Hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective seeds mixture diet rich in ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids

In vitro physicochemical and antioxidant properties of mixture of Flax/Sesame (LS) and Flax/Peanut (LA) and in vivo hypolipidemic, antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities were carried out to ascertain the claim of its utilisation against diseases. The seeds mixture rich in unsaturated fatty acids were prepared with 5/1 ratio of ω-6/ω-3 fatty acids and were orally administered ad libitum to rats by standard diet for 30 days. High cholesterol fed diet rats (CD-chol) exhibited a significant increase in total plasma and liver lipid parameters and atherogenicity and a significant decrease in high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and HDL/TC ratio (HTR). Administration of (LS) or (LA) seeds mixture to hypercholesterolemic rats (MS-LSchol and MS-LAchol groups respectively) significantly ameliorated lipid parameters and showed an increase of PUFAs (ALA and LA) and MUFAs and a decrease of SFAs in plasma and liver of MS-LSchol and MS-LAchol groups. Furthermore, malondialdehyde levels decreased and the efficiency of antioxidant defense system was improved compared to CD-chol group. Liver histological sections showed lipid storage in hepatocytes of CD-chol group and an improvement was noted in both supplemented groups. Our results suggested that seeds mixtures of Flax/Sesame and Flax/Peanut have anti-atherogenic and hepatoprotective effects.     

Hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective effects of flax and pumpkin seed mixture rich in ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids in hypercholesterolemic rats

Flax and pumpkin seeds are a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants and fibers, known to have anti-atherogenic and hepatoprotective activities. These effects were evaluated in Wistar rats fed with 1% cholesterol diet. The study was performed on 30 male rats divided into three groups: a control group (CD), CD-chol group fed diet with 1% cholesterol and MS-chol group fed diet enriched with flax and pumpkin seed mixture. In CD-chol group, total cholesterol TC, triacylglycerol TG in plasma and liver, plasma LDL-C, atherogenic index AI and LDL/HDL ratio significantly increased. In MS-chol group lipid parameters decreased significantly, plasma and liver fatty acid composition showed an increase of PUFAs (ALA and LA), and MUFAs (oleic and eicosaenoic acid) and a decrease of SFA (palmitic and stearic acid). In plasma and liver of MS-chol group, malondialdehyde levels decreased and the efficiency of antioxidant defense system was improved compared to CD-chol group. Liver histological sections showed lipid storage in hepatocytes of CD-chol group and an improvement was noted in MS-chol group. Our results suggested that flax and pumpkin seed mixture had anti-atherogenic and hepatoprotective effects which were probably mediated by unsaturated fatty acids present in seed mixture.     

海藻溴酚化合物对糖尿病大鼠肾超微结构及结缔组织生长因子蛋白表达的影响

目的研究海藻溴酚化合物对糖尿病肾损伤大鼠结缔组织生长因子(CTGF)蛋白表达的影响。方法采用STZ注射制作糖尿病大鼠模型,随机分为对照组、模型组、化合物A和化合物B剂量组(0.5,10mg.kg-1),灌胃给药12周。处死大鼠,测血浆及肾组织中谷胱甘肽过氧物酶(GSH-Px)的活力及丙二醛(MDA)的含量;透射电镜法观察大鼠肾组织的病理改变;免疫组化法检测CTGF蛋白的表达。结果与对照组相比,模型组血浆及肾组织匀浆中GSH-Px活力下降,MDA含量升高。各干预组中GSH-Px的活力较模型组有升高的趋势,MDA含量有下降趋势。各干预组的CTGF平均吸光度值低于模型组。电镜下各干预组肾小球及肾小管病变较模型组减轻。结论海藻溴酚化合物A、B能提高糖尿病大鼠机体抗氧化水平,并能一定程度改善肾脏的病理变化,但其具体机制有待进一步探讨。     

糖尿病大鼠肾脏抗氧化防御系统机能的改变

目的：探讨糖尿病对肾脏抗氧化防御机能的影响。方法：观察12周糖尿病大鼠肾皮质丙二醛(MDA)及谷胱甘肽(GSH)水平,以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)、谷胱甘肽S转移酶(GSH-ST)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性的变化。结果：糖尿病大鼠肾组织中SOD、CAT活性下降;GSH含量显著降低;MDA没有变化;GSH-PX活性却明显增强。结论：糖尿病大鼠肾组织抗氧化防御机能明显下降。     

