Consumption of green tea alters glial fibriliary acidic protein immunoreactivity in the spinal cord astrocytes of STZ-diabetic rats

We examined the effect of green tea consumption on glial fibriliary acidic protein (GFAP) expression in spinal cord of streptozotocin (STZ) treated rats. Three groups (n = 10) were used in this study: (i) controls; (ii) STZ-induced diabetic rats given tap water; and (iii) an STZ-induced diabetic group given green tea. Immunohistochemistry showed a significant (P < 0.001) decrease in the number of GFAP immunoreactive astrocytes in spinal cord sections of diabetic rats compared to non-diabetic controls. Diabetic rats treated with green tea showed a significant (P < 0.01) increase in the number GFAP-immunoreactive astrocytes in all the spinal cord gray areas as compared to water-drinking diabetic rats. Immunoblotting confirmed that the diabetic spinal cord tissue expressed 71.0 +/- 7.0% less GFAP compared to non-diabetic controls and that the GFAP content in diabetic rats increased up to 86.34 +/- 18.74% compared to non-diabetic controls after 12 weeks of green tea consumption. In conclusion, consumption of green tea may represent an achievable adjunct therapy for improving changes seen in diabetic spinal cord.     

Green Tea Consumption and Serum Malondialdehyde-Modified LDL Concentrations in Healthy Subjects

Objective: Green tea was shown to inhibit LDL oxidation, platelet aggregation, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activities in vitro. We tried to elucidate whether or not green tea consumption may have these effects in vivo, which may be protective against atherosclerotic disease.

Methods: We measured serum malondialdehyde-modified LDL (MDA-LDL) concentrations and urine 8-epi-prostaglandin (PG) F_2α in 22 healthy male nonsmokers. They drank 7 cups/day of water for 2 weeks and drank 7 cups/day of green tea for the next 2 weeks. Regarding platelet aggregation, plasma thromboxane B₂ (TXB₂) and 6-keto-PGF_1α concentrations and ex vivo platelet aggregation were evaluated. Plasma MMP-2 and -9 concentrations were also measured.

Results: Of the 22 subjects, 20 had been in the habit of drinking green tea before the study. Plasma catechins concentrations significantly decreased at the end of the water period and then increased at the end of the green tea period. Although no change in plasma LDL-cholesterol concentrations (110 ± 33 vs. 113 ± 28 mg/dL, p = NS) was found, MDA-LDL concentrations (84 ± 45 vs. 76 ± 40 IU/L, p < 0.05) and the ratio of MDA-LDL/LDL-cholesterol (0.74 ± 0.21 vs. 0.65 ± 0.20, p < 0.02) significantly decreased at the end of the green tea period. However, no significant changes were observed in urine 8-epi-PGF_2α concentrations, in platelet aggregation, nor in plasma TXB₂, 6-keto-PGF_1α or MMP concentrations.

Conclusion: Daily consumption of green tea decreased serum MDA-LDL concentrations, but it had no significant effects on platelet aggregation, platelet TX production or plasma MMPs concentrations. Our results suggest that green tea consumption may inhibit LDL oxidation in vivo.     

Habitual green tea consumption and risk of an aneurysmal rupture subarachnoid hemorrhage: A case–control study in Nagoya, Japan

Background Green tea, a popular beverage in Japan, contains many polyphenolic antioxidants, which might prevent cardiovascular disease. This study is designed to determine whether the consumption of green tea is associated with a reduced risk for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) using a case–control study.Methods Incident SAH cases (n=201) were identified and individually matched by age (±2 years) and gender to hospital (n=201) and community controls (n=201) from April 1992 to March 1997. Habitual regular tea consumption was assessed with a structured questionnaire. Conditional logistic regression models were used to compute odds ratios adjusted for smoking, history of hypertension, and educational levels.Results The proportion of the consumption of one time or more of tea per day was higher in controls (70.9%) than in SAH patients (60.3%). Multivariate analyses showed that green tea consumption was inversely associated with SAH risk. Subjects consuming <1, and ≥1 time per day had adjusted ORs of 0.74 (CI: 0.34–1.58), and 0.56 (CI: 0.32–0.98) in comparison with non daily green tea drinkers, respectively (p-trend <0.001).Conclusion In a case–control study in Japan, we found that habitual green tea consumption may be strongly associated with a reduced risk for SAH. Our findings will be useful in targeting individuals and populations for the primary prevention of SAH.     

