Amino acids tyrosine (Tyr) and tryptophan (Trp) play a significant role in the regulation of energy metabolism, locomotor activity, and eating behavior. We studied the possibility of modulating these processes in obesity by increasing the pool of Tyr and Trp in the experimental diet. As a model of obesity, we used Wistar rats fed a diet with an excess specific energy value (HFCD) for 64 days. Trp led to a normalization of the rats’ body weight almost to the control level, but increased anxiety-like behavior and decreased long-term memory. The consumption of amino acids resulted in increased grip strength and impairment of short-term memory. The locomotor activity of animals decreased with age as a result of Tyr consumption, while Trp, on the contrary, prevented this. The Tyr supplementation led to the normalization of triglycerides and LDL. In the spleen cell lysates, amino acids suppressed the production of proinflammatory cytokines. The liver tissue morphology showed that the consumption of Tyr noticeably weakened the signs of fatty degeneration. The addition of Trp, on the contrary, led to an unfavorable effect, consisting of the appearance of a high number of large rounded fatty vacuoles. The data obtained indicate a more pronounced anti-inflammatory effect of Tyr as compared to Trp.

Carbon nanomaterials (CNMs), such as single-walled (SWCNTs) carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and fullerene derivatives, are considered promising agents for the delivery of pharmacological drugs to target organs, including antitumor chemotherapy and theranostics. However, the question arises about CNMs’ possible effects on the general toxic and immunotoxic effects of cytostatic preparations when they are administered mutually. This work aimed to study the combined effects of cyclophosphamide (CP) intoxication and oral CNM administration in male Wistar rats. In two experiments lasting 16 and 35 days, MWCNTs, SWCNTs, or polyhydroxylated fullerenol (PHF60) were administered to control or treat CP rats, at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg of body weight daily prepared as dispersions in drinking water. The lethality and integral parameters of the rats were assessed; the content of erythrocytes and leukocytes, biochemical indicators, levels of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors was measured. In the first experiment lasting 16 days, the consumption of both MWCNTs and SWCNTs led to an almost two-fold decrease in mortality caused by the administration of CP. In the second experiment lasting 35 days, a similar decrease in mortality was noted for SWCNTs; the capability of MWCNTs and PHF60 to increase the survival of animals was also pronounced. The administration of MWCNTs, SWCNTs, and PHF60 to the animals reduced the immunotoxic effects of CP, resulting in increased lymphocyte counts and a correction of the imbalance between cytokines and chemokines/growth factors, including IL-4, IL-13, IL-17A, IFN-g, IL-18, GM -CSF, GRO-KC, IL-12p70, IL-1b, IL-7, TNF-a, and VEGF. Thus, various CNMs, when administered together with CP, caused a partial abolition of their general toxic and immunotoxic action, which can be explained by the available literature data on the ability of CNMs to enhance the mobilization, migration, and adhesion of blood cells and trigger immune responses.

The toxic effects of nickel nanoparticles (NiNPs) in their 92-day oral administration to male Wistar rats at doses of 0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg body weight were evaluated. An increase in glycemia, triglyceride, LDL, total protein, and its globulin fraction levels were noticed in NiNPs exposed rats. NiNPs caused a decrease in reserves of liver glutathione and excretion of selenium in the urine, and an increase in serum levels of cytokines IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12p70, TNF-α, and INF-γ, with a simultaneous decrease in IL-17A as well as increased fibrosis-marking gene and Tp53 expression.