Chronobiological perspectives on myocardial electrophysiological parameters under three types of general anaesthesia in a rat model

The specific aim of the present study, with respect to dependence on the light–dark (LD) cycle under in vivo conditions in spontaneously breathing rats was to review initial state in electrophysiological parameters that may predict the development of heart rhythm disorders in pentobarbital (40 mg/kg), ketamine–xylazine (100 + 15 mg/kg) and zoletil (30 mg/kg) anaesthetized animals. The study was performed using female Wistar rats that were adaptated to an LD cycle (12 h:12 h). Heart rate, PQ and QT intervals were evaluated for their dependence on the LD cycle. The longest PQ interval duration is under zoletil anaesthesia in the light period and the longest QT interval duration is under ketamine–xylazine anaesthesia in both light periods. We concluded that the most significant predisposition toward the development of ventricular arrhythmias originating from disorders of impulse production and conduction occurred under zoletil anaesthesia in the light period; those resulting from disorders in the dispersion of refractory periods occurred under ketamine–xylazine anaesthesia in both the light periods.     

Pentobarbital anaesthesia in the chronobiological studies

Administration of anaesthesia may influence specific aspects of in vivo animal experiments and is an especially important consideration for experiments conducted during the daytime. Although chronobiological studies investigating interactions between general anaesthesia and circadian rhythms are sparse, all suggest that general anaesthetic agents have a significant effect on circadian rhythms. To assess the suitability of pentobarbital anaesthesia in chronobiological studies, this study was performed using pentobarbital-anaesthetized (40 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) female Wistar rats after adaptation to a light–dark (LD) cycle (12 h:12 h). Heart rate, rectal temperature (RT), electrocardiographic parameters, autonomic nervous system activity, acid–base balance and plasma concentrations of Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Cl^- were evaluated for their dependence on the LD cycle. LD differences were found in heart rate and RT, measured before the administration of the anaesthetic agent. Pentobarbital anaesthesia eliminated LD differences in all electrophysiological parameters, parameters of heart rate variability (except RR intervals) and parameters of acid–base balance and ion concentrations. LD differences with borderline statistical significance were found only for Na⁺ levels, with a higher level in the light period (i.e. nonactive) of the rat regimen day. During pentobarbital anaesthesia, parasympathetic tone predominates and sympathetic activity is depressed. Spontaneously breathing rats under pentobarbital anaesthesia are in an asphyxic state independent of the LD cycle in in vivo experiments. Results of this study suggest that pentobarbital anaesthesia is not suitable for chronobiological studies. However, it is suitable for cardiovascular research that is done regardless of the circadian rhythmicity, because it does not cause significant changes in heart activity.     

Effects of light on the circadian rhythm of diabetic rats under restricted feeding

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the entrainment of light cue is affected or not in diabetic animals. We found that the individual light/dark (LD) reversal showed a tissue- and gene-specific effect on the circadian phases of peripheral clock genes, which was generally similar between the control and diabetic rats. In the liver and heart, the peak phases of examined clock genes (Bmal1, Rev-erbα, Per1, and Per2) were slightly shifted by 0～4 h in the liver and heart of control and diabetic rats. However, we found that the peak phases of these clock genes were greatly shifted by 8～12 h after the LD reversal for 7 days in the pineal gland of both control and diabetic rats. However, the activity rhythm was greatly different between two groups. After the individual LD reversal, the activity rhythm was completely shifted in the control rats but retained in the diabetic rats. These observations suggested that the behavioral rhythm of diabetic rats may be uncoupled from the master clock after the individual LD reversal. Moreover, we also found that the serum glucose levels of diabetic rats kept equally high throughout the whole day without any shift of peak phase after the individual reversal of LD cycle. While the serum glucose levels of control rats were tightly controlled during the normal and LD reversal conditions. Thus, the impaired insulin secretion induced uncontrollable serum glucose level may result in uncoupled activity rhythm in the diabetic rats after the individual LD reversal.     

