Introduction: Caffeine and nicotine are the most widely consumed psychostimulants worldwide. Alth... more Introduction: Caffeine and nicotine are the most widely consumed psychostimulants worldwide. Although the effects of each drug alone on the central nervous system have been studied extensively, the literature on the neurochemical and electrophysiological effects of their combined treatments is scarce. The present study investigated the cortical electrophysiological and neurochemical alterations induced by acute administration of caffeine and nicotine in rats. Methods: The rats received caffeine and nicotine at a 1-hour interval between the two treatments. Results: Caffeine and nicotine administration resulted in a significant decrease in the concentrations of cortical amino acid neurotransmitters, namely glutamate, aspartate, glycine, and taurine, while γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) significantly increased. Increased cortical lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione and nitric oxide levels and acetylcholinesterase and Na+/K+-ATPase activities were also observed. The Electroencephalog...
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease worldwide and rep... more Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease worldwide and represents a challenge for clinicians. The present study aims to investigate the effects of cerebrolysin and/or lithium on the behavioral, neurochemical and histopathological alterations induced by reserpine as a model of PD. The rats were divided into control and reserpine-induced PD model groups. The model animals were further divided into four subgroups: rat PD model, rat PD model treated with cerebrolysin, rat PD model treated with lithium and rat PD model treated with a combination of cerebrolysin and lithium. Treatment with cerebrolysin and/or lithium ameliorated most of the alterations in oxidative stress parameters, acetylcholinesterase and monoamines in the striatum and midbrain of reserpine-induced PD model. It also ameliorated the changes in nuclear factor-kappa and improved the histopathological picture induced by reserpine. It could be suggested that cerebrolysin and/or lithium...
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that afflicts millions of... more Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that afflicts millions of people all over the world. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of a sub-diabetogenic dose of streptozotocin (STZ) was established as an experimental animal model of AD. The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of curcumin nanoparticles (CNs) against the behavioral, neurochemical and histopathological alterations induced by ICV-STZ. The animals were divided into: control animals, the animal model of AD that received a single bilateral ICV microinjection of STZ, and the animals protected by a daily oral administration of CNs for 6 days before the ICV-STZ injection. The animals of all groups were subjected to surgical operation on the 7th day of administration. Then the administration of distilled water or CNs was continued for 8 days. The ICV-STZ microinjection produced cognitive impairment as evident from the behavioral Morris water maze (MWM) test and induced oxidative stress in the cortex and hippocampus as indicated by the significant increases in lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide (NO) levels and the significant decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. It also produced a significant increase in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and tumor necrosis-alpha (TNF-ɑ) and a significant decrease in Na+,K + -ATPase. In addition, a significant increase in amino acid neurotransmitters occurred in the hippocampus, whereas a significant decrease was obtained in the cortex of STZ-induced AD rats. CNs ameliorated the behavioral, immunohistochemical and most of the neurochemical alterations induced by STZ in the hippocampus and cortex. It may be concluded that CNs might be considered as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of AD.
The neuroprotective effects of Panax ginseng were extensively studied. However, the therapeutic r... more The neuroprotective effects of Panax ginseng were extensively studied. However, the therapeutic role of Panax ginseng in rat model of Parkinson’s disease (PD) has not been studied enough. In the present study, rats were divided into three groups; control, rat model of PD induced by intrastriatal injection of rotenone and rat model of PD treated daily with Panax ginseng extract (100 mg/kg for 2 weeks). Forelimb wire hanging and the traction tests scored a significant decrease in PD model rats. In ginseng extract-treated group, these behavioral parameters changed to non significant values from the control rats. In the midbrain of rat model, a state of oxidative stress was observed as indicated from the significant increase in lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-α and the decrease in reduced glutathione in comparison to control. This was accompanied by a significant decrease in dopamine and a significant increase in acetylcholinesterase activity. In the striatum,...
Objectives The present study aims to investigate the pathological mechanisms mediating the effect... more Objectives The present study aims to investigate the pathological mechanisms mediating the effect of paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD) for 48 hr on the spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS) stage of the pilocarpine rat model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Materials and methods This was carried out through assessment of amino acid neurotransmitter levels, the main oxidative stress parameters, and the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the hippocampus. The experimental animals were divided into 4 groups: control, epileptic, PSD, and epileptic+PSD groups. Results Data indicated that PSD in epileptic rats induced a significant decrease in GSH levels. TNF-α increased significantly in the PSD group and decreased significantly in both epileptic rats and epileptic rats deprived of paradoxical sleep. PSD induced a significant increase in glutamine, glutamate, and aspartate and a significant decrease in GABA. In epileptic rats and epile...
