Nephroprotective effect of Semecarpus anacardium on diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetic rats

Semecarpus anacardium Linn. (Anacardiaceae), commonly known as marking nut is found in sub-Himalayan regions and also in central parts of India. This study is aimed at evaluating the protective effect of the drug S. anacardium nut milk extract (SA) on diabetes-induced damage in kidney of type 2 diabetic rats. Diabetic nephropathy was induced in rats by feeding them with a high fat diet for 5 weeks followed by i.p. injection of 35 mg/kg body weight (b.wt.) and left for 8 weeks. Diabetic nephropathy-induced animals were treated with SA at a dosage of 300 mg/kg b.wt. dissolved in olive oil for 8 weeks. Treatment with the drug SA decreased the levels of urea, uric acid and creatinine. The drug SA significantly decreased the levels of marker enzymes and lipid peroxides while increasing the levels of antioxidant enzymes. The histopathological alterations in kidney tissues were also found to be normalized after treatment with SA nut milk extract. No significant alterations were observed in drug alone-treated group of rats. The present study suggests that SA demonstrated antioxidant activity in diabetic nephropathy rats. The potential nephroprotective effect is plausibly due to its underlying antioxidant role.     

Antidiabetic effect of Orchis anatolica root extracts on alloxan-induced diabetic rats

The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of Orchis anatolica roots ethanol extraction on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Thirty-six albino rats (200 g) were used in this experiment and divided into six groups. Diabetes was induced in five rat groups by a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150 mg/kg body weight). After hyperglycemia was conformed, one rat group was considered as diabetic control and one group was treated with glibenclamide (10 mg/kg body weight/daily) where the remaining three groups received daily treatments with three different doses of O. anatolica extract namely 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg body weight for 10 days. Body weight and fasting blood sugar levels were recorded throughout and by the end of the treatment. Blood serum biochemical markers such as urea, creatinine, cholesterol, and total serum protein levels were recorded after the treatment ended. Findings indicate that treatment with medium and high doses of O. anatolica extract (400 and 800 mg/kg/body weight) reduces blood sugar values to significant levels (P?<?0.01 and P?<?0.001) in rats after 7 and 10 days treatment when compared with diabetic control alloxan-induced rats in a similar fusion as in glibenclamide treatment (P?<?0.001). However, both treatments failed to bring the blood sugar values to normal value levels. All elevated blood serum markers induced by the alloxan treatment were reduced to significant levels in rats treated with O. anatolica at both medium and high doses (P?<?0.01 and P?<?0.001) and also after glibenclamide treatment (P?<?0.001). Glibenclamide and the two high doses of O. anatolica extract did not alter the rat’s body weight when compared with nondiabetic control rats, whereas significant reduction (P?<?0.05) was observed when compared with the alloxan-induced rats’ body weight. We can conclude that O. anatolica treatment exhibits a significant antihyperglycemic effect without altering the body weight and can correct some biochemical uttered markers induced by diabetes in a similar manner to glibenclamide treatment.     

姜黄素对糖尿病大鼠心肌的保护作用*

 目的： 研究姜黄素对糖尿病大鼠心肌的保护作用及可能机制。方法: 雄性Wistar大鼠75只,随机抽取10只大鼠作为正常对照组,其余65只大鼠给予高糖高脂饮食喂养8周后腹腔注射链脲佐菌素40 mg/kg,给药72 h和7 d空腹血糖≥11.6 mmol/L为糖尿病模型成功大鼠。糖尿病大鼠随机分为糖尿病心肌病组、姜黄素小剂量治疗组和大剂量治疗组。测定心肌谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）活性和丙二醛（MDA）含量,酶联免疫吸附试验检测血清心肌钙蛋白I（cTnI）的变化,Western blotting检测蛋白激酶C（PKC）蛋白表达。结果: 姜黄素治疗后可明显改善糖尿病所致的动物体重下降和空腹血糖升高,抑制心肌中MDA的产生并升高GSH-Px活性,减少血清中cTnI的释放,下调心肌组织PKC蛋白表达。结论: 姜黄素对大鼠糖尿病心肌病具有保护作用,其机制可能与抑制氧化应激有关。     