Effects of using the unloaded configuration in predicting the in vivo diastolic properties of the heart

Computational models are increasingly being used to investigate the mechanical properties of cardiac tissue. While much insight has been gained from these studies, one important limitation associated with computational modeling arises when using in vivo images of the heart to generate the reference state of the model. An unloaded reference configuration is needed to accurately represent the deformation of the heart. However, it is rare for a beating heart to actually reach a zero-pressure state during the cardiac cycle. To overcome this, a computational technique was adapted to determine the unloaded configuration of an in vivo porcine left ventricle (LV). In the current study, in vivo measurements were acquired using magnetic resonance images (MRI) and synchronous pressure catheterization in the LV (N = 5). The overall goal was to quantify the effects of using early–diastolic filling as the reference configuration (common assumption used in modeling) versus using the unloaded reference configuration for predicting the in vivo properties of LV myocardium. This was accomplished by using optimization to minimize the difference between MRI measured and finite element predicted strains and cavity volumes. The results show that when using the unloaded reference configuration, the computational method predicts material properties for LV myocardium that are softer and less anisotropic than when using the early-diastolic filling reference configuration. This indicates that the choice of reference configuration could have a significant impact on capturing the realistic mechanical response of the heart.     

Towards a characterization of the locomotor activity rhythm of the desertic species Porcellio olivieri (Crustacea,Isopoda) from Gabes (South of Tunisia)

The locomotor activity rhythm of the isopod, Porcellio olivieri, was investigated in Gannouch site in the south of Tunisia. The rhythm was monitored under constant temperature in individual animals in winter under two simultaneous regimens: the light–dark (LD) cycle and the continuous darkness (DD). Results revealed that whatever regimens, actograms, and mean activity curves showed that specimens of P. olivieri concentrated their activity during the experimental and subjective night. The species exhibited a locomotor rhythm period significantly shorter under LD (T = 23h13 ± 0h44) than DD (τ = 24h28 ± 0h58). However, the locomotor activity rhythm was less stable and the individuals were significantly more active under entraining conditions than constant darkness. The activity pattern of this species will be discussed as an adaptative strategy to respond to environmental conditions.     

Berberine reduces ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial apoptosis via activating AMPK and PI3K–Akt signaling in diabetic rats

Diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Berberine (BBR), an isoquinoline alkaloid used in Chinese medicine, exerts anti-diabetic effect by lowering blood glucose and regulating lipid metabolism. It has been reported that BBR decreases mortality in patients with chronic congestive heart failure. However, the molecular mechanisms of these beneficial effects are incompletely understood. In the present study, we sought to determine whether BBR exerts cardioprotective effect against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in diabetic rats and the underlying mechanisms. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with low dose streptozotocin and fed with a high-fat diet for 12 weeks to induce diabetes. The diabetic rats were intragastrically administered with saline or BBR (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/d) starting from week 9 to 12. At the end of week 12, all rats were subjected to 30 min of myocardial ischemia and 3 h of reperfusion. BBR significantly improved the recovery of cardiac systolic/diastolic function and reduced myocardial apoptosis in diabetic rats subjected to myocardial I/R. Furthermore, in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, BBR (50 μmol/L) reduced hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced myocardial apoptosis, increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio and decreased caspase-3 expression, together with enhanced activation of PI3K–Akt and increased adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and eNOS phosphorylation. Pretreatment with either PI3K/Akt inhibitor wortmannin or AMPK inhibitor Compound C blunted the anti-apoptotic effect of BBR. Our findings demonstrate that BBR exerts anti-apoptotic effect and improves cardiac functional recovery following myocardial I/R via activating AMPK and PI3K–Akt–eNOS signaling in diabetic rats.     

