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Obese, female Spraque-Dawley rats were assigned, on a weight basis, to one of three dietary treatments: ad lib, 15% caloric restriction, and 30% caloric restriction. All other nutrients were fed at levels to meet dietary requirements. Each treatment groups was further sub-divided into pregnant and non-pregnant animals. Rats were sacrificed on Day 20 of gestation and fetuses were taken by Caesearean section. Maternal and fetal body composition, maternal serum protein concentrations were examined. Weight change for pregnant rats was +85 gms in the ad lib-fed group, +82 gms in the 15% calorie restricted group, and +56 gms in the 30% calorie restricted group. Weight changes for the non-pregnant rats for 20 days of dietary treatment were +53 gms, +18 gms, and -7 gms respectively. Fetal body nitrogen and average pup weight did not differ between treatment groups. Total maternal body nitrogen was not decreased during pregnancy in ad lib-fed and 15% calorically restricted animals. It did decrease in 30% calorically restricted animals. Ad lib-fed animals showed no changes in total body fat. Animals on the 15% calorie restriction diet showed no change in total body fat percentages. Animals on the 30% calorie restriction showed a 10% decrease in total body fat content as compared to the ad lib and 15% restricted pregnant group. Serum protein levels decreased in pregnant animals as caloric restriction increased. Serum protein levels in nonpregnant animals increased as dietary restriction increased. The fetal compartment was not affected by maternal caloric restriction up to 30% provided that all other nutrients were adequate. Maternal stores were affected at a level of 30% caloric restriction. / Master of Science

Carcass composition of male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 11 and 18 months, in response to varying levels of dietary protein was determined. Groups varying of ten rats of each age were fed diets containing from 1.53 to 8.05 percent protein as casein supplemented with d-1-methionine for five weeks. The 8.05% protein groups were used as controls. Carcasses were analyzed for total nitrogen and percent protein, fat, and water. Liver composition and total serum protein values were also determined. Two-way analysis of variance and Student's t-tests were used to determine significant age and diet effects. Differences in the response of the two age groups of rats were evident. Eighteen-month-old rats required more protein than the younger animals for the maintenance of body weight. When compared to control values, older rats also needed a higher level of dietary protein to maintain normal total carcass nitrogen. Fatty livers in older rats persisted at higher dietary protein levels than fatty livers in 11-month-old rats, indicating that 18-month-old rats required more protein to support adequate liver lipoprotein synthesis. These findings suggest that 18-month-old rats have a higher dietary protein requirement than 11-month-old rats. High serum protein values for older rats at lower protein levels, however, do not support this conclusion. The increased body weight and proportionally greater fat mass of older animals was a complicating factor in this study. Further research is needed to more clearly define changes in protein requirements during aging. For future studies, using rats of a more advanced age and three, rather than two, different age groups is recommended. / Master of Science

The effects of exercise training and iron intake on iron metabolism in adult female rats were investigated. Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to either an exercise (E) or sedentary (S) group and fed either a diet containing 9 ppm (9) of dietary iron (low iron level), or 40 ppm (40) of iron (a level slightly above the National Research Council recommendations). The exercise animals were subjected to a program of swimming, 5 days/week, over a 6- week period. Total food intake and final body weight were similar between the E and S groups. In both 40-E and 9-E animals, concentration of serum iron was significantly (P<0.05) lower while total iron binding capacity was significantly elevated, when compared to sedentary counterparts. Saturation of transferrin was significantly reduced in the 9-E group. Liver and spleen weights did not differ but significant increases in cardiac weights were noted in both E groups. Gastrocnemius muscle weights were similar in both E groups and 9-S, but significantly lower in the 40-S group. In organ tissues, liver iron concentration was significantly reduced in the 9-E animals, while spleen iron level was highest in the 40-E group. Cardiac iron concentration was significantly reduced in both E and low iron diet groups while levels of iron in gastrocnemius muscle did not differ among experimental groups. In both groups of exercised rats, bone marrow iron was significantly lower when compared to sedentary animals. In response to exercise training, an increase in skeletal muscle citrate synthase activity was observed in both E groups. This study suggests that exercise affects various parameters of iron metabolism. Regardless of iron intake, physical training appeared to alter distribution of iron stores, that may be associated with alterations of hematological iron transport and iron-containing proteins. The Combination of a low iron intake and intense exercise training appeared to enhance early characteristics of a latent iron deficiency. / Ph. D.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the role of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) in the ontogeny of amphetamine-induced behavioral sensitization. Eleven-day-old rat pups were given five daily bilateral infusions of the mGluR antagonist, (RS)-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (MCPG) followed by a systemic injection of amphetamine and locomotor activity was measured. It was hypothesized that rats receving amphetamine pretreatment and an amphetamine challenge would exhibit a significant increase in activity, indicating short-term behavioral sensitization. As predicted, repeated amphetamine administration during the pretreatment phase produced progressively enhanced locomotor activity, indicating the development of behavioral sensitization. The effect of MCPG on locomotor activity appears to be independent from the effects of amphetamine-induced locomotor activity and MCPG pretreatment failed to consistently block the expression of behavioral sensitization in rats pretreated with amphetamine and challenged with amphetamine. This study demonstrated that contrary to previous studies on adult rats, the mGluR system does not appear to consistently mediate the development of amphetamine-induced sensitization in neonatal rats.

