ-radiated mice.

Radiation is known to be associated with pathology of various human diseases. This study has focused on the effect of radiation on glucose homeostasis with regard to metabolic function of liver and pancreas and the effect of polysaccharide from the fruiting bodies of Auricularia auricular (SNAAP) on glucose metabolism. The 60Co-γ-radiated mice displayed destroyed redox equilibrium, accompanied by increased blood glucose accumulation, decreased insulin and hepatic glycogen contents, impaired blood glucose tolerance ability, abnormal changes in activities of glucose metabolism-related enzymes and damaged hepatic and pancreatic function, while SNAAP can restore the disordered glucose metabolism to some extent. Increased phosphorylation of JNK and FoxO1, reduced phosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3ß and increased expression of PEPCK, G6Pase and GYS2 in the liver as well as the decreased expression of PDX1, GLUT2 and IRS1 in the pancreas of radiated mice were recovered after treated with SNAAP, leading to an improved gluconeogenesis and glycogen synthesis. These findings clearly indicate that SNAAP has significant potency in radiation-induced glucose metabolism disorder through modulating the JNK pathway in the liver as well as the PDX1/GLUT2 in the pancreas.

Altered metabolic and hormonal responses in male rats exposed to acute bright light-at-night associated with global DNA hypo-methylation.

The association between light pollution and disruption of daily rhythms, metabolic and hormonal disorders, as well as cancer progression is well-recognized. These adverse effects could be due to nocturnal melatonin suppression. The signaling pathway by which light pollution affects metabolism and endocrine responses is unclear. We studied the effects of artificial light at night (ALAN1) on body mass, food and water intake, daily rhythms of body temperature, serum glucose and insulin in male rats. Daily rhythms of urine production and urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (6-SMT2), as well as global DNA methylation in pancreas and liver tissues were also assessed. Mass gain was higher in ALAN rats compared with controls. Food intake, water consumption, glucose, insulin, and 6-SMT levels markedly lessened in response to ALAN. Conversely, urine production and body temperature were elevated in ALAN rats compared with controls. Significant 24-h rhythms were detected for all variables that were altered in mesor, amplitude, and acrophase occurrences under ALAN conditions. DNA hypo-methylation was detected in ALAN pancreatic tissue compared with controls, but not in hepatic tissue. Overall, ALAN affects metabolic and hormonal physiology in different levels in which flexible crosstalk between melatonin and both epigenetics and metabolic levels expressed as body temperature rhythm, is suggested to mediate the environmental exposure at the molecular level and subsequently physiology is altered. The flexibility of epigenetic modifications provides a potential therapeutic target for rectifying ALAN adverse effects by epigenetic markers such as melatonin and behavioral lifestyle interventions for confining ALAN exposures as much as possible.

Degenerative Tissue Responses to Space-like Radiation Doses in a Rodent Model of Simulated Microgravity.

This study examines acute and degenerative tissue responses to space-like radiation doses in a rodent model of simulated microgravity. We have studied four groups of rats, control (CON), irradiated (IR), irradiated and hindlimb suspended (IR-HLS), and suspended (HLS) that were maintained for two weeks. IR and IR+HLS groups were exposed to five sessions of X-ray irradiation (1.2 Gy each, at 3-4 days intervals). Body weights, soleus muscle weights, and hindlimb bone mineral density (BMD) were measured. Results show that compared to CON animals, IR, HLS, and IR+HLS group reduced the body weight gain significantly. IR-associated growth retardation appeared to be closely linked to acute and transient post-IR 'anorexia' (a decrease in food intake). HLS but not IR induced major changes in the musculoskeletal system, consisting in decreases in soleus muscle mass and bone mineral density of distal femur and proximal tibia. Additional dosimetric studies showed that the effect of IR on weight is detectable at 0.3 Gy X-ray doses, while no threshold dose for the IR-produced decrease in food intake could be observed. This study suggests that space flight-associated anorexia and musculoskeletal degenerative changes may be driven by different, radiation- and microgravity-associated (respectively) mechanisms.

Common behaviors alterations after extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure in rat animal model.

