Savior of Diabetes: Antioxidants

Introduction: The exposure of humans to antioxidants regulating the process and progress of diabetes mellitus (DM) is of major interest. Several phytoactive compounds such as flavonoids, lignans, prophenylphenols, etc. possess antioxidant property. Antioxidants exert free radical scavenging activity, improve the insulin sensitivity and pancreatic β cell activity, stimulate insulin secretion, and reduce the carbohydrate absorption. Antioxidants also combat complications like diabetic wound healing by increasing the collagen deposition, improving the fibroblasts level, and decreasing the 11-β hydroxydehydrogenase level. They revert the cardiovascular changes of DM by reducing the lipid profile level. Antioxidants also exert their regulatory effect on diabetic nephropathy and peripheral vascular diseases. Body-research methods: The terms “diabetes” or “diabetes mellitus” or type 1 diabetes mellitus” or “type 2 diabetes mellitus” or “hyperglycaemia” or “antioxidant” or “antioxidant” combined with “diabetic complication” were searched in following databases such as PubMed, Web of Science Scopus, and Google Scholar. Conclusion: Understanding the effects of antioxidants against DM is beneficial for disease progress assessment and development of prophylaxis regimens. Although several researches are carried out on antioxidants, current population has still less confidence on them. Hence, more detailed analysis and clinical studies investigating on the underlying mechanisms of antioxidants towards DM are mandatory

Oral administration of tocotrienol ameliorates lead-induced toxicity in the rat brain

The occurrence of severe lead (Pb) poisoning has risen in certain countries. There is increasing evidence that chronic lead exposure disturbs the prooxidant: antioxidant balance in the brain tissue and alters brain histology. The present study observed the antioxidant effect of tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) on brain tissues of the experimental rats following lead poisoning. Eighteen (n=18) male Sprague-Dawley rats, 6-weeks old, were randomly divided into control (CTRL) group and experimental groups; fed with 0.2% w/v lead acetate, as PB2 group; and fed with 0.2% w/v lead acetate and daily TRF supplementation (200 mg/kg body weight) as PB2T group. The experiment was conducted for 30 days. At the end of the study, the brain tissues were harvested and histopathological changes of the hippocampal region were observed. Biochemical findings such as brain lead, TRF and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were determined. It was observed that atypical apoptotic-like and disorganized neurons were present in the hippocampal region of the untreated PB2 group compared to PB2T group. Biochemical parameters showed a significant decrease (p 0.05) was obtained for MDA level, there was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the erythrocyte SOD activity in PB2T compared to PB2 and CTRL. Supplementation with TRF improved histopathological changes in the brain tissues caused by lead exposure in drinking water by reducing lead accumulation in the brain of experimental rats

Preliminary study shows novel variant detected in the screening of RET gene in Malaysian patients with Hirschsprung’s disease

Hirschsprung’s disease (HSCR) is a disorder associated with congenital absence of ganglion cells in the gastrointestinal tract. Molecular analyses have identified variants in various genes including RET, GDNF, EDN3 and EDNRB that are involved in the development, migration and survival of neural cells. Variants in the receptor tyrosine kinase (RET) are most common and have been identified in 10-20% of sporadic HSCR patients. The objective of this study was to screen for RET gene variants in Malaysian patients with HSCR. Thirty-two patients with HSCR and 30 normal controls were recruited for this study. Mutations were screened using the Polymerase Chain Reaction – Denaturing High Performance Liquid Chromatography (PCR-dHPLC) approach. Mutations identified were then confirmed using Sanger sequencing. We identified one novel rare variant in exon 4 (A268A c807 G>C) in one patient. We also identified the common coding sequence variantsA45A (c135G>A), A432A (c1296A>G), L769L (c2307 T>G) and the G691S in our cohort of patients. In conclusion, our Malaysian patients with HSCR diseases showed the presence of similar RET gene common variants which have been described in other populations. We have also identified a novel variant in exon 4 (A268A)

Evaluation of Topical Tocopherol Cream on Cutaneous Wound Healing in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetes is a common cause of delayed wound healing. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of topical administration of tocopherol cream on the wound healing process in diabetic rats. The study was conducted using 18 male Sprague Dawley rats which were divided into three groups: (I) diabetic rats receiving control cream , (II) diabetic rats receiving 0.06% tocopherol cream , and (III) diabetic rats receiving 0.29% tocopherol cream . Four cutaneous wounds were created at the dorsal region of the rats. Wound healing was assessed by total protein content, rate of wound closure estimation, and histological studies on the tenth day after wounding. Tocopherol treatment enhanced the wound healing process by increasing rate of wound closure and total protein content significantly compared to the control group. Histological observation also showed better organized epithelium and more collagen fibers in the tocopherol treated groups. Application of tocopherol cream enhances wound healing process in diabetic condition which is known to cause delay in wound healing