Type-2 diabetic rat heart: The effect of kolaviron on mTOR-1, P70S60K, PKC-α, NF-kB, SOD-2, NRF-2, eNOS, AKT-1, ACE, and P38 MAPK gene expression profile

Antitumor Effect of Butia odorata Hydroalcoholic Extract on C6 and U87MG Glioma Cell Lines: Impact on Redox Status and Inflammation Signaling

Among the spectrum of gliomas, glioblastoma stands out as the most aggressive brain tumor affecting the central nervous system. In addressing this urgent medical challenge, exploring therapeutic alternatives becomes imperative to enhance the patient's prognosis. In this regard, Butia odorata (BO) fruit emerges as a promising candidate due to its array of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and carotenoids, known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the impact of standardized hydroalcoholic extract of BO on rat C6 and human U87MG glioma cell lines. Cells were exposed to varying extract concentrations (125-2000 μg/mL) for intervals of 0, 2, 4, 6, 24, 48, or 72 h. Then, cell viability, proliferation, colony formation, redox equilibrium parameters, cell migration, and the relative mRNA expression of genes related to gliomagenesis were evaluated. Our findings revealed a reduction in viability, proliferation, colony formation, reactive oxygen species, and nitrite levels in both glioma cell lines upon exposure to the extract. Conversely, an increase in sulfhydryl content and the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase were observed in both glioma cell lines. No significant changes in viability and proliferation were observed in astrocytes. Furthermore, in the C6 cells only, the BO extract reduced the migration and downregulated the relative mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2, O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase, nuclear factor-kappa B, interleukin-6 genes, and upregulated caspase-3 gene. These results underscore the promising anti-glioma potential of BO extract, attributed to its diverse bioactive composition.

Mesenchymal stem cells improve cardiac function in diabetic rats by reducing cardiac injury biomarkers and downregulating JAK/STAT/iNOS and iNOS/Apoptosis signaling pathways

Cardiovascular complications are prevalent manifestations of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and are usually the main cause of death. This study aims to show the underlying mechanisms of the potential therapeutic effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on diabetic cardiac dysfunction. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to one of three groups The control group received standard laboratory chow, and the groups with T2DM received a single dose of 45 mg/kg body weight of streptozotocin (STZ) after 3 weeks of pretreatment with a high-fat diet (HFD). Eight weeks after the diagnosis of T2DM, rats were divided into two groups: the T2DM model group and the T2DM + MSCs group. BM-MSCs were administered systemically at 2 × 106 cells/rat doses. A Significant amelioration in Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and dyslipidemia was noted 2 weeks post-administration of MSCs. Administration of MSCs improved dyslipidemia, the altered cardiac injury biomarkers (p ≤ 0.0001), downregulated Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(JAK2/STAT3)/inducible Nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and iNOS/Apoptosis signaling pathways. This was associated with improved cardiac dysfunction (impaired left ventricular performance and decreased contractility index). Our results show that MSCs ameliorate cardiac dysfunction associated with diabetic cardiomyopathy by lowering dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, inhibiting oxidative stress, and inflammation, downregulating JAK2/STAT3/iNOS and iNOS/Apoptosis signaling pathways.

The role of serine/threonine protein kinases in cardiovascular disease and potential therapeutic methods

Protein phosphorylation is an important link in a variety of signaling pathways, and most of the important life processes in cells involve protein phosphorylation. Based on the amino acid residues of phosphorylated proteins, protein kinases can be categorized into the following families: serine/threonine protein kinases, tyrosine-specific protein kinases, histidine-specific protein kinases, tryptophan kinases, and aspartate/glutamyl protein kinases. Of all the protein kinases, most are serine/threonine kinases, where serine/threonine protein kinases are protein kinases that catalyze the phosphorylation of serine or threonine residues on target proteins using ATP as a phosphate donor. The current socially accepted classification of serine/threonine kinases is to divide them into seven major groups: protein kinase A, G, C (AGC), CMGC, Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CAMK), Casein kinase (CK1), STE, Tyrosine kinase (TKL) and others. After decades of research, a preliminary understanding of the specific classification and respective functions of serine/threonine kinases has entered a new period of exploration. In this paper, we review the literature of the previous years and introduce the specific signaling pathways and related therapeutic modalities played by each of the small protein kinases in the serine/threonine protein kinase family, respectively, in some common cardiovascular system diseases such as heart failure, myocardial infarction, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and diabetic cardiomyopathy. To a certain extent, the current research results, including molecular mechanisms and therapeutic methods, are fully summarized and a systematic report is made for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in the future.

