Association of taurine with ovarian follicular steroids and postpartum anestrus condition in Murrah buffaloes.

Taurine is an abundant intracellular beta-amino acid majorly synthesized in the liver and transported through plasma. In mammals, taurine was reported to be involved in various physiological functions, including the enhancement of testosterone levels, the major estradiol precursor. Therefore, we hypothesize that taurine levels are associated with ovarian follicular steroids as well as with a reproductive problem called postpartum anestrus (PPA) in dairy buffaloes. To understand the taurine levels and its possible role in buffalo ovarian follicles, a correlation was established among taurine, estradiol, and testosterone levels in the ovarian follicular fluid. For this purpose, buffalo ovaries were obtained from the slaughterhouse, and follicular fluid samples were collected from small (<4 mm), medium (4-8 mm) and large (>8 mm) follicles. Taurine and steroid levels in the follicular fluid were analyzed by TLC and ELISA, respectively. Taurine and testosterone levels were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the follicular fluid of small and medium follicles than large follicles, whereas the estradiol levels were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in the large follicles. Thus, taurine showed a positive correlation (r = 0.75) with testosterone and a negative correlation (r = -0.77) with estradiol in buffalo follicular fluid, indicating its possible role in testosterone function during follicular development. Interestingly, significantly (P < 0.001) lower plasma taurine levels in PPA (n = 50) than normal cyclic (n = 50) buffaloes represented its association with PPA. Therefore, our present study recommends the need for future nutrition studies on taurine supplementation to PPA buffaloes.

Molecular approach to identify antidiabetic potential of Azadirachta indica.

BACKGROUND: Azadirachta indica (Neem) is a medicinal plant, used in Ayurveda for treating various diseases, one of which is diabetes mellitus. It is known to possess antiinflammatory, antipyretic, antimicrobial, antidiabetic and diverse pharmacological properties. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of A. indica on insulin signal transduction and glucose homeostasis is obscure. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to study the effects of A. indica aqueous leaf extract on the expression of insulin signaling molecules and glucose oxidation in target tissue of high-fat and fructose-induced type-2 diabetic male rat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The oral effective dose of A. indica leaf extract (400 mg/kg body weight [b.wt]) was given once daily for 30 days to high-fat diet-induced diabetic rats. At the end of the experimental period, fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance, serum lipid profile, and the levels of insulin signaling molecules, glycogen, glucose oxidation in gastrocnemius muscle were assessed. RESULTS: Diabetic rats showed impaired glucose tolerance and impairment in insulin signaling molecules (insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate-1, phospho-IRS-1(Tyr632), phospho-IRS-1(Ser636), phospho-Akt(Ser473), and glucose transporter 4 [GLUT4] proteins), glycogen concentration and glucose oxidation. The treatment with A. indica leaf extract normalized the altered levels of blood glucose, serum insulin, lipid profile and insulin signaling molecules as well as GLUT4 proteins at 400 mg/kg b.wt dose. CONCLUSION: It is concluded from the present study that A. indica may play a significant role in the management of type-2 diabetes mellitus, by improving the insulin signaling molecules and glucose utilization in the skeletal muscle.