GALLIC ACID IMPROVES OXIDATIVE STRESS AND INFLAMMATION THROUGH REGULATING MICRORNAS EXPRESSIONS IN THE BLOOD OF DIABETIC RATS.

CONTEXT: Endothelial dysfunction and diabetic cardiomyopathy are critical complications of diabetes. Gallic acid (GA) plays a significant role in cardiovascular disorders resulted from diabetes. In addition, increased plasma miR-24, miR-126 associated with endothelial dysfunction. AIM: The current study was designed to assess the effects of GA on plasma miR-24, miR-126 levels in the diabetic rats. ANIMALS AND METHODS: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups (n=8): control (C), diabetic (D) and diabetic group treated with GA (D+G, 25 mg/kg, by gavage) for eight weeks. The blood glucose level, body weight, lipid profile, blood pressure, plasma miR-24 and miR-126 levels, antioxidant and inflammatory biomarkers were measured. RESULTS: The plasma levels of miR-24, miR-126, body weight, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), total anti-oxidant capacity (TAC) and the systolic blood pressure significantly reduced and blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-c), malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) significantly elevated among the diabetic rats compared with the control group. However, GA restored body weight, blood pressure, TC, TG, VLDL-c, TNF-α, miR-126, blood glucose, HDL-c, MDA, TAC, miR-24 and IL-6 among the GA treated rats compared with the diabetic group. CONCLUSION: GA improves inflammation, oxidative stress and hypotension result from diabetes. These protective effects are probably mediated via increasing plasma miR-24 and miR-126 levels.

Antidiarrheal effect of sodium hydrosulfide in diabetic rats: In vitro and in vivo studies.

BACKGROUND: The inhibitory effects of H2 S on spontaneous contractions of smooth muscles of small, and large intestines well-established but its role in the pathophysiology of diarrhea has not been identified. Therefore, this study evaluated the role of exogenous H2 S (NaHS) on diabetic-induced diarrhea and determined mRNA expression of cystathionine ß-lyase (CSE) and cystathionine γ-synthase (CBS) in diabetic rats. METHODS: In order to evaluate antidiarrheal effect of H2 S, normal and diabetic rats received NaHS and L-Cysteine and the total number of fecal pellets (FP) determined. The effect of NaHS on intestinal transit ratio (ITR) was also evaluated in diabetic rats. The level of mRNA expressions of CBS and CSE determined in smooth muscles of jejunum, ileum, and colon in normal, and diabetic rats. The effect of NaHS on frequency and tension of spontaneous contractions of smooth muscle strips of colon, ileum, and jejunum were investigated. KEY RESULTS: NaHS decreased ITR, total number of FP, frequency and tension of spontaneous contractions of colon, ileum, and jejunum muscle strips in diabetic rats. The level of mRNA expression of CSE and CBS in diabetic rats were lower than in normal rats. NaHS, and L-Cysteine decreased the number of FP in normal rats. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: These findings showed NaHS effectively controlled diarrhea in diabetic rats through decreasing the frequency, and tension of spontaneous contraction of smooth muscles of large, and small intestines. The increased frequency and tension of spontaneous contractions of smooth muscles in diabetic rats may be due to down-regulation of H2 S biosynthesis enzymes.

Delayed gastric emptying in diabetic rats caused by decreased expression of cystathionine gamma lyase and H2 S synthesis: in vitro and in vivo studies.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the role of H2 S on gastric emptying rate (GER) and also to determine the effect of gastric distention on mRNA and protein expression of cystathionine ß-lyase (CBS) and cystathionine γ-synthase (CSE) in diabetic-gastroparetic and normal rats. METHODS: Adult normal rats intraperitoneally received either propargylglycine (PAG), L-cysteine or NaHS 30 min prior to GER marker (acetaminophen) to investigate H2 S involvement in GER and the same protocols were performed in diabetes-induced gastroparesis rats. The role of calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) neurons in the prokinetic effect of endogenous H2 S on GER was determined. The level of CBS and CSE expressions in response to gastric distention were also determined. The effect of H2 S on frequency and tension of spontaneous contractions of gastric smooth muscle strips was investigated. KEY RESULTS: Our results showed that: (i) H2 S and L-cysteine increased GER in gastroparetic and normal rats. (ii) The increased levels of CSE expression in response to gastric distention in diabetic rats were lower than in normal rats. (iii) PAG inhibited the excitatory effect of capsaicin on GER and on tension of spontaneous contractions of strips. (iv) Hydrogen sulphide increased the frequency and tension of spontaneous contractions of gastric strip muscles in normal and diabetic rats. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: The results showed that delayed GER in diabetic rats can be due to down-regulation of H2 S biosynthesis enzyme, CSE and suggested that a potential prokinetic role for H2 S to treat the delayed gastric emptying in diabetic patients.