Aged garlic extract preserves beta-cell functioning via modulation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB)/Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 and sarco endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA)/Ca2+ in diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Peripheral insulin resistance and compromised insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells are significant factors and pathogenic hallmarks of diabetes mellitus (DM). NF-κβ/TLR-4 and SERCA/Ca2+ pathways have been identified as potential pathways regulating insulin synthesis by preserving pancreatic β-cell functioning. The current study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of aged garlic extract (AGE) against DM in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rat model with particular emphasis on pancreatic β-cell functioning.

METHODS

AGE was characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate its physio-chemical characteristics followed by in-vitro anti-diabetic and antioxidant potential. This was followed by the induction of DM in laboratory animals for investigating the therapeutic action of AGE by evaluating the role of NF-κβ/TLR-4 and the SERCA/Ca2+ pathway. The parameters assessed in the present experimental setup encompassed antioxidant parameters, metabolic indicators, insulin concentration, intracellular calcium levels, apoptotic markers (CCK-8 and Caspase Glo-8), and protein expression (P-62 and APACHE-II).

RESULTS

AGE characterization by SEM, GC-MS, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed the presence of phenylalanine, alliin, S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC), tryptophan, 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid as major bioactive constituents of AGE. Metabolic studies, including intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), revealed significantly lower blood glucose levels in the AGE group compared to the disease control group. In contrast, the intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test (ITT) exhibited no significant difference in insulin sensitivity between the AGE supplementation group and the DM control group. Interestingly, AGE was found to have no significant effect on fasting glucose and serum insulin levels. In contrast, AGE supplementation was found to cause significant hypoglycaemia in postprandial blood glucose and insulin levels. Importantly, AGE causes restoration of intracellular Ca2+ levels by modulation of SERCA/Ca2 functioning and inhibition NF-κB/TLR-4 pathway. AGE was found to interact with and inhibit the DR-5/ caspase-8/3 apoptotic complex. Furthermore, microscopic studies revealed degeneration and apoptotic changes in pancreatic β-cells of the DM control group, while supplementation of AGE resulted in inhibition of apoptotic pathway and regeneration of pancreatic β-cells.

CONCLUSION

The current study suggests that AGE enhance glucose homeostasis by exerting their effects on pancreatic β-cells, without ameliorating peripheral sensitivity. Moreover, AGEs promote an increase in β-cell mass by mitigating the apoptosis of pancreatic β-cells. These findings suggest that AGE could aid in developing a viable alternative therapy for diabetes mellitus (DM).

The role of Kolaviron, a bioflavonoid from Garcinia kola, in the management of cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review

While the cardiovascular effects of Kolaviron (KV) and Garcinia kola (GK) are documented in the literature, a thorough search through literature revealed a fragmentation of information on the effect of KV and GK on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This systematic review aims to evaluate and summarize preclinical or clinical evidence on the effect of KV and GK on CVDs. Using the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature search was conducted in five medical databases (PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science). Inclusion criteria included both in vivo and in vitro studies related to CVDs. Eligible studies included those in which specific clinical parameters, CVD biomarkers, or voltage-gated channel effects were reported. The quality of the included studies was assessed using a modified Collaborative Approach to Meta-Analysis and Review of Animal Data from the Experimental Studies (CAMARADE) checklist. A total of 22 studies were included in this systematic review. The median and mean values of the included studies' quality scores were 6 and 5.864 ± 0.296, respectively. The results from the quality assessment of included studies validate their suitability, usefulness, and fit. Based on this systematic review, the effect of KV and GK on CVDs can be divided into eight emerging trends: (1) Anti-hypertensive/Blood pressure lowering effect; (2) Lipid profile improvement effect (3) Anti-atherosclerotic effect; (4) Anti-thrombotic effect; (5) Cardioprotection; (6) Vasodilatory effect; (7) Antioxidant effects; and (8) Genetic expression and therapeutic target for cardiovascular dysfunction. From this systematic review, it can be concluded that KV is helpful in managing CVD risk factors such as hypertension and high lipids/cholesterol. Several included studies in this review demonstrated the antihypertensive, lipid improvement, antioxidant, and signaling pathway modulation effects of KV. This potentially makes KV a good therapeutic target for the management of CVDs.

