Dose-Dependent Effects of Astaxanthin on Ischemia/Reperfusion Induced Brain Injury in MCAO Model Rat

Excitotoxicity and oxidative stress are central to the pathology of the nervous system, and inhibition of excitotoxicity induced by glutamate is one of the therapeutic goals determined for stroke. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Astaxanthin, a potent natural antioxidant, on complications caused by acute cerebral stroke. In this research, 60 male Wistar rats were used which were divided into 5 groups as follow: (1) the sham group (vehicle), (2) the ischemic control group (vehicle), and the ischemic groups treated by Astaxanthin with doses of 25, 45, and 65 mg/kg. In the ischemic groups, ischemic model was performed by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) method, and the Astaxanthin administration was carried out after the artery occlusion and before opening the artery. The obtained results indicated that Astaxanthin could significantly reduce stroke volume, neurological deficits, and lipid peroxidation. Moreover, it was able to restore total oxidant status (TOS) and caspase 3 level to the normal level. The activity of antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and the expression of catalase, GPx and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκb) genes, which were reduced after ischemia, were increased. This phenomenon was particularly pronounced for glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1). Furthermore, Astaxanthin decreased the augmented pro-apoptotic gene Bax and restored the reduced Bcl2 expression to the normal level. Significant effects on the P53 and PUMA expression were not observed. Overall, the medium dosage of Astaxanthin appears to be more effective in reducing the complications of ischemia, particularly on our major study endpoints (stroke volume and neurological defects). Longer studies with a more frequent administration of Astaxanthin are required to better understand the precise mechanism of Astaxanthin.

     

Implications of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and other biomarkers in the development of cardiovascular diseases

Objective

To study the putative effects of Advanced Oxidation Protein Products (AOPPs) and Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

The Effects of Synbiotic Supplementation on Carotid Intima-Media Thickness,Biomarkers of Inflammation,and Oxidative Stress in People with Overweight,Diabetes, and Coronary Heart Disease: a Randomized,Double-Blind,Placebo-Controlled Trial

Synbiotics are known to exert multiple beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of synbiotic supplementation on carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), biomarkers of inflammation, and oxidative stress in people with overweight, diabetes, and coronary heart disease (CHD). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted and involved 60 people with overweight, diabetes, and CHD, aged 50–85 years old. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups to take either synbiotic supplements containing three probiotic bacteria spices Lactobacillus acidophilus strain T16 (IBRC-M10785), Lactobacillus casei strain T2 (IBRC-M10783), and Bifidobacterium bifidum strain T1 (IBRC-M10771) (2 × 10⁹ CFU/g each) plus 800 mg inulin or placebo (n = 30 each group) for 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after the 12-week intervention period to determine metabolic variables. After the 12-week intervention, compared with the placebo, synbiotic supplementation significantly reduced serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (− 3101.7 ± 5109.1 vs. − 6.2 ± 3163.6 ng/mL, P = 0.02), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) (− 0.6 ± 1.0 vs. − 0.1 ± 0.3 μmol/L, P = 0.01), and significantly increased nitric oxide (NO) levels (+ 7.8 ± 10.3 vs. − 3.6 ± 6.9 μmol/L, P < 0.001). We did not observe any significant changes of synbiotic supplementation on other biomarkers of oxidative stress and CIMT levels. Overall, synbiotic supplementation for 12 weeks among people with overweight, diabetes, and CHD had beneficial effects on serum hs-CRP, plasma NO, and MDA levels; however, it did not have any effect on other biomarkers of oxidative stress and CIMT levels.

     

The Combined Efficiency of Dietary Isomaltooligosaccharides and Bacillus spp. on the Growth,Hemato-Serological,and Intestinal Microbiota Indices of Caspian Brown Trout (Salmo trutta caspius Kessler, 1877)

Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins - The combined effects of a commercial probiotic, BetaPlus®, and a prebiotic, isomaltooligosaccharides (IMOS) on the growth, survival rate, intestinal...     

The Effects of Synbiotic Supplementation on Metabolic Status in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins - Data on the effects of synbiotic supplementation on glycemic control, lipid profiles, and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) of women with polycystic ovary...     

Drug Screening in Human PSC-Cardiac Organoids Identifies Pro-proliferative Compounds Acting via the Mevalonate Pathway

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Comparative Homing Behaviors in Two Species of Crayfish,Fallicambarus Fodiens and Orconectes Rusticus

Homing behaviors are seen across the animal kingdom, with the magnitude and scale of these movements varying to a great degree. Invertebrates, such as crayfish, prove to be excellent models for comparative research, with relatively simple nervous systems that have been extensively studied combined with a rich behavioral repertoire that has been well documented. Here we explore whether two crayfish species (a primary burrower and a tertiary burrower) can home to artificial burrows and if so, whether their homing abilities differ. The two species of crayfish, Orconectes rusticus and Fallicambarus fodiens, were examined for their ability to home to artificial burrows in a laboratory setting. Animals were placed in a homing arena, motivated to search by the presence of food, and subsequently return to the burrows. The movements of each individual crayfish were digitized and analyzed for changes in walking speed, velocity and heading angle relative to burrows, total distance travelled and path turning angles. Crayfish of both species successfully returned home, although F. fodiens had a higher homing success rate than O. rusticus. Detailed kinematic analysis showed that walking speeds almost doubled during homing to burrows and heading angles were significantly closer to zero than on the outward journeys for both species. Path turning angles were significantly lower for O. rusticus than for F. fodiens. These findings indicate that these species of crayfish can successfully home without the visual landmark of burrow chimneys and that the primary burrower (F. fodiens) appears to be more successful with straighter return paths. The differences in these two species to home and the underlying mechanisms of homing may be due to the differences in burrow use with primary burrowers showing more efficient homing than tertiary burrowers.     

Metabolic responses to short starvation and re-feeding in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Ichthyological Research - A feeding study was conducted to determine the effect of short-term starvation periods and subsequent re-feeding on some morphological and physiological parameters of...