The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of selenium (Se) alone or combined with carbamaze... more The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of selenium (Se) alone or combined with carbamazepine (CBZ) against the adverse effects induced by the chemoconvulsant pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in the cortex of adult male rats. Electrocorticogram (ECoG) and oxidative stress markers were implemented to evaluate the differences between treated and untreated animals. Animals were divided into five groups: control group that received i.p. saline injection, PTZ-treated group that received a single i.p. injection of PTZ (60 mg/kg) for induction of seizures followed by a daily i.p. injection of saline, Se-treated group that received an i.p. injection of sodium selenite (0.3 mg/kg/day) after PTZ administration, CBZ-treated group that received orally CBZ (80 mg/kg/day) after PTZ administration, and combination (Se plus CBZ)-treated group that received an oral administration of CBZ (80 mg/kg/day) followed by an i.p. injection of sodium selenite (0.3 mg/kg/day) after PTZ administration. Quantitative analyses of the ECoG indices and the neurochemical parameters revealed that Se and CBZ have mitigated the adverse effects induced by PTZ. The main results were decrease in the number of epileptic spikes, restoring the normal distribution of slow and fast ECoG frequencies and attenuation of most of the oxidative stress markers. However, there was an increase in lipid perioxidation marker in combined treatment of CBZ and Se. The electrophysiological and neurochemical data proved the potential of these techniques in evaluating the treatment's efficiency and suggest that supplementation of Se with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) may be beneficial in ameliorating most of the alterations induced in the brain as a result of seizure insults and could be recommended as an adjunct therapy with AEDs.
The present study is conducted to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of curcumin nanoparticles (... more The present study is conducted to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of curcumin nanoparticles (CUR NP) against the neurotoxicity induced by cisplatin (CP) in rat. Rats were divided into control group that received saline solution, CP-treated rats that received a single i.p. injection of CP (12 mg/kg body wt), and CP-treated rats that received a single i.p injection of CP (12 mg/kg body wt) followed by a daily oral administration of CUR NP (50 mg/kg body wt) for 14 days. At the end of the experiment, the motor activity of rats was evaluated by open field test. The neurochemical and histopathological changes were investigated in the cerebral cortex. A significant decrease in motor activity was observed in CP-treated rats. This was associated with a significant increase in the cortical levels of lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-a, caspase-3, and acetylcholinesterase activity. However, CP induced a significant decrease in reduced glutathione levels and Na þ , K þ-ATPase activity. In rats treated with CP and CUR NP, no significant changes were recorded in the parameters of the open field test as compared to control. In addition, treatment with CUR NP prevented all the neurochemical changes induced by CP except the increased value of nitric oxide. CUR NP also reduced the histopathological changes induced by CP. It is clear from the present data that CUR NP could ameliorate the neurotoxic effect induced by cisplatin.
The extensive use of mobile phones worldwide has raised increasing concerns about the effects of ... more The extensive use of mobile phones worldwide has raised increasing concerns about the effects of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on the brain due to the proximity of the mobile phone to the head and the appearance of several adverse neurological effects after mobile phone use. It has been hypothesized that the EMR-induced neurological effects may be mediated by amino acid neurotransmitters. Thus, the present study investigated the effect of EMR (frequency 1800 MHz, specific absorption rate 0.843 W/kg, power density 0.02 mW/cm, modulated at 217 Hz) on the concentrations of amino acid neurotransmitters (glutamic acid, aspartic acid, gamma aminobutyric acid, glycine, taurine, and the amide glutamine) in the hippocampus, striatum, and hypothalamus of juvenile and young adult rats. The juvenile and young adult animals were each divided into two groups: control rats and rats exposed to EMR 1 h daily for 1, 2, and 4 months. A subgroup of rats were exposed daily to EMR for 4 months and then...
Febrile seizures (FS) are convulsions associated with high body temperature. It has a high incide... more Febrile seizures (FS) are convulsions associated with high body temperature. It has a high incidence in children from the age of 6months to 5years and may have adverse consequences in adulthood. The experimental model of FS could be induced in animals via hyperthermia. The present study was designed to investigate persistent electroencephalographic (EEG), neurochemical and behavioral alterations in adult animals that had experienced complex FS at their immature age. EEG signals were obtained from the cortex of both FS and control normothermic groups of animals. A spectrophotometric assay was carried out to determine oxidative stress parameters (malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, reduced glutathione) and acetylcholinesterase activity in the cortex and hippocampus of FS and control animals. Behavioral assessment of seizure threshold and severity were investigated via a sub-convulsive dose of nicotine in adult animals. Alterations in the oxidant/antioxidant system and AChE activity were ob...
