An In Vivo Study on Intoxicating Effects of Nerium oleander Water Based Extract on Multiorgans of Wistar Rat

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Mitigates Kidney Dysfunction in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Mice via Modulation of Renal Iron Regulatory Genes

Kidney dysfunction is a prevalent complication of diabetes mellitus, contributing significantly to diabetes-related morbidity and mortality. We aim to explore whether platelet-rich plasma administration can modulate iron regulation mechanism within the kidney, thereby mitigating renal dysfunction associated with diabetes. Albino mice with an average body weight of 20 ± 5 g were randomly divided into five groups (N = 50; n = 10): Control Group, PRP Group, diabetic group (DG), treated group A (TA), and treated group B (TB). A single intraperitoneal dose of alloxan (160 mg/kg of body weight) was administered to mice in the DG and in both treated groups. Upon confirmation of diabetes, the DG was left untreated, while PRP treatment (0.5 ml/kg of body weight) was administered to the TA and TB groups for two and four weeks, respectively. Histological examinations of kidney tissues revealed notable signs of damage in DG, which were subsequently improved upon PRP treatment. Likewise, PRP treatment restored the changes in liver enzymes, oxidative stress biomarkers and serum electrolytes in both treated groups. Furthermore, there was an observed upregulation of iron regulatory genes, such as Renin, Epo, Hepc, Kim1, and Hfe, in the DG, accompanied by a downregulation of Tfr1 and Fpn; however, Dmt1 and Dcytb1 expression remained unaltered. Treatment with PRP restored the expression of iron regulatory genes in both treated groups. This study concluded that PRP treatment effectively restored the renal histochemistry and the expression of renal iron regulatory genes in an alloxan-induced diabetic mice model.

Poisoning by Nerium oleander L. in Franconia Geese

This study describes the acute poisoning of four 3-month-old Franconia geese (Anser anser) by oleander plants (Nerium oleander). After the accidental ingestion of oleander clippings, the geese exhibited a rapid onset of severe symptoms, leading to mortality within 15-90 min. Necropsy revealed cardiac and renal lesions. Specifically, interstitial edema, red blood cell infiltration, and myofibril loss were observed in the cardiac muscle, and tubular epithelial degeneration, interstitial edema, and hemorrhages were evident in the kidneys. Oleandrin, a glycoside with cardiac effects, was detected in the liver, kidneys, heart, brain, and muscles. The clinical implications underscore the urgency of veterinary intervention upon oleander ingestion, and the specific findings contribute valuable insights into the pathological effects of acute oleander poisoning in geese, aiding veterinarians in prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Effect of heterologous platelet-rich plasma on liver and modulation of glucose metabolism and Wnt signalling pathways in diabetic mice

BACKGROUND

The current study was designed to highlight the effects of heterologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on deteriorated hepatic tissues and impaired glucose metabolism of alloxan-induced diabetic mice.

METHODS

30 male mice were divided into a control (CG), PRP (PG), diabetic (DG), and two treated groups (T1G and T2G). PG was given PRP treatment (0.5 ml/kg body weight) twice a week for four weeks. DG, T1G and T2G were given alloxan (150 mg/kg) to induce diabetes. After confirmation, PRP treatment was given to T1G and T2G for two and four weeks respectively while DG was left untreated. Upon completion of the said experimental period, liver samples were taken for histological and gene expression analyses.

RESULTS

The study found that the liver tissue of the DG group showed signs of damage, including hepatocyte ballooning, sinusoid dilatation, and collagen deposition. However, these changes were significantly reduced in both T1G and T2G groups. The expression of several genes related to liver function was also affected, with upregulation of Fbp1 and Pklr, and downregulation of Pck1 in the DG group. PRP treatment restored Fbp1 expression and also increased the expression of glycolytic pathway genes Hk1 and Gck, as well as Wnt signalling pathway genes Wnt2, Wnt4, and Wnt9a in both treated groups.

CONCLUSION

Current study revealed that heterologous PRP may partly alleviate high glucose levels in diabetics possibly by mediating glucose metabolism via inhibition of Wnt signalling pathway.

