Gender dependent effects of fasting blood glucose levels and disease duration on biochemical markers in type 2 diabetics: A pilot study.

Aim: The impact of fasting blood glucose levels (FBG) and disease duration on type 2 diabetes in Indian population is still unclear. The present study examines gender-dependent effects of FBG and disease duration on lipid profile, adipocytokines and related biochemical parameters in diabetic individuals.

Methods: Type 2 diabetic individuals (n=100) were classified depending on FBG: patients with normal FBG (Glucose<126mg/dl) and patients with high FBG (Glucose≥126mg/dl); and disease duration: ≥0-≤3yr, >3-≤7yr, >7yr.

Sex-specific differences and developmental programming for diseases in later life.

Epidemiological data indicate that developmental programming of various non-communicable diseases (NCDs) occurs as a consequence of altered maternal metabolic and physiological status due to a number of environmental insults during pregnancy. Sex-specific differences have also been reported in most NCDs. Evidence suggests that beginning from conception, the maternal and neonatal metabolic environment, including hormones, contributes to sex-specific placental development.

Effect of new polyherbal formulations DF1911, DF2112 and DF2813 on CFA induced inflammation in rat model.

Background: Aim of the present study was to evaluate anti-inflammatory activity of newly developed polyherbal formulations DF1911, DF2112 and DF2813. These newly developed formulations are modifications of Dashamoola, a well known Ayurvedic formulation, along with addition of new plants.

Methods: Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) induced inflammation in rat was used as an experimental model.

Tubulointerstitial nephritis antigen-like 1 protein is downregulated in the placenta of pre-eclamptic women.

Background: Tubulointerstitial nephritis antigen-like 1 protein (TINAGL1), is a matricellular protein, known to play role in cell adhesion and cell receptor interaction. Research related to TINAGL1 is limited to cell culture and animal models. Demonstration of TINAGL1 as a positive regulator of angiogenesis and its expression in the decidua of postimplantation mouse uterus, prompted us to validate its expression in human placenta during impaired angiogenesis in pre-eclamptic condition.

Herbal remedies for urinary stones used in India and China: A review.

Ethanopharmacological Relevance: The process of formation or appearance of a urinary stone anywhere in the renal tract is known as urolithiasis. It is a longstanding health problem, known to exist since early age of civilization. Records about symptoms, signs and treatment strategies of urinary stones diseases are found in the several ancient texts of traditional medicines such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Siddha and Unani.

Altered metabolic homeostasis between vitamin D and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in preeclampsia.

Sub-optimal maternal nutrition may result in pregnancy complications like preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is known to be of placental origin and a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Our earlier studies suggest that altered metabolism of folic acid, vitamin B and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFAs) in the one carbon cycle increases homocysteine levels in preeclampsia.

Root Extract Modulates the Growth of IMR-32 and SK-N-MC Neuroblastoma Cell Lines Through Mediated Regulation of MDM2 and p53.

Aim: The present study evaluated the effect of ethanolic extract of roots (NJ) on MYCN mediated regulation of expression of MDM2 and p53 proteins in neuroblastoma cell lines, IMR-32 and SK-N-MC.

Materials And Methods: The effect of NJ on cell viability was determined by MTT; and on growth kinetics was evaluated by trypan blue dye exclusion method and soft agar assay. The expression of p53, MDM2 and MYCN proteins in response to NJ treatment was evaluated by immunoblotting.

Neurotrophins: Role in Placental Growth and Development.

Neurotrophins, a family of closely related proteins, were originally identified as growth factors for survival, development, and function of neurons in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Subsequently, neurotrophins have been shown to have functions in immune and reproductive systems. Neurotrophins like nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are known to play an important role during pregnancy in the process of placental angiogenesis and maturation.

Adipocytokines and anthropometric measures in type 2 diabetics.

Aim: Type 2 diabetes mellitus has assumed pandemic proportions worldwide. Aggressive management of hyperglycemia in diabetics is a primary goal of treatment. We have previously reported favorable effects of oral hypoglycemic agents on adipocytokines.

Antidiabetic, Lipid Normalizing, and Nephroprotective Actions of the Strawberry: A Potent Supplementary Fruit.

The study was designed to assess the effect of different strawberry extracts on glucose levels, lipid profiles, and oxidative stress in nicotinamide-streptozotocin (NIC-STZ) induced diabetic rats. The associated changes were evaluated through biochemical, molecular, and histological assays. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ to albino Wistar rats after treatment with nicotinamide.

New herbal composition (OA-F2) protects cartilage degeneration in a rat model of collagenase induced osteoarthritis.

Background: Prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) is on rise on the global scale. At present there are no satisfactory pharmacological agents for treating OA. Our previous study showed that Sida cordifolia L.

Placental Proteomics Provides Insights into Pathophysiology of Pre-Eclampsia and Predicts Possible Markers in Plasma.

Pre-eclampsia is a hypertensive disorder characterized by the new onset of hypertension >140/90 mmHg and proteinuria after the 20th week of gestation. The disorder is multifactorial and originates with abnormal placentation. Comparison of the placental proteome of normotensive (n = 25) and pre-eclamptic (n = 25) patients by gel-free proteomic techniques identified a total of 2145 proteins in the placenta of which 180 were differentially expressed (>1.

Vitamin B Deficiency Across Three Generations Adversely Influences Long-chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Status and Cardiometabolic Markers in Rats.

Background And Aims: Vitamin B and omega-3 fatty acid deficiency is prevalent in the vegetarian population and is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and cardiometabolic risk. The present study investigates the long-term effects of vitamin B deficiency/supplementation in the presence of omega-3 fatty acids on cardiometabolic profile and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid levels (LCPUFA) in the F generation offspring.

