Development of AD like symptoms following co-administration of AlCl3 and D-gal in rats: A neurochemical, biochemical and behavioural study

Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder associated with neurochemical and neurobehavioural alterations. Aluminium (Al) is considered as a contributing factor in the etiology of several neurodegenerative disorders like AD. D-galactose (D-gal) is a physiological nutrient but over supply induces some neurochemical and biochemical changes that exacerbate natural aging process. In this study, we aimed to develop AD animal model by co-administration of Al and D-gal in rats. Male albino Wistar rats were intraperitoneally injected with AlCl3 and D-gal at a dose of 150mg/kg and 300mg/kg respectively for one week. After one week rats were subjected to behavioural analysis. After behavioural analysis rats were decapitated to remove their brain. Biochemical and neurochemical analysis were conducted in whole brain. AlCl3+D-gal significantly induced depressive and anxious behaviour in rats. Rats cognitive abilities were also significantly impaired following AlCl3 and D-gal co-administration. AlCl3+D-gal significantly altered antioxidant enzyme activities and biogenic amine levels in whole brain. A marked increase in brain lipid peroxidation and acetylcholinesterase activity was found in test rats. These findings suggest that co-administration of AlCl3 and D-gal for one week could induce AD like symptoms and may be used to develop AD animal model

Enhanced physical endurance and improved memory performance following taurine administration in rats

Energy drinks enhance physical endurance and cognitive ability. The ingredients present in these drinks are considered as ergogenic and have memory boosting effects. In the present study effects of taurine administration for one week was monitored on physical exercise and memory performance in rats. Animals were divided into two groups namely control and test. Taurine was injected intraperitoneally to the test group at the dose of 100mg/kg. After one week of treatment rats were subjected to physical exercise and memory task. Results of this study revealed that rats injected with taurine for one week exhibited improved muscular strength as well as enhanced memory performance in Morris water maze and elevated plus maze. Biomarker of lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced in brain and plasma of test animals. Taurine administration also resulted in higher levels of corticosterone in this study. The results highlight the significance of taurine ingestion in energy demanding and challenging situations in athletes and young subjects

GENDER DIFFERENCE IN MEMORY FUNCTIONS FOLLOWING LONG TERM TRYPTOPHAN SUPPLEMENTATION IN RATS

ABSTRACT: Evidence shows that tryptophan (TRP) and serotonin (5HT) have a role in memory function. It has been shown in various studies that increase in serotonergic neurotransmission is associated with increased memory consolidation whereas low brain 5HT impairs memory performance. In view of a possible role of TRP and 5HT in memory, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of TRP supplementation on male and female rats and to investigate sex related differences in memory processes. Tryptophan at a dose of 100mg/kg was used. Short term memory (STM) and long term memory (LTM) were evaluated using the Morris water maze. TRP treatment for 6 weeks significantly enhanced STM of female rats but it did not have any effect on the STM of male rats. Female rats when compared with male rats exhibited better performance in the Morris water maze and enhanced memory was observed both before and after TRP treatment, however after TRP treatment a greater improvement was observed. Both male and female rats exhibited improvement in LTM following TRP treatment. The present results emphasize on the involvement of sex difference and 5HT in learning and memory processes. A greater increase in 5HT metabolism and turnover seen in female rats correlates with the enhanced memory function observed in females than male rats

Comparative gene expression analysis of Fas and related genes in Comparative gene expression analysis of Fas and related genes in preeclamptic and healthy women: A cross-sectional study

Background: Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy affecting about 2-10% pregnancies worldwide. mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), Fas, and FasL have been reported to be altered in placental bed in preeclamptic pregnancies. We hypothesized that the expression of these genes is also altered in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in preeclampsia. Objective: To compare the expression of Fas receptor and related genes in PBMCs of preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study comprising of 18 cases and 18 controls was designed. 5 ml of venous blood was drawn and collected considering aseptic measures. Buffy coat was separated by centrifugation and stored at –20°C. Favor Prep total RNA Isolation Kit (Favorgen, Taiwan) was used for RNA extraction. The mRNA expression of TNF-α, Fas, and FasL was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction in PBMCs in preeclamptic and normal pregnancies. Results: A significant increase in mRNA expression of TNF-α, Fas, and FasL (p ≤ 0.001) was observed in PBMCs of preeclamptic pregnancies compared to the control group (p ≤ 0.001). Moreover, a significant positive correlation was found between the TNF-α mRNA expression and Fas and FasL (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: The results lead to the conclusion that mRNA expression of TNF-α, Fas, and FasL in the maternal PBMCs is altered in preeclamptic pregnancies and might contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease. Key words: Preeclampsia, TNF-α, Fas, Apoptosis

