jalal solati

Prenatal exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can lead to structural damage and CNS dysfunction. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of prenatal administration of pycnogenol (PYC) against the negative effects of bacterial LPS on anxiety-like behavior, gonadotropin and sex hormone serum levels, and sperm quality and quantity in the adult male offspring of NMRI mice.

Pregnant mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 per group): 1. Saline group: received a single dose of saline as solvent of pycnogenol by gavage for 3 days on gestation days 16-18. 2. LPS group: received a single dose of LPS (20 µg/kg, subcutaneously) on gestation day 20. 3. PYC: received 200 mg/kg/day of pycnogenol by gavage for 3 days, intraperitoneally, on gestation days 16-18. 4. LPS + PYC: received a single dose of LPS (20 μg/kg) on gestation day 20 and pycnogenol (200 mg/kg/day) by gavage for 3 days on gestation days 16-18. After maturity/puberty in male pups (60 days old), the anxiety-like behavior test was performed. After the behavioral test, serum levels of gonadotropins (luteinizing hormone, LH, follicle stimulating hormone, FSH), testosterone hormone and sperm quality were assessed.

LPS administration increased anxiety-like behaviors and decreased serum LH and testosterone levels; however, PYC treatment reversed the negative effects of LPS to normal levels.

PYC treatment improves anxiety-like behavior and gonadotropin and testosterone secretions. Therefore, this substance can be used as a protectant and an aphrodisiac agent.

Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation play a role in Parkinson's disease. Antioxidants and anti-inflammatories such as polyphenol compounds and flavonoids inhibit neuronal death. The aim of the present study is the effect of xanthone and 6-hydroxyflavone in Parkinson's disease in laboratory mice. Animals are cannulated by stereotaxic surgery and unilateral injection of 6-hydroxy-dopamine is performed in the dense area of ​​the substantia nigra (SNc) of the brain. Xanthone and 6-hydroxyflavone were injected intraperitoneally. Three weeks after surgery, movement evaluations and pseudo-anxiety and pseudo-depression behaviors were performed. Counting of all the neurons in the dense area of ​​the substantia nigra was done. Injection of 6-hydroxydopamine increased the number of apomorphine rotations. Catalysis time increased. Neurons in the substantia nigra decreased. 6-Hydroxyflavone (50 and 100 mg/kg) and xanthone (100 and 200 mg/kg) reduced vertigo and catalepsy. In the elevated plus shape maze test, 6-hydroxyflavone in doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg and xanthone in doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg increased motor activity. In the forced swimming test, xanthone in doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg reduced immobility in parkinsonian rats. The number of substantia nigra neurons increased with the treatment of 6-hydroxyflavone in doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg xanthone. Xanthone and 6-hydroxyflavone improved movement disorder and catalepsy and increased the number of nerve cells in the substantia nigra. Xanthon was able to reduce depression. Probably, part of these central protective effects are mediated by the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of xanthone and 6-hydroxyflavone, which prevent cell death by reducing free radicals and inflammatory cytokines, and as a result, they improve cognitive and movement disorders.

Background and Aim:

Inflammation and oxidative stress are implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Astaxanthin (ASTX) have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotectiveeffects,therefor may be useful for treatment of PD.In the present study, we investigated the beneficial effects of ASTX against the toxicity of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in animal and cellular models.

NMRI male mice, were used in this study. Parkinsonism was induced by injection of 6-OHDA (5 μg/1μl in 0.2 % ascorbic acid-saline) into the left striatum. Parkinsonian mice divided to: the control and treatment groups. The treatment groups were administered orally with water or ASTX (10, 20, and 30mg/kg) for 28 days.The behavioral activities of mice were determined by apomorphine-induced rotational test. The Dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells were cultured for 48 h with various concentrations of ASTX (1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 20 μmol/L) in the presence or absence of 6-OHDA.The toxicity of 6-OHDA was evaluated by trypan blue assay. The viability of SH-SY5Y cells following 6-OHDA exposure were determined by MTT assay.

The results demonstrated that 6-OHDA-induced PD-like behavioral impairments of mice were significantly improved by ASTX. Pre incubation of SH-SY5Y cellswith ASTX inhibits the 6-OHDA ‑induced apoptosis and necrosis. The impaired viability of 6-OHDA-injured SH-SY5Y cells were significantly restored by ASTX pretreatment.