High-fat diet intake ameliorates the expression of hedgehog signaling pathway in adult rat liver

BACKGROUND

Disproportionate fatty diet intake provokes hepatic lipid accumulation that causes non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, triggering the embryonically conserved Hedgehog (Hh) pathway in the adult liver. The present study incorporates exploring the impact of chronically administered unsaturated (D-1) and saturated (D-2) fat-enriched diets on hematological parameters, liver functioning, and lipid profile in the rat model. Besides, hepatohistology and real time gene expression analysis of Hh signaling pathway genes i.e., Shh, Ihh, Hhip, Ptch1, Smo, Gli1, Gli2, and Gli3 were carried out.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Fifteen Rattus norvegicus (♂) of 200 ± 25 g weight were grouped into control, D-1, and D-2. Animals were fed on their respective diets for 16 weeks. Fatty diet intake resulted in neutropenia, lymphocytosis, monocytosis, polycythemia, and macrocytosis in both experimental groups. Altered liver injury biomarkers, hypertriglyceridemia, and significantly increased very-low-density lipoprotein VLDL were also noted in both high-fat diet (HFD) groups as compared to control. Hepatohistological examination showed disrupted microarchitecture, infiltration of inflammatory cells, cellular necrosis, widened sinusoidal spaces, and microvesicular steatotic hepatocytes in D-1 and D-2. Collagen deposition in both HFD groups marks the extent of fibrosis. Significant upregulation of hedgehog pathway genes was found in fatty diet groups. In comparison with the control group, Shh Ihh, Hhip, Ptch1, Smo, Gli1, Gli2, and Gli3 were upregulated in D-1. In D-2 Shh, Hhip, and Smo expressions were upregulated, Ihh exhibited downregulation as compared to control.

CONCLUSION

Excess fat deposits in liver due to chronic consumption of high-fat diet results in anomalous architecture and functioning. High-fat diet induced significant variations in Hh pathway genes expression; especially Shh, Ihh, Hhip, Ptch1, Smo, Gli1, Gli2, and Gli3 were upregulated. Infiltration of inflammatory cells ( ), widened sinusoidal spaces (▲), cellular necrosis, and micro vesicular steatotic hepatocytes (*) were shown in the liver. Significant collagen deposition in both HFD groups i.e. D-1 and D-2 confirmed liver fibrosis. Excessive intake of dietary fats impaired normal liver functioning and liver inflammation triggered Hh signaling in adult rats.

High-Fat Diet Induced Hedgehog Signaling Modifications during Chronic Kidney Damage

Excessive consumption of dietary fats leads to the deposition of unnecessary metabolites and multiple organ damage. Lipids, important key regulators of Hedgehog signaling, are involved in triggering fibrotic chronic kidney disease. The present study encompasses the assessment of renal morphofunctional modifications and alteration of lipid metabolism influencing the changes in gene expression of hedgehog signaling pathway genes. Fifteen male Rattus norvegicus of 200 ± 25 grams weight were equally divided into three groups: control (standard rat chow), D-1 (unsaturated high-fat diet) and D-2 (saturated high-fat diet). Animals were provided with respective diets and were followed for 16 weeks. Both HFD-fed groups did not show overall body weight gain as compared to the control. While significant downregulation of hedgehog pathway genes was found in fatty diet groups. In comparison with the control group, Shh, Gli1, Gli2, and Gli3 were downregulated after the consumption of both unsaturated and saturated fatty diets. Ihh and Smo exhibit a similar downregulation in the D-1 group, but an upregulation was detected in the D-2 group. D-2 group also had an increased serum urea concentration as compared to the control (P = 0.0023). Furthermore, renal histopathology revealed tubular necrosis, glomerular edema, glomerular shrinkage, and hypocellularity. Collagen deposition in both HFD groups marks the extent of fibrosis summary figure. Extravagant intake of dietary fats impaired normal kidney functioning and morphofunctionally anomalous kidney triggers on Hh signaling in adult rats. These anomalies can be linked to an escalated risk of chronic kidney disease in adults strongly recommending the reduced uptake of fatty diets to prevent impaired metabolism and renal lipotoxicity.

Toxicity effects of Nerium oleander, basic and clinical evidence: A comprehensive review

Introduction:

Nerium oleander is a plant that is frequently grown in gardens and public areas. N. oleander is distributed originally in subtropical Asia but is now growing in many parts of the world, such as the United States, Australia, China, and Middle East countries. Pharmacological effects of plant including antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activity were reported, but the potential toxic effects of all parts of the shrub either fresh or dried on animal and human body were documented.

Method:

The data of this review article were obtained from Medline/Pubmed, Scopusand Google Scholar databases in English until September 2019. To include all publications in this field, keywords such as N. oleander and toxicity were used.

Results:

The poisoning effects of plant or their active alkaloids induced infiltration of cells with hemorrhage and sever negative changes in the lung, induce lesions, and infiltration of inflammatory cells into the portal spaces with scattered necrosis of hepatocytes in the liver, cardiac toxicity of the plant in the heart were included, induced varying degrees of hemorrhage, myocardial degeneration, and necrosis. It also induced arrhythmia, sinus bradycardia, and prolonged P-R interval in electrocardiographic records.

Conclusions:

The toxic effects of N. oleander are mostly related to its inhibitory effects on the Na+-K+ ATPase pump in the cellular membrane. However, the exact molecular mechanism involved in the toxicity of N. oleander is not clear.