Effects of single or combined induction of diabetes mellitus and knee osteoarthritis on some biochemical and haematological parameters in rats

Elevated, sustained, and yet reversible biotoxicity effects of lead on cessation of exposure: Melatonin is a potent therapeutic option

Melatonin (Mel) is known to prevent and mitigate lead (Pb)-induced gonadotoxicity. However, there is no report in literature on the endogenous levels of different biomarkers after the cessation of Pb exposure, with or without treatment with Mel. Fifty adult male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (N = 10), which included control ((vehicle (normal saline) - treated) - 0.1 ml/day); lead chloride (PbCl₂) untreated (3 weeks vehicle + 3 weeks Pb); Pb recovery (3 weeks Pb + 3 weeks vehicle); Pb + Mel (3 weeks Pb + 3 weeks Mel); and Mel (3 weeks vehicle + 3 weeks Mel) groups. Pb and Mel were administered at 50 and 10 mg/kg B.W. (p.o.), respectively. The results showed that Pb caused significant decreases in total bilirubin (TB), phospholipids (PLP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), but significant elevations in alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride (TG), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Although the adverse effects of Pb on TB, ALP, AST, SOD, MDA, and TAC were sustained after the cessation of exposure, a reversal was observed in total cholesterol (TC), TG, PLP, CAT, and c-reactive protein (CRP) results. Nevertheless, the detrimental effects of Pb on alanine aminotransferase (ALT), albumin, and globulin were only expressed post-exposure. Treatment with Mel caused no significant effect on TB and albumin levels. However, unlike TAC and CRP, the hormone significantly reduced ALP, AST, ALT, TC, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, PLP, SOD, CAT, MDA, and globulin to levels comparable to the control group. In conclusion, following the cessation of Pb exposure, alterations in physiological balance could be elevated, sustained, or reversible. However, Mel enhanced the reestablishment homeostatic status after Pb administration.

Investigation of the effects of dietary modification in experimental obesity: low dose of virgin coconut oil has a potent therapeutic value

There is no report in literature on possible physiological changes that accompany dietary modification in obese condition. Moreover, there is no conclusive evidence on the optimal amount of virgin coconut oil (VCO) that could be of health benefit, although it is known to enhance lipid metabolism. Therefore, we investigated the antiobesitogenic action of graded doses of VCO (200, 400 and 600 mg/kg) in obese rats fed with normo/hyper-lipidaemic diet. Sixty rats (n = 10) were divided into 6 groups and treated as follows: the control and high fat diet (HFD) groups were administered normal saline (0.1 mL/day, p.o.) during the last four weeks of the study, and were fed with normal and HFD respectively throughout the twenty weeks duration of the experiment. Groups 3-6 were fed with HFD for 16 weeks, then normal diet during the next 4 weeks. While group - 3 received saline (0.1 mL/day, p.o.) during the last four weeks, groups 4-6 received graded doses of VCO. The results showed that HFD-induced obesity caused impaired glucose homeostasis, distorted hepatic histoarchitecture, selected deviations in hepatic function indices, pro-inflammatory, pro-oxidant, and dsylipidaemic effects. There were evidence of escalated and reversed pathological actions following the replacement of HFD with normal diet. VCO showed no effect on glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, total protein, uric acid and TAC; but equitable effects on CAT, IL-6, CRP, ALT, AST & GGT, irrespective of the dose. Compared to the effects of VCO at 400 and 600 mg/kg, at 200 mg/kg, VCO had more significant therapeutic effects on LDH, MDA, SOD, GPX, TC, TG, LDL-C, total bilirubin, atherogenic and lee indices and hepatic histoarchitecture. Conclusively, VCO, preferably at a low dose could be used to reverse hepatic structural alteration and some biochemical deviations following dietary modifications in obese condition.

Melatonin ameliorates some biochemical alterations following ketoconazole administration in rats