Protective Effect of Adansonia digitata against Isoproterenol-Induced Myocardial Injury in Rats

The baobab fruit (Adansonia digitata) was analyzed for proximate composition, amino acids, and minerals. The fruit pulp was found to be a good source of carbohydrates, proteins, phenols, and substantial quantities of K, Ca, and Mg. Amino acid analyses revealed high glutamic and aspartic acid, but the sulfur amino acids were the most limited. The present study was designed to investigate the role of Adansonia digitata (Baobab fruit pulp) against isoproterenol induced myocardial oxidative stress in experimental rats by demonstrating the changes in tissue cardiac markers, some antioxidant enzymes, interlukin-1 β (IL-1 β), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1), myeloperoxidase (MPO), Collagen-1, galectin-3, and serum corticosterone. The activities of enzymatic antioxidant glutathione peroxidase (GP_X) and non-enzymatic antioxidant reduced glutathione (GSH) in the heart tissue; additionally, histopathological examination of the heart was estimated. Male albino rats were randomly divided into four groups of ten animals each. Group I served as normal control animal. Group II animals received isoproterenol (ISP) (85 mg/kg body weight intraperitonealy (i.p.) to develop myocardial injury. Group III were myocardial oxidative animals treated with Baobab fruit pulp (200 µg/rats/day) for 4 weeks. Group IV received Baobab fruit pulp only. The data suggested an isoproterenol increase in levels of cardiac marker enzymes [creatine kinase MB (CK- MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)], IL-1ß, MCP-1, MPO, Collagen, and galectin-3, with concomitant decrease in the activities GP_X and GSH in heart tissue as well as corticosterone in serum. Baobab fruit pulp brings all the parameters to near normal level in ISP-induced myocardial infarction in rats. Histopathological examination of heart tissue of ISP-administered model rat showed infiltration of inflammatory cells and congestion in the blood vessels. However, treatment with Baobab fruit pulp (200 µg/rats/day) showed predominantly normal myocardial structure and no inflammatory cell infiltration. It has been concluded that Baobab fruit pulp has cardio protective effect against ISP-induced oxidative stress in rats.     

Morphologic changes in the pineal gland of rats exposed to continuous darkness

We examined the pineal structure of rats exposed to constant darkness (DD) at light microscopic level. Two groups of rats were exposed to 12:12 light/dark cycle (LD) or DD from their prenatal ontogenesis and then for 3 months after birth. The gland structure of DD rats was observed to have an active appearance. Some of the observed pinealocytes with light nuclei from DD rats were determined to contain double nucleoli. Nuclear area and perimeter of both dark and light types were greater in rats kept in DD than in LD. Rats exposed to DD had more cells with light nuclei and lesser cells with dark ones than rats kept in LD. No significant differences in nuclear characteristics of intermediate type were found between rats kept in LD and those kept in DD. The activity of mammalian pineal can be altered by light conditions to which the animal is exposed.     

Influence of circadian disruption on neurotransmitter levels,physiological indexes,and behaviour in rats

Brain monoamines – such as noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) – regulate several important physiological functions, including the circadian rhythm. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in NA, DA and 5-HT levels in various brain regions and their effect on core body temperature (T_c), heart rate (HR) and locomotor activity (Act) in rats following exposure to an artificial light/dark (LD) cycle. For this, male Wistar rats were housed at an ambient temperature (T_a) of 23?°C and 50% relative humidity with free access to food and water. Rats were exposed to either natural (12?h:12?h) or artificial (6?h:6?h) LD cycles for 1 month, after which each brain region was immediately extracted and homogenized to quantify the amounts of NA, DA and 5-HT by high-performance liquid chromatography. Behavioural changes were also monitored by the ambulatory activity test (AAT). Notably, we found that artificial LD cycles disrupted the physiological circadian rhythms of T_c, HR and Act. Although the 5-HT levels of rats with a disrupted circadian rhythm decreased in cell bodies (dorsal and median raphe nuclei) and projection areas (frontal cortex, caudate putamen, preoptic area and suprachiasmatic nucleus) relative to the control group, NA levels increased both in the cell body (locus coeruleus) and projection area (paraventricular hypothalamus). No significant changes were found with respect to DA. Moreover, circadian rhythm-disrupted rats also showed anxious behaviours in AAT. Collectively, the results of this study suggest that the serotonergic and noradrenergic systems, but not the dopaminergic system, are affected by artificial LD cycles in brain regions that control several neural and physiological functions, including the regulation of physiological circadian rhythms, stress responses and behaviour.     

