Liver Glycogen Content Research Articles

Effect of cadmium on glycogen content in muscle, liver, gill and kidney tissues of freshwater fish Channa punctatus (Bloch)

Aquatic environment gets polluted by heavy metals because of their environmental persistence and ability to bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms. Cadmium is a ubiquitous toxic heavy metal, biologically non-essential element, it is not biodegradable and has a very long biological half-life. The aim of the present study was to assess the glycogen content in muscle, liver, gill and kidney of Channa punctatus exposed to sublethal concentrations of cadmium chloride after 4, 7, 15 and 30 days of exposure. The results clearly showed significant decrease in the glycogen levels in the experimental fish C. punctatus. Decrease in muscle glycogen was found highly significant (P<0.001) after 30 days in both low concentration (36.823 mg/L) 6.12±0.41mg/g and in high concentration (73.646 mg/L) 4.04±0.32 mg/g in comparison to control. Decrease in liver glycogen content was found highly significant (P<0.001) after 30 days in high concentration 9.12±0.49 mg/g when compared with control. The decrease in gill glycogen content after 30 days exposure was found highly significant (P<0.001) 1.36±0.13 mg/g in low concentration and in high concentration 0.79±0.25 mg/g in comparison to control. Decrease in kidney glycogen content was found highly significant (P< 0.001) at 30 days in low concentration 3.92±0.05 mg/g and in high concentration 2.81±0.20 mg/g in comparison to control. The influence of toxicant cadmium chloride in selected tissues of fish was taken into account in evaluating fish response against stressor. Hence, we can use glycogen content as biomarker of cadmium stress in fish.

PPP1R3C mediates metformin-inhibited hepatic gluconeogenesis

BackgroundMetformin has been widely used to alleviate hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mainly via suppressing hepatic gluconeogenesis. However, the underlying mechanism remains incompletely clear. Here, we aimed to explore the role of PPP1R3C in metformin-mediated inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis. MethodsThe differentially expressed genes in primary mouse hepatocytes incubated with 8-Br-cAMP and metformin were analyzed by microarrays. Hepatic glucose production and gluconeogenic gene expressions were detected after adenovirus-mediated overexpression or silence of PPP1R3C in vitro and in vivo. The phosphorylation level and location of transducer of regulated CREB activity 2 (TORC2) were determined by Western blot and immunofluorescence. ResultsMetformin and adenovirus-mediated activation of AMPK suppressed 8-Br-cAMP–stimulated Ppp1r3c mRNA expression in primary mouse hepatocytes. Overexpression of PPP1R3C in primary mouse hepatocytes or the livers of wild-type mice promoted hepatic glucose production and gluconeogenic gene expressions. On the contrary, adenovirus-mediated knockdown of PPP1R3C in primary mouse hepatocytes decreased hepatic gluconeogenesis, with the suppression of cAMP-stimulated gluconeogenic gene expressions and TORC2 dephosphorylation. Notably, Ppp1r3c expression was increased in the liver of db/db mice. After PPP1R3C silence in the livers of wild-type and db/db mice, blood glucose levels and hepatic glucose production were markedly lowered, with decreased expressions of key gluconeogenic enzymes and transcript factors as well as liver glycogen content. ConclusionMetformin-activated AMPK decreases hepatic PPP1R3C expression, leading to the suppression of hepatic gluconeogenesis through blocking cAMP-stimulated TORC2 dephosphorylation. Hepatic specific silence of PPP1R3C provides a promising therapeutic strategy for type 2 diabetes.

