Serum enzymes in the BB rat before and after onset of the overt diabetic syndrome

Greater efficiency of polyherbal drug encapsulated biosynthesized chitosan nano-biopolymer on diabetes and its complications

Diabetes is a highly complex disease that has an adverse impact on the lives of individuals, and the current medicines used to manage diabetes have obvious side effects. Medicinal plants, on the other hand, may serve as an alternate source of anti-diabetic drugs. A polyherbal combination has a higher and more extensive therapeutic potential than a single herb. Yet, due to deterioration during the absorption process, the usage of this drug still yields inadequate results. Encapsulation of polyherbal drug with chitosan nanoparticles is one of the key ways to solve this problem due to its biocombatibilty, slow and targeted drug delivery characteristics. In the present study, the chitosan was derived from prawn shell and the chitosan nanoparticles had been prepared by ionic-gelation method. The anti-diabetic polyherbal drug (Andrographis paniculata, Andrographis alata, Adhatoda zeylanica, Gymnema sylvestre, Syzygium cumini, and Justicia glabra) was encapsulated with a bio-derived chitosan biopolymer. The drug loading efficiency was about 85 %. The chemical and physical properties of the chitosan and drug-loaded chitosan nanoparticles had been analyzed by FT-IR absorption, XRD, SEM, TEM and EDAX analysis. The antidiabetic efficiency, hepatoprotective activity and antihyperlipedimic activity of the chitosan nanoparticles, polyherbal drug and polyherbal drug encapsulated with chitosan nanoparticles were assessed in a group of rats. The polyherbal drug reduced the serum glucose level from 306.4 mg/dL to 134.47 mg/dL, while the polyherbal drug encapsulated with chitosan nanoparticles reduced to 127.017 mg/dL. This was very close to the serum glucose level of non-diabetic rat (124.65 mg/dL). Further, it considerably increased the insulin level close to that of non-diabetic rat. Thus, the polyherbal drug encapsulated with chitosan nanoparticles showed superior efficiency in antidiabetic and also diabetic complications.

Significance of Asymptomatic Hyper Creatine-Kinase Emia

OBJECTIVES

Whether asymptomatic hyper-CKemia (AHCE) should prompt a thorough work-up for muscle disease or not is controversially discussed. This review aims at summarizing and discussing recent findings concerning the cause, frequency, evolution, and work-up of conditions manifesting as AHCE and normal or abnormal electromyography (EMG) respectively muscle biopsy.

METHODS

Systematic PubMed search.

RESULTS

There are numerous primary (hereditary) and acquired myopathies that manifest with permanent, recurrent, or temporary AHCE with/without myopathic EMG or muscle biopsy. AHCE particularly occurs at onset of these conditions, which include dystrophinopathies, myotilinopathies, calpainopathy, caveolinopathy, dysferlinopathy, central core disease, multicore disease, desminopathy, MD1, MD2, hypoPP, malignant hyperthermia susceptibility, Pompe disease, McArdle disease, myoadenylate deaminase-deficiency, CPT2-deficiency, mitochondrial disorders, or myopathy with tubular aggregates. Most likely, other primary myopathies manifest with AHCE as well, without having been reported. Patients with AHCE should be taken seriously and repeated CK determination must be conducted. If hyper-CKemia is persisting or recurrent, these patients should undergo an EMG and eventually muscle biopsy. If noninformative, genetic work-up by a panel or whole exome sequencing should be initiated, irrespective of the family history. Patients with AHCE should avoid excessive exercise, require sufficient hydration, require counseling with regard to the risk of malignant hyperthermia, and should inform anesthesiologists and surgeons about their condition before elective surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Recurrent AHCE should be taken seriously and managed with conventional work-up. If noninformative, genetic work-up should follow irrespective of the family history.