Anthropometric,Dietary, and Hormonal Correlates of Serum Adiponectin in Asian American Women

There is increasing evidence that adiponectin has a critical role in the development of breast cancer, but factors that influence adiponectin concentrations have not been well studied. We conducted a cross-sectional study among Asian-American controls who participated in a population-based case-control study of breast cancer. Participants were interviewed in-person and donated a blood specimen. Using multivariate models, we investigated the relationships between serum adiponectin concentrations and lifestyle factors (including adiposity and dietary factors) and serum sex-hormones and growth factors among postmenopausal women who were nonhormone-users at blood draw (n = 196). Adiponectin concentrations were significantly positively associated with green tea intake (P trend = 0.03); levels were 31% higher among those who drank green tea 4 or more times per wk (14.5 ± 1.10 μg/mL) compared with nongreen-tea-drinkers (11.0 ± 1.09 μg/mL); this association remained after adjustment for body mass index (BMI) and waist/hip ratio (WHR), both of which were significantly and inversely associated with adiponectin. Adiponectin concentrations were positively associated with sex-hormone-binding globulin (P trend < 0.0001) and the ratios of total testosterone (T)/total estradiol (E2) (P trend <0.004) after adjustment for BMI and WHR. Confirmation of our findings on green tea and adiponectin is needed.     

Extract of green tea leaves partially attenuates streptozotocin-induced changes in antioxidant status and gastrointestinal functioning in rats

Rats with severe streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes were subjected to dietary green tea extract supplementation at 2 doses (0.01% and 0.2%; GTL and GTH groups, respectively) to evaluate their effects on antioxidant, gastrointestinal, and renal parameters of experimental animals. The lower dietary supplementation reflects daily consumption of 3 cups of green tea for an average adult weighing 70 kg. Supplementation of a diet with green tea extract had no influence on elevated food intake, body weight loss, increased glucose concentration, or declined antioxidant capacity of water-soluble substances in plasma in the diabetic rats. In cases of intestinal maltase activity, attenuation of liver and kidney hypertrophy, triacylglycerol concentration, and aspartate aminotransferase activity in the serum, both dietary treatments normalized metabolic disorders caused by STZ injection to a similar extent. Unlike the GTL group, the GTH treatment significantly ameliorated development of diabetes-induced abnormal values for small intestinal saccharase and lactase activities, renal microalbuminuria, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance content in kidney tissue, as well as total antioxidant status in the serum of rats. The GTH group was also characterized by higher antioxidant capacity of lipid-soluble substances in plasma and superoxide dismutase activity in the serum. Although the higher dose of green tea extract did not completely protect against STZ-induced hyperglycemia and oxidative stress in experimental rats, this study suggests that green tea extract ingested at high amounts may prove to be a useful therapeutic option in the reversal of diabetic dysfunction.     

中国成年双生子饮茶行为分布特征

目的 描述中国双生子登记系统（CNTR）成年双生子饮茶行为的分布特征,探索饮茶行为在双生子人群中的分布规律,为探究遗传和环境因素对饮茶行为的影响提供线索。方法 样本选自2010-2018年在CNTR进行登记的双生子,纳入≥18岁且具有饮茶信息的双生子共25 264对进行分析,描述双生子中饮茶行为的人群、地区分布特征,以及不同卵型双生子饮茶行为一致率和对内饮茶量差异分布情况。结果 研究对象年龄（35.38±12.45）岁,每周饮茶者占比17.0%,饮茶量（3.36±2.44）杯/d。男性、50~59岁、南方、城镇、文化程度高、双生子中先出生的个体中每周饮茶者比例较高（P<0.05）,未婚者中比例较低（P<0.001）。双生子对内分析发现同卵饮茶行为一致率均大于异卵,饮茶遗传度为13.45%（11.38%~15.51%）,除女性亚组外,不同性别、年龄、地区间饮茶一致率差异有统计学意义（均P<0.05）;根据性别、年龄、地区分层后仅男性同卵一致率始终呈大于异卵趋势。同性别双生子对内饮茶量差异在男性中呈现同卵小于异卵的特征（P<0.05）,而女性中差异不明显。结论 本研究双生子人群饮茶行为的分布存在人群和地区差异,饮茶行为主要受环境因素影响,遗传因素影响较弱,且遗传效应大小在不同性别、年龄、地区间不尽相同,性别可修饰这一遗传作用。     

