Mediterranean diet and prevention of coronary heart disease in the elderly

There are now several scientific studies that relate this traditional dietary pattern with the incidence of coronary heart disease, various types of cancer, and other diseases. The past years have several observational and clinical studies suggested the mechanisms by which this traditional diet may affect coronary risk. This review underlines the importance of the Mediterranean dietary patterns in the prevention of coronary heart disease

Changes of blood biochemistry in the rabbit animal model in atherosclerosis research; a time- or stress-effect

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Rabbits are widely used in biomedical research and especially as animal models in atherosclerosis studies. Blood biochemistry is used to monitor progression of disease, before final evaluation including pathology of arteries and organs. The aim of the present study was to assess the consistency of the biochemical profile of New Zealand White rabbits on standard diet from 3 to 6 months of age, during which they are often used experimentally.</p> <p>Methods and results</p> <p>Eight conventional male 3-month-old New Zealand White rabbits were used. Blood samples were taken at baseline, 1, 2 and 3 months later. Plasma glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triacylglycerol concentrations, and alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase activities and malondialdehyde were measured. Statistically significant time-related changes were observed in glucose, total cholesterol and triacylglycerol, which were not correlated with aortic lesions at 6 months of age. Similarly, hepatic enzyme activity had significant time-related changes, without a corresponding liver pathology.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Age progression and stress due to single housing may be the underlying reasons for these biochemistry changes. These early changes, indicative of metabolic alterations, should be taken into account even in short-term lipid/atherosclerosis studies, where age and standard diet are not expected to have an effect on the control group of a study.</p

Renal and hypotensive effects of acute and chronic oral treatment with 1-hydrazinophthalazine (apresoline) in hypertension

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/32532/1/0000634.pd

Red wine polyphenols modulate bone loss in the ovariectomized rat model of postmenopausal osteoporosis

Σκοπός αυτής της μελέτης ήταν να εξεταστεί η επίδραση του εκχυλίσματος πολυφαινολών του κόκκινου κρασιού (RWPs) στην οστική πυκνότητα (BMD) σε μοντέλο ωοθηκεκτομημένων επίμυων. Τριάντα πέντε Wistar επίμυες, ηλικίας 10 μηνών, χωρίστηκαν στις εξής ομάδες: ομάδα ελέγχου (CTRL), ωοθηκεκτομής (OVX) και την ομάδα ωοθηκεκτομής που έλαβε το εκχύλισμα RWPs (OVX+RWPs) σε συγκέντρωση 50 mg/kg σωματικού βάρους ανά ημέρα, ξεκινώντας αμέσως μετά από την ωοθηκεκτομή για 6 μήνες. Προσδιορίστηκε η οστική πυκνότητα πριν από οποιαδήποτε παρέμβαση, στους 3 και 6 μήνες. Οι επίμυες ευθανατώθηκαν και τα μηριαία οστά εξετάστηκαν με την δοκιμασία κάμψης τριών σημείων. Η σύγκριση των τιμών οστικής πυκνότητας ολόκληρης της κνήμης μεταξύ των ομάδων, ανέδειξε στατιστικά σημαντική μείωση στις ομάδες OVX και OVX+RWPs τόσο από την αρχική μέτρηση στους 3 και 6 μήνες, όσο και από τους 3 στους 6 μήνες, ενώ στην ομάδα CTRL δεν υπήρξε σημαντική αλλαγή. Η ποσοστιαία μεταβολή της οστικής πυκνότητας στην εγγύς μετάφυση της κνήμης από την αρχική μέτρηση στους 3 και 6 μήνες και από τους 3 στους 6 μήνες, αποκάλυψε στατιστικά σημαντικές διαφορές μεταξύ των ομάδων OVX και OVX + RWPs (P = 0.000). Η ωοθηκεκτομή προκάλεσε σημαντική μείωση των εμβιομηχανικών παραμέτρων όπως αναμενόταν, η δοκιμασία κάμψης τριών σημείων έδειξε ότι η μέγιστη φόρτιση πριν από τη θραύση, η απορρόφηση ενέργειας και η τάση θραύσης αυξήθηκε στατιστικά σημαντικά στην ομάδα OVX που υποβλήθηκε σε θεραπεία με RWPs σε σύγκριση με τους OVX επιμύες (P = 0.048, P = 0.002 και P = 0.003 αντίστοιχα). Η διατροφική πρόσληψη RWPs για 6 μήνες απέτρεψε την ταχεία οστική απώλεια και βελτίωσε την αντοχή των οστών σε ωοθηκεκτομημένους επίμυες.The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Red Wine Polyphenols (RWPs) extract on bone mineral density (BMD) in the ovariectomized (OVX) rat model. Thirty-five 10-month-old Wistar rats were separated into controls (CTRL), OVX and OVX plus RWPs in their drinking water (dose, 50 mg/kg body weight per day), starting immediately after OVX for 6 months. Βody and uterine weight, BMD of the tibia at baseline, 3 and 6 months post-OVX, and 3-pointing bending of the femur, were examined. Statistical comparison of the total tibia BMD within groups during the study period showed a significant reduction in the OVX and OVX+RWPs groups both from baseline to 3 and 6 months and from 3 to 6 months, whereas in the CTRL group, there was no significant change. For the proximal tibial metaphysis, comparison of BMD percentage changes from baseline to 3 months and 6 months and from 3 to 6 months revealed highly statistical differences between OVX and OVX+RWPs groups (P = 0.000). OVX induced a significant reduction of biomechanical parameters as expected; the 3-point bending test showed that the maximum force before fracture, energy absorption and fracture stress significantly increased in the OVX group treated with RWPs compared with the nontreated OVX rats (P = 0.048, P = 0.002 and P = 0.003, respectively). Dietary intake of RWPs for 6 months significantly prevented trabecular bone loss and improved bone strength in estrogen-deficient ovariectomized rats

