2015) Cardioameliorative effect of punicalagin against streptozotocin-induced apoptosis, redox imbalance, metabolic changes and inflammation, A B S T R A C TThe effect of punicalagin on metabolic risks, oxidative stress, inflammation, cardiac apoptosis and histopathological alterations in experimentally induced diabetes was addressed. Diabetes was induced in male rats by a single injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 40 mg/kg, i.p.), and then punicalagin (1 mg/kg) was i.p. administered every other day for 15 days. The diabetic rats treated with punicalagin exhibited ameliorated hyperglycemia and HbA1c; improved insulin levels, HOMA-IR levels and lipid profiles; and normalized levels of IL-1b, IL-6 and TNF-α. Punicalagin also reduced the increase in the MDA and H2O2 levels; normalized the levels of GSH, SOD and CAT in the heart; and improved serum markers of heart function including the levels of troponin T level and CK-MB and LDH activities. Histopathological examinations of heart sections match these results, confirming the beneficial effect of punicalagin. It also modulated cardiomyocyte apoptosis via enhanced Bcl-2 expression; blocked the increases in P53, Bax and caspases-3, 8 and 9; and ameliorated DNA damage in the heart. The current results suggest that punicalagin protected the heart against apoptosis, necrosis, inflammation and DNA damage by improving the redox state, suppressing caspases and P53 and increasing Bcl-2. In conclusion, punicalagin possesses strong therapeutic potential in treating and regulating diabetes and attenuating its associated complications in the heart.
Tamoxifen, the widely prescribed drug in the prevention and therapy of breast cancer, may cause side effects which may be influenced by gender. The present study was undertaken to investigate the impact of gender on tamoxifen-induced toxic and biochemical changes following oral administration of tamoxifen at high dose level of 20 mg/kg once daily for a 2-week period in both male and female rats. The results showed marked increases in serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in female rats. In contrast, treatment with tamoxifen in male animals significantly decreased the activity of ALT, with a tendency for a decrease in serum AST levels. In female rats, a significant reduction in the serum activity of acid phosphatase (ACP) was noted, compared with a non-significant decrease in males. Non-significant changes in serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were seen in both sexes. Tamoxifen lowered serum contents of total lipid and total cholesterol in both male and female rats. Serum levels of triglycerides were reduced in female rats as compared to a non-significant decrease in male animals. The serum albumin concentration was decreased in both male and female rats, while total protein was decreased only in female animals. Tamoxifen markedly increased serum levels of creatinine in female rats, compared with a non-significant rise in males. Total serum contents of calcium were similarly reduced in both males and females. This is the first study which points to gender-related differences in tamoxifen-induced toxic and metabolic changes in rats. The results indicated that females are more susceptible than males to tamoxifen toxicity, probably due to the ability of tamoxifen to antagonize the action of estrogen in females.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.