This study examined the effects of low to moderate doses of manganese (0, 250, or 750 _g per day from PD 1-21) on a comprehensive battery of behaviors in rats during the neonatal period, preweanling period, and in adulthood.

This study examined the effect of preweanling methyphenidate exposure on later drug reward. We examined the induction, extinction, and reinstatement of morphine induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in rats that received methylphenidate pretreatment during the preweanling period.

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Formation of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) is associated with several pathological conditions, and contributes to ischaemia/reperfusion injury. Antioxidants can be added to the diet in an attempt to decrease the prevalence of cardiovascular disease by decreasing the harmful effects of ischaemia/reperfusion injury. Red Palm Oil (RPO) consists of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids and is rich in antioxidants such as -carotene, tocopherols and tocotrienols. It has previously been shown that RPO-supplementation improved reperfusion mechanical function. In these studies it was found that RPO might exert its beneficial effects during reperfusion through increased PKB/Akt pathway activity, which may lead to inhibition of apoptosis and improved mechanical function. Aims The aims of this study were: 1) to determine whether RPO-supplementation protected against ischaemia/reperfusion injury in the isolated perfused rat heart, 2) to confirm RPO-supplementation’s effect on the PKB/Akt pathway activity and, 3) to elucidate the regulators in the PKB/Akt pathway that RPOsupplementation influenced. Methods Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups, 2 control groups and 2 experimental groups. The 2 control groups were fed a standard rat chow (SRC) for 4 weeks. The two experimental groups received SRC and RPOsupplementation for 4 weeks. Hearts were excised and transferred to a Langendorff perfusion apparatus and perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer. Mechanical functional recovery was measured after 25 min of total global noflow ischaemia. The following parameters were also measured during various time points in the protocol: left ventricular develop pressure, heart rate, coronary flow, rate pressure product. Hearts were also freeze-clamped for biochemical analysis at 10 min during reperfusion. The biochemical analysis was aimed at determining PKB/Akt involvement. In a second protocol, hearts were subjected to the same perfusion protocol, but wortmannin was also added to the perfusion fluid, in order to inhibit PI3- kinase. Results Hearts from the RPO-supplemented rats showed an improved RPP recovery (92.26 ± 5.89 % vs 63.86 ± 7.74 %) after 10 min of reperfusion. This finding corroborated the findings of previous studies. Hearts of the RPOsupplemented rats perfused with wortmannin, showed increased RPP recoveries at several time points. Biochemical results showed that wortmannin did indeed inhibit PI3-K phosphorylation in the RPO-supplemented group, as was expected. The RPO-supplemented group that was perfused with wortmannin had an increased PKB/Akt (Ser473) phosphoyrylation, when compared to the wortmannin control group. It was also found that the combination of RPO and wortmannin had prosurvival effects. Discussion This study showed that RPO-supplementation offered protection against ischaemia/reperfusion injury in the Langendorff-perfusion apparatus at 10 min into reperfusion. Thereafter the significance of the protection was lost. This protection has been confirmed in several previous studies and several mechanisms have been proposed for this protection. Since no conclusive evidence exists on the precise mechanism of protection, our investigation focused on the regulators of the pro-survival PKB/Akt pathway. An improved functional recovery was also seen in the RPO-supplemented group that was perfused with wortmannin. This was an unexpected finding, because Wortmannin is a known PI3-kinase inhibitor (as was confirmed by our biochemical data). PI3-kinase phosphorylation leads to PKB/Akt phosphorylation and therefore, activation of a pro-survival pathway. It would be expected that wortmannin would inhibit PKB/Akt and thus decrease the survival of the cells. The RPO-supplementation thus reversed wortmannin’s detrimental effect to such an extent that the functional recovery was far better than RPO-supplementation alone. In the RPO + wortmannin group, PKB/Akt (Ser473) phosphorylation was increased, contrary to previous findings. This is an indication that RPO may have the ability to override wortmannin’s inhibitory effect on PI3-kinase, or that PKB/Akt (Ser473) may be phosphorylated independently of PI3-kinase. