Cinnamaldehyde ameliorates STZ-induced diabetes through modulation of autophagic process in adipocyte and hepatic tissues on rats

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a worldwide public health issue. In the globe, Egypt has the ninth-highest incidence of diabetes. Due to its crucial role in preserving cellular homeostasis, the autophagy process has drawn a lot of attention in recent years, Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the traditional medication metformin with the novel therapeutic effects of cinnamondehyde on adipocyte and hepatic autophagy in a model of high-fat diet/streptozotocin-diabetic rats. The study was conducted on 40 male albino rats, classified into 2 main groups, the control group and the diabetic group, which was subdivided into 4 subgroups (8 rats each): untreated diabetic rats, diabetic rats received oral cinnamaldehyde 40 mg/kg/day, diabetic rats received oral metformin 200 mg/kg/day and diabetic rats received a combination of both cinnamaldehyde and metformin daily for 4 weeks. The outcomes demonstrated that cinnamaldehyde enhanced the lipid profile and glucose homeostasis. Moreover, Cinnamaldehyde had the opposite effects on autophagy in both tissues; by altering the expression of genes that control autophagy, such as miRNA 30a and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), it reduced autophagy in adipocytes and stimulated it in hepatic tissues. It may be inferred that by increasing the treatment efficacy of metformin and lowering its side effects, cinnamaldehyde could be utilized as an adjuvant therapy with metformin for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Direct-Acting Antiviral Drug Modulates the Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Different Tissues of Young Female Rats

(1) Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is endemic in Egypt, with the highest prevalence rate worldwide. Sofosbuvir (SOF) is a nucleos(t)ide analog that specifically inhibits HCV replication. This study aimed to explore the possible effects of the therapeutic dose of SOF on the mitochondrial biogenesis and functions of the liver, muscle, and ovarian tissues of young normal female rats. (2) Methods: This study was conducted on 20 female Wistar rats, classified into two groups, the control group and the exposed group; the latter was orally supplemented with 4 mg/kg/day of SOF for 3 months. (3) Results: The exposure to SOF impairs mitochondrial biogenesis via mitochondrial DNA copy number decline and suppressed mitochondrial biogenesis-regulated parameters at mRNA and protein levels. Also, SOF suppresses the DNA polymerase γ (POLG) expression, citrate synthase activity, and mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit-5 (ND5) content, which impairs mitochondrial functions. SOF increased lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage markers and decreased tissue expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nfe2l2). (4) Conclusions: The present findings demonstrate the adverse effects of SOF on mitochondrial biogenesis and function in different tissues of young female rats, which mostly appeared in ovarian tissues.

Evaluation studies on oxypolygelatin and degraded gelatin as plasma volume expanders

Oxypolygelatin (CAS 9005-91-8, OPG) and degraded gelatin (CAS 9000-70-8, DG) have attracted the interest of many investigators as promising plasma protein substitutes. This paper deals with comparative evaluation studies on OPG and DG as regards stability and some biochemical consequences following i.v. infusions in rabbits. Accelerated aging tests showed a decrease in pH of OPG from 7.3 to 7.0. The pH of DG increased from 5.2 to 5.4 during the same period of aging. In both cases, the buffer capacity increased 3.0 to 3.5 in case of OPG and from 2.5 to 3.7 in case of DG. The relative viscosity of OPG decreased from 2.18 to 1.98 as compared to 1.79 to 1.58 in case of DG. Comparative studies on both OPG and DG postinfusion in rabbits, showed significant (p < 0.001) retention OPG in blood 24 h postinfusion, at which time, DG was practically absent. The decline in rabbit plasma protein was marked and more persistent in case of compared to DG. Plasma sodium showed a significant decline (p < 0.05) in case of OPG 1 h postinfusion, while plasma potassium showed a significant decline (p < 0.05) immediately postinfusion. In case of OPG, serum calcium showed a significant decline (p < 0.001) immediately postinfusion. This effect was marked at 1 h, 5 h and 24 h postinfusion. In case of DG, no significant changes in the levels of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium were observed at all time intervals postinfusion of the plasma volume expander.