Both aluminum and polyphenols in green tea decoction (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Camellia sinensis</Emphasis>) affect iron status and hematological parameters in rats

Background Green tea leaves naturally contain high levels of polyphenols and aluminum (Al). Polyphenols in green tea decoction are considered to be one of the major factors responsible of low iron status. However, the effects of Al from green tea decoction on iron status and hematological parameters remained unclear. Aim of the study The objective was to investigate the Al absorption from green tea decoction and studied its influence on iron status and hematological parameters in rats. Methods During the experiment period, rats were given the experimental diet + a simple dose of Al sulfate with or without graded doses of green tea decoction (25, 50 and 100 g/l). The Al absorption was evaluated in the serum; however, iron status was evaluated by the iron concentration in the liver, kidney, spleen and femur. In addition, the hemoglobin and hematocrit were evaluated. Results Our results showed that the serum Al significantly increased between 61.5 and 342%, as tea doses-dependant. The Al sulfate significantly decreased the reserve of iron in all studied organs between 21.7 and 17% (P < 0.05). In groups receiving green tea decoction alone or Al + graded doses of tea, the reserve of iron significantly decreased in all studied organs between 59.4 and 18.5% (P < 0.01). Al alone or associated with drinking doses of tea significantly decreased hemoglobin concentration between 23.6 and 9% (P < 0.05) and hematocrit between 12.7 and 7% (P < 0.01). Conclusion Our data showed that Al from green tea decoction was more absorbed in the serum than Al sulfate. Al absorption was associated with low iron status and reduction of hemoglobin and hematocrit. Considering that Al competes with iron in different stage of erythropoiesis including transferrin binding, so we could assume that the negative effect of tea on iron status arises not only from polyphenols iron complexes but also from Al released in tea decoction.     

Green tea improves metabolic biomarkers,not weight or body composition: a pilot study in overweight breast cancer survivors

Background: Overweight status after breast cancer treatment may increase a woman’s risk for recurrent disease and/or early onset cardiovascular disease. Green tea has been proposed to promote weight loss and favourably modify glucose, insulin and blood lipids. This pilot study tested the effect of daily decaffeinated green tea consumption for 6 months on weight and body composition, select metabolic parameters and lipid profiles in overweight breast cancer survivors. Methods: The effect of daily decaffeinated green tea intake on weight, body composition and changes in resting metabolic rate, energy intake, glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment – insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) and lipids was evaluated in overweight breast cancer survivors. Participants had a mean weight of 80.2 kg; body mass index (BMI) 30.1 kg m^?2; and body fat 46.4%. Participants (n = 54) were randomised to 960 mL of decaffeinated green or placebo tea daily for 6 months. Results: Mean (SD) tea intake among study completers (n = 39) was 5952 (1176) mL week^?1 and was associated with a significant reduction in energy intake (P = 0.02). Change in body weight of ?1.2 kg (green tea) versus +0.2 kg (placebo) suggests a weight change effect, although this was not statistically significant. Decaffeinated green tea intake was associated with elevated high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) levels (P = 0.003) and nonsignificant improvements in the HDL/LDL ratio and HOMA‐IR (?1.1 ± 5.9: green tea; +3.2 ± 7.2: herbal). Conclusions: Intake of decaffeinated green tea for 6 months was associated with a slight reduction in body weight and improved HDL and glucose homeostasis in overweight breast cancer survivors.     

Effect of green tea (Camellia sinensis) consumption on the components of metabolic syndrome in elderly

Objective

To evaluate the effect of the consumption of green tea on components of MS in the elderly.

Design

Intervention study.

Setting

The sample was selected from the Geriatric Service of Hospital S?o Lucas of Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul.

Participants

45 elderly with MS were enrolled and allocated into two groups: green tea group (GTG, n = 24), who drank green tea and control group (CG, n= 21) without intervention.

Intervention

The GTG received sachets of 1.0 g of green tea, and should drink three cups per day for 60 days and the CG was instructed not to make changes in their lifestyle.

