Effects of garlic extract on TNF-α expression and oxidative stress status in the kidneys of rats with STZ + nicotinamide-induced diabetes.

CONTEXT: Allium sativum L. (Liliaceae) (garlic) is a medicinal plant that is widely used in herbal medicine. Nephropathy is a complication of diabetes that is induced by long-term hyperglycaemia. OBJECTIVE: The effects of aqueous extract of garlic (AGE) on the expression of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and oxidative stress status were studied in the kidneys of rats with streptozotocin (STZ) + nicotinamide-induced diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control rats, rats with STZ + nicotinamide-induced diabetes that received a single dose of STZ (65 mg/kg) and nicotinamide (110 mg/kg) intraperitoneally, diabetic rats that were treated with garlic (2 g/kg/d, gavage), and normal rats that received garlic (2 g/kg/d, gavage). The glucose level was determined in the start of study, 7 d after induction of diabetes and 33 d after treatment with garlic. At the end of the treatment period, urea, uric acid and creatinine levels were estimated in sera. Malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS), nitric oxide (NO) levels and TNF-α gene and protein expression were measured in the renal tissues of the rats. RESULTS: The glucose, uric acid, and urea levels increased in the serum of diabetic rats compared with control rats, and decreased in garlic-treated diabetic rats compared with diabetic rats (p < 0.05). MDA, TOS and NO increased (p < 0.001) in diabetic rats compared with the control group, and decreased in garlic-treated diabetic rats compared with diabetic rats (p < 0.01). The level of TNF-α mRNA did not differ between groups but the TNF-α protein level in diabetic rats was higher than in the control rats (p < 0.01), whereas after treatment with garlic, it was close to the normal level (p < 0.01). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These results indicate that garlic extract has hypoglycaemic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; therefore, it can be useful for the alleviation of diabetic complications.

Beneficial Effect of Aqueous Garlic Extract on Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Status in the Kidneys of Type 1 Diabetic Rats.

One of the most important complications of diabetes is nephropathy. This study investigates the effects of aqueous garlic extract on inflammation and oxidative stress status in the kidneys of diabetic rats. Male rats were divided into four groups- control rats, diabetic rats, garlic extract-treated diabetic rats, garlic extract-treated normal rats. The glucose, urea, uric acid, and creatinine levels were measured in sera using colorimetric methods. To determine the oxidative stress condition in the kidney tissues, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), and total oxidant status (TOS) were measured using colorimetric methods. Inflammation status was evaluated by the determination of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) gene and protein expression using qRT-PCR and ELISA respectively, while nitric oxide (NO) level in these tissues was measured using the Griess method. Histological examination of Kidneys was carried out by H&E staining. The levels of glucose, urea, and uric acid were found to increase in the serum of diabetic rats and decrease in that of diabetic rats after treatment with garlic. Measurement of MDA, TOS, and TAC revealed oxidative stress in diabetic rats, which improved after receiving the extract. The NO and TNF-α protein levels in diabetic rats were higher than those in control rats. After treatment with garlic, the levels of TNF-α protein and NO became close to the normal levels. Histological results confirmed certain other data as well. Garlic has antioxidant properties; therefore, it can reduce oxidative stress, which plays an important role in the development of diabetic nephropathy. Reduction in oxidative stress has beneficial effects on inflammation because it leads to a decrease in the level of TNF-α.

Association between The SIRT1 and SIRT3 Levels and Gene Polymorphisms with Infertility in War Zones of Kermanshah Province, Iran: A Case-Control Study.

OBJECTIVE: War toxin, mustard gas, alkylating agent results in male infertility via inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and DNA mutagenesis. SIRT1 and SIRT3 are multifunctional enzymes that involve in the DNA repair, oxidative stress responses. This study aim is to assess the correlation between serum levels of SIRT1, SIRT3 and both rs3758391T>C and rs185277566C>G gene polymorphisms with infertility in the war zones of Kermanshah province, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study based on the semen analysis, samples were divided into two groups infertile (n=100) and fertile (n=100). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was used to determine the malondialdehyde level, and also a sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test was used to evaluate the DNA fragmentation rate. Using the colorimetric assays, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was measured. SIRT1 and SIRT3 protein levels were determined by using ELISA. The genetic variants of SIRT1 rs3758391T>C, and SIRT3 rs185277566C>G, were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length (PCR-RFLP) technique. RESULTS: Malondialdehyde (MDA) level and the percentage of DNA fragmentation were higher in infertile samples, but serum levels of SIRT1 and SIRT3, and SOD activity was lower in infertile compared to fertile samples (P<0.001). The TC+CC genotypes and the C allele from SIRT1 rs3758391T>C polymorphism, and CG+GG genotypes and the G allele from SIRT3 rs185277566C>G polymorphism could increase risk of infertility (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that war toxins through the impact on genotypes, decreasing levels of SIRT1 and SIRT3 and increasing levels of oxidative stress, lead to defects in the concentration, motility and morphology of sperms and thus, infertility in men.

