It is known that continuous abuse of amphetamine (AMPH) results in alterations in neuronal structure and cognitive behaviors related to the reward system. However, the impact of AMPH abuse on the ...hippocampus remains unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the damage caused by AMPH in the hippocampus in an addiction model. We reproduced the AMPH sensitization model proposed by Robinson et al. in 1997 and performed the novel object recognition test (NORt) to evaluate learning and memory behaviors. After the NORt, we performed Golgi-Cox staining, a stereological cell count, immunohistochemistry to determine the presence of GFAP, CASP3, and MT-III, and evaluated oxidative stress in the hippocampus. We found that AMPH treatment generates impairment in short- and long-term memories and a decrease in neuronal density in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. The morphological test showed an increase in the total dendritic length, but a decrease in the number of mature spines in the CA1 region. GFAP labeling increased in the CA1 region and MT-III increased in the CA1 and CA3 regions. Finally, we found a decrease in Zn concentration in the hippocampus after AMPH treatment. An increase in the dopaminergic tone caused by AMPH sensitization generates oxidative stress, neuronal death, and morphological changes in the hippocampus that affect cognitive behaviors like short- and long-term memories.
Cadmium, one of the more hazardous environmental contaminants, has been proposed as a metabolic disruptor. Vanadium has emerged as a possible treatment for metabolic diseases. Both metals are ...important in public health. We aimed to investigate whether vanadium treatment is effective against metabolic disturbances caused by chronic exposure to the lowest-observable adverse effect level of cadmium. Male Wistar rats were exposed to cadmium (32.5 ppm) in drinking water for 3 months. Metabolic complications such as overweight, visceral adipose gain, hyperglycemia, impaired glucose tolerance, and dyslipidemia were detected, and low glycogen levels and steatosis were observed in the tissues. Then, the control and treated animals were subdivided and treated with a solution of 5 μM NaVO
3
/kg/twice a week for 2 months. The control-NaVO
3
group did not show zoometric or metabolic changes. A strong interaction of NaVO
3
treatment over cadmium metabolic disruption was observed. The vanadium accumulation diminished cadmium concentration in tissues. Also, vanadium interaction improved glucose homeostasis. The major effect was observed on glycogen synthesis, which was fully recovered in all tissues analyzed. Additionally, vanadium treatment prevented overweight and visceral fat accumulation, improving BMI and the percentage of fat. However, NaVO
3
treatment did not have an effect on dyslipidemia or steatosis. In conclusion, this work shows that vanadium administration has a strong effect against metabolic disturbances caused by chronic cadmium exposure, observing powerful interaction on glucose homeostasis.
Previous studies have linked cadmium exposure to disturbances in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. In this study we investigate the effects in Wistar rats of an oral cadmium exposure in drinking ...water on carbohydrates, lipids and insulin release. Also, using mathematical models we studied the effect of cadmium on insulin resistance and sensitivity in liver, muscle, adipose and cardiovascular tissue. Cadmium exposure induced hyperglycemia, increased insulin release after a glucose load, and caused increases in serum triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL-C and VLDL-C, and a decrease of HDL-C. In addition, there was an accumulation of cadmium in pancreas and an increase of insulin. After exposure, HOMA-IR was increased, while the HOMA-S%, QUICKI and Matsuda-DeFronzo indexes showed decreases. A decrease of insulin sensitivity was shown in muscle and liver. Additionally, cadmium increases insulin resistance in the liver, adipose tissue and cardiovascular system. Finally, β-cell functioning was evaluated by HOMA-B% index and insulin disposition index, which were decreased, while insulin generation index increased. In conclusion, cadmium increases insulin release, induces hyperglycemia and alters lipid metabolism. These changes likely occur as a consequence of reduced sensitivity and increased insulin resistance in multiple insulin-dependent and non-dependent tissues, producing a biochemical phenotype similar to metabolic syndrome and diabetes.
•Mathematical models characterize insulin resistance/sensitivity after Cd-exposure.•Cadmium exposure produces changes in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.•Cadmium in rats develops a metabolic syndrome similar to showed in humans.
