Browsing by Author "Ćirović, Ana (57217293503)"

Introduction/Objective This research aims to evaluate the impact of chronic stress on behavioral effects of ketamine, which are still not sufficiently clear. Methods Wistar male rats aged five weeks were used in the experiment. The animals were divided into two equal groups: control and experimental. After being exposed to a chronic unpredictable stress paradigm for 42 days, experimental rats received a single injection of ketamine (10 mg/kg; day 45) as did the control group. The impact of ketamine was assessed using behavioral tests, spontaneous coordinate activity, and water maze tests for the evaluation of short-term memory. Results The experimental group rats showed less spontaneous motoric activity than before ketamine application. Statistical significance was shown in gaining weight after time of ketamine application in the control group, as well as in the experimental group, where they showed weight loss during stress paradigm and then increased their weight after ketamine application. There was no statistical significance in speed measurements in either group, showing no effects on short-term memory behavior. Conclusion These findings show that ketamine in a single subanesthetic dose has antidepressant and anxiolytic-like effects in male rats exposed to chronic unpredictable stress paradigm. © 2021, Serbia Medical Society. All rights reserved.

Cardiomyopathies (CMP) represent a significant health problem as they have a poor long-term prognosis and often require transplantation. Heavy metals are known to have cardiotoxic effects and some of them, such as cadmium (Cd), are found to be elevated in the urine and blood of individuals with heart diseases; nevertheless, direct measurement of metals (e.g. zinc (Zn) which is necessary for normal heart function), in the myocardium of individuals with CMP has not been performed. Here, we aimed to analyze the levels of a group of metals in the myocardium of the left ventricle in individuals with CMP. At the Institute of Pathology, we collected 52 samples of left ventricle post-mortem, out of which 19 subjects had been diagnosed with CMP (mean age: 72 y ± 10), and 33 subjects had not suffered from any heart disease (mean age: 67 y ± 15). We found out that individuals with CMP had a significantly higher concentrations of lead, nickel, manganese and copper than non-CMP subjects (p = 0.002, p < 0.001, p = 0.011, and p = 0.002). Interestingly, zinc was significantly lower in CMP subjects than in n-CMP individuals (p = 0.017). Our results indicated the involvement of an increased lead, nickel, copper and manganese heart load in individuals with CMP coupled with lower concentrations of zinc. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.) © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2023.

Cardiomyopathies (CMP) represent a significant health problem as they have a poor long-term prognosis and often require transplantation. Heavy metals are known to have cardiotoxic effects and some of them, such as cadmium (Cd), are found to be elevated in the urine and blood of individuals with heart diseases; nevertheless, direct measurement of metals (e.g. zinc (Zn) which is necessary for normal heart function), in the myocardium of individuals with CMP has not been performed. Here, we aimed to analyze the levels of a group of metals in the myocardium of the left ventricle in individuals with CMP. At the Institute of Pathology, we collected 52 samples of left ventricle post-mortem, out of which 19 subjects had been diagnosed with CMP (mean age: 72 y ± 10), and 33 subjects had not suffered from any heart disease (mean age: 67 y ± 15). We found out that individuals with CMP had a significantly higher concentrations of lead, nickel, manganese and copper than non-CMP subjects (p = 0.002, p < 0.001, p = 0.011, and p = 0.002). Interestingly, zinc was significantly lower in CMP subjects than in n-CMP individuals (p = 0.017). Our results indicated the involvement of an increased lead, nickel, copper and manganese heart load in individuals with CMP coupled with lower concentrations of zinc. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.) © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2023.