Effects of Zingiber officinale hydro-alcoholic extract on HMG-COA reductase level in the testis of streptozotocininduced diabetic rats

Introduction: Zingiber officinale Roscoe, commonly known as ginger, is used as a cooking spice and therapeutically for its antioxidant and androgenic activities. We investigated the effects of Z. officinale hydro-alcoholic extract on HMG-CoA (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A) reductase level in the testis of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Methods: The current experimental study was performed on four groups of male Wistar rats one of them was kept as a healthy control, while the others were rendered diabetic via a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg kg-1). One group was considered as diabetic control; while the others were given orally hydro-alcoholic extract (200 and 400 mg kg-1) for 56 consecutive days. Body weight, blood glucose and insulin concentrations were evaluated using standard methods. The HMG-COA reductase level was determined by western blot analysis. Results: Treatment with the extract resulted in a significant reduction of serum glucose concentration and HMG-COA reductase level in the rat’s testis compared to diabetic controls (P<0.01). A significant increase in body weight was observed in treated diabetic rats. Also, serum insulin was significantly increased in diabetic rats treated with 400 mg/kg of the extract compared to diabetic controls (P<0.05). Conclusion: Ginger has a potential influence on the regulation of cholesterol homeostasis by modulating of HMG-COA reductase level. The results provide scientific evidence to confirm the traditional use of Z. officinale in the treatment of diabetes mellitus

Atorvastatin’s Therapeutic Potential in Atherosclerosis: Inhibiting TGF-β-Induced Proteoglycan Glycosaminoglycan Chain Elongation through ROS-ERK1/2-Smad2L Signaling Pathway Modulation in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Objective: According to the response-to-retention hypothesis, the inception of atherosclerosis is attributed to thedeposition and retention of lipoprotein in the arterial intima, facilitated by altered proteoglycans with hyperelongatedglycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains. Recent studies have elucidated a signaling pathway whereby transforming growthfactor-β (TGF-β) promotes the expression of genes linked to proteoglycan GAG chain elongation (CHSY1 and CHST11)via reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the downstream phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Smad2L. Atorvastatin is knownto exhibit pleiotropic effects, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. The purpose of the present research wasto ascertain the influence of atorvastatin on TGF-β-stimulated expression of CHST11 and CHSY1 and associatedsignaling pathways using an in vitro model.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were pre-incubatedwith atorvastatin (0.1-10 μM) prior to being stimulated with TGF-β (2 ng/ml). The experiment aimed to evaluate thephosphorylation levels of Smad2C, Smad2L, ERK1/2, the NOX p47phox subunit, ROS production, and the mRNAexpression of CHST11 and CHSY1.Results: Our research results indicated that atorvastatin inhibited TGF-β-stimulated CHSY1 and CHST11 mRNAexpression. Further experiments showed that atorvastatin diminished TGF-β-stimulated ROS production and weakenedTGF-β-stimulated phosphorylation of p47phox, ERK1/2, and Smad2L; however, we observed no effect on the TGF-β-Smad2C pathway.Conclusion: These data suggest that atorvastatin demonstrates anti-atherogenic properties through the modulationof the ROS-ERK1/2-Smad2L signaling pathway. This provides valuable insight into the potential mechanisms by whichatorvastatin exerts its pleiotropic effects against atherosclerosis

Protective effect of Cortisone and Hydrocortisone drugs on lysosomal damages induced by bacteria endotoxin in wistar rats

