Beneficial protective effects of 2-allyl amino 4-methyl sulfanyl butyric acid on glucose metabolism and glycoprotein components in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats with molecular modeling

Targeting Glycoproteins as a therapeutic strategy for diabetes mellitus and its complications

OBJECTIVES

Glycoproteins are organic compounds formed from proteins and carbohydrates, which are found in many parts of the living systems including the cell membranes. Furthermore, impaired metabolism of glycoprotein components plays the main role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of glycoprotein levels in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

All relevant papers in the English language were compiled by searching electronic databases, including Scopus, PubMed and Cochrane library. The keywords of glycoprotein, diabetes mellitus, glycan, glycosylation, and inhibitor were searched until January 2019.

RESULTS

Glycoproteins are pivotal elements in the regulation of cell proliferation, growth, maturation and signaling pathways. Moreover, they are involved in drug binding, drug transportation, efflux of chemicals and stability of therapeutic proteins. These functions, structure, composition, linkages, biosynthesis, significance and biological effects are discussed as related to their use as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and its complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings revealed several chemical and natural compounds have significant beneficial effects on glycoprotein metabolism. The comprehension of glycoprotein structure and functions are very essential and inevitable to enhance the knowledge of glycoengineering for glycoprotein-based therapeutics as may be required for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and its associated complications. Graphical abstract.

The effect of bisphenol A on testicular steroidogenesis and its amelioration by quercetin: an in vivo and in silico approach

Bisphenol A (BPA), a phenyl ring containing synthetic xenoestrogen, is widely used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics, epoxy resins and as a non-polymer additive to other plastics. Food is considered as the main source of exposure to BPA as it leaches out from food containers as well as surface coatings. It causes toxicity in the liver, kidney, brain, and other organs by initiating the process of lipid peroxidation. The present investigation was an attempt to evaluate the effect of BPA on steroidogenesis and its amelioration by quercetin. Inbred Swiss strain male albino mice were orally administered with 80, 120 and 240 mg per kg body weight per day of BPA for 45 days. The results revealed that BPA causes significant (p < 0.05) and dose-dependent changes in the body weight and biochemical parameters like protein, cholesterol and lipid contents as well as activities of 3β-and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases in the testis of mice. It was also found to significantly reduce the testosterone level in serum. Oral administration of quercetin (30, 60 and 90 mg per kg body weight per day) along with a high dose of BPA (240 mg per kg body weight per day) for 45 days caused significant amelioration in the body weight and steroidogenesis as compared to the BPA alone treated group. The effect was dose-dependent. This amelioration in BPA-induced toxicity might be due to the antioxidative properties of quercetin. The reduction in the function of enzymes was confirmed by in silico bindings. BPA and quercetin show competitive binding with steroidogenic enzymes as well as binding with each other. This could be a possible mechanism to reduce the toxic effect of BPA which has been supported by molecular dynamics simulations for molecular level recognition with structural insights.