Resveratrol supplementation restores high-fat diet-induced insulin secretion dysfunction by increasing mitochondrial function in islet

Resveratrol (RSV), a natural compound, is known for its effects on energy homeostasis. Here we investigated the effects of RSV and possible mechanism in insulin secretion of high-fat diet rats. Rats were randomly divided into three groups as follows: NC group (animals were fed ad libitum with normal chow for 8 weeks), HF group (animals were fed ad libitum with high-fat diet for 8 weeks), and HFR group (animals were treated with high-fat diet and administered with RSV for 8 weeks). Insulin secretion ability of rats was assessed by hyperglycemic clamp. Mitochondrial biogenesis genes, mitochondrial respiratory chain activities, reactive oxidative species (ROS), and several mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme activities were evaluated in islet. We found that HF group rats clearly showed low insulin secretion and mitochondrial complex dysfunction. Expression of silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog- 1 (SIRT1) and related mitochondrial biogenesis were significantly decreased. However, RSV administration group (HFR) showed a marked potentiation of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. This effect was associated with elevated SIRT1 protein expression and antioxidant enzyme activities, resulting in increased mitochondrial respiratory chain activities and decreased ROS level. This study suggests that RSV may increase islet mitochondrial complex activities and antioxidant function to restore insulin secretion dysfunction induced by high-fat diet.     

Interactive effects of temperature and light intensity on photosynthesis and antioxidant enzyme activity in Zizania latifolia Turcz. plants

We compared the interactive effects of temperature and light intensity on growth, photosynthetic performance, and antioxidant enzyme activity in Zizania latifolia Turcz. plants in this study. Plants were grown under field (average air temperature 9.6–25°C and average light intensity 177–375 W m^?2) or greenhouse (20–32°C and 106–225 W m^?2) conditions from the spring to the early summer. The results indicated that greenhouse-grown plants (GGP) had significantly higher plant height, leaf length, and leaf width, but lower leaf thickness and total shoot mass per cluster compared with field-grown plants (FGP). Tiller emergence was almost completely suppressed in GGP. Significantly higher chlorophyll (Chl) content and lower Chl a/b ratio were observed in GGP than in FGP. From 4 to 8 weeks after treatment (WAT), net photosynthetic rate (P _N) was significantly lower in FGP than in GGP. However, from 9 to 12 WAT, P _N was lower in GGP, accompanied by a decrease in stomatal conductance (g _s) and electron transport rate (ETR) compared with FGP. Suppressed P _N in GGP under high temperature combined with low light was also indicated by photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) response curve and its diurnal fluctuation 10 WAT. Meanwhile, ETR in GGP was also lower than in FGP according to the ETR — photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) curve. The results also revealed that GGP had a lower light saturation point (LSP) and a higher light compensation point (LCP). From 4 to 8 WAT, effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (Φ_PSII), photochemical quenching (q_P), and ETR were slightly lower in FGP than in GGP. The activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (POD), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were significantly higher from 4 to 8 WAT, but lower from 10 to 12 WAT in FGP. However, catalase (CAT) activity was significantly lower in FGP from 4 to 8 WAT. Our results indicated that the growth and photosynthetic performance of Z. latifolia plants were substantially influenced by temperature, as well as light intensity. This is helpful to understand the physiological basis for a protected cultivation of this crop.     

Effects of aqueous extract of Portulaca oleracea L. on oxidative stress and liver, spleen leptin, PARα and FAS mRNA expression in high-fat diet induced mice