Naturally, the presence of electromagnetic waves in our living environment affects all components of organisms, particularly humans and animals, as the large part of their body consists of water. In the present study, we tried to investigate the relation between exposure to the extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) and common behaviors such as body weight, food and water intake, anorexia (poor appetite), plasma glucose concentration, movement, rearing and sniffing in rats. For this purpose, rats were exposed to 40 Hz ELF-EMF once a day for 21 days, then at days 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 after exposure, any changes in the above-mentioned items were assessed in the exposed rats and compared to the non-exposed group as control. Body weight of irradiated rats significantly increased only a week after exposure and decreased after that. No significant change was observed in food and water intake of irradiated rats compared to the control, and the anorexia parameter in the group exposed to ELF-EMF was significantly decreased at one and two weeks after irradiation. A week after exposure, the level of glucose was significantly increased but at other days these changes were not significant. Movements, rearing and sniffing of rats at day 1 after exposure were significantly decreased and other days these changes did not follow any particular pattern. However, the result of this study demonstrated that exposure to ELF-EMF can alter the normal condition of animals and may represent a harmful impact on behavior.

Head and neck cancer patients' perceptions of swallowing following chemoradiotherapy.

PURPOSE: The study aims to describe patients' experiences of swallowing difficulties following (chemo)radiotherapy for head and neck cancer and to explore any changes over time. METHODS: A purposive sample of patients with swallowing difficulties was selected at a range of time points, from 3 to 18 months following treatment. Ethnographic observations of 12 patients were conducted in their own homes, over a mealtime situation. Nine new patients were interviewed about changes to their eating and drinking from pre- to post-treatment. Thematic analysis was used to code and analyse the data. RESULTS: Patients' reports of swallowing function were divided into four time zones: pre-treatment, during radiotherapy, early (0-3 months) and late (6-18 months) time points following treatment. The majority reported minimal problems at diagnosis, but marked impairment during and after radiotherapy, without a return to pre-treatment functioning. The focus was on severe physical side effects and changes to food preparation during radiotherapy and in the early phase of recovery. By 6 months, side effects began to subside, but swallowing was still difficult, leading to major changes to family life, socialisation and lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS: Swallowing problems after (chemo)radiotherapy are multi-faceted and highly individualised and restrict lives in the long term. Swallowing ability may improve in time, but does not appear to return to pre-treatment function. Further work is required to find ways of being able to best support patients living with this long-term condition.

Protective effects of the fermented milk Kefir on X-ray irradiation-induced intestinal damage in B6C3F1 mice.

Gastrointestinal damage associated with radiation therapy is currently an inevitable outcome. The protective effect of Kefir was assessed for its usefulness against radiation-induced gastrointestinal damage. A Kefir supernatant was diluted by 2- or 10-fold and administered for 1 week prior to 8 Gray (Gy) X-ray irradiation at a dose rate of 2 Gy/min, with an additional 15 d of administration post-irradiation. The survival rate of control mice with normal drinking water dropped to 70% on days 4 through 9 post-irradiation. On the other hand, 100% of mice in the 10- and 2-fold-diluted Kefir groups survived up to day 9 post-irradiation (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). Examinations for crypt regeneration against 8, 10 and 12 Gy irradiation at a dose rate of 4 Gy/min revealed that the crypt number was significantly increased in the mice administered both diluted Kefir solutions (p<0.01 for each). Histological and immunohistochemical examinations revealed that the diluted Kefir solutions protected the crypts from radiation, and promoted crypt regeneration. In addition, lyophilized Kefir powder was found to significantly recover the testis weights (p<0.05), but had no effects on the body and spleen weights, after 8 Gy irradiation. These findings suggest that Kefir could be a promising candidate as a radiation-protective agent.

Investigación de blastocystis sp. en agua de consumo humano en una población escolar de la zona rural del estado Mérida, Venezuela / Blastocystis sp. in drinking water at a rural school in Mérida, Venezuela

Para detectar la presencia de Blastocystis sp. en el agua de consumo de una escuela rural del estado Mérida, se recolectaron 36 muestras provenientes de la fuente natural que surte el tanque de distribución, del tanque y de los grifos, durante los meses de Septiembre 2008, Febrero y Diciembre del 2009 y Mayo 2010. El procesamiento de las muestras se realizó siguiendo la técnica propuesta por Suresh y col. (2005). Los resultados sugieren que el agua de consumo estaba exenta de Blastocystis o que la cantidad de quistes viables presentes en las muestras fue muy baja, lo que no permitió lograr la recuperación del parásito en el cultivo. Por ello se requiere el uso de técnicas más sensibles que permitan detectar cantidades bajas del microorganismo en aguas de consumo humano. El estudio de los hábitos de consumo de agua de la población estudiantil de la escuela rural, mostró que más de la mitad de la población consume agua hervida, esto probablemente se deba a que están conscientes que el agua a la cual tienen acceso proviene de una fuente natural no tratada

