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Synergistic role of vitamin D and adipocytokines in etiology of diabetes in Kashmiri population

Objectives: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder usually characterized by hyperglycemia. Adipose tissue secretes bioactive substances known as adipocytokines including Leptin, TNF- and Adiponectin. These are regarded as a bridge connecting obesity and insulin resistance. There is a considerable epidemiological evidence to suggest a role of vitamin D deficiency in etiology of T2DM. The study was performed to evaluate and compare serum 25(OH) D and adipocytokine levels in T2DM patients and healthy controls of Kashmiri population. Methods: A total of 200 T2DM patients and normal 200 healthy controls were taken. ELISA was used to measure serum Leptin and TNF- levels. The 25(OH) D levels were measured by CMIA method. Biochemical parameters were measured by enzymatic method. Results: Our results concluded that basic metabolic parameters and adipokine levels (TNF- and Leptin) were found to be significantly higher in cases than controls (p=0.001). The serum 25(OH) D levels were found to be significantly lower among T2DM patients (p=0.001). No correlation of 25(OH) D with Leptin (r=-0.071; p=0.486) and TNF- (r=0.103; p=0.309) was found in cases and controls (r=0.023; p=0.819; r=-0.093; p=0.347). However, a positive correlation between Leptin and TNF- (r= 0.387; p=0.001) was found in T2DM subjects as well as in controls (r=0.556; p=0.001) with significance being higher in females (r=0.500; p=0.001) as compared to males (r=0.298; p=0.036) in T2DM subjects as well as in controls (r=0.659; p=0.001; r=0.621; p=001). These results concluded that lowering of 25(OH)D levels and upregulation of Leptin and TNF- altogether play an important role in the development of T2DM and from correlation analysis it could be predicted that Leptin and TNF- act in a synergistic manner towards the development of T2DM.

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Costus afer extract ameliorates paracetamol-induced tissue injury and H2O2-induced erythrocyte peroxidation

Aim/Objective: To evaluate the effect of the methanolic extract of Costus afer stem on paracetamol-induced tissue injury in rats and its ability to reduce hydrogen peroxide-induced erythrocyte damage. Methods: Twenty rats were acclimatized for two weeks and randomized into five groups. Group I were untreated controls, while each rat in groups III - V was given a single intraperitoneal-administration of paracetamol (800 mg/kg b.w.). Prior to the administration of paracetamol, rats in groups II and IV were orally given Costus afer extract at 200 mg/kg b.w while rats in group V were given 400 mg/kg b.w. extract once daily for four days. In the other experiment, hydrogen peroxide was used to induce erythrocyte damage and subsequently incubated with the extract at different concentrations. Markers for tissue and erythrocyte damage were assessed in serum, tissue homogenates and erythrocytes. Results: Paracetamol caused marked elevations (p < 0.05) in the levels of alanine aminotransaminase, aspartate aminotransaminase, alkaline phosphatas, urea, creatinine in serum. The levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) in both liver and kidney were also raised over control (p < 0.05) while the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were reduced over untreated controls (p < 0.05) Pre-treatment of rats with Costus afer extract (p.o.) caused significant reduction of the markers closer to control values (p < 0.05). Apart from TBARS and catalase in liver kidney respectively, rats pre-treated with 400 mg/kg b.w. extract showed greater alterations in the levels of the markers. The extract also reduced hydrogen peroxide-induced erythrocyte damage assessed as haemolysis and lipid peroxidation which was concentration-dependent (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This indicated that Costus afer possesses the ability to protect the various tissues against injury which is implicated in some diseases. Implications are discussed.

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UNRIPE CARICA PAPAYA AND ITS EFFECT ON SOME ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH VASCULAR DISEASE IN MODELS.

Background: Carica papaya is a member of the Caricaceae family. The ripe fruits are juicy and rich in nutrients. The unripe fruits are seldom consumed. There are several unverified claims of traditional usage of unripe Carica papaya in phytotherapy. Ripe papaya is used to improves digestive and abdominal disorders, treat dyspepsia, hyperacidity, dysentery and constipation. Extracts of unripe C. papaya contain considerable photochemical, also used to treat diuretic or mild laxative and to stimulate lactation. Information on the consumption of raw unripe papaya is observed to be scarce. Objectives: The thrust of this study was to examine the possible outcome of consuming mature and unripe Carica papaya on some antioxidant enzymes and lipid profiles in rats. To conduct this study, a 4 x 6 experiment was designed, comprising four groups of six rats per group. Control (Group A) was fed with standard feed. Group B received standard feed with unpeeled blend of Carica papaya. Group C received standard feed with peeled blend of Carica papaya, while Group D was given standard feed with boiled and unpeeled blend of Carica papaya. The feed-papaya mix ratio was 80:20 respectively in all cases. Feeding took four weeks duration, after which blood samples were harvested and processed for analysis. Methods: Nutrients composition of feed blends was done with AOAC methods. Serum Total Cholesterol, Triacylglyceride (TG) and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) were determined with standard assay kits. Serum catalase (CAT) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were assayed using standard procedures. Results: Weight gains were observed among all groups. There was significant (p

