Lead contamination in fishes of the Kor River

Lead concentration in muscle, liver, kidney, brain and gonad tissues of two cyprinid fishes, Cyprinus carpio and Copoeta spp., from three sections of the upper, middle and lower parts of the Kor River was evaluated in 2006. Totally 225 specimens were caught for this purpose (75 specimens from each zone). Tissue samples were digested in acid and their lead concentrations were assayed by ICP method. Statistical analysis of data showed significantly (p0.05) were seen between sexes and species. The same pattern of contamination was also observed in water and sediment samples from three sampling zones. The maximum amount of lead measured in this study (1.85mg/kg), was, however, less than the maximum allowance in fish tissues by European Unions

Effects of Bisphenol A and Learning on the Distribution of GABAAα1 Receptors in the Rat Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a widely distributed chemical having mixed estrogen agonist/antagonist properties. We investigated the effects of introduction of BPA and passive avoidance learning on the distribution of GABAAα1 receptors in the rat prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. BPA (5 and 50 mg/kg·day) was introduced by oral intake for 15 days; learning and memory were tested in a shuttle-box. The distributions of GABAAα1 receptors were investigated by an immunohistochemical procedure. The BPA treatment significantly decreased the density of GABAAα1 receptors in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. The distribution of these receptors was significantly denser in BPA-exposed rats subjected to learning than that in rats without learning. Thus, BPA treatment leads to down-regulation of GABAAα1 receptors in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Learning a passive avoidance reaction provides upregulation of such receptors in these brain structures.Бісфенол А (BPA) – це широко розповсюджений хімікат, що має змішані властивості агоніста/антагоніста естрогенів. Ми досліджували впливи введення BPA та навчання реакції пасивного уникання на розподіл ГАМКAα1-рецепторів у префронтальній корі та гіпокампі щурів. BPA (5 або 50 мг/кг на добу) вводився перорально протягом 15 діб. Результати навчання та формування пам’яті тестували в човниковій камері. Розподіл ГАМКAα1-рецепторів досліджували з використанням імуногістохімічної методики. Введення BPA істотно зменшувало кількість ГАМКAα1-рецепторів у префронтальній корі та полі CA1 гіпокампа. Розподіл цих рецепторів був значно щільнішим у щурів, котрим уводили BPA та піддавали навчанню, ніж у тварин, яким навчання не проводили. Таким чином, уведення BPA призводить до негативної регуляції системи ГАМКAα1-рецепторів у префронтальній корі та гіпокампі, тоді як навчання пасивній реакції уникання забезпечує позитивну регуляцію даної системи в згаданих мозкових структурах

Effect of insulin and cinnamon extract on spatial memory and gene expression of GLUT1, 3, and 4 in streptozotocin-induced Alzheimer’s model in rats

Objective(s): Since diminished hippocampal insulin signaling leads to memory impairment, insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia are probably associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The effect of intracerebroventricular injection of insulin (Ins) and oral cinnamon extract (Cinn) on glucose transporter (GLUT) 1, 3, and 4 gene expressions in the hippocampus and spatial memory in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced AD rat model was investigated in the present study.Materials and Methods: Fifty-six adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (280±20 g) were allocated into eight distinct groups (n=7) of five controls (negative, Ins, Cinn, Ins+Cinn, and STZs) and three treatments (STZ+ Ins, STZ+ Cinn, and STZ+ Ins + Cinn). Single dose STZ 4  mg/kg (icv), Cinn at a dose of 200 mg/ kg (orally for 14 days), and Ins 5 mIU/5 µl (icv for 14 days) were administered in the defined groups. To evaluate the behavioral performance the animals were subjected to the Morris Water Maze (MWM) test. The level of mRNA expression of GLUTs was evaluated by the Real time-PCR method. Results: In the STZ+Cinn+Ins group, the performance of animals in the MWM test was improved and the over-expression of GLUTs genes in hippocampal tissue was observed. The results of Ins and Cinn synergist treatment groups revealed improvement in the behavioral tests and gene expression compared with Ins and Cinn treatment groups (P<0.001).Conclusion: Administration of Ins and Cinn has a positive effect on the function of the AD rat model. To clarify the effect of Ins and Cinn extract on the GLUTs investigated in this study, it is essential to evaluate their influence on the protein levels

Changements d’attitude envers l’infertilité en Iran

Thèse sous la direction d’Hervé Le Bras (ÉHESS), soutenue le 17 décembre 2018, devant un jury composé de : Roser Cusso (Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne), Marcela Iacub (CNRS), Sepideh Parsapajouh (CNRS) et NaderVahabi (Université de Toulouse). Résumé : Ce travail de thèse a pour objectif d’étudier les changements intervenus ces dernières décennies, vis-à-vis de la question d’infertilité en Iran. Depuis la révolution islamique en 1979, la population de l’Iran a connu des bouleversements t..

