Cytokine modulation by etanercept ameliorates metabolic syndrome and its related complications induced in rats administered a high-fat high-fructose diet.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of etanercept (ETA)-an anti-tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) monoclonal antibody-on metabolic disorders such as obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance associated with the metabolic syndrome (MS). MS was induced in rats via high-fat high-fructose (HFHF) administration for 8 weeks. Rats were divided into three groups: negative control, HFHF model, and ETA-treated groups [HFHF + ETA (0.8 mg/kg/twice weekly, subcutaneously) administered in the last 4 weeks]. ETA effectively diminished the prominent features of MS via a significant reduction in the percent body weight gain along with the modulation of adipokine levels, resulting in a significant elevation of serum adiponectin consistent with TNF-α and serum leptin level normalization. Moreover, ETA enhanced dyslipidemia and the elevated blood pressure. ETA managed the prominent features of MS and its associated complications via the downregulation of the hepatic inflammatory pathway that induces nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-from the expression of Toll-like receptor 4, nuclear factor kappa B, and TNF-α until that of transforming growth factor-in addition to significant improvements in glucose utilization, insulin sensitivity, and liver function parameter activity and histopathological examination. ETA was effective for the treatment of all prominent features of MS and its associated complications, such as type II diabetes mellitus and NASH.

Pharmacological and metabolomic profiles of Musa acuminata wastes as a new potential source of anti-ulcerative colitis agents.

Musa acuminata (MA) is a popular fruit peels in the world. Non-food parts of the plant have been investigated for their antioxidant and anti-ulcerative colitis activity. Metabolomic approaches were found to be informative as a screening tool. It discovered different metabolites depending on statistical analysis. The antioxidant activity content was measured by colorimetric method. Seventy six investigated metabolites were observed. The identities of some of these markers were confirmed based on their MS2 fragmentation and NMR spectroscopy. These include: cinnamic acid and its dimer 2-hydroxy-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-phenalen-1-one beside; gallic acid and flavonoids; quercetin, quercetin-3-O-ß-D-glucoside, luteolin-7-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside. GC/MS analysis of MA peels essential oil led to identification of 37 compounds. The leaves, pseudostem and fruit peels extracts were tested for their safety and their anti-ulcerative colitis efficacy in rats. Rats were classified into: normal, positive, prednisolone reference group, MA extracts pretreated groups (250-500 mg/kg) for 2 weeks followed by induction of ulcerative colitis by per-rectal infusion of 8% acetic acid. Macroscopic and microscopic examinations were done. Inflammatory markers (ANCA, CRP and Ilß6) were measured in sera. The butanol extracts showed good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities as they ameliorated macroscopic and microscopic signs of ulcerative colitis and lowered the inflammatory markers compared to untreated group. MA wastes can be a potential source of bioactive metabolites for industrial use and future employment as promising anti-ulcerative colitis food supplements.

The Effect of Low Molecular Weight Heparin in Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: Changes in Radial Uterine Artery Blood Flow and Peripheral Blood NK Cell Fraction.

Immunological alteration has been suggested as a cause of unexplained early recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Natural killers (NKs) have been reported to play a role in vascular remodeling of decidual vessels. We aimed to find out if there is a relationship between peripheral blood NKs (pbNKs) and uterine radial artery (uRA) blood flow, and if low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is effective in improving uRA blood flow in RPL cases and pregnancy outcome. The study was conducted on 30 pregnant women (5-7 weeks gestation) with ≥ 2 RPL and control group including 30 healthy pregnant women. The frequency of pbNKs (CD3 negative/CD56+CD16 positive) was measured using flow cytometry. Uterine color-pulsed doppler ultrasound was performed to evaluate uterine radial artery resistance index (uRA-RI). LMWH was administered daily in RPL cases with elevated uRA-RI (≥0.5) and uRA-RI was reassessed one week later. Comparison between cases and controls revealed that uRA-RI was significantly higher in RPL cases than controls (P =0.023), while pbNK frequency showed no significant difference between both groups. Post LMWH treatment, uRA-RI was significantly decreased when compared to pretreatment uRA-RI with mean±SD= (0.48+0.08) and (0.68±0.09) respectively (P=0.007). There was significant correlation of uRA-RI with number of abortions. There was no significant correlation of pbNK% with URa-RI (r=0.125 P=0.509) in RPL group. We concluded that LMWH treatment carries potentiality of improving pregnancy outcome in cases of RPLs with elevated uRA-RI. No significant correlation of NK% with uRA-RI, which denies the association of pbNK and RPL and raises questions about impact of pbNK cell testing in RPL.