Correlation between Apelin and Some Angiogenic Factors in the Pathogenesis of Preeclampsia: Apelin-13 as Novel Drug for Treating Preeclampsia and Its Physiological Effects on Placenta.

Preeclampsia (PE) is one of the commonest causes for maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Imbalances of angiogenic factors, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response have a role in the pathogenesis of PE. Data regarding the circulating apelin level and its role in PE remains controversial. This study was formulated to assess the serum apelin level in PE, investigate its correlation with some inflammatory, oxidative stress, and angiogenic proteins in a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor; the N (gamma)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced rat model of PE and determine whether apelin administration could protect against development of PE. 40 healthy adult female albino rats and 10 adult male albino rats were used in this study. The pregnant female rats were randomly divided into three groups: group 1 (normal pregnant group), group 2 (PE-induced group), injected subcutaneously with 75 mg L-NAME/kg bodyweight/day starting from day 9 to 20 of gestation, and group 3 (PE-induced group supplemented with apelin (PE + apelin)); PE induced as before and simultaneously subcutaneously injected with apelin-13 (6 × 10-8 mol/kg bodyweight/twice daily) beginning from day 6 to 20 of gestation. In all groups, blood pressure and urine protein were determined at gestation days (GD) 0, 10, and 18. Moreover, serum apelin, placental growth factor (PLGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), soluble endoglin (sEng), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels and serum superoxide dismutase enzyme (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities of all groups were estimated at the end of experiment. Placental histopathological examination was also performed. PE-induced rats showed significantly decreased serum apelin levels. Moreover, they showed significantly increased blood pressures, urine proteins, sFlt-1, sEng, and IFN-γ (mean arterial blood pressure, urine proteins, sFlt-1, sEng, and IFN-γ showed significant negative correlations with serum apelin level), but it showed significantly decreased VEGF, PLGF, IL-10, SOD, and CAT (VEGF, PLGF, IL-10, and SOD showed significant positive correlations with serum apelin level). In contrast, exogenous apelin administration significantly ameliorated these parameters together with improvement in the placental histoarchitecture in the apelin-supplemented PE group. This study demonstrated the protective effects of apelin administration on the pathogenesis of PE.

In Situ Neutral System Synthesis, Spectroscopic, and Biological Interpretations of Magnesium(II), Calcium(II), Chromium(III), Zinc(II), Copper(II) and Selenium(IV) Sitagliptin Complexes.

Magnesium(II), calcium(II), chromium(III), zinc(II), copper(II), and selenium(IV) sitagliptin (STG) complexes-with the general formulas [Mg(STG)2(Cl)2]·6H2O, [Ca(STG)2(Cl)2], [Cr(STG)2(Cl)2]Cl.6H2O, [Zn(STG)2(Cl)2], [Cu(STG)2(Cl)2]·2H2O, and [Se(STG)2(Cl)2]Cl2, respectively-were designed and synthesized by the chemical reactions between metal(II, III, and IV) chloride salts with an STG ligand in situ methanol solvent in a 1:2 stoichiometric ratio (metal:ligand). Tentative structures of the complexes were proposed based on elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic moments, thermogravimetric analysis, and spectral (infrared, electronic, and 1H NMR) data. The particle size and morphological investigation were checked on the bases of scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction analyses. All the Mg2+, Ca2+, Cr3+, Zn2+, Cu2+, and Se4+ complexes were found to be six-coordinated, wherein the STG ligands act as bidentate chelating agents. This study demonstrates that pancreatic tissues are affected by the induction of experimental diabetes mellitus and clarifies the potential of the synthesized STG complexes, which was found to more significantly improve insulin secretion and the pancreatic and glycometabolic complications of diabetic rats than STG alone.

Chitosan and Lecithin Ameliorate Osteoarthritis Symptoms Induced by Monoiodoacetate in a Rat Model.

The present work aimed to assess the chondroprotective influence of chitosan and lecithin in a monoiodoacetate (MIA)-induced experimental osteoarthritis (OA) model. Forty male rats weighing 180-200 g were randomly distributed among the following five experimental groups (eight per group): control, MIA-induced OA, MIA-induced OA + chitosan, MIA-induced OA + lecithin, and MIA-induced OA + chitosan + lecithin. The levels of TNF-α, IL6, RF, ROS, and CRP, as well as mitochondrial markers such as mitochondrial swelling, cytochrome C oxidase (complex IV), MMP, and serum oxidative/antioxidant status (MDA level) (MPO and XO activities) were elevated in MIA-induced OA. Also, SDH (complex II) activity in addition to the levels of ATP, glutathione (GSH), and thiol was markedly diminished in the MIA-induced OA group compared to in control rats. These findings show that mitochondrial function is associated with OA pathophysiology and suggest that chitosan and lecithin could be promising potential ameliorative agents in OA animal models. Lecithin was more effective than chitosan in ameliorating all of the abovementioned parameters.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles with green tea extract complex in the pancreas of rats against monosodium glutamate toxicity.

