Protective effect of cinnamon on diabetic cardiomyopathy in nicotinamide-streptozotocin induced diabetic rat model.

There is an increase in the incidence and prevalence of type-2 diabetes and obesity which leads to the structural and functional changes in myocardium leading to a lethal complication called diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). In the present study, we investigated the preventive effect of cinnamon (3% of bark powder in AIN-93 diet for 3 months) feeding on DCM and the concerned mechanisms in a rodent model. Experimental diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of 40 mg/kg b.

Cinnamon Attenuated Long-Term IGT-Induced Retinal Abnormalities via Regulation of Glucose Homeostasis in Neonatal Streptozotocin Induced Rat Model.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the major causes of blindness all over the world. According to the previous studies, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) has been linked to retinal dysfunction/vascular damage. Decreased retinal function is an initial event of early DR.

Prevalence of Nutritional Anemia and Hyperhomocysteinemia in Urban Elderly.

The data on the prevalence of nutritional anemia among the urban elderly population in India was limited. Hence, the present study was carried out with an aim to assess the prevalence of nutritional anemia and its association with vitamin B12, folate, ferritin and homocystine among the urban elderly population. A community- based cross-sectional study was carried out among 282 urban elderly (≥ 60 years) subjects (186 males and 96 females) in Hyderabad.

Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its associated factors among the urban elderly population in Hyderabad metropolitan city, South India.

Background: Deficiency of vitamin D has been associated with various health conditions. However, vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and factors associated with VDD are not well studied, especially among the urban elderly population of India.

Aim: To assess the prevalence of VDD and its associated factors among the urban free-living elderly population in Hyderabad.

Dietary ginger improves glucose dysregulation in a long-term high-fat high-fructose fed prediabetic rat model.

The rapid increase in global diabetes burden with its associated morbidity and mortality is a major health concern for humans. Prediabetes is a condition which predispose a person not only to diabetes but also to the associated complications including morbidity even in the absence of an apparant hyperglycemia. However, appropriate dietary intervention may not only prevent but also improve one’s condition as diet is the major contributor to such metabolic disorders.

Aldose reductase expression as a risk factor for cataract.

Aldose reductase (AR) is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic eye diseases, including cataract and retinopathy. However, not all diabetics develop ocular complications. Paradoxically, some diabetics with poor metabolic control appear to be protected against retinopathy, while others with a history of excellent metabolic control develop severe complications.

Evaluation of neonatal streptozotocin induced diabetic rat model for the development of cataract.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) generally follows prediabetes (PD) conditions such as impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and/or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Although studies reported an association of IGT or IFG with cataract, the experimental basis for PD associated cataract is not known. Hence, we evaluated neonatal streptozotocin (nSTZ) induced rat model to study PD associated cataractogenesis by injecting STZ to two-day old rats.

Response of small heat shock proteins in diabetic rat retina.

Purpose: Small heat shock proteins (sHsps) have a critical role under stress conditions to maintain cellular homeostasis by their involvement in protein-folding and cytoprotection. The hyperglycemia in diabetes may impose cellular stress on the retina. Therefore, we investigated the expression of sHsps, phosphoregulation of αB-crystallin (αBC), and their localization in the diabetic rat retina.

Efficacy of biodegradable curcumin nanoparticles in delaying cataract in diabetic rat model.

Curcumin, the active principle present in the yellow spice turmeric, has been shown to exhibit various pharmacological actions such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-carcinogenic activities. Previously we have reported that dietary curcumin delays diabetes-induced cataract in rats. However, low peroral bioavailability is a major limiting factor for the success of clinical utilization of curcumin.

Inhibition of protein glycation by procyanidin-B2 enriched fraction of cinnamon: delay of diabetic cataract in rats.

Accumulation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGE) from nonenzymatic glycation of proteins has been implicated in several diabetic complications including diabetic cataract. Previously, we have reported that extracts of dietary agents such as cinnamon have the potential to inhibit AGE formation. In this study, we have shown procyanidin-B2 as the active component of cinnamon that is involved in AGE inhibition using bioassay-guided fractionation of eye lens proteins under in vitro conditions.

The isolation and characterization of β-glucogallin as a novel aldose reductase inhibitor from Emblica officinalis.

Diabetes mellitus is recognized as a leading cause of new cases of blindness. The prevalence of diabetic eye disease is expected to continue to increase worldwide as a result of the dramatic increase in the number of people with diabetes. At present, there is no medical treatment to delay or prevent the onset and progression of cataract or retinopathy, the most common causes of vision loss in diabetics.

Status of B-vitamins and homocysteine in diabetic retinopathy: association with vitamin-B12 deficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common cause of blindness. Although many studies have indicated an association between homocysteine and DR, the results so far have been equivocal. Amongst the many determinants of homocysteine, B-vitamin status was shown to be a major confounding factor, yet very little is known about its relationship to DR.

Aldose reductase-mediated induction of epithelium-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in lens.

Cataract is a key factor in the morbidity associated with diabetes. While the pathogenesis of diabetic cataract formation is poorly understood, previous research has identified aldose reductase (ALR2) as a key player. To elucidate a potential role for this enzyme in diabetic cataract formation, we created a series of transgenic mice designed for expression of human ALR2 (AKR1B1) in epithelial and outer cortical fiber cells of the lens.

Antiglycating potential of Zingiber officinalis and delay of diabetic cataract in rats.

Purpose: Advanced glycation end products (AGE) are associated in the development of several pathophysiologies including diabetic cataract. Earlier we have reported that some common dietary agents have antiglycating activity and ginger (Zingiber officinalis) was one of the few prominent agents that effectively prevented AGE formation in vitro. In this study we investigated the potential of ginger to prevent diabetic cataract in rats.

Aldo-keto reductases in the eye.

Aldose reductase (AKR1B1) is an NADPH-dependent aldo-keto reductase best known as the rate-limiting enzyme of the polyol pathway. Accelerated glucose metabolism through this pathway has been implicated in diabetic cataract and retinopathy. Some human tissues contain AKR1B1 as well as AKR1B10, a closely related member of the aldo-keto reductase gene superfamily.

Effect of turmeric and curcumin on oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat.

Background: There is increasing evidence that complications related to diabetes are associated with increased oxidative stress. Curcumin, an active principle of turmeric, has several biological properties, including antioxidant activity. The protective effect of curcumin and turmeric on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced oxidative stress in various tissues of rats was studied.

Effect of micronutrient supplement on health and nutritional status of schoolchildren: biochemical status.

Objective: We assessed the effect of a daily intake of a micronutrient-fortified beverage for 14 mo on indicators of biochemical status of important micronutrients in schoolchildren.

Methods: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, matched-pair, cluster, randomization study design was used. Biochemical indicators of micronutrient status were evaluated at baseline and at the end of 14 mo on a subsample in nine matched pairs.

Curcumin and turmeric delay streptozotocin-induced diabetic cataract in rats.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of curcumin and its source, turmeric, on streptozotocin-induced diabetic cataract in rats.

Methods: Wistar-NIN rats were selected and diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (35 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally) and divided into four groups (group II-V). The control (group I) rats received only vehicle.

Effect of curcumin on galactose-induced cataractogenesis in rats.

Purpose: Curcumin, the active principle of turmeric, has been shown to have both antioxidant and hypoglycemic activity in vitro and in vivo. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of curcumin on the onset and maturation of galactose induced cataract.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats (21 days old) were divided into 5 groups.