Developmental exposure to estrogenic compounds and obesity

In previous studies we found an increase in body weight during the preclinical phase of disease in certain scrapie strain-mouse strain combinations. The effect was augmented by injection into the hypothalamus. In the present study, we found an increase in food consumption (compared to the normal mouse brain injection group) for both the 139A and ME7 scrapie groups, although only the ME7 group showed an increase in body weight. In a scrapie strain-mouse strain combination that showed an increase in body weight, the adrenal gland was the only organ that showed a significant increase in weight. The titer of scrapie in the adrenals was comparatively low. Adrenalectomy prevented the increase in body weight in two strains of mice injected with the ME7 scrapie strain. The results suggest that scrapie-induced obesity depends on an effect of scrapie on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Neonatal exposure to DES in BALB/c male mice: Effects on pituitary-gonadal function

We tested the prediction that global warming has caused recent decreases in body weight (Bergmann's rule) and increases in wing length (Allen's rule) in 14 species of passerine birds at two localities in England: Wicken Fen (1968–2003) and Treswell Wood (1973–2003). Predicted long‐term linear decreases in residual body weight occurred in four species: dunnocks (Wicken Fen), and great tits, blue tits and bullfinches (Treswell Wood). Non‐linear decreases also occurred in reed warblers and blackcaps at Wicken Fen, which also had a surprising linear increase in residual body weight in blackbirds. Residual wing lengths increased linearly, as predicted, in six of seven species at Wicken Fen. Whereas there were non‐linear long‐term increases in wrens, dunnocks and blackbirds in Treswell Wood. Unexpected linear decreases also occurred in residual wing lengths in willow warblers (Wicken Fen), and blue tits, great tits and chaffinches (Treswell Wood). The most parsimonious explanation for such long‐term changes in body weight is global warming, as predicted by Bergmann's rule. Greater site and species‐specific effects on wing length (e.g. non‐linear changes plus shorter wings in the woodland habitat) suggest a less straightforward conclusion concerning Allen's rule, probably because wing length involved variation in both bone and feather growth. Changes in residual body weights and wing lengths often differed between species and were sometimes non‐linear, perhaps reflecting short‐term modifications in selection pressures. Human‐induced influences are discussed, such as avian predator population densities and land‐use change. Short‐term variation in temperature had little effect, but rainfall did explain the unusual increase in blackbird body weight, possibly as a result of improving food (earthworm) availability.

Background: The tuberculosis morbidity rate in Bekasi area based on data from the Republic of Indonesia Ministry of Health has reached 101 people per 100,000 population in 2012. Indonesia’s Ministry of Health showed that tuberculosis patients have less economic status poor nutritional status. Patients with tuberculosis need foods that contain lots of protein and albumin such as cork fish and chicken egg white without yolk to speed up the repair of cells and tissues damaged by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis bacteria. Objective: The study was conducted to determine the increase in blood albumin levels and body weight in patients with tuberculosis by giving cork fish and egg white snacks. Methods: Analysis of the data used was a paired t-test for increases in blood albumin levels and bodyweight of the treatment group before and after giving snacks and an unpaired t-test for increases in blood albumin levels and bodyweight of tuberculosis patients between the treatment and the control group. Results: The study showed the most characteristics of tuberculosis patients ismale, age range 26-30 years, elementary-junior high school education level, labor work, income <Rp. 1,500,000,00, and the number of dependents of families consist of 4-6 people. Data analysis of blood albumin levels in the control group was significantly different from the treatment group before and after with a value of P = 0.002 which means that there was an increase in blood albumin levels and in the results of weight gain the control group was significantly different from the treatment groups before and after with a value of P = 0.004 means there is a significant increase in body weight for 15 days after being given snack. Conclusion: There was an increase in blood albumin levels and body weight in patients with tuberculosis after treatment for 15 days.

The actions of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) are modulated by IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs). The effects of IGFBP-1 in vivo are insufficiently known, with respect to inhibitory or stimulatory actions on IGF-induced growth of specific organs. Therefore, we studied the effects of IGFBP-1 on IGF-I-induced somatic and organ growth in pituitary-deficient Snell dwarf mice. Human GH, IGF-I, IGFBP-1, and a preequilibrated combination of equimolar amounts of IGF-I and IGFBP-1 were administered sc during 4 weeks. Treatment with IGF-I alone induced a significant increase in body length (108% of control) and weight (112%) as well as an increase in weight of the submandibular salivary glands (135%), kidneys (124%), femoral muscles (111%), testes (129%), and spleen (126%) compared with saline-treated controls. IGFBP-1 alone induced a significant increase in weight of the kidneys (152% of control). Coadministration of IGF-I with IGFBP-1 neutralized the stimulating effects of IGF-I on body length and weight as well as on the femoral muscles and testes. In contrast, the weights of the submandibular salivary glands (143%) were not significantly different from those of IGF-I-treated animals, whereas the weights of the kidneys (171%) and spleen (156%) were significantly increased compared with IGF-I-treated mice. The effect of IGFBP-1 plus IGF-I on kidney weight was not significantly greater than the effect of IGFBP-1 alone. Western ligand blotting showed induction of the IGFBP-3 doublet as well as IGFBPs with molecular masses of 24 kDa, most probably IGFBP-4, by human GH, IGF-I alone, and IGF-I in combination with IGFBP-1. Our data show that coadministration of IGFBP-1 inhibits IGF-I-induced body growth of GH-deficient mice but significantly stimulates the growth promoting effects of IGF-I on the kidneys and the spleen. These data warrant further investigation because differences in concentrations of IGFBP-1 occurring in vivo may influence IGF-I-induced anabolic processes.