371-P: Hypoglycemia in the Brain Is Required to Augment Counterregulatory Responses to Hypoglycemia when Liver Glycogen Levels Are Enhanced

In a previous study, we showed that elevated hepatic glycogen levels can generate a signal in the liver during insulin (INS)-induced hypoglycemia that is relayed to the brain, resulting in enhanced counterregulatory (CR) hormone secretion and net hepatic glucose output (NHGO). The purpose of this study was to determine whether hypoglycemia in the brain is required for this augmentation to occur. Fasted (18 hour) dogs were studied and each experiment began with a 4h glycogen deposition period in which each animal received somatostatin and basal intraportal infusions of both INS and glucagon (GGN). Plasma glucose (PG) was doubled by an intravenous (IV) glucose infusion and liver glycogen content was enhanced in all animals (76 ± 6 and 68 ± 4 mg/g in Brain EU and HYPO, respectively) by an intraportal infusion of fructose. A 2h control period followed, during which hyperglycemia and basal replacement of hormones were continued but fructose infusion was stopped. In the final 2h hypoglycemic period, somatostatin and GGN infusions were stopped and the plasma INS level was increased 16-fold by an IV infusion of INS. During the final period, whole body PG was clamped at 52 ± 1 mg/dL in one group (HYPO; n=6). In a second group, PG in the head was clamped at 92 ± 3 mg/dL by infusing glucose into the carotid and vertebral arteries (Brain EU; n=8) while the glucose level in the rest of the body remained at 51 ± 1 mg/dL. During the final hour of the hypoglycemic period, NHGO was lower in Brain EU compared to HYPO (0.8 ± 0.2 vs. 2.2 ± 0.4 mg/kg/minute, p<0.01). This decrease in NHGO was associated with a decrease in CR hormone secretion, as GGN (27 ± 6 vs. 53 ± 8 pg/mL, p<0.01) and epinephrine (451 ± 103 vs. 1106 ± 143 pg/mL, p<0.01) were lower when the brain was euglycemic (Brain EU vs. HYPO, respectively). These data suggest that the augmented CR responses that occur during INS-induced hypoglycemia when liver glycogen content is enhanced, require hypoglycemia in the brain. Disclosure S.O. Warner: None. M.S. Smith: None. B. Farmer: None. J.J. Winnick: None. Funding National Institutes of Health

Diet-related Physiological Plasticity of Mourning Doves: A Metabolomic Approach (P09-002-19)

ObjectivesAs birds are a natural model of diabetes, the objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that feeding adult mourning doves, Zenaida macroura, a high fat diet (60% calories from fat; HF) or refined carbohydrate diet (white bread: WB) for four weeks results in diabetes-like pathologies including hyperglycemia and altered metabolic profiles. MethodsSeparate cohorts of doves were captured for each feeding trial and were acclimated for one week to their respective study diets; cohort 1: WB (n = 6) vs nutritionally-balanced seeds (n = 6), and cohort 2: HF (n = 4) vs control (n = 6). The WB study mimicked natural feeding options for wild birds whereas the HF study used experimental diets. Four weeks later, birds were euthanized with an overdose of sodium pentobarbital and we collected cardiac blood, liver, kidney (HF study only), and pectoralis muscle for metabolomic analyses and biochemical assays. ResultsPathway analysis of metabolic concentrations revealed only two pathways that were significantly altered (p < 0.05) and concurrently highly impacted (scale: 0-1; > 0.60) by the HF diet consumption: ubiquinone and other terpenoid-quinone biosynthesis (plasma and pectoralis muscle) and alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism (plasma and kidney; p < 0.05). Only three low impact pathways were significantly affected by the WB diet consumption: glutathione metabolism and histidine metabolism (liver), and glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism (pectoralis muscle; p < 0.05). Further, consumption neither of the HF nor of the WB diet altered plasma uric acid, insulin, pectoralis muscle, liver triglycerides, or body mass (only measured in HF study) significantly, but liver glycogen concentrations were 2.12-fold higher in WB than control doves (p < 0.015). Lastly, blood glucose concentrations did not differ between WB or HF birds and control birds. ConclusionsContrary to our hypothesis, consumption of a WB or HF diet for four weeks did not induce symptoms of diabetes in doves. Further elucidating the apparent avian resistance to diet-induced metabolic complications may help develop novel therapeutic agents for mammalian diabetes. Funding SourcesASU School of Life Sciences/Office of Knowledge Enterprise Development - Research Investment Initiative, a summer research fellowship from the American Physiology Society, and the Center of Evolution and Medicine Graduate Fellow Award.

