High-fat Diet-fed Streptozotocin Research Articles

Imperatorin ameliorates kidney injury in diabetic mice by regulating the TGF-β/Smad2/3 signaling axis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and renal inflammation

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a serious concern in patients with diabetes mellitus. Prolonged hyperglycemia induces oxidative damage, chronic inflammation, and build-up of extracellular matrix (ECM) components in the renal cells, leading to kidney structural and functional changes. Imperatorin (IMP) is a naturally occurring furanocoumarin derivative with proven antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. We investigated whether IMP could improve DN and employed high glucose (HG)-induced HK-2 cells and high-fat diet-fed streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)-generated DN experimental model in C57BL/6 J mice. In vitro, IMP effectively reduced the HG-activated reactive oxygen species generation, disturbance in the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers, and the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and collagen 1 expression in HK-2 cells. In vivo, we found an elevation of serum creatinine, kidney histology alterations, and collagen build-up in the kidneys of the DN control group. Also, we found that altered expression of EMT-related markers, upregulation of the TGF-β/Smad2/3 axis, and elevated pro-inflammatory molecules, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-18 and phospho–NF–kB (p65) in the DN control group. IMP treatment did not significantly reduce the blood glucose level compared to the DN control group. However, IMP treatment effectively improved renal damage by ameliorating kidney histological changes and serum renal injury markers. IMP treatment restored renal antioxidants and exhibited anti-inflammatory effects in the kidneys. Moreover, the abnormal manifestation of EMT-related attributes and elevated levels of TGF-β, phospho-Smad2/3, and collagen 1 were also normalized in the IMP treatment group. Our findings highlight that IMP may be a potential candidate for treating DN.

Network pharmacology-based elucidation of bioactive compounds and experimental exploration of antidiabetic mechanisms of Hydrolea zeylanica

This investigation systematically explored the underlying antidiabetic mechanism of Hydrolea zeylanica (HZH) by the approach of network pharmacology and experimental validation in restoring glucose homeostasis, and inflammation in high fat diet fed-streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)-induced type II diabetes (T2DM) rats. Network pharmacology analysis was conducted on 32 bioactive components of HZH. In silico ADME prediction, and physicochemical analysis of 32 compounds were used to assess their drug-likeness. Common targets between selected compounds, and T2DM were subjected for GO enrichment. Compound-target-pathway network was predicted with selected compounds and targets. HZH (300 and 400 mg/kg) were considered for GLUTs expression, and inflammation cytokines in T2DM rats. Network pharmacology showed the core relationship between 13 selected compounds, and 194 key target genes in insulin resistance, type II diabetes mellitus, insulin signaling pathways in T2DM. AKT1, AKT2, GSK3B, IL6, INSR, MAPK8, PPARA, GLUT1, GLUT2, GLUT4 were observed as the key targets in PPI network. HZH-400 significantly restored glucose homeostasis, and inflammatory markers in T2DM rats. It altered GLUT2, GLUT4 expression in liver, and skeletal muscle to normal. Bioactive compounds of HZH were found to control blood sugar level by modulating insulin resistance, type II diabetes mellitus, insulin signaling pathways, and glucose homeostasis, which in turn improved glucose uptake, insulin production in diabetes as shown in network pharmacology and glucose transporter expression studies.

Herbal Extracts Encapsulated Nanoliposomes as Potential Glucose-lowering Agents: An in Vitro and in Vivo Approach Using Three Herbal Extracts

Encapsulation of polyphenol-rich herbal extracts into nanoliposomes is a promising strategy for the development of novel therapeutic agents against type 2 diabetes mellitus. An attempt was made to encapsulate aqueous, ethanol, and aqueous ethanol (70% v/v) extracts of Senna auriculata (L.) Roxb., Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng,. and Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt into nanoliposomes and to screen acute bioactivities in vitro and in vivo. A wide spectrum of bioactivity was observed of which aqueous extracts encapsulated nanoliposomes of all three plants showed high bioactivity in terms of in vivo glucose-lowering activity in high-fat diet-fed streptozotocin induced Wistar rats, compared to respective free extracts. The particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential of the aforementioned nanoliposomes ranged from 179–494 nm, 0.362–0.483, and (–22) to (–17) mV, respectively. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging reflected that the nanoparticles have desired morphological characteristics and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis revealed successful encapsulation of plant extracts into nanoparticles. However, only the S. auriculata aqueous extract encapsulated nanoliposome, despite the slow release (9% by 30 hours), showed significant (p < 0.05) in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and in vivo glucose-lowering activity compared to free extract, proving worthy for future investigations.