Huntington disease is an adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder that is caused by the expansion of a polyglutamine tract within the Huntingtin (htt) protein. Wild-type htt has been shown to be involved in transcription, transport and cell survival. Here, we demonstrate that increased expression of full-length wild-type htt in mice is associated with a dose-dependent increase in body weight which results from an increase in both total fat mass and fat-free mass. Conversely, we show that a reduction in the levels of wild-type htt is associated with decreased body weight. Examination of individual organ weights revealed that the weight of the heart, liver, kidneys, lungs and spleen increased with the over-expression of wild-type htt, whereas the brain and testis were unaltered. On the basis of these initial findings, we examined mice that over-express full-length mutant htt to determine the effect of polyglutamine expansion on this novel function of wild-type htt. We found that over-expression of full-length mutant htt, but not an N-terminal fragment of mutant htt, also increased body weight and organ weight, except in the brain and testis where mutant htt appears to be toxic. In these mice, the majority of weight gain could be accounted for by increases in total fat mass. Further investigation of the weight gain phenotype revealed that the increases in weight were not accounted for by increased food consumption relative to body weight. Overall, we demonstrate that increased levels of both wild-type and mutant full-length htt are associated with increased body weight.

Introduction: Soccer is a sport that has evolved significantly, becoming a game that combines technical and tactical skills with high physical demands. Objective: To analyze the effects of a four-week vacation period on the body composition and physical performance of young Chilean soccer players Methodology: Cross-sectional and descriptive- comparative study. The sample consisted of 48 young Chilean soccer players (16.6 ± 6 years). Body weight, height, circumference, and skinfold were measured. Muscle mass percentage, body fat percentage, and peak height velocity (APVC) were calculated. Physical performance, 10m, 20m, and 30m sprints, 505 test, horizontal jump and countermovement jump (CMJ), and the 30-15IFT intermittent endurance test were evaluated. Results: The are significant increases in body weight, perimeters, skinfold, and body fat (p<0.01). In physical performance, there was a significant decrease in the horizontal jump, 505 test, and VO2max test (p<0.01). Discussion: The results are consistent with previous studies that have found increases in body weight and adiposity in young soccer players, as well as reported decreases in VO2max and agility in adult soccer players. Conclusions: After a four-week holiday period, young football players show significant increases in body weight and fat tissue, along with losses in horizontal jump, 505 test and VO2max.

Excessive body weight can impair health and leads to a range of noncommunicable diseases. Intermittent fasting (IF), an eating pattern that cycles between periods of eating and fasting, is an increasingly popular method of weight loss. To minimize negative impacts of both overconsumption and underconsumption caused by prolonged fasting, IF without reducing caloric intake has been implemented. The present study investigated the effect of IF, i.e., alternate-day fasting (ADF) and time-restricted feeding (TRF), without reducing caloric intake on reproductive functions in male C57BL/6 mice. Sexually mature mice were divided into four groups and fed for seven weeks a standard diet (control) or a diet enriched in fat without (HFD) or with IF (HFD˗ADF and HFD˗TRF). Upon sacrifice, body and reproductive organ (the testes, epididymides, and vas deferens) weights were measured in grams. Epididymal sperm characteristics such as concentration, motility, and morphology and plasma testosterone levels were determined. Compared with a standard diet, the unlimited consumption of a high-fat diet caused a significant increase in body weight of mice (p = 0.001). Ratio of final to initial weights in these animals (1.55 ± 0.06) were also significantly higher than 1.19 ± 0.04 in HFD˗ADF and 1.17 ± 0.03 in HFD˗TRF males (p = 0.006 to p = 0.027), which both values did not differ from 1.21 ± 0.21 in control animals. Reproductive organ weight relative to body weight (%) was significantly lower in high-fat diet-fed male mice than controls (p = 0.014 to p = 0.03), possibly as a result of higher body weights. No significant difference was, however, observed in the levels of testosterone and in vitro sperm characteristics among groups. In conclusion, despite no a noticeable impact on the male reproductive system, overconsumption of a high-fat diet caused a substantial increase in body weight, and this undesired effect could be mitigated with doing IF.

