Gestational Diabetes Triggers Oxidative Stress in Hippocampus and Cerebral Cortex and Cognitive Behavior Modifications in Rat Offspring: Age- and Sex-Dependent Effects

Mutual effects of gestational diabetes and schizophrenia: how can one promote the other?: A review

Although the physical complications of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are well known, emerging evidence suggests a significant link with psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia (SCZ). This review aimed to explore the extent, nature, and implications of the association between GDM and SCZ, exploring how the 2 conditions may reciprocally influence each other. We conducted a comprehensive literature review and, analyzed clinical and mechanistic evidence supporting the mutual effects of GDM and SCZ. This review examined factors such as neurodevelopment and the impact of antipsychotics. The study found that Maternal GDM increases the risk of SCZ in offspring. Conversely, women with SCZ were more prone to hyperglycemic pregnancies. The research highlights significant regional variations in GDM prevalence, with the highest rate in the Middle East, North Africa, and South-East Asia regions. These regional variations may have an impact on the epidemiology of SCZ. Furthermore, this review identifies the potential biological and environmental mechanisms underlying these associations. There is a bidirectional relationship between GDM and SCZ, with each disorder potentially exacerbating the others. This relationship has significant implications for maternal and offspring health, particularly in regions with high GDM prevalence. These findings underline the need for integrated care approaches for women with SCZ during pregnancy and the importance of monitoring and managing GDM to mitigate the risk of SCZ in the offspring. Notably, this study recognizes the need for further research to fully understand these complex interactions and their implications for healthcare.

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation may benefit from the addition of N-acetylcysteine to facilitate motor learning in infants of diabetic mothers failing oral feeds

Objective

This study aims to determine if pretreating with enteral N-acetylcysteine (NAC) improves CNS oxidative stress and facilitates improvement in oromotor skills during transcutaneous auricular nerve stimulation (taVNS) paired with oral feedings in infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs) who are failing oral feeds.

Methods

We treated 10 IDMs who were gastrostomy tube candidates in an open-label trial of NAC and taVNS paired with oral feeding. NAC (75 or 100 mg/kg/dose) was given by nasogastric (NG) administration every 6 h for 4 days, then combined with taVNS paired with 2 daily feeds for another 14 days. NAC pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were determined from plasma concentrations at baseline and at steady state on day 4 of treatment in conjunction with magnetic resonance spectroscopic (MRS) quantification of CNS glutathione (GSH) as a marker of oxidative stress. We compared increases in oral feeding volumes before and during taVNS treatment and with a prior cohort of 12 IDMs who largely failed to achieve full oral feeds with taVNS alone.

Results

NAC 100 mg/kg/dose every 6 h NG resulted in plasma [NAC] that increased [GSH] in the basal ganglia with a mean of 0.13 ± 0.08 mM (p = 0.01, compared to baseline). Mean daily feeding volumes increased over 14 days of NAC + taVNS compared to the 14 days before treatment and compared to the prior cohort of 12 IDMs treated with taVNS alone. Seven IDMs reached full oral feeds sufficient for discharge, while three continued to have inadequate intake.

Conclusion

In IDM failing oral feeds, NAC 100 mg/kg/dose every 6 h NG for 4 days before and during taVNS paired with oral feeding increased CNS GSH, potentially mitigating oxidative stress, and was associated with improving functional feeding outcomes compared to taVNS alone in a prior cohort. This represents a novel approach to neuromodulation and supports the concept that mitigation of ongoing oxidative stress may increase response to taVNS paired with a motor task.

Diazoxide and moderate-intensity exercise improve skeletal muscle function by decreasing oxidants and enhancing antioxidant defenses in hypertensive male rats

High sodium intake is decisive in the incidence increase and prevalence of hypertension, which has an impact on skeletal muscle functionality. Diazoxide is an antihypertensive agent that inhibits insulin secretion and is an opener of KATP channels (adosine triphosphate sensitive potasium channels). For this reason, it is hypothesized that moderate-intensity exercise and diazoxide improve skeletal muscle function by reducing the oxidants in hypertensive rats. Male Wistar rats were assigned into eight groups: control (CTRL), diazoxide (DZX), exercise (EX), exercise + diazoxide (EX + DZX), hypertension (HTN), hypertension + diazoxide (HTN + DZX), hypertension + exercise (HTN + EX), and hypertension + exercise + diazoxide (HTN + EX + DZX). To induce hypertension, the rats received 8% NaCl dissolved in water orally for 30 days; in the following 8 weeks, 4% NaCl was supplied to maintain the pathology. The treatment with physical exercise of moderate intensity lasted 8 weeks. The administration dose of diazoxide was 35 mg/kg intraperitoneally for 14 days. Tension recording was performed on the extensor digitorum longus and the soleus muscle. Muscle homogenates were used to measure oxidants using fluorescent probe and the activity of antioxidant systems. Diazoxide and moderate-intensity exercise reduced oxidants and increased antioxidant defenses.