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Effect of Curcumin and Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonist on Insulin Sensitivity and on Inflammation in Induced Diabetic Rats

Objective: In this study, we aimed to discuss the effect of Curcumin and/or Irbesartan on diabetic complications in induced diabetic rats. Material and Methods: Diabetic rats induced by intraperitoneal injection of 45mg/kg dose of Streptozotocin (STZ) in adult rats. Rats were divided into six groups of ten rats on each. Serum glucose, creatinine, and urea were estimated using a colorimetric method. Serum insulin and serum and kidney homogenate interleukin 6 (IL6) were measured using ELISA technique. While paraffin embedded kidney and pancreas specimens were performed for histopathological examination. While Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)was calculated. Results: curcumin and/or irbesartan reduce the degradation of kidneys and pancreatic tissues as indicated in both histopathology and tissue IL-6. They improve the weight loss and insulin resistance. Also, they lower circulating level of IL-6, serum creatinine, and urea. Diabetic rats received the medications show significantly better insulin and glucose levels as compared to STZ group. Conclusion: Chronic administration of curcumin and/or irbesartan for diabetic rats decreased serum glucose and HOMA-IR and lowered the increased serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Using such combination could be beneficial in diabetic managements especially if diabetes accompanied with hypertension.

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Clinical Significance of Periostin in Egyptian Asthmatic Patients

Abstract: Objective: Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways appropriate to pulmonary eosinophilia, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and mucus overproduction. We now investigate the level of Periostin serum concentration in Egyptian asthmatic patients and define any correlation between periostin and Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT) Methods: 80 subjects were enrolled in the study: 20 control (11 male and 9 female), 28 atopic asthmatic patients (19 male and 9 female) and 32 non- atopic asthmatic patients (14 male and 18 female).Blood samples were obtained from the subjects for laboratory investigations which divided into two aliquots, First aliquot for whole blood used for complete blood count to determine blood eosinophil count by using Sysmex XP-300 and Second aliquot for serum used for estimation of Periostin, Transforming Growth Factor (TGF-β1) and Total Immunoglobulin (IgE) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays(ELISA).Results: Periostin concentrations were significantly higher in atopic and non- atopic groups (mean±SE; 6889±393.8 and 6212±348.8 pg/ml respectively) compared to control group (3053±446.5 pg/ml) at P < 0.05.TGF-β1 were significantly higher in atopic and non- atopic groups (mean±SE;75.83 ±1.53and 73.47±1.09 pg/ml respectively) compared to control group (51.26±2.65 pg/ml) at P < 0.05and IgE were significantly higher in atopic group (mean±SE;151.3±15.10IU /ml) compared to control group and non- atopic groups (52.47±3.045 and 48.51±1.827 IU /ml respectively) at P < 0.05.Periostin correlated negatively with PFT which Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume1(FEV1) and Forced Expiratory Volume 1% (FEV1%).Conclusions: Serum Periostin is increased in Egyptian asthmatic (atopic and non- atopic) patients compared to control and Periostin correlated negatively with pulmonary function tests in asthmatic patients. Asthma is the most significant variable relates to high Periostin serum concentration.

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Uterine Contractile Effect of Ethanol Extracts of Sida acuta Burm F. Leaves.

Abstract Background: The study evaluated the ureotonic potentials ethanol extracts leaves of Sida acuta. Methods: Preliminary phytochemical tests were carried out on the ethanol extract of Sida acuta Burm F. leaves. The presence or absence of phytochemicals such as saponnins, flavonoids, alkaloids, tanninis, terpenoids, steroids, carbohydrates, hydrogen cyanide, cardiac glycosides, phenols and reducing sugars were observed. Two pregnant Wistar albino rats were used for the study. The rats were killed by stunning and abdomens were cut open. The uterus were carefully isolated and transferred into dejalon solution which was continuosly bubbled with air and maintained at 37oC and 7.0 pH Result: Phytochemical screening revealed high content of flavonoids mg/100g (6.172 ± 0.003), phenols (4.643 ± 0.006), alkaloids (4.643 ± 0.006), cardiac glycosides mg/100g (3.813 ± 0.003), and moderate contents of hydrogen cyanide (2.695 ± 0.003) while low concentrations were observed in steroids (0.512 ± 0.005), saponins (0.246 ± 0.003) and terpenoids (0.813 ± 0.003). Resins, carbohydrates, reducing sugars, tannins, proteins, fats and oil were not detected. The results of the uterine contractility test showed effects compared with the normal rhythm of the uterus. Atropine did not block the extract-induced contraction. Ergomentrine in doses that blocked adrenaline induced-contraction reduced the extract-induced contraction by half. Indomethacin blocked oxytocin-induced contraction and reduced the extract-induced contraction slightly. Conclusions: These results suggest that ethanol extract of Sida acuta leaves possesses oxytocic effects and this portends danger among pregnant women who might take the leaf infusion. The investigation substantiates its use in hastening of labour.

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