These results indicate that M. alba has protective effect on diabetic retinopathy with possible mechanisms of inhibiting hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, polyol pathway activation, and VEGF expression in the retina.

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BackgroundRecently, several research studies have been focused on the isolation and function of the polysaccharides derived from different algal species, which revealed multiple biological activities such as antioxidant and antitumor activities. This study assesses the possible breast cancer chemopreventive properties of common seaweeds, sea lettuce, Ulva lactuca (ulvan) polysaccharides using in vitro bioassays on human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and an in vivo animal model of breast carcinogenesis.MethodsCytotoxic effect of ulvan polysaccharides on MCF-7 was tested in vitro. For an in vivo investigation, a single dose of 25 mg/kg body weight 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and ulvan polysaccharides (50 mg/kg body weight every other day) for 10 weeks were administered orally to the Wistar rats.ResultsDeleterious histopathological alterations in breast tissues including papillary cyst adenoma and hyperplasia of ductal epithelial lining with intraluminal necrotic materials and calcifications were observed in the DMBA-administered group. These lesions were prevented in the DMBA-administered group treated with ulvan polysaccharides. The immunohistochemical sections depicted that the treatment of DMBA-administered rats with ulvan polysaccharides markedly increased the lowered pro-apoptotic protein, p53, and decreased the elevated anti-apoptotic marker, bcl2, expression in the breast tissue. The elevated lipid peroxidation and the suppressed antioxidant enzyme activities in DMBA-administered control were significantly prevented by the treatment with ulvan polysaccharides. The elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α and nitric oxide were significantly ameliorated in DMBA-administered rats treated with ulvan polysaccharides as compared to DMBA-administered control.ConclusionIn conclusion, ulvan polysaccharides at the level of initiation and promotion might have potential chemopreventive effects against breast carcinogenesis. These preventive effects may be mediated through the augmentation of apoptosis, suppression of oxidative stress and inflammation, and enhancement of antioxidant defense system.

Background Most guidelines all over the world recommended metformin as the first-line treatment for in type 2 diabetic patients. Therefore, the present study was suggested to assess the outcome of metformin administration and glycemic status on alterations in red blood cell (RBCs) indices as well as the oxidative stress in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods Between December 2016 and October of 2017, a total of 158 eligible individuals were classified as 50 healthy subjects and 108 diabetic patients who were subdivided into six groups according to the type of anti-diabetic treatments. Results Overall, the results elucidated that hemoglobin concentration was markedly diminished, while red cell distribution width (RDW) value was significantly ( P < 0.001) elevated in all diabetic groups as compared to control. Moreover, in all diabetic groups, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was elevated noticeably ( P < 0.001), while reduced glutathione (GSH) revealed a lower concentration ( P < 0.001) than that of control. Conclusion The present study exhibited the amelioration effect of metformin administration on oxidative stress and glycemic status which reflected on some RBCs indices. However, hemoglobin concentration showed a noticeable diminution in all metformin-treated groups in spite of the improvement in glycemic and oxidative stress status which indicated that the metformin-induced anemia is independently from diabetic complications.

Objective: This study aims to determine the protective effect of cinnamaldehyde (Ci) and ellagic acid (EA) on maternal and fetal hepatic injury caused by fatty-sucrosed-diet/streptozotocin (FSD/STZ)-rat model of gestational diabetes (GD).Methods: Female Wistar rats were allocated into four groups. Group I fed with a normal diet, while Groups II, III, and IV feds with FSD for 8 weeks (five pre-gestational and three gestational). One week before mating onward, Group III and IV administered daily oral dose of 20 mg/kg Ci or 50 mg/kg EA, respectively. At the 7th day of gestation, FSD-fed groups injected intraperitoneally with STZ (25 mg/kg b.wt.) to induce GD mellitus. At the end of gestation, maternal and fetal blood, pancreas and liver samples were taken for the subsequent analysis.Results: Ci and EA potentially protect from the elevated glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterols, liver transaminases, and the depleted serum insulin, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, total proteins and albumin of GD-rats. As well, tested agents alleviated the altered fetal glucose and insulin levels. Alongside, Ci and EA reduced the maternal and fetal liver lipid peroxidation and increased their total thiols and total peroxidases. Furthermore, Ci and EA kept the normal intact of maternal and fetal pancreatic islets and preserve their livers away from the pathological changes observed in GD group that included fatty depositions, inflammation, hepatocytic necrosis and fibrosis, congested veins, diminutive storable glycogen and proteins, and the numerous proliferating cell nuclear antigen nuclei.Conclusion: Ci and EA have potent hepatoprotective effects through their insulin-sensitizing action and activating the antioxidant defenses.