Protective effect of Eugenia jambolana seed kernel on tissue antioxidants in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Oxidative stress plays an important role in chronic complications of diabetes. In the present study the antioxidant effect of oral administration of ethanolic extract of Eugenia jambolana seed kernel on tissue antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in liver and kidney of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats was evaluated. Administration of seed kernel to diabetic rats significantly decreased the levels of blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and increased body weight gain, plasma insulin and hemoglobin. The diabetic rats showed the low activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione content in liver and kidney, which were restored to near normal levels by treatment with the seed kernel extract. The increased levels of lipid peroxidation and hydroperoxides in diabetic rats were reverted back to near normal levels after the treatment with seed kernel extract. Diabetic rats treated with seed kernel extract restored almost normal architecture of liver and kidney and were confirmed by histopathological examination. The present study reveals the efficacy of Eugenia jambolana seed kernel in the amelioration of diabetes, which may be attributed to its hypoglycemic property along with its antioxidant potential. The antioxidant effect of Eugenia jambolana seed kernel was also compared with glibenclamide, a standard hypoglycemic drug.     

Protective effect of olive oil and colocynth oil against cadmium-induced oxidative stress in the liver of Wistar rats

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most common heavy metal pollutants. It is accumulated particularly in liver and kidney. The present study examined the possible protective effect of olive oil and colocynth oil consumption against Cd-induced damage on plasma lipids and stress biochemical parameters of rats. Male albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups of 5 animals each and treated orally with Cd (50 mg/l), olive oil and colocynth oil (4%) alone or in combination with cadmium for 8 weeks. It was shown that Cd exposure induced significant increases in the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lipid peroxidation levels (MDA) and protein carbonyl contents in exposed groups of rats compared to control group while the antioxidant enzymes, reduced glutathione and vitamins (C, A and E) were significantly decreased. Co-treatment with olive oil or colocynth oil significantly improved the oxidative damage induced by Cd. The antioxidant potential in plasma and liver were markedly restored with a significant decline in MDA levels and activity of transaminases.In conclusion, these results suggest that olive oil or colocynth oil consumption could protect the rat liver against Cd-induced injury by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes and reducing oxidative stress.     

The antioxidant role of pterostilbene in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus in Wistar rats

The antioxidant effect of pterostilbene on streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats has been assessed. The activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase and reduced glutathione was significantly decreased in liver and kidney of diabetic animals when compared with normal control. There were significant improvements in these activities after treatment with pterostilbene at a dose of 40 mg kg(-1) for six weeks. The increased levels of lipid peroxidation measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in liver and kidney of diabetic rats were also normalized by treatment with pterostilbene. Chronic treatment of pterostilbene remarkably reduced the pathological changes observed in liver and kidney of diabetic rats. These results indicated the antioxidant property of pterostilbene.     

Biochemical study on the hypoglycemic effects of onion and garlic in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of onion (Allium cepa Linn) and garlic (Allium sativum Linn) juices on biochemical parameters, enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Alloxan was administered as a single dose (120 mg/kg BW) to induce diabetes. A dose of 1 ml of either onion or garlic juices/100 g body weight (equivalent to 0.4 g/100 g BW) was orally administered daily to alloxan-diabetic rats for four weeks. The levels of glucose, urea, creatinine and bilirubin were significantly (p<0.05) increased in plasma of alloxan-diabetic rats compared to the control group. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline and acid phosphatases (AlP, AcP) activities were significantly (p<0.05) increased in plasma and testes of alloxan-diabetic rats, while these activities were decreased in liver compared with the control group. Brain LDH was significantly (p<0.05) increased. The concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and the activity of glutathione S-transferase in plasma, liver, testes, brain, and kidney were increased in alloxan-diabetic rats. Treatment of the diabetic rats with repeated doses of either garlic or onion juices could restore the changes of the above parameters to their normal levels. The present results showed that garlic and onion juices exerted antioxidant and antihyperglycemic effects and consequently may alleviate liver and renal damage caused by alloxan-induced diabetes.     

