The number of obese older adults is on the rise, but data about proper treatment of obesity in the elderly is controversial. The present study was designed to investigate the effectiveness and consequences of partial subcutaneous lipectomy, as a rapid medical intervention against increased accumulation of body fat, in adult obese rats. The study was conducted on adult (9-12 months) female rats, in which obesity was induced by bilateral surgical ovariectomy. They were randomized into two main groups: short term (5 weeks) and long term (10 weeks). Both groups were subdivided into control, ovariectomized (OVX) and ovariectomized lipectomized groups. Body weight (BW) was measured and body mass index (BMI) calculated. Fasting blood glucose, lipid profile and plasma levels of total proteins, albumin, liver enzymes, malondialdehyde (MDA), leptin and adiponectin were determined. The content of both blood and hepatic tissue of reduced glutathione was estimated. In addition, histological study of the liver, aorta and perirenal fat was performed. Compared to controls, OVX rats showed significant increase in BW, BMI and plasma levels of liver enzymes, MDA and leptin. Histological study revealed vacuolated ballooned hepatocytes and enlarged irregular visceral adipocytes with atherosclerotic changes in the wall of aorta. Following subcutaneous lipectomy, rats exhibited significant fasting hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia, lowered plasma albumin and disturbed redox state with aggravation of the histological changes. The findings indicate that although subcutaneous lipectomy appears to be effective in combating obesity in older females, it has unfavourable effects on both metabolic and hepatic functions.

Despite the significant advances in management of coronary heart diseases, myocardial infarction (MI) is still associated with a high mortality rate. The present study was planned to investigate the possible protective effects of the anti-oxidants lipoic acid and zinc sulfate as well as the anti-platelet clopidogrel on cardiac dysfunction in experimental isoproterenol (ISO)-induced MI, aiming at achieving useful means for protection and therapy against MI. Wistar rats of both sexes were allocated into five groups: control, untreated MI and MI pre-treated with lipoic acid, zinc, or clopidogrel. All rats were subjected to ECG recording and measurement of plasma levels of troponin I, creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) unit, triglycerides and total cholesterol. The hearts were isolated and studied on Langendorff preparation for assessment of intrinsic cardiac activities. The results revealed that the percent mortality was markedly reduced upon pre-treatment and the total arrhythmia was also decreased except for the zinc pre-treated rats. The ST-segment elevation was significantly reduced and the plasma levels of CK-MB were only decreased in lipoic acid and clopidogrel pre-treated rats with variable hypolipidemic effect. Hearts of clopidogrel pre-treated rats showed augmented inotropic activity both basal and in response to β-adrenergic stimulation. While zinc pre-treated hearts revealed improved rate of contraction and increased myocardial flow rate. Overall, these results indicate that lipoic acid, zinc and clopidogrel were variably effective in modifying the ISO-induced MI insults and offered partial protection against experimental myocardial damage.

Background:The possibility of exposure to a considerable amount of electromagnetic waves exists all around us. The hippocampus is involved in spatial memory and learning processes which could be compromised by exposure to cell phone emitted radiofrequency (RF)-electromagnetic field (EMF .( Objective: To explore the effect of exposure to EMF on hippocampal function and to throw more attention on the mechanisms of interaction in the form of hippocampal acetylcholine (ACh), glutamate, malondialdehyde (MDA) and hippocampal cellular responses mediated by autophagy (Atg7 gene expression) and mitochondrial repair mechanism (SIRT1( Subjects and Methods: This study was performed on 39 young apparently healthy male Wistar albino rats, initially weighing 70-90 grams. They were randomly divided into three equal groups: control group (group I), cell phone-EMF exposed group (group II), which was exposed to cell phone, 2 hours/day, 6 days/week for 12 weeks, and alpha lipoic acid-treated cell phone-exposed group (group III) which was exposed to EMF as group 2 and received i.p injection of alpha lipoic acid in a dose of 50 mg/kg for the last 3 weeks of cell phone exposure. Twelve weeks later, all rats were subjected to cognitive function test for learning and spatial memory using Morris water maze. Body weight changes and liver function tests (ALT and AST) were evaluated, then hippocampal levels of glutamate, ACh, MDA, gene expression of Atg7 and SIRT1 were measured.Results: Compared to the control rats, cell phone exposure in group II did not alter the cognitive function test and the hippocampal glutamate level, but it caused significant rise in hippocampal MDA and acetylcholine levels, though there was a higher non-significant increased expression of SIRT1 and Atg7. Lipoic acid treatment concomitant with EMF exposure induced increase in the time spent in target quadrant with shortened time to reach the platform on fifth day of training compared to the controls. Also, lipoic acidtreated cell phone exposed rats exhibited significantly enhanced hippocampal glutamate level accompanied by significantly reduced hippocampal MDA and acetylcholine levels compared to control rats and preserved higher but non-significant levels of SIRT1 and Atg7 expression. Conclusion:Increased hippocampal ACh and expression of SIRT1 and Atg7 could be the early protective response against the higher MDA with exposure, thereby preventing the negative impact of EMF exposure on learning and spatial memory. Lipoic acid treatment improved cognition by increasing glutamate necessary for long term potentiation and decreasing hippocampal MDA.

As expected, amikacin given once every 24 h to septic neonates of ≥ 36 weeks of gestation achieved higher peak levels and lower trough concentrations than the twice daily regimen. Treatment with once daily regimen did not lead to more nephrotoxicity than with a twice-daily regimen, and showed comparable efficacy.

Purpose The deleterious effect of visceral adipose tissue accumulation is well known. However, the recent trend in liposuction is mal-directed toward easily accessible subcutaneous fat for the purpose of body shaping. The aim of the present study is to probe the metabolic effects of subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue lipectomy in ovariectomized obese rats as well as the role of adipokines in these changes. Methods The study was conducted on young female rats randomized into two main groups according to the duration of the experiment, namely, 5-week and 10-week. Both groups were subdivided as follows: sham-operated, ovariectomized, and ovariectomized lipectomized rat groups. The rats underwent measurement of body weight (BW) and determination of body mass index (BMI). Fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, liver function, plasma malondialdehyde, leptin, and adiponectin were estimated, and the content of both blood and hepatic tissue of reduced glutathione was assessed. In addition, histological study of the liver, aorta, and perirenal fat of all rat groups was performed. Results Ovariectomy-induced obesity is marked by a significant increase in BW and BMI. Following subcutaneous lipectomy, the rats exhibited significant weight gain accompanied by fasting hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, deterioration of synthetic function of the liver, and disturbed oxidant/antioxidant status. Histological examination revealed fatty infiltration of aortic and hepatic tissues. Conclusion Despite the immediate positive effect of subcutaneous lipectomy for weight loss and/or body shaping, multiple delayed hazards follow the procedure, which should be carefully considered.