Introduction: The main goal of the study was to investigate the effect of KATP channel modulators on development of oxidative stress in the heart of rats showing different resistance to hypoxia.

This study determined the presence of nitric oxide synthesis isoforms (nNOS, iNOS, and eNOS) in thoracic spinal cord segments and nodose ganglia of rats with gamma-irradiated livers.

Introduction: Thyroid hormones affect protein turnover, and in the case of hypothyroidism a decrease in protein synthesis and reduced release of certain amino acids from skeletal muscles are observed. Changes in the amino acid system of skeletal muscles may be responsible for the occurrence of muscle disorders. Material and Methods: The study measured the content of selected amino acids in the gastrocnemius muscle of Wistar rats during experimental hypothyroidism induced by oral administration of methimazole at a concentration of 0.05% in drinking water for 90 d. The rats were divided into four groups: E1 (n = 6) - experimental males, E2 (n = 6) - experimental females, C1 (n = 6) - control males, and C2 (n = 6) control females. Results: A statistically significant reduction occurred in leucine, isoleucine, and 1-methylhistidine levels in males, and 1-methylhistidine in females, in comparison to the control groups. Conclusion: The hypothyroidism-induced changes in amino acid content may be responsible for the occurrence of skeletal muscle function disorders.

The present study is an endeavor for profound exploration about the effects of 2 commonly used molluscicides in Egypt (bayluscide and copper sulfate ) on some reproductive aspects in mature male Albino rats. For this purpose, 180 mature male Albino rats were used. Animals were equally divided into 3 groups; the 1st group was considered as controls administered distilled water while those of the 2nd and 3rd groups were administered distilled water containing 1 / 20 LD50 of either baylucide or copper sulfate every 3 days for 8 successive weeks. The results of the present study revealed that administration of either molluscicides induced a serious drastic decline in the levels of the reproductive hormones; an effect which was not completely reversed after removal of the molluscicide for 8 successive weeks. This disruption upon reproductive hormones was concomitant with a significant deviation of semen parameters represented by a drop in the individual motility concomitant with an increase in dead sperm percentage as well as total sperm abnormalities. Moreover, stoppage of molluscicides administration along 8 successive weeks failed to improve all studied semen parameters. Moreover, evaluation of total antioxidant activity disclosed that application of either bayluscide or copper sulfate resulted in significant reduction in the total antioxidant capacity as compared with the corresponding control values; a finding which persisted after prevention of molluscicides administration along 8 weeks.

The present study objective was to determine whether ventilation of rats with room air is possible and whether this technique has advantages when compared to pure oxygen ventilation. Twenty rats were divided into two groups of ten animals each. In one group, the animals were ventilated with cylinder of compressed air, 0.21 of oxygen, (air group), while the other group animals were ventilated with cylinder of compressed oxygen, assumed 1.00 of oxygen, (O2 group). Blood gas parameters and oxygenation index were compared between groups. The O2 group had hyperoxia at the beginning and end of artificial ventilation. The PaO2 were adequate in animals of air group. No significant difference in PaCO2 was observed between the two groups at the beginning or end of mechanical ventilation. The mean oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2ratio) was significantly higher in the air group compared to the O2 group at the beginning and end of artificial ventilation (5 min: p < 0.001 and 60 min: p < 0. In conclusion, ventilation of rats with room air is more advantageous than with pure oxygen since it permits adequate oxygenation without causing hyperoxia.

A total of 35 Sprague-Dawley adult rats were used to investigate the effect of aluminium toxicity on behavioural patterns of adult female rats and learning ability of offspring. Rats were allotted into 4 groups, group one received 2g/l anhydrous aluminium chloride (n=10), group two received 3g/l anhydrous aluminium chloride (n=10), group three received 3.5g/l anhydrous aluminium chloride in drinking water (n=10) and control group did not receive anhydrous aluminium chloride (n=5) from 8th day of pregnancy till weaning of pups. The obtained results showed that feeding time increased significantly in 2g/l and 3.5g/l anhydrous aluminium chloride groups than control one, while, litter licking frequency and nursing time increased significantly in 2g/l anhydrous aluminium chloride than other groups. On contrarylying time decreased significantly in rats treated with 2g/l anhydrous aluminium chloride than other groups, licking and scratching decreased in 3g/l and 3.5g/l anhydrous aluminium chloride groups. In considering, the time spent in closed arms by offspring pups exhibited much times significantly than control group, while, time spent in open arms of elevated plus maze decreased significantly in all treated groups than control group. On the other hand, number of entries in open arms significantly decreased in treated groups than control one.