1962-P: Comparison of the Effects of Three SGLT2 Inhibitors on Metabolic Parameters and Insulin Sensitivity in a Nondiabetic Rat Model of Metabolic Syndrome

Studies directly comparing metabolic efficacy of various sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are scarce. To this end, we compared the effect of SGLT2i: Empagliflozin (EMP), Canagliflozin (CAN) and Dapagliflozin (DAP) on biometric, metabolic and hormonal parameters and insulin sensitivity in hereditary hypertriglyceridemic rats (hHTG) - a non-obese model of metabolic syndrome characterized by dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and increased blood pressure. Male rats, 4 months old, were fed standard diet (C) or standard diet enriched by EMP (10mg/kg b.w./day), CAN (100mg/kg b.w./day) or DAP (10mg/kg b.w./day) for 6 weeks. All SGLT2i induced glycosuria which was 8-fold higher in CAN and DAP as compared to EMP group (Mean±SD: EMP:53±6; CAN:416±4; DAP:376±32 mmol/l; P&amp;lt;0.001). CAN decreased body weight relative to C while EMP and DAP had no significant effect. Visceral fat weight decreased in CAN and DAP compared to C (P&amp;lt;0.01). Relative weight of kidneys (g/100g b.w.) was increased in all SGLT2i groups compared to C with a less pronounced effect of EMP relative to CAN and DAP (P&amp;lt;0.01). CAN decreased both fasting and postprandial glycemia relative to other groups. Postprandial triglyceride levels were decreased by all SGLT2i compared to C (EMP: -32%; P&amp;lt;0.01; CAN: -55%; DAP -48%, P&amp;lt;0.001). 14C-palmitic acid oxidation decreased in the myocardium of CAN and DAP compared to C, whereas no significant effect of EMP was noted. CAN and EMP administration reduced liver glycogen content compared to C (P&amp;lt;0.05). Leptin levels decreased in CAN (-79%) and DAP (-56%) compared to C. GLP-1 levels increased in CAN compared to other groups while C-peptide was lower in CAN vs. C group. In conclusion, our results suggest higher efficacy of CAN compared to DAP and EMP in improving insulin sensitivity and decreasing glucose levels in a non-obese model of metabolic syndrome. The differences could be related to higher SGLT1 inhibition activity of CAN. Disclosure J. Trnovska: None. M. Hüttl: None. I. Marková: None. O. Oliyarnyk: None. H. Malinska: None. D. Miklankova: None. H. Kratochvilova: None. P. Svoboda: None. A. Cinkajzlova: None. I. Lankova: None. M. Mraz: None. M. Haluzik: None. Funding MH CZ - DRO; Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IN00023001)

Effects of different starch sources on glucose and fat metabolism in broiler chickens

ABSTRACT 1. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of different starch sources (corn, wheat, and rice) on the blood glucose level, glycogen content of liver and muscle, expression of GSK-3β and FAS mRNA, abdominal fat weight and abdominal fat deposition in broiler chickens. 2. A total of 360, one-day-old AA (Arbor Acres) broiler chickens were randomly assigned to three treatment groups, each with six replicates, consisting of 20 chickens per replicate, and fed either a corn-, wheat- or rice-based diet for 21 days. The chickens were then subdivided into groups A and B, and the chickens in these two subgroups were processed or sampled for 28 days, respectively. 3. The results indicated that post-prandial time significantly affected the glucose concentration, glycogen content in the liver and breast muscle and expression of GSK-3β and FAS mRNAs (P < 0.05). The expression of the GSK-3β gene in the chicken liver of the corn-based diet group was higher (P < 0.05) than that in the wheat-based diet group, and the expression of the FAS gene in the corn-based diet group was lower (P < 0.05) than that in the wheat-based and rice-based diet groups. Abdominal fat weight and deposition in the corn-based diet group were lower than those of the wheat-based and rice-based diet groups, but these differences were not significant (P > 0.05). 4. The results suggested that the efficiency of glucose absorption in animals might have an effect on the fat deposition efficiency in the liver and that diets with different starch sources might affect fat deposition in chickens.

