Flowers of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, a potential source of contragestative agent. III: Interceptive effect of benzene extract in mouse

In mouse, oral administration of the benzene extract of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis flowers at a dose level of 1 gm/kg body weight/day from day 5-8 of gestation led to termination of pregnancy in about 92% of the animals. The effect was associated with a significant fall in peripheral level of progesterone and increase in uterine acid phosphatase activity, as measured on day 10. The ovary exhibited signs of luteolysis, and the corpus luteal delta 5-3 beta -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity decreased markedly. The interceptive effect of the extract was prevented completely by exogenous progesterone (1 mg/mouse/day) or chorionic gonadotropin (1 I.U./mouse/day) and partially (62.5%) by exogenous prolactin (500 micrograms/mouse/day). In unilaterally pregnant mouse having trauma-induced deciduomata in the sterile horn, the extract caused resorption of the fetuses, and regression of the deciduomata accompanied by reduction in weight of the ovaries. Luteolysis, may be due to interference with the luteotropic influence, and a consequent fall in plasma level of progesterone have been suggested as the plausible cause of termination of pregnancy.     

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Their Interaction with the Gut Microbiome in the Prevention and Amelioration of Type-2 Diabetes

Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is often linked with hyperglycemia, disturbed lipid profiles, inflammation, and gut dysbiosis. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation has a vital role in the management of T2DM. As a result, a better understanding of the potential role of omega-3 fatty acids in the development and progression of T2DM by influencing the intestinal microflora will help to improve the therapeutic intervention for T2DM and related complications. Focusing on the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways induced by omega-3 fatty acids, this paper attempts to comprehensively review and discuss the putative associations between omega-3 fatty acids, gut dysbiosis, and the pathophysiology of T2DM and its related comorbidities. In addition, we contemplate the importance of gut microbiota in T2DM prevention and treatment and ponder the role of omega-3 fatty acids in T2DM by positively modulating gut microbiota, which may lead to discovery of novel targets and therapeutic strategies thereby paving way for further comprehensive, mechanistic, and clinical studies.     

The effect of polymer molecular weight and cell seeding density on viability of cells entrapped within PEGDA hydrogel microspheres

Abstract

Cell microencapsulation can be used in tissue engineering as a scaffold or physical barrier that provides immunoisolation for donor cells. When used as a barrier, microencapsulation shields donor cells from the host immune system when implanted for cell therapies. Maximizing therapeutic product delivery per volume of microencapsulated cells necessitates first optimising the viability of entrapped cells. Although cell microencapsulation within alginate is well described, best practices for cell microencapsulation within polyethylene glycol is still being elucidated. In this study we microencapsulate mouse preosteoblast cells within polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel microspheres of varying molecular weight or seeding densities to assess cell viability in relation to cell density and polymer molecular weight. Diffusion studies revealed molecule size permissible by each molecular weight PEGDA towards correlating viability with polymer mesh size. Results demonstrated higher cell viability in higher molecular weight PEGDA microspheres and when cells were seeded at higher cell densities.     

Examination of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide in Parkinson’s disease focusing on correlations with motor symptoms

GeroScience - The neuroprotective effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) have been shown in numerous in vitro and in vivo models of Parkinson’s disease (PD)...     

The interplay between metabolic alterations,diastolic strain rate and exercise capacity in mild heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a cardiovascular magnetic resonance study

Background

Heart failure (HF) is characterized by altered myocardial substrate metabolism which can lead to myocardial triglyceride accumulation (steatosis) and lipotoxicity. However its role in mild HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is uncertain. We measured myocardial triglyceride content (MTG) in HFpEF and assessed its relationships with diastolic function and exercise capacity.

Methods

Twenty seven HFpEF (clinical features of HF, left ventricular EF >50%, evidence of mild diastolic dysfunction and evidence of exercise limitation as assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise test) and 14 controls underwent ¹H-cardiovascular magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-CMRS) to measure MTG (lipid/water, %), ³¹P-CMRS to measure myocardial energetics (phosphocreatine-to-adenosine triphosphate - PCr/ATP) and feature-tracking cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging for diastolic strain rate.

Results

When compared to controls, HFpEF had 2.3 fold higher in MTG (1.45?±?0.25% vs. 0.64?±?0.16%, p?=?0.009) and reduced PCr/ATP (1.60?±?0.09 vs. 2.00?±?0.10, p?=?0.005). HFpEF had significantly reduced diastolic strain rate and maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂ max), which both correlated significantly with elevated MTG and reduced PCr/ATP. On multivariate analyses, MTG was independently associated with diastolic strain rate while diastolic strain rate was independently associated with VO₂ max.

Conclusions

Myocardial steatosis is pronounced in mild HFpEF, and is independently associated with impaired diastolic strain rate which is itself related to exercise capacity. Steatosis may adversely affect exercise capacity by indirect effect occurring via impairment in diastolic function. As such, myocardial triglyceride may become a potential therapeutic target to treat the increasing number of patients with HFpEF.