We reported that an aqueous extract of Portulaca oleracea L. inhibited high-fat-diet-induced oxidative injury in a dose-dependent manner. Male kunming mice (5-weeks-old, 24 g) were used in this experiment. After a 4-day adaptation period, animals were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 in each group); Group 1: animals received normal powdered rodent diet; Group 2: animals received high fat diet; Groups 3 and 4: animals received high fat diet and were fed by gavage to mice once a day with aqueous extract at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight, respectively. In mice fed with high-fat diet, blood and liver lipid peroxidation level was significantly increased, whereas antioxidant enzymes activities were markedly decreased compared to normal control mice. Administration of an aqueous extract of P. oleracea L. significantly dose-dependently reduced levels of blood and liver lipid peroxidation and increased the activities of blood and liver antioxidant enzymes activities in high fat mice. Moreover, administration of an aqueous extract of P. oleracea L. significantly dose-dependently increase liver Leptin/β-actin (B), and Liver PPARα/β-actin, decrease liver, spleen FAS mRNA, p-PERK and p-PERK/PERK protein expression levels. Taken together, these data demonstrate that aqueous extract of P. oleracea L. can markedly alleviate high fat diet-induced oxidative injury by enhancing blood and liver antioxidant enzyme activities, modulating Leptin/β-actin (B), and Liver PPARα/β-actin, decrease liver, spleen FAS mRNA, p-PERK and p-PERK/PERK protein expression levels in mice.     

胶原蛋白肽对高脂日粮小鼠抗氧化能力和血脂代谢的影响

本文探讨胶原蛋白肽对高脂日粮小鼠抗氧化能力及血脂代谢的影响。40只小鼠随机分为5组(n=8):分别饲喂正常日粮,高脂日粮,添加0.5%和1%胶原蛋白肽及0.1%硫辛酸的高脂日粮。42 d后测定小鼠全血(血清)和组织活性氧(Reactive oxygen species,ROS)水平、丙二醛(Malondialdehyde,MDA)含量、抗氧化酶活力及血脂水平。结果表明:0.5%和1%胶原蛋白肽都可显著降低机体ROS水平及MDA含量(P<0.05),增强抗氧化能力(P<0.05),改善血脂水平(P<0.05)。1%胶原蛋白肽能使机体抗氧化能力及血脂水平恢复到正常水平,0.5%的添加量效果不显著。适量的胶原蛋白肽可有效提高机体抗氧化能力,缓解高脂膳食造成的氧化应激,改善血脂代谢。     

Effect of Curcuma kwangsiensis polysaccharides on blood lipid profiles and oxidative stress in high-fat rats

We have investigated the protective effect of polysaccharides from Curcuma kwangsiensis (CKP) against oxidative injury in rats fed high-fat diet. The protective effect of CKP was compared with Lovastatin, a well-known antioxidant. Sixty SD rats were used for the experimental study. Oxidative injury was induced by feeding high-fat diet for 3 weeks. The blood profiles, total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels during experimental period were significantly increased in untreated model control group, whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) levels and antioxidant enzymes activities significantly decreased in untreated model control group. The levels of TC, TG, LDL-c levels in CKP-treated rats were decreased significantly when compared to the untreated model control group, which were brought down to near normal in CKP-treated group. HDL-c level and antioxidant enzymes activities were found to be significantly increased in serum of CKP-treated group compared to the untreated model control group. The protective effect of CKP against oxidative injury was comparable to that of Lovastatin. Our data suggest that CKP exerts its protective effect by modulating the extent of lipid peroxidation and augmenting antioxidant defense system and thus protects the experimental animals against oxidative injury induced by high-fat diet treatment.     

Effect of Lower Doses of Vanadate in Combination with Azadirachta indica Leaf Extract on Hepatic and Renal Antioxidant Enzymes in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

The present study was undertaken to investigate short-term (21 days) effects of oral administration of Azadirachta indica leaf extract and vanadate, separately and in combination, on the activities of antioxidant enzymes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Vanadate is a remarkable antidiabetic agent and shows insulin mimetic effect. However, severe toxicity is associated with vanadate when used in high concentration while at lower concentration the hypoglycemic property of vanadate is reduced. So, we used a low dose of vanadate in combination with A. indica leaf extract and evaluated their effect on the antioxidant defense system. Streptozotocin-diabetic rats were treated separately with insulin, vanadate (0.6 mg/ml), A. indica, and with combined dose of vanadate (0.2 mg/ml) and A. indica. At the end of the experiment, rats were sacrificed and serum glucose levels and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase were determined in cytosolic fraction of liver and kidney. Diabetic rats showed hyperglycemic condition and alteration in antioxidant enzyme activities. Treatment with antidiabetic compounds resulted in the reduction of glucose levels and restoration of enzyme activities to normal. Results showed that combined treatment of vanadate and A. indica leaf extract was the most effective in normalizing altered antioxidant enzyme system.     

