Tribulus terrestris Efficacy and Safety Concerns in Diabetes and Erectile Dysfunction, Assessed in an Experimental Model

The present project aims to evaluate Tribulus terrestris (TT) extracts by addressing various possible mechanisms of action in order to see whether the use of TT supplements in diabetes and diabetes complications is justified. Diabetic rats were divided into three groups: diabetic control group, TT extract with low protodioscin content group (TT-LPC) and TT extract with high protodioscin content group (TT-HPC). After twelve weeks of treatment, fasting blood glucose, insulin, LH, FSH and testosterone levels were measured. Both TT preparations reduced elevated blood glucose level. Insulin and luteinizing hormone levels were not significantly different compared with the control group; however, the FSH and testosterone levels were significantly higher in the TT-HPC group compared with the diabetic control group. The testosterone level is correlated in part with the protodioscin concentration in extracts and is probably mediated through an FSH-linked pathway.

SYNAPTIC RESPONSES OF SUPERIOR CERVICAL GANGLION NEURONS OF RATS WITH EXPERIMENTAL DIABETES MELLITUS

Excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSP) were recorded from the superior cervical ganglion neurons (SCG) in the rats with experimental streptozotocininduced diabetes (ESD). EPSP was inducted by electrical stimulation of the cervical sympathetic trunk. It was founded that the average value of the EPSP time constant decay in the rats with ESD was 15% higher. At the same time, the amplitudes of EPSP of SCG neurons and the hexamethonium blocking effect in the rats with ESD on 30th day after streptozotocin injection didn’t differ significantly from those in control rats. This may indicate specific functional disorders associated as with steady-state elevated blood glucose level in rats as SCG neurons nicotinic cholinergic receptors.

Emerging Roles of Exosomes in T1DM

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a complex autoimmune disorder that mainly affects children and adolescents. The elevated blood glucose level of patients with T1DM results from absolute insulin deficiency and leads to hyperglycemia and the development of life-threatening diabetic complications. Although great efforts have been made to elucidate the pathogenesis of this disease, the precise underlying mechanisms are still obscure. Emerging evidence indicates that small extracellular vesicles, namely, exosomes, take part in intercellular communication and regulate interorgan crosstalk. More importantly, many findings suggest that exosomes and their cargo are associated with the development of T1DM. Therefore, a deeper understanding of exosomes is beneficial for further elucidating the pathogenic process of T1DM. Exosomes are promising biomarkers for evaluating the risk of developingty T1DM, monitoring the disease state and predicting related complications because their number and composition can reflect the status of their parent cells. Additionally, since exosomes are natural carriers of functional proteins, RNA and DNA, they can be used as therapeutic tools to deliver these molecules and drugs. In this review, we briefly introduce the current understanding of exosomes. Next, we focus on the relationship between exosomes and T1DM from three perspectives, i.e., the pathogenic role of exosomes in T1DM, exosomes as novel biomarkers of T1DM and exosomes as therapeutic tools for T1DM.

The association between acute-to-chronic glycemic ratio and outcome in acute heart failure

Introduction Elevated blood glucose level on admission worsen outcome in acute heart failure (AHF). The admission blood glucose (ABG)/ the estimated average glucose (eAG) ratio which combines both acute and chronic glucose levels is attracting attention as a newly introduced glycemic index. It may be accepted as indicating the true acute glycemic rise in critically in all patients. Purpose The aim of this study was to assess the association between acute-to-chronic glycemic ratio and outcome in AHF. Methods This study assessed consecutive patients with AHF. The ABG/ eAG ratio was determined as ABG divided by eAG. We examined the relationship between ABG/ eAG ratio and all-cause mortality and readmission for heart failure within 30 days. Results A total of 249 patients with AHF (mean age; 81 years, 50% male and 37% DM) were studied. 31 (12.4%) patients had events within 30 days [18 (7.2%) died and 13 (5.2%) readmitted for HF]. We divided into three tertiles [T1 (<0.93), T2 (0.93–1.21) and T3 (>1.21)] based on the ABG/ eAG ratio. There was a stepwise worsening of the 30 days outcome [1 patient (0.4%) vs 7 patients (2.8%) vs 23 patients (9.2%), p<0.0001]. In multiple variable analysis, ABG/ eAG ratio was an independent predictor of the events (p=0.002). A cut-off value of the ABG/ eAG ratio <1.11 had a sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 67% for the increase of events within 30 days. In full model, the ABG/ eAG ratio was independent predictor of 30 days outcome in AHF (odds ratio: 11.7; 95% confidence interval: 3.65–37.5; p<0.0001). Conclusion ABG/ eAG ratio was one of the strong predictors 30 days outcome in AHF. Elevated blood glucose in the acute phase evaluated using the ABG/ eAG ratiocan enhance affect outcome and it could be a potential therapeutic target in patients of AHF. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Investigation of Renal Protective Effect of Euphorbia antiquorum L.(Stem) in Animal Model

