Experimental investigation for nonalcoholic fatty pancreas management using probiotics

ZBiotics ameliorates T2DM-induced histopathological damage in liver, kidney and adipose tissues by modulating the NOD-like receptor signaling in Wistar rats

Probiotics serve as promising candidates in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) therapy. Not only they presumably reduce the T2DM prevalence, but also keep down its complications. In the present study, we explored the beneficial impact of ZBiotics, an engineered probiotic, on T2DM Wistar rats. In silico analysis was performed to construct a genetic-epigenetic network linked to STING-NOD pathway and autophagy signaling. Then, 30 Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups (each n = 6); normal group, diabetic model, B. subtilis, and ZBiotics treated rats at high and low doses. Experimental procedures were carried out including biochemical and histopathologic analyses. Samples were extracted from rats' blood, liver, kidney and adipose tissues. At the molecular aspect, the molecular players, chosen by the in silico analysis, were assessed using 2-ΔΔCt to estimate their relative quantification. With immunohistochemistry, TNF-alpha and LC3B were assessed as reflectors for inflammation and autophagy respectively. ZBiotics was reported to ameliorate the T2DM-induced histological damage. Besides, it downregulated TNF-alpha and upregulated LC3B expression levels. At the biochemical aspect, ZBiotics corrected LDL-c and improved serum creatinine and CK-MB levels. Inflammation relevant genes have been downregulated regarding CHUK, NFKB1 and miR-611. Therefore, ZBiotics is speculated to operate by modulating the genetic-epigenetic network linked to inflammatory cGAS-STING and autophagy signaling. ZBiotics is recommended for clinical trials as a separate candidate or as an adjuvant to the conventional T2DM therapy.

Association between intra-pancreatic fat deposition and diseases of the exocrine pancreas: A narrative review

Intrapancreatic fat deposition (IPFD) has garnered increasing attention in recent years. The prevalence of IPFD is relatively high and associated with factors such as obesity, age, and sex. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying IPFD remain unclear, with several potential contributing factors, including oxidative stress, alterations in the gut microbiota, and hormonal imbalances. IPFD was found to be highly correlated with the occurrence and prognosis of exocrine pancreatic diseases. Although imaging techniques remain the primary diagnostic approach for IPFD, an expanding array of biomarkers and clinical scoring systems have been identified for screening purposes. Currently, effective treatments for IPFD are not available; however, existing medications, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, and new therapeutic approaches explored in animal models have shown considerable potential for managing this disease. This paper reviews the pathogenesis of IPFD, its association with exocrine pancreatic diseases, and recent advancements in its diagnosis and treatment, emphasizing the significant clinical relevance of IPFD.