Beneficial effects of dietary omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on offspring brain development in gestational diabetes mellitus

Various mechanisms through which maternal diet influences offspring brain development in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains unclear. We speculate that prenatal omega 3 fatty acids will improve the levels of brain neurotrophins and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an angiogenic factor leading to improved cognitive performance in the offspring. GDM was induced in Wistar rats using streptozotocin. They were assigned to either control, GDM or GDM+O (GDM + omega-3 fatty acid supplementation). The offspring were followed till 3 mo of age and cognitive assessment was undertaken. Data analysis was carried out using one-way ANOVA followed by LSD test. GDM induction increased (p < 0.01) dam glucose levels and lowered brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels (p = 0.056) in the offspring at birth. At 3 months, GDM group showed significantly lower levels of neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor-2 (NTRK-2) and VEGF, lower mRNA levels of NTRK-2 and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) (P < 0.05 for all) as compared to control. The GDM offspring had a higher escape latency (p < 0.01), made lesser % correct choices and more errors (p < 0.05 for both). Prenatal supplementation with omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids was beneficial since it ameliorated some of the adverse effects of GDM.

Torachrysone-8-O-β-d-glucoside mediates anti-inflammatory effects by blocking aldose reductase-catalyzed metabolism of lipid peroxidation products

Aldose reductase (AR) is an important enzyme involved in the reduction of various aldehyde and carbonyl compounds, including the highly reactive and toxic 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), which has been linked to the progression of various pathologies such as atherosclerosis, hyperglycemia, inflammation, and tumors. AR inhibitors have potential therapeutic benefits for these diseases by reducing lipid peroxidation and mitigating the harmful effects of reactive aldehydes. In this study, we found that torachrysone-8-O-β-d-glucoside (TG), a natural product isolated from Polygonum multiflorum Thunb., functions as an effective inhibitor of AR, exhibiting potent effects in clearing reactive aldehydes and reducing inflammation. TG up-regulated the mRNA levels of several antioxidant factors downstream of NRF2, especially glutathione S-transferase (GST), which is significantly increased, thus detoxifying 4-HNE by facilitating the conjugation of 4-HNE to glutathione, forming glutathione-4-hydroxynonenal (GS-HNE). By employing a combination of molecular docking, cellular thermal shift assay, and enzyme activity experiments, we demonstrated that TG exhibited strong binding affinity with AR and inhibited its activity and blocked the conversion of GS-HNE to glutathionyl-1,4-dihydroxynonene (GS-DHN), thereby preventing the formation of protein adducts and inducing severe cellular damage. This study provides novel insights into the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of AR inhibitors and offers potential avenues for developing therapeutic strategies for AR-related pathologies. Our findings suggest that TG, as an AR inhibitor, may hold promise as a therapeutic agent for treating conditions characterized by excessive lipid peroxidation and inflammation. Further investigations are needed to fully explore the clinical potential of TG and evaluate its efficacy in the treatment and management of these complex diseases.

Nurturing through Nutrition: Exploring the Role of Antioxidants in Maternal Diet during Pregnancy to Mitigate Developmental Programming of Chronic Diseases

Chronic diseases represent one of the major causes of death worldwide. It has been suggested that pregnancy-related conditions, such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), maternal obesity (MO), and intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) induce an adverse intrauterine environment, increasing the offspring's predisposition to chronic diseases later in life. Research has suggested that mitochondrial function and oxidative stress may play a role in the developmental programming of chronic diseases. Having this in mind, in this review, we include evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are mechanisms by which GDM, MO, and IUGR program the offspring to chronic diseases. In this specific context, we explore the promising advantages of maternal antioxidant supplementation using compounds such as resveratrol, curcumin, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and Mitoquinone (MitoQ) in addressing the metabolic dysfunction and oxidative stress associated with GDM, MO, and IUGR in fetoplacental and offspring metabolic health. This approach holds potential to mitigate developmental programming-related risk of chronic diseases, serving as a probable intervention for disease prevention.