Quercetin, a flavonoid antioxidant, prevents and protects streptozotocin-induced oxidative stress and beta-cell damage in rat pancreas.

The aim of the present study was the evaluation of possible protective effects of quercetin (QE) against beta-cell damage in experimental streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats. STZ was injected intraperitoneally at a single dose of 50 mg kg(-1) for diabetes induction. QE (15 mg kg(-1) day, intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection) was injected for 3 days prior to STZ administration; these injections were continued to the end of the study (for 4 weeks). It has been believed that oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus (DM). In order to determine the changes of cellular antioxidant defense system, antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were measured in pancreatic homogenates. Moreover we also measured serum nitric oxide (NO) and erythrocyte and pancreatic tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, a marker of lipid peroxidation, if there is an imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant status. Pancreatic beta-cells were examined by immunohistochemical methods. STZ induced a significant increase lipid peroxidation, serum NO concentrations and decreased the antioxidant enzyme activity. Erythrocyte MDA, serum NO and pancreatic tissue MDA significantly increased (P < 0.05) and also the antioxidant levels significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in diabetic group. QE treatment significantly decreased the elevated MDA and NO (P < 0.05), and also increased the antioxidant enzyme activities (P < 0.05). QE treatment has shown protective effect possibly through decreasing lipid peroxidation, NO production and increasing antioxidant enzyme activity. Islet cells degeneration and weak insulin immunohistochemical staining was observed in STZ induced diabetic rats. Increased staining of insulin and preservation of islet cells were apparent in the QE-treated diabetic rats. These findings suggest that QE treatment has protective effect in diabetes by decreasing oxidative stress and preservation of pancreatic beta-cell integrity.     

Protective role of selenium against renal toxicity induced by cadmium in rats

Cadmium is an environmental toxic metal implicated in human diseases. The mechanism of its toxicity is not fully understood. Therefore, the role of cadmium in renal toxicity, and the protective role of selenium against this toxicity were investigated. Forty-five male rats were used through out the study and divided into three groups of 15. The first group received saline solution daily for 10 days. The second group, received cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) (2 mg/kg body weight) intraperitoneally daily for a period of 10 days. The third group, received sodium selenite (1 mg/kg body weight, twice a day) and CdCl₂ (once a day) for a period of 10 days. The results showed that cadmium treatment increased renal lipid peroxidation (measured as malondialdehyde, MDA) which was associated with a significant decrease in the antioxidant systems such as reduced glutathione levels and the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR). On the other hand, pretreatment of rats with selenium and cadmium led to a significant decrease in MDA concentration, and increased levels of GSH and the activities of GPx and TrxR when compared with those of cadmium-treated group. The total levels of phospholipid, triglyceride, and cholesterolester classes were decreased, while free fatty acids levels were markedly increased after cadmium treatment. In addition, the total levels of both mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids of different lipid classes were significantly decreased, while the total saturated fatty acids was significantly increased by cadmium treatment. Pretreatment of rats with selenium, was found to protect kidney tissues of rats against the biochemical changes resulting from cadmium administration. These results suggest that cadmium causes renal toxicity by inducing lipid peroxidation, decreasing antioxidant systems, and also by altering lipid metabolism. In addition, selenium treatment could protect the kidney tissues against the toxicity of cadmium since it reduced MDA levels and increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes in these tissues. These results could be important for the further understanding of the complex mechanisms of cadmium toxicity in kidney tissues and in the development of better treatments for people and/or animals exposed to the heavy metal.     