Hydrolea zeylanica improves cognitive impairment in high-fat diet fed-streptozotocin-induced diabetic encephalopathy in rats via regulating oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neurotransmission in brain

Type2 diabetes mellitus is a progressive metabolic disorder characterized by β-cell dysfunction with the increase in hepatic glucose synthesis and insulin resistance which leads to microvascular complications like diabetic encephalopathy that impairs cognitive dysfunctions, and dementia. The green and leafy vegetables of Hydrolea zeylanica are used in diet as rich source of nutrition, dietary fibers in reducing malnutrition and keeps in control the blood sugar level to treat diabetes related vascular complications. This study investigated the effect of hydroalcohol extracted fraction of leaves of H. zeylanica (HHZ) on high-fat diet fed-streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)-induced diabetes encephalopathy in experimental rats, and quantified the flavonoids, nutrients contents by HPLC analysis. HHZ demonstrated potential cellular antioxidant protection in ORAC, CAP-e tests. HHZ showed mixed competitive inhibition towards acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholineserase (BChE) activities, and exhibited dose dependent inhibition to both neurotransmitter activities. After 4 weeks administration of HHZ (oral, 300, and 400 mg/kg b.w.) in HFD/STZ-induced diabetic rats, HHZ-400 significantly (p < 0.001) improved the learning and memory impairment with the reduction in serum glucose and elevation in insulin level in encephalopathy rats. It also significantly (p < 0.001) improved oxidative (MDA, SOD, CAT, and GSH), and proinflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6, and hs-CRP) with the reduction in cholinesterase (AChE, BChE) and β-secretase (BACE1, BACE2) activities as evidenced by histological architecture of cortex in diabetic encephalopathy rats. Diet rich source of flavonoids e.g., quercetin, caffeic acid, rutin, gallic acid, and ferulic acid, nutrients, and vitamins in H. zeylanica enhanced the cellular antioxidant protection by reducing oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and neurotransmission in the brain of diabetic encephalopathy rats.

The modulatory role of prime identified compounds in the bioactive fraction of Homalium zeylanicum in high-fat diet fed-streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats

Ethnopharmacological relevanceHomalium zeylanicum (Gardner) Benth. is a medicinal plant traditionally used in controlling diabetes which thus far has been assessed by the authors only to a very limited extent. PurposeTo fill the research gap in the literature review, we investigated the antihyperglycemic effects of hydro alcohol fraction of bark of H. zeylanicum (HAHZB) by modulating oxidative stress and inflammation in high-fat diet fed-streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)-induced type-2 diabetic rats. Materials and methodsTo understand the antioxidant capacity of HAHZB, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and cell-based antioxidant protection in erythrocytes (CAP-e) were performed. GC-MS/MS analysis was performed to assess the bioactive components in HAHZB. HFD/STZ-induced diabetic rats were treated orally with HAHZB (300 and 400 mg/kg) for 28 days. After the end of the experiment, marker profiling and histopathological observation of blood and pancreas were examined. The study also highlights interaction between diabetes, oxidative stress and inflammation by examining the increased pro-inflammatory cytokines e.g. TNF-α and C-reactive protein (CRP) promotes DNA damage e.g. oxidation of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in chronic hyperglycaemia. ResultsIn ex vivo cellular antioxidant capacity of -CAP-e and ORAC assays, HAHZB showed remarkable free radical scavenging ability in a dose dependent manner. GC-MS/MS analysis identified 28 no. of compounds and out of which, oleic acid (1.03%), ethyl tridecanoate (11.77%), phytol (1.29), 9,12-octadecadienoic acid, methyl ester, (E,E)-(5.97%), stigmasterol (1.30%) and β-sitosterol (2.86%) have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic activities. HAHZB 400 mg/kg significantly (p < 0.001) improved the lipid profile (TC: 74.66 ± 0.59, HDL-C: 22.08 ± 0.46, LDL-C: 38.06 ± 0.69, and TG: 171.92 ± 1.01 mg/dL) as well as restoring antidiabetic markers (SG: 209.62 ± 1.05 mg/dL, SI: 15.07 ± 0.11 μIU/mL, HOMA-IR: 7.79 ± 0.04 %, and HbA1C: 8.93 ± 0.03 %) and renal functional markers (Tg: 291.26 ± 0.57 pg/mL, BUN: 23.79 ± 0.14 mg/dL, and Cr: 1.34 ± 0.04 mg/dL) in diabetic rats. Oxidative stress markers of pancreas (MDA: 3.65 ± 0.17 nM TBARS /mg protein, SOD: 3.14 ± 0.28 U/mg protein, CAT: 7.88 ± 0.23 U/mg protein, GSH: 12.63 ± 0.28 µM/g of tissue) were restored to normal as evidenced by histological architecture of pancreatic islet cells. The increased level of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative DNA damage were significantly restored (TNF-α: 54.48 ± 3.19 pg/mL, CRP: 440.22 ± 7.86 ng/mL, and 8-OHdG: 63.65 ± 1.84 ng/mL) by HAHZB in diabetic rats. ConclusionThe present findings confirm that the presence of bioactive compounds in HAHZB exert therapeutic protective effect by decreasing oxidative, inflammation and pancreatic β-cell damage in oxidative stress induced diabetic rats.