Evaluation of The Relationship among The Levels of SIRT1 and SIRT3 with Oxidative Stress and DNA Fragmentation in Asthenoteratozoospermic Men.

BACKGROUND: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a crucial role in etiology of DNA fragmentation and lipid peroxidation in sperm, leading to infertility in men. The silent information regulators SIRT1 and SIRT3 are members of the sirtuins protein family known to be involved in cancer genetics, aging and oxidative stress responses. The aim ofthis study is to determine the correlation between SIRT1 and SIRT3 with antioxidants, oxidative stress biomarkers, and DNA fragmentation in the semen of asthenoteratozoospermic and normozoospermic men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, after spermogram analysis the specimens were divided into two groups, normozospermic (n=40) and asthenoteratozoospermic (n=40), according to World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Sperm DNA fragmentation was evaluatedusing the sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test.Catalase activity was measured using the Aebi spectrophotometeric method. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activitywere measured by using commercially available colorimetric assays. Enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure SIRT1 and SIRT3 protein levels of seminal plasma. Malondialdehyde (MDA) level in seminal plasma was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: The asthenoteratozoospermic group had significantly lower catalase and SOD activities and TAC levels in comparison with the normozoospermic group (P<0.001).The percentage of DNA fragmentation and MDA level in the asthenoteratozoospermic group were remarkably higher than in the normozoospermic group. The SIRT1 and SIRT3 protein levels in seminal plasmawere remarkably lower in asthenoteratozoospermic group than the normozoospermic group (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that SIRT1 and SIRT3 protein levels are negatively correlated with oxidative stress and DNA fragmentation in semen. The low levels of SIRT1 and SIRT3 in asthenoteratozoospermic men may lead to an increase in oxidative stress, DNA fragmentation, and lipid peroxidation that eventually result in immotile and immature spermatozoa (asthenoteratozoospermia).

Hemoglobinopathies in Iran: An Updated Review.

Hemoglobinopathies are the most common single gene disorders (monogenic disorders) in the world population. Due to specific position of Iran and the presence of multi-ethnic groups in the country, there are many varieties in the molecular genetics and clinical features of hemoglobinopathies in Iran. Hemoglobinopathies include structural variants, thalassemias, and hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin. In this review, we look at the common structural variants in various parts of the country along with their hematological and clinical characteristics. Also, we discuss about the burden of the thalassemias in the country, different types, complications, molecular defects and therapy.

Factors Influencing Mitochondrial Function as a Key Mediator of Glucose-Induced Insulin Release: Highlighting Nicotinamide Nucleotide Transhydrogenase.

Pancreatic ß-cells recognize blood glucose changes and release insulin that is a peptide hormone responsible for stable glycemia. Diabetes, a chronic disorder of insulin insufficiency, leads to disturbed glucose homeostasis and multi-organ problems. Glucose and insulin are key markers in the follow-up and control of this disease. Mitochondrial metabolism of pancreatic beta cells is a crucial part of glucose-stimulated cascade of insulin secretion. Effective factors on ß-cells mitochondrial function in production of compounds such as tricarboxylic acid intermediates, glutamate, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, and reactive oxygen species can have great effects on the secretion of insulin under diabetes. This review enhances our knowledge of factors influencing mitochondrial function as a key mediator of glucose-induced insulin release that accordingly will be helpful to further our understanding of the mechanisms implicated in the progressive beta cell failure that results in diabetes.

Effects of Aqueous Extracts of Chicory and Milk Thistle on Serum Concentrations of Copper, Zinc, and Manganese in Tamoxifen-Treated Rats.

Some medications may change trace element levels in the body. Extracts of various plants, due to having the several elements, can have beneficial effects. Consumption of herbal extracts with chemical drugs may reduce adverse effects of medication. The goal of this study was to evaluate copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) concentrations in serum of rats treated with tamoxifen, chicory, and/or milk thistle extracts. Therefore, 36 adult female Wistar rats were divided into six groups: normal control, chicory control, milk thistle control, tamoxifen, tamoxifen-chicory, and tamoxifen-milk thistle. At the end of the study, the blood samples were collected and sera isolated by centrifugation and analyzed by the atomic absorption spectrophotometry for Cu, Zn, and Mn levels. The Zn concentration increased in milk thistle-supplemented groups. The Cu level increased in the chicory control group only. Tamoxifen had no affect on Cu, Zn, and Mn levels, but seed extract of milk thistle increased Zn concentration, and chicory root extract increased Cu concentration. Although elevated levels of Cu in rats receiving tamoxifen-chicory were milder than rats treated only with chicory, it seems that the extract and tamoxifen impact on the Cu are in conflict with each other.