The aim of the present work was to investigate the neurochemical changes induced in the cerebellu... more The aim of the present work was to investigate the neurochemical changes induced in the cerebellum of rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD). Rats were divided into two groups; control and rat model of PD induced by the intrastriatal injection of rotenone. As compared to control, a significant increase in the excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters; glutamate and aspartate together with a significant decrease in the inhibitory amino acids, GABA, glycine and taurine were observed in the cerebellum of rat model of PD. This was associated with a significant increase in lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-α and a significant decrease in reduced glutathione. A significant decrease in acetylcholinesterase and a significant increase in Na+,K+-ATPase were recorded in the cerebellum of rat model of PD. In addition the cerebellar sections from rat model of PD showed marked necrosis of Purkinje cells, irregular damaged cells, cytoplasmic shrinkage, necrosis and perine...
In waking and sleeping states, thalamocortical system generates a variety of oscillations ranging... more In waking and sleeping states, thalamocortical system generates a variety of oscillations ranging from 0.1 Hz to hundreds of Hz. Most of them are present during NREM sleep, but slower activities prevail in this state of vigilance. Thalamocortical network is organized in a loop in which thalamocortical cells excite reticular thalamic and neocortical cells, reticular thalamic cells inhibit thalamocortical cells and corticothalamic cells excite thalamocortical and reticular thalamic cells. Despite stable anatomical connectivity, different types of oscillations preferentially originate either in neocortex or in thalamus. During sleep stage 2, spindle oscillation (9-15 Hz) is a dominant type of activity. It is well accepted that spindles originate in the thalamus via interplay of firing of reticular thalamic and thalamocortical neurons, but neocortex controls spindle generation. Spindles can be divided on fast and slow. Several properties of slow spindles do not match known mechanisms of their thalamic origin. Slow oscillation (about 1 Hz) dominates slow-wave sleep stage. Each slow wave is composed of hyperpolarized or silent and depolarized and active state. Active states may be accompanied by spindles and higher frequency activities. Slow waves originate mainly in deep cortical layers from which they propagate to more superficial layers and they also propagate horizontally. Full expression of slow wave activities requires the presence of thalamus, although slow oscillation can be recorded in athalamic preparations. Therefore, despite the fact of preferential origin of different sleep oscillations in either neocortex or in thalamus, only the full thalamocortical network can generate sleep activities with known properties. Support: CIHR and NSERC.
Electromagnetic biology and medicine, Jan 11, 2016
Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) of cellular phones may affect biological systems by increasing fr... more Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) of cellular phones may affect biological systems by increasing free radicals and changing the antioxidant defense systems of tissues, eventually leading to oxidative stress. Green tea has recently attracted significant attention due to its health benefits in a variety of disorders, ranging from cancer to weight loss. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of EMR (frequency 900 MHz modulated at 217 Hz, power density 0.02 mW/cm(2), SAR 1.245 W/kg) on different oxidative stress parameters in the hippocampus and striatum of adult rats. This study also extends to evaluate the therapeutic effect of green tea mega EGCG on the previous parameters in animals exposed to EMR after and during EMR exposure. The experimental animals were divided into four groups: EMR-exposed animals, animals treated with green tea mega EGCG after 2 months of EMR exposure, animals treated with green tea mega EGCG during EMR exposure and control animals. EMR...
European review for medical and pharmacological sciences, 2013
The use of mobile phones is rapidly increasing all over the world. Few studies deal with the effe... more The use of mobile phones is rapidly increasing all over the world. Few studies deal with the effect of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on monoamine neurotransmitters in the different brain areas of adult rat. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of EMR on the concentrations of dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT) in the hippocampus, hypothalamus, midbrain and medulla oblongata of adult rats. Adult rats were exposed daily to EMR (frequency 1800 MHz, specific absorption rate 0.843 W/kg, power density 0.02 mW/cm2, modulated at 217 Hz) and sacrificed after 1, 2 and 4 months of daily EMR exposure as well as after stopping EMR for 1 month (after 4 months of daily EMR exposure). Monoamines were determined by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FD) using their native properties. The exposure to EMR resulted in significant changes in DA, NE and 5-HT in the four selected areas of adult rat brain. The exposur...
Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine-disrupting chemical, is widely used in the manufacture of polycar... more Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine-disrupting chemical, is widely used in the manufacture of polycarbonated plastics and epoxy resins and line metal beverage cans. Growing evidence suggests that BPA acts directly on neuronal functions as it is lipophilic and could accumulate in the brain. The present study aims to investigate the effect of two doses of BPA (10 mg/kg for 6 and 10 weeks and 25 mg/kg for 6 weeks) on excitatory (glutamate and aspartate) and inhibitory (γ-aminobutyric acid, glycine, and taurine) amino acid neurotransmitter levels in the cortex and hippocampus. This study extends to investigate the effect of BPA on acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity and some oxidative stress parameters in the two regions. In the cortex, a significant increase in the excitatory and a significant decrease in the inhibitory amino acids occurred after BPA (10 mg/kg for 10 weeks and 25 mg/kg for 6 weeks). This was accompanied by a significant increase in lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, and re...
were 29-42% lower than those for the WT group. However, the AD Taurine group showed 15-20% higher... more were 29-42% lower than those for the WT group. However, the AD Taurine group showed 15-20% higher DVR values than the AD group.