Assessable Learning Outcomes for the EU Education and Training Framework core and Function A specific modules: Report of an ETPLAS Working Group

Article 23(2) of the European Union Directive 2010/63/EU, which regulates welfare provisions for animals used for scientific purposes, requires that staff involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes be adequately educated and trained before they undertake any such work. However, the nature and extent of such training is not stipulated in the Directive. To facilitate Member States in fulfilling their education and training obligations, the European Commission developed a common Education and Training Framework, which was endorsed by the Member States Competent Authorities. An Education & Training Platform for Laboratory Animal Science (ETPLAS) Working Group was recently established to develop further guidance to the Learning Outcomes in the Framework, with the objective to clarify the levels of knowledge and understanding required by trainees, and to provide the criteria by which these Learning Outcomes should be assessed. Using the Framework document as a starting point, assessment criteria for the Learning Outcomes of the modules required for Function A persons (carrying out procedures on animals) for rats, mice and zebrafish were created with sufficient detail to enable trainees, providers and assessors to appreciate the level of knowledge, understanding and skills required to pass each module. Adoption and utilization of this document by training providers and accrediting or approving bodies will harmonize introductory education and training for those involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes within the European Union, promote mutual recognition of training within and between Member States and therefore free movement of personnel

Differential effect of Pistacia vera extracts on experimental atherosclerosis in the rabbit animal model: an experimental study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Lipid-enriched diets and oxidative stress are risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis. The effects of the methanolic (ME) and cyclohexane (CHE) extracts of the <it>Pistacia vera </it>nut, often included in the Mediterranean diet, were studied in the rabbit model of atherosclerosis.</p> <p>Methods and results</p> <p>Twenty-four New Zealand White rabbits received atherogenic diet (Control Group), supplemented with ME (Group ME) or CHE (Group CHE) for 3 months. Previously, a GC-MS and a UHPLC LC-DAD-ESI(-)-HRMS/MS method were developed to investigate the extracts' chemical profiles. Blood samples at baseline and monthly determined lipid profile, lipid peroxidation and liver function. The aorta, myocardium and liver were examined histologically at 3 months.</p> <p>Groups ME and CHE had significantly higher HDL- and non-significantly lower LDL-cholesterol median % changes from baseline than the Control Group. Triacylglycerol was significantly higher in Group CHE vs. Control. MDA values were significantly lower in Group ME vs. Control and CHE. ALT and AST were significantly higher in Group CHE vs. Control. γ-GT was lower in Group ME vs. Control. Aortic intimal thickness was significantly less in Groups ME and CHE vs. Control; Group ME atherosclerotic lesions were significantly less extensive vs. Groups Control and CHE. Only Group CHE had significant liver fatty infiltration.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>During short-term administration concomitantly with atherogenic diet, both <it>P. vera </it>extracts were beneficial on HDL-, LDL-cholesterol and aortic intimal thickness. The ME additionally presented an antioxidant effect and significant decrease of aortic surface lesions. These results indicate that <it>P. vera </it>dietary inclusion, in particular its ME, is potentially beneficial in atherosclerosis management.</p