Background Ketoconazole (Keto), an antifungal drug and a common therapeutic option in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer, is known to cause reproductive dysfunctions. Like Keto, melatonin has antifungal and anticarcinogenic actions. Moreover, the hormone has been used to reverse the damaging effects of different toxicants on the reproductive system. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of Keto with/without melatonin on selected biomarkers in rats. Methods Forty rats of 10 animals per group were used in this study, which lasted for 6 weeks. The control group was administered with saline (0.1 mL/day), while group 2 was administered with Keto during the last 3 weeks of experiment; however, in groups 3 and 4, Keto was administered during the first 3 weeks; thereafter, they were administered with saline and melatonin, respectively, during the subsequent 3 weeks. Keto and melatonin were administered at 100 and 10 mg/kg b.w./day (p.o.), respectively. Results The central effects of Keto are independent of the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and prolactin; however, relative to the control group, the drug significantly decreased the gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GNRH) and the luteinizing hormone (LH), substantiated by the corresponding significant decreases in sperm count and sperm morphology. Keto caused significant elevations in malondialdehyde (MDA) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and a significant decrease in catalase (CAT) compared with the control group. Moreover, the drug triggered pro-inflammatory events. In group 3 (Keto recovery), MDA and uric acid levels were returned to the baseline (i.e. control), but not GNRH, LH, C-reactive protein (CRP), LDH, and CAT. Treatment with melatonin after Keto administration caused significant increases in FSH, LH, superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), sperm count, and sperm morphology but significant decreases in MDA and CRP, relative to groups 2 and 3. Conclusions Melatonin ameliorates some biochemical alterations following ketoconazole administration.

Co-administration of omega-3 fatty acids and metformin showed more desirable effects than the single therapy on indices of bone mineralisation but not gluco-regulatory and antioxidant markers in diabetic rats

Although metformin (Met) is the most recommended anti-diabetogenic drug in type 2 diabetic state, the drug is known to compromise bone integrity. Like metformin, omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3) have gluco-regulatory action; however, it aids bone health. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of ω-3 and/or metformin in diabetic rats. Fifty rats of ten animals per group were divided into the following: Control; Diabetic untreated; Diabetic + ω-3; Diabetic + metformin (metfm) and Diabetic + ω-3 + metf groups. Diabetes was induced by the administration of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg b.w., i.p.), 15 min after the administration of nicotinamide (110 mg/kg b.w., i.p.). Five days afterwards, treatments started and they lasted for 28 days. ω-3 and metformin were administered at 200 and 180 mg/kg b.w., p.o. respectively. The results showed that the induced diabetes was characterised by significant increases in calcium to phosphorus ratio, tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), glucose and insulin resistance; but significant decreases in parathyroid hormone(PTH), phosphorus, TAC and hepatic glycogen. Relative to the diabetic control, treatments with ω-3 or metformin caused significant elevations in hepatic glycogen, total alkaline phosphatase (TALP), osteocalcin, PTH, estradiol, and calcium; however, significant decreases in TRAP and glucose. Co-administration of ω-3 and metformin caused more desirable effects on TALP, c-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen, estradiol and calcium to phosphorus ratio compared to the single administration. Relative to ω-3, melatonin showed a more favourable effect on calcium to phosphorus ratio; however, the former proved to have more desirable actions on insulin and TAC. Hence, it was concluded that the combined but not the single administration of ω-3 and metformin could be preferably used in the management of bone health in diabetic state.

Elevated reproductive toxicity effects of diclofenac after withdrawal: Investigation of the therapeutic role of melatonin

Although there are several reports on the toxic actions of sodium diclofenac (DF), there is dearth information on its effect on the male reproductive system. Therefore, the study investigated the effects of DF and melatonin in male rats. Twenty rats were used in this study, which lasted for 6 weeks. The control group (vehicle treated) received normal saline (0.1 ml/day, p.o.). In the experimental groups, DF was administered during the first (group 2) and last (group 3) three weeks of the study. However, in group 4, melatonin was administered for 3 weeks, after 3 weeks of treatment with DF. DF and melatonin were administered at 1 and 10 mg/kg b.w./day (p.o.) respectively. The results showed that unlike melatonin, DF had no effect on gonadotrophins; however, it caused significant decreases in GNRH and testosterone, but a significant increase in prolactin. Melatonin attenuated the pro-antioxidant and pro-inflammatory effects of DF, which caused significant decreases in SOD, TAC, CAT, but significant elevations in LDH, MDA, uric acid and CRP. Moreover, the hormone reversed the adverse effect of DF on sperm count, sperm motility and sperm morphology. There were slight evidence of the precipitation of imbalance in lipid metabolism by DF and the antidyslipidaemic action of melatonin. Compared to DF, DF recovery showed more adverse effects on prolactin, testosterone, LDH, MDA, UA, CRP, semen parameters (except sperm motility), TC, LDL-c, HDL-c and phospholipid. The histological results agreed with the biochemical assays. In conclusion, the reproductive toxicity effects of DF seem to escalate after withdrawal; however, these effects could be attenuated by treatment with melatonin.