Several studies revealed the importance of paradoxical sleep as a homeostatic mechanism by which ... more Several studies revealed the importance of paradoxical sleep as a homeostatic mechanism by which the brain can control oxidative stress. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of 72 h of paradoxical sleep deprivation on the oxidative stress markers and its insults on the activities of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase and acetylcholinesterase in the cortex and hippocampus of albino rat. Animals were subjected to paradoxical sleep deprivation for 72 h. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed, and catalase activity, levels of reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation, and nitric oxide were assayed together with the activities of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase and acetylcholinesterase in the cortex and hippocampus. The present study revealed a significant increase in lipid peroxidation accompanied by a significant decrease in reduced glutathione in the cortex and hippocampus. Na(+), K(+)-ATPase decreased significantly in both areas. However, acetylcholinesterase showed a significant increase in the investigated brain regions. The present data showed that 72 h of paradoxical sleep deprivation induced oxidative stress in the cortex and hippocampus. It could be suggested that the inhibition of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase and the increased acetylcholinesterase activity may underlie memory impairment, increased brain excitability, and anxiety induced by paradoxical sleep deprivation.
Oxidative stress has been implicated to play a role in epileptogenesis and pilocarpine-induced se... more Oxidative stress has been implicated to play a role in epileptogenesis and pilocarpine-induced seizures. The present study aims to evaluate the antioxidant effects of curcumin, Nigella sativa oil (NSO) and valproate on the levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, reduced glutathione and the activities of catalase, Na ? , K ?-ATPase and acetylcholinesterase in the hippocampus of pilocarpinetreated rats. The animal model of epilepsy was induced by pilocarpine and left for 22 days to establish the chronic phase of epilepsy. These animals were then treated with curcumin, NSO or valproate for 21 days. The data revealed evidence of oxidative stress in the hippocampus of pilocarpinized rats as indicated by the increased nitric oxide levels and the decreased glutathione levels and catalase activity. Moreover, a decrease in Na ? , K ?-ATPase activity and an increase in acetylcholinesterase activity occurred in the hippocampus after pilocarpine. Treatment with curcumin, NSO or valproate ameliorated most of the changes induced by pilocarpine and restored Na ? , K ?-ATPase activity in the hippocampus to control levels. This study reflects the promising anticonvulsant and potent antioxidant effects of curcumin and NSO in reducing oxidative stress, excitability and the induction of seizures in epileptic animals and improving some of the adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs.
The present study aimed to investigate the effect of curcumin and Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on ami... more The present study aimed to investigate the effect of curcumin and Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on amino acid neurotransmitter alterations and the histological changes induced by pilocarpine in the hippocampus and cortex of rats. Epilepsy was induced by i.p. injection of pilocarpine, and the animals were left for 22 days to establish spontaneous recurrent seizures. They were then treated with curcumin, NSO or valproate for 21 days. Pilocarpine induced a significant increase in hippocampal aspartate and a significant decrease in glycine and taurine levels. In the cortex, a significant increase in aspartate, glutamate, GABA, glycine, and taurine levels was obtained after pilocarpine injection. Treatment of pilocarpinized rats with curcumin and valproate ameliorated most of the changes in amino acid concentrations and reduced the histopathological abnormalities induced by pilocarpine. N. sativa oil failed to improve the pilocarpine-induced abnormalities. This may explain the antiepileptic effect of curcumin and suggest its use as an anticonvulsant.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disrupting chemical used on a wide range in industry. Several s... more Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disrupting chemical used on a wide range in industry. Several studies reported that BPA may cause cardiovascular disorders in humans and animals. The present study aims to investigate the effect of BPA on the heart of adult male rats. The rats received a daily oral administration of BPA (25 mg/kg for 6 weeks and 10 mg/kg for 6 and 10 weeks). It was found that BPA at the two studied doses induced a significant increase in malondialdehyde, and a significant decrease in catalase after 6 weeks. Moreover, a significant decrease in reduced glutathione and acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity was observed after treatment with the two doses of BPA throughout the studied time intervals. The two doses (25 and 10 mg/kg) resulted in a significant decrease in nitric oxide (NO) levels after 6 and 10 weeks, respectively. A significant increase in body weight gain occurred in all animals after BPA treatment. These results suggest that BPA has cardiotoxic effects which are mediated by the oxidative stress resulting from the overproduction of free radicals, the deficiency of NO and the inhibition of AchE leading to cholinergic activation. The obesity promoting effect of BPA may also participate in the observed cardiovascular disturbances.