Measurements

The diagnostic criteria for MS used were the International Diabetes Federation. The lipidic and glycemie profile, and anthropometric measurements were evaluated before and after intervention.

Results

There was a statistically significant weight loss only in GTG [71.5±12.6 kg to 70.3±12.6 kg (p<0.001)]. A statistically significant decrease in BMI [?0.5±0.4 kg/m² in GTG and ?0.2±0.6 kg/m² in CG (P=0.032)] and waist circumference [?2.2±2.0 cm in GTG and ? 0.3±1.8 cm in CG (P=0.002)] were observed. The intake of green tea did not change the biochemical parameters.

Conclusion

The consumption of green tea was effective in inducing weight loss, reducing BMI and waist circumference in the elderly with MS.     

Cancer-Preventive Effects of Drinking Green Tea among a Japanese Population

Background.Laboratory studies have revealed the cancer preventive effects of green tea, so the association between green tea consumption and cancer was examined in a human population.Methods.The association between green tea consumption and cancer incidence was studied in our prospective cohort study of a Japanese population. We surveyed 8,552 individuals over 40 years of age living in a town in Saitama prefecture on their living habits, including daily consumption of green tea. During the 9 years of follow-up study (71,248.5 person-years), we identified a total of 384 cases of cancer in all sites.Results.We found a negative association between green tea consumption and cancer incidence, especially among females drinking more than 10 cups a day. The slowdown in increase of cancer incidence with age observed among females who consumed more than 10 cups a day is consistent with the finding that increased consumption of green tea is associated with later onset of cancer. Age-standardized average annual incidence rate was significantly lower among females who consumed large amounts of green tea. Relative risk (RR) of cancer incidence was also lower among both females (RR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.33–0.98) and males (RR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.39–1.21) in groups with the highest consumption, although the preventive effects did not achieve statistical significance among males, even when stratified by smoking and adjusted for alcohol and dietary variables.Conclusion.Our epidemiological study showed that green tea has a potentially preventive effect against cancer among humans.     

Grape seed proanthocyanidin extracts prevent hyperglycemia-induced monocyte adhesion to aortic endothelial cells and ameliorates vascular inflammation in high-carbohydrate/high-fat diet and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The role of grape seed proanthocyanidin extracts (GSPE) in the prevention of diabetic vascular inflammation and monocyte-endothelial cell interactions has not been examined. We used high-carbohydrate/high-fat diet and streptozotocin to induce diabetes and treated with GSPE (125, 250 and 500?mg/kg) for 24 weeks. Inflammatory response and intima-media thickness (IMT) in aortic root were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (H&;E) staining. The receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE) expression of aortic root was assayed by immunohistochemistry. Isolation of rat aortic endothelial cell (RAEC) was used to ex vivo monocyte adhesion assay. In this study, inflammatory response and IMT were significantly increased in diabetic rats compared to non-diabetic rats, which can be reversed by GSPE (p?p?相似文献   

Effect of chromium supplementation on hair chromium concentration and diabetic status

Thirty-nine diabetic and 39 non-diabetic subjects matched for age and sex were given torula yeast (placebo) or brewer's yeast (68 μg chromium/day) in a double blind experiment. Hair chromium concentration was determined on all subjects before and after the 90 day yeast supplementation period. An overnight fasting blood sample was drawn from all diabetic subjects before and after yeast supplementation. The blood was analyzed for glycosylated hemoglobin and for serum glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. Mean initial hair chromium concentration of the non-diabetic subjects was 383±75 ppb, which was greater than that of the diabetic subjects (317±74 ppb) (p<0.001). Hair chromium concentration increased 111±78 ppb in subjects who received high chromium yeast compared with 17±80 ppb in those who received the placebo (p<0.001). The amount of increase in hair chromium concentration was similar between non-diabetic and diabetic subjects who received the high chromium yeast (p<0.05). No significant effect of chromium supplementation occurred in diabetic subjects as measured by any of the blood parameters (p>0.05).     