Preliminary study on the protective effect of vitamin C on monosodium glutamate-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a food additive with a wide range of biological effects but its high dose and prolonged use can cause a toxic effect on the liver. Therefore, the present study was aimed at investigating the role of vitamin C in MSG-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. MSG was administered to rats (by gavage) at a dose of 6 mg/g body weight for 10 days to induce hepatotoxicity, and vitamin C at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight was coadministered to evaluate its ameliorating effect by measuring alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities in serum; superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities in liver fraction; lipid peroxidation; and liver weight. It was found that MSG significantly (P?<?0.05) induced lipid peroxidation (LPO), increased liver weight, and increased activity of SOD and catalase in the liver of animals. The activity of ALT and AST was also increased in the serum on MSG administration. Vitamin C (500 mg/kg) coadministered with MSG significantly reduced LPO and liver weight and decreased the hepatic activity of catalase, but the activity of SOD was not reduced significantly. Also, a significant reduction in ALT and AST activity was observed. MSG induced oxidative stress and hepatic toxicity in the experimental animals at a dose of 6 mg/g body weight. Vitamin C significantly reduced the oxidative stress and hepatic toxicity induced by MSG, thereby providing a protective effect against the MSG-induced hepatotoxicity. The protective effect is associated with decreased LPO and liver weight and decreased activities of catalase, ALT, and AST.     

Antidiabetic effects of Corni Fructus extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Purpose

Diabetes is the leading cause of end-stage renal failure. The present study was undertaken to characterize the effects of Corni Fructus on diabetic nephropathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and their mechanisms.

Materials and Methods

Streptozotocin-diabetic rats were orally administrated with Corni Fructus at a dose of 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg body mass for 40 days.

Results

Corni Fructus-treated diabetic rats showed significant decreases of blood glucose, urinary protein levels and water consumption. Corni Fructus also reduced serum total cholesterol, total triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and showed a tendency of enhancing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. Levels of serum albumin and creatinine in diabetic rats were also significantly reduced by Corni Fructus administration at a dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg body mass compared with non-treated diabetic rats. Corni Fructus increased catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidose (GSH-px) activities in the kidneys of diabetic rats. Furthermore, Corni Fructus treatment enhanced renal peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) expression in diabetic rats.

Conclusion

These results demonstrated that Corni Fructus may have the potential to protect the animals from diabetic nephropathy by amelioration of oxidative stress and stimulation of PPARγ expression.     

The effects of a hydroalcoholic extract of silymarin on serum lipids profiles in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Diabetes produces disturbances in lipid profile and increased incidence of atherosclerosis. Lipid abnormalitiesare defined by increases in triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and decreases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c). Silymarin is a natural hepato-protector extracted from Silybum marianum. It is possible that that Silymarin might be able to modulate metabolic changes in the liver and pancreas. In the present study, fifty adult male Wistar rats were used in five groups: group I—control (0.9 % NaCl), group II—diabetic control (0.9%NaCl), group III—diabetic receiving 100 mg/kg silymarin, group IV—diabetic receiving 125 mg/kg, silymarin, and group V—diabetic receiving 250 mg/kg silymarin. All groups were dosed for 14 days via oral gavage. Diabetes was induced by single injection of streptozotocin in rats (45 mg/kg b.w., ip.). Fasting glucose level and weight were measured before injection, 3 days after injection, and on days 7 and 14 of treatment. At the end of day 14, blood samples were collected via a heart puncture after animals had been anaesthetized with ether. Lipid profile of the serum samples were analysed (TC, TG, HDL-c, LDL-c). The results showed that hydroalcoholic extract of silymarin increased the average weight and decreased glucose level in this period, and TC, TG, LDL-c and VLDL-c level experienceda dose dependent reduction; the level of HDL-c increased in a dose-dependent manner at the end of 14 days (P?<?0/05). The results of the present study demonstrate that hydroalcoholic extract of silymarin has an overall beneficial effect on weight, glucose level and lipid profile in an experimental model.     

Curcumin regulates gene expression of insulin like growth factor,B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2 and antioxidant enzymes in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Background

The effects of curcumin on the activities and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione-S-transferase (G-ST), B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in diabetic rats were studied.