Berberine alleviates hyperglycemia by targeting hepatic glucokinase in diabetic db/db mice

Berberine (BBR) is a widely used anti-diabetic agent, and liver glucokinase (GK) has been reported to be involved. However, the mechanisms of BBR in regulating GK are still unknown. Here, we found that BBR upregulated GK immunofluorescence expression in AML12 cells cultured in high glucose and increased glycogen content simultaneously. BBR improved hyperglycemia in db/db mice, and increased liver glucose-6-phosphate/glucose-1-phosphate (G-6-P/G-1-P) was found by analyzing metabolites (serum, liver, and feces) based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) metabolomics. Pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics (PK-PD) assessment revealed enriched BBR distribution in the liver, and liver G-6-P had the same trend as the concentration-time curve of BBR. G-6-P is solely catalyzed by GK, and GK activity and expression showed a positive correlation with liver BBR levels. In db/db mice, BBR also upregulated GK in liver fractions (cytoplasm and nucleus) and liver glycogen content. GK functionally worked by dissociating from GK regulatory protein (GKRP), and although GKRP expression was not affected, we found a decreased ratio of GK binding with GKRP in BBR treated db/db mice. In conclusion, our study suggests the dissociation of GK from GKRP as the potential mechanism for liver GK increase upon BBR treatment, which contributes to the anti-diabetic effect of BBR.

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of a polysaccharide from Fructus Corni in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Type-2 diabetes mellitus and its related complications including dyslipidemia and oxidative stress have been threating the health of a large number of patients all over the world. In this study, FCPC, one polysaccharide fraction separated from the polysaccharides of Chinese medicine Fructus Corni (FCPs), revealed obvious inhibitory effects against α-amylase and α-glucosidase, and marked insulin-sensitizing effect by increasing insulin secretion and promoting pancreatic β cell proliferation. In addition, in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, the polysaccharide fraction not only significantly restrained the increase of food (p < 0.05) and water (p < 0.01) intake at 800 mg/kg, but also significantly controlled the increase of levels for sugar (p < 0.01), insulin (p < 0.05) and HOMA-IR value (p < 0.05) in blood at 800 mg/kg on 42th day. Meanwhile, the reduced glycogen contents in liver (p < 0.01) and skeletal (p < 0.01) muscle caused by STZ were prominently improved, while the dyslipidemia status and oxidative damage were markedly ameliorated. Therefore, FCPC could be developed to natural medicines and functional foods in the treatment of diabetes and its complications including dyslipidemia status and oxidative stress.

Chalcones: Differential effects on glycogen contents of liver, brain and spinal cord in rats

Chalcones are precursor compounds for flavonoids biosynthesis in plants, and they can also be synthesized in laboratory. Chalcones possess a broad spectrum of biological activities including antioxidative, antibacterial, anthelmintic, amoebicidal, antiulcer, antiviral, insecticidal, antiprotozoal, anticancer, cytotoxic and immunosuppressive. Aldose reductase (AR) enzyme inhibitors have been proposed to prevent or ameliorate long term diabetic complications. Chalcones showed good level of inhibitory activity towards bovine lens aldose reductase (AR) and have been shown the promising compound for the prevention or treatment of diabetic complications. Although a broad range of biological activities of chalcones have been reported, the mode of action of chalcones on glycogen is not yet elucidated. Chalcones were injected intraperitoneally at the dose of 25mg/kg for seven days. On the seventh day, one hour after the last dose rats were killed by cervical decapitation and their liver, brain and spinal cords were dissected out. Our results showed that out the eight tested chalcones, four chalcones significantly inhibited (P>0.001) the liver glycogen. There are no significant effects of chalcones on brain and spinal cord glycogen contents. In conclusion, chalcones exert their antidiabetic effect by decreasing only the liver glycogen content. By comparing the glycogen inhibitory activity structural elements of chalcones responsible for glycogen inhibition could be identified.

