Amelioration of histological changes and associated metabolic abnormalities by a combination of Morinda lucida and metformin in diabetic rats

This work investigates the ability of Morinda lucida and co-administration of Morinda lucida/metformin in the control of biochemical and histological changes in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Alloxan diabetic rats were treated with 200 mg/Kg body weight of Morinda lucida leaves extract, 1 mg/Kg BW of metformin or a combination of the two treatments for 28 days. Results of the studies revealed that Morinda lucida leaves extract significantly improved lipid profile and kidney function in diabetic rats. These positive outcomes were enhanced by combined treated with Morinda lucida leaves extract and metformin. Furthermore, the calculated atherogenic index of treated animals were close to those of normal rats as opposed to diabetic rats. Similarly, histological studies showed that Morinda lucida leaves extract and metformin administered together or singly, ameliorated damages in pancreas and kidneys from alloxan diabetic rats. It can therefore be inferred that combined treatment with Morinda lucida leaves extract and merformin could improve the potency of Morinda lucida leaves used in the management of diabetic complications

Emerging Role of LncRNA Regulation for NLRP3 Inflammasome in Diabetes Complications

Diabetes is a widespread metabolic disease with various complications, including diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy, cardiomyopathy, and other cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases. As the prevalence of diabetes increases in all age groups worldwide, diabetes and its complications cause an emerging public health burden. NLRP3 inflammasome is a complex of several proteins that play a critical role in inflammatory response and various diseases, including diabetes and its complications. Accumulating evidences indicate that NLRP3 inflammasome contributes to the development of diabetes and diabetic complications and that NLRP3 inflammation inactivation is beneficial in treating these illnesses. Emerging evidences suggest the critical role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in regulating NLRP3 inflammasome activity in various diseases. LncRNAs are non-coding RNAs exceeding 200 nucleotides in length. Its dysregulation has been linked to the development of diseases, including diabetes. Recently, growing evidences hint that regulating lncRNAs on NLRP3 inflammasome is critical in developing and progressing diabetes and diabetic complications. Here, we discuss the role of lncRNAs in regulating NLRP3 inflammasome as well as its participation in diabetes and diabetic complications, providing novel insights into developing future therapeutic approaches for diabetes.

Diabetes Ameliorating Effect of Mushrooms and ameliorating diabetes

The growing impact of type 2 diabetes in the majority of the population requires the introduction of better and more secure treatments, but also requires the development of new prevention strategies to reduce the incidence and prevalence of the disease. Significantly, type 2 diabetes is an important preventable disease and can be prevented or delayed by lifestyle intervention. Edible and medicinal macrofungi, mushrooms have been reported having diabetes ameliorating effects. Current study reviews the potentiality of both edible and medicinal mushrooms in preventing and ameliorating the diabetic complications as well as the future aspects of mushrooms against this metabolic disorder.

The Association Between Diabetes Mellitus and Risk of Sarcopenia: Accumulated Evidences From Observational Studies

AimWe performed a meta-analysis of observational studies to evaluate the association between the presence of sarcopenia and HbA1c, prediabetes, diabetes and diabetic complications.MethodThe PubMed, Embase, Cochrane and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to May 2021. We included full-text English language articles that reported the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with and without diabetes. Quality assessment was performed according to the Newcastle- Ottawa scale for observational studies.ResultsSixteen studies were included in the meta-analysis. Three studies showed that high HbA1c levels lead to loss of muscle mass, and one study involving prediabetes showed that people with prediabetes had lower muscle mass, strength, and performance than non-diabetic population. Seven studies showed that people with diabetes had a higher risk of sarcopenia than those without diabetes (combined OR: 2.09, 95% CI:1.62-2.70). The remaining five studies suggested that diabetic complications increased the risk of sarcopenia (combined OR: 2.09,95% CI:1.62-2.70).ConclusionHigh HbA1c levels, prediabetes, diabetes and diabetes complications were associated with an increased risk of sarcopenia. Therapeutic strategies addressed to avoid the conversion of IGT to diabetes and to optimize glycemic control are warranted to prevent or arrest sarcopenia in the diabetic population

The Potential Role of Curcumin in Modulating the Master Antioxidant Pathway in Diabetic Hypoxia-Induced Complications

Oxidative stress is the leading player in the onset and development of various diseases. The Keap1-Nrf2 pathway is a pivotal antioxidant system that preserves the cells’ redox balance. It decreases inflammation in which the nuclear trans-localization of Nrf2 as a transcription factor promotes various antioxidant responses in cells. Through some other directions and regulatory proteins, this pathway plays a fundamental role in preventing several diseases and reducing their complications. Regulation of the Nrf2 pathway occurs on transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels, and these regulations play a significant role in its activity. There is a subtle correlation between the Nrf2 pathway and the pivotal signaling pathways, including PI3 kinase/AKT/mTOR, NF-κB and HIF-1 factors. This demonstrates its role in the development of various diseases. Curcumin is a yellow polyphenolic compound from Curcuma longa with multiple bioactivities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-viral activities. Since hyperglycemia and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) are the leading causes of common diabetic complications, reducing the generation of ROS can be a fundamental approach to dealing with these complications. Curcumin can be considered a potential treatment option by creating an efficient therapeutic to counteract ROS and reduce its detrimental effects. This review discusses Nrf2 pathway regulation at different levels and its correlation with other important pathways and proteins in the cell involved in the progression of diabetic complications and targeting these pathways by curcumin.