The relevance of the heme oxygenase system in alleviating diabetes-related hormonal and metabolic disorders.

Heme oxygenase (HO) is an enzyme that catalyzes heme degradation. HO dysfunction is linked to various pathological conditions, including diabetes. Results of animal studies indicate that HO expression and activity are downregulated in experimentally induced diabetes.

The Anti-Diabetic Potential of Baicalin: Evidence from Rodent Studies.

Baicalin is a biologically active flavonoid compound that benefits the organism in various pathological conditions. Rodent studies have shown that this compound effectively alleviates diabetes-related disturbances in models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Baicalin supplementation limited hyperglycemia and improved insulin sensitivity.

Regulatory Effects of Metformin, an Antidiabetic Biguanide Drug, on the Metabolism of Primary Rat Adipocytes.

Metformin is a biguanide compound commonly applied in humans with type 2 diabetes. The drug affects different tissues, including fat tissue. The direct influence of metformin on cells of fat tissue, i.

The anti-diabetic potential of betaine. Mechanisms of action in rodent models of type 2 diabetes.

Betaine (N, N, N-trimethylglycine) is an amino-acid derivative exerting numerous beneficial effects on the organism. This compound is found in human and animal diets but is also endogenously generated. However, its synthesis may be insufficient to maintain or improve health.

Hemin attenuates response of primary rat adipocytes to adrenergic stimulation.

Hemin is an activator of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an enzyme catalyzing heme degradation. Up-regulation of HO-1 is observed in response to various pathological conditions. Moreover, pharmacological activation of HO-1 is associated with numerous beneficial effects in the organism.

Resveratrol Affects Insulin Signaling in Type 2 Diabetic Goto-Kakizaki Rats.

Resveratrol is a biologically active diphenolic compound exerting multiple beneficial effects in the organism, including anti-diabetic properties. This action is, however, not fully elucidated. In the present study, we examined effects of resveratrol on some parameters related to insulin signaling, and also on diabetes-associated dysregulation in Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats with congenital type 2 diabetes.

Bisphenol A disturbs metabolism of primary rat adipocytes without affecting adipokine secretion.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an ubiquitous synthetic chemical exerting numerous adverse effects. Results of rodent studies show that BPA negatively affects adipose tissue. However, the short-term influence of this compound addressing adipocyte metabolism and adipokine secretion is unknown.

Resveratrol ameliorates inflammatory and oxidative stress in type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats.

Type 2 diabetes is associated with inflammatory and oxidative stress. Resveratrol, a naturally occurring diphenolic compound, was shown to improve glycemic control and alleviate metabolic disturbances in Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats, a non-obese model of type 2 diabetes. However, in GK rats effects of resveratrol addressing inflammatory and oxidative stress were not explored.

Methylglyoxal impairs β-adrenergic signalling in primary rat adipocytes.

Methylglyoxal (MG) is dicarbonyl aldehyde generated intracellularly from glucose and from some other compounds. Its increased formation is associated with several harmful consequences. In the present study, short-term effects of MG on metabolism of isolated rat adipocytes were determined.

The relevance of AMP-activated protein kinase in insulin-secreting β cells: a potential target for improving β cell function?

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is present in different kinds of metabolically active cells. AMPK is an important intracellular energy sensor and plays a relevant role in whole-body energy homeostasis. AMPK is activated, among others, in response to glucose deprivation, caloric restriction and increased physical activity.

Effects of Resveratrol in Goto-Kakizaki Rat, a Model of Type 2 Diabetes.

Resveratrol exhibits a pleiotropic, favorable action under various pathological conditions, including type 2 diabetes. However, its anti-diabetic effects in animal models and human trials have not been fully elucidated. The aim of the present study was to determine whether resveratrol is capable of inducing beneficial changes in the Goto-Kakizaki rat, a spontaneous model of diabetes, which in several aspects is similar to type 2 diabetes in humans.

Effects of short-term fasting and pharmacological activation of AMPK on metabolism of rat adipocytes.

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key intracellular energy sensor and regulates processes associated with energy metabolism. In the present study, effects of AICAR, a pharmacological activator of AMPK, on metabolism of adipocytes of non-fasted and 12-h fasted rats were compared. It was shown that in fat cells of control rats, epinephrine- and dibutyryl-cAMP-induced lipolysis was markedly reduced in the presence of AICAR.

Potential of resveratrol in mitigating metabolic disturbances induced by ethanol.

Alcohol abuse is associated with numerous health problems, including metabolic disturbances and liver damage. Therefore, different compounds are continuously being tested to evaluate their potential effectiveness in reducing these harmful changes. Animal studies clearly show that resveratrol is capable of ameliorating some consequences of ethanol ingestion.