Objectives: Bacterial endotoxin as biological stress by multiple organs failure causes lysosomal enzyme leakage. Lysosome as a basic cytoplasmic organelle in animal tissues contains hydrolytic enzymes capable of degrading various cellular constituents. In this study protective effect of Cortisone acetate and hydrocortisone 21-sodium hemisuccinate on lysosomal damage and its association with change level of serum and hepatic acid phosphatase activity investigated. Methods: In this study, 30 rats equally divided to Control, tolerance and Endotoxin groups. The tolerance group (12.5 mg/kg body weight intramuscularly injection Cortisone acetate for 3 days and on the 4th day, the intravenous injection 12.5 mg/kg of hydrocortisone 21-sodium hemisuccinate). The induce endotoxin shock in rats with 2.5 mg/kg body weight intravenous injection of Salmonella endotoxin. Partial purification and beta-glucuronidase activity were determined by sephadexG75 chromatography and Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis. Results: The results of this study shown a significant different in level serum and homogenate acid phosphatse activity in Tolerance group compared with the other groups (P<0.05). Also enzyme especial activity in all steps of purification, in Endotoxin group was more than the other groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: Endotoxin shock as biological stressor by induction of lysosomal enzymes into the cell plays an important role in deterioration of cells. Also, it seems that protection of these particles by injection of cortisone acetate and hydrocortisone 21-sodium hemisuccinate can a significant resistance to induced stress by endotoxin shock

Hypoadiponectinemia in obese subjects with type II diabetes: A close association with central obesity indices

Background: Adiponectin is an adipocyte secreted protein with important biological functions Hypoadiponectinemia is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and type II diabetes This study aimed to evaluate serum adiponectin level in obese subjects with type II diabetes and its correlation with metabolic parameters Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 40 obese subjects with type II diabetes and 40 non-diabetic obese control subjects Fasting lipid profile was measured by the enzymatic methods The NycoCard HbA1c protocol was used to measure HbAlc The Serum adiponectin, insulin and glucose levels were measured using an enzyme immunoassay and glucose oxidase methods respectively Results: Type II diabetes was associated with hypoadiponectinemia, in both men and women Serum adiponectin level in non-diabetic subjects (6.44 ± 2.47 μg/ml) was significantly higher than diabetics (4.55 ± 1.88 μg/ml) Furthermore, serum adiponectin concentration in females was significantly higher than males in non-diabetics (7.18 ± 2.68 vs 5.61 ± 0.57) and diabetic groups (5.18 ± 2.08 vs 3.99 ± 1.5) There was a negative and significant correlation between serum adiponectin level with waist (r = -0.451, p = 0.003), waist to hip ratio (r = -0.404, p = 0.01) and BMI (r = - 0.322, p = 0.042) and a positive correlation with HDL (r = 0.337, p = 0.034) in non-diabetic group In diabetic group, there was only found a negative correlation between adiponectin and waist size (r = -0.317, p = 0.046) Conclusions: Obesity and type II diabetes are associated with low serum adiponectin concentratio

Lack of association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and breast cancer risk in Ahvaz, west south-Iran

Background: Association between C677T polymorphism of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), a key enzyme involved in folate metabolism and DNA methylation, and breast cancer risk are inconsistent. We investigated in a case-control study, possible effect of the common MTHFR C677T polymorphism on breast cancer risk in a sample of Iranian patients. Materials and Methods: The study subjects comprised of 123 breast cancer cases and 110 cancer-free control, who were matched for age and body mass index (BMI). C677T genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay. Lipid profile was measured in all subjects by standard method. Results: The genotypes distributions (CC, CT, and TT) were 55.3, 39, and 5.7% in breast cancer cases and 51.8, 44.5, and 3.6% in controls. Chi square analysis revealed that there was no significant association between breast cancer risk and MTHFR genotypes and alleles. Additionally, no significant association was observed between C677T genotypes and biochemistry parameters. A multinomial logistic regression model with MTHFR genotypes, lipid profiles, BMI and age as covariates revealed that there is no significant association between MTHFR genotypes and risk of breast cancer, but higher values of LDL and HDL significantly increase risk of breast cancer. Conclusions: Our findings do not support the hypothesis that genetic variation in the MTHFR C677T polymorphism is implicated in the breast cancer risk in a sample of Iranian patients

