Galectin-1 exhibits a protective effect against hepatotoxicity induced by dextran sulfate sodium in mice.

Galectin-1 is an important mediator that regulates the T-cell-mediated immune response. It has many other biological functions such as cell growth, immunomodulation, and wound healing. The aim of this study was to reveal the role of galectin-1 on liver morphology, cell proliferation, apoptosis, inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress, and antioxidant system in colitis-mediated hepatotoxicity induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). In the present study, adult mice were divided into four groups: The control group intraperitoneally injected with phosphate buffer saline (I), the group which was orally administered with DSS (II), the control group which was injected with galectin-1 (III), and the group which was given DSS and galectin-1 (IV). DSS administration caused degenerative changes and diffuse necrotic damage, an increase in caspase-3 and cyclooxygenase-2 expression, the levels of lipid peroxidation and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, lactate dehydrogenase, and myeloperoxidase activities, and a decrease in cell proliferation, interleukin-10 levels, and antioxidant system parameters in liver tissues. Treatment of DSS group with galectin-1 reversed these effects and prevented liver damage. This study showed that galectin-1 has proliferative, antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects against DSS-induced liver injury in mice. It is expected considering all results of this study that galectin-1 may be useful as a protective agent against liver toxicity.

Protective effects of metformin treatment on the liver injury of streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

Metformin is a biguanide derivate used as an oral hypoglycaemic drug in diabetics. The aim of this study was to examine the histological and biochemical effects of metformin in streptozotocin (STZ)-treated rats. The animals were rendered diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of 65 mg/kg STZ. Fourteen days later, metformin was given at 25 mg/kg by gavage, daily for 28 days, to STZ-diabetic rats and a control group. In the STZ-diabetic group, some degenerative changes were observed by light microscopic examination. But the degenerative changes were decreased in the STZ-diabetic group given metformin. In the STZ-diabetic group, blood glucose levels, serum alanine and aspartate transaminase (ALT and AST) activities, total lipid levels, and sodium and potassium levels increased, while body weight, serum magnesium levels and liver glutathione (GSH) levels decreased. In the STZ-diabetic group given metformin, blood glucose levels, serum ALT and AST activities, total lipid, and sodium and potassium levels decreased, and liver GSH and serum magnesium levels increased. As a result of all the morphological and biochemical findings obtained, it was concluded that metformin has a protective effect against the hepatotoxicity produced by STZ diabetes.

The morphological and biochemical effects of glibornuride on rat liver in experimental diabetes.

Glibornuride is a sulphonylurea derivative used as an oral hypoglycaemic drug in diabetics. The aim of this study was to examine the histological, ultrastructural and biochemical effects of glibornuride in streptozotocin (STZ)-treated rats. The animals were rendered diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of 65 mg/kg STZ. Fourteen days later, glibornuride was given at 5 mg/kg by gavage, daily for 28 days, to one STZ-diabetic and one control group. In the STZ-diabetic group, remarkable degenerative changes were observed. On the other hand, in the STZ-diabetic group given glibornuride, the degenerative changes decreased. In the STZ-diabetic group, blood glucose levels, serum aspartate transaminase activity, and total lipid levels increased, whereas the blood glutathione levels decreased. In contrast, in the STZ-diabetic group given glibornuride blood glucose levels, serum aspartate transaminase activity and total lipid levels decreased and blood glutathione levels increased. Significant changes in total protein levels in the serum were not observed in any group. As a conclusion, we can say that glibornuride has a protective effect against the hepatotoxicity produced by STZ-diabetes.

Effects of parsley (Petroselinum crispum) on the liver of diabetic rats: a morphological and biochemical study.

Parsley is used by diabetics in Turkey to reduce blood glucose. The present study aims to investigate both the morphological and biochemical effects of parsley on liver tissue. Rat hepatocytes were examined by light and electron microscopy. Degenerative changes were observed in the hepatocytes of diabetic rats. These degenerative changes were significantly reduced or absent in the hepatocytes of diabetic rats treated with parsley. Blood glucose levels, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase were observed to be raised in diabetic rats. Diabetic rats treated with parsley demonstrated significantly lower levels of blood glucose, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase. The present study suggests that parsley demonstrates a significant hepatoprotective effect in diabetic rats.