Methods

Twenty four rats were assigned to three groups (8 rats for each). Rats of first group were non diabetic and rats of the second group were rendered diabetic by streptozotocin (STZ). Both groups received vehicle, corn oil only (5 ml/kg body weight) and served as negative and positive controls, respectively. Rats of the third group were rendered diabetic and received oral curcumin dissolved in corn oil at a dose of 15 mg/5 ml/kg body weight for 6 weeks.

Results

Diabetic rats showed significant increase of blood glucose, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and activities of all antioxidant enzymes with significant reduction of reduced glutathione (GSH) compare to the control non diabetic group. Gene expression of Bcl2, SOD, CAT, GPX and GST was increased significantly in diabetic untreated rats compare to the control non diabetic group. The administration of curcumin to diabetic rats normalized significantly their blood sugar level and TBARS values and increased the activities of all antioxidant enzymes and GSH concentration. In addition, curcumin treated rats showed significant increase in gene expression of IGF-1, Bcl2, SOD and GST compare to non diabetic and diabetic untreated rats.

Conclusion

Curcumin was antidiabetic therapy, induced hypoglycemia by up-regulation of IGF-1 gene and ameliorate the diabetes induced oxidative stress via increasing the availability of GSH, increasing the activities and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes and Bcl2. Further studies are required to investigate the actual mechanism of action of curcumin regarding the up regulation of gene expression of examined parameters.

     

Reproductive toxicity of Roundup herbicide exposure in male albino rat

The incidence of infertility in human is on the increase and the use of Roundup herbicide and presence of its residues in foodstuff is a major concern. This study therefore aim to assess the effect of Roundup on the reproductive capacity of 32 adult male albino rats randomized into 4 groups of 8 rats per group orally exposed to Roundup at 3.6 mg/kg body weight(bw), 50.4 mg/kg bw and 248.4 mg/kgbw of glyphosate concentrations for 12 weeks while the control group was given distilled water. Serum level of reproductive hormone (testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and prolactin), oxidative stress indices in the testicular tissue, epididymal sperm morphology assessment and testicular histopathology of the rats were used as a diagnostic marker of reproductive dysfunction. Significant (p < 0.05) alterations in the level of all the reproductive hormones and oxidative stress markers assayed were observed in rats exposed to Roundup. Significant reductions (p < 0.05) in sperm count, percentage motility and significant (p < 0.05) increased in abnormal sperm cells were observed in the exposed rats. Histopathologically, severe degenerative testicular architectural lesions were seen in the Roundup exposed rats. Roundup may interfere with spermatogenesis and impair fertility in male gonad.     

Oleuropein attenuates cognitive dysfunction and oxidative stress induced by some anesthetic drugs in the hippocampal area of rats

The present study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant effects of oleuropein against oxidative stress in the hippocampal area of rats. We used seven experimental groups as follows: Control, Propofol, Propofol-Ketamine (Pro.-Ket.), Xylazine-Ketamine (Xyl.-Ket.), and three oleuropein-pretreated groups (Ole.-Pro., Ole.-Pro.-Ket. and Ole.-Xyl.-Ket.). The oleuropein-pretreated groups received oleuropein (15 mg/kg body weight as orally) for 10 consecutive days. Propofol 100 mg/kg, xylazine 3 mg/kg, and ketamine 75 mg/kg once as ip was used on the 11th day of treatment. Spatial memory impairment and antioxidant status of hippocampus were measured via Morris water maze, lipid peroxidation marker, and antioxidant enzyme activities. Spatial memory impairment and lipid peroxidation significantly increased in Xyl.-Ket.-treated rats in comparison to the control, propofol, Ole.-Pro. and Ole.-Pro.-Ket. groups. Oleuropein pretreatment significantly reversed spatial memory impairment and lipid peroxidation in the Ole.-Xyl.-Ket. group as compared to the Xyl.-Ket.-treated rats. There was no significant difference between the control and the propofol group in lipid peroxidation and spatial memory status. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities both significantly decreased in Xyl.-Ket.-treated rats when compared to the control, propofol, Ole.-Pro., Ole.-Pro.-Ket., and Ole.-Xyl.-Ket. groups. In contrast, glutathione peroxidase activity in Xyl.-Ket.-treated rats significantly increased as compared to the control, propofol, Pro.-Ket., Ole.-Pro., and Ole.-Pro.-Ket. groups. We concluded that xylazine in combination with ketamine is an oxidative anesthetic drug and oleuropein pretreatment attenuates cognitive dysfunction and oxidative stress induced by anesthesia in the hippocampal area of rats. We also confirmed the antioxidant properties of propofol as a promising antioxidant anesthetic agent.     

