Proteomic Analysis of Differentially-Expressed Proteins in the Liver of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats Treated with Parkia biglobosa Protein Isolate

Effects of Artemisia supplementation on anorexia in hemodialysis patients: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

One of the most important problems of hemodialysis (HD) patients is anorexia due to the lack of proper treatment for it and on the other hand kidney disease is increasing. We designed a randomized controlled clinical trial to investigate the effects of Artemisia supplementation on anorexia in HD patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was carried out on 58 subjects with HD, aged 55-65 years old. Participants were randomly divided into two groups. One group received 250 mg/day of Artemisia supplement capsule for six weeks (n=26), and the other group was given placebo for the same time duration and dosage (n=32). The serum concentrations of urea, creatinine, albumin and hemoglobin were measured enzymatically using commercial kits. Anorexia score was measured using a Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ). Independent t-test analysis were applied to evaluate the data.

RESULTS

The results showed that the Artemisia supplementation significantly improved the anorexia in HD patients, for six weeks (p<0.05). However, it did not significantly effect on the albumin, hemoglobin, urea, creatinine, arm circumference, and body mass index (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

According to the outcomes of this study, Artemisia supplementation can be effective as an adjunct therapy for improve anorexia in HD patients.

Effect of Artemisia absinthium ethanolic extract on oxidative stress markers and the TLR4, S100A4, Bax and Bcl-2 genes expression in the kidney of STZ-induced diabetic rats

OBJECTIVES

The present study was conducted to examine antidiabetic effects of Artemisia absinthium ethanolic extract [A. absinthium] and to investigate its effects on oxidative stress markers and the expression of TLR4, S100A4, Bax and Bcl-2 genes in the kidney of STZ-induced diabetic rats.

METHODS

Thirty six rats (weight 200-250 g) were randomly divided into diabetes and control groups. Induction of diabetes was performed using STZ (55 mg/kg.bw). Biochemical parameters and oxidative stress markers (SOD and MDA) were measured using spectrophotometry after 60 days of treatment. The expression of TLR4, S100A4, Bax and Bcl-2 were analyzed by real-time PCR. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni post hoc test were used to compare the data.

RESULTS

Diabetes significantly impairs the serum fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profile, urea, creatinine and albumin. At the end of treatment with A. absinthium extract, these parameters were close to the normal range. The results showed that the A. absinthium extract significantly decreased the kidney expression of TLR4, S100A4, Bax and increased the expression of Bcl-2 and improved oxidative stress markers (SOD and MDA) in the kidney tissues of treated rats. Also, all of these beneficial effects of the A. absinthium were dose-dependent.

CONCLUSIONS

The extract of A. absinthium possesses antidiabetic effects. A. absinthium decreased the expression of TLR4, S100A4, Bax and increased the expression of Bcl-2 and improved oxidative stress. Therefore, this herbal extract can be used as an adjuvant treatment for diabetic complications.

Dunaliella salina Attenuates Diabetic Neuropathy Induced by STZ in Rats: Involvement of Thioredoxin

Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is a widespread disabling disorder including peripheral nerves' damage. The aim of the current study was to estimate the potential ameliorative effect of Dunaliella salina (D. salina) on DN and the involvement of the thioredoxin. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (STZ; 50 mg/kg; i.p). Glimepiride (0.5 mg/kg) or D. salina powder (100 or 200 mg/kg) were given orally, after 2 days of STZ injection for 4 weeks. Glucose, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) serum levels as well as brain contents of thioredoxin (Trx), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured with the histopathological study. STZ-induced DN resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) rise in glucose blood level and brain contents of TNF-α and IL-6 and produced a reduction in serum TAC, SOD, CAT, and brain Trx levels with irregular islets of Langerhans cells and loss of brain Purkinje cells. Treatment with glimepiride or both doses of D. salina alleviated these biochemical and histological parameters as compared to the STZ group. D. salina has a neurotherapeutic effect against DN via its inhibitory effect on inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress molecules with its upregulation of Trx activity.