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This study was carried out to investigate the efficacy of ciprofloxacin (8 mg/kg b.wt.) and/or metronidazole (30 mg/kg.b.wt.) in drinking water for 5 successive days for treatment of E. coli and/or Cl. perfringens each alone or both. Bloodand tissue samples were collected from 5 birds from each group on the 5th, 12th and 19th days post-infection and treatment.This was done through studying the effect on growth Performance (body weight, weight gain, feed consumption and feedconversion rate), lesion score, mortality rate, some liver and kidney function parameters and some blood pictureparameters. Infection with E. coli and/or Cl. perfringens induced the characteristic symptoms and lesions of the diseaseinfection with E. coli induced mortality rate up to 20% which is reduced to 5% post- treatment with ciprofloxacin whereas,Cl. perfringens infection induced mortality up to 35% which is reduced to 12% post-treatment with metronidazole. Mixedinfection with E. coli and Cl. perfringens induced 75% mortality which is reduced to 20% post-treatment with both drugs.Infection with E. coli and/or Cl. perfringens each alone or mixed together afforded a significant decrease in body weight,weight gain, feed consumption and increased feed conversion compared with normal control group. Whereas, treatmentof infected birds with both drugs elicited a significant increase in body weight, feed consumption and significant decreasein feed conversion rate compared with infected non-treated groups. On blood picture infection with E. coli and Cl.perfringens or their mixed infection induced a significant decrease in total RBCs count, Hb % and PCV% whereas,treatment of infected birds with each drug alone or their combination induced a significant increase in the previousparameters along the course of the study compared with infected non-treated groups. Serum Aspartate aminotransferase(AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), uric acid and creatinine were significantly elevatedin response to infection with each microbe alone or their combination compared with normal control group. Treatment ofinfected birds with each drug alone or their combination elicited a significant decrease in the previous parameters alongentire period of the study compared with the infected non-treated groups. Taken together, our data could be framed withinthe view of the revealing high efficacy of metronidazole and ciprofloxacin toward infection with clostridium and /or E.coli in poultry

The objective of the present investigation was to study the effect of combination of telmisartan with cisplatin in oral cancer cachexia induced by applying 0.5% 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4-NQO) in propylene glycol to tongue, thrice a week for 8 weeks. From 8th to 22nd week, cisplatin (0.23 mg/kg, i.v.) was administered once in three weeks and telmisartan (5 mg/kg/day, p.o.) was administered daily. 4-NQO produced significant decrease in food intake, body weight, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and bradycardia, worsened hemodyanamics, increased cachexia markers like insulin, C-reactive protein, and interleukin-6, and increased tumor markers like lactate dehydrogenase and γ-glutamyl transferase.Treatment with combination of telmisartan with cisplatin produced significant increase in food intake and body weight and controlled hyperglycaemia and dyslipidemia, preserved hemodynamic function, and decreased the cachexia markers while cisplatin alone did not produce any increase in food intake and body weight. Further, the combination of telmisartan with cisplatin significantly reduced tumor marker levels. Combination of telmisartan with cisplatin prevented 4-NQO induced oxidative stress, hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis, premalignant dysplasia, and invasive squamous cell carcinoma in the tongue. Our data suggests that combination of telmisartan with cisplatin treatment is beneficial in controlling cancer cachexia. Telmisartan can be used as an add-on therapy with cisplatin or other traditional chemotherapeutic agents.

This study was conducted in at the Biotechnology Research Center / Nahrain University / Baghdad Governorate, for the period 2/8/2020 to 15/9/2020, the follow of the effects of dosing with ethanolic extract of pomegranate peels on 30 male rats of (2-3) months of age and weights (170-220 g) were included, it was divided into two parts, one of which is intact and the other in which diabetes was introduced by using alloxan at a concentration (90 mg / kg) of body weight, The results showed of the biological study that the development of experimental diabetes showed significant increase (P <0.05) in the concentrations of Glucose, Total cholesterol (TC), Trigleserid (TG), low-density lipoproteins cholesterol (LDL-C), Very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), and the enzymes of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase (AST و ALT), and malonedialdehyde concentration (MDA), Compared with a intact control group, while it led to a significant decrease (P <0.05) in body weight, insulin concentration, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), in the affected control group. Dosing in intact rats with ethanolic extract of pomegranate peel at a concentration of 75 and 150 mg / kg of body weight led to a significant decrease in the concentrations of glucose, TC, TG, LDL-C and VLDL-C, as well as AST, ALT, and MDA enzymes, compared with a healthy control group, Significant increase in body weight, insulin and HDL-C concentrations for all treatments compared with the healthy control group. Dosing of diabetic rats with ethanolic extract of pomegranate peels at a concentration of 75 and 150 mg / kg of body weight led to a significant decrease in the concentrations of glucose, TC, TG, LDL-C and VLDL-C, as well as AST, ALT, and MDA enzymes, compared with the infected and untreated control group, a significant increase in body weight, insulin and HDL-C concentrations, for all treatments, compared with the affected control group.