Maternal diabetes decreases the expression of GABAAα1, GABAB1, and mGlu2 receptors in the visual cortex of male rat neonates

AIMS

This study examines the impact of maternal diabetes on the expression of GABAB1, GABAAα1, and mGlu2 receptors in the primary visual cortex layers of male rat newborns.

MAIN METHODS

In diabetic group (Dia), diabetes was induced in adult female rats using an intraperitoneal dose of Streptozotocin (STZ) 65 (mg/kg). Diabetes was managed by daily subcutaneous injection of NPH insulin in insulin-treated diabetic group (Ins). Control group (Con) received normal saline intraperitoneally rather than STZ. Male offspring born to each group of female rats were euthanized via CO2 inhalation at P0, P7, and P14 days after delivery and the expression of GABAB1, GABAAα1, and mGlu2 receptors in their primary visual cortex was determined using immunohistochemistry (IHC).

KEY FINDINGS

The expression of GABAB1, GABAAα1, and mGlu2 receptors increased gradually with age in the male offspring born to Con group while the highest expression was detected in layer IV of the primary visual cortex. In Dia group newborns, the expression of these receptors was significantly reduced in all layers of the primary visual cortex at every three days. Insulin treatment in diabetic mothers restored the expression of these receptors to normal levels in their newborns.

SIGNIFICANCE

The study indicates that diabetes reduces the expression of GABAB1, GABAAα1, and mGlu2 receptors in the primary visual cortex of male offspring born to diabetic rats at P0, P7, and P14. However, insulin treatment can counteract these effects.

The impact of maternal diabetes on the future health and neurodevelopment of the offspring: a review of the evidence

Maternal health during gestational period is undoubtedly critical in shaping optimal fetal development and future health of the offspring. Gestational diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder occurring in pregnancy with an alarming increasing incidence worldwide during recent years. Over the years, there is a growing body of evidence that uncontrolled maternal hyperglycaemia during pregnancy can potentially have detrimental effect on the neurodevelopment of the offspring. Both human and animal data have linked maternal diabetes with motor and cognitive impairment, as well as autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning abilities and psychiatric disorders. This review presents the available data from current literature investigating the relationship between maternal diabetes and offspring neurodevelopmental impairment. Moreover, possible mechanisms accounting for the detrimental effects of maternal diabetes on fetal brain like fetal neuroinflammation, iron deficiency, epigenetic alterations, disordered lipid metabolism and structural brain abnormalities are also highlighted. On the basis of the evidence demonstrated in the literature, it is mandatory that hyperglycaemia during pregnancy will be optimally controlled and the impact of maternal diabetes on offspring neurodevelopment will be more thoroughly investigated.

Long-term outcomes and potential mechanisms of offspring exposed to intrauterine hyperglycemia

Diabetes mellitus during pregnancy, which can be classified into pregestational diabetes and gestational diabetes, has become much more prevalent worldwide. Maternal diabetes fosters an intrauterine abnormal environment for fetus, which not only influences pregnancy outcomes, but also leads to fetal anomaly and development of diseases in later life, such as metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, neuropsychiatric outcomes, reproduction malformation, and immune dysfunction. The underlying mechanisms are comprehensive and ambiguous, which mainly focus on microbiota, inflammation, reactive oxygen species, cell viability, and epigenetics. This review concluded with the influence of intrauterine hyperglycemia on fetal structure development and organ function on later life and outlined potential mechanisms that underpin the development of diseases in adulthood. Maternal diabetes leaves an effect that continues generations after generations through gametes, thus more attention should be paid to the prevention and treatment of diabetes to rescue the pathological attacks of maternal diabetes from the offspring.

Behavioral effects of environmental enrichment on male and female wistar rats with early life stress experiences

