METHODS: Geraniin (95% purity) was extracted and purified from rambutan rind. Two groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with 60% high-fat diet and standard rat chow, respectively, for 12 weeks. High-fat diet-treated rats were then administered geraniin at different doses. Body weight, blood pressure and blood glucose readings were measured. At the end of treatment, blood was collected for analysis of glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), insulin, advanced glycation end-product (AGE) levels, renin, aldosterone and electrolytes.
RESULTS: Within the first week of treatment, even the lowest dose of geraniin caused a significant reduction in blood pressure, which was comparable to control diet-treated rats. There were no changes in serum electrolytes, renin or aldosterone. Similarly, there was a significant reduction in serum insulin, insulin resistance and AGE levels at the lowest dose. However, there was no significant decrease in fasting blood glucose or HbA1c. The effects of decreasing insulin, insulin resistance and AGEs were observed only at the lower doses, unlike the results observed for blood pressure reduction.
CONCLUSION: Geraniin at lower doses improved blood pressure and other metabolic parameters. Secondary metabolites of geraniin, associated with antihypertensive activity, are relatively different to those involved in inhibiting AGE formation and increasing insulin sensitivity. The secondary metabolites of geraniin may be individually responsible for the bioactivities demonstrated.
METHODS: 2, 2'-[1, 2-cyclohexanediylbis (nitriloethylidyne)]bis(4-bromophenol) (CNBP) is synthesized via a Schiff base reaction, using the related ketone and diamine as the starting materials. SD rats are divided as normal, ulcer control (5 ml/kg of 10% Tween 20), testing (10 and 20 mg/kg of CNBP) and reference groups (omeprazole 20 mg/kg). Except for the normal group, the rest of the groups are induced gastric ulcer by ethanol 1 h after the pre-treatment. Ulcer area, gastric wall mucus, and acidity of gastric content of the animal stomachs are measured after euthanization. Antioxidant activity of the compound is tested by Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) test and safety of the compound is identified through acute toxicity by [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Moreover, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), levels of prostaglandins E2 (PGE2) and also malondialdehyde (MDA) are determined.
RESULTS: Antioxidant activity of CNBP was approved via FRAP assay. Vast shallow hemorrhagic injury of gastric glandular mucosa was observed in the ulcer group compared to the CNBP-treated animals. Histological evaluations confirmed stomach epithelial defense effect of CNBP with drastic decrease of gastric ulceration, edema and leucocytes penetration of submucosal stratum. Immunostaining exhibited over-expression in HSP70 protein in CNBP-treated groups compared to that of the ulcer group. Also, gastric protein analysis showed low levels of MDA, PGE2 and high activity of SOD and CAT.
CONCLUSIONS: CNBP with noticeable antioxidant property showed gastroprotective activity in the testing rodents via alteration of HSP70 protein expression. Also, antioxidant enzyme activities which were changed after treatment with CNBP in the animals could be elucidated as its gastroprotective properties.
METHODS: PCL grafts (1 mm ID/10 mm long) were implanted into the left common carotid artery in 20 Sprague-Dawley rats and compared to our previously published series of abdominal aortic implants. The animals were followed up to 3, 6, 12 and 24 weeks. At each time point, in vivo compliance, angiography and histological examination with morphology were performed.
RESULTS: PCL grafts showed good mechanical properties and ease of handling. The average graft compliance was 14.5 ± 1.7%/ mmHg compared to 7.8 ± 0.9% for the abdominal position and 45.1 ± 3.2%/ mmHg for the native carotid artery. The overall patency for the carotid position was 65% as compared to 100% in the abdominal position. Complete endothelialisation was achieved at 3 weeks and cell invasion was more rapid than in the aortic position. In contrast, intimal hyperplasia (IH) and vascular density were less pronounced than in the aortic position.
CONCLUSION: Our PCL grafts in the carotid position were well endothelialised with early cellular infiltration, higher compliance, lower IH and calcification compared to the similar grafts implanted in the aortic position. However, there was a higher occlusion rate compared to our abdominal aorta series. Anatomical position, compliance mismatch, flow conditions may answer the difference in patency seen.
METHODS: Female rats were treated with quercetin (10, 25 and 50mg/kg/day) subcutaneously beginning from day-1 pregnancy. Uterus was harvested at day-4 (following three days quercetin treatment) for morphological, ultra-structural, protein and mRNA expressional changes and plasma sex-steroid levels analyses. In another cohort of rats, implantation rate was determined at day-6 (following five days quercetin treatment).
RESULTS: Administration of 50mg/kg/day quercetin causes increased in uterine fluid volume and CFTR expression but decreased in γ-ENaC, AQP-5, AQP-9 claudin-4, occludin, E-cadherin, integrin αnβЗ, FGF, Ihh and Msx-1expression in the uterus. Pinopodes were poorly develop, tight junctions appear less complex and implantation rate decreased. Serum estradiol levels increased but serum progesterone levels decreased.
CONCLUSIONS: Interference in the fluid volume and receptivity development of the uterus during peri-implantation period by quercetin could adversely affect embryo implantation.