Impact of 8-week cold-and warm water swimming training combined with cinnamon consumption on serum METRNL, HDAC5, and insulin resistance levels in diabetic male rats

Objective: Numerous studies have reported the beneficial effects of exercise and the use of herbal supplements in improving type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. However, there are still many unanswered questions about the effects of cold and hot water, exercise, and herbal supplements on meteorine-like protein (METRNL), which is considered one of the key factors influencing insulin resistance improvement in this condition. Hence, the current study aimed to address these knowledge gaps and investigate the effects of 8 weeks of warm and cold-water swimming exercise with cinnamon consumption on serum levels of METRNL, histone deacetylase-5 (HDAC5), and insulin resistance in diabetic male rats. Methods: For this purpose, 70 diabetic male rats were randomly divided into seven groups (10 rats in each group) H ealthy control (HC) , Diabetic control , swimming training in cold water (temperature 5 °C) , swimming training at 5‌‌ °C + cinnamon consumption (200 mg/kg body weight) , swimming training in warm water (temperature 36-35 °C) , swimming training in warm water (temperature 36-35 °C) + consumption of cinnamon, and consumption of cinnamon only. Results: The present study revealed a significant increase in serum METRNL concentration in the cold-water swimming + cinnamon consumption group (p  0.05). Additionally, noteworthy findings included a significant reduction in HDAC5 levels in both the cold-water swimming group and the cold-water swimming + cinnamon consumption group, as well as a significant decrease in fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels in all groups compared to the HC group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of the present study demonstrate that the combination of cold-water swimming exercises and cinnamon extract consumption led to notable increases in serum METRNL concentration. Additionally, significant reductions were observed in HDAC5 and FBS levels. These findings highlight the potential effectiveness and benefits of the combination of cold-water swimming exercises and cinnamon extract consumption as an approach to improve diabetes-related indices

The Modulatory Role of Endogenous IL-24/mda-7 in Inflammatory Response of Human Hepatic Stellate Cell (HSC), LX2

Abstract Background: High morbidity and limited therapies of hepatic fibro genesis are important factor for better understanding the molecular mechanisms of the disease. Advances in the understanding of the molecular behavior of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) allow the progress of a field dedicated to anti-fibrotic therapy. Melanoma differentiation associated gene-7 (IL-24/mda-7) as a gene induced during terminal differentiation in human melanoma cells, but the inflammatory response of cells to IL-24/mda-7 is not entirely cleared. Materias and Methods: LX-2 cells (a human hepatic stellate cell) were treated by leptin (positive control), media (control negative), or were transfected by empty plasmid and pcDNA3.1/mda-7. The inflammatory state was evaluated through measuring the mRNA expression level of inflammatory molecule, IL-1β. The role of IL-24/mda-7 modulation on inflammatory response was assayed using SOCS1 and SOCS3 gene expressions. Results: The expression levels of IL-1β, SOCS1 and SOCS3 were compared in LX-2 cell line groups. The expression of the IL-1β in the transfected cells was higher than the control cell, but it was not significant. The results indicated that the expressions of SOCS1 and SOCS3 were up-regulated following pcDNA 3.1/mda-7 transfection into LX-2 cells compared to control plasmids (p=0.0179, p=0.0428). Conclusion: The endogenous IL-24/mda-7 exhibited a significant modulatory effect on stellate cells. Therefore, IL-24/mda-7 and relevant signaling pathways could be employed as a target for fibrosis treatment

MRI-Tracking of Dental Pulp Stem Cells In Vitro and In Vivo Using Dextran-Coated Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

The aim of this study was to track dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) labeled with dextran-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Dental pulp was isolated from male Sprague Dawley rats and cultured in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium F12 (DMEM-F12) and 10% fetal bovine serum. Effects of SPIONs on morphology, viability, apoptosis, stemness, and osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of DPSCs were assessed. Prussian blue staining and MRI were conducted to determine in vitro efficiency of SPIONs uptake by the cells. Both non-labeled and labeled DPSCs were adherent to culture plates and showed spindle-shape morphologies, respectively. They were positive for osteogenic and adipogenic induction and expression of cluster of differentiation (CD) 73 and CD90 biomarkers, but negative for expression of CD34 and CD45 biomarkers. The SPIONs were non-toxic and did not induce apoptosis in doses less than 25 mg/mL. Internalization of the SPIONs within the DPSCs was confirmed by Prussian blue staining and MRI. Our findings revealed that the MRI-based method could successfully monitor DPSCs labeled with dextran-coated SPIONs without any significant effect on osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation, viability, and stemness of DPSCs. We provided the in vitro evidence supporting the feasibility of an MRI-based method to monitor DPSCs labeled with SPIONs without any significant reduction in viability, proliferation, and differentiation properties of labeled cells, showing that internalization of SPIONs within DPSCs were not toxic at doses less than 25 mg/mL. In general, the SPION labeling does not seem to impair cell survival or differentiation. SPIONs are biocompatible, easily available, and cost effective, opening a new avenue in stem cell labeling in regenerative medicine

In Vitro Assessment of Morphology, Proliferation, Apoptosis and Differential Potential of Dental Pulp Stem Cells, When Marijuana Is Added to Nutrients of Cell Culture Medium

Background: Cannabis, commonly known as marijuana, is widely used for recreational purposes. It has stimulatory effect on appetite, so cannabinoid receptor antagonists have been used to decrease food intake and to act peripherally by rising thermogenesis and energy expenditure to control obesity. This in vitro study determined morphological, growth, apoptosis and differential potential of changes in dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) when marijuana wasadded to nutrients of cell culture medium.Methods: Wisdom teeth extracted were used to obtain DPSCs, while characterized morphologically, by osteo- and adipo-inductions and flowcytometry for mesenchymal properties. MTT assay identified optimal concentration of cannabis extract. Cells were treated with 120 and 1000 ng/mL of cannabis during seven days period, while proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of DPSCs were assessed.Results: DPSCs were spindle shape and showed mesenchymal characteristics. MTT assay illustrated an increase in cell number until day 5th when DPSCs were treated with 120 and 1000 ng/mL of cannabis, while there was a decreasing trend on day 6th. There was an upregulation of the expression of Bax and COL1A1genes on day 6th when 120 and 1000 ng/mL of cannabis were added to the media in comparison to the control group.Conclusion: The increase in DPSC proliferation and viability when treated with cannabis denotes to its positive impact on cell proliferation during short term period, while a long term exposure to cannabis resulted in apoptosis and a decrease in cell proliferation. These findings reveal an issue of public health concern and alarm for health authorities