Lack of effects of myo-inositol on metabolism of primary rat adipocytes.

Myo-inositol is a ubiquitous cyclitol, has an important regulatory role, and its intracellular depletion is associated with pathological changes. Effects of myo-inositol on adipose tissue are poorly elucidated. In this report, short-term influence of 20, 100, and 500 µM myo-inositol on metabolism of the isolated rat adipocytes was studied.

Effects of the activation of heme oxygenase-1 on hormonal and metabolic changes in rats fed a high-fat diet.

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is the inducible isoform of the heme oxygenase system, which catalyzes heme degradation. Up-regulation of this enzyme under pathological conditions is associated with beneficial effects in the whole organism. However, the potential of HO-1 in the alleviation of disturbances induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) is poorly elucidated.

Effects of AMPK activation on lipolysis in primary rat adipocytes: studies at different glucose concentrations.

Adipose tissue plays a key role in energy homeostasis. Adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an important intracellular energy sensor. Effects of activation of AMPK by aminomidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR) on lipolysis in the rat adipocytes were determined in the presence of 3 or 12 mM glucose.

Characteristics of metabolic changes in adipocytes of growing rats.

Adipocytes, cells of white fat tissue, store energy in the form of lipids and have also endocrine functions. Disturbances in adipocyte metabolism lead to decreased or excessive fat tissue accumulation and are associated with numerous diseases. Pathologic alterations in adipose tissue are known to develop with age, however, changes in young, growing subjects are poorly elucidated.

Resveratrol and diabetes: from animal to human studies.

Diabetes mellitus is a serious disease affecting about 5% of people worldwide. Diabetes is characterized by hyperglycemia and impairment in insulin secretion and/or action. Moreover, diabetes is associated with metabolic abnormalities and serious complications.

Regulatory role of adenosine in insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells--action via adenosine A₁ receptor and beyond.

Under physiological conditions, insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells is tightly regulated by different factors, including nutrients, nervous system, and other hormones. Pancreatic β-cells are also influenced by paracrine and autocrine interactions. The results of rodent studies indicate that adenosine is present within pancreatic islets and is implicated in the regulation of insulin secretion; however, effects depend on adenosine and glucose concentrations.

Adipocyte dysfunction in rats with streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetes.

Administration of streptozotocin (STZ) and nicotinamide (NA) to adult rats allows for the induction of mild diabetes. However, this experimental model has not been fully characterized. This study was undertaken to determine the metabolic and secretory activity of adipose tissue in rats with STZ-NA-induced diabetes.

Effect of butyrate on aromatase cytochrome P450 levels in HT29, DLD-1 and LoVo colon cancer cells.

Epidemiological studies suggest that colonic production of butyrate and estrogen may be involved in human susceptibility to colorectal cancer (CRC). Estrone (E1) can be produced by the aromatase pathway during the conversion of androstenedione (A) to E1. Therefore, we studied the effect of sodium butyrate (NaBu) on the CYP19A1 transcript and protein levels and on the conversion of A to E1 in HT29, DLD-1 and LoVo CRC cells.

Short-term effects of palmitate and 2-bromopalmitate on the lipolytic activity of rat adipocytes.

Aims: Fatty acids are involved in the regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes; however, this regulatory action is unclear. The present study aimed to determine the short-term influence of palmitate and its non-metabolisable analogue, 2-bromopalmitate, on the lipolytic activity of adipocytes.

Main Methods: Freshly isolated rat adipocytes were exposed to lipolytic modulators with or without palmitate or 2-bromopalmitate.

Anti-diabetic effects of resveratrol.

Diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disease affecting about 5% of people all over the world. Data from the literature indicate that resveratrol is a compound exerting numerous beneficial effects in organisms. Rodent studies, for example, have demonstrated that resveratrol decreases blood glucose in animals with hyperglycemia.

Resveratrol and genistein as adenosine triphosphate-depleting agents in fat cells.

Resveratrol and genistein are plant-derived compounds known to exert pleiotropic effects in many cell types, including adipocytes. However, the effects of these compounds on the energetic status of fat cells are unknown. The present study aimed to determine whether resveratrol and genistein influence adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels in freshly isolated rat adipocytes.

Resveratrol, obesity and diabetes.

Resveratrol belongs to the large group of biologically active substances found in plants. This compound is classified as phytoestrogen because of its ability to interact with estrogen receptor. Numerous beneficial effects of resveratrol described in the literature involve cardioprotective, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action.