The objective of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacies of crude yam (Dioscorea batatas) powder (PY), water extract of yam (EY), and allantoin (the active constituent of yam) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats with respect to glucose, insulin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), C-peptide, glycated hemoglobin (HbAlc), lipid metabolism, and oxidative stress. For this purpose, 50 rats were divided into five groups: normal control (NC), diabetic control (STZ), and STZ plus treatment groups (STZ + PY, STZ + EY, and STZ + allantoin). After treatment for one-month, there was a decrease in blood glucose: 385 ± 7 in STZ, 231 ± 3 in STZ + PY, 214 ± 11 in STZ + EY, and 243 ± 6 mg/dL in STZ + allantoin, respectively. There were significant statistical differences (p < 0.001) compared to STZ (100%): 60% in STZ + PY, 55% in STZ + EY, and 63% in STZ + allantoin. With groups in the same order, there were significant decreases (p < 0.001) in HbAlc (100% as 24.4 ± 0.6 ng/mL, 78%, 75%, and 77%), total cholesterol (100% as 122 ± 3 mg/dL, 70%, 67%, and 69%), and low-density lipoprotein (100% as 29 ± 1 mg/dL, 45%, 48%, and 38%). There were also significant increases (p < 0.001) in insulin (100% as 0.22 ± 0.00 ng/mL, 173%, 209%, and 177%), GLP-1 (100% as 18.4 ± 0.7 pmol/mL, 160%, 166%, and 162%), and C-peptide (100% as 2.56 ± 0.10 ng/mL, 129%, 132%, and 130%). The treatment effectively ameliorated antioxidant stress as shown by a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in malondialdehyde (100% as 7.25 ± 0.11 nmol/mL, 87%, 86%, and 85%) together with increases (p < 0.01) in superoxide dismutase (100% as 167 ± 6 IU/mL, 147%, 159%, and 145%) and reduced glutathione (100% as 167 ± 6 nmol/mL, 123%, 141%, and 140%). The results indicate that yam and allantoin have antidiabetic effects by modulating antioxidant activities, lipid profiles and by promoting the release of GLP-1, thereby improving the function of β-cells maintaining normal insulin and glucose levels.

Atrial remodeling due to elevated arterial pressure predisposes the heart to atrial fibrillation (AF). Although abnormal sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function has been associated with AF, there is little information on the effects of elevated afterload on atrial Ca2+-handling. We investigated the effects of ascending aortic banding (AoB) on Ca2+-handling in rat isolated atrial myocytes in comparison to age-matched sham-operated animals (Sham). Myocytes were either labelled for ryanodine receptor (RyR) or loaded with fluo-3-AM and imaged by confocal microscopy. AoB myocytes were hypertrophied in comparison to Sham controls (P<0.0001). RyR labeling was localized to the z-lines and to the cell edge. There were no differences between AoB and Sham in the intensity or pattern of RyR-staining. In both AoB and Sham, electrical stimulation evoked robust SR Ca2+-release at the cell edge whereas Ca2+ transients at the cell center were much smaller. Western blotting showed a decreased L-type Ca channel expression but no significant changes in RyR or RyR phosphorylation or in expression of Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, SR Ca2+ ATPase or phospholamban. Mathematical modeling indicated that [Ca2+]i transients at the cell center were accounted for by simple centripetal diffusion of Ca2+ released at the cell edge. In contrast, caffeine (10 mM) induced Ca2+ release was uniform across the cell. The caffeine-induced transient was smaller in AoB than in Sham, suggesting a reduced SR Ca2+-load in hypertrophied cells. There were no significant differences between AoB and Sham cells in the rate of Ca2+ extrusion during recovery of electrically-stimulated or caffeine-induced transients. The incidence and frequency of spontaneous Ca2+-transients following rapid-pacing (4 Hz) was greater in AoB than in Sham myocytes. In conclusion, elevated afterload causes cellular hypertrophy and remodeling of atrial SR Ca2+-release.

channels activate in response to β-adrenergic metabolic stress in Langendorffperfused rat hearts, resulting in a proarrhythmic substrate. (Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. 2012;5:1184-1192.)

This study was to investigate physicochemical characteristics, fatty acids, minerals and hematological alterations in broiler chickens artificially infected with 1 Â 10 4 sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tenella. Results revealed that pH values were decreased (p ˂ .05) in the infected group (IG) at 7 and 9 days post infection (dpi) than those at 5 dpi, although no significant differences between the non-infected group (NIG) and IG. Infection with E. tenella did not affect meat colour parameters except that redness was lower (p ˂ .05) than that in the NIG. Cooking loss was decreased (p ˂ .05) in NIG and IG at 7 and 9 dpi than that at 5 dpi. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) value was increased (p ˂ .05) in IG at 7 dpi than 5 or 9 dpi and NIG (p ˂ .01). Total protein (TP) and total cholesterol (TC) were significantly lowered in IG at 5 dpi. Other blood parameter results showed decreases of glucose (GLU), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in infected chicken at 7 dpi compared to those in the NIG without significance. However, albumin (ALB) level was decreased (p ˂ .01) in the IG compared with NIG at 5 dpi. Levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were lowered (p < .05) in the IG than NIG at 7 dpi. Mineral contents of Ca, Mg, Cu, and Zn were lowered (p ˂ .01) in the IG than those in the NIG at 7 dpi. Based on these results indicate that a low dose of E. tenella has no impact on meat quality traits, fatty acids although it can slightly affect blood parameters and mineral contents. HIGHLIGHTS The low dose of Eimeria tenella has no impact on meat quality traits and fatty acids of broiler meat. A significant increase in some blood parameter is observed in infected broiler chickens at 9 dpi. Mineral contents of Ca, Mg, Cu and Zn decreases in infected broiler meat at 7 dpi.