OBJECTIVES: Nanotechnology is an exciting field for investigators. Green zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) with Camellia sinensis extract complex are proved to be used in the treatment of the toxicity of monosodium glutamate (MSG) in the liver, kidney, and testis of rats. Therefore, the synthesized complex of green nanoparticles using green tea extract (GTE) was tested against the toxicity of MSG on the pancreas. METHODS: The glucose and insulin levels were estimated as well as some biochemical parameters for evaluating the antioxidant status of the pancreas tissue. The histopathological change of the pancreas also has been determined. RESULTS: It indicates the biomedical capability of ZnO NPs/GTE to act as potent antidiabetic through decreasing blood glucose and increasing serum insulin also, inhibition of lipid peroxidation and enhancement of the antioxidant parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The ZnO NPs/GTE enhanced the pancreatic cell and Langerhans islets as well lowered the sugar levels and stimulated insulin.

Ameliorative Role of Green Tea and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Complex Against Monosodium Glutamate-Induced Testicular Toxicity in Male Rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to estimate the long-term effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles/green tea (ZnONPs/GTE) complex against monosodium glutamate (MSG). The antioxidant/oxidative status, testosterone levels, DNA damage, and histopathological changes of testis were evaluated. METHODS: The rats were divided into eight groups that were treated as follows: saline, the lower dosage of MSG (6.0 mg/kg), the higher dosage of MSG (17.5 mg/Kg), GTE, ZnONPs, ZnONPs/GTE and the last two groups were treated with the lower dosage of MSG or the higher dosage of MSG with ZnONPs/GTE complex. The data showed minimal toxicity in testicular tissue after the administration of ZnONPs. RESULTS: The MSG treatment in the adult male rats reduced testosterone levels and disrupted testicular histology, which revealed dose-dependence of MSG. Also, ZnONPs induced testicular dysfunction through the interference of antioxidant/oxidant balance and suppression of testosterone levels as well as induction of cellular damage of testis. The combination of ZnONPs with GTE complex significantly protects against MSG or ZnONPs toxicity by decreasing the DNA damage, oxidative stress, and enhancement of antioxidant as well as histological structure of testis. CONCLUSION: We could recommend using ZnONPs/GTE complex to reduce the toxicity of ZnONPs and MSG on the testis at the cellular and oxidative stress levels.

Evaluation of the Effect of Nanoparticles Zinc Oxide/Camellia sinensis Complex on the Kidney of Rats Treated with Monosodium Glutamate: Antioxidant and Histological Approaches.

BACKGROUND: Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are robustly used biomedicine. Moreover, no study has been conducted to explore the consequence of green synthesis of ZnO NPs with Camellia sinensis (green tea extract, GTE) on kidneys of rats treated with monosodium glutamate (MSG). METHODS: Therefore, the objective of the research was designed to explore the possible defensive effect of GTE/ZnO NPs against MSG-induced renal stress investigated at redox and histopathological points. RESULTS: The levels of urea and creatinine increased as the effect of a high dose of MSG, in addition, the myeloperoxidase and xanthine oxidase activates were elevated significantly with the high dose of MSG. The levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants (uric acid, glutathione, and thiol) were decreased sharply in MSG-treated rats as compared to the normal group. CONCLUSION: The data displayed that GTE/ZnO NPs reduced the effects of MSG significantly by reduction of the level peroxidation and enhancement intracellular antioxidant. These biochemical findings were supported by histopathology evaluation, which showed minor morphological changes in the kidneys of rats.

The Interaction of Zinc Oxide/Green Tea Extract Complex Nanoparticles and its Effect on Monosodium Glutamate Toxicity in Liver of Rats.

BACKGROUND: Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are increasingly utilized in both industrial and medical applications. Therefore, the study was aimed to investigate the effect of green nanoparticle complex (green tea extract/zinc oxide nanoparticles complex, GTE/ZnO NPs) on oxidative stress induced by monosodium glutamate (MSG) on the liver of rats. METHODS: Wistar male rats (n=64) weighing between 200-250 g were divided randomly into eight groups: control group was given physiological saline (1 mg/kg), two groups were treated with two different doses of MSG (MSG-LD, MSG-HD; 6 and 17.5 mg/Kg, respectively), GTE was given 1 mg/mL, 5th group was treated with ZnO NPs and 6th group was treated with GTE/ZnO NPs complex while, 7th and 8th groups were treated with MSG-LD + GTE/ZnO NPs complex and MSG-HD + GTE/ZnO NPs complex, respectively. All substances were given orally for 30 consecutive days. At the end of the study, the liver was homogenized for measurement of the oxidative stress status and anti-inflammatory biomarkers as well as histological and transmission alternations. RESULTS: Results showed that the antioxidant enzymes activity and glutathione level were significantly decreased in MSG groups than control in a dose-dependent manner. Conversely, the malondialdehyde and inflammatory cytokines levels were significantly increased in MSG groups than the control group. The liver indicated no evidence of alteration in oxidative status, anti-inflammatory and morphological parameters in GTE, ZnO NPs and GTE/ZnO NPs complex groups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, MSG at both doses caused oxidative stress and inflammation on liver after 28 days of exposure that supported histological analysis and transmission view of hepatic parenchyma. GTE/ZnO NPs act as partial hepato-protective against MSG.