The effects of chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla) extract on the kidney tissue, serum urea and creatinine levels of diabetic rats.

The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla) extract on serum urea and creatinine concentrations and on kidney tissue in normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats. The extract was administered to rats at a dose of 2 g/kg every day for 28 days, 14 days after animals were made diabetic. On day 42, kidney tissue and blood samples were examined. Significant degenerative changes in kidney tissue of diabetic rats were observed, but in the group given chard extract, the morphology of kidney tissue was found to be nearly the same as the controls. Serum urea and creatinine levels significantly increased in the diabetic groups, but the chard extracts significantly reduced serum urea and creatinine levels. It is concluded that the extract of this plant may reduce serum urea and creatinine levels and confer a protective effect on the kidney of diabetic rats.

Effects of chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla) extract on oxidative injury in the aorta and heart of streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

In diabetes mellitus, increased free radical formation raises the incidence of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Regardless of the type of diabetes, the objective of the therapy is to achieve normoglycemia and to prevent or delay the complications. Chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla) is used as a hypoglycemic agent by diabetic patients in Turkey. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of feeding chard on diabetes-induced free radical-mediated injury in rat aorta and heart tissues. Female Swiss albino rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, diabetic, chard, and diabetic + chard. Rats were subjected to intraperitoneal streptozotocin (STZ, 65 mg/kg) to induce diabetes. Chard extract (2 g/kg) was given for 28 days beginning on the 14th day of the study. Aorta and heart tissue lipid peroxidation and glutathione levels as well as blood glucose levels were determined. The results of the present study indicate that lipid peroxidation was increased and glutathione levels were decreased in both aorta and heart tissue of the diabetic rats. However, treatment with chard extract reversed the effects of diabetes on blood glucose and tissue lipid peroxidation and glutathione levels.

The effect of Glurenorm (gliquidone) on lenses and skin in experimental diabetes.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of administering Glurenorm (gliquidone, 10 mg/kg) on the lenses and skins of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The drug was given to both diabetic and control rats daily, until the end of the experiment, at day 42. The drug was administered to one diabetic and one control group from day 0 and for the other diabetic and control groups from day 14. On day 42, cardiac blood samples, skin samples, and lenses were taken from each rat. Blood glucose (BG) was measured by the o-toluidine method. The total protein, nonenzymatic glycosylation of proteins (NEG), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and glutathione (GSH) levels in the lens and skin homogenates were determined by the Lowry, thiobarbituric acid, Ledwozwy, and Ellman methods, respectively. Laemmli SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was also carried out on the lens or skin homogenates. After 42 d, Glurenorm given to the diabetic rats produced (i) significant reductions in BG, NEG, and total protein in the lenses; (ii) significant increases in GSH levels in the lenses; (iii) and no significant results in the skin. The body weights of the drug group dropped relative to day 0, but not significantly. SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed no significant differences in any of the protein bands between any of the groups. In the lenses, the gains in turns of reduced NEG and increased GSH may have been offset by the reduction in protein.

Effects of chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. Cicla) extract on pancreatic B cells in streptozotocin-diabetic rats: a morphological and biochemical study.

Chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla) is used as a hypoglycemic agent by diabetic patients in Turkey. The present study was carried out in order to detect whether this plant, used in folk remedies for decreasing blood glucose levels, affects pancreatic B cells and blood glucose. In the diabetic group, a decrease in the number of B cells of Langerhans islets and in the secretory materials, a swollen granular endoplasmic reticulum cisternae and widened intercellular areas in some of B cells were observed. But, in a diabetic group given chard extract, an increase in the number of B cells of Langerhans islets and in the secretory granules were noted, together with many hypertrophic Golgi apparatus and granules of low densities. The extract while having no effect on blood glucose and body weight in the normal group, reduced the blood glucose value in streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic animals. But, in a diabetic group given chard, the body weight significantly increased in comparison to the diabetic group; maximum reduction in blood glucose levels was observed on the 42nd day. According to the morphological and biochemical results obtained, it is concluded that the extract of this plant when administered by gavage may reduce blood glucose levels by regeneration of the B cells.