Effects of Pretreatment With Ginseng Extract on Dopamine D2 Receptor Analgesi

Introduction: The ginseng extract is an herb that has been used for many purposes such as analgesic effect. Dopamine D2 receptors are involved in the regulation of pain in humans. Therefore, the present investigation aims to study how pretreatment with aqueous-alcoholic extract of ginseng can affect dopamine D2 receptors’ pain sensitivity. Methods: We used 45 adult male rats weighing 250±20 for this study. Animals were maintained in a standard condition at a temperature of 21°C-24°C. The experimental groups were as follows: 1. Sham 1 (intraperitoneal [IP] injection of normal saline); 2. Sham 2 (intracerebroventricular [ICV] injection of artificial cerebrospinal fluid [ACSF]); 3. Experimental 1 (IP injection of ginseng extract); 4 and 5. Experimental groups 2 and 3 (IP injection of ginseng extract + bromocriptine 10 and 30 µg/rat by ICV injection); 6 and 7) experimental groups 4 and 5 (IP injection of ginseng extract + chlorpromazine 20 and 40 µg/rat by ICV injection). Ginseng extract 100 mg/kg/d was used for 7 days. Pain sensitivity test was done in all groups with the formalin test. Lateral ventricles of the rats were cannulated unilaterally by the stereotaxic procedure.  Results: Our data showed that ginseng (100 mg/kg/d) significantly (P<0.05) decreased pain sensitivity compared to the sham 1 group. Bromocriptine in two doses significantly decreased pain sensitivity compared to the sham 2 group. Chlorpromazine in high doses significantly increased pain sensitivity compared to the sham 2 group. Conclusion: The present results indicate that ginseng can modulate the D2 receptor of the dopamine system in the control of pain sensitivity in the formalin test. Because bromocriptine and ginseng have similar effects, it seems that they had synergistic effects

Evaluation of Serum Steroid Hormones in Schizophrenic Patients

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have implicated the abnormalities in the g-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmmiter system in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. There are also evidences indicating that steroids of central or peripheral origin may modulate GABAergic system through direct interaction with the GABAA receptor complex. These raise the possibility that alternations in serum steroid hormones may contribute to the pathophysiological process in the schizophrenia. AIMS: The purposes of this study were first, to determine whether alternations in steroid serum levels occur in schizophrenic patients, and secondly to determine whether such alternations normalize with clinical improvement. Methods and material: serum concentrations of testosterone (T), estradiol (E), progesterone (P) and cortisol (C) were determined in male schizophrenic patients (N=49) before treatment, during treatment and after recovery and in age-matched healthy male subjects (N=17). All steroid hormones were assayed by ELISA method. Statistical analysis used: Differences in steroids concentrations between groups were assayed by One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey's post hoc test. The level of significance was considered at P<0.05. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: the serum concentrations of E, P and C were significantly (P<0.05) lower in male schizophrenic patients in all three stages of the study, compared with healthy subjects. serum concentrations of T were significantly (P<0.05) lower in male schizophrenic patients before and during treatment, but not after recovery, compared with healthy subjects. These findings support the occurrence of abnormal steroid concentrations in schizophrenic patients and suggest that lower T level in this disorder is related to the illness and normalizes with remission, while trait-related factors may contribute to lower serum E and C levels in schizophrenia

Hippocampal GABAA Receptor and Pain Sensitivity during Estrous Cycle in the Rat

Background: Estradiol and progesterone as well as hippocampal GABAA receptors are believed to play a role in the modulation of pain. The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of intrahippocampal injections of GABAA receptor agonist (muscimol) and GABAA receptor antagonist (picrotoxin) on pain sensitivity during estrous cycle. Methods: Pain sensitivity was evaluated in rats by formalin test during all stages of estrous cycle. Animals were divided into five groups including; 1- control (intact animal); 2- sham 1 receiving 0.75 µl artificial cerebrospinal fluids (ACSF); 3- sham 2 receiving 0.75 µl alcoholic ACSF; 4- experimental 1 receiving 250 or 500 µg/rat of muscimol in 0.75 µl vehicle, and 5- experimental 2 receiving 20 or 30 µg/rat picrotoxin in 0.75 µl vehicle. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis followed by Tucky's test for pairwise comparisons using a P value of ≤0.50 for statistical significance. Results: Muscimol significantly (P<0.05) decreased pain sensitivity in all stages of estrous cycle, and the analgesic effect was higher during proestrus and estrus stages of estrous cycle than that during metestrus and diestrus stages. Picrotoxin significantly (P<0.05) increased pain sensitivity in all stages of estrous cycle, and such a hyperalgesic effect was lower during proestrus and estrus stages of estrous cycle than that during metestrus and diestrus stages. Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicate that the role of hippocampal GABAA receptor in the control of the pain sensitivity can be modulated by variation in gonadal steroids during different stages of the estrous cycle

Effect of xylazine and yohimbine on the phasic pain during the estrous cycle in the rat

