The Morphometrical and Immunohistochemical Investigation of the Effect of Topiramate on Liver and the Role of NeuropeptideY Receptor in an Obese Female Rat

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the possible effect of topiramate (TOP, 0.02 mg/kg/day) on the livers in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity rat model. The other objective was to evaluate the relationship between TOP administration and NPY level using anti-NPY1R antibody. METHODS: Twenty-four adult female Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned into four equal groups as follow: control (CONT), obese (OBS), TOP, and OBS+TOP. All liver samples were investigated using the stereological analysis, as well as immunohistochemical and histopathological examination. RESULTS: The total number of hepatocytes was significantly decreased in the OBS+TOP group compared to the CONT group or the OBS group (p < 0.05). We found a significant increase in the mean volume of liver in the OBS group compared to the CONT group (p < 0.05). Also, the mean volume of liver was significantly decreased in the OBS+TOP group compared to the OBS group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Taken together, our findings suggest that decreased liver volume is possibly attributed to TOP administration via setting the NPY level in the obese rats. Further, the side effects of TOP in combination with health risk of obesity may have led to an increase in hepatotoxicity and the subsequent hepatocyte los

The investigation of the effects of Topiramate on the Hypothalamic levels of Fat mass/obesity-associated Protein and Neuropeptide Y in Obese Female Rats

Objective: The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of topiramate on the fat mass/obesity-associated protein (FTO) and on the neuropeptide Y (NPY) level in the hypothalamus depending on the recently increased prevalence of obesity. Method: In this study, twenty-four female rats were divided into four equal groups: Non-obese control, obese control, non-obese topiramate, and obese topiramate. Obese groups were fed with a 40% high-fat diet. At the end of the 9th week, the drug treatment started and the subjects were treated with topiramate once a day for 6 weeks. All animals underwent cardiac perfusion under high-dose anesthesia on the 15th week. Tissues were analyzed using biochemical, histological, and stereological methods. Results: In terms of neuron number in the arcuate nucleus area, a significant difference was observed among all groups (P < 0.01). The neuron number of the non-obese topiramate group was found to be significantly higher than that of the non-obese control group (P < 0.01). In the examination of the ventromedial nucleus of the entire group, it was observed that the neuron number of the non-obese control group was significantly lower than those of the other groups (P < 0.01). A significant increase in the NPY levels of the obese groups compared to the groups treated with topiramate was observed. Furthermore, the amount of the FTO protein increased in obese rats, while FTO and NPY levels decreased in the groups treated with topiramate. Discussion: In conclusion, the mechanism of the effect of topiramate to create a state of obesity is thought to involve the decrease in the levels of NPY and FTO

Hippocampal Neural Cell Loss in High-fat-diet Induced Obese Rats– Exploring the Protein Networks, Ultrastructure, Biochemical and Bioinformatical Markers

Objective: Obesity, which has become one of the main health problems, results from irregular and unhealthy nutrition. In particular, an increase in the intake of high-fat foods leads to obesity and associated disorders. It is noteworthy to specify that obese individuals have memory problems. This study aims to examine the effects of high-fat diet on hippocampus, with stereological, histopathological methods and STRING bioinformatic tool. Methods: Female Adult Sprague Dawley rats (n = 20) were equally divided into control (CONT) and high-fat diet (HFD) groups. The control group was given standard rat pellet feed, while the high-fat diet group was fed with a 40 % fat content for 2 months. Following the feeding program, rats were sacrificed. The collected blood samples were analyzed biochemically to determine the level of oxidative stress while performing a stereological and histopathological examination of the brain tissues. Functional protein-protein networks for BDNF, C-Fos, CAT, LPO, SOD and MPO by gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis were evaluated. Findings: The number of neurons decreased in the HFD group compared to the CONT group. Damage to the histological structure of the hippocampus region; such as degenerate neurons, damaged mitochondria and extended cisterns of the endoplasmic reticulum was observed. Although C-Fos level and oxidative stress parameters increased in HFD group, BDNF level decreased. While BDNF and C-Fos were observed in pathways related to neuron death, oxidative stress and memory, BDNF was pronounced in the mitochondria, and C-Fos in the endoplasmic reticulum. Discussion: This study shows that changes in both BDNF and C-Fos levels in obesity due to high-fat diet increase oxidative stress and cause neuron damage in the hippocampus

The protective effect of curcumin on the diabetic Rat Kidney: A stereological, electron microscopic and immunohistochemical study