Preventive effects of procyanidin A2 on glucose homeostasis, pancreatic and duodenal homebox 1, and glucose transporter 2 gene expression disturbance induced by bisphenol A in male mice.

Procyanidins (PCs) as oligomeric compounds with antidiabetic properties formed from catechin and epicatechin molecules. Bisphenol A(BPA) is a common chemical material use in food and beverage packaging. The aim of this study was to explore the protective effects of procyanidin A2 (PCA2) against glucose homeostasis disturbance and gene expression of pancreatic and duodenal homebox 1 (Pdx1) as well as glucose transporter 2 (Glut2) induced by BPA in male mice. First tested these five concentrations of PCA2 (3 - 300 µM) alone and in combination with BPA(100 µg/L), on insulin secretion from isolated islets at in vitro condition. Next, examined the influence of BPA and PCA2 on islet apoptosis using flowcytometry. At in vivo condition, the BPA (100 µg/kg) and PCA2 (10 µmol/kg) administered for 20 days then, blood glucose and insulin, Pdx1 and, Glut2 genes expression, and oxidative stress markers examined. The results indicated that PCA2 strongly prevents islet cells apoptosis induced by BPA and, co-administration of PCA2 and BPA modified hyperglycemia. BPA reduced Pdx1 and Glut2 mRNA expression and antioxidant level in pancreas tissue, whereas PCA2 prevented from these effects. The findings from these studies suggest that use of PCA2 rich plants have preventive effects on hyperglycemia, and type 2 diabetes.

Antiulcerogenic effect of Securigera securidaca L. seed extract on various experimental gastric ulcer models in rats.

Securigera securidaca belongs to the family Fabaceae is used in Iranian folk medicine to treat gastric disturbances. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the Securigera securidaca seed hydroalcoholic extract (SSE) and its subfractions for their gastroprotective effect in rat. Acute gastric ulceration in rats was produced by oral administration of ethanol (100%; 1 mL/200 g of body weight) or water immersion restraint-stress (5 h, water immersion restraint stress at 20-22 degrees C). Ranitidine (100 mg kg(-1), p.o.) was used as the reference antiulcer drug. After ethanol administration, the gastric wall mucus was examined. Chronic gastric ulceration was produced by injection of acetic acid in rat gastric subserosa. The antisecretory effect of the extract and its subfractions (ethyl acetate, chloroform and aqueous fractions) were investigated in pylorus-ligated rats. Administration of SSE significantly inhibited gastric mucosa damage induced by ethanol, water immersion restraint-stress and acetic acid in a dose-dependent manner. In pylorus ligature rats, SSE and its subfractions significantly reduced the basal gastric acid secretion and total acidity; moreover, it inhibited the increase in total acidity induced by carbachol. However, the antisecretory effect of the chloroform fraction was more potent than two other fractions. Administration of SSE did not affect the gastric mucus production. The results obtained in the present study indicate that the SSE has gastroprotective and antisecretory effects on gastric mucosa in rats.

[School maladjustment common among children with very low birth weight Special attention and support are required during school start]. / Skolsvårigheter vanliga hos barn med mycket låg födelsevikt. Extra uppmärksamhet och stöd behövs vid skolstart.

Children of very low birth weight (VLBW), defined as less than 1500 g, and normal birth weight controls (NBW) were enrolled in a long-term follow-up study. Five of 86 surviving VLBW children had a neurological handicap. Seventy VLBW children and 72 NBW children were re-examined at the age of nine, which entailed a neurological examination, a non-verbal intelligence test and a test for reading ability, mathematical skills and vocabulary. Their behavior was rated regarding hyperactivity, social behavior and fine and motor skills. The two groups differed with regard to the neurological examination and the tests, with poorer results shown for the low birth weight group. The VLBW children were also more hyperactive and scored lower on fine motor skills. Considering only those who scored normally as regards non-verbal intelligence (54% of VLBW children and 88% of controls), practically all differences disappeared.