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Water Ad Libitum (water + ad_libitum)
Selected AbstractsFatty acids increase the circulating levels of oxidative stress factors in mice with diet-induced obesity via redox changes of albuminFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 15 2007Mayumi Yamato Plasma concentrations of free fatty acids are increased in metabolic syndrome, and the increased fatty acids may cause cellular damage via the induction of oxidative stress. The present study was designed to determine whether the increase in fatty acids can modify the free sulfhydryl group in position 34 of albumin (Cys34) and enhance the redox-cycling activity of the copper,albumin complex in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. The mice were fed with commercial normal diet or high-fat diet and water ad libitum for 3 months. The high-fat diet-fed mice developed obesity, hyperlipemia, and hyperglycemia. The plasma fatty acid/albumin ratio also significantly increased in high-fat diet-fed mice. The increased fatty acid/albumin ratio was associated with conformational changes in albumin and the oxidation of sulfhydryl groups. Moreover, an ascorbic acid radical, an index of redox-cycling activity of the copper,albumin complex, was detected only in the plasma from obese mice, whereas the plasma concentrations of ascorbic acid were not altered. Plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were significantly increased in the high-fat diet group. These results indicate that the increased plasma fatty acids in the high-fat diet group resulted in the activated redox cycling of the copper,albumin complex and excessive lipid peroxidation. [source] Early Alteration in Leukocyte Populations and Th1/Th2 Function in Ethanol-Consuming MiceALCOHOLISM, Issue 8 2001Shawn Starkenburg Background: Chronic alcohol consumption polarizes the immune response away from Th1-mediated cell-mediated immunity. In the present report we investigate the first onset of alteration in immune parameters during ethanol consumption in terms of changes in splenic leukocyte cellularity and surface phenotype as well as alterations in Th1 and Th2 function. Methods: BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice were fed ethanol-containing liquid diets, were pair-fed an isocaloric liquid control diet, or were fed solid diet and water ad libitum for up to 12 days. At intervals during the feeding period, splenic leukocytes were assessed for phenotypic markers by flow cytometry and for their ability to support antigen-induced interferon-, (IFN,) production in a coculture system. Mice were bled at intervals throughout the feeding period, and serum immunoglobin E (IgE) and alcohol levels were determined. Results: Data show that phenotypic and functional alterations occur within the first few days of alcohol consumption. Both liquid diets affect splenic cellularity, and by dietary day 5, ethanol-containing liquid diets further reduce B and NK cell numbers. The decline in B cells is accompanied by a concomitant decline in the amount of major histocompatibility complex class II expressed on this population. Functional alteration in Th1-mediated IFN, production occurred in the population fed ethanol-containing liquid diets by dietary day 5. Th2 function, as indicated by systemic serum IgE levels in these unimmunized mice, is increased by dietary day 6 to 8 and correlated with significant blood alcohol levels. Conclusions: Ethanol consumption by mice causes a rapid decrease in splenic cellularity accompanied by a decrease in Th1 function and a rapid increase in systemic IgE levels. [source] Patterns of respiration in Locusta migratoria nymphs when feedingPHYSIOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 1 2000Scott M. Gouveia Summary Flow-through respirometry was used to investigate patterns of respiration of fifth-instar Locusta migratoria L. nymphs fed a chemically defined, synthetic food. Each animal was recorded for up to 2.7 h, during which they had access to food and water ad libitum, and at least one meal was taken. The start of feeding was coincident with a sudden and rapid rise in respiration. Both carbon dioxide (CO2) production and oxygen (O2) consumption rose, the traces for the two gasses showing a high degree of alignment. The end of a meal correlated with a sudden and rapid decrease in respiratory rate towards resting levels. When feeding was interrupted by an intra-meal pause, respiratory rate tended to drop marginally and then stabilize, before rising rapidly upon the resumption of feeding within the meal. Maximal rates of respiration during feeding represented a 3,4-fold increase over those at rest. Walking and climbing within the chamber were not associated with any noticeable change in respiratory rate above baseline. When locusts were quiescent between feeding episodes, respiration was steady and continuous, rather than discontinuous. Possible causes for large changes in respiration during feeding are discussed. [source] Preventative effects of the flowers of Inula britannica on autoimmune diabetes in C57BL/KsJ mice induced by multiple low doses of streptozotocinPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 4 2002Takao Kobayashi Abstract We have reported that an aqueous extract from the flowers of Inula britannica L. subsp. japonica Kitam. (IB) prevented immunologically induced experimental hepatitis in mice and suggested that the antihepatitic effect of IB is due to inhibition of IFN-, production. We then investigated the effects of IB on diabetes in mice induced by multiple low doses of streptozotocin (MLDSTZ), which is a mouse model for IFN-,-dependent autoimmune diabetes. C57BL/KsJ mice (male, 7 weeks) were provided with IB extract (500,mg/,kg/ day) in drinking water ad libitum, starting 7 days before the first STZ injection. Autoimmune diabetes was induced by MLDSTZ (40,mg/kg/day for 5 daily doses, i.p.). The IB treatment significantly suppressed the increase of blood glucose levels. Histological analysis of the pancreas showed that the degree of insulitis and destruction of ,-cells were reduced by IB treatment. The IFN-, production from stimulated splenic T lymphocytes was inhibited by the IB treatment. Moreover, the proportion of IFN-,-producing cells in the CD4+ population, which was increased by MLDSTZ, was significantly decreased by the IB treatment. These results suggest that IB has a preventative effect on autoimmune diabetes by regulating cytokine production. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Effects of Cacao Liquor Polyphenols on Cardiovascular and Autonomic Nervous Functions in Hypercholesterolaemic RabbitsBASIC AND CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY, Issue 6 2008Megumi Akita This study tested the hypothesis that cacao liquor polyphenols have the properties to restore the cardiovascular and autonomic nervous function in an animal model of familial hypercholesterolaemia. Male Kurosawa and Kusanagi-hypercholesterolaemic rabbits were housed in individual cages in a room where a 12-hr light:dark cycle (lights-on at 8:00 and lights-off at 20:00) was maintained. At 3 months of age, they were divided into two groups (standard diet and cacao liquor polyphenol) and the animals received 100 g of the respective diets per day and were provided with tap water ad libitum. Heart rate and blood pressure were measured by a telemetry system. To clarify the autonomic nervous function, power spectral analysis of heart rate variability, baroreflex sensitivity and autonomic nervous tone were measured. After 6 months of dietary administration of cacao liquor polyphenols, heart rate and blood pressure were lowered but plasma lipid concentrations were unchanged. The area of atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta in the cacao liquor polyphenol group was significantly smaller than that in the standard diet group. The high-frequency power of heart rate variability in the rabbits in the standard diet group was significantly decreased with ageing, but that in the cacao liquor polyphenol group was not different between short-term and long-term treatment. Moreover, cacao liquor polyphenols preserved parasympathetic nervous tone, although that in the standard diet group was significantly decreased with ageing. We conclude that cacao liquor polyphenols may play an important role to protect cardiovascular and autonomic nervous functions. 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