No abstract

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents about 90% of diabetic cases. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most serious complications of diabetes. Sitagliptin has an important role in enhancement of the Glucagon-like peptide receptor (GLP-1R) which present in the kidneys, so it may have a role in enhancement of the kidney function in T2DM. Also, Punica granatum peels extract (PGPE) is a herb which has anti-hyperglycemic and antioxidant activities. Objective: This study was designed to investigate the role of PGPE and/or sitagliptin on renal functions in induced diabetes. Methodology: The current study was performed on 60 adult male albino rats. Rats weighing 200 to 250 grams. Rats were divided into: Group I "normal control animals" consists of 20 rats (divided into group 1: normal control and group 2: vehicle received control) 10 rats / each. Group II "Diabetic animals" consist of 40 rats were divided into 4 treated groups: (Diabetic, PGPE, Sitagliptin, sitagliptin and PGPE) 10 rats /each. At the end of experimental period (6 weeks), urinary protein, fasting blood glucose (FBG), urea, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, malonyldialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), antioxidant enzymes and histopathology of renal tissue were assayed. Results: In diabetic rats there were increased FBG, urea, BUN, creatinine, urinary protein, MDA and TNFα with decreased GSH and SOD. Treatment with PGPE and sitagliptin caused decrease in SFBG, urea, BUN, creatinine, TNFα, MDA and total protein with increase in GSH and SOD. Histopathological examination of diabetic rats revealed dilated glomerular space and dilated degenerated tubules. Treatment with PGPE and sitagliptin revealed improvement in the glomerular space with less tubular dilatation. Conclusion: Results of the present work showed that combination of PGPE and sitagliptin have synergistic effects for each other and have a better renoprotective effects in diabetic rats.

In this study, the biochemical effects of Catha edulis leaves chewing (as psycho stimulant and aphrodisiac) on the serum concentration of resistin, insulin, cortisol, zinc, calcium, copper and blood glucose in both healthy individuals and type 2 diabetic patients were examined. 80 male subjects aged 35-55 years were recruited in this study, 40 of them were previously diagnosed as type 2 diabetics and the other 40 were healthy non-diabetics. The above two groups were subdivided into two subgroups (n = 20) in accordance on whether they were regular and chronic khat chewers or none into NNK; healthy non-khat chewers, NK; healthy khat chewers, DNK; type 2 diabetic non-khat chewers and DK; type 2 diabetic khat chewers. Khat chewing resulted in elevated resistin, cortisol, FBG, PBG levels and HOMA-IR in either diabetics or healthy khat chewers than those of non-khat chewers and generally in diabetics than healthy. In addition, khat chewing resulted in a significant increase in calcium and copper serum levels. In contrast, serum zinc and insulin levels in diabetic chewers were significantly lower than those of diabetic's non-chewers. Catha edulis Forsk chewing adds additional toxic effects to type 2 diabetics by increasing cortisol and resistin levels while decreasing insulin secretion and sensitivity.