In order to determine the presence of Blastocystis sp. in drinking water at a rural school in Merida, 36 water samples were collected from natural sources that feed the distribution tank and faucets during the months of September, 2008, February and December, 2009, and May, 2010. Samples were processed using the technique proposed by Suresh et al. (2005). All samples were negative. These results suggest that the water was exempt from Blastocystis or that the quantity of viable cysts present in the samples was very low, not permitting reproduction in the culture. This report suggests the importance of using more sensitive techniques to detect low amounts of the organismin drinking water. The study of student water consumption habits at the rural school showed that more than half the population consume boiled water; probably, they are aware that the water source has not been treated for drinking

Mutagenicity of diagnostic and therapeutical doses of radiopharmaceutical iodine-131 in Wistar rats.

Iodine-131 ((131)I) is a radioisotope used for the diagnosis and treatment of thyroidal disorders such as hyperthyroidism and cancer. During its decay, (131)I emits beta particles and gamma rays; its physical half-life is 8 days, and it is accumulated preferentially in the thyroid tissue. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of diagnostic and therapeutic doses of (131)I using bone marrow cells of rats treated in vivo in a test system with a single dose by gavage. Concentrations of 5, 25, 50 and 250 µCi in 1 ml of water were used, and after 24 h, the animals were killed. Also, a concentration of 25 µCi/ml of water was used, and the animals were killed after 5 days. The results showed that no concentration of (131)I was cytotoxic and that all concentrations were mutagenic. As a result, there was no statistically significant difference detected by the χ(2) test in the induction of chromosomal aberrations between the different doses. Thus, the present study demonstrated a significant increase in chromosomal aberration in bone marrow cells exposed to (131)I regardless of the dose or the treatment time.

AT1 receptor antagonism does not influence early radiation-induced changes in microglial activation or neurogenesis in the normal rat brain.

Blockers of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) ameliorate cognitive deficits and some aspects of brain injury after whole-brain irradiation. We investigated whether treatment with the angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist L-158,809 at a dose that protects cognitive function after fractionated whole-brain irradiation reduced radiation-induced neuroinflammation and changes in hippocampal neurogenesis, well-characterized effects that are associated with radiation-induced brain injury. Male F344 rats received L-158,809 before, during and after a single 10-Gy dose of radiation. Expression of cytokines, angiotensin II receptors and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 was evaluated by real-time PCR 24 h, 1 week and 12 weeks after irradiation. At the latter times, microglial density and proliferating and activated microglia were analyzed in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. Cell proliferation and neurogenesis were also quantified in the dentate subgranular zone. L-158,809 treatment modestly increased mRNA expression for Ang II receptors and TNF-α but had no effect on radiation-induced effects on hippocampal microglia or neurogenesis. Thus, although L-158,809 ameliorates cognitive deficits after whole-brain irradiation, the drug did not mitigate the neuroinflammatory microglial response or rescue neurogenesis. Additional studies are required to elucidate other mechanisms of normal tissue injury that may be modulated by RAAS blockers.

Wound trauma increases radiation-induced mortality by activation of iNOS pathway and elevation of cytokine concentrations and bacterial infection.