Use of an arginine‐enriched oral nutrition supplement in the healing of pressure ulcers in patients with spinal cord injuries: An observational study

Aim: Pressure ulcers are a serious secondary consequence of spinal cord injuries. The objective of the present study was to determine whether an arginine‐containing nutritional supplement can reduce the healing time of pressure ulcers in people with spinal cord injuries compared with those not consuming the supplement until full wound healing. Methods: Thirty‐four spinal cord injured patients with a grade 2, 3 or 4 pressure ulcer were prescribed two 237 mL tetrapaks/day of a supplement containing additional protein, arginine, zinc and vitamin C. Pressure ulcer healing was assessed with the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing tool. Results: Twenty patients consumed the nutritional supplement until full pressure ulcer healing had occurred, while 14 patients ceased consuming the supplement before full healing occurred because of intolerance, compliance or taste issues. A 2.5‐fold greater rate of healing was observed in patients consuming the supplement until full healing compared with those who ceased taking the supplement (8.5 ± 1.1 weeks vs 20.9 ± 7.0 weeks respectively; P= 0.04). There were no significant differences in age, nutritional status, gender or reason for admission between groups. Comparison of healing rates in the group consuming the supplement to full wound healing against expected rates derived from the medical literature showed a significantly shorter time‐to‐healing (grade 3 pressure ulcer: 6.5 ± 0.8 weeks vs 18.2 weeks; grade 4: 11.4 ± 2.0 weeks vs 22.1 weeks; P < 0.001). Conclusion: The present small‐scale study demonstrated the potential for specialised wound healing nutritional supplements to shorten the time to pressure ulcer healing in spinal cord injured patients.     

Effect of polychlorinated biphenyls on lipids and ascorbic acid metabolism in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Metabolic changes in lipids, ascorbic acid, and hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 by feeding polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) were investigated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Streptozotocin (STZ, 60 mg/kg body weight) was injected in Wistar male rats intraperitoneally. Diabetic and non-diabetic rats were fed ad libitum a 20% casein-based control diet or a PCB-containing diet (200 mg/kg diet) for 9 days. Body weight decreased significantly in STZ-induced diabetic rats with or without PCB (groups PD and D, respectively). In rats of group D, urinary ascorbic acid excretion was 15 times higher than that in non-diabetic rats fed a control diet (group C). Dietary PCB caused 30-fold higher urinary ascorbic acid excretion in non-diabetic rats (group P) than that in group C. In group PD, urinary ascorbic acid was nearly 60 times higher than that in group C. Ascorbic acid in liver and kidney was significantly lower in group D than in group C, and it was significantly lower in group PD than in group P. Liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 and b5 were both increased by dietary PCB in group P. Addition increase in these enzymes was observed in diabetic rats by PCB. Serum total cholesterol was 1.8 times higher in group P than in group C. Further increase in serum total cholesterol was observed in group PD. These data suggest that metabolic changes in lipids and ascorbic acid induced by the dietary xenobiotic were magnified in STZ-induced diabetic rats.     

Effects of green tea or Sasa quelpaertensis bamboo leaves on plasma and liver lipids, erythrocyte Na efflux, and platelet aggregation in ovariectomized rats

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Sasa quelpaertensis bamboo and green tea on plasma and liver lipids, platelet aggregation, and erythrocyte membrane Na channels in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Thirty female rats were OVX, and ten female rats were sham-operated at the age of 6 weeks. The rats were divided into four groups at the age of 10 weeks and fed the experiment diets: sham-control, OVX-control, OVX-bamboo leaves (10%), or OVX-green tea leaves (10%) for four weeks. Final body weight increased significantly in the OVX groups compared with that in the sham-control, whereas body weight in the OVX-green tea group decreased significantly compared with that in the OVX-control (P < 0.01). High density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol level decreased in all OVX groups compared with that in the sham-control rats (P < 0.05) but without a difference in plasma total cholesterol. Plasma triglycerides in the OVX-green tea group were significantly lower than those in the sham-control or OVX-control group (P < 0.05). Liver triglycerides increased significantly in the OVX-control compared with those in the sham-control (P < 0.01) but decreased significantly in the OVX-green tea group compared with those in the OVX-control or OVX-bamboo group (P < 0.01). Platelet aggregation in both maximum and initial slope tended to be lower in all OVX rats compared with that in the sham-control rats but was not significantly different. Na-K ATPase tended to increase and Na-K cotransport tended to decrease following ovariectomy. Na-K ATPase decreased significantly in the OVX-green tea group compared with that in the OVX-control group (P < 0.01), and Na-K cotransport increased significantly in the OVX-bamboo and OVX-green tea groups compared with that in the OVX-control (P < 0.05). Femoral bone mineral density tended to be lower in OVX rats than that in the sham-control, whereas the green tea and bamboo leaves groups recovered bone density to some extent. The results show that ovariectomy caused an increase in body weight and liver triglycerides, and that green tea was effective for lowering body weight and triglycerides in OVX rats. Ovariectomy induced an increase in Na efflux via Na-K ATPase and a decrease in Na efflux via Na-K cotransport. Furthermore, consumption of green tea and bamboo leaves affected Na efflux channels, controlling electrolyte and body water balance.     