Novel Podophyllotoxin Derivatives as Partial PPARγ Agonists and their Effects on Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is recognized as a key regulator of insulin resistance. In this study, we searched for novel PPARγ agonists in a library of structurally diverse organic compounds and determined that podophyllotoxin exhibits partial agonist activity toward PPARγ. Eight novel podophyllotoxin-like derivatives were synthesized and assayed for toxicity and functional activity toward PPARγ to reduce the possible systemic toxic effects of podophyllotoxin and to maintain partial agonist activity toward PPARγ. Cell-based transactivation assays showed that compounds (E)-3-(hydroxy(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)methyl)-4-(4(trifluoromethyl)styryl)dihydrofuran-2(3H)-one (3a) and (E)-4-(3-acetylstyryl)-3-(hydroxyl (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)methyl)dihydrofuran-2(3H)-one (3f) exhibited partial agonist activity. An experiment using human hepatocarcinoma cells (HepG2) that were induced to become an insulin-resistant model showed that compounds 3a and 3f improved insulin sensitivity and glucose consumption. In addition, compounds 3a and 3f significantly improved hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in high-fat diet-fed streptozotocin (HFD-STZ)-induced type 2 diabetic rats at a dose of 15 mg/kg/day administered orally for 45 days, without significant weight gain. Cell toxicity testing also showed that compounds 3a and 3f exhibited weaker toxicity than pioglitazone. These findings suggested that compounds 3a and 3f improved insulin resistance in vivo and in vitro and that the compounds exhibited potential for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Reduced silent information regulator 1 signaling exacerbates myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury in type 2 diabetic rats and the protective effect of melatonin

Diabetes mellitus (DM) increases myocardial oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Melatonin confers cardioprotective effect by suppressing oxidative damage. However, the effect and mechanism of melatonin on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R) injury in type 2 diabetic state are still unknown. In this study, we developed high-fat diet-fed streptozotocin (HFD-STZ) rat, a well-known type 2 diabetic model, to evaluate the effect of melatonin on MI/R injury with a focus on silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) signaling, oxidative stress, and PERK/eIF2α/ATF4-mediated ER stress. HFD-STZ treated rats were exposed to melatonin treatment in the presence or the absence of sirtinol (a SIRT1 inhibitor) and subjected to MI/R surgery. Compared with nondiabetic animals, type 2 diabetic rats exhibited significantly decreased myocardial SIRT1 signaling, increased apoptosis, enhanced oxidative stress, and ER stress. Additionally, further reduced SIRT1 signaling, aggravated oxidative damage, and ER stress were found in diabetic animals subjected to MI/R surgery. Melatonin markedly reduced MI/R injury by improving cardiac functional recovery and decreasing myocardial apoptosis in type 2 diabetic animals. Melatonin treatment up-regulated SIRT1 expression, reduced oxidative damage, and suppressed PERK/eIF2α/ATF4 signaling. However, these effects were all attenuated by SIRT1 inhibition. Melatonin also protected high glucose/high fat cultured H9C2 cardiomyocytes against simulated ischemia-reperfusion injury-induced ER stress by activating SIRT1 signaling while SIRT1 siRNA blunted this action. Taken together, our study demonstrates that reduced cardiac SIRT1 signaling in type 2 diabetic state aggravates MI/R injury. Melatonin ameliorates reperfusion-induced oxidative stress and ER stress via activation of SIRT1 signaling, thus reducing MI/R damage and improving cardiac function.