Effects of lycopene on skeletal muscle-fiber type and high-fat diet-induced oxidative stress

Increasing studies report that many natural products can participate in formation of muscle fibers. This study aimed to investigate the effect of lycopene on skeletal muscle-fiber type in vivo and in vitro. C2C12 myoblasts were used in vitro study, and the concentration of lycopene was 10 µM. In vivo, 8-week-old male C57/BL6 mice were used and divided into four groups (n=8): (1) ND: normal-fat diet; (2) ND+Lyc: normal-fat diet mixed with 0.33% w/w lycopene; (3) HFD: high-fat diet; and (4) HFD+Lyc: high-fat diet mixed with 0.33% w/w lycopene. The mice tissue samples were collected after 8 weeks feeding.We found that lycopene supplementation enhanced the protein expression of slow-twitch fiber, succinate dehydrogenase, and malic dehydrogenase enzyme activities, whereas lycopene reduced the protein expression of fast-twitch fibers, lactate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase enzyme activities. Moreover, lycopene can promote skeletal muscle triglyceride deposition, enhanced the mRNA expression of genes related to lipid synthesis, reduced the mRNA expression of genes related to lipolysis. And high-fat diet-induced dyslipidemia and oxidative stress were attenuated after lycopene supplementation. Additionally, lycopene supplementation reduced the glycolytic reserve but enhanced mitochondrial ATP production in C2C12 cells.These results demonstrated that lycopene affects the activities of metabolic enzymes in muscle fibers, promotes the expression of slow-twitch fibers, and enhanced mitochondrial respiratory capacity. We speculated that lycopene affects the muscle-fiber type through aerobic oxidation, suggesting that lycopene exerts potential beneficial effects on skeletal muscle metabolism.     

槲皮素体外抗氧化及对小鼠血脂代谢作用的研究

本研究旨在探讨槲皮素体外抗氧化能力以及对高脂日粮小鼠血脂代谢的影响.体外分别测定了槲皮素对DPPH·,·OH和ABTS+·自由基的清除作用.动物实验:将昆明种雄性小鼠32只,随机分为4组,分别饲喂正常、高脂、高脂+0.05g/kg槲皮素、高脂+0.1g/kg槲皮素日粮.9周后测定小鼠肝脏活性氧(Reactive oxygen species,ROS)水平、丙二醛(Malondialdehyde,MDA)含量、抗氧化酶活力及血脂水平.结果表明:槲皮素对DPPH·,·OH和ABTS+·具有较强的清除作用,在一定范围内呈现出明显的剂量增加-效应增强的关系.0.05g/kg槲皮素能显著降低肝脏自由基水平及MDA含量(P＜0.05),增强抗氧化能力(P＜0.05),改善血脂水平(P＜0.05),而0.1g/kg槲皮素效果不显著.结论:0.05g/kg槲皮素可有效提高机体抗氧化能力,缓解高脂膳食造成的氧化应激,改善血脂代谢.     