Dual Effect of Curcumin-Zinc Complex in Controlling Diabetes Mellitus in Experimentally Induced Diabetic Rats

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of curcumin from Curcuma longa was performed in an ultrasonic bath at 30°C using ethanol for 40 min. A successful attempt has been made to prepare curcumin-zinc (Zn) complex using a simple chemical procedure. The complex formation and its stoichiometry were characterized using elemental analysis, Fourier transform (FT)-IR and UV spectroscopy which revealed the interaction of Zn(II) ion (M) with curcumin (ligand, L) to proceed via (ML) complex type formation. Oral administration of curcumin-Zn complex at a concentration of 150 mg/kg body weight/rat/d for 45 d in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats in comparison to curcumin and/or Zn administration exerted a hypoglycemic effect. A significant reduction in blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb)A1c, and lipid profile parameters with an excellent improvement in plasma insulin levels have been attained. Also, the reduced activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), urea, and creatinine in the diabetic rats treated with the complex exhibited the non-toxic nature of the curcumin-Zn complex. Finally, the larger extent of the complex in hyperglycemic improvement in comparison to curcumin and/or Zn supplementation was interpreted by its dual action on glucose and insulin maintenance.

Efeitos do exercicio agudo sobre biomarcadores sericos de ratos diabeticos

INTRODUÇÃO: As respostas ao exercício agudo dos biomarcadores, como a fosfatase alcalina (FA) e a creatina quinase (CK) séricas têm sido pouco investigadas em ratos diabéticos. OBJETIVOS: Verificar os efeitos do exercício físico aeróbio agudo sobre as concentrações de CK e FA, bem como, avaliar o estado hídrico em ratos diabéticos experimentais. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS Foram utilizados ratos Wistar machos, adultos jovens, distribuídos em dois grupos: diabéticos (DA) e controles (CA). O diabetes foi induzido por meio da administração de aloxana monoidratado Sigma(r) (32 mg/kg de peso corporal). Duas semanas após confirmação do diabetes, ambos os grupos foram submetidos a uma sessão aguda de natação por 30 min, com carga aeróbia (4,5 % do peso corporal). Foram avaliados: glicose, hematócrito, CK, FA, albumina e a cinética de lactato durante o exercício por meio de coletas 25 µL de sangue da cauda dos animais, nos minutos 0, 10, 20 e 30 de exercício. RESULTADOS: ANOVA de dois fatores para medidas repetidas e o teste post hoc de Tukey apontaram diminuição significativa dos valores de glicemia após o exercício para o grupo DA, aumento significativo de CK pós-exercício para o grupo DA, aumento significativo de hematócrito para ambos os grupos após exercício e manutenção da FA após exercício para o grupo DA. CONCLUSÃO: O exercício agudo aeróbio foi eficiente no controle dos níveis glicêmicos de ratos diabéticos. Entretanto, deve ser aplicado com cautela, pois induziu altos valores de CK, sugerindo possíveis lesões teciduais.

Effect of alcoholic extracts of Indian medicinal plants on the altered enzymatic activities of diabetic rats

In present study, the effect of alcoholic extract of Momordica charantia, Aegle marmelos and Eugenia jambolana was studied on serum glutamic oxaloacetate transminase and serum glutamic pyruvate transminase activities and on serum urea, total protein and albumin concentrations of streptozotocin diabetic rats. Diabetes in rats was induced by single dose of streptozotocin (30 mg/kg i. p.). On confirming the diabetes after 48 h of injection, alcoholic extracts of three plants were administered orally in doses of 250 mg and 500 mg/kg/d for 30 d. Glibenclamide (300 μg/kg/d) was used as a reference drug for comparison. Streptozotocin diabetic rats showed a significant increase in serum glutamic oxaloacetate transminase and serum glutamic pyruvate transminase activities and serum urea concentration but a significant decrease in serum total protein and albumin concentrations and albumin/globulin ratio. Oral administration of alcoholic extract of Momordica charantia, Aegle marmelos and Eugenia jambolana in daily doses of 250 mg and 500 mg/kg for a period of 1 mo produced dose- and duration-dependent decrease in serum glutamic oxaloacetate transminase and serum glutamic pyruvate transminase activities as well as decrease in serum urea concentration and restored the serum total protein and albumin concentration and albumin/globulin ratio to a great extent in streptozotocin diabetic rats. The beneficial effects of these plants in 500 mg/kg dose in streptozotocin diabetic rats were comparable to that of glibenclamide (300 μg/kg), a standard oral hypoglycaemic drug used in clinical practice.

