Pharmacological induction of diabetes mellitus in pregnant female mice: a comparison of two doses and routes of administration.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare two routes of administration and different dosages of streptozotocin (STZ) for the pharmacological induction of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in pregnant CD1 females. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 35 female CD1 mice were divided into 5 groups (n = 7). Diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced with STZ by two routes and two doses: 1) Control Group without administration of STZ (CL), 2) Intraperitoneal Group with 200 mg of STZ/Kg of weight (IP200), 3) Intraperitoneal Group with 230 mg of STZ/Kg of weight (IP230), 4) Subcutaneous Group with 200 mg of STZ/Kg of weight (SC200) and 5) Subcutaneous Group with 230 mg of STZ/Kg of weight (SC230). Body weight, food and water intake, glycemia, Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance Index (HOMA-IR), survival, and birth rate were identified. RESULTS: The SC230 group turned out to be the most effective dose and route for the induction of GDM in pregnant females. This scheme managed to reproduce sustained hyperglycemia with high HOMA-IR, the presence of polyphagia, polydipsia, and weight loss. In addition, the birth rate and survival were high compared to the other doses and routes of administration. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of a single dose of 230 mg/kg of weight by subcutaneous route supposes advantages compared to previously used models since it decreases the physiological stress due to manipulation and the costs since it does not require repeated doses or adjuvants such as high lipid diets to potentiate the diabetogenic effect of STZ. Graphical Abstract: https://www.europeanreview.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/Graphical-abstract-12.jpg.

Effect of Diet and Exercise on the Peripheral Immune System in Young Balb/c Mice.

Although diet and exercise clearly have an influence on immune function, studies are scarce on the effect caused by exercise and the consumption of a carbohydrate-rich or fat-rich diet on the peripheral immune system. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of exercise and the two aforementioned unbalanced diets on young Balb/c mice, especially in relation to BMI, the level of glucose, and the percentage of lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood. The changes found were then related to the synthesis of leptin and adiponectin as well as the production of oxidative stress. The increase in BMI found with the carbohydrate-rich and fat-rich diets showed correlation with the levels of leptin and adiponectin. An increase in leptin and a decrease in adiponectin directly correlated with an increase in total lymphocytes and CD4+ cells and with a decrease in B cells. The increase in leptin also correlated with an increase in CD8+ cells. Glycemia and oxidative stress increased with the two unbalanced diets, negatively affecting the proliferation of total lymphocytes and the percentage of B cells, apparently by causing alterations in proteins through carbonylation. These alterations caused by an unbalanced diet were not modified by moderate exercise.

Inflammatory mediators and immune response in Mexican adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: Low-grade inflammation and increased immunity related to cardiovascular diseases have been described in children and adults, however, studies in Mexican adolescents are being done at present. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate inflammatory proteins and indicators of immunity in adolescents by gender and body mass index. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 115 Mexican adolescents, 15-18 years old (36 men), were divided into non-overweight, risk of overweight and overweight by CDC pediatric criteria by body mass index. Serum concentrations of ceruloplasmin, C3 and C4 were quantified by nephelometry; IL-6 and TNF-α from stimulated supernatant were analyzed with Human Th1-Th2 cytokine CBA II kit (BD Biosciences Pharmigen, San Diego, CA), and detected by flow cytometry. Data were analysed by Mann-Whitney U. RESULTS: Gender differences were found in C3 (men: median 118.8, mean rank: 41.0; women: median: 143.9, mean rank: 65.7, p=0.001) and ceruloplasmin (men: median: 31.01, mean rank: 47.06; women: median: 31.0, mean rank: 62.9, p=0.015). Differences by BMI were found in C3 (women non-overweight: median: 137.00 mena rank: 36.52; women with risk of overweight/overweight: median: 175.80, mean rank: 57.69, p=0.002) and C4 (men non-overweight: median: 23.40, mean rank: 16.60; men with risk of overweight/overweight: median: 26.40, mean rank: 26.36, p=0.028; women non-overweight: median: 24.25, mean rank: 37.16 and women with risk of overweight/overweight: median: 32.80, mean rank: 54.42, p=0.013). CONCLUSION: Inflammatory proteins are increased in adolescents with risk of overweight and overweight, particularly in women.