Abstract 104: Vasonatrin Peptide Inhibits Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Attenuates Myocardial Ischemia/reperfusion Injury in Diabetic Rats

Aims: Diabetes mellitus (DM) increases morbidity/mortality of ischemic heart disease. Although the ability of the natriuretic peptides to modulate cardiac function and cell proliferation has been recognized, their effects on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury is still unclear. This study was to investigate the effects of the artificial synthetic natriuretic peptide — vasonatrin peptide (VNP) on MI/R injury in diabetic rats, and underlying mechanisms. Method: The high-fat diet-fed streptozotocin induced diabetic rats were subjected to MI/R (30 min/4 h) and VNP treatment (100 μg/kg, i.v., 10 min before R). In vitro study was performed using H9c2 cardiomyocytes subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R, 3 h/6 h) and incubated with or without VNP (10 -8 mol/L). Result: The diabetic state aggravated MI/R injury and showed more severe myocardial functional impairment than normal state. VNP treatment (100 μg/kg, i.v., 10 min before R) significantly improved ± LV d P /dt max and LVSP, and decreased infarct size, apoptosis index, caspase-3 activity, serum CK and LDH levels (n=8, P &lt;0.05). Moreover, VNP inhibited endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by suppressing GRP78 and CHOP, and consequently increased Akt and ERK1/2 expression and phosphorylation levels (n=3, P &lt;0.05). These effects were mimicked by 8-Br-cGMP (1 mg/kg, i.p., 20 min before R), a cGMP analogue, whereas inhibited by KT-5823 (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.), the selective inhibitor of PKG ( P &lt;0.05). Pretreated DM rats with TUDCA (50 mg/kg, i.p.), an inhibitor of ER stress, couldn’t further promote the VNP’s cardioprotective effect. Additionally, gene knockdown of PKG1α with siRNA blunted VNP’s inhibition of ER stress and apoptosis, while overexpression of PKG1α resulted in significant decreased ER stress and apoptosis in H/R H9c2 cardiomyocytes (n=6, P &lt;0.05). Conclusion: We demonstrated that VNP protects diabetic heart against MI/R injury by inhibiting ER stress via cGMP-PKG signaling pathway.

Modeling type 2 diabetes in rats using high fat diet and streptozotocin.

The pathology of type 2 diabetes is complex, with multiple stages culminating in a functional β-cell mass that is insufficient to meet the body's needs. Although the broad outlines of the disease etiology are known, many critical questions remain to be answered before next-generation therapeutics can be developed. In order to further elucidate the pathobiology of this disease, animal models mimicking the pathology of human type 2 diabetes are of great value. One example of a type 2 diabetes animal model is the high-fat diet-fed, streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)-treated rat model. The present review first summarizes the current understanding of the metabolic profile and pathology involved in the different stages of the type 2 diabetes disease progression in humans. Second, the known characteristics of the HFD/STZ rat model are reviewed and compared with the pathophysiology of human type 2 diabetes. Next, the suitability of the HFD/STZ model as a model of type 2 diabetes with a focus on identifying critical caveats and unanswered questions about the model is discussed. The improved understanding of refined animal models will hopefully lead to more relevant preclinical studies and development of improved therapeutics for diabetes. Depending on the amount of residual functional β-cells mass, the HFD/STZ rat model might be a suitable animal model of the final stage of type 2 diabetes.

