The effect of combined treatment with niacin and chromium (III) chloride on the different tissues of hyperlipemic rats

We investigated the effects of a combined treatment with chromium (Cr) and niacin on the spleen, tongue, and lens tissues in terms of lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione (GSH), serum catalase (CAT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), serum cholesterol, and total lipid levels in normal and hyperlipemic rats. In this study, female 1-year-old Swiss albino rats were used. The rats were randomly divided into four groups. Group I rats (control) were fed with standard pellet chow. Group II rats were fed a lipogenic diet in which 2% cholesterol, 0.5% cholic acid, and 20% sunflower oil were added and were given 3% alcoholic water for 60 days. Group III rats were fed with the same lipogenic diet and were treated with a dose of 250 microg/kg body weight CrCI3 x 6H2O and 100 mg/kg body weight niacin, for 45 days, by gavage. The rats in group IV were fed with pellet chow and treated with 250 microg/kg body weight CrCI3 x 6H2O and 100 mg/kg body weight niacin, by gavage, for 45 days. After 2 weeks, the animals showed symptoms of hyperlipemia. On the 60th day, tissue and blood samples were taken. We have observed decreased CAT activity and GSH levels, increased LDH activity, cholesterol, total lipid, and LPO levels in hyperlipemic rats. Niacin and Cr administration to hyperlipemic rats increased tissue GSH levels and CAT activity and decreased tissue LPO levels and LDH activity, cholesterol, and total lipid levels compared with hyperlipemic rats. We conclude that the administration of a combination of niacin and chromium has a protective effect against oxidative damage to tongue, lens, and spleen tissues as a result of hyperlipemia.     

Deconvoluting the dual hypoglycemic effect of wedelolactone isolated from Wedelia calendulacea: investigation via experimental validation and molecular docking

Wedelia calendulacea has a long history of use in the Indian Ayurvedic System of Medicine for the treatment, prevention, and cure of a diverse range of human diseases such as diabetes obesity, and other metabolic diseases. A wide range of chemical constituents, such as triterpenoid saponin, kauren diterpene, and coumestans, has been isolated from the plant. Conversely, no published literature is available in relation to the isolation of wedelolactone (WEL) for its anti-diabetic effect. The aim of the present study was to isolate the bioactive phyto-constituent from Wedelia calendulacea and to scrutinize the antidiabetic effect with its possible mechanism of action. The structure of the isolated compound was elucidated by different spectroscopy techniques. Proteins, such as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPPIV), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors-γ (PPARγ), were also subjected to in silico docking. Later, this isolated compound was scrutinized against α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzyme activity along with an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for estimation of glucose utilization. Streptozotocin (STZ) was used for the induction of type II diabetes mellitus (DM) in Wistar rats. The rats were divided into different groups and received the WEL (5, 10, and 20 mg kg⁻¹, b.w.) and glibenclamide (2.5 mg kg⁻¹, b.w.) for 28 days. The blood glucose level (BGL), plasma insulin, and body weight were determined at regular time intervals. The serum lipid profile hypolipidemic effect for the different antioxidant markers and hepatic tissue markers were scrutinized along with an inflammatory mediator to deduce the possible mechanism. With the help of spectroscopy techniques, the isolated compound was identified as wedelolactone. In the docking study, WEL showed docking scores of −6.17, −9.43, and −7.66 against DPP4, GLUTI, and PRARY, respectively. WEL showed the inhibition of α-glucosidase (80.65%) and α-amylase (93.83%) and suggested an effect on postprandial hyperglycemia. In the OGTT, WEL significantly (P < 0.001) downregulated the BGL, a marker for better utilization of drugs. In the diabetes model, WEL reduced the BGL and enhanced the plasma insulin and body weight. It also significantly (P < 0.001) modulated the lipid profile; this suggested an anti-hyperlipidemia effect. WEL significantly (P < 0.001) distorted the hepatic tissue, acting as an antioxidant marker in a dose-dependent manner. WEL significantly (P < 0.001) downregulated the C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) level. On the basis of the available results, we can conclude that WEL can be an alternative drug for the treatment of type II DM either by inhibiting the production of inflammatory mediator or by the downregulation of oxidative stress.

Wedelia calendulacea has a long history of use in the Indian Ayurvedic System of Medicine for the treatment, prevention, and cure of a diverse range of human diseases such as diabetes obesity, and other metabolic diseases.     

Does hyaluronan affect inflammatory cytokines in knee osteoarthritis?

Our aim was to investigate the effects of hyaluronan on inflammatory cytokines in the synovial fluid of patients with knee osteoarthritis. The study was single blind, placebo-controlled, and randomized. We administered hyaluronan to 22 patients in the study group and placebo to 19 in the control group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the levels of cytokines. Both HA and placebo caused a significant decrease in interleukin (IL)-6 levels (P=0.0001 and P=0.04, respectively). But it was more significant in the study group. However, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-) levels did not change in either group (P>0.05). The amount of effusion decreased significantly in the study group (P=0.001) but not in the control group (P=0.133). It can be concluded that hyaluronan considerably decreased IL-6 levels, which correlated with clinical improvement, but had no effect on IL-8 and TNF- levels in synovial fluid. However, larger studies with longer follow-up periods are needed to explain the effect of hyaluronan on cytokines.     

Renal involvement in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

There is an increasing recognition of the association between chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and glomerular diseases. Renal complications may be the presenting manifestation of HCV infection. Patients may present with systemic vasculitis secondary to cryoglobulinemia, or they may present with proteinuria, microscopic hematuria, acute renal failure, or nephrotic syndrome. The pathogenesis of HCV-associated renal disease remains incompletely understood; however, deposition of HCV-containing circulating immune complexes in the glomeruli (ie, subendothelial space and mesangium) seems to play an important role. The most common renal pathology associated with HCV infection is type I membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with or without cryoglobulinemia. In patients who do not have significant renal impairment, combination therapy with interferon-á and ribavirin is the treatment of choice. The experience with this combination therapy is quite limited in patients with renal impairment. Prolonged courses of high-dose interferon-á therapy have been successfully used for these patients; however, relapse of HCV viremia and recurrence of renal disease is common after discontinuation of therapy.