Effect of dapagliflozin against NAFLD and dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetic albino rats: possible underlying mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate the effect of dapagliflozin on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetic rats by studying the histopathological structure of the liver and detecting possible underlying mechanisms for this impact by evaluating the potential anti-inflammatory action of dapagliflozin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 100 albino rats were used in this work and divided into five equal groups: group I (Control group), group II (Control diabetic group), group III (was administered dapagliflozin, 0.75 mg/kg, p.o.), group IV (was administered dapagliflozin, 1.5 mg/kg, p.o.), and group V (was administered dapagliflozin, 3 mg/kg, p.o.). RESULTS: In our study, the total body weight, liver weight, liver index, blood glucose level, insulin level, insulin resistance, total cholesterol, triglycerides, liver enzymes, IL-1 ß, and MDA were significantly higher in the control diabetic group than the normal group. The dapagliflozin reduced all the above variables significantly in a dose-dependent manner compared to the control diabetic group (p-value = 0.001 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Dapagliflozin may be a promising novel treatment strategy for treating T2DM-related non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and dyslipidemia where it possesses anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-dyslipidemic effects.

Ultrafast time-resolved structural changes of thin-film ferromagnetic metal heated with femtosecond optical pulses.

As a classic ferromagnetic material, nickel has been an important research candidate used to study dynamics and interactions of electron, spin, and lattice degrees of freedom. In this study, we specifically chose a thick, 150 nm ferromagnetic nickel (111) single crystal rather than 10-20 nm thin crystals that are typically used in ultrafast studies, and we revealed both the ultrafast heating within the skin depth and the heat transfer from the surface (skin) layer to the bulk of the crystal. The lattice deformation after femtosecond laser excitation was investigated by means of 8.04 keV subpicosecond x-ray pulses, generated from a table-top laser-plasma based source. The temperature evolution of the electron, spin, and lattice was determined using a three temperature model. In addition to coherent phonon oscillations, the blast force and sonic waves, induced by the hot electron temperature gradient, were also observed by monitoring the lattice contractions during the first couple of picoseconds after laser irradiation. This study further revealed the tens of picoseconds time required for heating the hundred nanometer bulk of the Ni (111) single crystals.

Radiation preparation of L-arginine/acrylic acid hydrogel matrix patch for transdermal delivery of propranolol HCl in hypertensive rats.

In the present study, L-arginine/acrylic acid (Arg/AAc) batch hydrogel was successfully prepared by gamma irradiation for transdermal delivery of propranolol HCl in hypertensive rats. The resulted system has been characterized by FTIR to confirm the hydrogel formation. The swelling behavior of the prepared hydrogels was investigated as a function of time and pH. The kinetics of swelling has been investigated. In vivo pharmacokinetics evaluation, skin irritation test, and histopathological studies were investigated. Furthermore, the antihypertensive efficacy of transdermal propranolol-loaded Arg/AAc hydrogel on methyl prednisolone acetate-induced hypertensive rats was evaluated. It was found that the prepared patches exhibited a sustained release of the drug into systemic circulation over oral route which is subjected to hepatic first-pass metabolism, coupled with a short plasma half-life. Transdermal administration displayed a prolonged antihypertensive effect in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Moreover, the skin irritation test and histopathological examination indicated that the prepared patches are not irritant and can be safely applied on the skin. These results indicated that the hydrogel system composed of Arg and AAc has potential as a transdermal delivery system.

Radiation Synthesis of Poly(Starch/Acrylic acid) pH Sensitive Hydrogel for Rutin Controlled Release.

The copolymerization of starch with acrylic acid AAc using direct gamma radiation technique was performed. The effect of AAc concentrations on the gel (%) and swelling behavior were investigated. It is found that as AAc concentrations increase both gel(%) and swelling behavior increase. The Poly(starch/acrylic acid) (1:10wt%) hydrogel were selected due to its high swelling properties. From the in-vitro release study of the rutin-loaded hydrogel it is observed that it is strong pH-dependent release behavior, thus offering a maximum release as pH increased. The dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced rat colitis model was treated with rutin-loaded Poly(starch/acrylic acid) (1:10wt%) hydrogel and free rutin solution by oral administration. Colitic control group showed a significant elevation in colon/body weight ratio, myeloperoxgidase activity, tumor necrosis factor, nitric oxide and malondialdehyde levels. However, glutathione level was reduced. It was found that the rutin-loaded hydrogel was more efficient than free rutin as evidenced by improvement of all measured parameters. These effects were confirmed histopathologically and may be attributed to its ability to control delivery of rutin to colon with minor early release of rutin before colon. The Poly(starch/acrylic acid) (1:10wt%) can represent a pivotal anti-inflammatory approach for patients with inflammatory bowel disease in order to increase efficacy and reduce toxicity.

Aetiological factors of obesity in children.

A survey was carried out of the prevalence of obesity in 7600 schoolchildren aged 11-16 years in Cairo. Weight, height and skinfold thicknesses were measured and the children classified as underweight, normal or overweight. Overweight children were further screened for obesity, a triceps skinfold thickness of greater than 18 mm for boys and greater than 25 mm for girls being taken as the lower level of obesity. Age at menarche, birth order, social class, obesity in other members of the family, food habits and dietary intakes were all studied. The prevalence of obesity in Egyptian children was comparable to that in the US. The study emphasizes the importance of social and cultural influences in the development of obesity in Egyptian children.