Introduction: Euphorbia antiquorum is a fleshy shrub belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae. It is widely distributed in the hotter parts of India. It is used as a substitute for the Ayurvedic drug ‘Snuhee’ whose accepted botanical source is Euphorbia neriifolia Linn. The leaf, stem, latex and root of Snuhee are used in treatment of diseases and conditions like, diabetes, coryza, and oedema. Objective: The present study is aimed to investigate the renal protective effect of E. antiquorum alcoholic extracts of the stem on alloxan (150mg/kg) induced diabetic Wistar rats. Methods: All animals were treated for 21 days and sacrificed on the last day. Unwanted placebo effect in case of the control group was blocked by executing appropriate vehicle treatment and same animal handling pattern. Extract and standard drug doses given orally were suspended in 0.9% normal saline. Blood samples were drawn from retro orbital sinus using Diethyl-ether anesthesia at weekly intervals for 3 weeks. Blood samples were labeled in such a way that analysis team was kept blind about groups and nature of the study design. Body weight measurement and blood sampling were done on 1st, 7th, 14th and 21st day of the study. Conclusion: 21 days daily treatment with a test drug of ethanolic extract of stems of Euphorbia antiquorum significantly reduced the elevated Blood glucose level, Urinary Albumin, urine creatinine, serum creatinine in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Keywords: Nephropathy, Glomerulonephritis, Creatinine, Albumin, Oedema

Association between elevated blood glucose level and non-valvular atrial fibrillation: a report from the Guangzhou heart study

Background To estimate the prevalence of elevated blood glucose level (EBG, including type 2 diabetes mellitus and impaired fasting glucose), and its association with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) in Guangzhou, China. Methods The population-based follow-up Guangzhou Heart Study collected baseline data from July 2015 to August 2017 among 12,013 permanent residents aged > 35 from 4 Guangzhou districts. Two streets (Dadong and Baiyun) in the Yuexiu District, and one street (Xiaoguwei) and two towns (Xinzao and Nancun) in the Panyu District were chosen as representative of urban and rural areas, respectively. Each participant completed a comprehensive questionnaire, and underwent physical examination, blood sample collection for laboratory testing, electrocardiography, and other evaluations. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the independent association between hyperglycemia and NVAF prevalence. Results The prevalence of EBG in overall study population was 29.9%. Compared with residents without EBG, the odds ratio (OR) for AF among residents with EBG was significantly higher (1.94, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.40–2.70, P < 0.001), even after multivariate adjustment for metabolic abnormalities (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.14–2.25, P = 0.007), and driven by women (OR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.12–2.91, P = 0.016). Conclusions In Guangzhou, China, prevalence of EBG is high among residents aged > 35 years and associated with a multivariate adjusted increase in prevalence of NVAF overall and in women.

Assessment of Inter-Connection between Suriphobia and Individual’s Blood Glucose Level: A Questionnaire Centred Project

Blood sugar level is actually the estimation of the total glucose sugar content in the one’s blood. Insulin and Glucagon are the two key hormones responsible for maintaining homeostasis which sustain blood glucose level. Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia are the two conditions associated with blood sugar level. In case of hypoglycemia, blood glucose level falls below the normal level of glucose in the blood while hyperglycemia is the condition of elevated blood glucose level than the normal range. Different tests are available to test the blood glucose level of an individual. The central objective of this project was to assess the inter-connection between one’s being suriphobic and their blood sugar level at fasting. Phobia is a word associated with the condition of extreme fear from a series of specified events. Suriphobia or mice fear is the term used for those individuals who extremely fear from mice, rats, rodents etc. This study was a questionnaire based project to assess the fact that if there is any inter-connection between people’s being suriphobic and their blood glucose level at fasting. For this purpose blood sugar level of the sample population was calculated using Glucometer. Statistical Analysis point towards the significant results if this study as the calculated p-value was exact of the standard p¬-value which is p ≤ 0.05. Therefore, the fact that there is a significant relation between individual’s being Suriphobe and their Blood Glucose Level at fasting is proved.

New Biguanides as Anti-Diabetic Agents Part I: Synthesis and Evaluation of 1-Substituted Biguanide Derivatives as Anti-Diabetic Agents of Type II Diabetes Insulin Resistant

New 1-substituted-biguanide hydrochloride salts were synthesized via reacting benzo[1,3-d]dioxol-5-amine, phenylhydrazine, N,N-dimethylhydrazinecarboxamide, benzohydrazide and 2-phenyl acetohydrazide with dicyandiamide in acidic medium. Structures of the obtained biguanide salts were characterized by spectroscopic tools. The synthesized compounds were screened for their anti-diabetic activity with standard metformin drug. Oral treatment of hyperglycemic rats with the synthesized biguanide derivatives significantly decreased the elevated blood glucose level. Additionally, anti-diabetic properties towards liver function enzyme activities (AST, ALT and ALP), lipids profiles (TC, TG and TL), lipid peroxide and nitrous oxide as well as histopathological studies relative to metformin hydrochloride were investigated and discussed.