Evaluation of toxicity after one-months treatment with Bauhinia forficata decoction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Background

Previous experiments have shown that a decoction of Bauhinia forficata leaves reduces the changes in carbohydrate and protein metabolism that occur in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. In the present investigation, the serum activities of enzymes known to be reliable toxicity markers were monitored in normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats to discover whether the use of B. forficata decoction has toxic effects on liver, muscle or pancreas tissue or on renal microcirculation.

Methods

An experimental group of normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats received an aqueous decoction of fresh B. forficata leaves (150 g/L) by mouth for 33 days while a control group of normal and diabetic rats received water for the same length of time. The serum activity of the toxicity markers lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, amylase, angiotensin-converting enzyme and bilirubin were assayed before receiving B. forficata decoction and on day 19 and 33 of treatment.

Results

The toxicity markers in normal and diabetic rats were not altered by the diabetes itself nor by treatment with decoction. Whether or not they received B. forficata decoction the normal rats showed a significant increase in serum amylase activity during the experimental period while there was a tendency for the diabetic rats, both treated and untreated with decoction, to have lower serum amylase activities than the normal rats.

Conclusions

Administration of an aqueous decoction of B. forficata is a potential treatment for diabetes and does not produce toxic effects measurable with the enzyme markers used in our study.

Anti-Diabetic Activity ofEugenia jambolanaSeed Kernels on Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

The present study evaluated the hypoglycemic activity of different parts of Eugenia jambolana seeds such as whole seed, kernel, and seed coat on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Administration of the ethanolic extract of kernel at a concentration of 100 mg/kg of body weight significantly decreased the levels of blood glucose, blood urea, and cholesterol, increased glucose tolerance and levels of total proteins and liver glycogen, and decreased the activities of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase in experimental diabetic rats. Whole seed showed a moderate hypoglycemic effect, and seed coat did not show any hypoglycemic effect. The hypoglycemic efficacy was compared with that of glibenclamide, a standard hypoglycemic drug.

Reduced alkaline phosphatase activity in diabetic rat bone: a re-evaluation

We found previously that human bone alkaline phosphatase (AP) was glycated by aseptic incubation with glucose, and partially broken down by reactive oxygen species. In this study, we examined whether selective in vivo glycation of AP molecules occurred in bone tissue, using experimental diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin and spontaneously diabetic rats. Additionally, the effects of hyperlipidemia on bone AP activity were examined. Serum AP activity was significantly elevated after incipient onset of diabetes, and the increased activity originated from the intestinal isozyme. High levels of intestinal AP activity were also observed in rats with hyperlipidemia induced by feeding high-fat or high-fructose chow, but the AP activity in bone tissues was maintained at a constant level. AP activity in bone was reduced after the onset of diabetes. The resulting bone AP molecule bound to an aminophenylboronic acid column, which had affinity for glycated proteins, and contained smaller molecular sizes than the native bone AP. These results suggest that elevated levels of serum AP activity originated from the intestinal isozyme accompanied with hyperlipidemia induced by diabetes. In contrast, the reduced serum levels of AP activity in diabetic rats might be dependent on inactivation of bone AP, which was glycated, followed by partial breakdown of bone AP molecules, possibly due to reactive oxygen species.

Antiperoxide effect of S-allyl cysteine sulfoxide, an insulin secretagogue, in diabetic rats

Treatment of alloxan diabetic rats with the antioxidant S-allyl cysteine sulfoxide (SACS) isolated from garlic (Allium sativum Linn), ameliorated the diabetic condition almost to the same extent as did glibenclamide and insulin. In addition, SACS controlled lipid peroxidation better than the other two drugs. Furthermore, SACS significantly stimulated in vitro insulin secretion from B cells isolated from normal rats. Hence it can be surmised that the beneficial effects of SACS could be due to both its antioxidant and its secretagogue actions. The former effect is more predominant and the latter is only secondary. These effects highlight the therapeutic value of garlic, which is a component of many diets.