Our results indicated that ASTX treatment could protect SH-SY5Y cells and dopaminergic neurons of substantianigra from 6-OHDA -Induced Toxicity in a dose-dependent manner.

Considering the role of oxidants in the pathogenesis of this disease, in this study, the effect of pycnogenol as an antioxidant on the improvement of motor function and anxiety behavior in the experimental model of Parkinson’s disease were assessed. Forty male NMRI mice were randomly divided into five groups (n=8 in each group): The control (saline) unilaterally received 3 μl of normal saline solution containing 0.1% ascorbic acid, as a solvent of 6-hydroxy dopamine (6-OHDA), into the left strianum. The treatment group received 6-OHDA toxin containing 1% ascorbic acid at a rate of 3 µg/µl in the left striatum and then received the distilled water, as pycnogenol solvent, via gavage for 7 days (the lesion group). The pycnogenol-treated groups received pycnogenol at doses of 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg via gavage for 7 days. The animals were stereotaxically operated to inject 6-OHDA toxin into the left striatum. Seven days after induction of Parkinson’s model, apomorphine was intraperitoneally used at dose of 0.5 mg/kg and the number of rotation of the animals was measured to confirm the damage to neurons in the striatum. Besides, the catalepsy or muscle stiffness by the bar test and the anxiety behavior by the plus maze test (EPM) were measured. The total number of rotations in apomorphine test showed a significant decrease in the groups receiving pycnogenol. Moreover, administration of pycnogenol significantly reduced catalepsy in pycnogenol-treated groups. The result of the anxiety behavior test demonstrated that the percentage of open arm time (OAT) and the number of open and close arm entries, as an indicator of the animal’s locomotor activity, significantly increased in the pycnogenol-treated groups. Pycnogenol with its antioxidant effect ameliorates movement deficit and reduces anxiety behavior in animal model of Parkinson’s disease..

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and Lepidium sativum (LS) have therapeutic effects on infertility.

To evaluate the combined effects of LS and CoQ10 on reproductive function in adult male NMRI mice.

Eighty three-months-old male mice (35-40 gr) were divided into 4 groups   (n = 10/each) of: control (treated with water), CoQ10-treated (200, 300, and 400 mg/kg/body weight), LS-treated (200, 400, 600 mg/kg/body weight), and co-treated (LS [600 mg/kg/body weight] + CoQ10 [200 mg/kg/body weight]) groups. Serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and gonadotropin realizing hormone (GnRH) levels were measured using ELISA method. The sperm quality was assessed using Sperm Class Analyzer® (SCA) CASA system and GnRH mRNA expression levels were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

The number of sniffing and following behavior was significantly higher in LS-treated (400 and 600 mg/ml/body weight) groups than the control group (p = 0.0007 and p = 0.0010, respectively). The number of mounting and coupling behaviors was significantly higher in the CoQ10 (300 and 400 mg/ml/body weight)-treated animals than the control group (p = 0.0170 and p = 0.0006, respectively). Co-treatment of CoQ10 (200 mg/ml/body weight) and LS (600 mg/ml/body weight) significantly increased all aspects of sexual behaviors as well as the levels of serum testosterone (p = 0.0011), luteinizing hormone (p = 0.0062), and follicle-stimulating hormone (p = 0.0001); sperm viability (p = 0.0300) and motility (p = 0.0010); and GnRH mRNA levels (p = 0.0016) compared to the control group.

The co-administration of CoQ10 and LS significantly improves the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and enhances the reproductive parameters in adult male mice.

Anxiety and depression are the most common mental illnesses. Oxidative stress is one of the causes of anxiety and depression. Lepidium sativum has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of Lepidium sativum on anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors in adult male mice. In this study, male mice weighing 30-35 g were used. First, the tested animals were treated with aqueous extract of Lepidium sativum at doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg for 2 weeks. At the end of the treatment period, the levels of anxiety and depression were assessed by an elevated plus maze (EPM) and forced swimming test, respectively. No significant changes were observed in any of the groups receiving Lepidium sativum extract in the time spent in the open arm, the number of entrances to the open arm and motor activity. The results of forced swimming test showed that in animals receiving Lepidium sativum extract at doses of 400 and 600 mg/kg, swimming time and immobility time were significantly increased and decreased compared to the control group, respectively (p < 0.01). The results of this study showed the modulatory effects of Lepidium sativum extract on depressive-like behaviors, but this extract had no significant effects on anxiety-like behaviors.

