Effect of Glucose Tolerance Factor (GTF) on Lipid Profile, Blood Glucose Levels, and Food Intake in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes in Rats.

Introduction: This study was aimed to evaluate the beneficial effects of containing glucose tolerance factor (GTF) from Brewer's yeast in improving glycaemic control in diabetic rats and lowering some of the risk factors for cardiovascular disorders. Methodology: The study used Wistar rats of both sexes weighing 150-200 g. Animals were randomly (n=6) divided into eight groups as normal control, normal control receiving Brewer's yeast, diabetic, Brewer's yeast receiving diabetic, Metformin-treated diabetic, and Glimepiride-treated diabetic, and two diabetic groups treated with Brewer's yeast and 50% of the Metformin and Glimepiride doses, respectively. To induce diabetes, Streptozotocin was administered intraperitoneally to all rats, except control group rats. Body weight (weekly), food intake (every day), blood glucose, and lipid profile (initially and at the end of the study) were assessed for four weeks in all groups. Results: Brewer's yeast administration significantly decreased blood glucose levels and prevented reduction in body weight, increased food intake and alterations in the lipid profile compared to untreated groups, and were comparable to the groups treated with standard drugs. Conclusion: Results of this study showed that oral administration of Brewer's yeast extract might be an excellent alternative antidiabetic agent which could be also useful in reducing the required dose of standard antidiabetic agents when combined.

Effect of Vitamin Don Blood Sugar, HbA1c and Serum Insulin Levels in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an increasingly common disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and marked dyslipidemia. This study evaluates the effect of vitamin D supplementation alone and in combination with glimepiride in streptozotocin-induced T2DM in rats. Materials and methods: A total of 30 Wistar albino rats of either sex weighing 150-200 g were included in the study. The effect of oral administration of vitamin D was evaluated in streptozotocin-induced T2DM in rats. Blood glucose, serum insulin, serum HbA1c, and serum vitamin D were evaluated. Results: D treatment has significantly improved hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and insulin sensitivity compared with the non-treated diabetic rats. Oral administration of vitamin D in streptozotocin-induced T2DM reduced blood sugar levels, increased insulin levels (more prominently when administered along with glimepiride) and decreased HbA1c levels (p<0.005). Conclusions: Administration of vitamin D can improve hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia in streptozotocin-induced T2DM in rats. Thus, it could be considered as an add on therapy along with other antidiabetic drugs.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of novel interpenetrated polymer network microparticles containing repaglinide.

Interpenetrated polymer network (IPN) microparticles of sterculia gum and sodium alginate loaded with repaglinide were developed by ionic gelation and emulsion crosslinking method. The drug entrapment efficiency was as high as 91%. FTIR and TG analyses confirmed the crosslinking and IPN formation. Microparticles have demonstrated the drug release up to 24h depending upon type of crosslinking agents; the glutaraldehyde treatment of ionically crosslinked microparticles has resulted in decreased drug release rate. The in-vivo anti-diabetic activity performed on streptozotocin induced diabetic rats indicated that the pristine repaglinide has shown maximum percentage reduction of elevated blood glucose within 3h and then the percentage reduction in blood glucose was decreased. In the case of rats treated with KA8 IPN microparticles, percentage reduction of elevated glucose was slow as compared to pristine drug within 3h, but it was gradually increased to 81.27% up to 24h.

Simvastatin loaded composite polyspheres of gellan gum and carrageenan: in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

We investigated the lipid lowering ability of simvastatin loaded gellan gum-carrageenan composite polyspheres, which were prepared by ionotropic gelation/covalent crosslinking method. The surface morphology revealed that the polyspheres have rough and dense surface. The drug entrapment efficiency of the polyspheres prepared by ionic crosslinking was higher than those prepared by dual crosslinking. The in vitro drug release study indicated that the ionically crosslinked polyspheres discharged the drug quickly whereas, dual crosslinked polyspheres extended the drug release for longer period. The hypolipidemic activity performed on Wistar rats indicated that the polyspheres have effectively reduced the elevated total serum cholesterol and triglycerides.

Comparative evaluation of the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of rosuvastatin 10 mg with atorvastatin 10 mg in adult patients with hypercholesterolaemia: the first Indian study.

To compare the efficacy, safety and tolerability of rosuvastatin 10mg with atorvastatin 10 mg in adult Indian patients with hypercholesterolaemia, a prospective, open-label, comparative, phase III study was conducted. A total of 45 patients of either sex, between 18 and 80 years of age with hypercholesterolaemia, having LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) of 160 and < 250 mg/dl and triglyceride < 400 mg/dl, were included in this trial. After a dietary run-in period of 2 weeks, patients received either rosuvastatin 10 mg once daily or atorvastatin 10 mg once daily, for 6 weeks. The fall in the mean LDL-C levels after 6 weeks of treatment in rosuvastatin group (40.1%) was significantly more as compared to the fall in atorvastatin group (29.8%). Other secondary lipid parameters like total cholesterol (TC), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, apo-B, apo-AI, and TC/HDL-C ratio also showed more beneficial changes from the baseline in rosuvastatin group than in atorvastatin group. Rosuvastatin 10 mg shows significantly better efficacy than atorvastatin 10 mg in reducing LDL-C levels and produces greater improvements in other elements of the lipid profile.

Efficacy and safety of the first parenteral selective COX-2 inhibitor, parecoxib sodium, in adult patients with postoperative pain.

Parecoxib, a prodrug of valdecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, has been recently introduced for the treatment of moderate to severe postoperative pain. This prospective, open, multicentric study enrolled 260 patients undergoing orthopaedic, gynaecological, dental and general surgery. Postoperatively, patients were treated with parecoxib, 40 mg IM/IV. There was a statistically significant decrease in the mean pain intensity score (p<0.05). At the end of 24 hours, 89.6% of total cases had a very good to total relief of pain. The mean duration of analgesia was 19.26 hours and mean time of onset of analgesia was 16.25 minutes ranging from 11-20 minutes. The laboratory values were within normal limits. The drug was well tolerated. There was no report of any hypersensitivity reaction. This study suggests that parecoxib, in a dose of 40 mg IM/IV, is an effective and safe option for the management of postoperative pain.