The prevalence of diabetes in the world is increasing rapidly. Kidney diseases are among the most common medical disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of curcumin on the diabetic kidney. Thirty-five female Wistar albino rats were divided into seven groups. No procedure was performed on the Cont group. The Sham group received corn oil via gavage for 14 days. The curcumin (Curc) group received 30-mg/kg curcumin for 14 days, while the diabetes mellitus (DM) group received 50-mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) in a single dose intraperitoneally. The DM + curcumin 1 (DC1) group received 30 mg/kg curcumin for 14 days, seven days after the application of STZ, while the DM + curcumin 2 (DC2) received 30 mg/kg curcumin for 14 days, 21 days after the application of STZ, and the DM + curcumin 3 (DC3) group received single-dose STZ at the same time as the application of 30 mg/kg curcumin for 14 days. Medulla, cortex, tubule, and glomerulus volume ratios were calculated using stereological techniques. Cortex volumes in the Sham and DM groups were significantly lower than in the Cont group (p < 0.05). The cortex volume in the DC3 group was also significantly lower than in the Curc group (p < 0.05). Medullary volume was significantly higher in the DC3 group compared to the DM group (p < 0.05). Curcumin was determined to exhibit a protective effect on the diabetic kidney since the glomerulus in the curcumin-exposed group exhibited a well-protected structure following experimentally induced diabetes based on light and electron microscopic analysis findings. These findings suggest that curcumin used following experimentally induced diabetes exhibits protective effects on the diabetic kidney

Histomorphometric changes in the placenta and umbilical cord during complications of pregnancy

Pregnancy complications may cause morphological changes and circulation defects in the placenta, which may lead to morbidity and mortality in fetuses and newborns. We investigated structural changes in the placenta and umbilical cord under various abnormal maternal conditions. Placenta and umbilical cord specimens were obtained from pregnant women during labor at 37 - 42 weeks gestation. Volumetric measurements were made for each placenta and umbilical cord using the Cavalieri method. Significant differences were observed for volumetric densities of total villi, syncytial knots, intervillous vessels and perivillous fibrin deposition. We observed particular increases in the volumetric parameters of the pre-eclampsia group compared to the other groups. The tunica media of the umbilical arteries was increased significantly with intrahepatic cholestasis

Effects of Auditory Stimulation and Exercise on Gender Hormones in GMOs-Fed Rats

Aim: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of auditory stimuli and exercise on structural measurements, functional characteristics and sex hormones of rats fed with genetically modified organisms (GMO). Materials and Methods: A total of 64 8-week-old Spraque Dawley rats, 32 male and 32 female, were used in the study. GMO feeding, auditory stimulus and exercise were applied to both male and female rats. Control groups were also formed at the same time as the experimental groups. GMO application; It was fed by mixing 20ml water+20ml corn syrup per day. Auditory application; Segah and Hüseyni maqams were played at 55 decibels loudness for 60 minutes a day. Exercise app; It was applied as challenging swimming in an 80 cm long and 40 cm wide pool. Results: It was determined that the body weights of all rats treated with GMO showed a significant increase (p<0.05). Significant increases in blood lactate levels were observed in exercise-treated rats (p<0.05). It was determined that musical auditory stimuli were effective on sex hormones and significant decreases occurred in estrogen levels of female rats fed GMOs (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was observed that the preference of feeding with GMO significantly affected the body composition of the subjects. It was determined that swimming and sound stimuli were effective on sex hormones. It was determined that there was an increase in testosterone levels in male rats fed with exercise and GMO. A significant decrease was determined in the estrogen levels of female rats, especially in those fed with GMOs. For this reason, it was seen that the changes in the sex hormones caused by the high fructosecontaining GMO diet can cause very important health problems. It was determined that more research on the subject should be done in order to explain the system response mechanisms of the organism, the relationship between exercise and auditory stimuli and GMO nutrition

Investigation of the relationship between HMGB1 and obesity in the adrenal gland

Aim: The interaction between obesity and increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines results the existence of inflammation HMGB1 secreted from the adrenal gland can play a role in inflammation pathways. The aim of this study is to explain the link between HMGB1 and obesity in the adrenal gland. Material and Methods: In this study; eighteen female Wistar Albino rats were divided into two groups: untreated control group (n=8) and obese group (n=10). The rats in obese group were fed with high fat diet for ten weeks. Morphometric parameters of adrenal gland were assessed by using stereological techniques. The expression of high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) in adrenal gland was evaluated. Results: At the end of the analyses; mean volumes of zona fasciculate, zona reticularis, and medulla were significantly increased in obese group. Also, the number of HMGB1 stained cells was significantly increased in the obese group in comparison to control group. Conclusion: The results suggest that obesity may be one of the reasons of inflammation and hypertrophy in the adrenal gland. HMGB1 may provide a novel perspective into the anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategies in obese patients

Effects of leptin on histomorphometry of liver in high-fat diet fed obese rats

Obesity, a condition that is characterized by the excessive accumulation and storage of body fat, is one of the most significant and common diseases of today’s world and it is measured by a method called body mass index (BMI). Obesity can result in many serious diseases such as, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and hyperlipidemia. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is one cause of a fatty liver that occurs when fat is deposited in the liver not due to the excessive alcohol use. Histopathological findings of fatty liver are seen in hepatocytes within the forms of micro-vesicular and macrovesicular steatosis or sometimes housing fat vacuoles. Leptin, one of the most important adipose-derived hormones and among the best-known hormone markers for obesity plays a key role in regulating stable body weight and is synthesized and released by the fat cells in adipose tissue. The aim of this study was to detect the effects of high fat diet induced obesity and leptin on liver by using physical disector and Cavalieri methods