Metformin effects on zonulin level in polycystic ovarian women

Quinoa ameliorates polycystic ovary syndrome via regulating gut microbiota through PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and autophagy

BACKGROUND

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a unity of endocrine and metabolic disorders, associated with PI3K/AKT/mTOR, autophagy, and gut microbiota. Quinoa is a valuable food source, which contains rich minerals, unsaturated fatty acids, and has a positive modulating effect on metabolic diseases. However, its effects and potential mechanisms on PCOS have not been reported yet. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of quinoa on PCOS rats by regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR, autophagy, and gut microbiota.

METHODS

Ten-week-old female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats have received letrozole for 24 days for induction of PCOS and subsequently were treated with a quinoa diet for 8 weeks. Vaginal smears were used to analyze the estrous cycle of rats. Hormone and biochemical indexes were analyzed by kit assays and glucometer. The pathological changes of ovary, pancreas, duodenum and colon were observed by HE staining. PI3K, AKT, mTOR and autophagy-related proteins in the ovary and colon were measured by western blot and immunohistochemistry staining. Tight junction proteins in colon were measured by immunohistochemistry staining. 16 s rDNA sequencing was used to detect the changes of intestinal microbiota in rats. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to study the possible targets and mechanisms of quinoa on PCOS. Spearman correlation analysis was used to study the relationship between intestinal microbial abundance and hormone levels of PCOS rats at the phylum and genus level.

RESULTS

Quinoa significantly improved estrous cycle and biochemical parameters of PCOS-like rats, and the pathological state of ovary, pancreas, duodenum and colon tissues. Especially, quinoa significantly regulated the expression of PI3K, AKT, mTOR and autophagy-related proteins in the ovary. Quinoa may repair the intestinal barrier by upregulating the expression of tight junction proteins in the colon, and regulate autophagy-related factors in colon. Additionally, quinoa increased the abundance of Lactobacillu, Bacteroides and Oscillospira, and decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and the Blautia, and Prevotella, reversing the dysregulation of the gut microbiota. Correlation analysis showed that there is a strong correlation between gut microbiota with significant changes in abundance and hormone related to PCOS.

CONCLUSION

Our result indicated that effect of quinoa on PCOS maybe associated with activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, inhibition of autophagy, and regulation of intestinal flora.

Metformin effects on plasma zonulin levels correlate with enhanced physical performance in osteoarthritis patients with diabetes

PURPOSE

Metformin (MTF) shows promise in protecting against physical decline in osteoarthritis (OA), but how it works remains unclear. We studied MTF's effects on gut permeability and its link to physical performance in OA patients.

METHODS

We studied four groups: control (n = 72), OA non-diabetic (n = 58), OA diabetic on MTF (n = 55), and OA diabetic on other anti-diabetics (n = 57). We measured zonulin levels, as intestinal permeability marker, hand-grip strength (HGS), Oxford knee scoring (OKS) to determine OA severity, and short performance physical battery (SPPB) to determine physical functions.

RESULTS

Patients suffering from OA showed a reduction in HGS and SPPB scores with raised plasma zonulin than controls, irrespective of disease severity. MTF decreased plasma zonulin levels and improved OKS, gait speed, HGS, and SPPB scores in OA patients. However, OA patients taking other anti-diabetic medications demonstrated higher levels of plasma zonulin, reduced HGS, and SPPB scores. Furthermore, a robust correlation of plasma zonulin and HGS, OKS, gait speed, and SPPB scores in OA patients on MTF was observed. Moreover, we found reduced oxidative stress and inflammation associated with these alterations in OA patients treated with MTF.

CONCLUSION

MTF improves HGS and physical performance by lowering zonulin levels, preserving gut permeability in OA patients.

Metformin Improves Sarcopenia-Related Quality of Life in Geriatric Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES

Metformin protects against age-related muscle decline, termed sarcopenia. However, the effects on sarcopenia quality-of-life (SarQoL) are unknown. We investigated the effects of metformin on SarQoL and associated mechanisms in older adults.

METHOD

This double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled trial included geriatric adult men, divided into non-sarcopenic controls (age = 72.2 ± 4.3 years, n = 52) and two groups of patients with sarcopenia randomized into placebo (age at baseline = 74.4 ± 5.7 years, n = 54) and metformin (age at baseline = 71.2 ± 3.9 years, n = 47) groups. Patients in the metformin group received 1.7 grams twice daily for four months. We evaluated SarQoL, handgrip strength (HGS), plasma zonulin, c-reactive protein (CRP), and 8-isoprostanes.

RESULTS

Patients with sarcopenia had lower HGS and SarQoL than controls (both p <0.05). Metformin improved the HGS and the SarQoL domains related to physical and mental health, locomotion, and leisure activities, as well as cumulative SarQoL scores (all p <0.05). Metformin also prevented the decline in the SarQoL domains for functionality and fear. Among plasma biomarkers, metformin reduced the levels of zonulin, CRP, 8-isoprostanes, and creatine kinase. We also found a significant correlation of plasma zonulin with cumulative SarQoL in patients with sarcopenia taking metformin, suggesting a role for intestinal repair in improving SarQoL. Finally, metformin did not affect body composition and gait speed.

CONCLUSION

Overall, metformin improved HGS and SarQoL by repairing intestinal leakage. Our data have clinical relevance for improving the quality of life in older adults with sarcopenia.