Association of I405V polymorphism of colesteryl ester transfer protein gene with coronary artery disease in men with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND: Colesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) plays a key role in the metabolism of lipoproteins; therefore, polymorphisms of its gene can affect susceptibility to coronary artery disease (CAD) in diabetes mellitus. The aim of the present study was to investigate association between I405V polymorphism of CETP gene and risk of CAD in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: The current case-control study was conducted on 143 patients with type 2 diabetes and angiographically diagnosed CAD and 150 patients with type 2 diabetes and without CAD. Genotyping was performed through polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The presence of CAD was defined as higher than 50% reduction in coronary artery diameter. RESULTS: The genotype frequencies of I405V polymorphism were II (27.3% vs. 23.2%), IV (61.5% vs. 67.5%), and VV (11.2% vs. 9.3%) in diabetic with CAD compared to diabetic without CAD (&chi;2 = 1.164) (P = 0.55). The I and V alleles were found at frequencies of 63.6% and 61.6% in the diabetic with CAD group and 36.4% and 38.4% in the diabetic without CAD group (&chi;2 = 0.263) (P = 0.60). No significant difference was observed between two groups in terms of genotype and allele frequency. Moreover, no significant association was observed between II, IV, and VV genotypes and lipid profiles in both groups. However, a significant difference was observed between genotype distributions of I405V polymorphism in men according to the severity of CAD. CONCLUSION: It is speculated that I405V polymorphism may be associated with the severity of coronary artery stenosis only in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus.</div

Association of CRP gene polymophism with CRP levels and Coronary Artery Disease in Type 2 Diabetes in Ahwaz,Southwest of Iran

Introduction: We evaluated the association between four polymorphisms in the CRP gene with plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) levels,prevalence and severity of coronary artery disease(CAD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)patients. Methods: We performed coronary angiography for 308 T2DM patients and classified them into two groups: T2DM with CAD and T2DM without CAD, all patient come from Ahwaz, Iran. Plasma levels of CRP, glucose and lipid profile were measured. Genotyping was performed by PCR/RFLP, and the severity of coronary artery disease was determined by Gensini score. Results: The GG genotype of SNP rs279421 was associated with increased risk CAD (OR = 2.38; 95%CI: 1.12- 5.8; P = 0.02)and CA,TT,TA genotypes and A allele of SNP rs3091244 and GA genotypes and A allele of SNP rs3093062 were significantly associated with increased CRP levels.None genotypes or alleles was not associated with Gensini score. We found that the haplotype 7 (AGCG) was associated with decreased risk of CAD (OR = 0.11; 95%CI: 0.02, 0.66; P = 0.017) . The Gensini score was correlated with increased levels of CRP, only in CAD group. Conclusion: Although genetic polymorphisms were influenced on plasma CRP levels but none of the alleles and genotypes raising or falling C-reactive protein levels was consistently associated with an increased prevalence of CAD or protected from that

Effects of Zingiber officinale hydro-alcoholic extract on HMG-COA reductase level in the testis of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Introduction: Zingiber officinale Roscoe, commonly known as ginger, is used as a cooking spice and therapeutically for its antioxidant and androgenic activities. We investigated the effects of Z. officinale hydro-alcoholic extract on HMG-CoA (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A) reductase level in the testis of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Methods: The current experimental study was performed on four groups of male Wistar rats one of them was kept as a healthy control, while the others were rendered diabetic via a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg kg-1). One group was considered as diabetic control; while the others were given orally hydro-alcoholic extract (200 and 400 mg kg-1) for 56 consecutive days. Body weight, blood glucose and insulin concentrations were evaluated using standard methods. The HMG-COA reductase level was determined by western blot analysis. Results: Treatment with the extract resulted in a significant reduction of serum glucose concentration and HMG-COA reductase level in the rat’s testis compared to diabetic controls (P < 0.01). A significant increase in body weight was observed in treated diabetic rats. Also, serum insulin was significantly increased in diabetic rats treated with 400 mg/kg of the extract compared to diabetic controls (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Ginger has a potential influence on the regulation of cholesterol homeostasis by modulating of HMG-COA reductase level. The results provide scientific evidence to confirm the traditional use of Z. officinale in the treatment of diabetes mellitus