A preliminary study of the use of human adipose tissue-derived stem cells for the treatment of streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus in a rat model

The purpose of this study is to determine if intraventricular injection of human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hADSC) are effective in treating streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus (DM) in nude rats. Twenty-two adult, male nude rats (strain Crl:NIH-Fox1^RNU) were used to induce diabetes using streptozotocin. A single, 150 mg/kg STZ was injected intraperitoneally. Severity of the induced diabetic state was assessed by daily monitoring of body weight, clinical signs, and blood glucose levels. C-peptide was assessed before ADSC injection (T0) and at 3, 5, and 21 days after ADSC injection. Eight rats (40%) developed DM within 24 h after STZ injection. Of the eight rats that developed DM, five were given 2 million freshly prepared ADSC intraventricularly under echocardiography guidance 10 days after STZ injection and three were only given sterile saline for comparison. Surviving rats were humanly sacrificed 21 days after ADSC injection. The average weight of diabetic rats decreased significantly after STZ injection. ADSC injection had no effect on the body weight of rats. Non-fasting serum glucose levels increased significantly in both groups. In diabetic rats, C-peptide decreased significantly before ADSC injection and seemed to return to normal 21 days after ADSC administration. Results of this preliminary study might suggest a beneficial effect of using hADSC for the treatment of STZ-induced diabetes in adult nude rats.     

吡咯烷二硫代氨基甲酸酯减轻2型糖尿病大鼠胰岛β细胞氧化损伤

 目的 探讨吡咯烷二硫代氨基甲酸酯（PDTC）对2型糖尿病大鼠胰岛β细胞氧化损伤的影响及其机制。方法 用长期高脂饮食加小剂量链脲佐菌素（STZ,27mg/kg体重）建立2型糖尿病大鼠模型。PDTC治疗组大鼠每天腹腔注射PDTC（50mg/kg）1次,1周后取血浆检测血糖。取胰腺组织匀浆测定丙二醛（MDA）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-PX）的含量;应用免疫组化和Western blot等检测胰腺组织中诱生型一氧化氮合酶（iNOS）的表达及硝基化酪氨酸（NT）的水平;流式细胞术检测胰岛β细胞凋亡百分率。结果 糖尿病大鼠血糖、MDA水平均显著高于对照组（P﹤0.01）;SOD和GSH-PX水平明显低于对照组（P﹤0.01）;胰岛组织中iNOS表达水平（0.37±0.06）和NT生成量（0.24±0.01）均较对照组（0.11±0.01）和（0.12±0.01）明显增多（P<0.01）。PDTC治疗后血糖明显降低,MDA明显减少（P＜0.01）;而SOD、GSH-PX水平明显升高（P＜0.05,P＜0.01）;胰岛组织中iNOS表达及NT生成均明显减少（P＜0.01）;胰岛β细胞凋亡率明显降低（P＜0.05）。结论 PDTC可以降低血糖,减轻大鼠体内氧化应激反应,减少糖尿病大鼠胰岛β细胞的凋亡。     

Attenuation of Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatic Injury with Curcumin-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles

Background and Objectives

Curcumin, an established pleiotropic agent, has potential for hepatoprotection owing to its powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrogenic properties. However, its poor bioavailability limits its use in therapeutics. In this study, we aimed to package curcumin into solid lipid nanoparticles (C-SLNs) to improve its bioavailability and compare the efficacy of C-SLNs with that of free curcumin and silymarin, a well-established hepatoprotectant in clinical use, against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatic injury in rats, post-induction. A self-recovery group to which no treatment was given was also employed for quantifying self-healing of hepatic tissue, if any.

Material and Methods

C-SLNs (particle size 147.6 nm), prepared using a microemulsification technique, were administered to rats post-treatment with CCl₄ (1 ml/kg body weight [BW] twice weekly for 2 weeks, followed by 1.5 ml/kg BW twice weekly for the subsequent 2 weeks). The extent of liver damage and repair in terms of histopathology and levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione) and a pro-inflammatory response marker, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, were determined in both the CCl₄ group and the treatment groups.