Understanding ageing effects using complexity analysis of foot–ground clearance during walking

Ageing influences gait patterns which in turn can affect the balance control of human locomotion. Entropy-based regularity and complexity measures have been highly effective in analysing a broad range of physiological signals. Minimum toe clearance (MTC) is an event during the swing phase of the gait cycle and is highly sensitive to the spatial balance control properties of the locomotor system. The aim of this research was to investigate the regularity and complexity of the MTC time series due to healthy ageing and locomotors' disorders. MTC data from 30 healthy young (HY), 27 healthy elderly (HE) and 10 falls risk (FR) elderly subjects with balance problems were analysed. Continuous MTC data were collected and using the first 500 data points, MTC mean, standard deviation (SD) and entropy-based complexity analysis were performed using sample entropy (SampEn) for different window lengths (m) and filtering levels (r). The MTC SampEn values were lower in the FR group compared to the HY and HE groups for all m and r. The HY group had a greater mean SampEn value than both HE and FR reflecting higher complexity in their MTC series. The mean SampEn values of HY and FR groups were found significantly different for m = 2, 4, 5 and r = (0.1–0.9) × SD, (0.3–0.9) × SD and (0.3–0.9) × SD, respectively. They were also significant difference between HE and FR groups for m = 4–5 and r = (0.3–0.7) × SD, but no significant differences were seen between HY and HE groups for any m and r. A significant correlation of SampEn with SD of MTC was revealed for the HY and HE groups only, suggesting that locomotor disorders could significantly change the regularity or the complexity of the MTC series while healthy ageing does not. These results can be usefully applied to the early diagnosis of common gait pathologies.     

Effects of amlodipine and adenosine on coronary haemodynamics: in vivo study and numerical simulation

Amlodipine (AMLO) is a calcium channel blocker with vasodilating properties, in which the specific effects on the coronary circulation are not fully known. Coronary flow velocity–pressure (F/P) curves were obtained at rest and during administration of AMLO (10 mg to 20 mg iv) or adenosine (ADO, 1 mg ic) in 10 normal subjects (six women, age 48 ± 14 years). F/P curves were reproduced in a numerical simulator of systemic and coronary circulations (CARDIOSIM^©) by adjustment of coronary resistance ( > or < 100 μm diameter vessels) and extravascular resistance applied to smaller vessels at endocardial (ENDO), middle and epicardial (EPI) myocardial layers. Best matching of in silico to in vivo curves was achieved by trial and error approach. ADO induced 170% and 250% increase in coronary flow velocity CFV and F/P diastolic slope as compared to 80% and 25–30% increase induced by AMLO, respectively. In the cardiovascular model, AMLO effects were predicted by progressive reduction of>100 μm vessels resistance from EPI to ENDO. ADO effects were mimicked by reducing resistance of both>100 μm and < 100 μm vessels, progressively from EPI to ENDO in the latter. Additional reduction in extravascular resistance avoided to impose a transmural gradient of vasodilating effect for both drugs. Numerical simulation predicts vasodilating effects of AMLO mainly on larger arteries and of ADO on both>and < 100 μm vessels. In vivo F/P loops could be completely reproduced in silico by adding extravascular resistance reduction for both drugs. Numerical simulator is useful tool for exploring the coronary effects of cardioactive drugs.     

