Mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle has been implicated in the development of insulin resistance, a major characteristic of type 2 diabetes. There is evidence that oxidative stress results from the increased production of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, tissue damage, insulin resistance, and other complications observed in type 2 diabetes. It has been suggested that intake of high fructose contributes to insulin resistance and other metabolic disturbances. However, there is limited information about the direct effect of fructose on the mitochondrial function of skeletal muscle, the major metabolic determinant of whole body insulin activity. Here, we assessed the effect of fructose exposure on mitochondria-mediated mechanisms in skeletal muscle cells. Exposure of L6 myotubes to high fructose stimulated the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide (NO), and the expression of inducible NO synthase. Fructose-induced oxidative stress was associated with increased translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 to the nucleus, decreases in mitochondrial DNA content and mitochondrial dysfunctions, as evidenced by decreased activities of citrate synthase and mitochondrial dehydrogenases, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, decreased activity of the mitochondrial respiratory complexes, and impaired mitochondrial energy metabolism. Furthermore, positive Annexin-propidium iodide staining and altered expression of Bcl-2 family members and caspases in L6 myotubes indicated that the cells progressively became apoptotic upon fructose exposure. Taken together, these findings suggest that exposure of skeletal muscle cells to fructose induced oxidative stress that decreased mitochondrial DNA content and triggered mitochondrial dysfunction, which caused apoptosis.

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Nanotechnology for the treatment and diagnosis has been emerging recently as a potential area of research and development. In the present study, selenium incorporated guar gum nanoparticles have been prepared by nanoprecipitation and characterized by transmission electron microscopy and particle size analysis. The nanoparticles were screened for antioxidant potential (metal chelation, total reducing power and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity) and were evaluated against the cell line based cardiac ischemia/reperfusion model with special emphasis on oxidative stress and mitochondrial parameters. The cell based cardiac ischemia model was employed using H9c2 cell lines. Investigations revealed that there was a significant alteration (P ≤ 0.05) in the innate antioxidant status (glutathione↓, glutathione peroxidase↓, thioredoxin reductase↓, superoxide dismutase↓, catalase↓, lipid peroxidation↑, protein carbonyl↑, xanthine oxidase↑ and caspase 3 activity↑), mitochondrial functions (reactive oxygen species generation, membrane potential, and pore opening) and calcium homeostasis (calcium ATPase and intracellular calcium overload) during both ischemia and reperfusion. For comparative evaluation, selenium, guar gum and selenium incorporated guar gum nanoparticles were evaluated for their protective properties against ischemia/reperfusion. The study reveals that selenium incorporated guar gum nanoparticles were better at protecting the cells from ischemia/reperfusion compared to selenium and guar gum nanoparticles. The potent antioxidant capability shown by the sample in in vitro assays may be the biochemical basis of its better biological activity. Further, the nanodimensions of the particle may be the additional factor responsible for its better effect.

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Oxidative stress and associated complications are the major pathological concerns of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DC). We aim to elucidate the mechanisms by which high glucose (HG) induced alteration in calcium homeostasis and evaluation of the beneficial effect of two concentrations (10 and 25 μm) of ferulic acid (FA). HG was induced in H9c2 cardiomyoblast by treating with glucose (33 mm) for 48 h, and FA was co‐treated. Intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) overload was found increased significantly with HG. For elucidation of mechanism, the SERCA pathway and mitochondrial integrity (transmembrane potential and permeability transition pore) were explored. Then, we assessed oxidative stress, and cell injury with brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. HG caused significant [Ca2+]i overload through downregulation of SERCA2/1, pPLN, and pPKA C‐α; and upregulation of PLN and PKA C‐α and alteration in the integrity of mitochondria with HG. The [Ca2+]i overload in turn caused oxidative stress via generation of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, and protein carbonylation. This resulted in cell injury which was evident with significant release of BNP, ANP, and LDH. FA co‐treatment was effective to mitigate all pathological changes caused by HG. From the overall results, we conclude that [Ca2+]i overload via SERCA pathway and altered mitochondrial integrity is the main cause for oxidative stress during HG. Based on our result, we report that FA could be an attractive nutraceutical for DC.

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This study evaluated the inhibitory potential of ethyl acetate extract of Parmotrema tinctorum (PTEE), an edible lichen, against aldose reductase (AR) and carbohydrate digestive enzymes such as α-glucosidase and α-amylase. It was also screened for antioxidant activities by using DPPH, ABTS, superoxide and hydroxyl radical-scavenging assays. PTEE exhibited α-glucosidase, α-amylase and AR inhibition along with significant antiglycation potential with an estimated IC50 value of 58.45 ± 1.24, 587.74 ± 3.27, 139.28 ± 2.6 and 285.78 ± 1.287 μg/mL, respectively. Antioxidant activity of PTEE against DPPH (IC50 396.83 ± 2.98 μg/mL), ABTS (151.34 ± 1.79 μg/mL), superoxide (30.29 ± 1.17 μg/mL) and hydroxyl (35.42 ± 1.22 μg/mL) radicals suggests the antioxidant potential of P. tinctorum. Significant antioxidant activity and inhibitory potential against carbohydrate digestive enzymes and AR suggest that P. tinctorum can be developed as functional food/nutraceuticals for diabetes after detailed study.