The Effects of Ergosta-7,9(11),22-trien-3β-ol from Antrodia camphorata on the Biochemical Profile and Exercise Performance of Mice.

Antrodia camphorata (AC) is a rare and unique mushroom that is difficult to cultivate. Previous studies have demonstrated the bioactivity of the compound Ergosta-7,9(11),22-trien-3β-ol (EK100) from AC in submerged culture. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential beneficial effects of EK100 on fatigue and ergogenic functions following physiological challenge. Male ICR (Institute of Cancer Research) mice were randomly divided into three groups (n = 8 per group) and orally administered EK100 for six weeks at 0 (Vehicle), 10 (EK100-1X), and 20 (EK100-2X) mg/kg/day. The six-week Ek100 supplementation significantly increased grip strength (p = 0.0051) in trend analysis. Anti-fatigue activity was evaluated using 15-min. acute exercise testing and measuring the levels of serum lactate, ammonia, glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatine kinase (CK) after a 15-min. swimming exercise. Our results indicate that AC supplementation leads to a dose-dependent decrease in serum lactate, ammonia, BUN, and CK activity after exercise and significantly increases serum glucose and glycogen content in liver tissues. Biochemical and histopathological data demonstrated that long term daily administration of EK100 for over six weeks (subacute toxicity) was safe. EK100’s anti-fatigue properties appear to be through the preservation of energy storage, increasing blood glucose and liver glycogen content, and decreasing the serum levels of lactate, ammonia, BUN, and CK. EK100 could potentially be used to improve exercise physiological adaptation, promote health, and as a potential ergogenic aid in combination with different nutrient strategies.

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy improves liver and hypothalamic functions in obese mice.

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) is an effective surgery to treat obesity and diabetes. However, the direct effect of VSG on metabolic functions is not fully understood. We aimed to investigate if alterations in hypothalamic neurons were linked with perturbations in liver metabolism after VSG in an energy intake-controlled obese mouse model. C57BL/6 and hrNPY-GFP reporter mice received HFD for 12 weeks and were then divided into three groups: Sham (ad lib), sham (pair-fed) with VSG, and VSG. Food intake was measured daily, and blood glucose levels were measured before and after the study. Energy expenditure and body composition were determined. Serum parameters, liver lipid and glycogen contents were measured, and gene/protein expression were analyzed. Hypothalamic POMC, AgRP/NPY, and tyrosine hydroxylase expressing neurons were counted. As results, we found that VSG reduced body weight gain and adiposity induced by HFD, increased energy expenditure independent of energy intake. Fed and fasted blood glucose levels were reduced in the VSG group. While serum active GLP-1 level was increased, the active ghrelin and triglycerides levels were decreased along with improved insulin resistance in VSG group. Liver lipid accumulation, glycogen content, and gluconeogenic gene expression were reduced in the VSG group. In the hypothalamus, TH expressing neuron population was decreased, and the POMC-expressing neuron population was increased in the VSG group. Our data suggests that VSG improves metabolic symptoms by increasing energy expenditure and lowering lipid and glycogen contents in the liver. These physiological alterations are possibly related to changes in hypothalamic neuron populations.

