Effect of periocular injection of celecoxib and propranolol on ocular level of vascular endothelial growth factor in a diabetic mouse model

AIM： To investigate the effects of periocular injection of propranolol and celecoxib on ocular levels of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in a diabetic mouse model. METHODS： Forty 4-6wk BALB-C male mice weighing 20-25 g were used. The study groups included： nondiabetic control （group 1）, diabetic control （group 2）, diabetic propranolol （group 3）, and diabetic celecoxib （group 4）. After induction of type 1 diabetes by streptozotocin, propranolol （10 μg） and celecoxib （200 μg dissolved in carboxymethylcellulose 0.5%） were injected periocularly. The ocular level of VEGF was measured in all the study groups using enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay （ELISA） method. RESULTS： Ocular VEGF level was significantly increased （1.25 fold） in the diabetic control group when compared to the non-diabetic group one week after induction with streptozotocin （P=0.002）. Both periocular propranolol and celecoxib significantly reduced ocular VEGF levels （P=0.047 and P〈0.001, respectively）. The effect was more pronounced with celecoxib, CONCLUSION： The periocular administration of propranolol and celecoxib can significantly reduce ocular VEGF levels in a diabetic mouse model.

Effect of graded doses of acetylsalicylic acid on sperm chromatin integrity and maturity of germinal epithelium in adult male mouse

Objective:To evaluate the effect of graded doses of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on sperm chromatin integrity and sex hormones in the adult male mouse.Methods:Forty-nine male adult mice were divided into seven groups. Control group received no drug, sham group received ASA solvent (dimethylsulfoxide 0.1%), groups 3 to 7 received different doses of 0.05, 0.10, 0.50, 1.00 and 5.00 mg ASA, daily for 14 d, respectively. On day 15, evaluations were made by sperm chromatin dispersion test for the study of DNA sperm integrity, radioimmunoassay for the study of testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) level and histopathology of testis for Jhonson's scoring.Results: ASA in groups 0.50, 1.00 and 5.00 mg reduced big halo sperms. DNA fragmentation significantly increased just in 5 mg group. Serum level of testosterone in doses of 0.50, 1.00 and 5.00 mg groups reduced significantly (P<0.01) while LH level was not affected. Johnson's score reduced in all ASA treated groups.Conclusions: Administration of ASA over the 14 days in dose of 5.00 mg increases sperm DNA fragmentation index and therefore reduces DNA integrity and in doses of 0.50, 1.00, 5.00 mg reduces serum testosterone level with no effect on LH. Generally, ASA has deleterious effects on the male reproductive indices even in low doses.

Evaluation of Insulin Resistance Indices in Type 2 Diabetic Patients Treated with Different Anti-Diabetic Drugs

Clinically, determination of insulin resistance is important for diabetic patients. We evaluated the relationship among 20/(fasting C-peptide × fasting plasma glucose), HOMA-IR and QUICKI indices in type 2 diabetic patients. The study included 40 patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients divided into three groups based on their medication: metformin, metformin + glibenclamide and metformin + glitazone. Fasting blood sugar, and lipid profile were measured by enzymatic method, serum insulin, and C-peptide were measured by ELISA method. Insulin resistance was calculated by using of 20/(fasting C-peptide × fasting plasma glucose), HOMA-IR and QUICKI indices. There was no significant relationship between 20/(fasting C-peptide × fasting plasma glucose) index and other parameters in all studied groups except QUICKI in metformin group showed a significant correlation with 20/(fasting C-peptide × fasting plasma glucose) index (r = 0.56 and p = 0.03). There was a significant correlation between HOMA-IR and QUICKI indices in all studied groups. There was no significant relationship between 20/(fasting C-peptide × fasting plasma glucose) index with other clinical parameters. On the other hand, our data strongly suggested a significant correlation between HOMA-IR and QUICKI indices in studied subjects with type 2 diabetes.

Role of SREBPs in Liver Diseases: A Mini-review

Sterol regulator element binding proteins(SREBPs)are a family of transcription factors involved in the biogenesis of cholesterol,fatty acids and triglycerides.They also regulate physiological functions of many organs,such as thyroid,brain,heart,pancreas and hormone synthesis.Beside the physiological effects,SREBPs participate in some pathological processes,diabetes,endoplasmic reticulum stress,atherosclerosis and chronic kidney disease associated with SREBP expression changes.In the liver,SREBPs are involved in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease,nonalcoholic steatohepatitis,hepatitis and hepatic cancer.There are several SREBP inhibitors that have potential for treating obesity,diabetes and cancer.This review assesses the recent findings about the roles of SREBPs in the physiology of organs'function and pathogenesis of liver diseases.

Exercise training modulates adipokine dysregulations in metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome(MetS)is a cluster of risk factors for various metabolic diseases,and it is characterized by central obesity,dyslipidemia,hypertension,and insulin resistance.The core component for MetS is adipose tissue,which releases adipokines and influences physical health.Adipokines consist of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines and contribute to various physiological functions.Generally,a sedentary lifestyle promotes fat accumulation and secretion of pro-inflammatory adipokines.However,regular exercise has been known to exert various beneficial effects on metabolic and cognitive disorders.Although the mechanisms underlying exercise beneficial effects in MetS are not fully understood,changes in energy expenditure,fat accumulation,circulatory level of myokines,and adipokines might be involved.This review article focuses on some of the selected adipokines in MetS,and their responses to exercise training considering possible mechanisms.