Abstract Although it is documented that concurrent wounding increases mortality from radiation injury, the molecular mechanism of combined injury is unknown. In this study, mice were exposed to gamma radiation followed by skin wounding. Wound trauma exacerbated radiation-induced mortality, reducing the LD(50/30) from 9.65 Gy to 8.95 Gy. Analyses of histopathology, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and serum cytokines were performed on mouse ileum and skin at various times after 9.75 Gy and/or wounding. In the ileum, the villi were significantly shortened 3 days postirradiation but not after wounding; combined injury resulted in decreased villus width and tunica muscularis thickness. The skin of mice subjected to combined injury was less cellular and had a smaller healing bud than the skin of mice subjected to wounding alone. Combined injury significantly delayed wound closure times; it also prolonged the increased levels of iNOS protein in the skin and ileum. iNOS up-regulation was correlated with increases in transcription factors, including NF-kappaB and NF-IL6. The increase in NF-IL6 may be due to increases in cytokines, including IL-1beta, -6, -8, -9, -10 and -13, G-CSF, eotaxin, INF-gamma, MCP-1, MIP-1alpha and MIP-1beta. Combined injury resulted in early detection of bacteria in the blood of the heart and liver, whereas radiation alone resulted in later detection of bacteria; only a transient bacteremia occurred after wounding alone. Results suggest that enhancement of iNOS, cytokines and bacterial infection triggered by combined injury may contribute to mortality. Agents that inhibit these responses may prove to be therapeutic for combined injury and may reduce related mortality.

Constant light induces alterations in melatonin levels, food intake, feed efficiency, visceral adiposity, and circadian rhythms in rats.

Melatonin levels, metabolic parameters, circadian rhythm activity patterns, and behavior were observed in rats subjected to a 12-h/12-h light/dark cycle (LD) compared to animals exposed to continuous dark (DD) or continuous light (LL). LD and DD animals were similar in melatonin levels, food intake, relative food intake, feed efficiency, water intake, circadian activity levels, and behavior. LL animals had lower melatonin levels in the subjective dark compared to LD and DD animals. Food intake, relative food intake, and water intake values were lower and feed efficiency was more positive in LL animals compared to LD and DD animals. In addition, LL animals exhibited greater visceral adiposity than the other two groups. The circadian rhythmicity of activity became free-running in LL animals and there was a decrease in overall activity. Notable behavioral changes in LL animals were an increase in irritability and excitability. Results indicate that a decrease in melatonin levels and concomitant changes in metabolism, circadian rhythms, and behavior are consequences of exposure to constant light.

Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (UMTS) on reproduction and development of mice: a multi-generation study.

Male and female mice (C57BL) were chronically exposed (life-long, 24 h/day) to mobile phone communication electromagnetic fields at approximately 1966 MHz (UMTS). Their development and fertility were monitored over four generations by investigating histological, physiological, reproductive and behavioral functions. The mean whole-body SARs, calculated for adult animals at the time of mating, were 0 (sham), 0.08, 0.4 and 1.3 W/kg. Power densities were kept constant for each group (0, 1.35, 6.8 and 22 W/m(2)), resulting in varying SARs due to the different numbers of adults and pups over the course of the experiment. The experiment was done in a blind fashion. The results show no harmful effects of exposure on the fertility and development of the animals. The number and the development of pups were not affected by exposure. Some data, albeit without a clear dose-response relationship, indicate effects of exposure on food consumption that is in accordance with some data published previously. In summary, the results of this study do not indicate harmful effects of long-term exposure of mice to UMTS over several generations.

Effects of hydroxyapatite in combination with far-infrared rays on spontaneous mammary tumorigenesis in SHN mice.

We have found that the administration of a diet containing 5% hydroxyapatite (HAP) derived from pig and cattle bones, and exposure to far-infrared rays (FIR) markedly inhibited spontaneous mammary tumorigenesis in SHN mice. Thus, the effect of combined treatment with HAP and FIR on mammary tumorigenesis was examined. The significant inhibition of tumor development by individual treatment with HAP or FIR was not enhanced by combined treatment; instead, the decrease in the inhibitory effect of HAP with age was ameliorated. Associated with this, life span was elongated and a decline in ovarian function was prevented by HAP plus FIR. Normal and preneoplastic growth of mammary glands and plasma component levels were not significantly affected by any treatment. The findings indicate that HAP and FIR have characteristics common to most natural products; in combination with other agents, they have little additive effect, when each is highly active.