Exposure to adverse childhood experiences or early life stress experiences (ELSs) increase the risk of non-adaptive behaviors and psychopathology in adulthood. Environmental enrichment (EE) has been proposed to minimize these effects. The vast number of methodological variations in animal studies underscores the lack of systematicity in the studies and the need for a detailed understanding of how enrichment interacts with other variables. Here we evaluate the effects of environmental enrichment in male and female Wistar rats exposed to adverse early life experiences (prenatal, postnatal, and combined) on emotional (elevated plus maze), social (social interaction chamber), memory (Morris water maze) and flexibility tasks. Our results—collected from PND 51 to 64—confirmed: 1) the positive effect of environmental enrichment (PND 28–49) on anxiety-like behaviors in animals submitted to ELSs. These effects depended on type of experience and type of enrichment: foraging enrichment reduced anxiety-like behaviors in animals with prenatal and postnatal stress but increased them in animals without ELSs. This effect was sex-dependent: females showed lower anxiety compared to males. Our data also indicated that females exposed to prenatal and postnatal stress had lower anxious responses than males in the same conditions; 2) no differences were found for social interactions; 3) concerning memory, there was a significant interaction between the three factors: A significant interaction for males with prenatal stress was observed for foraging enrichment, while physical enrichment was positive for males with postnatal stress; d) regarding cognitive flexibility, a positive effect of EE was found in animals exposed to adverse ELSs: animals with combined stress and exposed to physical enrichment showed a higher index of cognitive flexibility than those not exposed to enrichment. Yet, within animals with no EE, those exposed to combined stress showed lower flexibility than those exposed to both prenatal stress and no stress. On the other hand, animals with prenatal stress and exposed to foraging-type enrichment showed lower cognitive flexibility than those with no EE. The prenatal stress-inducing conditions used here 5) did not induced fetal or maternal problems and 6) did not induced changes in the volume of the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus.

Hyperglycemia in Pregnancy-Associated Oxidative Stress Augments Altered Placental Glucose Transporter 1 Trafficking via AMPKα/p38MAPK Signaling Cascade

GLUT1, being a ubiquitous transporter isoform, is considered primarily responsible for glucose uptake during glycolysis. However, there is still uncertainty about the regulatory mechanisms of GLUT1 in hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP, PGDM, and GDM) accompanied by abnormal oxidative stress responses. In the present study, it was observed that the glycolysis was enhanced in GDM and PGDM pregnancies. In line with this, the antioxidant system was disturbed and GLUT1 expression was increased due to diabetes impairment in both placental tissues and in vitro BeWo cells. GLUT1 responded to high glucose stimulation through p38MAPK in an AMPKα-dependent manner. Both the medical-mediated and genetic depletion of p38MAPK in BeWo cells could suppress GLUT1 expression and OS-induced proapoptotic effects. Furthermore, blocking AMPKα with an inhibitor or siRNA strategy promoted p38MAPK, GLUT1, and proapoptotic molecules expression and vice versa. In general, a new GLUT1 regulation pathway was identified, which could exert effects on placental transport function through the AMPKα-p38MAPK pathway. AMPKα may be a therapeutic target in HIP for alleviating diabetes insults.

Dietary Iron Restriction Improves Muscle Function, Dyslipidemia, and Decreased Muscle Oxidative Stress in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic degenerative disease characterized by hyperglycemia and oxidative stress. Iron catalyzes free radical overproduction. High iron concentrations have previously been reported to promote an increase in oxidative stress; however, the effect of iron restriction in diabetes has not yet been explored, so we tested to see if iron restriction in diabetic rats reduces oxidative damage and improved muscle function. Wistar rats were assigned to 4 groups: Control; Diabetic; Diabetic rats with a high iron diet, and Diabetic with dietary iron restriction. After 8 weeks the rats were sacrificed, the muscles were extracted to prepare homogenates, and serum was obtained for biochemical measurements. Low iron diabetic rats showed an increase in the development of muscle strength in both muscles. Dietary iron restriction decreased triglyceride concentrations compared to the untreated diabetic rats and the levels of extremely low-density lipoproteins. Aggravation of lipid peroxidation was observed in the diabetic group with a high iron diet, while these levels remained low with iron restriction. Iron restriction improved muscle strength development and reduced fatigue times; this was related to better lipid profile control and decreased oxidant stress markers.

Integrated Multi-Omics Analysis Reveals the Effect of Maternal Gestational Diabetes on Fetal Mouse Hippocampi

Growing evidence suggests that adverse intrauterine environments could affect the long-term health of offspring. Recent evidence indicates that gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with neurocognitive changes in offspring. However, the mechanism remains unclear. Using a GDM mouse model, we collected hippocampi, the structure critical to cognitive processes, for electron microscopy, methylome and transcriptome analyses. Reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) and RNA-seq in the GDM fetal hippocampi showed altered methylated modification and differentially expressed genes enriched in common pathways involved in neural synapse organization and signal transmission. We further collected fetal mice brains for metabolome analysis and found that in GDM fetal brains, the metabolites displayed significant changes, in addition to directly inducing cognitive dysfunction, some of which are important to methylation status such as betaine, fumaric acid, L-methionine, succinic acid, 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid, and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). These results suggest that GDM affects metabolites in fetal mice brains and further affects hippocampal DNA methylation and gene regulation involved in cognition, which is a potential mechanism for the adverse neurocognitive effects of GDM in offspring.