Parkinson's disease is one of the most common types of the neurodegenerative disease, which is characterized by the movement disorders such as slowness, lack of movement, muscle stiffness, and resting tremor, and hypophonic. The main reason of disease is the destruction of dopaminergic neurons in the Substantia Nigra in the midbrain and a decrease in dopamine concentration in the striatum terminals. In this study, used culture medium was DMEM with FBS, and the cells under study were catecholaminergic cells.6-Hydroxy dopamine toxin was used on cells to create a Parkinson cell model. Curcumin was used as a drug, and MTT, and BT methods were used to count the living cells. This research was designed to study the curcumin effect on Parkinson's disease with cellular model induced by 6-Hydroxy dopamine toxin with reduced inflammation. This study's results showed that using curcumin can increase the antioxidant power and protect the cell from damage caused by reactive oxygen species. Due to the results of MTT, and curcumin treatment due to its anti-inflammatory properties BT test also showed that cellular protection had increased, the death of aminergic catechol cells by 6-hydroxy dopamine toxin was significantly reduced. It shows the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin on the damage caused by Parkinson's disease and reducing the progression of symptoms. Treatment withcurcumin to be anti-inflammatory can reduce the death of catecholaminergic cells by 6-hydroxy dopamine toxin.

In this study, the NMRI adult male mice were anesthetized. To induce the Parkinson's animal model, a 22 gauge cannula was placed into the left Substantia Nigra pars compacta and then 6-hydroxydopamine was infused to Substantia Nigra pars compacta through a 30-gauge cannula. The group control1 received saline on the left side of the Substantia Nigra pars compacta.Then, to investigate the effect of the Naringenin, group control2 received distilled water and other groups received Naringenin via gavage for two weeks, and apomorphine induced rotation, catalepsy, and behavioral tests were assessed in all groups. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed and the percentage of the neurons on the left side of the Substantia Nigra pars compacta were calculated. In this study, in cell culture model, dopaminergic-like neurons cultured in DMEM medium were counted, and cells were used and incubated to evaluate the effect of naringinin against 6-hydroxy dopamine. Concentrations were 50 for 6-hydroxy dopamine solution and 0.25, 0.1 and 0.01 for NAR solution. Finally, cell viability was assessed using MTT and trypan blue methods.

6-Hydroxy dopamine increased catalepsy and contralateral turns compared to the control group. Naringin reduced catalapsy and contralateral turns, it reduced anxiety and depressive-like behaviours besides that it increased swimming time and locomotor activity compared to the control group.

it seems that Naringin is a therapeutic option for neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease.

Thegabaergic system is considered as the anti-anxiety system in the brain. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of GABAA and GABAB receptors in anxiety-like behaviors caused by lipopolysaccharides in male mice. In this test,mice were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (0.2 mg/kg), then injected with either muscimol (0.05, 0.1 or 0.2 µg/mouse), bicuculline (0.25, 0.5 or1 µg/mouse), baclofen (1, 2 or 4 µg/mouse) or CGP (0.2, 0.4 or 0.8 µg/mouse) 2 hours later and received intraventricular Celebrex. Five minutes after intraventricular injection, a dark and light box test was performed. The results of this study showed that musimol significantly reduced anxiety-like behavior in the LDB test (p < /em> < 0.05). The results of this study showed that musimol significantly reduced anxiety-like behavior in the LDB test (p < /em> < 0.05). However, the administration of musimol and LPS did not significantly change the animal’s anxiety-like behavior (p < /em> ≥ 0.05). Different doses of bioculin and LPS significantly increased the anxiety-like behavior in the LDB test (p < /em> < 0.05). Baclofen and CGP alone and with LPS did not significantly change the animal’s anxiety-like behavior on the LDB test (p < /em> ≥ 0.05). Celebrex injection after LPS relieved the anxiety-like behavior caused by LPS injection. In general, it can be claimed that anxiety-like behaviors in animals receiving LPS may be due to inhibition of GABAA and GABAB receptors and increase in the level of inflammatory factors in brain tissue.