灯盏花素对糖尿病大鼠肝脏保护作用的实验研究

目的　探讨灯盏花素对糖尿病大鼠肝脏保护作用。方法　建立STZ诱导的糖尿病模型 ,随机分 4组 :对照组、模型组、灯盏花素给药组、维生素E给药组 ,每组 10只 ,观察8wk。应用分光光度法检测肝组织MDA含量及SOD、CAT与GSH PX活性 ;HE染色对肝组织作病理检查 ;油红O染色观察肝组织脂肪浸润 ;肝组织ED1(单核 巨噬细胞表面标志 )免疫组织化学采用SABC技术。结果　灯盏花素给药组对糖尿病大鼠血糖、体重无明显影响 ,维生素E给药组可降低血糖 ,延缓体重下降。HE染色模型组部分肝细胞脂肪变性 ;各给药组对肝细胞保护效果较好。模型组肝细胞油红O染色评分为 2 11± 0 82 ,对照组为 0 35± 0 15 ,相比差异有显著性 (P <0 0 1) ;灯盏花素给药组评分为 0 75± 0 6 6 ,维生素E给药组评分为 1 13± 0 78,与模型组相比差异均有显著性 (P均 <0 0 1)。模型组肝组织MDA含量明显升高 ,SOD、CAT、GSH PX活性明显降低 ,各给药组均可降低肝组织MDA含量 ,提高SOD、CAT与GSH PX活性。免疫组织化学显示各给药组均能抑制糖尿病肝组织单核 巨噬细胞浸润的增加。结论　灯盏花素对糖尿病大鼠肝脏保护作用机制部分与抑制肝内脂肪浸润、氧化应激及巨噬细胞浸润有关。     

Protective role of melatonin and coenzyme Q10 in ochratoxin A toxicity in rat liver and kidney

Melatonin (MEL) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) both display antioxidant and free radical scavenger properties. In the present study, the effect of MEL and CoQ10 on the oxidative stress and fibrosis induced by ochratoxin A (OTA) administration in rats was investigated. Rats were divided into five equal groups, each consisting of seven rats: (1) controls; (2) OTA-treated rats (289 microg/kg/day); (3) OTA+MEL-treated rats (289 microg/kg/day OTA + 10 mg/kg/day MEL); and (4) OTA+CoQ10-treated rats (289 microg/kg/day OTA + 1 mg/100 g/day body weight (bw) CoQ10). After 4 weeks of treatment, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and hydroxyproline (Hyp) were measured in the homogenates of liver and kidney. In the OTA-treated group, the levels of MDA and Hyp in both liver and kidney were significantly increased when compared with the levels of control, whereas GPx activities decreased. In OTA+MEL-treated rats, the levels of MDA and Hyp in both liver and kidney were significantly decreased when compared with the levels of OTA-treated rats; however; GPX activities increased. In the OTA+CoQ10-treated group, the levels of MDA and Hyp were decreased when compared with the levels of OTA-treated rats, whereas GPx activities increased. In the OTA+CoQ10-treated group, the levels of MDA, Hyp, and GPx were not significantly changed in kidney when compared with OTA-treated group. MEL has a protective effect against OTA toxicity through an inhibition of the oxidative damage and fibrosis both liver and kidney. Although CoQ10 has protective effect against OTA toxicity in liver tissue, it has no effect in kidney tissue.     

厄贝沙坦对糖尿病大鼠丙二醛和超氧化物歧化酶的影响

目的 :探讨厄贝沙坦对糖尿病大鼠丙二醛和超氧化物歧化酶水平的影响。方法 :将 4 0只雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为对照组、糖尿病组、厄贝沙坦组和卡托普利 4组 ,每组 10只。 12wk终止实验 ,处死大鼠 ,取血、尿和肾脏标本 ,测定尿量、体重、肾重/体重、血糖、糖化血红蛋白 (HbAlc)、内生肌酐清除率 (Ccr)、尿清蛋白排泄率 (UAR)和尿 β2 微球蛋白(β2 MG)以及血液和肾组织的丙二醛 (MDA)和超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)水平。结果 :12wk终止实验时 ,糖尿病各组大鼠的尿量、肾重 /体重、血糖、HbAlc ,UAR ,β2 MG ,Ccr ,血液和肾脏组织的MDA水平均明显高于或大于对照组 ,体重明显低于对照组 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;厄贝沙坦组和卡托普利组大鼠的血液和肾脏组织的MDA水平 ,UAR ,β2 MG ,Ccr明显低于糖尿病组 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;而血液和肾组织的SOD活性高于糖尿病组 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论 :厄贝沙坦能延缓糖尿病大鼠肾脏功能损害的进展 ,其机制可能与厄贝沙坦不同程度地抑制糖尿病大鼠的脂质过氧化反应和提高SOD活性有关。     

Effect of garlic on liver phosphatidate phosphohydrolase and plasma lipid levels in hyperlipidemic rats

