Daily Feeding of Fructooligosaccharide or Glucomannan Delays Onset of Senescence in SAMP8 Mice

We hypothesized that daily intake of nondigestible saccharides delays senescence onset through the improvement of intestinal microflora. Here, we raised senescence accelerated mice prone 8 (SAMP8) on the AIN93 diet (CONT), with sucrose being substituted for 5% of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) or 5% of glucomannan (GM), 15 mice per group. Ten SAMR1 were raised as reference of normal aging with control diet. Grading of senescence was conducted using the method developed by Hosokawa, and body weight, dietary intake, and drinking water intake were measured on alternate days. Following 38 weeks of these diets we evaluated learning and memory abilities using a passive avoidance apparatus and investigated effects on the intestinal microflora, measured oxidative stress markers, and inflammatory cytokines. Continuous intake of FOS and GM significantly enhanced learning and memory ability and decelerated senescence development when compared with the CONT group.Bifidobacteriumlevels were significantly increased in FOS and GM-fed mice. Urinary 8OHdG, 15-isoprostane, serum TNF-α, and IL-6 were also lower in FOS-fed mice, while IL-10 in FOS and GM groups was higher than in CONT group. These findings suggest that daily intake of nondigestible saccharides delays the onset of senescence via improvement of intestinal microflora.

Evaluation of anxiolytic effect of elaeocarpus ganitrus in mice

Background: Antianxiety drugs are prescribed frequently and associated with several limitations factors that led to interest in the alternative remedies. Herbal drugs are used in developing and developed countries but there is lack of scientific evidence. Ayurvedic physician were used Elaeocarpus ganitrus for the treatment of mental calmness.Objectives: Evaluate the anxiolytic effect of Elaeocarpus ganitrus in mice.Methods: The experimental study was conducted with the extract of Elaeocarpus ganitrus in comparison with Diazepam 1mg/kg in 60 mice using open field test and passive avoidance apparatus in six experimental groups. The data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney test and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: There was a significant increase in number of square crossed, time spent in central square and rearing behavior of animal. There was also decreased significantly time prolongation in Step down latency and increase of attempts in step down errors as well as time spent in the shock zone. Conclusion: Elaeocarpus ganitrus showed anxiolytic effect but there is need to find out safety, efficacy and the exact mechanism of action of this herbal remedies.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hren.v10i2.6575 Health Renaissance 2012; Vol 10 (No.2); 108-112

Retention of Massed vs Distributed Response-Prevention Treatments in Rats and a Revised Training Procedure

Two experiments were conducted to estimate the retention of response-prevention effects using massed vs distributed treatments in a model of animal avoidance-learning. In Exp. I, 120 rats were trained to avoid shock in a one-way platform avoidance apparatus. Groups received response-prevention treatment or nontreatment in a 36-min. massed session or in several sessions distributed over a four-day period. In Exp. II, 160 rats were given two trials of escape training in a one-way shuttle box. Groups received response-prevention treatment or nontreatment in a 24-min. session of massed or distributed treatments delivered in one day. Subjects in both studies were tested using a passive-avoidance paradigm immediately following treatment, 24 hours later, and 30 days later. Analysis showed that response-prevention treatments were effective in reducing avoidance behavior and there were no significant differences in retention of avoidance associated with massed vs distributed response-prevention treatments. Implications for animals and humans are discussed, and researchers are encouraged to change from a criterion training procedure to an escape procedure since the latter is a closer analogue to the human condition.

Description of Spontaneous Behavior of Individual Rats Undergoing Avoidance-Response-Prevention (Flooding)

Three rats were systematically observed in an avoidance apparatus prior to avoidance acquisition, during response prevention (flooding) following acquisition, and again following extinction. The apparatus was a modified, automated ledge box (“Baum box”) which yields one-way active avoidance. Up to seven different spontaneous behaviors were recorded. Observations were related to various analyses of the effects of response prevention, stressing the importance of observing the spontaneous behavior of subjects at all times. The data of individual rats varied greatly, suggesting that means previously reported for a group of rats might be misleading.

An Automated One-Way Avoidance Apparatus

An easily constructed, automated avoidance appararus permitted both one-way and shuttle-avoidance learning. A comparison between one-way and shuttle avoidance indicated that the former was more rapidly acquired.

Rapid Extinction of an Avoidance Response following a Period of Response Prevention in the Avoidance Apparatus

Thirty-three rats were trained to avoid shock in a novel avoidance apparatus that required S to climb or jump onto a ledge in order to avoid. When Ss had achieved a learning criterion, they were assigned to one of three groups, each of which received a different experimental treatment prior to extinction training. Group I, the normal-control group, received no interruption between acquisition and extinction. Group II, the time-control group, spent a 5-min. interval on the safety ledge between the last acquisition trial and the first extinction trial. Group III, the experimental response-prevention group, spent a 5-min. interval on the grid floor of the apparatus between acquisition and extinction. For Group III Ss, the ledge was removed from the apparatus to prevent the occurrence of avoidance responses during the response-prevention interval. The results showed that Group III (response-prevention) Ss extinguished significantly sooner, confirming previous findings.