Combination of amylopectin and chromium form improves energy storage and reduces muscle fatigue in rats during exhaustive exercise

This study evaluated the effects of amylopectin (A) and chromium (Cr) forms alone or in combination on energy storage, muscle fatigue-related biochemical markers, and expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR-γ) and glucose transporter-2 and -4 (GLUT-2 and GLUT-4) in rats during exhaustive exercise. Thirty-five male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups (n = 7) as follows: 1) exhaustive exercise (E); 2) E+A; 3) E+A+chromium picolinate (CrPic); 4) E+A+chromium histidinate (CrHis), and 5) E+A+CrPic+CrHis. Rats received 0.0316 g of amylopectin and 11.06 µg of elemental Cr kg$^{-1}$ body weight given as CrPic and CrHis per day. The mean duration of exercise differed (55 ± 1.15 vs. 76 ± 1.91) between groups (P < 0.05). Blood glucose level was significantly reduced in the E+A+CrPic+CrHis group compared to the E group. The E+A+CrPic+CrHis group was superior in terms of increasing muscle and liver glycogen contents and blood insulin concentration and of decreasing serum lactate concentration (P < 0.05 for all). However, A and Cr did not alter GLUT-2, GLUT-4, and PPAR-γ expressions. In conclusion, A in combination with supplemental Cr enhanced energy-yielding nutrient conservation and reduced muscle fatigue in exercised rats. They can also help prevent racehorse performance and disability problems.

Post-Stress Fructose and Glucose Ingestion Exhibit Dissociable Behavioral and Physiological Effects.

An acute traumatic event can lead to lifelong changes in stress susceptibility and result in psychiatric disease such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We have previously shown that access to a concentrated glucose solution for 24 h beginning immediately after trauma decreased stress-related pathology in the learned helplessness model of PTSD and comorbid major depression. The current study sought to investigate the peripheral physiological effects of post-stress glucose consumption. We exposed 128 male Sprague-Dawley rats to inescapable and unpredictable 1-milliamp electric tail shocks or simple restraint in the learned helplessness procedure. Rats in each stress condition had access to a 40% glucose solution, 40% fructose solution, or water. Blood and liver tissue were extracted and processed for assay. We assessed corticosterone, corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG), glucose, and liver glycogen concentrations at various time points following stress. We found that rats given access to glucose following exposure to traumatic shock showed a transient rise in blood glucose and an increase in liver glycogen repletion compared to those that received water or fructose following exposure to electric shock. We also found that animals given glucose following shock exhibited reduced free corticosterone and increased CBG compared to their water-drinking counterparts. However, this difference was not apparent when glucose was compared to fructose. These data suggest that post-stress glucose prophylaxis is likely not working via modulation of the HPA axis, but rather may provide its benefit by mitigating the metabolic challenges of trauma exposure.

Regulations on glucose metabolism affected by dietary carbohydrate in different strains of juvenile gibel carp (Carassius gibelio)

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of dietary carbohydrate on glucose metabolism in gibel carp (Carassius gibelio) as well to investigate if different clones had different responses to carbohydrate intake. Unselected Dongting strain (DT strain), selected gibel carp “CAS III” (A strain) and gibel carp “CAS V” (F strain) were fed with no corn starch diet (0C), 30% corn starch diet (30C) and 45% corn starch diet (45C) for 8 weeks. The results showed that selected F strain showed higher growth performance. F strain and A strain showed better control on postprandial glucose regulation by increasing plasma triglyceride, plasma cholesterol, liver and muscle glycogen contents and also enhancing glycolysis and restraining gluconeogenesis. DT strain had higher body lipid and lipid utilization. In conclusion, gibel carp could tolerate 45% dietary carbohydrate and F strain showed better growth by increasing glycolysis while decreasing glycogenesis.

Metformin improves the glucose homeostasis of Wuchang bream fed high-carbohydrate diets: a dynamic study.