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Inleiding Kardiovaskulêre siektes is een van die hoof oorsake van sterftes in die wêreld. Die vorming van skadelike reaktiewe suurstof spesies word geassosieer met verskeie patologiese kondisies en dra ook by tot isgemie/reperfusie skade. ‘n Moontlike manier om die voorkoms van isgemie/herperfusie skade asook kardiovaskulêre siektes te voorkom, is om antioksidante by die dieet te voeg. Rooi Palm Olie (RPO) bevat versadigde, mono-onversadigde en polionversadigde vetsure. RPO bevat ook ‘n oorvloed van antioksidante soos β- karoteen en tokoferole en tokotriënole. Dit is bewys in vorige studies dat RPO-aanvulling verbeter funksionele herstel. Hierdie voordelige effekte mag dalk wees agv verhoogde PKB/Akt pad aktiwiteit. Die PKB/Akt pad word geassosieer met die inhibisie van apoptose en verhoogde meganiese funksie. Doelwitte Die doelwitte van hierdie studie was om te bepaal of 1) RPO-aanvulling beskermende effekte teen isgemie/herperfusie skade in die geisoleerde rotharte het, 2) Bevestig of RPO-aanvulling wel die PKB/Akt pad beïnvloed 3). om die effekte wat RPO-aanvulling het op die reguleerders van die PKB/Akt pad te onthul. Metodes Manlike Wistar rotte is in 4 groepe verdeel. 2 Groepe kontrole rotte is ‘n standaard rotkosmengsel gevoer vir 4 weke. Die 2 eksperimentele groepe het ook ‘n standaard rotkosmengsel gekry plus ‘n RPO-aanvulling vir 4 weke. Harte is uitgesny en op ‘n Langendorff perfusie sisteem gemonteer en met Krebs-Henseleit buffer geperfuseer. Meganiese funksie herstel is gemeet na 25 min totale globale geen-vloei isgemie. Linker ventrikulêre ontwikkelde druk, harttempo, koronêre vloei en tempo druk produk is gemeet by verskillende tydpunte. Sommige harte is na 10 min herperfusie vir biochemiese analiese gevriesklamp. Die biochemiese analisiese was beoog om die PKB/Akt pad betrokkenheid te bepaal. ‘n Tweede stel harte is aan dieselfde perfusie protokol blootgestel, maar wortmannin (PI3-kinase inhibitor) is ook bygevoeg by die perfusie vloeistof. Resultate Die groep wat met RPO aangevul is, het na 10 min herperfusie, ‘n verbeterde tempo druk produk herstel getoon (92.26 ± 5.89 % vs 63.86 ± 7.74. Hierdie bevinding is ook met ander studies bevestig. ‘n Interessante bevinding was dat die groep wat met RPO aangevul is en met wortmannin geperfuseer is, ‘n verbeterde meganiese funksionele herstel getoon het. Biochemiese resultate het getoon dat wortmannin wel PI3-K fosforilering geinhibeer het. Die harte van die rotte in die groep wat aangevul is met RPO en daarna met wortmannin geperfuseer is, het ‘n toename in PKB/Akt (Ser473) fosforilering getoon, relatief tot die wortmannin geperfuseerde harte van die rotte in die kontrole groep. Hierdie groep (RPO-aanvulling en wortmannin perfusie) het beskermende effekte getoon. Bespreking Hierdie studie het getoon dat RPO-aanvulling beskerming gebied het teen isgemie/herperfusie skade in die Langendorff geperfuseerde rothart na 10 min herperfusie. Daarna is die beduidenheid van die beskerming verloor. Hierdie bevindings ondersteun die resultate van vorige studies. Verskeie moontlike meganismes is voorgestel vir die beskerming, maar die presiese meganisme is nog nie duidelik nie. In hierdie studie is daar gekyk na die reguleerders van die PKB/Akt pad. Geen vorige studies het al gefokus op RPO-aanvulling en sy effek op die reguleerders van die PKB/Akt pad nie. ‘n Onverwagte bevinding is dat harte van die rotte in die RPO + wortmannin groep ‘n verbeterde funksionele herstel getoon het. Wortmannin is ‘n PI3- kinase inhibitor. PI3-K fosforilering lei tot PKB/Akt fosforilering, wat tot sel beskerming lei. Dus, aangesien wortmannin PI3-K inhibeer, sou dit verwag word dat wortmannin sel beskerming sal verminder. Die RPO het egter die wortmannin se nadelige effekte tot so ‘n mate oorskrei dat die funksionele herstel baie beter was as die RPO-aanvulling alleen. Die verhoogde PKB/Akt (Ser473) fosforilering, wat gesien is in die RPO + wortmannin groep kan toegeskryf word aan RPO se vermoë om wortmannin se nadelige effekte te oorskrei. ‘n Moontlike verduideliking vir hierdie bevinding mag wees dat rooi palm olie PKB/Akt (Ser473) op ‘n PI3-K onafhanklike manier fosforileer.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 159-213) Shows that IGF-I peptides are effective in diminishing post-surgical catabolism and enhancing adaptive gut hyperplasia in rats recovering from massive small bowel resection.