Introduction: Caffeine and nicotine are the most widely consumed psychostimulants worldwide. Alth... more Introduction: Caffeine and nicotine are the most widely consumed psychostimulants worldwide. Although the effects of each drug alone on the central nervous system have been studied extensively, the literature on the neurochemical and electrophysiological effects of their combined treatments is scarce. The present study investigated the cortical electrophysiological and neurochemical alterations induced by acute administration of caffeine and nicotine in rats. Methods: The rats received caffeine and nicotine at a 1-hour interval between the two treatments. Results: Caffeine and nicotine administration resulted in a significant decrease in the concentrations of cortical amino acid neurotransmitters, namely glutamate, aspartate, glycine, and taurine, while γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) significantly increased. Increased cortical lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione and nitric oxide levels and acetylcholinesterase and Na+/K+-ATPase activities were also observed. The Electroencephalog...
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease worldwide and rep... more Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease worldwide and represents a challenge for clinicians. The present study aims to investigate the effects of cerebrolysin and/or lithium on the behavioral, neurochemical and histopathological alterations induced by reserpine as a model of PD. The rats were divided into control and reserpine-induced PD model groups. The model animals were further divided into four subgroups: rat PD model, rat PD model treated with cerebrolysin, rat PD model treated with lithium and rat PD model treated with a combination of cerebrolysin and lithium. Treatment with cerebrolysin and/or lithium ameliorated most of the alterations in oxidative stress parameters, acetylcholinesterase and monoamines in the striatum and midbrain of reserpine-induced PD model. It also ameliorated the changes in nuclear factor-kappa and improved the histopathological picture induced by reserpine. It could be suggested that cerebrolysin and/or lithium...
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that afflicts millions of... more Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that afflicts millions of people all over the world. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of a sub-diabetogenic dose of streptozotocin (STZ) was established as an experimental animal model of AD. The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of curcumin nanoparticles (CNs) against the behavioral, neurochemical and histopathological alterations induced by ICV-STZ. The animals were divided into: control animals, the animal model of AD that received a single bilateral ICV microinjection of STZ, and the animals protected by a daily oral administration of CNs for 6 days before the ICV-STZ injection. The animals of all groups were subjected to surgical operation on the 7th day of administration. Then the administration of distilled water or CNs was continued for 8 days. The ICV-STZ microinjection produced cognitive impairment as evident from the behavioral Morris water maze (MWM) test and induced oxidative stress in the cortex and hippocampus as indicated by the significant increases in lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide (NO) levels and the significant decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. It also produced a significant increase in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and tumor necrosis-alpha (TNF-ɑ) and a significant decrease in Na+,K + -ATPase. In addition, a significant increase in amino acid neurotransmitters occurred in the hippocampus, whereas a significant decrease was obtained in the cortex of STZ-induced AD rats. CNs ameliorated the behavioral, immunohistochemical and most of the neurochemical alterations induced by STZ in the hippocampus and cortex. It may be concluded that CNs might be considered as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of AD.
The neuroprotective effects of Panax ginseng were extensively studied. However, the therapeutic r... more The neuroprotective effects of Panax ginseng were extensively studied. However, the therapeutic role of Panax ginseng in rat model of Parkinson’s disease (PD) has not been studied enough. In the present study, rats were divided into three groups; control, rat model of PD induced by intrastriatal injection of rotenone and rat model of PD treated daily with Panax ginseng extract (100 mg/kg for 2 weeks). Forelimb wire hanging and the traction tests scored a significant decrease in PD model rats. In ginseng extract-treated group, these behavioral parameters changed to non significant values from the control rats. In the midbrain of rat model, a state of oxidative stress was observed as indicated from the significant increase in lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-α and the decrease in reduced glutathione in comparison to control. This was accompanied by a significant decrease in dopamine and a significant increase in acetylcholinesterase activity. In the striatum,...
Objectives The present study aims to investigate the pathological mechanisms mediating the effect... more Objectives The present study aims to investigate the pathological mechanisms mediating the effect of paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD) for 48 hr on the spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS) stage of the pilocarpine rat model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Materials and methods This was carried out through assessment of amino acid neurotransmitter levels, the main oxidative stress parameters, and the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the hippocampus. The experimental animals were divided into 4 groups: control, epileptic, PSD, and epileptic+PSD groups. Results Data indicated that PSD in epileptic rats induced a significant decrease in GSH levels. TNF-α increased significantly in the PSD group and decreased significantly in both epileptic rats and epileptic rats deprived of paradoxical sleep. PSD induced a significant increase in glutamine, glutamate, and aspartate and a significant decrease in GABA. In epileptic rats and epile...
