Serum CRP in STZ-diabetic rats and its correlation with cytokines: evidence for chronic inflammation and a trial for treatment

To find out the link between diabetes and inflammation and the possible relation between acute phase proteins and cytokines in experimental diabetes. In addition to study the role of hypoglycemic, natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents either individually or in combined forms to select the best combination for treatment. Setting: Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University. Design: Group comparative study. Animals: STZ-diabetic male albino rats were allocated into groups and treated according to the following scheduel [1] glimepiride [G] [2] catechin [C] [3] aspirin [A] [4] G + C [5] G +A [6] C + A. A normal control group and STZ-diabetic one were used for comparison. Intervention: Experimental diabetes was induced in rats by a single IP injection of STZ. Serum glucose was evaluated enzymatically, levels of inflammatory mediators [SAA and CRP] and cytokines [TNF-alpha and IL-6] were estimated by ELISA technique. Rats received STZ demonstrated significant increase in their serum levels of glucose, SAA, CRP, TNF-alpha and IL-6. Glimepiride administration induced significant hypoglycemic effect associated with non significant changes in the other tested parameters. Meanwhile, combination of G + C or G + A showed significant reduction in tested parameters. Catechin exhibited significant decrease in serum levels of glucose, SAA, TNF-ct and IL-6. On the other hand, catechin combination forms [G + C, C + A] demonstrated significant decrease in glucose, SAA, CRP, TNF-alpha and IL-6. Whereas aspirin decrease the levels of SAA, CRP, TNF-alpha and IL-6. Experimental diabetes showed evident of hyperglycemia joined with an increase in inflammatory markers [SAA, CRP] and cytokines [TNF-alpha, IL-6]. Marked differences were observed between the effect of the tested drugs. Glimepiride-catechin combination is preferable for its antidiabetic effects, whereas glimepiride-aspirin combined form is favorable for both antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory properties

Metabolic effects of desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol combination [marvelon] in rats

Administration of desogestrel-ethinyl-estradiol combination [one dose level] to groups of female rats for 30 days resulted in an increase in serum, triglycerides, cholesterol [total, LDLc, HDLc, VLDLc] and sodium ions. Continual administration for 60 and 90 days resulted in additional increase in Ca ++ and a decrease in K + level. Body weights showed also a highly significant increase during 90 days of treatment. Administration of two dose levels induced nearly similar findings. These results were discussed and it was concluded that the net effect depends on the balance effect of estrogen and progestin

Effect of dietary protein on kidney functions of normal and diabetic rats

In diabetic renal model in animals, a chronically high protein intake increased the rate of progression of renal disease and the number of sclerotic glomeruli as compared to animals chronically feed low protein intake. The rate of progression of renal disease in animals as in man, also depends on the degree of systemic and/or glomerular hypertension. The present study is designed to elucidate the impact of dietary protein [High [HP] 30% and low [LP] 10%] on kidney function of normal and diabetic rats for a period of two months feeding. High protein diet increased the severity of kidney disease of STZ diabetic rats, by impairing kidney function, revealed by significant elevations of serum total protein, albumin, creatinine, urea, uric acid and phosphate. It also increased glomerular filtration rate [GFR]. While low protein diet showed reduction in [GFR], modulating kidney function and reduce serum phosphate in normal and diabetic rats