Quenzim Q10 (CoQ10) is a benzoquinone compound soluble in androgen lipid found in most tissues of the body. CoQ10 has a potent antioxidant activity and neutralizes free radicals. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CoQ10 as a potent antioxidant and free radicals neutralizer on reproductive disorders, sexual behaviors, anxiety, and depression in male rats. In this study, small male rats (weight range of30-35 g) were used. At first, the animals under study passed a two-week treatment period. The adult male rats were treated with doses of 200, 300, 400 mg/kg of CoQ10 for two weeks. Then the effects of the given treatment were studied in the physiologic section. After the end of the treatment period, the sexual behaviors were assessed in the control group and treated groups by sexual behavior test. Then, the anxiety and depression levels in adult male rats were assessed using EPM and forced swimming tests, respectively. The findings of this study showed that the prescription of CoQ10 alone did not have a significant effect on sexual behaviors, depression, and anxiety in male rats.

Oxidative stress which is responsible for pathophysiology of hypertension, causes decrease in total antioxidant capacity. PON 1 is an antioxidant enzyme present on the surface of HDL also which is responsible for prevention of HTN and it’s complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the Effect of Isosorbide and Garlic Supplementation on Protein levels and Gene expression of PON1 at the Heart tissue in Female rats with hypertension After a period of aerobic training.

In the experimental study,30 female Wistar rats weighing 180-220 g were randomly divided into 8 groups: healthy control, sham, blood pressure induction (Hyper), garlic, endurance training, endurance training -garlic. The rats suffered from hypertension of 6 days a week for 8 weeks after dietary period and 10 mg/kg body weight L_NAME injection. Experimental groups received 50 mg/kg body weight garlic supplement for six weeks.The endurance training program was performed at speeds of 20-30 m/min and 20 to 35 minutes, 5 sessions per week for 6 weeks. Protein levels and expression of PON1 heart tissue were measured using ELISA kit and Real Time PCR. Data were analyzed by t-test, One-way ANOVA and post hoc tokey at the significant level P<0.05.

The results showed that there was no significant difference between the mean protein and the expression of paraoxonase-1 in the heart tissue of the female rats with hypertension in the different groups of the study (P> 0.05).Also, there was no difference between the levels of protein paraoxonase-1 heart tissue in different groups than the group of blood pressure induction (P> 0.05).

According to the findings, it seems to that the inadequacy of the training period (frequency and intensity of exercise) and the dose rate of Garlic Supplementation can be one of the possible causes of ineffectiveness in the present study.

Maternal infection during pregnancy is a risk factor for some behavioral problems with neurodevelopmental origin. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of exposure of pregnant mice to the bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on sexual behaviour and serum level of pituitary-gonadal hormones of offspring in adulthood. In this Expremental study, pregnant NMRI mice (n=7/group) were treated with intra-peritoneal administration of LPS (1, 5 and 10 μg/kg) at day 10 of gestation. Induction of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured in maternal serum 2 hours following the maternal LPS challenge. Behavior in the adult male offspring reproductive activity was investigated using receptive female mice. Concentrations of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in adult offspring serum were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method (at postnatal day 60, n=10/group). One-way ANOVA showed that LPS administration induces a significant increase in TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 levels of maternal serum. Prenatal LPS exposure reduces sexual behavior and serum concentration of LH and testosterone in adult male offspring. The overall results suggest that prenatal exposure to LPS increases proinflammatory cytokine levels, affects development of neuroendocrine systems and results in the inhibition of reproductive behaviors and reactivity of hypothalamic–pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in adult male offspring.

In the present study, we have investigated the effects of silymarine on depression and the possible role of serotonergic system in these effects. The rats were anesthetized intraperitoneally with ketamine hydrochloride and placed in a Stoelting stereotaxic instrument. A stainless steel guide cannula (22-gauge) was implanted in the third ventricular region. The third ventricular region was infused by means of an internal cannula (27-gauge), terminated 1 mm below the tip of the guide cannula. Forced swimming test was used for evaluating the depression. The results obtained from this study showed that oral administration of silymarin (35, 70, 140 and 280 mg/rat) for two weeks increased the immobility time in forced swimming test, indicating an increase in depression level of the treated rats. Intra-third-ventricle (Intra-TV) infusion of 5HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT (25 and 10 ng/rat) decreased the immobility time indicating an anti-depression effect, while injection of 5HT1A receptor antagonist NAN190 (0.25, 0.5 and 1 µg/rat) had no significant effect on immobility time. An effective dose of 8-OH-DPAT (10 ng/rat) co-administered with silymarin (140 and 280 mg/rat) decreased the depressogenic effects of silymarin. These results showed that the depressogenic effects of silymarin may be modulated via 5HT1A receptor of serotonin.