Semen Cassiae Attenuates Myocardial Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury in High-Fat Diet Streptozotocin-Induced Type 2 Diabetic Rats

Obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which is characterized by hyperglycemia, are liable to more severe myocardial infarction. Semen Cassiae is proven to reduce serum lipid levels. This study investigated whether the Semen Cassiae extract (SCE) reduces myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (MI/R) injury with or without diabetes and the underlying mechanisms. The high-fat diet-fed streptozotocin (HFD-STZ) rat model was created as a T2DM model. Normal and DM rats received SCE treatment orally (10 mg/kg/day) for one week. Subsequently these animals were subjected to MI/R. Compared with the normal animals, DM rats showed increased plasma total cholesterol (TC) and triacylglycerol (TG), and more severe MI/R injury and cardiac functional impairment. SCE treatment significantly reduced the plasma TC and TG, improved the instantaneous first derivation of left ventricle pressure and reduced infarct size, decreased plasma creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase levels, and apoptosis index at the end of reperfusion in diabetic rats. Moreover, SCE treatment increased the antiapoptotic protein Akt and ERK1/2 phosphorylation levels. Pretreatment with a PI3K inhibitor wortmannin or an ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 not only blocked Akt and ERK1/2 phosphorylation respectively, but also inhibited the cardioprotective effects of SCE. However, SCE treatment did not show any effects on the MI/R injury in the normal rats. Our data suggest that SCE effectively improves myocardial function and reduces MI/R-induced injury in diabetic but not normal animals, which is possibly attributed to the reduced TC/TG levels and the triggered cell survival signaling Akt and ERK1/2.

Alpha-linolenic acid intake prevents endothelial dysfunction in high-fat diet-fed streptozotocin rats and underlying mechanisms

Endothelial dysfunction is an important factor in the pathogenesis of diabetes related vascular complications, and acute alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) intake can increase flow-mediated dilation of the diabetic artery at 4 h postprandially. However, whether chronic ALA supplementation may prevent endothelial dysfunction in the process of diabetes and underlying mechanisms remains largely unknown. The high-fat diet-fed streptozotocin (HFD-STZ) rats provided an animal model for T2DM. Age-matched normal and HFD-STZ rats randomly received normal diet or ALA (500 mg/kg per day). After 5 weeks of feeding, endothelial function was determined. Diabetes caused significant endothelial dysfunction (maximal vasorelaxation responses to ACh) in aortic segments, and ALA intake alleviated endothelial dysfunction. Superoxide production and peroxynitrite (ONOO-) formation were reduced with ALA supplement in diabetic vascular segments. Interestingly, ALA intake enhanced eNOS but inhibited iNOS activity in diabetic vessels. Moreover, ALA intake significantly increased eNOS phosphorylation. On the other hand, gp91phox and iNOS overexpression were reduced moderately with ALA intake in diabetic vessels. We concluded that ALA prevents diabetes-induced endothelial dysfunction by enhancing eNOS activity and attenuates oxidative/nitrative stress by inhibiting iNOS and NADPH oxidase expression and ONOO- production.

Insulin restores myocardial presynaptic sympathetic neuronal integrity in insulin-resistant diabetic rats

BackgroundDiabetes is associated with increased sympathetic activity, elevated norepinephrine, impaired heart rate variability, and the added risk of cardiovascular mortality. The temporal development of sympathetic neuronal dysfunction, response to therapy, and relation to ventricular function is not well characterized. Methods and ResultsSympathetic neuronal integrity was serially investigated in high fat diet-fed streptozotocin diabetic rats using [11C]meta-hydroxyephedrine (HED) positron emission tomography at baseline, 8 weeks of diabetes, and after a further 8 weeks of insulin or insulin-sensitizing metformin therapy. Myocardial HED retention was reduced in diabetic rats (n = 16) compared to non-diabetics (n = 6) at 8 weeks by 52-57% (P = .01) with elevated plasma and myocardial norepinephrine levels. Echocardiography pulse-wave Doppler measurements demonstrated prolonged mitral valve deceleration and increased early-to-atrial filling velocity, consistent with diastolic dysfunction. Insulin but not metformin evoked recovery of HED retention and plasma norepinephrine (P < .05), whereas echocardiography measurements of diastolic function were not improved by either treatment. Relative expressions of norepinephrine reuptake transporter and β-adrenoceptors were lower in metformin-treated as compared to insulin-treated diabetic and non-diabetic rats. Diabetic rats exhibited depressed heart rate variability and impaired diastolic function which persisted despite insulin treatment. ConclusionsHED imaging provides sound estimation of sympathetic function. Effective glycemic control can recover sympathetic function in diabetic rats without the corresponding recovery of echocardiography indicators of diastolic dysfunction. HED positron emission tomography imaging may be useful in stratifying cardiovascular risk among diabetic patients and in evaluating the effect of glycemic therapy on the heart.