Effects of 50 Hz magnetic fields on cancer induced by ionizing radiation in mice.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of 50 Hz magnetic fields (MF) on the development of cancer induced by ionizing radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 150 female CBA/S mice were randomized into three equal groups at the age of 3-5 weeks. One of the groups served as a 'cage-control group'. The two other groups were exposed to ionizing radiation in the beginning of the study. One of these two groups was exposed 24 h per day, for 1.5 years, to a 50Hz vertical MF, the intensity of which varied regularly between 1.3, 13 and 130 muT. The other served as a control group and was sham-exposed to MF in similar, but unenergized, exposure racks. Body weights, clinical signs, and food and water consumption were recorded regularly. Haematological examination, and the histopathological analysis of all lesions and major tissues were performed on all animals. RESULTS: MF exposure did not increase the incidence of any primary neoplasms. However, the incidence of basophilic liver foci, a probable pre-neoplastic change in liver, was increased. The incidence of hepatocellular adenomas was unchanged, whereas the incidence of hepatocellular carcinomas was slightly, but not statistically significantly, elevated. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that overall the results of this study do not support a role for MF as a tumour promoter.

Short-term systemic effects of head and neck irradiation.

BACKGROUND: Various localized side effects which accompany head and neck irradiation [IR] have been widely reported. However, systemic side effects/have been only sparsely reported in the short-term period post-IR in an animal model. The potential modulatory role of zinc-desferrioxamine [Zn-DFO] on IR effects was examined because of its known ability to protect against the damage induced by free radicals which are mediated by redox-active metal ions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used three groups of male Wistar rats: a] sham irradiated controls b] irradiated [15 Gy]; c] irradiated and treated with Zn-DFO [20 mg/k] one hour prior to IR. During the first two weeks post-IR, body weight and food and water intake were monitored daily, while lymphocytes, segmented neutrophils and white blood cells [WBC] were counted at 10 minutes 4 and 16 hours and 1, 3, 7 and 14 days. Serum TNF-a and IL-6 were obtained at 10 minutes and 7 days. RESULTS: On day 7 post-IR, body weight and food and water intake were reduced by 84% 96% and 85% [p < 0.01], respectively in the above mentioned three groups of rats. This resulted in the death of 22% of the animals and was followed by recovery towards the end of the second week. At all time points examined between 10 minutes and 14 days, WBC were reduced by 52-74%. On the 7th day, Zn-DFO demonstrated a 33% protective effect against the WBC reduction. At 10 mins post-IR, a 84.8-fold [p < 0.01] increase of TNF-alpha, but not IL-6, was noted. However, on the 7th day post-IR, both TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels were increased by 48.5-fold and 102.5-fold [0.01], respectively. CONCLUSION: The data presented delineate the severe short-term systemic effects of head and neck IR in a rat model. We suggest considering the severe cachectic and immunocompromised status of the animals when performing various short-term studies with this model. During this period nutritional and immunological support for the examined animals is recommended. Further evaluation of the underlying mechanisms of IR-induced leukopenia and cachexia in animals and the possible implications for humans is warranted.

Partial protection of rat parotid glands from irradiation-induced hyposalivation by manganese superoxide dismutase.

Head-and-neck irradiation in rats often results in reduction of water and food intake, weight loss, hyposalivation, and suppression of the white blood cell (WBC) count. Oxygen free radicals are believed to be involved in this deleterious process. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is known to act as a first line of antioxidant defence against oxygen free radicals. Here, the protective effect of manganese SOD (MnSOD) and copper/zinc SOD (Cu/ZnSOD) against irradiation-induced injuries to the head and neck in rats was investigated. Wistar rats were irradiated with 15 Gy X-rays delivered to the head-and-neck region. MnSOD (50 mg/kg) or Cu/ZnSOD (100 mg/kg) were administered before and after irradiation. Body weight, food and water intake, WBC counts, and parotid and submandibular salivary functions were examined. Irradiation of 15 Gy resulted in a significant reduction of the parotid flow rate by 73% compared with non-irradiated controls (p<0.05). MnSOD but not Cu/ZnSOD partially reduced this effect on the parotid gland by 25% (p<0.05). Both MnSOD and Cu/ZnSOD demonstrated a protective effect against irradiation-induced WBC suppression, by 35% and 25%, respectively (p<0.05). Treatment with SOD did not protect the animals against irradiation-induced reduction in oral intake and weight loss, or against submandibular hypofunction. These results suggest that SOD partially protects against head-and-neck irradiation-induced injury. Both MnSOD and Cu/ZnSOD partially protect against irradiation-induced WBC loss. The parotid gland is partially protected by MnSOD but not Cu/ZnSOD, while the submandibular gland is not protected by either MnSOD or Cu/ZnSOD.