Objective(s)There is well documented evidence for the increase in widespread use of complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of physical and psychiatric symptoms and disorders within the populations. In the present study, we investigated the influence of Vitex agnus-castus (vitex) on anxiety-like behaviors of rats. Materials and MethodsElevated plus maze which is one of the methods used for testing anxiety is used in our present study. Rats were orally administrated with vitex for two week. The anxiety test was carried out after two weeks of oral administration of vitex. For evaluating interaction of vitex and serotonergic systems, rats were anaesthetized with ketamine and special cannulas were inserted stereotaxically into the third ventricle (TV) of brain. After 1 week recovery, the effects of serotonegic agents on anxiety were studied.ResultsOral administration of vitex (100, 200, 300 mg/kg) for two weeks induced an anxiogenic-like effect which was shown through specific decreases in the percentages of open arm time (OAT %) and open arm entries (OAE %). Intra-TV infusion of 5HT1A receptor agonist, 8-OH-DPAT (5, 10 and 25 ng/rat) increased OAT% and OAE%, indicating anxiolytic–like behavior. However, injection of 5HT1A receptor antagonist NAN190 (0.25, 0.5 and 1 µg/rat) produced anxiogenic-like behavior. The most effective dose of 8-OH-DPAT (10 ng/rat), when co-administered with vitex (100, 200, 300 mg/kg), attenuated the anxiogenic-like effects of vitex significantly. Injection of the less effective dose of NAN190 (0.5 µg/rat), in combination with vitex (100, 200, 300 mg/kg), potentiate anxiogenic effects of vitex.ConclusionsThese results illustrate that 5HT1A receptor is involved in the anxiogenic effects of vitex.

Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A Polysaccharides vaccines have been available for many years, but these vaccines have many disadvantages due to their induction of T-Cell independent responses. To overcome these problems, many researches have been focused on other parts of bacterial cell component such as OMV (Outer membrane vesicle). In this study, OMV containing PorA were extracted and evaluated by biological and immunological methods.

OMV were extracted by siadat, et al method. Physicochemical properties of extracted OMV were analyzed by electron microscopy and SDS-page. The toxicity of LPS content in OMV was assayed by LAL test. The Presence of PorA was confirmed by western blot. Antibodies synthesis after immunization by OMV was evaluated using ELISA method.

The content of extracted protein was 0. mg/ml. Size of OMV was between 0 and 0 nanometer. SDS-PAGE showed that PorA was located in -0 kDa. LAL test showed that the endotoxin activity was ranged in 6EU/ml which is safe for using. The ELISA test showed that the total IgG titer was elevated after first injection.

The results showed that the conformation of extracted OMV was stable, and there were no progeny determinants in OMV. Also, OMV elicited high level of specific antibodies against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A. These results indicate that the OMV can be used as a meningococcal vaccine after further investigations.

Herbal medicine and medical plants such as Ziziphus vulgaris L. are widely used for treatment of diseases such as diabetes mellitus. In the present study, we have investigated effects of alcoholic extracts of Z. vulgaris fruit on serum glucose, triglycerides, LDL, HDL and activities of aminotransferase enzymes in streptozocin (STZ)- induced diabetic adult male rats. Herbal material was dried, ground and then extracted with ethanol using Soxhlet apparatus. The combined extract was evaporated to dryness and the residue was dissolved in water and used for treatments. Adult male rats were rendered diabetic by a single i.p. injection of STZ (65 mg/kg). Normal and diabetic rats were daily treated with the extract dissolved in 0.5 ml distilled water (0.25, 0.5,1 and 1.5 g/kg) administered by oral gavage for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks of treatment, blood samples were collected from retro-orbital sinus of rats (Stone method) and serum level of glucose, insulin, triglycerides, LDL, HDL and activity of aminotransferase enzymes were measured using enzymatic methods. Continuous supplementation of the extract at the doses of 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g/kg in diabetic rats resulted in a significant decrease of fasting blood glucose and triglyceride levels after 14 days compared to the control group. Levels of LDL, HDL and activities of serum aminotransaminase enzymes, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), were not significantly changed in the extract treated group with respect to the control. Obtained results showed that Z. vulgaris contain effective antidiabetic compounds and maybe useful for treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Pyrethroids are commonly used as insecticides for both household and agricultural applications, and have recently been linked to endocrine disruption. Cypermethrin is a type П pyrethroid which is used widely throughout the world. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of cypermethrin on the sexual behaviour and plasma level of pituitary-gonadal hormones of adult male mice. Research methodology comprised injecting mice daily with cypermethrin (10, 15, 20 mg/kg i.p.) or DMSO (0.2 ml) for five weeks. Receptive female mice were used to test male sexual behaviors (sniffing, following, mounting, and coupling). Plasma concentrations of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulation hormone (FSH) were measured after five weeks treatment using the ELISA method. The results of the present study showed that cypermethrin-treated groups exhibited reduced sexual behavior when compared with the control group. Assay results demonstrate significantly reduced serum testosterone levels (p