[Synergistic effects of GABA and hypoglycemic drugs]

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the leading cause of premature death and disability. Despite a significant number of drugs, the effectiveness of therapy aimed at normalizing the level of glycemia and preventing complications does not fully satisfy doctors and patients. Therefore, the search for new approaches for the prevention and treatment of DM and its complications continues. Significant resources are used to develop new drugs, but recently the possibility of using «old» widely available drugs with newly discovered pleiotropic properties has been substantiated. These may include preparations of gammaaminobutyric acid (GABA) and agents that directly or indirectly activate GABAergic transmission, which have a pronounced pancreatic protective effect, which has been widely discussed in foreign literature over the past 10-15 years. However, there are few such publications in the domestic literature.It has been established that the content of GABA in β-cells in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes is reduced and this correlates with the severity of the disease. Genetic suppression of GABA receptors causes a significant decrease in the mass of β-cells and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, which confirms the importance of GABA in ensuring glucose homeostasis and the advisability of replenishing the GABA deficiency in DM with its additional administration. It has been established that in animals with DM, GABA suppresses apoptosis and stimulates the regeneration of β-cells, increases β-cell mass and insulin production.Experimental data have been obtained indicating a synergistic effect of GABA when combined with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, DPP-4 inhibitors and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, when a more pronounced pancreoprotective effect is observed, due to decrease in oxidative and nitrosative stress, inflammation, increase in the level of Klotho protein, Nrf-2 activity and antioxidant defense enzymes, suppression of NF-kB activity and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. As a result, all this leads to a decrease in apoptosis and death of β-cells, an increase in β-cell mass, insulin production and, at the same time, a decrease in glucagon levels and insulin resistance.The review substantiates the feasibility of using GABA and drugs with a positive GABAeric effect in combination with new generation antidiabetic agents: GLP-1 receptor agonists, DPP-4 inhibitors and SGLT-2 inhibitors in order to increase their antidiabetic potential.The search was carried out in the databases Pubmed, eLibrary, Medline. Keywords: diabetes mellitus, gamma-aminobutyric acid, glucagon-like peptide-1, GLP-1 receptor agonists, glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide, dipeptidyl peptidase inhibitors, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors. The search was carried out from 2000 to 2022, but the review presents the results studies published mainly in the last 3 years, due to the requirements of the journal for the maximum amount of work and the number of sources.

Preclinical insights into fucoidan as a nutraceutical compound against perfluorooctanoic acid-associated obesity via targeting endoplasmic reticulum stress

Obesity is a growing global health problem; it has been forecasted that over half of the global population will be obese by 2030. Obesity is complicated with many diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, leading to an economic impact on society. Other than diet, exposure to environmental pollutants is considered a risk factor for obesity. Exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was found to impair hepatic lipid metabolism, resulting in obesity. In this study, we applied network pharmacology and systematic bioinformatics analysis, such as gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses, together with molecular docking, to investigate the targets of fucoidan for treating PFOA-associated obesity through the regulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). Our results identified ten targets of fucoidan, such as glucosylceramidase beta (GBA), glutathione-disulfide reductase (GSR), melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R), matrix metallopeptidase (MMP)2, MMP9, nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1 (NFKB1), RELA Proto-Oncogene, NF-KB Subunit (RELA), nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group I member 2 (NR1I2), proliferation-activated receptor delta (PPARD), and cellular retinoic acid binding protein 2 (CRABP2). GO and KEGG enrichment analyses highlighted their involvement in the pathogenesis of obesity, such as lipid and fat metabolisms. More importantly, the gene cluster is responsible for obesity-associated diseases and disorders, such as insulin resistance (IR), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and diabetic cardiomyopathy, via the control of signaling pathways. The findings of this report provide evidence that fucoidan is a potential nutraceutical product against PFOA-associated obesity through the regulation of ERS.