The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of selenium (Se) alone or combined with carbamaze... more The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of selenium (Se) alone or combined with carbamazepine (CBZ) against the adverse effects induced by the chemoconvulsant pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in the cortex of adult male rats. Electrocorticogram (ECoG) and oxidative stress markers were implemented to evaluate the differences between treated and untreated animals. Animals were divided into five groups: control group that received i.p. saline injection, PTZ-treated group that received a single i.p. injection of PTZ (60 mg/kg) for induction of seizures followed by a daily i.p. injection of saline, Se-treated group that received an i.p. injection of sodium selenite (0.3 mg/kg/day) after PTZ administration, CBZ-treated group that received orally CBZ (80 mg/kg/day) after PTZ administration, and combination (Se plus CBZ)-treated group that received an oral administration of CBZ (80 mg/kg/day) followed by an i.p. injection of sodium selenite (0.3 mg/kg/day) after PTZ administration. Quantitative analyses of the ECoG indices and the neurochemical parameters revealed that Se and CBZ have mitigated the adverse effects induced by PTZ. The main results were decrease in the number of epileptic spikes, restoring the normal distribution of slow and fast ECoG frequencies and attenuation of most of the oxidative stress markers. However, there was an increase in lipid perioxidation marker in combined treatment of CBZ and Se. The electrophysiological and neurochemical data proved the potential of these techniques in evaluating the treatment's efficiency and suggest that supplementation of Se with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) may be beneficial in ameliorating most of the alterations induced in the brain as a result of seizure insults and could be recommended as an adjunct therapy with AEDs.
The present study is conducted to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of curcumin nanoparticles (... more The present study is conducted to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of curcumin nanoparticles (CUR NP) against the neurotoxicity induced by cisplatin (CP) in rat. Rats were divided into control group that received saline solution, CP-treated rats that received a single i.p. injection of CP (12 mg/kg body wt), and CP-treated rats that received a single i.p injection of CP (12 mg/kg body wt) followed by a daily oral administration of CUR NP (50 mg/kg body wt) for 14 days. At the end of the experiment, the motor activity of rats was evaluated by open field test. The neurochemical and histopathological changes were investigated in the cerebral cortex. A significant decrease in motor activity was observed in CP-treated rats. This was associated with a significant increase in the cortical levels of lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-a, caspase-3, and acetylcholinesterase activity. However, CP induced a significant decrease in reduced glutathione levels and Na þ , K þ-ATPase activity. In rats treated with CP and CUR NP, no significant changes were recorded in the parameters of the open field test as compared to control. In addition, treatment with CUR NP prevented all the neurochemical changes induced by CP except the increased value of nitric oxide. CUR NP also reduced the histopathological changes induced by CP. It is clear from the present data that CUR NP could ameliorate the neurotoxic effect induced by cisplatin.
The extensive use of mobile phones worldwide has raised increasing concerns about the effects of ... more The extensive use of mobile phones worldwide has raised increasing concerns about the effects of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on the brain due to the proximity of the mobile phone to the head and the appearance of several adverse neurological effects after mobile phone use. It has been hypothesized that the EMR-induced neurological effects may be mediated by amino acid neurotransmitters. Thus, the present study investigated the effect of EMR (frequency 1800 MHz, specific absorption rate 0.843 W/kg, power density 0.02 mW/cm, modulated at 217 Hz) on the concentrations of amino acid neurotransmitters (glutamic acid, aspartic acid, gamma aminobutyric acid, glycine, taurine, and the amide glutamine) in the hippocampus, striatum, and hypothalamus of juvenile and young adult rats. The juvenile and young adult animals were each divided into two groups: control rats and rats exposed to EMR 1 h daily for 1, 2, and 4 months. A subgroup of rats were exposed daily to EMR for 4 months and then...
Febrile seizures (FS) are convulsions associated with high body temperature. It has a high incide... more Febrile seizures (FS) are convulsions associated with high body temperature. It has a high incidence in children from the age of 6months to 5years and may have adverse consequences in adulthood. The experimental model of FS could be induced in animals via hyperthermia. The present study was designed to investigate persistent electroencephalographic (EEG), neurochemical and behavioral alterations in adult animals that had experienced complex FS at their immature age. EEG signals were obtained from the cortex of both FS and control normothermic groups of animals. A spectrophotometric assay was carried out to determine oxidative stress parameters (malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, reduced glutathione) and acetylcholinesterase activity in the cortex and hippocampus of FS and control animals. Behavioral assessment of seizure threshold and severity were investigated via a sub-convulsive dose of nicotine in adult animals. Alterations in the oxidant/antioxidant system and AChE activity were ob...