Maternal alloxan exposure induces damage in rat offspring lumbar vertebrae and protective role of arachidonic acid

BACKGROUND

Vertebral abnormalities in offspring of diabetic mothers make major challenges worldwide and were not sufficiently studied before.

AIM

To investigate the effects of alloxan-induced diabetes on rats' lumbar vertebrae, and to assess the potential beneficial impact of arachidonic acid.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Pregnant rats were randomly equally divided into four groups: control, alloxan-induced diabetes received alloxan injection 150 mg∕kg, alloxan + arachidonic acid group received arachidonic acid 10 μg∕animal then given alloxan injection, and arachidonic acid group received it, until offspring age of three weeks. Six male offspring from each group were included in this study at ages of newborn, three-week-old, two-month-old, and their body measurements were recorded. Lumbar vertebrae and pancreas specimens were examined by light microscopy, morphometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and immunohistochemistry for insulin expression.

RESULTS

In alloxan-induced diabetes newborn, three-week-old, and two-month-old rats, body measurements were significantly declined, histomorphometry of 6th lumbar vertebrae revealed disorganized chondrocytes, with vacuolated cytoplasm, empty lacunae, diminished matrix staining, with areas devoid of cells. TEM showed shrunken reserve and proliferative cells, with irregular nuclei, and damaged mitochondria. In contrast, alloxan + arachidonic acid group had cytoarchitecture of lumbar vertebrae that were like control group. Histomorphometry of pancreas in alloxan-induced diabetes group showed significant reduction in pancreatic islets number and surface area, damaged pancreatic islet cells appeared atrophied with apoptotic nuclei, and very weak insulin immunostaining. Whereas alloxan + arachidonic acid group displayed healthy features of pancreatic islets, which resembled control group, with strong insulin immunostaining.

CONCLUSIONS

Arachidonic acid mitigated alloxan-induced diabetes by its antidiabetic activity.

Hypolipidemic and Antioxidant Effects of Guishe Extract from Agave lechuguilla, a Mexican Plant with Biotechnological Potential, on Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Male Rats

In the present study, we used a by-product from Agave lechuguilla (guishe) to test its antidiabetic effect, hypolipidemic activity, and capacity to mitigate the oxidative stress in kidney mitochondria from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Orally, a crude aqueous extract from lyophilized guishe was administered over 5 weeks at different doses. Blood glucose and body weight were monitored. Also, blood chemistry, bilirubin, and alanine aminotransferase were assayed. Furthermore, the activity of catalase, thiobarbituric acid reactive species, mitochondrial superoxide dismutase, glutathione and glutathione peroxidase were determined in isolated kidney mitochondria. Our results show that guishe extracts have no antidiabetic properties at any dose. Nevertheless, it was able to diminish serum triglyceride levels and regulate the oxidative stress observed in isolated kidney mitochondria. These observations indicate that the aqueous extract from guishe can be used to treat abnormalities in serum lipids, as a hypolipidemic, and mitigate the oxidative stress, as an antioxidant, occurring during diabetes.

Immunoendocrine Dysregulation during Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: The Central Role of the Placenta

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a transitory metabolic condition caused by dysregulation triggered by intolerance to carbohydrates, dysfunction of beta-pancreatic and endothelial cells, and insulin resistance during pregnancy. However, this disease includes not only changes related to metabolic distress but also placental immunoendocrine adaptations, resulting in harmful effects to the mother and fetus. In this review, we focus on the placenta as an immuno-endocrine organ that can recognize and respond to the hyperglycemic environment. It synthesizes diverse chemicals that play a role in inflammation, innate defense, endocrine response, oxidative stress, and angiogenesis, all associated with different perinatal outcomes.

