Effects of DL-Homocysteine Thiolactone on Cardiac Contractility, Coronary Flow, and Oxidative Stress Markers in the Isolated Rat Heart: The Role of Different Gasotransmitters

Considering the adverse effects of DL-homocysteine thiolactone hydrochloride (DL-Hcy TLHC) on vascular function and the possible role of oxidative stress in these mechanisms, the aim of this study was to assess the influence of DL-Hcy TLHC alone and in combination with specific inhibitors of important gasotransmitters, such as L-NAME, DL-PAG, and PPR IX, on cardiac contractility, coronary flow, and oxidative stress markers in an isolated rat heart. The hearts were retrogradely perfused according to the Langendorff technique at a 70 cm H2O and administered 10 μM DL-Hcy TLHC alone or in combination with 30 μM L-NAME, 10 μM DL-PAG, or 10 μM PPR IX. The following parameters were measured: dp/dt max, dp/dt min, SLVP, DLVP, MBP, HR, and CF. Oxidative stress markers were measured spectrophotometrically in coronary effluent through TBARS, NO2, O2-, and H2O2 concentrations. The administration of DL-Hcy TLHC alone decreased dp/dt max, SLVP, and CF but did not change any oxidative stress parameters. DL-Hcy TLHC with L-NAME decreased CF, O2-, H2O2, and TBARS. The administration of DL-Hcy TLHC with DL-PAG significantly increased dp/dt max but decreased DLVP, CF, and TBARS. Administration of DL-Hcy TLHC with PPR IX caused a decrease in dp/dt max, SLVP, HR, CF, and TBARS

Nandrolone decanoate and physical activity affect quadriceps in peripubertal rats

© 2018 Elsevier GmbH Anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) are synthetic analogs of testosterone often used by athletes to increase the skeletal muscle mass. Our goal was to examine the effects of physical activity and physical activity combined with supraphysiological doses of nandrolone on functional morphology of the quadriceps muscle. The study included 32 peripubertal Wistar rats, divided into 4 groups: control (T-N-), nandrolone (T-N+), physical activity (T+N-) and physical activity plus nandrolone (T+N+) groups. The T+N- and T+N+ group swam for 4 weeks, 1 h/day, 5 days/week. The T-N+ and T+N+ groups received nandolone decanoate (20 mg/kg b.w.) once per week, subcutaneously. Subsequently, the rats were sacrificed and muscle specimens were prepared for the processing. Tissue sections were histochemically and immunohistochemically stained, while the image analysis was used for quantification. Longitudinal diameter of quadriceps muscle cells was increased for 21% in T-N+, for 57% in T+N- and for 64% in T+N+ group while cross section muscle cell area was increased in T-N+ for 19%, in T+N- for 47% and in T+N+ group for 59%, compared to the control. Collagen fibers covered area was increased in T-N+ group for 36%, in T+N- for 109% and in T+N+ group for 159%, compared to the control. Erythrocyte depots were decreased in T-N+ group and increased in T+N- and T+N+ group, in comparison with T-N-. VEGF depots were increased in all treated groups. Chronic administration of supraphysiological doses of AASs alone or in combination with physical activity induces hypertrophy and significant changes in the quadriceps muscle tissue structure

Modulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in isolated rat heart

Considering the limited data about the role of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDA-R) in cardiovascular system and heart, the aim of the present study was to examine the effects of NMDA and DL-homocysteine thiolacotne (DL-Hcy TLHC), alone and in combinations with glycine, memantine and ifenprodil, in the isolated rat heart. The hearts of Wistar albino rats were retrogradely perfused according to the Langendorff technique at a constant perfusion pressure. The experimental protocol for all experimental groups included the stabilization period, application of estimated substance in duration of 5 minutes, followed by wash-out period in duration of 10 minutes. Using sensor in the left ventricle we registered the next parameters of myocardial function: dp/dt max, dp/dt min, systolic and diastolic left ventricular pressure, and heart rate, and coronary flow (CF) was measured flowmetrically. In the coronary venous effluent spectrophotometrically were estimated following oxidative stress biomarkers: TBARS, NO2-, O2-, and H2O2. NMDA alone did not induce any change in any observed parameter, while DL-Hcy TLHC alone, as well as combined application of NMDA and DL-Hcy TLHC with glycine, induced reduction of most cardiodynamic parameters. Memantine and ifenprodil induced reduction of cardiodynamic parameters and coronary flow, as well as some oxidative stress biomarkers.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Acute effects of nandrolone decanoate on cardiodynamic parameters in isolated rat heart