Species specificity in photoperiodic control of nymphal development in four species of cricket from north-west China

Photoperiodic regulation of nymphal development was examined in four species of cricket collected in the Xinjiang‐Uygur Autonomy Region, China (approximately 43°N, 81–89°E). Fifty percent of individuals of Modicogryllus frontalis reared at 28°C reached adulthood in approximately 80 days in conditions of 11 h light : 13 h dark (LD 11:13) to 14:10, and in approximately 95 days under LD 15:9 to 16:8. Melanogryllus desertus started adult emergence earliest under LD 16:8 at 28°C, but some individuals required much longer to mature, and thus two peaks of adult emergence occurred at approximately 60 and 160 days after hatching. More individuals hatched during the late peak in LD 18:6 than in LD 16:8. The mean nymphal period was approximately 100 days in LD 11:13 to 14:10. Both species showed short‐day type photoperiodic responses, but Mo. frontalis developed faster than did Me. desertus. The latter occupied a wider range of habitat conditions and was more variable in life cycle than the former. Modicogryllus burdigalensis started adult emergence earliest in LD 16:8 at 28°C in the six photoperiods tested, most adults emerging within 60 days. The mean nymphal period was 80 days in LD 15:9, 135 days in LD 14:10 and 80–100 days in LD 11:13 to 13:11, showing an intermediate type of photoperiodic response. Acheta domesticus was a long‐day type species, and the proportion of delayed individuals increased with decreasing photoperiod. In the dry climate of Xinjiang‐Uygur, nymphal overwintering seems to be successful in all of the four different patterns of nymphal development.     

Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Free Radicals by in vivo BCM (Blood Circulation Monitoring)-ESR Method

In pharmacokinetic studies, a variety of analytical method including radioisotopic detection and HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) has been used. In the present investigation, we developed in vivo BCM (Blood Circulation Monitoring)-ESR method, which is a new technique with a conventional X-band ESR spectrometer for observing stable free radicals in the circulating blood of living rats under anaesthesia. Both 5–(PROXYL derivatives) and 6–(TEMPO derivatives) membered nitroxide spin probes with various types of substituent functional group were used. After physicochemical properties of the spin probes such as hyperfine coupling constant (A-value), g-value and partition coefficient as well as chemical stability of the compounds in the fresh blood were obtained, the in vivo BCM-ESR method was performed in normal rats. Several pharmacokinetic parameters such as half-life of the probes, distribution volume, total body clearance and mean residence time were obtained and discussed in terms of their chemical structures. In addition, clearance of a spin probe was related to the urine concentration. The BCM-ESR method was found to be very useful to observe free radicals at the real time. By time-dependent ESR signal decay of spin probes, pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained.     

Impact of repeated intravenous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells infusion on myocardial collagen network remodeling in a rat model of doxorubicin-induced dilated cardiomyopathy

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation improved cardiac function and reduced myocardial fibrosis in both ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathies. We evaluated the effects of repeated peripheral vein injection of MSCs on collagen network remodeling and myocardial TGF-β1, AT1, CYP11B2 (aldosterone synthase) gene expressions in a rat model of doxorubicin (DOX)-induced dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Thirty-eight out of 53 SD rats survived at 10 weeks post-DOX injection (2.5 mg/kg/week for 6 weeks, i.p.) were divided into DCM blank (without treatment, n = 12), DCM placebo (intravenous tail injection of 0.5 mL serum-free culture medium every other day for ten times, n = 13), and DCM plus MSCs group (intravenous tail injection of 5 × 10⁶ MSCs dissolved in 0.5 mL serum-free culture medium every other day for 10 times, n = 13). Ten untreated rats served as normal controls. At 20 weeks after DOX injection, echocardiography, myocardial collagen content, myocardial expressions of types I and III collagen, TGF-β1, AT1, and CYP11B2 were compared among groups. At 20 weeks post-DOX injection, 8 rats (67 %) survived in DCM blank group, 9 rats (69 %) survived in DCM placebo group while 13 rats (100 %) survived in DCM plus MSCs group. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was significantly higher and ejection fraction was significantly lower in DCM blank and DCM placebo groups compared to normal control rats, which were significantly improved in DCM plus MSCs group (all p < 0.05 vs. DCM blank and DCM placebo groups). Moreover, myocardial collagen volume fraction, types I and III collagen, myocardial mRNA expressions of TGF-β1, AT1, CYP11B2, and collagen I/III ratio were all significantly lower in DCM plus MSCs group compared to DCM blank and DCM placebo groups (all p < 0.05). Repeated intravenous MSCs transplantation could improve cardiac function by attenuating myocardial collagen network remodeling possibly through downregulating renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system in DOX-induced DCM rats.     