The aim of the present work was to investigate the neurochemical changes induced in the cerebellu... more The aim of the present work was to investigate the neurochemical changes induced in the cerebellum of rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD). Rats were divided into two groups; control and rat model of PD induced by the intrastriatal injection of rotenone. As compared to control, a significant increase in the excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters; glutamate and aspartate together with a significant decrease in the inhibitory amino acids, GABA, glycine and taurine were observed in the cerebellum of rat model of PD. This was associated with a significant increase in lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-α and a significant decrease in reduced glutathione. A significant decrease in acetylcholinesterase and a significant increase in Na+,K+-ATPase were recorded in the cerebellum of rat model of PD. In addition the cerebellar sections from rat model of PD showed marked necrosis of Purkinje cells, irregular damaged cells, cytoplasmic shrinkage, necrosis and perine...
In waking and sleeping states, thalamocortical system generates a variety of oscillations ranging... more In waking and sleeping states, thalamocortical system generates a variety of oscillations ranging from 0.1 Hz to hundreds of Hz. Most of them are present during NREM sleep, but slower activities prevail in this state of vigilance. Thalamocortical network is organized in a loop in which thalamocortical cells excite reticular thalamic and neocortical cells, reticular thalamic cells inhibit thalamocortical cells and corticothalamic cells excite thalamocortical and reticular thalamic cells. Despite stable anatomical connectivity, different types of oscillations preferentially originate either in neocortex or in thalamus. During sleep stage 2, spindle oscillation (9-15 Hz) is a dominant type of activity. It is well accepted that spindles originate in the thalamus via interplay of firing of reticular thalamic and thalamocortical neurons, but neocortex controls spindle generation. Spindles can be divided on fast and slow. Several properties of slow spindles do not match known mechanisms of their thalamic origin. Slow oscillation (about 1 Hz) dominates slow-wave sleep stage. Each slow wave is composed of hyperpolarized or silent and depolarized and active state. Active states may be accompanied by spindles and higher frequency activities. Slow waves originate mainly in deep cortical layers from which they propagate to more superficial layers and they also propagate horizontally. Full expression of slow wave activities requires the presence of thalamus, although slow oscillation can be recorded in athalamic preparations. Therefore, despite the fact of preferential origin of different sleep oscillations in either neocortex or in thalamus, only the full thalamocortical network can generate sleep activities with known properties. Support: CIHR and NSERC.
Electromagnetic biology and medicine, Jan 11, 2016
Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) of cellular phones may affect biological systems by increasing fr... more Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) of cellular phones may affect biological systems by increasing free radicals and changing the antioxidant defense systems of tissues, eventually leading to oxidative stress. Green tea has recently attracted significant attention due to its health benefits in a variety of disorders, ranging from cancer to weight loss. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of EMR (frequency 900 MHz modulated at 217 Hz, power density 0.02 mW/cm(2), SAR 1.245 W/kg) on different oxidative stress parameters in the hippocampus and striatum of adult rats. This study also extends to evaluate the therapeutic effect of green tea mega EGCG on the previous parameters in animals exposed to EMR after and during EMR exposure. The experimental animals were divided into four groups: EMR-exposed animals, animals treated with green tea mega EGCG after 2 months of EMR exposure, animals treated with green tea mega EGCG during EMR exposure and control animals. EMR...
European review for medical and pharmacological sciences, 2013
The use of mobile phones is rapidly increasing all over the world. Few studies deal with the effe... more The use of mobile phones is rapidly increasing all over the world. Few studies deal with the effect of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on monoamine neurotransmitters in the different brain areas of adult rat. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of EMR on the concentrations of dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT) in the hippocampus, hypothalamus, midbrain and medulla oblongata of adult rats. Adult rats were exposed daily to EMR (frequency 1800 MHz, specific absorption rate 0.843 W/kg, power density 0.02 mW/cm2, modulated at 217 Hz) and sacrificed after 1, 2 and 4 months of daily EMR exposure as well as after stopping EMR for 1 month (after 4 months of daily EMR exposure). Monoamines were determined by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FD) using their native properties. The exposure to EMR resulted in significant changes in DA, NE and 5-HT in the four selected areas of adult rat brain. The exposur...
Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine-disrupting chemical, is widely used in the manufacture of polycar... more Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine-disrupting chemical, is widely used in the manufacture of polycarbonated plastics and epoxy resins and line metal beverage cans. Growing evidence suggests that BPA acts directly on neuronal functions as it is lipophilic and could accumulate in the brain. The present study aims to investigate the effect of two doses of BPA (10 mg/kg for 6 and 10 weeks and 25 mg/kg for 6 weeks) on excitatory (glutamate and aspartate) and inhibitory (γ-aminobutyric acid, glycine, and taurine) amino acid neurotransmitter levels in the cortex and hippocampus. This study extends to investigate the effect of BPA on acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity and some oxidative stress parameters in the two regions. In the cortex, a significant increase in the excitatory and a significant decrease in the inhibitory amino acids occurred after BPA (10 mg/kg for 10 weeks and 25 mg/kg for 6 weeks). This was accompanied by a significant increase in lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, and re...
were 29-42% lower than those for the WT group. However, the AD Taurine group showed 15-20% higher... more were 29-42% lower than those for the WT group. However, the AD Taurine group showed 15-20% higher DVR values than the AD group.