Results

C-SLNs (12.5 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.001–0.005) attenuated histopathological changes and oxidative stress, and also decreased induction of ALT, AST, and TNF-α in comparison with free curcumin (100 mg/kg), silymarin (25 mg/kg), and self-recovery groups.

Conclusion

Curcumin could be used as a therapeutic agent for hepatic disorders, provided it is loaded into a suitable delivery system.     

雷公藤多苷对糖尿病肾病大鼠肾脏细胞自噬的影响及相关机制

目的 探讨雷公藤多苷对糖尿病肾病大鼠的肾脏细胞自噬的影响，并分析其相关分子机制。方法 采用腹腔注射链脲佐菌素（STZ）的方法构建糖尿病肾病大鼠模型。将30只SD大鼠依据随机数表法分为5组，对照组、模型组、0.1 mg/kg药物组、0.5 mg/kg药物组和1.0 mg/kg药物组，每组各6只。糖尿病肾病模型建立成功后，0.1 mg/kg药物组、0.5 mg/kg药物组和1.0 mg/kg药物组分别灌胃0.1、0.5和1.0 mg/kg雷公藤多苷，对照组和模型组给予等量的生理盐水。比较各组间肾功能、氧化应激指标的水平。采用Western blotting法检测各组间磷酸化-哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白（p-mTOR）、哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白(mTOR)、微管相关蛋白1轻链3β-Ⅰ（LC3-Ⅰ）、微管相关蛋白1轻链3β-Ⅱ（LC3-Ⅱ）及Beclin1蛋白表达水平。使用Real-time PCR技术检测各组间LC3及Beclin1 mRNA表达水平。结果 与对照组比较，模型组尿素氮（BUN）、血肌酐（Scr）、尿蛋白（Pro）及丙二醛（MDA）水平均升高，谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-PX）及过氧化氢酶(CAT)水平均明显降低，差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）；与模型组比较，药物组BUN、Scr、Pro及MDA水平均明显降低，谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-PX）及CAT水平均明显升高（P<0.05），呈剂量依赖性。与对照组比较，模型组的肾组织p-mTOR蛋白表达水平升高，LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ及Beclin1蛋白表达水平降低，差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）；与模型组比较，各剂量药物组p-mTOR蛋白表达水平降低，LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ蛋白表达水平显著升高（P<0.05），呈剂量依赖性，0.5 mg/kg及1.0 mg/kg药物组Beclin1蛋白表达水平显著高于对照组（P<0.05）。与对照组比较，模型组的肾组织，LC3-Ⅱ及Beclin1 mRNA表达水平降低，差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）；与模型组比较，各剂量药物组LC3及Beclin1 mRNA表达水平显著升高，差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。 结论 雷公藤多苷对糖尿病性肾病大鼠肾功能具有一定的保护作用，其机制可能与抑制氧化应激和激活自噬功能有关。     

Platelet-rich plasma improves impaired glucose hemostasis,disrupted insulin secretion,and pancreatic oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat

Abstract

Our study aimed to investigate the effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on impaired glucose homeostasis, disrupted islet insulin secretion, and pancreatic oxidative status in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. A total of 64 Sprague-Dawley male were randomized to four groups including controls, diabetes, control-PRP, and diabetes-PRP. The rats received the PRP (0.5?ml/kg, SC injection) twice weekly for 4 weeks. Plasma glucose and insulin levels, pancreatic oxidative stress markers and islet insulin secretion and content were measured. Compared with the control group, in the diabetic group, increased plasma glucose and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and decreased plasma insulin level, islet insulin secretion, pancreatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase activities were observed. PRP treatment significantly reduced plasma glucose and MDA levels and enhanced plasma insulin, antioxidant enzyme activity, islet insulin secretion, and content in the diabetic rats. These findings showed that PRP can improve pancreatic islet insulin secretion, pancreatic oxidative stress and regulate plasma insulin and glucose levels in diabetic rats.     

Anti-aging Role of Curcumin by Modulating the Inflammatory Markers in Albino Wistar Rats

Purpose

Advanced age is associated with an accumulation of free radical damage, which leads to physiological and clinical modifications. Numerous pharmaceutical and nutraceuticals are considered to influence longevity and prompting healthy ageing. Therefore, the current study attempted to investigate Curcumin's role in the inflammatory indices as anti-ageing marker in albino Wistar rats.