The influence of hypomagnesemia on erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme defence system in mice

The effect of magnesium deficiency on antioxidant defence system was studied in RBC of mice suffering from hypomagnesemia. The animals were kept for 8, 15 and 22 days on magnesium-deficient diet with consequent reduction of magnesium level in plasma by 38% at the first 8 days and by 64% after 22 days of experiment. The activities of the most important antioxidant enzymes, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, glutahione S-transferase were assayed in hemolysates. The level of reduced glutathione in erythrocytes was measured as well. Apart from catalase, the activities of antioxidant enzymes were decreasing. The activity of superoxide dismutase decreased gradually during the experiment and on the 15th and 22nd day of experiment was significantly (P<0,05) lowered by 30 and 32% respectively. The catalase activity was increased on each point of the experiment with the peak value up to 149% on 15th day, and by 32% on 22nd day. Glutathione peroxidase activity was insignificantly reduced. The reduction of Glutatione reductase and Glutathione S-transferase activities by 24 and 21%, respectively, were observed after 8 days of the experiment with a further downward tendency. The reduced glutathione was significantly depleted after 8 days by 33% and was kept on that level in the course of the study. These findings support previous reports on the hypomagnesemia – induced alteration in endogenous enzyme antioxidant defences and glutathione redox cycle of mice.     

Trigonelline and curcumin alone,but not in combination,counteract oxidative stress and inflammation and increase glycation product detoxification in the liver and kidney of mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity

The development of obesity-associated complications is related to various pathogenic events including chronic inflammation, oxidative stress and generation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiglycation properties, trigonelline and curcumin are interesting candidates to counteract complications of obesity and diabetes mellitus. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of treatment with curcumin or trigonelline mixed into yoghurt, alone or in combination, on mice fed high-fat diet (HFD); the focus was mainly on the potential of these phytochemicals to counteract oxidative and glycative stress. Yoghurt alone improved glucose tolerance and reduced proinflammatory cytokine levels in HFD mice; however, it did not affect the antioxidant status. Trigonelline-enriched yoghurt prevented fat accumulation in adipose tissue, improved both insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance and exerted anti-inflammatory and antiglycation activities (reduced AGEs and AGE receptor levels and increased the levels of components related to AGE detoxification) in liver and kidney of HFD mice. Curcumin-enriched yoghurt exerted anti-inflammatory and potent antioxidant properties (increased antioxidant enzyme activities and decreased lipid peroxidation) in liver and kidney of HFD mice. However, several beneficial effects were nullified when trigonelline and curcumin were administered in combination. Trigonelline and curcumin have emerged as promising complementary therapy candidates for liver and kidney complications associated with obesity. However, the administration of these phytochemicals in combination, at least in HFD mice, was not effective; inhibition of biotransformation processes and/or the reaching of toxic doses during combined treatment may be prevailing over the individual pharmacodynamic actions of these phytochemicals.     

Suppression of tomato <Emphasis Type="Italic">SlGGP</Emphasis> aggravates methyl viologen-mediated oxidative stress

Ascorbate (AsA) is an important antioxidant that can scavenge reactive oxygen species to protect plant cells against oxidative stress. Guanosine 5'-diphosphate (GDP)-L-galactose phosphorylase (GGP) is a key enzyme in the AsA biosynthetic pathway. To investigate the functions of GGP in AsA synthesis and oxidative stress tolerance in tomato, antisense lines with a reduced expression of SlGGP were obtained. Photobleaching after treatment of leaf disks with methyl viologen was more severe in transgenic lines compared to wild type (WT) plants. Moreover, compared with the WT plants, the transgenic plants showed a higher content of hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion, malondialdehyde, as well as ion leakage, but a lower content of AsA and chlorophylls, ascorbate peroxidase activity, net photosynthetic rate, and maximal photochemical efficiency of photosystem II. Results of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction show that suppression of the SlGGP gene in the transgenic plants reduced their oxidative stress tolerance.     

