Serum gamma-glutamyl transferase is associated with plasma total homocysteine in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes

Does Opuntia ficus-indica Juice Supplementation Improve Biochemical and Cardiovascular Response to a 6-Minute Walk Test in Type 2 Diabetic Patients?

Background and objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Opuntia ficus-indica juice (OFIJ) on performance and biochemical and physiological responses to a 6 min walking test (6MWT) in diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: Twenty diabetic patients performed a 6MWT at 07:00 h. During each test session, they were asked to drink 70 mL/day of natural OFIJ or placebo (PLA) for 4 days. Results: the results showed that cardiovascular parameters increased significantly after the 6MWT under both conditions. While, cortisol, HbA1c, cholesterol total (CT), triglycerides (TG), as well as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were not modified between without and with supplementation. Likewise, no significant variation in performance was observed for PLA and OFIJ (p > 0.05). The cardiovascular parameters (heart rate max (HRmax), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and systolic blood pressure (SBP)), lipid profile (CT, TG, LDL, and high-density lipoprotein HDL), hormonal parameters (insulin and glucagon), HbA1c and lactate ([La]) did not present any significant modification either between PLA or OFIJ (p > 0.05). Muscle-damage markers (creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)], cortisol, and liver parameters (i.e., oxidative stress marker, γGT, and total bilirubin) as well as glucose (GLC) were affected by supplementation (p < 0.05) before and after the 6MWT, but this change was significant only for OFIJ (p < 0.05). Conclusion: OFIJ had an antioxidant capacity, improved performance of the 6MWT, and reduced muscle-damage markers and glucose level in type 2 diabetic patients.

Toxicological impact of inhaled electric mosquito-repellent liquid on the rat: a hematological, cytokine indications, oxidative stress and tumor markers

CONTEXT

High malaria burden has led to the increased use of insecticides in the tropics and subtropics. This study thus aimed at assessing the hematological effects alteration of pyrethroid insecticide exposure using the experimental animal model.

OBJECTIVE

A commonly available Electric Mosquito-Repellent Liquid pyrethroid insecticide containing prallethrin 1.6% w/w is widely used for mosquito control in Saudi Arabia. The immunotoxic effects after inhalation exposures to the preparation for a continuous period of 24, 48, and 72 h were investigated in rats.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Rats were exposed to prallethrin 1.6% w/w by inhalation for 72 consecutive hours. Total blood count, blood indices of creatine kinase (CK), gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (γ-GT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin (IL)-2, tumor necrosis factors (TNF)α, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19.9 and carcinoembrionic antigen (CEA) were assayed.

RESULTS

The administration of prallethrin 1.6% w/w created significant increased changes in the levels of total WBC, lymphocytes, RBC, hemoglobin, packed cell volume, platelets, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin in rats after 24, 48, and 72 h of continuous inhalation; however, there was a significant reduction in neutrophils at transient reduction in the monocytes after 24 and 48 h to return to normal after 72 h. Significant increases in the levels of CK, γ-GT, SOD, NO, MDA, AFP, IL-2, and TNFα were recorded. CA and CEA did not exhibit any change.

CONCLUSIONS

Continuous inhalation to prallethrin 1.6% insecticides poses toxicity on hematological variables. It is also concluded that pyrethroid group of insecticide may cause hematological, biochemical, cytokine disturbances and possible mutagenic damage to the tissues.