Noopept Attenuates Diabetes-Mediated Neuropathic Pain and Oxidative Hippocampal Neurotoxicity via Inhibition of TRPV1 Channel in Rats

Neuropathic pain and oxidative neurotoxicity are two adverse main actions of diabetes mellitus (DM). The expression levels of calcium ion (Ca²⁺) permeable TRPV1 channels are high in the dorsal root ganglion (DRGs) and hippocampus (HIPPO). TRPV1 is activated by capsaicin and reactive free oxygen radicals (fROS) to mediate peripheral neuropathy and neurotoxicity. Noopept (NP) acted several protective antioxidant actions against oxidative neurotoxicity. As DM is known to increase the levels of fROS, the protective roles of antioxidant NP were evaluated on the DM-mediated neurotoxicity and neuropathic pain via the modulation of TRPV1 in rats. Thirty-six rats were equally divided into control, NP, DM (streptozotocin, STZ), and STZ + NP groups. A decrease on the STZ-mediated increase of neuropathic pain (via the analyses of Von Frey and hot plate) and blood glucose level was observed by the treatment of NP. A protective role of NP via downregulation of TRPV1 activity on the STZ-induced increase of apoptosis, mitochondrial fROS, lipid peroxidation, caspase -3 (CASP-3), caspase -9 (CASP-9), TRPV1 current density, glutathione (GSH), cytosolic free Zn²⁺, and Ca²⁺ concentrations in the DRGs and HIPPO was also observed. The STZ-mediated decrease of glutathione peroxidase, GSH, vitamin E, and β-carotene concentrations in the brain cortex, erythrocyte, liver, kidney, and plasma was also attenuated by the treatment of NP. The STZ-mediated increase of TRPV1, CASP-3, and CASP-9 expressions was decreased in the DRGs and HIPPO by the treatment of NP. In conclusion, the treatment of NP induced protective effects against STZ-induced adverse peripheral pain and HIPPO oxidative neurotoxicity. These effects might attribute to the potent antioxidant property of NP.

Effects of Gestational Diabetes in Cognitive Behavior, Oxidative Stress and Metabolism on the Second-Generation Off-Spring of Rats

Gestational diabetes (GD) has a negative impact on neurodevelopment, resulting in cognitive and neurological deficiencies. Oxidative stress (OS) has been reported in the brain of the first-generation offspring of GD rats. OS has been strongly associated with neurodegenerative diseases. In this work, we determined the effect of GD on the cognitive behavior, oxidative stress and metabolism of second-generation offspring. GD was induced with streptozotocin (STZ) in pregnant rats to obtain first-generation offspring (F1), next female F1 rats were mated with control males to obtain second-generation offspring (F2). Two and six-month-old F2 males and females were employed. Anxious-type behavior, spatial learning and spatial working memory were evaluated. In cerebral cortex and hippocampus, the oxidative stress and serum biochemical parameters were measured. Male F2 GD offspring presented the highest level of anxiety-type behavior, whilst females had the lowest level of anxiety-type behavior at juvenile age. In short-term memory, adult females presented deficiencies. The offspring F2 GD females presented modifications in oxidative stress biomarkers in the cerebral cortex as lipid-peroxidation, oxidized glutathione and catalase activity. We also observed metabolic disturbances, particularly in the lipid and insulin levels of male and female F2 GD offspring. Our results suggest a transgenerational effect of GD on metabolism, anxiety-like behavior, and spatial working memory.

Effects of Apocynin on Heart Muscle Oxidative Stress of Rats with Experimental Diabetes: Implications for Mitochondria

Diabetes mellitus (DM) constitutes one of the public health problems today. It is characterized by hyperglycemia through a defect in the β-cells function and/or decreased insulin sensitivity. Apocynin has been tasted acting directly as an NADPH oxidase inhibitor and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, exhibiting beneficial effects against diabetic complications. Hence, the present study’s goal was to dissect the possible mechanisms by which apocynin could mediate its cardioprotective effect against DM-induced oxidative stress. Male Wistar rats were assigned into 4 groups: Control (C), control + apocynin (C+A), diabetes (D), diabetes + apocynin (D+A). DM was induced with streptozotocin. Apocynin treatment (3 mg/kg/day) was applied for 5 weeks. Treatment significantly decreased blood glucose levels and insulin resistance in diabetic rats. In cardiac tissue, ROS levels were higher, and catalase enzyme activity was reduced in the D group compared to the C group; the apocynin treatment significantly attenuated these responses. In heart mitochondria, Complexes I and II of the electron transport chain (ETC) were significantly enhanced in the D+A group. Total glutathione, the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) and the GSH/ oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratio were increased in the D+A group. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were without change. Apocynin enhances glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity, preserving the antioxidant defense and mitochondrial function.