After a 12-week feeding trial, the glucose tolerance test was performed in Megalobrama amblycephala to evaluate the effects of metformin on the metabolic responses of glycolipids. Plasma insulin peaked at 2 h, then decreased to the basal value at 8–12 h post-injection. Plasma triglyceride levels and liver glycogen contents of the control group was decreased significantly during the first 2 and 1 h, respectively. Then, they returned to basal values at 12 h. During the whole sampling period, the high-carbohydrate groups had significantly higher levels of plasma metabolites and liver glycogen than those of the control group, and metformin supplementation enhanced these changes (except insulin levels). Glucose administration lowered the transcriptions of ampk α1, ampk α2, pepck, g6pase, fbpase, cpt IA and aco, the phosphorylation of Ampk α and the activities of the gluconeogenic enzymes during the first 2–4 h, while the opposite was true of glut 2, gs, gk, pk, accα and fas. High-carbohydrate diets significantly increased the transcriptions of ampk α1, ampk α2, glut 2, gs, gk, pk, accα and fas, the phosphorylation of Ampk α and the activities of the glycolytic enzymes during the whole sampling period, while the opposite was true for the remaining indicators. Furthermore, metformin significantly upregulated the aforementioned indicators (except accα and fas) and the transcriptions of cpt IA and aco. Overall, metformin benefits the glucose homeostasis of Megalobrama amblycephala fed high-carbohydrate diets through the activation of Ampk and the stimulation of glycolysis, glycogenesis and fatty acid oxidation, while depressing gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis.

Effects of Sideritis scardica Extract on Glucose Tolerance, Triglyceride Levels and Markers of Oxidative Stress in Ovariectomized Rats.

Menopause is characterized by deep metabolic disturbances, including decreased insulin sensitivity, adiposity, and changes in lipid profiles. Estrogen replacement therapy can partially reverse these changes, and while it is safe in most healthy postmenopausal women, there are still existing concerns regarding an increased risk for breast and endometrial cancer as well as a risk for cardiovascular and thromboembolic disease. Therefore, certain natural compounds with positive metabolic effects may be considered as a possible alternative or adjunctive treatment in patients not willing to take estrogens or patients with contraindications for estrogens. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of Sideritis scardica (mountain tea) extract on metabolic disturbances induced by ovariectomy in rats. The study included 24 rats divided into three groups: ovariectomized rats treated with 200 mg/kg S. scardica extract for 24 weeks (n = 8), ovariectomized non-treated (n = 8), and Sham-operated (n = 8) rats. Food intake, weight gain, body composition, fasting glucose levels, response to oral glucose challenge, liver glycogen content, catalase activity, thiol groups, and malondialdehyde concentrations as well as AMP-activated protein kinase activity in liver cells were studied. Ovariectomized rats treated with S. scardica extract had lower blood triglycerides, reduced fasting glucose levels, as well lower glucose peaks after oral glucose challenge, increased liver glycogen content, and significantly higher catalase activity and thiol group concentration than non-treated ovariectomized rats. The ability of S. scardica extract to attenuate metabolic disturbances associated with ovariectomy was associated with the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase in liver cells.

Growth yield, carcass traits, biochemical and non- specific immune parameters in grey mullet, Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, 1758 under cyclic starvation and L- carnitine supplementation

The main objective for the present research is to assess effect of cyclic starvation and L- carnitine supplementation on growth (body final weight, hepatosomatic index (HSI), daily growth rate (DGI), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and voluntary feed intake (VFI)), body compositions (crude protein, crude lipid, ash and moisture), biochemical (plasma total protein, glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride and liver glycogen) and immunological (lysozyme activity) parameters in grey mullet. To satisfy foregoing end, number of 240 fish in weight (1.33±0.26 g) were randomly fell into four groups (three replicates, 20 fish per tank). Two groups were fed in daily manner and the other two ones were kept starved for 7 days once in 2 weeks. Two groups diets were fed with carnitine free basal diet and the remaining were fed with 800 mg carnitine kg-1 diet. Cyclic starvation led to significantly decreased body final weight, DGI, FCR, total protein, triglyceride and cholesterol. In contrary, no significant differences were found across all groups for FCR, HIS, glucose, liver glycogen and lysozyme concentrations. At the same time, combined effects of cyclic starvation and carnitine supplementation were manifested in DGI and VFI parameters. In light of the above results, it can be noted that in both feeding regimes, growth, feed utilization and carcass quality in grey mullet were increased upon adding 800 mg carnitine kg-1 diet

The effect of peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY3-36), a selective Y2 receptor agonist on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in albino rats.