Protective effects of Gingko biloba extract EGb 761 on myocardium of experimentally diabetic rats. I: ultrastructural and biochemical investigation on cardiomyocytes.

Chronic diabetes in man and animal models develops cardiomyopathic alterations which cannot be absolutely avoided by insuline therapy. Since diabetic damage is partly attributed to oxidative stress antioxidative treatment could be able to reduce the alterations. Aim of this study was to investigate the cardioprotective effects of EGb 761, known as a radical scavenger, against diabetic alterations in rats. The diabetes was induced by i.p. injection of 60 mg/kg body weight streptozotocin. Duration of diabetes was 4 months, the protected group received 100 mg/kg body weight EGb 761 with the drinking water over 3 months. Electron and light microscopic morphometry of left-ventricular samples revealed typical diabetic alterations consisting in decrease of volume fraction of myofibrils, SR and t-tubules and diminishing of cardiomyocyte diameter, increase of interstitial volume, mitochondrial size and volume fraction, and of vacuoles and of lipid drops. EGb treatment could gradually prevent the loss of myofibrils and reduction of myocyte diameter but has only little influence on interstitial and mitochondria volume. The diabetic-induced increase of lipid and vacuoles and the decrease of SR and t-tubules were not influenced. Biochemical parameters of oxidative stress: malondialdehyde (MDA) was only insignificantly altered by diabetes and EGb. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was increased by diabetes and more increased by EGb treatment. Creatine kinase (CK) activity was diminished by diabetes but slightly increased by EGb. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of i-NOS was not different between the diabetic and protected diabetic groups.     

肌肽对糖尿病肾病大鼠氧化应激及NF-κB信号通路的影响

目的　探讨肌肽对糖尿病肾病（DN）大鼠肾组织的保护作用及其对氧化应激、NF-κB信号通路的影响。 方法　60只SPF级8周龄雄性SD大鼠，随机选取12只为对照组，其余予以高糖高脂饮食+链脲佐菌素腹腔注射建立糖尿病模型。注射链脲佐菌素3 d后，将符合糖尿病标准大鼠随机分为模型组、肌肽（100、300、900 mg/kg）组。肌肽各组分别灌胃100、300、900 mg/kg肌肽，每日1次。8周后，检测空腹血糖（FBG）、血清肌酐（Scr）、尿素氮（BUN）、24 h尿微量白蛋白（mAlb）。PAS染色法观察大鼠肾形态学变化；试剂盒检测肾组织的超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、丙二醛（MDA）、谷胱甘肽（GSH）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）含量；免疫组织化学及Western blot检测肾组织P-NF-κB P65蛋白的表达。 结果　 DN大鼠建模成功。与模型组相比，肌肽组肾组织病理损伤明显减轻。肌肽各组大鼠mAlb、FBG、BUN水平下降，呈量-效依赖性关系（P<0.05），而SOD、GSH、GSH-Px的含量逐级升高，同时MDA和P-NF-κB P65含量减少。 结论　肌肽对DN模型大鼠肾组织具有保护作用，其机制可能与抑制氧化应激和NF-κB信号通路异常激活有关。     

Determination of effective dose combination of Azadirachta indica leaf extracts and diminazene diaceturate in the treatment of experimental Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in rats