Influence of Preoperative Feeding on the Healing of Colonic Anastomoses in Malnourished Rats

Background: Malnutrition influences healing of gastrointestinal anastomoses. The authors hypothesize that colonic anastomotic healing is decreased by malnutrition and might be improved by preoperative feeding. Methods: Eighty adult male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: (1) control rats 1 (C1), fed regular chow ad libitum for 21 days; (2) malnourished pair‐fed rats (M), fed 50% of the food ingested by the control rats for 21 days; (3) preoperative nutrition rats (PRE), fed 50% of the average of the controls for 21 days and then fed preoperative nutrition with regular chow ad libitum for 1 week before the operation; and (4) control rats 2 (C2), fed regular chow ad libitum for 28 days. On days 21 (C1 and M) and 28 (PRE and C2), rats underwent 2 colonic transections and, subsequently, 2 end‐to‐end anastomoses. Rats were killed on postoperative day 5. The anastomoses were ressected for tensile strength and histological analysis. Results: PRE rats showed increased maximal tensile strength vs the M group (0.09 ± 0.01 vs 0.15 ± 0.01; P < .05) and similar values of maximal tensile strength as the controls (0.15 ± 0.01 vs 0.15 ± 0.02; P = .91). Collagen type I was higher in controls vs the PRE group (6.13 ± 0.39 vs 4.90 ± 1.53; P < .05); nevertheless, the PRE group showed higher collagen type I than M rats (4.90 ± 0.36 vs 3.83 ± 0.35; P < .05). Conclusions: Preoperative feeding for 7 days increases the maximal tensile strength, as well as the percentage area of mature collagen, approaching similar values as the control group.     

The effect of mate tea (Ilex paraguariensis) on metabolic and inflammatory parameters in high-fat diet-fed Wistar rats

This study investigated the effects of mate tea (Ilex paraguariensis) aqueous extract consumption on metabolic indicators and inflammatory response of peritoneal macrophages in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Male Wistar rats were fed a control diet or a HFD for 12 weeks. At the end of this period, rats received, or not, daily doses of yerba maté for 4 weeks. The consumption of yerba maté promoted weight loss, attenuated the HFD-detrimental effects on adiposity and insulin sensitivity and decreased blood levels of the inflammatory biomarkers (p < 0.05). Concerning peritoneal macrophages, mate tea consumption decreased the production of interleukin (IL)-6, but did not influence the production of IL-1β, tumour necrosis factor-α and nitric oxide; cytokine mRNA expression; or the activation of the nuclear factor-κB signalling pathway. In summary, the consumption of mate tea had no consistent effect in the inflammatory response of peritoneal macrophages, but reduced cardiometabolic risk markers.     

Hypoglycemic effect of Lentinus strigosus (Schwein.) Fr. crude exopolysaccharide in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

ABSTRACT This study reports the hypoglycemic effects of the crude exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced from submerged mycelial culture of Lentinus strigosus (Schwein.) Fr. (Family Polyporaceae) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. In a dose-dependent study, diabetic rats were treated with EPS at doses of 50-150 mg/kg of body weight for 7 days. Serum glucose and plasma insulin levels were measured in normal, STZ-induced diabetic, and EPS-treated diabetic rats. Following oral administration of EPS dosages for 7 days, the serum glucose levels in the STZ-induced diabetic rats were reduced up to 21.1% at the dose of 150 mg/kg of body weight. The results revealed that orally administered L. strigosus EPS, at the dose of 150 mg/kg, exhibited a considerable hypoglycemic effect in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Plasma insulin levels of STZ-induced diabetic rats decreased as compared to control group rats (P < .05). Although insulin levels slightly increased in the EPS-treated groups the increase was not statistically significant. The hypoglycemic potential of the EPS was further supported by histological observations of pancreatic islets of Langerhans.     