Summary The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of α 2 -adrenergic agonist (xylazine) and antagonist (yohimbine) on phasic pain during estrous cycle in female rats. Adult female rats weighing 180-220 g were kept under controlled temperature (21-24°C) and light/dark conditions (light on at 6:00 a.m. and light off at 6:00 p.m.). Animals were divided into four groups: 1) control group which received 0.3 ml of normal saline by intraperitoneal (IP) route; 2) IP experimental group which received 0.3 ml xylazine 3, 4.5 and 6 mg/kg and yohimbine 1, 2 and 4 mg/kg by IP route; 3) sham group which received 2 µl of artificial cerebrospinal fluid by intra cerebral ventricle (ICV) route and 4) ICV experimental which received 2 µl xylazine 10 and 20 µg/rat and yohimbine 5 and 10 µg/rat by ICV route. Cannulae were implanted into the left lateral ventricle using stereotaxic method. Pain sensitivity was measured by tail flick test, which was performed before injection, 15 and 30 min after injection in all groups. Xylazine decreased pain sensitivity significantly (P&lt;0.05) during the estrous cycle; while higher analgesia was observed in the proestrus phase for IP and ICV routes. Yohimbine increased pain sensitivity significantly (P&lt;0.05) during the estrous cycle; while higher hyperalgesia was observed in the metestrus phase for IP and ICV route groups. There was interaction (P&lt;0.05) between endogenous steroids and the α 2 -adrenergic system in the modulation of phasic pain sensitivity

The passive avoidance task ameliorate the toxic effects of bisphenol A on dopamine D1 receptor density in hippocampus, amygdala, and cerebellum of male rats

Abstract Introduction Dopamine D1 receptor seems to play a role in mediating plasticity. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of passive avoidance tasks postexposed to BPA on dopamine D1 receptor density in the hippocampus, amygdala, and cerebellum of male rats. Methods Thirty‐five male Sprague–Dawley rats weighing 220.300 g, in standard light‐dark 12 h light/12 h dark were used in the present study; water and food were ad libitum. Animals were divided into six groups. Administration of BPA 5 and 50 mg/kg/day were gavaged for 15 days. Learning and memory assessment were done by a shuttle box after 15 days of BPA administration. The density of the dopamine D1 receptor was investigated using an immunohistochemistry (IH) procedure. For determining the color difference in IH sections, Image Analyzer software was used. The data were analyzed by one‐way ANOVA followed by Tukey's as a post hoc test. Results The data showed that BPA in both doses could significantly increase the density of dopamine D1 receptors in the hippocampus, amygdala, and cerebellum of male rats; learning in rats postexposed to BPA improves dopamine D1 receptor density significantly in three brain structures. Discussion According to the results, passive avoidance learning and memory can improve the density of dopamine D1 receptors in the hippocampus, amygdala, and cerebellum of male rats

Role of Peripheral Alpha2 Adrenergic Receptors in Tonic Pain During Different Stages of Estrous Cycle in Rats

Introduction: Estrogen and progesterone are supposed to modify pain sensitivity. However, the actual role of each of these steroid hormones in this respect is not well known. Plasma concentrations of these hormones show variation during estrous cycle. The role of alpha2 receptors in tonic pain has been pointed out. The aim of the present study was to investigate the agonist and antagonist effect of alpha2 adrenergic receptors on tonic pain sensitivity during all stages of estrous cycle in female rats. Methods: Xylasine as alpha2 agonist and yohimbin as alpha2 antagonist were used via intraperitoneal route (IP). Adult rats weighing 180-200 grams were used. Animals were maintained on 12h reverse light/dark cycle for 7 days prior to the experiment. Water and food was available ad libitum. Formalin test was performed by subcutaneous injection of 50 l formalin (2.5%) solution into the hind paw. Formalin test was performed in all stages of estrous cycle for 60 minutes. Animals were divided into four groups; 1- control group (intact animal), 2- Sham group (animals received 0.2 ml normal saline by IP route), 3- Agonist groups (animals received 0.2 ml xylasine 1, 3 mg/kg body weight by IP route) and 4- Antagonist group (animals received 0.2 ml yohimbine 1, 3 mg/kg body weight by IP route). Data were statistically analyzed using 2 way ANOVA test followed by Tukey's test as post-hoc test. P<0.05 was considered significant. Results: Results showed that xylasine significantly (p<0.05) decreases pain sensitivity in all stages of estrous cycle. Analgesic effect of xylasine was maximum in estrus stage of estrous cycle and minimum in metestrus stage of estrous cycle. Yohimbine significantly (p<0.05) increases pain sensitivity in all stages of estrous cycle. Hyperalgesic effect of yohimbine was maximum in metestrus stage of estrous cycle and minimum in estrus stage of estrous cycle. Conclusion: These results indicate that alpha2 adrenergic system and endogenous steroids have an important role in pain sensitivity