Objective(s) Anxiety is a common disorder which afflicts many people in any society and is often accompanied by physiological sensations such as tachycardia, chest pain, shortness of breath, insensitivity, etc. The purpose of present study was to evaluate theputative anxiolytic-like effects of phencyclidine (1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl) piperidine, CAS 956-90-1, PCP, I) and its methyl and methoxy hydroxyl derivatives (II, III) using elevated plus maze test of anxiety. Materials and Methods Phencyclidine as well as its methyl and methoxy hydroxyl derivatives (I, II, III) (hydrochloride, 1, 2, 5 mg/kg) were synthesized and administrated intraperitoneally (IP) on adult male Wistar rats.ResultsThe results of this study demonstrated that, intraperitoneal (IP) administration of PCP analogues (I, II, III) hydrochloride (1, 2, 5 mg/kg) increases the percentage of open arm time (OAT%) and percentage of open arm entries (OAE%).ConclusionThis study revealed that both derivatives of phencyclidine (II, III) were more effective than PCP (I) itself in modulation of anxiety behavior in rats.

Gallium-67 citrate has been known as a good infection agent in nuclear medicine for decades. In this work the value of 67Ga-citrate has been investigated in infected animal models using SPECT imaging at optimized/standardized conditions. The bacterial (Staphylococcus aureus; S.a. and Escherichia coli; E.c.) and fungal (Candidae albicans; C.a.) species from standard sources were cultured according to the standard procedures and wild-type NMRI rats were inoculated by the injection of 5x107 microorganisms (MO) into their thighs and animals incubated for infection site formation for 2 and 3 days followed by iv injection of freshly prepared 67Ga-citrate (45-50 µCi) and SPECT imaging performed at 2, 4 and 24 hours post injection in parallel with control groups. In S.a.-infected rats 67Ga-citrate demonstrated hot spot foci at all time intervals esp. 24h post injections in contrast with normal animal scans. In case of C.a., the infected animals also demonstrated significant accumulation foci being most significant after 24h. In E.c.-infected animals however weak positive scans were obtained even after 24 hours. Our animal models developed for the evaluation of new infection-targeting agents were successfully positive using 67Ga scan. These models can also be used in the evaluation of newly developed antibiotics in animal models for in vivo studies. The efficacy of 67Ga-scan in our microorganism infection models can be summarized as S.A.>C.a.>E.c..

Objective(s: The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is a forebrain structure which is important in regulation of ingestive behavior and there is direct and circumstantial evidence to indicate that some circuits involved with feeding behavior include glutamatergic elements. The present study examined whether administration of NMA (N-Methyl-DL-aspartic acid) or MK801 into the CeA altered water intake under deprivation. Animals were deprived for 24 hr before tested for water intake. NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) glutamatergic receptor agonist, NMA and its antagonist, MK801 were infused bilaterally, and water intake measured for 1 hr thereafter. The intra-CeA injection of NMDA glutamatergic agonist, NMA (0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 µg/rat) increased water intake (P<0.05). However, administration of NMDA glutamatergic antagonist, MK801 (0.25, 0.5 and 1 µg/rat) decreased water intake significantly (P<0.05). These data suggest that NMDA receptors in the CeA are responsible for the glutamatergic modulation of water intake in this nucleus.