Despite worldwide use of anabolic steroids in last decades, there are still contradictory informations about their acute influence on myocardium. The aim of this study was to examine the acute effects of nandrolone decanoate (ND) on cardiodynamics and coronary flow in isolated rat heart. The hearts of male Wistar albino rats (n=48, 12 per group, age 8 weeks, body mass 180–200 g) were excised and perfused according to Langendorff technique at gradually increased coronary perfusion pressures (40–120 cmH2O). After control sets of experiments, the hearts were perfused with ND in dose of 1 μM, 10 μM and 100 μM, successively. Using sensor placed in the left ventricle, we registered: maximum and minimum rate of pressure development in the left ventricle (dp/dt max and dp/dt min), systolic and diastolic left ventricular pressure (SLVP and DLVP) and heart rate (HR). Coronary flow (CF) was measured flowmetrically. The results clearly show the depression in cardiac function caused by higher doses of ND. The highest concentration of ND (100μM) induced most deleterious impact on the myocardial function and perfusion of the heart (coronary circulation), which could be of clinical significance.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

The influences of chokeberry extract supplementation on redox status and body composition in handball players during competition phase

The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of 12 weeks of consumption of chokeberry extract on redox status, body composition, lipid profile, and biochemical parameters in active handball players. The study included 16 handball players aged 16–24 years (20.26 ± 2.86 years). Every morning before training, players received 30 mL of liquid chokeberry extract for 12 weeks during the regular competition season. The research consisted of morphofunctional and biochemical testing, which was performed at three points (at the beginning of the study and at 6 and 12 weeks after extract consumption). After the chokeberry extract treatment, we observed significant changes in three main aspects. The 12 week supplementation with chokeberry extract decreased the levels of prooxidants (TBARS and nitrites) and increased catalase activity. Analyzing the dynamic of body composition showed a decrease in body fat (9.4 ± 0.5 vs. 7.3 ± 0.6 kg) as well as its percent in a body (11.4 ± 0.4% vs. 8.8 ± 0.4%). On the other hand, the analysis showed an increase of high-density lipoprotein (1.3 ± 0.3 vs. 1.6 ± 0.2 mmol/L) and hemoglobin (144.4 ± 11.7 vs. 151.7 ± 9.9 g/L) after 6 weeks of treatment. At the same time, a decrease in leukocytes (7.2 × 109 ± 2.8 vs. 6.5 ± 1.2 × 109/L) and an increase in red blood cells count (4.9 ± 0.4 × 109 vs. 5.5 ± 0.5 × 109/L) were observed. Overall, these results emphatically show that the use of chokeberry extract dietary supplement induced a wide range of beneficial effects in the examined group of athletes.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

EFFICENCY OF ATORVASTATIN AND SIMVASTATIN IN IMPROVING OF CARDIAC FUNCTION DURING THE DIFFERENT DEGREE OF HYPERHOMOCYSTEINEMIA