Diabetes escalates knee osteoarthritis in rats: Evidence of adaptive mechanism

Clinical reports on the coexistence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and osteoarthritis (OA) dated back to the 1960 s. Therefore, the study investigated the effects of induced DM and/or knee osteoarthritis (KOA) on known biomarkers in male Wistar rats. Twenty rats of five animals per group were induced with DM and/or knee OA using streptozotocin plus nicotinamide and sodium monoiodoacetate. Afterwards, they were left untreated for four weeks.The results showed that pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidative events were most significantly expressed in D + OA group and least in OA group. In contrast to the other experimental groups, there was a decreased bone formation in DM group.Unexpectedly, there were significant increases in bone and cartilage degradation markers in diabetic group, relative to D + OA group. In conclusion, diabetic-osteoarthritic state is characterised by more altered biochemical profile, relative to what is probable in either disease condition. Nevertheless, this situation remains subject to the influence of endogenous homeostatic mechanisms.

Synergistic and non-synergistic effects of salmon calcitonin and omega - 3 fatty acids on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and haematological indices in diabetic rats

The optimum therapy for the management of diabetes mellitus (DM) has been a controversial issue. Therefore, the study investigated the effects of salmon calcitonin (Sct) and/or omega-3 fatty acids {eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); EPA/DHA ratio?=?3/2} relative to metformin in diabetic male Wistar rats. Forty rats were used for this study. They were randomly divided into 8 groups of five (5) rats each, which were treated with single or combined administration of salmon calcitonin, N-3 and metformin. DM was induced by the administration of streptozotocin (65?mg/kg b.w., i.p.), 15?min after the administration of nicotinamide (110?mg/kg b.w., i.p.). Nine days afterwards, treatments started, and they lasted for 28 days. Sct was administered at 2.5 and 5.0 IU/kg b.w./day (i.m.), while, N-3 and metformin were administered at 200 and 180?mg/kg b.w./day (p.o.) respectively. The results showed that the induced DM significantly increased pro-inflammatory markers, and significantly altered antioxidant and haematological indices. The combined administration of Sct and N-3 had synergistic effects on total bilirubin and total antioxidant capacity, but, non-synergistic actions on malondialdehyde, uric acid, interleukin-6, lactate dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and the haematological parameters. These effects were comparable to that of metformin which showed a more or less therapeutic action than N-3. The study concluded that the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and haematological effects of the combined administration of Sct and N-3 is comparable to that of metformin. Nevertheless, the latter showed more or less therapeutic effects relative to N-3.

Calcitonin and Omega-3 Fatty Acids Exhibit Antagonistic and Non-Additive Effects in Experimental Diabetes

Because optimising therapy for the management of diabetes mellitus remains challenging, the study investigated the effects of salmon calcitonin (Sct) and/or omega-3 fatty acids (N-3 - eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid-3:2), compared to metformin, on selected biochemical parameters in male Wistar rats, in an experimental model of diabetes. Forty rats were used for this study. They were divided into eight groups of five rats each, which included: Normal control; Diabetic (D) control; D + N-3; D + low dose Sct (Sct. Lw); D + high dose Sct (Sct. Hi); D + N-3 + Sct.Lw; D + N-3 + Sct.Hi; and D + metformin. Diabetes was induced in overnight fasted rats by the administration of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg b.w., i.p.), 15 min after the administration of nicotinamide (110 mg/kg b.w., i.p.). Nine days later, Sct was administered at 2.5 and 5.0 IU/kg b.w./day (i.m.), while N-3 and metformin were administered at 200 and 180 mg/kg b.w./day (p.o.) respectively, for four weeks. Sct, N-3, and metformin significantly reduced total cholesterol, LDL-C, cortisol, c-telopeptide of type 1 collagen, and collagen type 2 alpha-1. The combined administration of Sct and N-3 had more favorable effects on triglyceride and HDL-C than either monotherapy. Unlike metformin and Sct. Hi, N-3 significantly reduced alkaline phosphatase activity. Moreover, N-3 significantly suppressed the hypocalcaemic, hyperglycaemic, and insulin resistance provoking actions of Sct. Furthermore, N-3 contradicted the hepatic glycogen depletion and inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis brought about by Sct. In conclusion, N-3 demonstrated antagonistic and non-additive actions with Sct. Moreover, the effects of the combined administration of Sct and N-3 were comparable to that of metformin; therefore, they might be considered as therapeutic alternatives in diabetes.