Magnesium Picolinate Improves Bone Formation by Regulation of RANK/RANKL/OPG and BMP-2/Runx2 Signaling Pathways in High-Fat Fed Rats

Magnesium (Mg) deficiency may affect bone metabolism by increasing osteoclasts, decreasing osteoblasts, promoting inflammation/oxidative stress, and result in subsequent bone loss. The objective of the present study was to identify the molecular mechanism underlying the bone protective effect of different forms of Mg (inorganic magnesium oxide (MgO) versus organic magnesium picolinate (MgPic) compound) in rats fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). Forty-two Wistar albino male rats were divided into six group (n = 7): (i) control, (ii) MgO, (iii) MgPic, (iv) HFD, (v) HFD + MgO, and (vi) HFD + MgPic. Bone mineral density (BMD) increased in the Mg supplemented groups, especially MgPic, as compared with the HFD group (p < 0.001). As compared with the HFD + MgO group, the HFD + MgPic group had higher bone P (p < 0.05) and Mg levels (p < 0.001). In addition, as compared to MgO, MgPic improved bone formation by increasing the levels of osteogenetic proteins (COL1A1 (p < 0.001), BMP2 (p < 0.001), Runx2 (p < 0.001), OPG (p < 0.05), and OCN (p < 0.001), IGF-1 (p < 0.001)), while prevented bone resorption by reducing the levels of RANK and RANKL (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the present data showed that the MgPic could increase osteogenic protein levels in bone more effectively than MgO, prevent bone loss, and contribute to bone formation in HFD rats

Capsaicinoids improve consequences of physical activity

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of capsaicinoids (CAPs) on lipid metabolism, inflammation, antioxidant status and the changes in gene products involved in these metabolic functions in exercised rats. A total of 28 male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 7) (i) No exercise and no CAPs, (ii) No exercise + CAPs (iii) Regular exercise, (iv) Regular exercise + CAPs. Rats were administered as 0.2 mg capsaicinoids from 10 mg/kg BW/day Capsimax® daily for 8 weeks. A significant decrease in lactate and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increase in activities of antioxidant enzymes were observed in the combination of regular exercise and CAPs group (P < 0.0001). Regular exercise + CAPs treated rats had greater nuclear factor-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) levels in muscle than regular exercise and no exercise rats (P < 0.001). Nevertheless, regular exercise + CAPs treated had lower nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and IL-10 levels in muscle than regular exercise and control rats (P < 0.001). Muscle sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c), liver X receptors (LXR), ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) levels in the regular exercise + CAPs group were lower than all groups (P < 0.05). However, muscle PPAR-γ level was higher in the regular exercise and CAPs alone than the no exercise rats. These results suggest CAPs with regular exercise may enhance lipid metabolism by regulation of gene products involved in lipid and antioxidant metabolism including SREBP-1c, PPAR-γ, and Nrf2 pathways in rats. Keywords: Exercise, Capsaicinoid, PPAR-γ, Nrf2, SREBP-1

Effects of supplementing different chromium histidinate complexes on glucose and lipid metabolism and related protein expressions in rats fed a high-fat diet

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different chromium histidinate (CrHis) complexes added to the diet of rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD) on body weight changes, glucose and lipid metabolism parameters, and changes in biomarkers such as PPAR-?, IRS-1, GLUTs, and NF-?B proteins

Effects of magnesium biotinate supplementation on serum insulin, glucose and lipid parameters along with liver protein levels of lipid metabolism in rats

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a novel form of biotin (magnesium biotinate) on serum glucose, lipid profile, and hepatic lipid metabolism-related protein levels in rats. Forty-two rats were divided into six groups and fed a standard diet-based egg white powdered diet supplemented with either d-biotin at 0.01, 1, or 100 mg/kg BW or magnesium biotinate at 0.01, 1, or 100 mg/kg BW for 35 days. Neither form of biotin influenced (p > 0.05) serum glucose or insulin concentrations. Serum total cholesterol and triglyceride decreased with biotin from both sources (p < 0.05). Concentrations were lower with magnesium biotinate when comparing the 1 mg/kg dose (p < 0.05). Serum, liver, and brain biotin and liver cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) concentrations were greater when rats were treated with magnesium biotinate versus d-biotin, particularly when comparing the 1 and 100 mg/kg dose groups (p < 0.05). Both biotin forms decreased the liver SREBP-1c and FAS and increased AMPK-alpha 1, ACC-1, ACC-2, PCC, and MCC levels (p < 0.05). The magnitudes of responses were more emphasized with magnesium biotinate. Magnesium biotinate, compared with a commercial d-biotin, is more effective in reducing serum lipid concentrations and regulating protein levels of lipid metabolism-related biomarkers

MANGO GINGER SUPPLEMENTATION MAY PROTECT BONE DAMAGE INDUCED BY METHOTREXATE IN RATS

Mango ginger (MG) has antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential protective role of MG and the mechanisms against methotrexate (MTX) induced bone damage in rats. A total of 28 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: i) control; ii) MG, rats were treated orally with 50 mg/kg/day of MG, iii) MTX, rats were injected with 0.75 mg/kg of MTX from 8th to 12th day for 5 days and iv) MTX+MG group, rats were treated with 50 mg/kg/day of MG and injected with MTX from 8th to 12th day for 5 days. MTX pretreatment increased blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels and aminotransferase enzyme activities, while tibia osteocalcin levels and bone mineral density (BMD) decreased (p < 0.001). MG pretreatment markedly attenuated aminotransferases activities and creatinine levels and increased tibia osteocalcin levels and femur BMD in the MTX + MG groups. MTX treatment increased levels of bone nuclear factor kappa beta ligand receptor-activator (RANKL), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and decreased the bone osteoprotegerin (OPG) and type1 collagen levels (p < 0.001). The effect of MG treatment on RANKL, IL-6, TNF-α, OPG and type1 collagen levels induced by MTX was observed actual effects (p < 0.05). Similarly, the protective effect of MG against MTX was confirmed by histological examination. In conclusion, MG pretreatment reduced the negative effects of MTX on bone damage by improving BMD and modulation of RANKL, IL-6, TNF-α, OPG and type1 collagen expressions in the rats

A Novel Integrated Active Herbal Formulation Ameliorates Dry Eye Syndrome by Inhibiting Inflammation and Oxidative Stress and Enhancing Glycosylated Phosphoproteins in Rats

Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a chronic condition of the eye with insufficient production of tears leading to inadequate lubrication of eyes. Symptoms of DES are associated with discomfort and redness of the eye, blurred vision, and tear film instability which leads to the damaged ocular surface. Inflammation and oxidative stress play a significant role in the pathogenesis of the disease. In this study, the protective effect of different doses (100 or 200 mg/kg) of a novel multi-component oral formulation of lutein/zeaxanthin, curcumin, and vitamin D3 (LCD) was evaluated using a rat model with benzalkonium chloride (BAC)-induced dry eye syndrome. The formulation was administered orally to rats for 4 weeks. We observed a significant improvement in tear volume, tear breakup time, tear film integrity, and reduction in overall inflammation in rats fed with the LCD at dose 200 mg/kg performing better than 100 mg/kg. Furthermore, the formulation helped in lowering oxidative stress by increasing antioxidant levels and restored protective tear protein levels including MUC1, MUC4, and MUC5AC with 200 mg of LCD having the most significant effect. The results strongly suggest that the combination of lutein/zeaxanthin, curcumin, and vitamin-D3 is effective in alleviating the symptoms of dry eye condition with a multi-modal mechanism of action