Several studies revealed the importance of paradoxical sleep as a homeostatic mechanism by which ... more Several studies revealed the importance of paradoxical sleep as a homeostatic mechanism by which the brain can control oxidative stress. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of 72 h of paradoxical sleep deprivation on the oxidative stress markers and its insults on the activities of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase and acetylcholinesterase in the cortex and hippocampus of albino rat. Animals were subjected to paradoxical sleep deprivation for 72 h. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed, and catalase activity, levels of reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation, and nitric oxide were assayed together with the activities of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase and acetylcholinesterase in the cortex and hippocampus. The present study revealed a significant increase in lipid peroxidation accompanied by a significant decrease in reduced glutathione in the cortex and hippocampus. Na(+), K(+)-ATPase decreased significantly in both areas. However, acetylcholinesterase showed a significant increase in the investigated brain regions. The present data showed that 72 h of paradoxical sleep deprivation induced oxidative stress in the cortex and hippocampus. It could be suggested that the inhibition of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase and the increased acetylcholinesterase activity may underlie memory impairment, increased brain excitability, and anxiety induced by paradoxical sleep deprivation.
Oxidative stress has been implicated to play a role in epileptogenesis and pilocarpine-induced se... more Oxidative stress has been implicated to play a role in epileptogenesis and pilocarpine-induced seizures. The present study aims to evaluate the antioxidant effects of curcumin, Nigella sativa oil (NSO) and valproate on the levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, reduced glutathione and the activities of catalase, Na ? , K ?-ATPase and acetylcholinesterase in the hippocampus of pilocarpinetreated rats. The animal model of epilepsy was induced by pilocarpine and left for 22 days to establish the chronic phase of epilepsy. These animals were then treated with curcumin, NSO or valproate for 21 days. The data revealed evidence of oxidative stress in the hippocampus of pilocarpinized rats as indicated by the increased nitric oxide levels and the decreased glutathione levels and catalase activity. Moreover, a decrease in Na ? , K ?-ATPase activity and an increase in acetylcholinesterase activity occurred in the hippocampus after pilocarpine. Treatment with curcumin, NSO or valproate ameliorated most of the changes induced by pilocarpine and restored Na ? , K ?-ATPase activity in the hippocampus to control levels. This study reflects the promising anticonvulsant and potent antioxidant effects of curcumin and NSO in reducing oxidative stress, excitability and the induction of seizures in epileptic animals and improving some of the adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs.
The present study aimed to investigate the effect of curcumin and Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on ami... more The present study aimed to investigate the effect of curcumin and Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on amino acid neurotransmitter alterations and the histological changes induced by pilocarpine in the hippocampus and cortex of rats. Epilepsy was induced by i.p. injection of pilocarpine, and the animals were left for 22 days to establish spontaneous recurrent seizures. They were then treated with curcumin, NSO or valproate for 21 days. Pilocarpine induced a significant increase in hippocampal aspartate and a significant decrease in glycine and taurine levels. In the cortex, a significant increase in aspartate, glutamate, GABA, glycine, and taurine levels was obtained after pilocarpine injection. Treatment of pilocarpinized rats with curcumin and valproate ameliorated most of the changes in amino acid concentrations and reduced the histopathological abnormalities induced by pilocarpine. N. sativa oil failed to improve the pilocarpine-induced abnormalities. This may explain the antiepileptic effect of curcumin and suggest its use as an anticonvulsant.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disrupting chemical used on a wide range in industry. Several s... more Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disrupting chemical used on a wide range in industry. Several studies reported that BPA may cause cardiovascular disorders in humans and animals. The present study aims to investigate the effect of BPA on the heart of adult male rats. The rats received a daily oral administration of BPA (25 mg/kg for 6 weeks and 10 mg/kg for 6 and 10 weeks). It was found that BPA at the two studied doses induced a significant increase in malondialdehyde, and a significant decrease in catalase after 6 weeks. Moreover, a significant decrease in reduced glutathione and acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity was observed after treatment with the two doses of BPA throughout the studied time intervals. The two doses (25 and 10 mg/kg) resulted in a significant decrease in nitric oxide (NO) levels after 6 and 10 weeks, respectively. A significant increase in body weight gain occurred in all animals after BPA treatment. These results suggest that BPA has cardiotoxic effects which are mediated by the oxidative stress resulting from the overproduction of free radicals, the deficiency of NO and the inhibition of AchE leading to cholinergic activation. The obesity promoting effect of BPA may also participate in the observed cardiovascular disturbances.
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