Background Mercury is a toxic metal causing various adverse neurological, developmental, and reproductive disorders. Mercury exposure occurs through contaminated water and food. Ginseng (herbal medicine) can improve male fertility by acting directly on the pituitary gland and central nervous system. Aim of the work The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of Ginseng on mercury chloride-induced testicular toxicity in adult albino rats. Materials and methods Thirty-two adult male albino rats were divided randomly into four groups of eight rats each: group I (the Control group): the animals in this group received 1.5 ml of distilled water; group II (the Ginseng group): the animals in this group received 100 mg/kg body weight of Ginseng; group III (the Mercury Chloride group): the animals in this group received mercury chloride at a dose of 2.0 mg/kg/day. Group IV (the Ginseng and Mercury Chloride group): the animals in this group received both Ginseng and mercury chloride at the same dose and route of administration as the previous group. The testes were removed and fixed. Paraffin sections were prepared and stained with H&E and Masson’s trichrome, and immunohistochemical staining was performed for proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Morphometric study was conducted and results were statistically analyzed. Results The study showed significant increase in body weight in group II and decrease in body weight in groups III and IV compared with the Control group. The gonadal index of group III showed significant decrease compared with both the Control group and group II. H&E sections of group III showed loosely packed vacuolated seminiferous tubules. Some germ cells showed a hyperchromatic nucleus, whereas others showed chromatolysis. Absence of mature sperms was noticed. Some tubules showed massive loss of germ cells. In the treated group (group IV) germ cells regained more or less a normal appearance. Conclusion Ginseng can ameliorate the toxic changes of mercury chloride on the rat testis.

Vascular risk factors are associated with a higher incidence of dementia. In fact, diabetes mellitus is considered a main risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and both diseases are characterized by vascular dysfunction. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, the effects of high-sucrose-induced type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the aorta of wild type (WT) and triple-transgenic AD (3xTg-AD) mice were investigated. 3xTg-AD mice showed a significant decrease in body weight and an increase in postprandial glycemia, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and vascular nitrotyrosine, superoxide anion (O2•-), receptor for the advanced glycation end products (RAGE) protein, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels when compared to WT mice. High-sucrose intake caused a significant increase in body weight, postprandial glycemia, HbA1c, triglycerides, plasma vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), and vascular nitrotyrosine, O2•-, RAGE, and MCP-1 levels in both WT and 3xTg-AD mice when compared to the respective control group. Also, a significant decrease in nitric oxide-dependent vasorelaxation was observed in 3xTg-AD and sucrose-treated WT mice. In conclusion, AD and T2D promote similar vascular dysfunction of the aorta, this effect being associated with elevated oxidative and nitrosative stress and inflammation. Also, AD-associated vascular alterations are potentiated by T2D. These findings support the idea that metabolic alterations predispose to the onset and progression of dementia.

The capillary leak syndrome with decreased GFR and renal water and sodium retention after recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2) administration may arise from endothelial activation via an increase in prostaglandin synthesis. This study was undertaken to better define the role of the prostaglandin system in the renal and metabolic effects of IL-2 administration in rats. The chronic administration of IL-2 (100,000 U/kg, thrice daily, ip) resulted in a significant increase in body weight, a decrease in GFR and in the urinary excretion of sodium and potassium, and an increase in the urinary excretion of thromboxane (TXB2). After combined IL-2 and low-dose indomethacin (1.7 mg/kg per day po), a significant decrease in body weight with normalization of GFR, of the urinary excretion of Na, and of urinary TXB2 was noted in animals receiving combined therapy as compared with those receiving IL-2 alone. In contrast, high-dose indomethacin administration (33.3 mg/kg po for the last 3 days of the study) was associated with a further decrease in GFR, enhancement of the sodium and potassium retention, and suppression of prostaglandin E2 excretion. The administration of the thromboxane receptor antagonist SQ 29548 in IL-2-treated rats led to a reversal of the fall in GFR induced by the lymphokine without significant changes in urinary sodium excretion. These results support the hypothesis that thromboxane is an important mediator of the renal and systemic effects of IL-2. These effects are reversed at least partly by low-dose indomethacin, which selectively suppresses thromboxane A2 (TXA2) synthesis, or by TXA2 receptor antagonism.