Structural Basis for Reversible Phosphorolysis and Hydrolysis Reactions of 2-O-α-Glucosylglycerol Phosphorylase

2-O-α-Glucosylglycerol phosphorylase (GGP) from Bacillus selenitireducens catalyzes both the reversible phosphorolysis of 2-O-α-glucosylglycerol (GG) and the hydrolysis of β-d-glucose 1-phosphate (βGlc1P). GGP belongs to the glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 65 and can efficiently and specifically produce GG. However, its structural basis has remained unclear. In this study, the crystal structures of GGP complexed with glucose and the glucose analog isofagomine and glycerol were determined. Subsite −1 of GGP is similar to those of other GH65 enzymes, maltose phosphorylase and kojibiose phosphorylase, whereas subsite +1 is largely different and is well designed for GG recognition. An automated docking analysis was performed to complement these crystal structures, βGlc1P being docked at an appropriate position. To investigate the importance of residues at subsite +1 in the bifunctionality of GGP, we constructed mutants at these residues. Y327F and K587A did not show detectable activities for either reverse phosphorolysis or βGlc1P hydrolysis. Y572F also showed significantly reduced activities for both of these reactions. In contrast, W381F showed significantly reduced reverse phosphorolytic activity but retained βGlc1P hydrolysis. The mode of substrate recognition and the reaction mechanisms of GGP were proposed based on these analyses. Specifically, an extensive hydrogen bond network formed by Tyr-327, Tyr-572, Lys-587, and water molecules contributes to fixing the acceptor molecule in both reverse phosphorolysis (glycerol) and βGlc1P hydrolysis (water) for a glycosyl transfer reaction. This study will contribute to the development of a large scale production system of GG by facilitating the rational engineering of GGP.     

The changes in the antioxidant status of heart during experimental hypomagnesemia in balb/c mice

The present experiment was performed to assess if hypomagnesemia can influence antioxidant status in mice heart. The results could explain possibly a free radical theory of heart damage in magnesium deficiency. We used a rodent model of hypomagnesemia. The magnesium sufficient group received a standard diet whereas a magnesium deficient group received the diet containing a trace amount of magnesium. The activities of the most important antioxidant enzymes – catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were assessed in mice heart and liver in a time dependent manner, on the 10th and the 20th day of experiment. The level of magnesium in plasma of animals receiving the magnesium deficient diet dropped twice after the 8th day and four times after the 13th day and then reached a plateau value. The activity of catalase in heart in the magnesium deficient group increased gradually and was significantly (P<0.05) elevated by 27% on the 20th day of experiment whereas the superoxide dismutase activity was significantly decreased by 17% on the 20th day. Glutathione peroxidase activity was insignificantly elevated. The alterations of antioxidant enzyme activities in the heart indicate cardiomyocytes's exposure to oxidative stress, which can be responsible for the cardiac lesions observed during hypomagnesemia.     

Effect of vitamin E and selenium on antioxidant enzymes in brain,kidney and liver of cigarette smoke-exposed mice

The present study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of vitamin E and selenium (Se) application on alteration of antioxidant enzyme activities against cigarette smoking induced oxidative damage in brains, kidneys and liver of mice. Male mice (balb/c) were exposed to cigarette smoke and treated with Se and/or vitamin E. Glutathione transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GRX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities in mice brain, kidney and liver were measured spectrophotometrically. GST, GPX, GRX, SOD and CAT enzyme activities in the brains of smoke-exposed mice were found lower than the enzymes activities of control mice and Se-and vitamin E-treated mice at the end of the three and five months. Opposite to brain, enzyme activities in kidneys and livers of smoke-exposed mice were found higher than the enzymes activities of control mice and Se-and vitamin E-treated mice at the end of the three and five months. Activities of GST, GPX, GRX SOD and CAT in the livers, kidneys and brains of smoke-exposed mice were found statistically different (p < 0.01) compared to control mice and Se-and vitamin E-treated mice. Combined application of vitamin E and Se had an additive protective effect against changing enzymes activities in smoke-exposed mice livers, kidneys and brains at the end of the both application periods. These results suggest that cigarette smoke exposure enhances the oxidative stress, thereby disturbing the tissue antioxidant defense system and combined application of vitamin E and Se protects the brain, kidney and liver from oxidative damage through their antioxidant potential.     