A Sociological Study on Role of Education in Empowerment of Women: Cross-Sectional Study in Urban Areas of District Faisalabad Punjab, Pakistan

In our civil society, women's education is essential because it contributes significantly to the growth of our nation. Education is crucial because it is a key component of women's autonomy; it empowers women to overcome obstacles, make positive changes in their lives, and, most importantly, foster the growth of their kids. Empowering women means offering them control or authority. It means to advance not just their economic standing but also their cultural, social, economic, and political status. Women faced discrimination and were denied access to fundamental needs, including family matters, health, and education. By empowering women in all areas of life, education can help eliminate these barriers and improve their status. By altering societal attitudes and ideologies, education improves the lives of women. The finest remedy for the development of women is education. The study's primary objective was to investigate role of education in women’s empowerment in district Faisalabad Punjab Pakistan. Cross-sectional surveys were used to get the quantitative data. For the data gathering, a multistage random sampling technique was used. Two hundred women in district Faisalabad between the ages of 18 to 30 years were interviewed using a self-designed interview schedule. Both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were employed to analysis the data. Empirical results showed that 52% of respondents had graduation level education. 30% of respondents had, to great extent, decision-making power and control over resources. Bivariate analysis showed that education level had a significant and positive association with women’s empowerment. The study recommended that the government should take steps to facilitate women’s equal education and employment opportunities equal to malesKeywords: Role of education, women empowerment, urban area, district Faisalabad

Spirulina platensis (Blue-green algae): A miracle from sea combats the oxidative stress and improves behavioral deficits in an animal model of schizophrenia

Spirulina platensis (blue-green algae) is a nutritional supplement. It constitutes of high content of protein, antioxidants, various phytopigments and possesses neuroprotective activities. Schizophrenia (SZ) is recognized as a neuropsychiatric disorder in humans with a reduced lifespan followed with impairments in social as well as vocational functioning. Major psychotic symptoms of SZ cluster into three categories: positive, negative and cognitive dysfunctions. Dizocilpine recognized as one of the best drugs to mimic full spectrum of SZ can develop an animal model of the disorder. Various antipsychotics are considered as approved treatment therapy for the psychotic symptoms of SZ but they also exert adverse effects. Thus, there is an excessive need for novel treatment(s) with negligible adverse effects. Present study was designed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of spirulina in ameliorating the psychosis- like symptoms in dizocilpine-induced rat model of SZ. Spirulina was tested at the dose of 180 mg/kg. Results showed that administration of spirulina improved behavioral deficits and combated the oxidative damage evident by a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation and increase in antioxidant level. Thus, from present findings it may be suggested that spirulina can be used as a therapy for preventive or therapeutic measures

In Vitro Probiotic Potential and Safety Evaluation (Hemolytic, Cytotoxic Activity) of Bifidobacterium Strains Isolated from Raw Camel Milk

The present study was designed to isolate Bifidobacterium strains from raw camel milk and to investigate their probiotic characteristics. Among 35 isolates, 8 were identified as Gram-positive, catalase negative, non-spore forming, non-motile and V or Y shaped rods. B-2, B-5, B-11, B-19 and B-28 exhibited good survival at low pH and high bile salt concentration. Most of the isolates were resistant to nalidixic acid, fusidic acid, polymyxin B, neomycin, streptomycin, gentamicin, rifampicin and kanamycin. Furthermore, the production of exopolysaccharides (EPS), adhesion characteristics, antioxidant properties, antagonistic activities, nitrite reduction and cholesterol assimilation were also studied. Isolate B-11 was chosen because it exhibited most of the probiotic properties among all the tested isolates. It is identified as the member of Bifidobacterium longum group through 16S rRNA gene sequencing and named as B. longum B-11. B. longum B-11 was further selected for in vivo attachment to rat intestine and scanning electron micrographs revealed that attachment of a large number of rods shaped bacterial cell. Our findings suggest that B. longum B-11 processes excellent attributes to be used as potential probiotic in the development of functional probiotic food