Fennel seeds extract prevents fructose-induced cardiac dysfunction in a rat model of metabolic syndrome via targeting abdominal obesity, hyperuricemia and NF-κß inflammatory pathway.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is commonly associated with increased risk of cardiac disease that affects a large number of world populations. OBJECTIVE: This research attempted to investigate the efficacy of fennel seeds extract (FSE) in preventing development of cardiac dysfunction in rats on fructose enriched diet for 3 months, as a model of MetS. MATERIALS & METHODS: Thirty adult Wistar male rats (160-170 g) were assigned into 5 groups including control, vehicle, FSE (200 mg/kg BW) and fructose (60%) fed rats with and without FSE. Following the last treatment, blood pressure, ECG and heart rate were measured. Next, blood and cardiac tissues were taken for biochemical and histological investigations. RESULTS: Feeding fructose exhibited characteristic features of MetS involving, hypertension, abnormal ECG, elevated heart rate, serum glucose, insulin, lipids and insulin resistance, accompanied by abdominal obesity, cardiac hypertrophy and hyperuricemia. Fructose fed rats also showed significant reduction in cardiac antioxidants (GSH, SOD, CAT) with elevation in oxidative stress indices (NADPH oxidase, O2.-, H2O2, MDA, PCO), NF-κß, pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6), adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1) and serum cardiac biomarkers (AST, LDH, CK-MB, cTn-I). Histopathological changes evidenced by destruction of cardiac myofibrils, cytoplasmic vacuolization, and aggregation of inflammatory cells were also detected. Consumption of FSE showed high ability to alleviate fructose-induced hypertension, ECG abnormalities, cardiac hypertrophy, metabolic alterations, oxidative stress, inflammation and histological injury. CONCLUSION: Findings could suggest FSE as a complementary supplement for preventing MetS and associated cardiac outcomes. However, well controlled clinical studies are still needed.

Impact of peripheral blood mononuclear cells preconditioned by activated platelet supernatant in managing gastric mucosal damage induced by zinc oxide nanoparticles in rats.

The world has witnessed tremendous advancements in nano-base applications. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZON) are widely used in food industry and medicine. Although their application is of important value, they may cause toxicity to body tissues. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) proved its efficacy in tissue regeneration especially when it is preconditioned by activated platelet supernatant (APS). The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of ZON on the gastric mucosa and the therapeutic role of the PBMCs preconditioned by APS in rats. Ten rats were donors and fifty rats were recipients. The recipients were divided into; control group, ZON group (10 mg/kg/day orally for five days) and preconditioned PBMCs group (1×107 once intravenously 24 hours after ZON). Gastric specimens were processed for histological, immunohistochemical, biochemical and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction studies. ZON group showed marked structural changes in the gastric mucosa. There was desquamation or deep ulceration of the epithelium. Cytoplasmic vacuoles and pyknotic nuclei were in glandular cells. Reduced proliferating cell nuclear antigen and increased tumor necrosis factor-α were in epithelial cells. There were significant elevation in malondialdahyde and reduction in glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. Enhancement in mRNA expression of nuclear factor kappa-B and cyclooxygenase-2 was detected. The preconditioned PBMCs group showed significant improvement of all parameters. So, ZON had cytotoxic effects on the gastric mucosa and the preconditioned PBMCs had a therapeutic effect on gastric mucosal damage after ZON.

Insights on Protective Effect of Platelet Rich Plasma and Tadalafil on Testicular Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats Exposed to Testicular Torsion/Detorsion.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ischemic reperfusion (I-R) injury is greatly influenced by the testicular torsion/detorsion process (TDP). In this instance, the anti-inflammatory properties of plateletrich plasma (PRP) combined with tadalafil (Td) significantly promote tissue healing in the I-R injury model. METHODS: Five groups of rats were created: the control group, the I-R group not receiving any therapy, the I-R group receiving a single dosage of Td (0.25 mg/kg, I.P.), the I-R group receiving a single dose of PRP (80 l, intratesticular), and the I-R group receiving both Td and PRP. Sperm morphology, motility, and histology were assessed. The levels of TNF-, BAX, antioxidant status, and testosterone were measured. Additionally, E-selectin expression was done. RESULTS: PRP reduced oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis while also boosting testosterone levels, which alleviated I-R injury. Otherwise, PRP reduces E-selectin expression, which modifies the pathways that control endothelial function. Td also partially demonstrated its testicular-protective activity at the same time. CONCLUSION: PRP's proven anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic potentials make it a natural treatment for testicular harm caused by tadalafil. For the first time, it was demonstrated that PRP therapy restored the functionality of the vascular endothelium, specifically the control of E-selectin expression. Combining Td and PRP therapy may be a promising strategy for improving response to PDE5 inhibitors.

Exercise Augments the Effect of SGLT2 Inhibitor Dapagliflozin on Experimentally Induced Diabetic Cardiomyopathy, Possible Underlying Mechanisms.

One of the most prevalent cardiovascular problems linked with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). DCM is associated with myocardial oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, suppressed autophagy, extracellular matrix remodeling, and fibrosis. The current study aims to investigate the protective effect of sodium-glucose transport 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) dapagliflozin and/or exercise on DCM. Thirty adult male Sprague Dawley rats are used. T2DM is induced by a 6-week high-fat diet (HFD) followed by a single intraperitoneal (IP) injection of 35 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). Rats are divided into five groups, control, diabetic (DM), DM + swimming, DM + dapagliflozin, and DM + dapagliflozin and swimming. Serum glucose, insulin, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and cardiac enzymes (CK-MB and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) are measured. Heart specimens are used for evaluation of cellular oxidative stress markers malondialdehyde (MDA), antioxidant enzymes, glutathione (GSH), and catalase (CAT), as well as mRNA expression of TGF-ß, MMP9, IL-1ß, and TNF-α. Stained sections with haematoxylin and eosin (H & E) and Masson trichrome are used for histopathological evaluation and detection of fibrosis, respectively. Immunohistochemical staining for apoptosis (caspase-3), and autophagy (LC3) are also carried out. The combinations of SGLT2i and exercise exhibited the most significant cardioprotective effect. It improved diabetic-induced histopathological alterations in the myocardium and attenuated the elevation of serum blood glucose, CK-MB, LDH, myocardial MDA, and mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1ß, TGF-ß, MMP9, and the immune expression of caspase-3. Moreover, this combination increased the serum insulin, myocardial antioxidants GSH and CAT, and increase the immune expression of the LC-3. In conclusion, a combination of SGLT2i and exercise exerted a better antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic effect in DCM. Moreover, the combination enhances the autophagic capacity of the heart.