Examination of empathy-like behaviour in nicotine-preferring rat lines

Aim: Addiction is an important global health issue, impacting also addicts environment and society. Empathy plays crucial role in establishing successful social relationships and is a fundamental component of social life. The aim of this study is to investigate how nicotine preferring (NP) strain and oral forced nicotine administration affects empathy-like behaviour in rats, with gender differences. Materials and Methods: Sprague-Dawley NP rats (10 males/10 females) and wild-type control rats (10 males/10 females) were used. Behavioural tests were administered to all rats before and after oral forced nicotine administration. The behavioural tests were completed in the fourth week of nicotine administration. Anxiety levels that could affect empathy-like behaviour were evaluated with open field, elevated plus maze tests and with blood cortisol levels. Oxytocin receptor and arginine vasopressin (AVP) levels, which have been shown to be related to empathy-like behaviour, were examined in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala regions using the enzyme-linked immunoassay method. Results: It was observed that males from the NP strain showed less empathy-like behaviour than all other groups, and nicotine administration did not cause a significant change in the results. Higher levels of locomotor activity (LA) were found in control females than in all other groups. Blood nicotine and corticosterone levels were higher in NP rats. No significant differences were found in AVP and oxytocin receptor levels in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala. Conclusions: It was found that coming from an addicted strain particularly reduces empathy-like behaviour in males

Comparison anti-oxidant and neuroprotective effects of extra-virgin olive oil, donepezil and rosmarinic acid on aluminum chloride-induced Alzheimer's in rat models

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of EVOO, rosmarinic acid and donepezil in Alzheimer's model to be created with AlCl3 in rats. For this reason, administration of 100 mg/kg aluminum chloride (AlC3) for 15 days to Sprague Dawley adult male rats; donepezil, Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) and rosmarinic acid were administered to three different groups for 21 days by applying treatment protocols. With this study, we were able to demonstrate that cognitive impairment has been occurred after 15 days of AlCl3 administration by oral gavage and treatment protocols prevented the occurrence of AD pathology histopathologically. We also showed that oxidative damage findings which are positively Congo-red stained cell cytoplasm and impaired cell integrity have been observed in serum and hippocampus. Besides, treatment groups showed better cognitive and motor performance, and there was no damage to the cells in control and treatment groups. In the rotarod motor performance test, a significant increase was observed in the donepezil group compared to the AlCl3 group at speeds of 26 and 30 rpm. In MVM, on the 5th day of the experiment, a significant increase was observed in the donepezil group compared to the AlCl(3 )group, as they were spending more time in the hidden platform area. These results show that 15 days of aluminum exposure is effective in creating a moderate Alzheimer's pathology, but further chronic research is necessary to explain the efficiencies of rosmarinic acid and EVOO in treatment

Empathy as a Concept from Bench to Bedside: A Translational Challenge

Empathy is a multidimensional paradigm, and there currently is a lack of scientific consensus in its definition. In this paper, we review the possibility of compromising data during behavioral neuroscience experiments, including but not limited to those who study empathy. The experimental protocols can affect, and be affected by, empathy and related processes at multiple levels. We discuss several points to help researchers develop a successful translational pathway for behavioral research on empathy. Despite varying in their focus with no widely accepted model, current rodent models on empathy have provided sound translational explanations for many neuropsychiatric proof-of-concepts to date. Research has shown that empathy can be influenced by many parameters, some of which are to be reviewed in this paper. We emphasize the future importance of consistency in modeling proof of concept; efforts to create a multidisciplinary group which would include both bench scientists and clinicians with expertise in neuropsychiatry, and the consideration of empathy as an independent variable in animal behavioral experimental designs which is not the mainstream practice at present

Comparison anti-oxidant and neuroprotective effects of extra-virgin olive oil, donepezil and rosmarinic acid on aluminum chloride-induced Alzheimer’s in rat models

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of EVOO, rosmarinic acid and donepezil in Alzheimer's model to be created with AlCl3 in rats. For this reason, administration of 100 mg/kg aluminum chloride (AlC3) for 15 days to Sprague Dawley adult male rats; donepezil, Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) and rosmarinic acid were administered to three different groups for 21 days by applying treatment protocols. With this study, we were able to demonstrate that cognitive impairment has been occurred after 15 days of AlCl3 administration by oral gavage and treatment protocols prevented the occurrence of AD pathology histopathologically. We also showed that oxidative damage findings which are positively Congo-red stained cell cytoplasm and impaired cell integrity have been observed in serum and hippocampus. Besides, treatment groups showed better cognitive and motor performance, and there was no damage to the cells in control and treatment groups. In the rotarod motor performance test, a significant increase was observed in the donepezil group compared to the AlCl3 group at speeds of 26 and 30 rpm. In MVM, on the 5th day of the experiment, a significant increase was observed in the donepezil group compared to the AlCl(3 )group, as they were spending more time in the hidden platform area. These results show that 15 days of aluminum exposure is effective in creating a moderate Alzheimer's pathology, but further chronic research is necessary to explain the efficiencies of rosmarinic acid and EVOO in treatment

Magnesium Citrate Increases Pain Threshold and Reduces TLR4 Concentration in the Brain

Magnesium is being investigated in various clinical conditions and has shown to be effective in some chronic pain models. However, it is not clear if oral magnesium use affects pain perception in acute pain. TLR4's (toll-like receptor) role in pain perception has emerged through its role in immune pathways and ion channels. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a single oral dose of magnesium citrate on pain conduction and whether with magnesium, the expression of TLR4 changes in the acute phase. Following a single dose of 66-mg/kg magnesium citrate administration to male Balb-c mice, pain perception (via hot-plate test), motor conduction (via electrophysiological recording, forelimb grip strength, rotarod and open-field tests), and emotional state (via elevated plus maze and forced swim test) were evaluated. In behavioral experiments, the control group was compared with applied magnesium for three different time groups (4, 8, 24 h). TLR4 expression was measured in four groups: control, magnesium (Mg), hot plate (HP), and Mg + HP. Hot plate latency was prolonged in the magnesium group (p< 0.0001) and electrophysiological recordings (p< 0.001) and forelimb grip strength measurement (p< 0.001) determined motor latency. Compared with the untreated hot plate group, TLR4 levels was lower in the brain (p= 0.023) and higher in the sciatic nerve (p= 0.001) in the magnesium-treated hot plate group. Consequently, the study indicated a single dose of magnesium citrate appeared to cause weakening in the transmission and perception of nociceptive pain. TLR4 may act as a regulator in magnesium's effects on pain perception