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of atorvastatin and simvastatin on myocardial contractility during the different degrees of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) in rats. Study was conducted on adult male Wistar albino rats (n = 90; 4 weeks old; 100 ± 15 g body mass) in which HHcy was achieved by dietary manipulation. Animals were exposed to pharmacology treatment with atorvastatin in dose of 3 mg/kg per day i.p. or simvastatin in dose of 5 mg/kg per day i.p. at the same time every day, according to equivalent therapeutic doses of these statins (10 mg atorvastatin = 20 mg simvastatin). After the dietary manipulation and pharmacological treatment and confirmation of HHcy, all animals were sacrificed, hearts were isolated, and cardiac function was tested according to the Langendorff technique. Size of recovery of maximum rate of left ventricular development (dp/dtmax), minimum rate of left ventricular development (dp/dtmin), systolic left ventricular development, diastolic left ventricular development, heart rate, and coronary flow at the 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120 cmH2O coronary perfusion pressure were measured in state of physiological condition (homocysteine less than 15 μmol/L), mild HHcy, and moderate HHcy. Atorvastatin treatment significantly attenuated homocysteine-induced impairment of myocyte contractility and dominantly decreased dp/dtmax, dp/dtmin, and heart rate and induced greater changes in systolic left ventricular development compared with simvastatin. Treatment with atorvastatin seems able to revert systolic abnormalities and improve contractility during the different degrees of HHcy.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

The impact of high intensity interval training and moderate intensity continious training regimes on cardiodynamic parameters in isolated heart of normotensive and hypertensive rats

This study was aimed to assess the impact of high intensity interval training (HIIT) vs. moderate intensity continious training (MIT) on cardiodynamic parameters in isolated rat heart. Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to groups according to running protocol: sedentary control (CTRL), MIT, HIIT; spontaneous hypertensive sedentary control (SHR), spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) + MIT and SHR + HIIT. HIIT groups performed the running in 5 sprints x 45-55m/min for 30-90sec, with 2 mins rest after each sprint, while MIT groups performed the running of 10-15m/min for 1h with 3 mins rest/100m, both protocols were implemented 5 days/week over 4 weeks with one week of adaptation before protocols started. Isolated rat`s hearts were perfused according to Langendorff technique at gradually increased coronary perfusion pressures (40â 120 cmH2O). Using sensor placed in the left ventricle, we registered: maximum and minimum rate of pressure development in the left ventricle, systolic and diastolic left ventricular pressure and heart rate. Coronary flow was measured flowmetrically. MIT was connected with cardiac depression in normotensive conditions, while HIIT leads to cardiac depression in hypretensive rats. HIIT induced more significant increase of contractile and relaxation parameteres of the isolated rat heart, especially in hypertensive animals.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Morphometric analysis and redox state of the testicles in nandrolone decanoate and swimming treated adult male rats

Background: During the last decades, the abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) has become popular among professional and recreational athletes. The abuse of AASs leads to decreased levels of sex hormones, but the available literature a gives very small pool of data regarding the effects of swimming alone or combined with AASs on testicle tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of four-week administration of nandrolone decanoate and swimming training alone or in combination on morphometric parameters, androgen receptor (AR) and redox state in testicle tissue. The study included Wistar albino male rats, 10 weeks old, classified into 4 groups: control (T-N-), nandrolone (T-N+), swimming training (T+N-) and swimming training with nandrolone (T+N+). The rats from nandrolone (N+) groups received nandrolone decanoate 20 mg/kg b.w.once per week. The rats from training (T+) groups, swam 1 h/day 5 days/week. The isolated testicles were measured, left testicles were routinely processed for histological analysis, while right testicles were homogenized and prepared for the analysis of the following oxidative stress biomarkers: index of lipid peroxidation (TBARS), nitrites, catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GSH). Results: Diameter, as well as cross-section area of seminiferous tubules were decreased by 10 % and 21 % (respectively) in the T-N+ group and by 15% and 41 % (respectively) in the T+N+ group compared to control. Interstitium of the testicles was decreased in all experimental groups. Reduction of immunoreactivity of AR in T-N+ group was 22 %, in T+N+ group was 9 % compared to control. TBARS levels were increased in T+N- and T+N+ groups. Nitrites were decreased in T+N+ group. Catalase activity was increased in all experimental groups. Swimming alone or combined with nandrolone decreased the level of GSH compared to control. SOD activity was decreased in T-N+ and T+N+ groups compared to control. Conclusions: Nandrolone alone or combined with swimming decreased morphometric parameters and amount of AR in testicle tissue. Changes in the redox state indicate reproductive dysfunction