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) represents a cluster of related metabolic abnormalities, including central obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance. These metabolic ...derangements present significant risk factors for chronic kidney disease that carries to loss of essential micronutrients, which accelerates comorbidity apparition. The work aimed was to evaluate the trace element homeostasis regarding morphological adaptations and renal function in MetS early-onset. Fifty male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: (a) control group and (b) hypercaloric diet group that developed MetS early-onset after 3 months. Classical zoometric parameters do not show changes; however, biochemical modifications were observed such as hyperglycemia, protein glycation, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, and hypoadiponectinemia. MetS early-onset group observed renal structural modifications, but no functional changes. The structural modifications observed were minimal glomerular injury, glomerular basement membrane thickening, as well as mesangial and tubular cells that showed growth and proliferation. In serum and kidney (cortex and medulla), the concentrations of Zn, Fe, Cr, Mg, Mn, Cu, Co, and Ni were no differences between the experimental groups, but excretory fractions of these were lower in the hypercaloric diet group. In conclusion, MetS early-onset coexist renal structural modification and a hyperreabsorptive activity of essential trace elements that avoid its loss; thus, the excretory fraction of oligo-elements could be used a biomarker of early renal injury caused by metabolic diseases in the clinical practice.
Cadmium has been well recognized as a critical toxic agent in acute and chronic poisoning cases in occupational and nonoccupational settings and environmental exposure situations. Cadmium is released ...into the environment after natural and anthropogenic activities, particularly in contaminated and industrial areas, causing food pollution. In the body, cadmium has no biological activity, but it accumulates primarily in the liver and kidney, which are considered the main targets of its toxicity, through oxidative stress and inflammation. However, in the last few years, this metal has been linked to metabolic diseases. The pancreas-liver-adipose axis is largely affected by cadmium accumulation. Therefore, this review aims to collect bibliographic information that establishes the basis for understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms linked to cadmium with carbohydrate, lipids, and endocrine impairments that contribute to developing insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, prediabetes, and diabetes.
Metabolic diseases are a worldwide health problem. Insulin resistance (IR) is their distinctive hallmark. For their study, animal models that provide reliable information are necessary, permitting ...the analysis of the cluster of abnormalities that conform to it, its progression, and time-dependent molecular modifications. We aimed to develop an IR model by exogenous insulin administration. The effective dose of insulin glargine to generate hyperinsulinemia but without hypoglycemia was established. Then, two groups (control and insulin) of male Wistar rats of 100 g weight were formed. The selected dose (4 U/kg) was administered for 15, 30, 45, and 60 days. Zoometry, a glucose tolerance test, insulin response, IR, and the serum lipid profile were assessed. We evaluated insulin signaling, glycogenesis and lipogenesis, redox balance, and inflammation in the liver. Results showed an impairment of glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, and peripheral and time-dependent selective IR. At the hepatic level, insulin signaling was impaired, resulting in reduced hepatic glycogen levels and triglyceride accumulation, an increase in the ROS level with MAPK-ERK1/2 response, and mild pro-oxidative microenvironmental sustained by MT, GSH, and GR activity. Hepatic IR coincides with additions in MAPK-p38, NF-κB, and zoometric changes. In conclusion, daily insulin glargine administration generated a progressive IR model. At the hepatic level, the IR was combined with oxidative conditions but without inflammation.
The transient hypoxic-ischemic attack, also known as a minor stroke, can result in long-term neurological issues such as memory loss, depression, and anxiety due to an increase in nitrosative stress. ...The individual or combined administration of chronic prophylactic zinc and therapeutic selenium is known to reduce nitrosative stress in the first seven days post-reperfusion and, due to an antioxidant effect, prevent cell death. Besides, zinc or selenium, individually administered, also causes antidepressant and anxiolytic effects. Therefore, this work evaluated whether combining zinc and selenium could prevent stroke-elicited cognition and behavior deficits after 30 days post-reperfusion. Accordingly, we assessed the expression of growth factors at 7 days post-reperfusion, a four-time course of memory (from 7 to 28 days post-learning test), and cell proliferation, depression, and anxiety-like behavior at 30 days post-reperfusion. Male Wistar rats with a weight between 190 and 240 g) were treated with chronic prophylactic zinc administration with a concentration of 0.2 mg/kg for 15 days before common carotid artery occlusion (10 min) and then with therapeutic selenium (6 μg/kg) for 7 days post-reperfusion. Compared with individual administrations, the administration combined of prophylactic zinc and therapeutic selenium decreased astrogliosis, increased growth factor expression, and improved cell proliferation and survival in two regions, the hippocampus, and cerebral cortex. These effects prevented memory loss, depression, and anxiety-like behaviors. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that the prophylactic zinc administration combined with therapeutic selenium can reduce the long-term sequelae caused by the transient ischemic attack.
Significance statement.
A minor stroke caused by a transient ischemic attack can result in psychomotor sequelae that affect not only the living conditions of patients and their families but also the economy. The incidence of these micro-events among young people has increased in the world. Nonetheless, there is no deep understanding of how this population group responds to regular treatments (Ekker and et al., 2018) 1. On the basis that zinc and selenium have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties in stroke animal models, our work explored whether the chronic combined administration of prophylactic zinc and therapeutic selenium could prevent neurological sequelae in the long term in a stroke rat model of unilateral common carotid artery occlusion (CCAO) by 10-min. Our results showed that this combined treatment provided a long-term neuroprotective effect by decreasing astrogliosis, memory loss, anxiety, and depression-like behavior.