日本虫草子实体多糖抗氧化及免疫调节作用

为明确日本虫草子实体多糖（CJPs）的抗氧化活性及免疫调节作用,本研究以子实体为原料,采用热水浸提法得多糖,通过对ABTS自由基、DPPH自由基、·OH自由基清除能力评价CJPs的体外抗氧化活性;探讨CJPs对氢化可的松诱导的免疫抑制小鼠的免疫调节作用。结果表明,CJPs对ABTS、DPPH、·OH自由基均有明显的清除效果,且存在量效关系,IC₅₀分别为0.165、0.098、0.253mg/mL;灌胃CJPs的小鼠与模型组相比,免疫器官指数、巨噬细胞吞噬指数、血清中细胞因子水平、免疫球蛋白含量均有所提高,脾脏中乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）和酸性磷酸酶（ACP）的活力显著增强（P<0.05或P<0.01）。该研究表明CJPs是一种潜在的抗氧化剂,并能显著提高免疫低下小鼠的免疫功能,为其进一步研究和应用提供了科学依据。     

芦笋对高脂饮食小鼠肠道微生物及酶活性的影响

目的 探明芦笋对高脂饮食小鼠肠道微生物及酶活性的影响情况,为芦笋的应用提供依据。方法 将实验动物随机分为正常组、高脂饮食组、高脂饮食低剂量芦笋组、高脂饮食中剂量芦笋组、高脂饮食高剂量芦笋组和高脂饮食阳性对照组。其中正常组喂食正常饲料,其余组喂食高脂饲料。分别灌胃蒸馏水（正常组、高脂饮食组）、芦笋1.05 g/（kg•d）（高脂饮食低剂量芦笋组）、芦笋2.10 g/（kg•d）（高脂饮食中剂量芦笋组）、芦笋4.20 g/（kg•d）（高脂饮食高剂量芦笋组）和降脂理肝汤1.19 g/（kg•d）（高脂饮食阳性对照组）,每天2次,每次0.35 mL。比较分析小鼠肠道微生物及肠道酶活性。结果 酶活方面,高脂饮食低剂量芦笋组、高脂饮食中剂量芦笋组、高脂饮食高剂量芦笋组能明显降低淀粉酶、木聚糖酶以及蛋白酶的活性,与高脂饮食组相比差异具有统计学意义（Ps<0.01）。肠道微生物方面,高脂饮食低剂量芦笋组、高脂饮食中剂量芦笋组、高脂饮食高剂量芦笋组能显著降低细菌、乳杆菌和双歧杆菌的数量。与高脂饮食组相比差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05或P<0.01）。结论 芦笋能降低高脂饮食小鼠的肠道内细菌、乳杆菌和双歧杆菌的数量,并且可以显著降低高脂饮食小鼠淀粉酶、木聚糖酶和蛋白酶等肠道酶的活性。     

Melatonin stimulates antioxidant enzymes and reduces oxidative stress in experimental traumatic brain injury: the Nrf2–ARE signaling pathway as a potential mechanism

The goal of this study was to evaluate the potential involvement of melatonin in the activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and antioxidant-responsive element (Nrf2–ARE) signaling pathway and the modulation of antioxidant enzyme activity in an experimental model of traumatic brain injury (TBI). In experiment 1, ICR mice were divided into four groups: sham group, TBI group, TBI + vehicle group, and TBI + melatonin group (n = 38 per group). Melatonin (10 mg/kg) was administered via an intraperitoneal (ip) injection at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 h post-TBI. In experiment 2, Nrf2 wild-type (Nrf2^+/+ group) and Nrf2-knockout (Nrf2^−/− group) mice received a TBI insult followed by melatonin administration (10 mg/kg, ip) at the corresponding time points (n = 35 per group). The administration of melatonin after TBI significantly ameliorated the effects of the brain injury, such as oxidative stress, brain edema, and cortical neuronal degeneration. Melatonin markedly promoted the translocation of Nrf2 protein from the cytoplasm to the nucleus; increased the expression of Nrf2–ARE pathway-related downstream factors, including heme oxygenase-1 and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1; and prevented the decline of antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Furthermore, knockout of Nrf2 partly reversed the neuroprotection of melatonin after TBI. In conclusion, melatonin administration may increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes and attenuate brain injury in a TBI model, potentially via mediation of the Nrf2–ARE pathway.     

White Pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) Juice Attenuates Insulin Resistance and Hepatic Steatosis in Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis are the most common complications of obesity. Pitaya is an important source of phytochemicals such as polyphenols, flavonoid and vitamin C which are related to its antioxidant activity. The present study was conducted to evaluate the influence of white pitaya juice (WPJ) on obesity-related metabolic disorders (e.g. insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis) in high-fat diet-fed mice. Forty-eight male C57BL/6J mice were assigned into four groups and fed low-fat diet with free access to water or WPJ, or fed high-fat diet with free access to water or WPJ for 14 weeks. Our results showed that administration of WPJ improved high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis and adipose hypertrophy, but it exerted no influence on body weight gain in mice. Hepatic gene expression analysis indicated that WPJ supplement not only changed the expression profile of genes involved in lipid and cholesterol metabolism (Srebp1, HMGCoR, Cpt1b, HL, Insig1 and Insig2) but also significantly increased the expression levels of FGF21-related genes (Klb, FGFR2, Egr1 and cFos). In conclusion, WPJ protected from diet-induced hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance, which was associated with the improved FGF21 resistance and lipid metabolism.     

Beneficial effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of Caralluma fimbriata against high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance and oxidative stress in Wistar male rats

The main aim of this study was to investigate the beneficial effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of Caralluma fimbriata (CFE) on the effects of high-fat diet feeding on insulin resistance and oxidative stress in Wistar rats. High-fat diet (60 % of fat) and CFE (200 mg/kg body weight/day) were given concurrently to the rats for a period of 90 days. Feeding with high-fat diet resulted in the development of hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperleptinemia, and hypertriglyceridemia and impaired insulin sensitivity (P?<?0.05). Administration of CFE to high-fat diet-fed rats for 90 days resulted in a significant improvement in plasma glucose, insulin, leptin, and triglycerides. Regarding liver antioxidant status, high-fat fed rats showed higher levels of lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and lower GSH levels and lower activities of enzymatic antioxidants, while CFE treatment prevented all these observed abnormalities. In conclusion, intake of CFE may be beneficial for the suppression of high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance and oxidative stress.     

Antihyperglycemic effect of carvacrol in combination with rosiglitazone in high-fat diet-induced type 2 diabetic C57BL/6J mice

Thiazolidinediones constitute a family of antidiabetic drugs, and rosiglitasone (RSG) has an extensive usage in treating the complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Carvacrol (CVL), a monoterpenic phenol that occurs in many essential oils of the family Labiatae including Origanum, Satureja, Thymbra, Thymus, and Corydothymus species, possess a wide variety of pharmacological properties including antioxidant potential. We hypothesized that carvacrol in combination with RSG would prove beneficial to ameliorate the dysregulated carbohydrate metabolism in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced type 2 diabetic C57BL/6J mice. Mice were divided into six groups and fed HFD, for 10 weeks. CVL (20 mg/kg BW) and RSG (4 mg/kg BW) were administered post-orally, daily for 35 days. HFD mice showed an elevation in plasma glucose, insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin and a decrease in hemoglobin. The activities of carbohydrate metabolic enzymes such as glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase increased whereas glucokinase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities decreased in the liver of HFD mice. The activities of hepatic marker enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase increased in HFD mice. Combination of CVL and RSG prevented the above changes toward normalcy. Histopathological analysis of H&E stained pancreas was also in agreement with the biochemical findings. These major findings provide evidence that combination of CVL with RSG has better antidiabetic properties.