Diurnal and circadian variations in intraocular pressure in goats exposed to different lighting conditions

ABSTRACT

The effect of constant light and constant darkness on intraocular pressure (IOP) in goats has not been investigated. We hypothesized that IOP variations would differ between goats kept under a cycle of 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness (LD), constant darkness (DD), and constant light (LL). To test this hypothesis, goats were exposed to these conditions for five days (LD, 30 goats; DD, 10 goats; LL, 10 goats). IOP was measured by applanation tonometry at 9 a.m. (beginning of photophase in LD) and 9 p.m. (beginning of scotophase in LD) on the fourth and fifth days of exposure. We found that changes in mean IOP from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. differed significantly between groups (χ²(2) = 23.04, p < .0001). Most goats in LD showed a regular pattern of higher IOP in the morning and lower IOP in the evening, whereas those in DD and LL did not follow this pattern. In LD conditions, mean IOP was 2.4 mm Hg lower at 9 p.m. than at 9 a.m. (95% confidence interval for the difference (CI): ?2.8 to ?1.9 mm Hg, p < .0001). In DD conditions, mean IOP did not differ between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. (CI: ?0.9 to 0.8 mm Hg, p = .90). In LL conditions, it was 0.6 mm Hg lower at 9 p.m. (CI: ?1.5 to 0.2 mm Hg, p = .12). Our results indicate that IOP in goats kept in LD is higher in the morning than in the evening, and that IOP variations are reduced in goats kept in DD and LL. These results suggest that exposure to alternating periods of light and darkness is important for maintaining rhythmic variations in IOP in this species.     

Upregulation of myocardial syntaxin1A is associated with an early stage of polymicrobial sepsis

This study was designed to test whether increased sympathetic stimulation during polymicrobial sepsis modulates the profile of the syntaxin1A and norepinephrine transporter (NET) in the heart. Sepsis of mild and severe intensity was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats (275–350 g) using the cecal inoculum (CI) and cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) methods, respectively. The heart samples were isolated from sham, 1, 3, and 7 day post-sepsis in the CI model and at 2 and 20 h post-sepsis in the CLP model. In the CI model, the plasma concentration of norepinephrine (NE) significantly increased at 1, 3, and 7 days post-CI compared to the sham group. The myocardial syntaxin1A mRNA and protein expression also significantly increased at 1 day post-CI compared to the sham group. However, the sepsis-induced increase in syntaxin1A returned to the baseline values at 3 and 7 days post-CI. The expressions of myocardial NET mRNA and protein were not altered at 1 day post-CI but significantly decreased at 3 days post-CI compared to the sham and 1 day post-CI groups. The immunohistochemical analyses revealed an increased localization of NET and syntaxin1A in the heart tissue sections of the 1 day post-CI group. In the CLP model of severe sepsis, the myocardial syntaxin1A mRNA protein expressions significantly increased at 2 h post-CLP, but remained unchanged at 20 h post-CLP compared to the sham group. In contrast, the myocardial expressions of NET mRNA and protein significantly decreased at both 2 and 20 h post-CLP compared to the sham group. It appears that during severe sepsis (CLP model), both the upregulation of syntaxin1A and the downregulation of NET contribute to increased concentrations of NE during the early and late stages of sepsis.     