Studies on the effects of garlic (Allium sativum) on hyperlipidemia have demonstrated somewhat controversial results and there have been few studies on its enzymatic mechanism. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of garlic on the liver phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PAP) activity, plasma lipid levels, malondialdehyde (MDA) and plasma antioxidant in rats fed either by normal or high-lipogenic diet with or without garlic. Male Wistar rats were fed by standard pellet diet (group I), standard diet supplemented with 4% garlic (group II), lipogenic diet (containing sunflower oil, cholesterol and ethanol) plus 4% garlic (group III) and only lipogenic diet (group IV). Results showed that garlic significantly reduced total cholesterol (TC), plasma triglyceride (TG), LDL-C, VLDL-C, liver triglyceride, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and elevated plasma antioxidant in garlic treated rats (groups II and III) compared to group IV (lipogenic diet group). Also, liver PAP activity was decreased in group II than group I whereas, the decrease in its activity in groups III and IV was due to the accumulation of triglyceride in liver. Therefore, the results are clearly indicative of the beneficial effects of garlic in reducing lateral side effects of hyperlipidemia.     

Protective effect of lycopene on gentamicin-induced oxidative stress and nephrotoxicity in rats

A potential therapeutic approach to protect or reverse gentamicin-induced oxidative stress and nephrotoxicity would have more importance for clinical consequences. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the possible protective effects of lycopene against gentamicin-induced renal damage in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups of six rats in each one; first group served as control. The other groups were treated intraperitoneally with gentamicin alone (100 mg kg(-1) per day) for six successive days, gentamicin for 6 days following 10 days of orally lycopene (4 mg kg(-1) per day) pre-treatment and 6-days of simultaneous lycopene and gentamicin. Biochemical and histopathological examinations were utilized for evaluation of the oxidative stress and renal nephrotoxicity. Creatinine, urea, Na(+) and K(+) levels in plasma and malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) activities were determined in kidney tissue. Administration of gentamicin to rats induced a marked renal failure, characterized by a significant increase in plasma creatinine and urea concentrations. The animals treated with gentamicin alone showed a significantly higher kidney MDA and lower GSH-Px and CAT activities but unaffected GSH concentrations when compared with the control group. Pre-treatment with lycopene produced amelioration in biochemical indices of nephrotoxicity in plasma. However, little changes were observed in the kidney MDA and GSH levels and GSH-Px and CAT activities when compared with the gentamicin treated group. The histological structures of the renal proximal tubules showed similar patterns. On the other hand, administration of simultaneous lycopene to rats produced amelioration in MDA and GSH levels and GSH-Px and CAT activities when compared with gentamicin group. In addition, simultaneous lycopene was found to reduce the degree of kidney tissue damage in histopathological findings. These results indicate that specially simultaneous treatment of lycopene might have produced amelioration in biochemical indices and oxidative stress parameters against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity, but pre-treatments with lycopene had no beneficial effects on these parameters. It was concluded that lycopene as a novel natural antioxidant might have protective effects against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats.     

褪黑素对实验性糖尿病肾脏氧化应激的影响

［摘要］目的观察褪黑素对糖尿病大鼠肾脏氧化应激和过氧亚硝基阴离子（ONOO–）特异性标志物硝基酪氨酸（NT）表达的影响。方法实验动物分为糖尿病肾病组（DN组）、糖尿病褪黑素处理组（DM组）、正常对照组（NC组），8周后比较各组体重、血糖、血胆固醇、三酰甘油及肾脏丙二醛（MDA）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH Px）含量，免疫组化观察各组大鼠肾组织中NT的表达。结果和DN组比较，DM组大鼠血胆固醇、三酰甘油及肾脏MDA水平显著降低（P＜0.05），抗氧化酶SOD、GSH Px活性升高（P＜0.05），NT表达明显降低。结论褪黑素可显著提高糖尿病大鼠肾脏的抗氧化能力和降低氧化应激，对糖尿病大鼠肾脏具有保护作用。     