Methods: Three generations of rats were fed the following diets: control; vitamin B deficient; vitamin B supplemented; vitamin B deficient + omega-3 fatty acid supplemented; vitamin B + omega-3 fatty acid supplemented.

Evaluating the anticancer activity and nanoparticulate nature of homeopathic preparations of Terminalia chebula.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women and is the second leading cause of cancer death. Homeopathic medicines are part of the alternative medicines that are given as a supportive therapy in breast cancer. The objective of this study was to investigate the anticancer activity of commercially available homeopathic preparations of Terminalia chebula (TC) and evaluate their nanoparticulate nature.

A combined supplementation of vitamin B and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids across two generations improves nerve growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor levels in the rat hippocampus.

Vitamin B and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) are known to influence cognition. This study aims to examine if these nutrients affect the protein levels and gene expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the cortex and hippocampus in the second-generation offspring at 3 mo of age. Wistar rats were fed the following diets for two generations: Control (CON), vitamin B deficient (VBD), vitamin B deficient supplemented with n-3 PUFA (VBDO), vitamin B supplemented (VBS), vitamin B supplemented with n-3 PUFA (VBSO).

Altered breast milk components in preeclampsia; An in-vitro proton NMR spectroscopy study.

Objective: To investigate the metabolic profile of milk on day 3 and at the 6th month of lactation in mothers with preeclampsia (PE) and normotensive mothers.

Study Design: Women with PE (n=29) and control women (n=31) were recruited for this study. Milk was collected on day 3 and at the 6th month of lactation.

Maternal high fat diet deficient in vitamin B influences long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid composition in rats.

Objective: In India, there is a rise in non-communicable diseases due to diets deficient in vitamin B, low in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and increased consumption of westernized diet. The present study aims to examine the effect of maternal high fat diet (HFD) in absence of vitamin B on pregnancy outcome and tissue fatty acid composition in dams.

Methods: Pregnant Wistar rats were assigned to following diets: Control (C), HFD, High fat diet supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids (HFDO), 4) High fat diet deficient in vitamin B (HFBD), High fat deficient in vitamin B supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids (HFBDO).

Variable Methylation Potential in Preterm Placenta: Implication for Epigenetic Programming of the Offspring.

Children born preterm are reported to be at increased risk of developing noncommunicable diseases in later life. Altered placental DNA methylation patterns are implicated in fetal programming of adult diseases. Our earlier animal studies focus on micronutrients (folic acid, vitamin B) and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) that interact in the 1 carbon cycle, thereby influencing methylation reactions.

Controversy of oral hypoglycemic agents in type 2 diabetes mellitus: Novel move towards combination therapies.

Aim: As diabetes mellitus is multi-factorial disease, use of several oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs) is the main stay of pharmacological treatment. The treatment has become more challenging and controversial as OHAs are heterogeneous in their mode of action that causes unwanted side effects. Complementary approaches such as use of medicinal plants and dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) with hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities are therefore imperative.

Placental DHA and mRNA levels of PPARγ and LXRα and their relationship to birth weight.

Background: A very large number of fatty acids play wide range of physiological roles in cellular growth and function in placental as well as fetal growth. However, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), in addition to its critical role in cellular membranes, is known to act as a ligand for several nuclear receptors and regulates the activity of transcription factor families like peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, liver X receptor (LXR), retinoid X receptor (RXR), and sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP). These transcription factors and DHA are known to regulate the placental and fetal growth and development.

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.

Comparative anti-inflammatory and lipid-normalizing effects of metformin and omega-3 fatty acids through modulation of transcription factors in diabetic rats.

Background: Emerging evidence suggests beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids on diabetic complications. The present study compared the progressive effects of metformin and flax/fish oil on lipid metabolism, inflammatory markers, and liver and renal function test markers in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats.

Methods: Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were randomized into control and four diabetic groups: streptozotocin (STZ), metformin (200 mg/kg body weight (b.

A combined supplementation of vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids across two generations improves cardiometabolic variables in rats.

Our earlier studies indicate that micronutrients (vitamin B12, folic acid) and omega-3 fatty acids especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are interlinked in one carbon cycle. The present study examines the effects of a sustained vitamin B12 deficiency/supplementation in the presence of omega-3 fatty acids across two generations on the pregnancy outcome and cardiometabolic profile [blood pressure, plasma lipid profile (cholesterol and triglycerides), plasma/liver fatty acid profile and hepatic lipid metabolism] in the second generation adult Wistar rat offspring. Two generations of animals were fed the following diets: control; vitamin B12 deficient; vitamin B12 supplemented; vitamin B12 deficient diet supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids; vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acid supplemented diets.

Attitude of interns towards research as a career option.

Although today's Ayurvedic graduates have many career options to select from, they are not given any exposure to these options during their study. This results in apathy towards selection of any career apart from clinical practice. The present study carried out amongst interns of one Ayurvedic college highlights this fact and underlines the importance of introducing 'research' as a subject in the curriculum.

Altered Erythrocyte Glycolytic Enzyme Activities in Type-II Diabetes.

The activity of enzymes of glycolysis has been studied in erythrocytes from type-II diabetic patients in comparison with control. RBC lysate was the source of enzymes. In the diabetics the hexokinase (HK) activity increased 50 % while activities of phosphoglucoisomerase (PGI), phosphofructokinase (PFK) and aldolase (ALD) decreased by 37, 75 and 64 % respectively but were still several folds higher than that of HK.