NADPH-Diaphorase Containing Neurons and Biocytin-labelled Axon Terminals in the Visual Cortex of Adult Rats Malnourished During Development

This is the first report of the effects of malnutrition during brain development on biocytin-labelled axon terminals and histochemical pattern of NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d)-containing neurons in area 17 of the adult rat. Wistar rats (n = 6) were submitted early in life (from gestation up to 42 days of age) to a multideficient diet (the ‘regional basic diet’ (RBD) of low-income human populations of north-east Brazil, containing only 8% protein). From day 43 up to adulthood (135–212 days), they were switched to a commercial laboratory chow diet (Purina do Brasil Ltda), with 22% protein. These animals were compared to control rats (n = 11), fed the laboratory chow diet until adulthood. The brains of four adult malnourished and five controls were processed according to the indirect method of the malic enzyme to reveal NADPH-d-containing neurons. Five other adult subjects (three controls and two malnourished) received iontophoretic injections of the tracer biocytin in area 17and were processed according to the glucose oxidase-DAB-nickel protocol in order to visualize axon terminals filled with biocytin. Three other control rats were processed for both techniques. In these last brains, no double-labelled cells could be found, suggesting that the NADPH-d-containing-neurons and the biocytin-labelled ones belong to different groups of cells, in area 17. The appendages of the NADPH-d-positive cells showed minor qualitative and quantitative differences between undernourished and control rats. The soma area of these cells was reduced in the white matter of malnourished rats, as compared to the controls (468.6 ± 54.3 μm²; n = 4 and 515.4 ± 30.5 μm²;n = 8, respectively; p < 0.05). The cell density (cells/mm²) was greater in the malnourished group than in the control, both at the grey matter (16.6 ± 4.4; n = 4 and 11.3 ± 4.3; n = 8, respectively; p < 0.05) and at the white matter (55.9 ± 15.7; n = 4 and 24.4 ± 8.5; n = 8; p < 0.005). The number of potential synaptic sites in the biocytin-labelled axon terminals was reduced as compared to the control (126 ± 33 boutons/mm, n = 32 and 160 ± 37; n = 30, respectively; p < 0.01). The results indicate that the rat area 17 is affected differently by early malnutrition, regarding biocytin-labelled axon terminals, on the one hand, and NADPH-d-containing neurons, on the other. Concerning these last cells, the data also suggest that they are less sensitive to the injury represented by early malnutrition.     

Association between nitric oxide and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine levels in semen of diabetic men

The incidence of diabetes mellitus is rapidly increasing in the world. One of the complications of diabetes includes disturbance of the reproductive tract, such as infertility, erectile dysfunction, and endocrine disruption. Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical produced by most cells including the human male and female reproductive tracts. NO has a dual role where low concentrations are essential for homeostatic cellular biology and physiology, but high levels have detrimental effects relating to cellular damage from this reactive oxygen species (ROS). 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is an oxidized nucleoside of DNA that is currently used as a biomarker of cellular oxidative stress, where urinary levels can correlate with diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between nitrate/nitrite levels and 8-OHdG levels in the semen of diabetic and non-diabetic men. Concentrations of nitrate/nitrite and 8-OHdG were examined in seminal plasma of 32 diabetic and 35 non-diabetic men. The level of nitrate/nitrite was assayed by colorimetric reaction and 8-OHdG was measured by ELISA. Our results showed that the seminal plasma nitrate/nitrite levels were significantly higher in the diabetic group (p?<?0. 01). There were also significantly higher 8-OHdG levels in diabetic men compared to non-diabetic men (p?<?0.05). Regression analysis indicated that in diabetic men, nitrate/nitrite levels correlated well with 8-OHdG levels (r?=?0.64, p?<?0.001). A significant trend between nitrate/nitrite and sperm parameters was not observed. Our data suggests that high levels of nitrate/nitrite in the semen of diabetic men is suggestive of reactive oxygen species induced DNA damage that is correlated with 8-OHdG levels but not sperm parameters. These results support the further investigation of NO and 8-OHdG as biomarkers for assessing male infertility.