姜黄素固体分散体对2型糖尿病大鼠氧化应激的影响

目的研究姜黄素固体分散体对2型糖尿病大鼠氧化应激的影响。方法以聚乙烯吡咯烷酮（PVP）为载体制备姜黄素固体分散体。大鼠腹腔注射小剂量链脲佐菌素（STZ）建立2型糖尿病模型,随机分成糖尿病模型（MD）组、聚乙烯吡咯烷酮（PVP）组、姜黄素（CU）组、姜黄素固体分散体低剂量（LSD）组、姜黄素固体分散体高剂量（HSD）组。大鼠给药6周后,测定血清及肾脏组织中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）的活力,丙二醛（MDA）的含量。结果与正常对照组比较,MD组大鼠超氧化物歧化酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活力显著降低,氧化应激增强;与MD组比较,姜黄素固体分散体组SOD、GSH-Px活力显著提高,MDA含量显著降低。结论姜黄素固体分散体可显著提高糖尿病大鼠的抗氧化能力,抑制氧化应激。     

Restoration on tissue antioxidants by fenugreek seeds (Trigonella Foenum Graecum) in alloxan-diabetic rats

The influence of fenugreek seed powder supplementation in the diet on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status was studied in normal and alloxan-diabetic rats. The protective effect of the aqueous extract of the seeds on the activity of calcium-dependent adenosinetriphosphatase (Ca2+ ATPase) in liver homogenate in the presence of Fe2+/ascorbate in vitro was also investigated. Normal and diabetic rats were provided with a diet supplemented with fenugreek seed powder for 30 days at a dosage of 2 g/kg body weight. The diabetic rats exhibited enhanced lipid peroxidation and increased susceptibility to oxidative stress associated with depletion of antioxidants in liver, kidney and pancreas. However, treatment with fenugreek seed powder normalised the alterations. In normal rats supplementation resulted in increased antioxidant status with reduction in peroxidation. Ca2+ ATPase activity in liver was protected by the aqueous extract to nearly 80% of the initial activity. The findings suggest that the soluble portion of the seeds could be responsible for the antioxidant property.     

A study of hypoglycemic and antioxidant activity of Aegle marmelos in alloxan induced diabetic rats

The present study was performed to evaluate the hypoglycemic and antioxidant effect of aqueous extract of Aegle marmelos leaves (AML) on diabetic rats. Male albino rats were randomly divided into three groups: Group I: Control; Group II: Diabetic rats; and Group III: Diabetic rats administered AML. Glucose, urea and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in plasma, glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in erythrocytes were estimated in all the groups at the end of four weeks. There was a decrease in blood glucose at the end of four weeks in group III animals compared with group II, however it did not reach the control levels. There was an increase in erythrocyte GSH and a decrease in MDA in group III as compared to group II. The plasma GST levels were raised in diabetic rats when compared to controls. In the group III animals, there was a decrease in GST as compared to group II. Owing to hypoglycemic and antioxidant properties, AML may be useful in the long-term management of diabetes.     

罗格列酮改善糖尿病大鼠早期肾脏病变机制的研究

目的：探讨罗格列酮对糖尿病大鼠早期肾脏病变的改善作用及其机制。方法：采用链脲菌素（STZ）诱导的糖尿病大鼠模型作为研究对象。每日给予罗格列酮5mg·kg^-1、20mg·kg^-1灌胃,共4周。检测各组大鼠的血糖（BS）、血脂及24h尿白蛋白水平。随后处死大鼠,测定肾组织中丙二醛（MDA）含量、总抗氧化能力（T—AOC）及铜锌超氧化物歧化酶（Cu—ZnSOD）、谷胱甘肽过氧化酶（GSH—Px）、转录激活蛋白-1（AP—1）的活性。同时留取肾脏组织作PAS染色进行病理检查。分别用逆转录-聚合酶链式反应（PT—PCR）和免疫组化法检测肾组织中转化生长因子-β1（TGF—β1）mRNA及蛋白质的含量。结果：与糖尿病组相比,罗格列酮20mg·kg^-1干预组Bs、血脂水平无明显变化,但肾脏MDA、TGF—β1 mRNA及蛋白质含量明显下降,AP-1活性虽有所降低,但没有显著性差异。而肾脏抗氧化酶活性,包括SOD、GSH—Px、T—AOC则明显上升。病理检查发现该组较糖尿病组肾小球面积、体积减小。结论：罗格列酮可明显改善糖尿病大鼠的早期肾脏损害。机制可能与其抗氧化,下调TGF—β1的表达有关。