This study investigated the effective dose of methanolic Azadirachta indica leaf extracts, MAILE, combined with diminazene diaceturate, DDA, in the treatment of experimental Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in rats. Acute toxicity study of the drug and extract combinations was carried in non-infected rats. Eleven different groups of ten rats each were used. Ten out of the eleven groups were infected with T. brucei brucei and used to determine the effective dose of MAILE and DDA combination to be used in the treatment of the infection. All the infected rats were treated, viz, 7.0 mg/kg body weight (bw) DDA plus 500 mg/kg bw MAILE (group 1); 7.0 mg/kg body bw DDA plus 250 mg/kg bw MAILE (group 2); 7.0 mg/kg body bw DDA plus 125 mg/kg bw MAILE (group 3); 3.5 mg/kg body bw DDA plus 500 mg/kg bw MAILE (group 4); 3.5 mg/kg body bw DDA plus 250 mg/kg bw MAILE (group 5); 3.5 mg/kg body bw DDA plus 125 mg/kg bw MAILE (group 6); 1.8 mg/kg bw DDA plus 500 mg/kg bw MAILE (group 7); 1.8 mg/kg bw DDA plus 250 mg/kg bw MAILE (group 8); 1.8 mg/kg body bw DDA plus 125 mg/kg bw MAILE (group 9). Two other groups, infected untreated (group 10) and uninfected untreated (group 11), served as negative and positive control, respectively. The parameters assessed to determine the effective dose combination of the two were onset of parasitaemia (OP), level of parasitaemia (LOP), clearance of parasites post-treatment (COPPT), relapse of infection period (RIP), erythrocyte counts (EC), packed cell volume (PCV) and total leucocyte counts (TLC). There was no significant difference (p?<?0.05) in OP between the groups. A day following treatment, the LOP of groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 was found to be significantly lower (p?<?0.05) than that of groups 5 and 6 (p?<?0.05) which in turn was lower (p?<?0.05) than that of groups 7, 8 and 9, respectively. The mean COPPT of groups 5 and 6 was significantly (p?<?0.05) longer than that of groups 1, 2, 3 and 4. There was no significant difference (p?<?0.05) in the mean COPPT among groups 1, 2, 3 and 4. There was no clearance of parasites in groups 7, 8 and 9. The mean RIP of group 5 and 6 was significantly shorter (p?<?0.05) than in group 4. There was no relapse of infection in group 1, 2 and 3 rats. Rats in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 had significantly higher (p?<?0.05) PCV, EC and TLC 10 days post-treatment, and that trend continued throughout the experimental period when compared to other infected groups. It was concluded that dose combination of 125 mg/kg bw extract plus 7 mg/kg bw DDA was the best dose combination judging from the parameters assessed.     

Effects of aqueous garlic (Allium sativum) extract on testicular morphology and function in lead nitrate (Pb(NO3)2)-treated albino rats

This study investigated the effects of aqueous garlic extract (Allium sativum) on testicular morphology and function in lead nitrate (Pb(NO₃)₂)-treated albino rats. Twenty four male albino rats, divided randomly into four groups of six rats per group, were used. Group A rats served as the control and received neither Pb(NO₃)₂ nor aqueous garlic extract (AGE) treatment. The treatments to the remaining three rat groups were as follows: group B, 300 mg/kg body weight of AGE; group C, 2 mg/kg body weight of Pb(NO₃)₂; and group D, 2 mg/kg body weight of Pb(NO₃)₂, and 300 mg/kg body weight of AGE 2 h later. Both the AGE and Pb(NO₃)₂ were orally given to these rats every 48 h for a period of 6 weeks. The testicular and epididymal (left and right sides) sperm reserves and the histomorphological features of the testes of the rats in the treatment groups were compared to the control rats. Results showed that testicular and epididymal sperm reserves were significantly (P?<?0.05) reduced in rats that received only Pb(NO₃)₂ treatment. AGE ameliorated the changes in testicular morphology and function associated with Pb(NO₃)₂ treatment in group D rats. Garlic in this study enhanced spermatogenesis as evidenced from the significant (P?<?0.05) increase in the epididymal (left and right sides) sperm reserves of the group B rats. This implies that garlic may serve as an agent that could be used in improving male fertility.     

Evaluation of the antidiabetic and antioxidant potentials of methanolic leaf extract of Helianthus annuus L. on alloxan-induced hyperglycemic rats

Helianthus annuus (sunflower) is an annual plant native to America that possesses a large inflorescence. The present study evaluated the acute toxicity, antidiabetic, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and antioxidant effects of methanol extract of H. annuus leaves using alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The extract at the dose range of 300–3,600 mg/kg was tolerated by the rats. The extract (150, 300, and 600 mg/kg) showed a significant (p?p?>?0.05) differences between the extract-treated groups and glibenclamide (2 mg/kg)-treated groups. At 6 h posttreatment, there was a significant (p?p?>?0.05) difference in blood glucose level among the treatment groups. In diabetic OGTT, the blood glucose level of the extract (600 mg/kg)-treated group was significantly (p?p?>?0.05) difference between the extract- and glibenclamide (2 mg/kg)-treated groups. The extract produced a concentration-dependent increase in antioxidant activity. These findings suggest that H. annuus has potent antidiabetic and antioxidant activities and validate its folkloric use in traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.