The effect of rabies infection and vaccination on pregnancy was investigated in different groups of pregnant rats as an animal model. Intracerebral and intramuscular experimental infection with CVS rabies virus strain was applied on four pregnant rats groups at the middle (seven days after mating) and late stages of gestation (14 days after mating). Subcutaneous rout vaccination of other three pregnant rat groups five to seven days before; seven and 14 days after mating with the inactivated cell culture local rabies vaccine. Each group of infected rats showed clinical signs of rabies although their fetuses did not show any abnormalities. Virus recovery from the placenta and fetuses from dead and sacrificed animals failed to induce rabies signs in mice inoculated intracerebrally with placenta and fetus suspensions while brains of infected dams; through the routes; revealed positive FA by using fluorescent antibody technique. Vaccinated pregnant rats did not show any abnormalities with normal fetuses and good levels of specific rabies antibodies when estimated by serum neutralization test. These findings indicate that rabies vaccination of pregnant animals is safe and it could be recommended to protect both of dams and their offspring in the first months.

Two various kinds of olive mill solid residues (Crude and partly destoned) were used to investigate the adsorbing property of olive mill solid residues (OMSR) to heavy metals. 100 adult albino rats were classified into four groups. One group served as (–ve) control group (10 rats), received balanced ration and supplied tap water; in addition to three equal groups (each of 30 rats) received water polluted with1/100LD50 of either lead, cadmium or copper at concentration levels( 107.2 mg/L, 8.8mg/L or 58.4mg/L respectively). Each main group was divided into 3sub- groups, one (+ve) control and two experimental groups fed either 20 % crude olive mill or 20% partly destoned olive mill. Polluted water administration extended for 1 month, meanwhile feeding 20% crude or partly destoned (OMSR) continued for further 30 days after cessation of polluted water as a withdrawal period. Samples of serum, muscle, liver and kidney were collected at one month of the experiment and at the end of the withdrawal period after one month. Level of metals were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results indicate that crude olive mill exhibit higher adsorption capacities to Pb, cd, and cu than partly destoned especially at withdrawal period. In conclusion, the main advantage of this process is the conversion of this waste product to a useful adsorbent material with low coast in minimizing the toxic hazard of environmental pollution with heavy metals.

Diabetes is characterized by hyperphagia, and polydypsia. However, the mechanisms by which diabetes produces these effects are not clear. This study was conducted to examine changes in serum insulin and leptin levels in induced-type 1 diabetes mellitus in relation to concomitant changes in body weight, glycemic state and lipid profiles in rats. Moreover, we aimed to clarify that the treatment with lipoic acid (LA) is capable of reversing these effects or not. Ninety-six male rats were divided into 3 groups, control group (32 rats) was considered as normal non-diabetic, 64 rats were subcutaneously injected with alloxan (120 mg/kg.b.wt) for induction of diabetes. Then the diabetic rats were divided into two equal subgroups, the first is diabetic group that was not treated with LA, and the other is LA-treated diabetic group that was treated with LA at a dose 100 mg/kg b.wt / day for four weeks. Body weight, serum lipid profile, glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment– insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and leptin were measured. The data showed significant increase in serum triacylglycerol, total cholesterol and glucose levels as well as HOMA-IR while significant decrease in the mean body weight gain, serum insulin and leptin levels in diabetic group in comparison with control group. The treatment with lipoic acid led to significant decrease in serum fasting and postprandial glucose, triacylglycerol and total cholesterol levels as well as slight decreased HOMA-IR with significant increased levels of serum insulin and leptin in comparison with diabetic group. It could be concluded that alloxan-induced diabetes led to hyperglycaemia, insulin resistance, hyperlipideamia and hypoleptinamia. Moreover, treatment with lipoic acid ameliorates these changes and improves insulin sensitivity.

The present study has been carried out to investigate the effect of three neurotransmitters (Glutamate, L-Arginine and GABA) on some aspects of the reproductive performance of mature male Albino rats. For this purpose, a total of 100 mature male Albino rats were used. Rats were divided into 4 comparable groups; the first consists of 10 rats, was left as control. The second was administered glutamate 10 mg/ kg, the third group was injected by L- Arginine 20 mg/ kg while the fourth was injected by GABA 1 mg / rat. The results showed that administration of glutamate was concomitant with increase in synthesis and release of pituitary LH causing increase in its serum level as well as decrease serum level of testosterone. On the other hand, prolonged L-Arginine administration led to remarkable elevation in both pituitary and serum LH and significant decrease of serum testosterone. While, GABA administration led to remarkable decrease in pituitary and serum LH with significant decrease in serum testosterone level.