Activity rhythms of the shallow-water octopuses Octopus laqueus and Abdopus aculeatus with special reference to its relation to light and tidal cycles

Patterns of activity and inactivity were experimentally measured for two shallow-water octopuses, Octopus laqueus (n = 8) and Abdopus aculeatus (n = 4), inhabiting the Ryukyu Archipelago. Octopuses that were collected from the coastal waters of Okinawa Island were held in experimental tanks under controlled light conditions (L, light; D, dark; 12L:12D, LD conditions; 12D:12D, DD conditions). Behaviors of these two species were continuously recorded for 9 to 10 days. Under LD conditions, O. laqueus were active for 7 to 14 min during daytime and 298 to 339 min at night, and under DD conditions, for 97 to 140 min during daytime and 71 to 169 min at night. A. aculeatus were active for 49 to 99 min during daytime and 138 to 185 min at night under LD conditions, whereas under DD conditions, they were active for 36 to 56 min during daytime and 55 to 154 min at night. Continuous duration for activity cycles was 39 ± 7.6 h under LD conditions and 42 ± 2.6 h under DD conditions in O. laqueus, and 38 ± 7.4 h under LD conditions and 42 ± 2.8 h under DD conditions in A. aculeatus. Ratios for active duration to inactive duration did not differ between LD condition and DD condition both in O. laqueus and A. aculeatus.     

Potential role of cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G) in diabetic cardiomyopathy in diabetic rats: An in vivo approach

The present study aimed to evaluate the importance of cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G) of diabetic cardiomyopathy in diabetic rats. The rats were induced with diabetic using streptozotocin and total triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) were determined. The range of myocardial enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LD) were also estimated, further, the Immuno histochemical analysis and western blot investigation were determined for the actual activity of C3G. Results indicated that the marker enzymes such as CK, LD and AST were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in STZ administered rats (DM group), while the levels of these elevated marker enzymes of cardiac injury significantly (P < 0.05) declined in the DM + C3G group, as compared to the diabetic group of rats. Additionally, a decrease in the level of TNF-alpha and interleukin-6, was noticed in the C3G treated group as compared to diabetic group. Finally, blotting analysis clearly confirmed that theC3G treatment resulted to higher level response of Bcl-2 and lower level response of caspase-3 and BAX. In conclusion, C3G a natural antioxidant may prevent cardiovascular complications by ameliorating oxidative damage, inflammation, metabolic dysfunctions and apoptosis pathways in type 2 diabetes.     

Establishment of Rat Model of Central Venous Catheter (CVC): Associated Infection and Evaluation of the Virulence of Bacterial Biofilms

In this study, a central venous catheter (CVC)—associated infection model was established in rats to investigate and evaluate the effect of biofilms on the virulence of the pathogens. Twenty-four adult SD rats were randomly divided into biofilm positive (BF+) and biofilm negative (BF?) groups to be challenged with strains of S.epidermidis. Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines were measured and the infection rate and counts of bacteria cells were studied. Compared to rats of BF? group, the serum level of TNF and IL-6 significantly increased in rats of BF+ group (P < 0.01) and the level of IL-10 and IFN-γ significantly decreased (P < 0.01), striking the balance of pro-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory cytokines. The infection rate and bacterial counts in tissues and blood of rats of BF + group were significantly higher than those of rats of BF? group (P < 0.05).Inflammatory cell infiltration in vital organs (heart, lung, liver and kidneys) was more significant in rats of BF+ group than that of rats of BF- group. CVC-associated infection model can be successfully reproduced in rats by injecting 5 × 10⁶ CFU of S.epidermidis. Biofilm formation can significantly enhance the virulence of the bacteria, leading to uncontrolled infection. The serum level of inflammatory cytokines, infection rate and the extent of inflammatory cell infiltration are important markers for evaluating the virulence of biofilm.