Abstract 339: Vasonatrin Peptide Attenuates Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Diabetic Rats through PKG-Mediated Inhibition of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

Diabetes mellitus (DM) increases morbidity/mortality of ischemic heart disease (IHD). Although atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) reduce the myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) damage in non-diabetic rats, whether vasonatrin peptide (VNP), the artificial synthetic chimera of ANP and CNP, confers cardioprotective effect against acute MI/R injury, especially in diabetic patients, is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of VNP on MI/R injury in diabetic rats and the involved mechanisms. The high-fat diet-fed streptozotocin (HFD-STZ) induced diabetic rats were subjected to MI/R (30 min/4 h). VNP treatment (100 µg/kg, i.v., 10 min before R) significantly improved ± LV d P /dt max [(3242 ± 103) and -(2731 ± 79) mm Hg/s vs. (2936 ± 90) and -(2422 ± 83) mm Hg/s in DM group] and LVSP and reduced LVEDP, and reduced infarct size [(43.3 ± 3.6) % vs (53.5 ± 2.8) %], apoptosis index [(36.0 ± 2.1) % vs. (45.7 ± 3.5) %], caspase-3 activity, serum CK and LDH levels (n=8, P &lt;0.05). Moreover, VNP inhibited endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by suppressing GRP78 and CHOP (n=3, P &lt;0.05), and consequently increased the antiapoptotic protein Akt and ERK1/2 expression and phosphorylation levels ( P &lt;0.05). These effects were mimicked by 8-Br-cGMP (1 mg/kg, i.p., 20 min before R), a cGMP analogue, whereas inhibited by KT-5823 (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.), the selective inhibitor of PKG (both P &lt;0.05). In addition, pretreated DM rats with TUDCA (50 mg/kg, i.p.), a specific inhibitor of ER stress, couldn’t further promote the VNP’s cardioprotective effect ( P &gt;0.05). In vitro study was performed using H9c2 cardiomyocytes subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R, 3 h/6 h) and incubated with or without VNP (10 -8 mol/L). Gene knockdown of PKG1α with siRNA blunted VNP’s inhibition of ER stress and apoptosis (n=6, P &lt;0.05), while overexpression of PKG1α resulted in significant decreased ER stress and apoptosis (n=6, P &lt;0.01). In conclusion, VNP protects diabetic heart against MI/R injury by inhibiting ER stress via cGMP-PKG signaling pathway. These results suggest that VNP may have potential therapeutic value for the diabetic patients with ischemic heart disease.

VASONATRIN PEPTIDE ATTENUATES MYOCARDIAL ISCHAEMIA/REPERFUSION INJURY THROUGH INHIBITING THE ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM STRESS AND THUS ENHANCING THE CELL SURVIVAL SIGNALS IN DIABETIC RATS

ObjectivesPeople with diabetes mellitus (DM) have a risk of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) two to five times greater than that in nondiabetic individuals. Diabetic patients have significantly more severe and...

SEMEN CASSIAE EXTRACT REDUCES MYOCARDIAL ISCHAEMIA AND REPERFUSION INJURY IN TYPE 2 DIABETIC BUT NOT NORMAL RATS

ObjectivesPatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), which is characterised by hyperlipidaemia, are liable to more severe and fatal myocardial infarction. Semen Cassiae is proved to reduce serum unsaturated fatty...

Sympathetic nervous dysregulation in the absence of systolic left ventricular dysfunction in a rat model of insulin resistance with hyperglycemia