To determine the preoperative and perioperative predictive factors of morbidity/mortality in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), using the Clavien's classification.
We performed ...a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent PCNL between January 2005 and January 2012. Preoperative and postoperative factors, such as age, obesity, surgical risk, Charlson comorbidity index, stone complexity, access calix, type of dilator used, and surgery time, were evaluated as predictors of complications.
A total of 354 patients were included in the study. Of these, 56% were women, with the average age of 47±12.5 years. Stone-free rate for noncomplex calculi was 85% and for complex calculi it was 68%. A total of 103 complications were recorded (29.3%). According to the modified Clavien classification system, 32 (9%) were grade 1, 39 (11%) were grade 2, 16 (4.5%) were grade 3A, 8 (2.3%) were grade 3B, 3 (0.8%) were grade 4A, 1 (0.3%) was grade 4B, and 4 (1.1%) were grade 5. In multivariate analysis female gender (odds ratio OR 3.1, confidence interval CI 1.1-8.0), Charlson score of ≥3 (OR 23.2, CI 3.5-151.1), complex stone (OR 4, CI 1.6-9.6), and duration of surgery of ≥120 minutes (OR 2.9, CI 1.2-6.9) were associated with major complications.
PCNL is a safe procedure with acceptable efficacy for the resolution of renal calculi. The safety of the procedure should improve, especially to reduce the presence of severe complications (Clavien ≥3). We identified factors that are associated with severe complications: female gender, high Charlson, complex calculi, and surgical length ≥120 minutes.
Exercise performance and zinc administration individually yield a protective effect on various neurodegenerative models, including ischemic brain injury. Therefore, this work was aimed at evaluating ...the combined effect of subacute prophylactic zinc administration and swimming exercise in a transient cerebral ischemia model. The prophylactic zinc administration (2.5 mg/kg of body weight) was provided every 24 h for four days before a 30 min common carotid artery occlusion (CCAO), and 24 h after reperfusion, the rats were subjected to swimming exercise in the Morris Water Maze (MWM). Learning was evaluated daily for five days, and memory on day 12 postreperfusion; anxiety or depression-like behavior was measured by the elevated plus maze and the motor activity by open-field test. Nitrites, lipid peroxidation, and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were assessed in the temporoparietal cortex and hippocampus. The three nitric oxide (NO) synthase isoforms, chemokines, and their receptor levels were measured by ELISA. Nissl staining evaluated hippocampus cytoarchitecture and Iba-1 immunohistochemistry activated the microglia. Swimming exercise alone could not prevent ischemic damage but, combined with prophylactic zinc administration, reversed the cognitive deficit, decreased NOS and chemokine levels, prevented tissue damage, and increased Iba-1 (+) cell number. These results suggest that the subacute prophylactic zinc administration combined with swimming exercise, but not the individual treatment, prevents the ischemic damage on day 12 postreperfusion in the transient ischemia model.
In the cerebral hypoxia-ischemia rat model, the prophylactic administration of zinc can cause either cytotoxicity or preconditioning effect, whereas the therapeutic administration of selenium ...decreases the ischemic damage. Herein, we aimed to explore whether supplementation of low doses of prophylactic zinc and therapeutic selenium could protect from a transient hypoxic-ischemic event. We administrated zinc (0.2 mg/kg of body weight; ip) daily for 14 days before a 10 min common carotid artery occlusion (CCAO). After CCAO, we administrated sodium selenite (6 μg/kg of body weight; ip) daily for 7 days. In the temporoparietal cerebral cortex, we determined nitrites by the Griess method and lipid peroxidation by the Gerard-Monnier assay. qPCR was used to measure mRNA of nitric oxide synthases, antioxidant enzymes, chemokines, and their receptors. We measured the enzymatic activity of SOD and GPx and protein levels of chemokines and their receptors by ELISA. We evaluated long-term memory using the Morris-Water maze test. Our results showed that prophylactic administration of zinc caused a preconditioning effect, decreasing nitrosative/oxidative stress and increasing GPx and SOD expression and activity, as well as eNOS expression. The therapeutic administration of selenium maintained this preconditioning effect up to the late phase of hypoxia-ischemia. Ccl2, Ccr2, Cxcl12, and Cxcr4 were upregulated, and long-term memory was improved. Pyknotic cells were decreased suggesting prevention of neuronal cell death. Our results show that the prophylactic zinc and therapeutic selenium administration induces effective neuroprotection in the early and late phases after CCAO.
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