Effects of solar radiation, dietary energy, and time of feeding on thermoregulatory responses and energy balance in cattle in a hot environment.

Ten growing heifers were either exposed to or protected from solar radiation, offered a diet of either high (H) or low (L) ME, and fed either in the morning or afternoon during a hot summer. Heifers that consumed the H diet had a greater water intake, DMI, metabolizable energy intake, energy expenditure, and retained energy than heifers that consumed the L diet. Solar radiation did not have an effect on any of these variables. Furthermore, dietary energy and time of measurement had an effect on rectal temperature (Tr), respiration rate (RR), heart rate (HR), and rate of oxygen uptake (VO2); solar radiation had an effect on Tr and RR but not on HR and VO2; and time of feeding had an effect only on VO2. Heifers coped with greater heat loads by increasing RR and the difference in Tr between morning and afternoon. It seems that a lowered body temperature in the morning is a physiological mechanism used by animals to prepare for the heat load that develops during the day. Heat production (HP) and HR throughout the day were affected mainly by the time of feeding and not by the environmental heat load. Feeding in the afternoon increased HP in the cooler hours of the day when heat losses from the animal through conduction and radiation were more efficient. With a pending high heat load situation, reducing feed quality and(or) changing the time of feeding to the late afternoon could be beneficial to the animals in reducing their heat loads.

Synthetic trehalose dicorynomycolate (S-TDCM): behavioral effects and radioprotection.

This study evaluated synthetic trehalose dicorynomycolate (S-TDCM), an immunomodulator, for its survival enhancing capacity and behavioral toxicity in B6D2F1 female mice. In survival experiments, mice were administered S-TDCM (25-400 micrograms/mouse i.p.) 20-24 hr before 5.6 Gy mixed-field fission-neutron irradiation (n) and gamma-photon irradiation. The 30-day survival rates for mice treated with 100-400 micrograms/mouse S-TDCM were significantly enhanced compared to controls. Toxicity of S-TDCM was measured in nonirradiated mice by locomotor activity, food intake, water consumption, and alterations in body weight. A dose-dependent decrease was noted in all behavioral measures in mice treated with S-TDCM. Doses of 100 and 200 micrograms/mouse S-TDCM significantly reduced motor activity beginning 12 hr postinjection with recovery by 24 hr. A dose of 400 micrograms/mouse significantly decreased activity within the first 4 hr after administration and returned to control levels by 32 hr following injection. Food and water intake were significantly depressed at doses of 200 and 400 micrograms/mouse on the day following drug administration, and were recovered in 24 hr. Body weight was significantly decreased in the 200 micrograms/mouse group for 2 days and in the 400 micrograms/mouse group for 4 days following injection. A dose of 100 micrograms/mouse effectively enhanced survival after fission-neutron irradiation with no adverse effect on food consumption, water intake, or body weight and a minimal, short-term effect on locomotor activity.

Five-tesla static magnetic fields suppress food and water consumption and weight gain in mice.

In this study, the effects of 5-tesla (T) static magnetic fields (SMFs) on food and water intake in BALB/c mice were examined. We also examined body weight changes, organ weights and some serum biochemical parameters to evaluate the physiological changes resulting from changes in food and water intake. Mice were exposed to 5-T SMFs for 24 h and 48 h. Food intake, water intake and the mean body weight of mice tended to decrease after 24 h of exposure to SMFs (p = 0.054, p = 0.119, p = 0.107, respectively). Those parameters decreased significantly after 48 h of exposure (p = 0.039, p = 0.0003, p = 0.009, respectively). These results suggested a positive relationship between the duration of exposure, and the responses, represented by food intake, water intake, and body weight of the mice. However, the weights of brain, lungs, heart, liver, spleen, and kidneys did not change after 48 h of exposure. The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels and blood glucose levels increased significantly after 48 h of exposure (p = 0.03, p = 0.005, respectively). The BUN-to-creatinine (BUN/Cr) ratio tended to increase after 48 h of exposure (p = 0.07). We conclude that exposure to 5-T SMFs for 48 h suppresses eating and drinking behavior. We considered that the decreased body weight, increased BUN levels and slightly increased BUN/Cr ratio after 48 h of exposure to 5-T SMFs were due to body fluid loss resulting from decreased food and water intake.