BackgroundDiabetes mellitus is strongly associated with cardiovascular dysfunction, derived in part from impairment of sympathetic nervous system signaling. Glucose, insulin, and non-esterified fatty acids are potent stimulants of sympathetic activity and norepinephrine (NE) release. We hypothesized that sustained hyperglycemia in the high fat diet-fed streptozotocin (STZ) rat model of sustained hyperglycemia with insulin resistance would exhibit progressive sympathetic nervous dysfunction in parallel with deteriorating myocardial systolic and/or diastolic function.MethodsCardiac sympathetic nervous integrity was investigated in vivo via biodistribution of the positron emission tomography radiotracer and NE analogue [11C]meta-hydroxyephedrine ([11C]HED). Cardiac systolic and diastolic function was evaluated by echocardiography. Plasma and cardiac NE levels and NE reuptake transporter (NET) expression were evaluated as correlative measurements.ResultsThe animal model displays insulin resistance, sustained hyperglycemia, and progressive hypoinsulinemia. After 8 weeks of persistent hyperglycemia, there was a significant 13-25% reduction in [11C]HED retention in myocardium of STZ-treated hyperglycemic but not euglycemic rats as compared to controls. There was a parallel 17% reduction in immunoblot density for NE reuptake transporter, a 1.2 fold and 2.5 fold elevation of cardiac and plasma NE respectively, and no change in sympathetic nerve density. No change in ejection fraction or fractional area change was detected by echocardiography. Reduced heart rate, prolonged mitral valve deceleration time, and elevated transmitral early to atrial flow velocity ratio measured by pulse-wave Doppler in hyperglycemic rats suggest diastolic impairment of the left ventricle.ConclusionsTaken together, these data suggest that sustained hyperglycemia is associated with elevated myocardial NE content and dysregulation of sympathetic nervous system signaling in the absence of systolic impairment.

α-Linolenic Acid Intake Attenuates Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury through Anti-inflammatory and Anti-oxidative Stress Effects in Diabetic But Not Normal Rats

Patients with diabetes show enhanced susceptibility to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury. Epidemiological studies indicated that consumption of α-linolenic acid (ALA) significantly reduces the risk of cardiac events in post-acute myocardial infarction patients. The present study attempted to investigate the effects of ALA intake on MI/R injury in normal and diabetic rats and its mechanisms. The high-fat diet-fed streptozotocin (HFD-STZ) rat model was developed. Age-matched normal and HFD-STZ rats were randomly assigned to receive normal diet or ALA (oral gavage, 500 μg/kg per day). After 4 weeks of feeding, animals were subjected to 30 min of myocardial ischemia and 4 or 6 h of reperfusion. Compared with the normal control, HFD-STZ rats showed more severe myocardial functional impairment and injury. Although ALA intake for 4 weeks did not change myocardial function and injury in normal rats, it significantly improved the instantaneous first derivation of left ventricle pressure, reduced infarct size, plasma creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase activities, and apotosis at the end of reperfusion in HFD-STZ diabetic rats. Moreover, ALA intake not only significantly reduced tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations but reduced the increase in superoxide production and malonaldialdehyde formation and simultaneously enhanced the antioxidant capacity in the diabetic hearts. Myocardial PI3K expression and Akt phosphorylation were increased by ALA intake in diabetic but not normal rats. Chronic ALA intake confers cardioprotection in MI/R by exerting anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress effects in diabetic but not normal rats, which is possibly through PI3K-Akt-dependent mechanism.

Upregulation of PPARγ by Aegle marmelos Ameliorates Insulin Resistance and β‐cell Dysfunction in High Fat Diet Fed‐Streptozotocin Induced Type 2 Diabetic Rats

The global epidemic of type 2 diabetes demands the rapid evaluation of new and accessible interventions. This study investigated whether Aegle marmelos fruit aqueous extract (AMF; 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) improves insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and β-cell dysfunction in high fat diet fed-streptozotocin (HFD-STZ)-induced diabetic rats by modulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) expression. The serum levels of glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-B), lipid profile, TNF-α and IL-6 were evaluated. Further, the TBARS level and SOD activity in pancreatic tissue and PPARγ protein expression in liver were assessed. In addition, histopathological and ultrastructural studies were performed to validate the effect of AMF on β-cells. The HFD-STZ treated rats showed a significant increase in the serum levels of glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, TNF-α, IL-6, dyslipidemia with a concomitant decrease in HOMA-B and PPARγ expression. Treatment with AMF for 21 days in diabetic rats positively modulated the altered parameters in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, AMF prevented inflammatory changes and β-cell damage along with a reduction in mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum swelling. These findings suggest that the protective effect of AMF in type 2 diabetic rats is due to the preservation of β-cell function and insulin-sensitivity through increased PPARγ expression.