To characterize the kidney in a high-fat-induced obesity model, we examined the renal structure of adult SpragueDawley rats fed a control diet or a high-fat diet for 3 months. Ten adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a diet consisting highly of fat (30%) for a period of 3 months. Ten control rats were maintained with standard rat chow. All animals were weighed every 10 days for 3 months. At the end of the experiment, the naso-anal length of the anaesthetized rats was measured to calculate body mass index, and subsequently whole kidneys of intracardially formalin-perfused animals were removed. Quantitative features of the kidney were analysed with the Cavalieri and physical dissector methods applied to serial paraffin sections. Kidney samples were also examined histologically. The body mass indices of the control and treatment groups were 4.528 ± 0.242 and 5.876 ± 0.318 kg m -2 , respectively. The difference between the body mass indices of the two groups was statistically significant ( P < 0.01, Mann-Whitney U -test), suggesting that the animals fed with a high-fat diet may be overweight. Stereological examination of the kidneys revealed differences in kidney weight, total kidney volume, volume of cortex, medulla, glomeruli, proximal and distal tubules, and numerical density of glomeruli and glomerular height in the treatment group compared with the control group. Light microscopic investigation showed a dilatation in blood vessels and Bowman's space, mononuclear cell infiltration, degeneration in nephrons, including glomerulosclerosis and tubular defects, and an increase in the connective tissue in the kidneys in the treatment group. We concluded that a fatty diet is responsible for the rats' obesity and may lead to renal deformities as a result of histopathological changes such as dilatation, tubular defects, inflammation and connective tissue enlargement of the kidney.
SummarySepsis is a systemic inflammatory response to infection and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Sildenafil (SLD) is a selective and potent inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase PDE5. We aimed to investigate the protective effects of sildenafil on caecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis in rats. Four groups of rats were used, each composed of 10 rats: (i) 10 mg/kg SLD-treated CLP group; (ii) 20 mg/kg SLD-treated CLP group; (iii) CLP group; and (iv) sham-operated control group. A CLP polymicrobial sepsis model was applied to the rats. All groups were killed 16 h later, and lung, kidney and blood samples were analysed histopathologically and biochemically. Sildenafil increased glutathione (GSH) and decreased the activation of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and of lipid peroxidase (LPO) and levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the septic rats. We observed a significant decrease in LPO and MPO and a decrease in SOD activity in the sildenafil-treated CLP rats compared with the sham group. In addition, 20 mg/kg sildenafil treatment in the sham-operated rats improved the biochemical status of lungs and kidneys. Histopathological analysis revealed significant differences in inflammation scores between the sepsis group and the other groups, except the CLP + sildenafil 10 mg/kg group. The CLP + sildenafil 20 mg/kg group had the lowest inflammation score. Sildenafil treatment decreased the serum tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-a level when compared to the CLP group. Our results indicate that sildenafil is a highly protective agent in preventing lung and kidney damage caused by CLPinduced sepsis via maintenance of the oxidant-anti-oxidant status and decrease in the level of TNF-a.
One of the common lethal complications of septic shock, a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with severe trauma and so on, is acute lung injury. alpha-Lipoic acid (ALA), with antioxidant properties, is a popular agent. Thus, we investigated the potential protective effects of ALA (200 mg/kg) on sepsis-induced acute lung injury. Rats were exposed to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) to induce sepsis. Rat groups were designed as (a) sham operated, (b) sham operated + ALA treated, (c) CLP applied, (d) CLP + ALA treated. Sixteen hours after CLP induction, serum samples and lung tissues were obtained for biochemical and histopathological examination. alpha-Lipoic acid decreased the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-6, which increased after CLP. Increased activity of nuclear factor kappaB in septic lung tissues was decreased by ALA. alpha-Lipoic acid improved the decreased antioxidant activity and alleviated the increased oxidant activity, which occurred after CLP application. We can suggest that ALA showed beneficial effects by decreasing nuclear factor kappaB activation in lung tissues, resulting in decreased serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6, and also increasing the antioxidant capacity of the lungs.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.