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of the PYY3-36, as a potential therapy for the type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), induced by high fat diet (HFD) and an intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of streptozotocin (STZ) in albino rats. Forty adult male albino Wistar rats were divided into: 1) control group (C, in which the rats were fed with a standard diet and received vehicle; 2) diabetic group (D, in which T2DM was induced by feeding the rats with HFD for four weeks followed by a single i.p. injection of 35 mg/kg STZ, this group was also allowed to have HFD till the end of the study; and 3) D+PYY3-36 group (in which the diabetic rats were treated with 50 µg/kg i.p. PYY3-36 twice a day for one week). Food intake, water intake, body weight (b.w.), visceral fat weight (VFW), liver glycogen content, serum levels of glucose, insulin, and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were measured. Homeostatic-model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was estimated. The gene expression of the hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY) and visceral nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were assessed by a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The PYY3-36 administration to the diabetic group of rats significantly increased the serum insulin levels and liver glycogen content, decreased the body weight, VFW, food intake, water intake, serum levels of the glucose, IL-6, and HOMA-IR. It also decreased the expression of both the hypothalamic NPY and the visceral fat NF-κB. With respect to the fact of improved insulin release and enhanced insulin sensitivity (an effect that may be mediated via suppressing accumulation of visceral fat and inflammatory markers), in the rats treated with PYY3-36, the PYY3-36 might be considered for the future as a promising therapeutic tool in T2DM.

Antihyperglycaemia and related gene expressions of aqueous extract of Gongronema latifolium leaf in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Context: Gongronema latifolium Benth (Asclepiadaceae) has been highly utilized in controlling diabetes mellitus traditionally in the eastern part of Nigeria.Objectives: Antihyperglycaemic and related gene expressions of aqueous extract of Gongronema latifolium leaf in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.Materials and methods: Forty-eight female Wistar rats were induced intraperitoneally using alloxan (150 mg/kg body weight). The rats were separated into six groups (n = 8) as follows: non-diabetic control, diabetic control, diabetic rats administered 5 mg/kg body weight of metformin, and diabetic rats administered 6.36, 12.72 and 25.44 mg/kg body weight (ethnobotanical doses) of G. latifolium orally daily. On the 14th day, the animals were sacrificed and different antihyperglycaemic parameters were evaluated as well as its related gene expressions.Results: Diabetic rats administered three doses of aqueous extract of G. latifolium significantly (p < 0.05) lowered the fasting blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin, serum lipid profiles, lipid peroxidation (5.62–1.2 μ/mg protein) levels, as well as gene expression of glucose-6-phosphatase in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. There was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the liver glycogen content (16.23–112.5 mg glucose/2 g), antioxidant enzymes activities, glucose transporter (GLUT-2 and GLUT-4) levels and relative gene expression of hexokinase in diabetic rats administered different doses of aqueous extract of G. latifolium.Discussion and conclusions: It can be deduced that the aqueous extract of G. latifolium leaf at these doses may be useful in managing diabetes mellitus and its associated complications. Therefore, this extract may be a potent antidiabetic agent in clinical therapy in the future.

Comparative estimation vassseland hepatoprotective properties galenic plant drugs of 16 Caragana Lam. species

According to reductions traditional Chinese and Tibetian medicines Caragana Lam. species are using for treating patients with a lot of diseases including vascular and hepatobiliary pathology. Substantiation such using are confirmed experimentaly. Decoctions overground parts 13 from investigated 16 Caragana species demonstrated hepatoprotective properties keeping detoxycal liver function of mice after injection CCL4 and 8 of them prevented the losing glycogen concentration in liver. Vessel protective properties were demonstrated by 12 decoctions and 15 etanol tincturеs caragana species.