AbstractObesity and the brain are linked since the brain can control the weight of the body through its neurotransmitters. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity on brain functioning through the measurement of brain glutamate, dopamine, and serotonin metabolic pools. In the present study, two groups of rats served as subjects. Group 1 was fed a normal diet and named as the lean group. Group 2 was fed an HFD for 4 weeks and named as the obese group. Markers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, glutathione, glutathione-s-transferase, and vitamin C), inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6 and IL-12), and leptin along with a lipid profile (cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein levels) were measured in the serum. Neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate were measured in brain tissue. Fecal samples were collected for observing changes in gut flora. In brain tissue, significantly high levels of dopamine and glutamate as well as significantly low levels of serotonin were found in the obese group compared to those in the lean group (P > 0.001) and were discussed in relation to the biochemical profile in the serum. It was also noted that the HFD affected bacterial gut composition in comparison to the control group with gram-positive cocci dominance in the control group compared to obese. The results of the present study confirm that obesity is linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, dyslipidemic processes, and altered brain neurotransmitter levels that can cause obesity-related neuropsychiatric complications.

Objective: Diabetic complications involve multiple pathological pathways, including hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. Combination therapy is usually employed to improve treatment outcomes and to lower potential adverse effects. In this study, we evaluated the effects of antidiabetic and antihypertensive agents, glibenclamide (GLI) and losartan (LT), on diabetes mellitus (DM)-associated metabolic changes in rats. Materials and Methods: Streptozotocin-induced diabetic animals were orally treated with GLI 5 mg/kg and/or LT 25 mg/kg for 4 weeks. Blood glucose, insulin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, urinary creatinine, and urea levels were measured. Serum, liver, and kidney values of inflammatory markers, such as interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin-6 were assessed, along with lipid peroxidation products (e.g., thiobarbituric acid reactive substances), endogenous antioxidants (e.g., glutathione), as well as antioxidant enzyme activities (e.g., catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase). Finally, histological changes in liver and kidney tissues were evaluated. Results: DM markedly induced systemic, hepatic, and renal inflammation and lowered antioxidant defense mechanisms. Treatment of diabetic rats with either GLI or LT significantly improved liver and kidney functions and histological structure. Moreover, both medications reduced signs of oxidative stress and inflammation in blood, liver, and kidney samples. Combining GLI and LT showed similar protective potential against systemic, hepatic, and renal oxidative stress and inflammation. Conclusion: Adding LT to GLI therapy revealed prospective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, while no synergistic or additive effects were observed.

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of Garcinia mangostana (mangosteen) and Curcuma longa independently and synergistically in modulating oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia commonly observed in high-fat diet-induced obesity in rodent models. Male albino Wistar rats were divided into eight experimental groups, fed on a normal diet or high-fat diet (HFD), then given mangosteen extract (400 mg /kg /day) and/or curcumin (80 mg/kg /day) for 6 weeks. Oxidative stress markers, glucose, and lipid fractions were measured in the sera. Mangosteen pericarp extract (MPE) induced a remarkable decrease in BMI (from 0.86 to 0.81 gm/cm2), while curcuma either alone or in combination was more effective, as treated rats recorded BMIs of 0.78 and 0.79 gm/cm2, respectively. Regarding the antioxidant effects, MPE induced a significant increase of GSH in obese rats (123.86 ± 15.53 μg/ml vs 288.72 ± 121.37 μg/ml). As anti-atherogenic agents MPE demonstrate significant effect recorded higher level of HDL-C in treated animals, but ineefective as anti-dyslipidemic agent. Curcumin was more effective in reducing LDL-C levels in obese rats. Both extracts effectively reduced blood glucose. The present study demonstrated that MPE and curcumin were independently and synergistically effective in treating obesity-induced atherogenesis.

Background:Obesity is a risk factor for several diseases related to oxidative stress, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia. Several pharmacological agents have been used to treat obesity, but these commonly exhibit undesirable side effects. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of Garcinia mangostana (mangosteen) and Curcuma longa independently and synergistically in modulating selected biochemical markers of oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia commonly observed in high-fat diet-induced obesity in rodent models. Methods:Male albino Wistar rats were divided into eight experimental groups, fed on a normal diet or high-fat diet (HFD), then given mangosteen extract (400 mg /kg body weight/day) and/or curcumin (80 mg/kg body weight/day) for 6 weeks. Oxidative stress markers, glucose, and lipid fractions were measured in the sera. Results:Curcumin was found to be more effective in reducing BMI, while mangosteen extract was found to induce a significant increase in anti-atherogenic marker HDL-C, but was ineffective in reducing dyslipidemia. Mangosteen extract and curcumin effectively reduced blood glucose. Mangosteen did not exhibit any anti-oxidative effects in normal weight rats; however, it induced a significant increase in glutathione in obese rats. Conclusion:The present study demonstrated that mangosteen pericarp extract and curcumin were independently and synergistically effective in treating obesity-induced atherogenesis.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a progressively prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder with substantial clinical heterogeneity. Despite the considerable interest in dietary interventions, no consensus has been reached regarding the optimal nutritional therapy. The present study aimed to investigate the possible positive effect of goat’s milk (GM) compared to cow’s milk (CM) on ASD autistic features in a valproic acid (VPA; 600 mg/kg)-induced white albino rat model of autism. All tests were conducted on rats that were divided into four groups (n = 15/group): control with goat milk (GM) treatment, control with cow milk (CM) treatment, autistic with goat milk (GM) treatment, and autistic with cow milk treatment. The casein levels were also measured in GM and CM. Social behavior was assessed by three-chambered sociability to test social interaction after the intervention. After 15 days of intervention, selected biomarkers, such as glutathione (GSH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), interleukin-6 (IL-6), neurotransmitter dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), and glutamate (GLU), were measured in blood serum and brain homogenates. The results showed a significant positive effect on social interaction in the VPA rat ASD model fed GM. Blood serum and brain samples showed a positive increase in TBARS in the VPA rat model fed GM, but brain and serum serotonin levels were lower in both VPA-GM and VPA-CM groups. Dopamine in serum was also lower in the VPA-CM group than in the VPA-GM group. IL-6 levels were slightly lower in the VPA-GM group than in the VPA-CM group. In comparison with cow’s milk, goat’s milk was effective in ameliorating the neurotoxic effects of VPA. Goat’s milk may be considered a suitable source of dairy for children diagnosed with ASD. Autistic children with allergies to cow’s milk could possibly convert to goat’s milk. Nevertheless, more in-depth studies and clinical trials are recommended.