Placental lipid metabolism in preeclampsia.

Objectives: The current study examines the placental and maternal lipid profile and expression of genes involved in placental lipid metabolism in women with preeclampsia.

Methods: The current study includes normotensive control women (n = 40) and women with preeclampsia (n = 39). Preeclampsia women were further classified into women delivering at term preeclampsia (T-PE; n = 15) and preterm preeclampsia (PT-PE; n = 24).

Leptin as a predictive marker for metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome poses a major threat on human health affecting the quality of life. Adipose tissue is an important organ which plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome. Adipocytokines secreted by the adipose tissue plays a critical role in storage, food intake, energy expenditure, lipid and glucose metabolism.

Adiponectin: A potential therapeutic target for metabolic syndrome.

Adiponectin is an important adipocytokine secreted chiefly by fat containing adipocytes, and plays a crucial role in glucose and lipid metabolism, inflammation and oxidative stress. Alterations in adiponectin levels have been shown to directly affect lipid and glucose metabolism that further increase the synthesis of lipids, free fatty acids and inflammatory cytokines. Changes in adiponectin levels also contribute to insulin resistance, obesity, cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.

Attenuation of glycation-induced multiple protein modifications by Indian antidiabetic plant extracts.

Context: Protein glycation is the major contributing factor in the development of diabetic complications. The antiglycation potential of medicinal plants provides a promising opportunity as complementary interventions for complications.

Objective: To investigate the antiglycation potential of 19 medicinal plants extracts using albumin by estimating different indicators: (1) glycation (early and late), (2) albumin oxidation, and (3) amyloid aggregation.

Effect of vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on brain neurotrophins and cognition in rats: A multigeneration study.

Vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids are important nutrients required for neuronal functioning. We have demonstrated the beneficial effects of vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on brain neurotrophins and cognition in the first and second generation offspring. However, there is a need to examine if the effects are sustained in the third generation offspring.

Beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12 supplementation on brain docosahexaenoic acid, brain derived neurotrophic factor, and cognitive performance in the second-generation Wistar rats.

In vegetarian population, vitamin B12 deficiency coexists with suboptimal levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Studies indicate a need for supplementation/fortification of vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids to reduce the risk of brain disorders. We have described the effects of vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on brain development in F1 generation animals.

Maternal omega-3 fatty acids and micronutrients modulate fetal lipid metabolism: A review.

It is well established that alterations in the mother's diet or metabolism during pregnancy has long-term adverse effects on the lipid metabolism in the offspring. There is growing interest in the role of specific nutrients especially omega-3 fatty acids in the pathophysiology of lipid disorders. A series of studies carried out in humans and rodents in our department have consistently suggested a link between omega-3 fatty acids especially docosahexaenoic acid and micronutrients (vitamin B12 and folic acid) in the one carbon metabolic cycle and its effect on the fatty acid metabolism, hepatic transcription factors and DNA methylation patterns.

Maternal omega-3 fatty acid supplementation to a vitamin B12 deficient diet normalizes angiogenic markers in the pup brain at birth.

Vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids are critical for normal brain development and function and their deficiencies during pregnancy could have adverse effects on cognitive performance in children. Our earlier studies indicate that both maternal vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids influence brain development by regulating the levels of neurotrophins. Literature suggests that there exists a cross talk between neurotrophins like nerve growth factor (NGF) and angiogenic factors like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Aqueous extract of some indigenous medicinal plants inhibits glycation at multiple stages and protects erythrocytes from oxidative damage-an in vitro study.

Azadirachta indica, Emblica officinalis, Syzygium cumini and Terminalia bellirica are common in Indian system of traditional medicine for the prevention of diabetes and its complications. The aim of the present study was to comprehensively and comparatively investigate the antiglycation potential of these plant extracts at multiple stages and their possible protective effect against glycated albumin mediated toxicity to erythrocytes. Antiglycation activities of these plant extracts was measured by co-incubation of plant extract with bovine serum albumin-fructose glycation model.

Nutraceutical properties of dietary plants extracts: prevention of diabetic nephropathy through inhibition of glycation and toxicity to erythrocytes and HEK293 cells.

Context: Glycated albumin is reported to elicit pathobiologic effects in diabetic nephropathy and abrogating its biologic effects has novel therapeutic potential.

Objective: This study examines the effects of dietary plants extracts (Laurus nobilis, Carum carvi, Coccinia grandis, Mentha arvensis, Phaseolus vulgaris) against albumin glycation and its toxicity to erythrocytes and HEK293 cells.

Materials And Methods: Albumin (10 mg/ml) was incubated with fructose (250 mM) in PBS along with aqueous plant extracts (1% w/v) for 4 d.