Selenium administration improves lipid profiles and hemodynamic parameters in immobilized rats

Immobilization stress is thought to increase pro-oxidants that may contribute to the development of lipid peroxidation, atherosclerosis and hypertension. Thus, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of oral administration of selenium [Se] on fasting serum lipids [triglycerides; TG, total cholesterol; TC, low-density lipoproteins; LDL, and Highdensity lipoproteins; HDL] and some hemodynamic [systolic blood pressure; SBP and vascular reactivity of aortic strips to norepinephrine; VRNE] and blood parameters [serum sodium; Na [+] and potassium; K [+]] in rats exposed to immobilization stress. Forty adult male albino rats were used in this study and divided into 5 equal groups [n = 8]; Normal nontreated group [NNT] served as control and given daily distilled water orally for 3 weeks [wks]; Normal Se-treated group [NST] given distilled water for 1 wk, then oral sodium selenite [Se; 1.5 mg/kg] daily for another 2 wks; Immobilized non-treated group [INT] given distilled water for 3 wks, and concomitantly immobilized [6 hs/d for 1 wk] during wk 2; Immobilized Se pre- and concomitant-treated group [ISPC] given Se for 2 wks and concomitantly immobilized during wk 2, then given daily distilled water during wk 3; Immobilized Se concomitant- and post-treated group [ISCP] daily given distilled water for 1 wk, then Se during the last 2 wks with concomitant immobilization during wk 2. INT group showed significant increase of TG, TC, LDL, SBP, VRNE, and Na [+] levels, but significant decrease of HDL and K [+] levels when compared to the corresponding parameters in NNT group. Se supplementation to normal rats did not change significantly any of the tested parameters. On the other hand, ISPC rats revealed significant lower levels of TG, TC, LDL, SBP, VRNE, and Na[+], but significant higher levels of HDL and K[+] when compared to the corresponding parameters in INT group. Moreover, ISCP rats revealed significant lower levels of TG, TC, LDL, SBP, VRNE, and Na[+], but significant higher levels of HDL and K[+] when compared to the corresponding parameters in INT and ISPC groups. From this study, it is concluded that selenium administration in cases of immobilization stress can improve the accompanied state of hyperlipidemia and hypertension specially if supplemented concomitantly and after the immobilization period

Hypoglycaemic, Hypolipidaemic and hepatoprotective actions of acacia nilotica aqueous extract in streptozotocin - induced diabetic rats

In this study, the effects of A. nilotica [AAN] in serum glucose, lipids and hepatic functions were evaluated in normal and streptozotocin [STZ]-induced diabetic rats. The experimental animals were divided into four groups: A normal untreated group orally administered a vehicle for three weeks, a normal AAN-treated group received oral daily dose of AAN [58 mg/kg] for three weeks, a diabetic untreated group injected i.p. with STZ [60 mg/kg] and a diabetic AAN- treated group included STZ-induced diabetic rats received a daily oral dose of AAN extract for three weeks. Serum glucose, triglycerides [TG], cholesterol, alanine minotransferase [ALT], and aspartate aminotransferase [AST] were analyzed. Paraffin-embedded liver sections were used for histopathology and detection of polysaccharides contents and immuno expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. STZ-induced diabetic rats showed significant elevation of serum glucose and hepatic markers [ALT and AST] with hepatic cellular swelling, cytoplasmic alterations, nuclear hypertrophy, cellular damage and depleted hepatic polysaccharides. Administration of AAN produced a significant hypoglycemic effect in normal rats and significant decreases in serum glucose, cholesterol and TG in diabetic rats. Also, AAN stimulated the expression of the Bcl-2 protein in the liver of both normal and STZ-induced diabetic rats and prevented the occurrence of hepatic cellular swelling and damage. However, administration of AAN to normal rats in creased insignificantly ALT and AST levels accompanied with few hepatic cellular changes. Moreover, administration of AAN to diabetic rats did not significantly decrease the elevated serum ALT and AST levels