Chlorophyll treatment combined with photostimulation increases glycolysis and decreases oxidative stress in the liver of type 1 diabetic rats

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) promotes cell death, and it has been successfully employed as a treatment resource for neuropathic complications of diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and hepatocellular carcinoma. The liver is the major organ involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis, and in pathological conditions such as T1DM, changes in liver metabolic pathways result in hyperglycemia, which is associated with multiple organic dysfunctions. In this context, it has been suggested that chlorophyll-a and its derivatives have anti-diabetic actions, such as reducing hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and hypertriglyceridemia, but these effects have not yet been proven. Thus, the biological action of PDT with chlorophyll-a on hepatic parameters related to energy metabolism and oxidative stress in T1DM Wistar rats was investigated. Evaluation of the acute effects of this pigment was performed by incubation of isolated hepatocytes with chlorophyll-a and the chronic effects were evaluated by oral treatment with chlorophyll-based extract, with post-analysis of the intact liver by in situ perfusion. In both experimental protocols, chlorophyll-a decreased hepatic glucose release and glycogenolysis rate and stimulated the glycolytic pathway in DM/PDT. In addition, there was a reduction in hepatic oxidative stress, noticeable by decreased lipoperoxidation, reactive oxygen species, and carbonylated proteins in livers of chlorophyll-treated T1DM rats. These are indicators of the potential capacity of chlorophyll-a in improving the status of the diabetic liver.

Chlorophyll treatment combined with photostimulation increases glycolysis and decreases oxidative stress in the liver of type 1 diabetic rats.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) promotes cell death, and it has been successfully employed as a treatment resource for neuropathic complications of diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and hepatocellular carcinoma. The liver is the major organ involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis, and in pathological conditions such as T1DM, changes in liver metabolic pathways result in hyperglycemia, which is associated with multiple organic dysfunctions. In this context, it has been suggested that chlorophyll-a and its derivatives have anti-diabetic actions, such as reducing hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and hypertriglyceridemia, but these effects have not yet been proven. Thus, the biological action of PDT with chlorophyll-a on hepatic parameters related to energy metabolism and oxidative stress in T1DM Wistar rats was investigated. Evaluation of the acute effects of this pigment was performed by incubation of isolated hepatocytes with chlorophyll-a and the chronic effects were evaluated by oral treatment with chlorophyll-based extract, with post-analysis of the intact liver by in situ perfusion. In both experimental protocols, chlorophyll-a decreased hepatic glucose release and glycogenolysis rate and stimulated the glycolytic pathway in DM/PDT. In addition, there was a reduction in hepatic oxidative stress, noticeable by decreased lipoperoxidation, reactive oxygen species, and carbonylated proteins in livers of chlorophyll-treated T1DM rats. These are indicators of the potential capacity of chlorophyll-a in improving the status of the diabetic liver.

Anti-hiperglycemic effect of Quassia amara (Simaroubaceae) in normal and diabetic rats / Efeito anti-hiperglicêmico de Quassia amara (Simaroubaceae) em ratos normais e diabéticos

The anti-hyperglycemic effect of wood powder of Quassia amara (QA) was evaluated in normal and in alloxan diabetes-induced rats. After a 12 h fast and glycemic check, the animals were orally given 0.9% of saline (control group), metformin (500 mg/kg) or QA (200 mg/kg) and, 30 minutes later, they received an oral glucose dose (1g/kg). The blood glucose level was measured after 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes. From the oral glucose dose, QA showed anti-hyperglycemic effects, similar to metformin, only in the diabetic animals (p<0.01) when compared to the control group. Although the anti-hyperglycemic mechanism of action of QA was not investigated, a mechanism similar to metformin can be suggested, since both presented similar results for the conditions tested, that is, normal and diabetic rats. It is believed that the use of QA in diabetics could help to control the blood glucose levels and be useful as an alternative therapy.

O efeito anti-hiperglicemiante do pó do lenho de Quassia amara (QA) foi avaliado em ratos normais e diabéticos aloxana induzidos. Após jejum de 12 horas e verificação da glicemia, os animais receberam administração oral de salina 0.9% (grupo controle), metformina (500 mg/kg) ou QA (200 mg/kg) e 30 minutos depois carga oral de glicose (1g/kg). A glicemia foi medida nos próximos 30, 60, 90 e 120 minutos. A partir da carga oral de glicose, a QA mostrou efeito anti-hiperglicemiante, similar a metformina, somente nos animais diabéticos (p<0.01) quando comparados ao grupo controle. Embora o mecanismo de ação anti-hiperglicemiante da QA não tenha sido investigado, podemos sugerir um mecanismo semelhante à metformina, visto que ambos apresentaram resultados similares nas duas condições testadas, ou seja, animais normais e diabéticos. Acredita-se que o uso de QA, em diabéticos, possa auxiliar no controle da glicemia e servir como terapia alternativa.