Galangin ameliorates changes of membrane-bound enzymes in rats with streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia

Objective: To assess the protective effect of galangin on membrane bound enzymes in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Methods: A single low dose of streptozotocin was injected to adult male albino rats to induce hyperglycemia. Galangin (8 mg/kg) or glibenclamide 600 μg/kg as a standard drug was given orally once daily for 45 days by gavage. Membrane-bound adenosine triphosphatases were determined including total ATPase, sodium-potassium-ATPase, calcium-ATPase and magnesium-ATPase in erythrocytes and tissues (kidney, liver, and heart). Results: The levels of total ATPases, sodium-potassium-ATPase, calcium-ATPase and magnesium-ATPase in erythrocytes and tissues were significantly altered in diabetic rats as compared to that in normal rats. After 45 days of treatment with galangin or glibenclamide, the levels of these enzymes were similar to that of normal control rats. Conclusions: Oral administration of galangin or glibenclamide can improve activities of these membrane-bound ATPases towards normal levels. Mechanism of galangin needs to be further explored in future.

Apolipoproteins and vitamin C intake in healthy Saudi adults

Vitamin C has been shown to he an effective therapy for reducing total serum cholesterol, but recent studies have determined that low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C] and high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] as well as their apolipoprotein Apo B and Apo A-1 respectively are actually better predictive measures of coronary heart disease risk, therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between vitamin C intakes and the serum concentration of vitamin C, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides, Apo B and Apo A. 1 in healthy Saudi subjects. The results show that vitamin C intake had a significant positive association with serum concentrations of vitamin C, HDL-C and Apo A-1, but an inverse association with serum concentrations of LDL-C, Apo B and triglyceride, after adjusting for age, body mass index and gender. Vitamin C intake was inversely related to the mean LDL/HDL and triglyceridef HDL ratios. So it is concluded that increase vitamin C intake could play an important role in lipoprotein concentrations as well as their apolipoproteins and could play a potential role in the prevention of atherogenic disease in healthy Saudi men

Assessment of riboflavin status by dietary intake and concentration in red blood cell of adult Saudis in Riyadh City - Saudi Arabia

Limited studies indicated riboflavin [Vitamin B2] deficiency among Saudi men, women and children in some regions of Saudi Arabia. These studies depended on glutathione reductase activity coefficient to assess the status of riboflavin and reported that insufficient riboflavin intake or impaired absorption may be the cause of its deficiency. The aim of this study was to assess the status of riboflavin of adult Saudis in Riyadh - Saudi Arabia by determining the average intake of three consecutive days and the concentration in red blood cells. 202 adult Saudis were recruited from Riyadh City. Body mass index [BMI] and hemoglobin concentration were also determined. The results showed that average riboflavin intake was 2.21 +/- 0.94 mg/day; average riboflavin concentration in red blood cells was 29.3 +/- 9.11 micro g/dL. Percentage of participants who had intake below DRI [Dietary Reference Intake] recommendation was 7.9% [n = 16] and these below EAR [Estimated Average Requirement] value was 1.4% [n = 3]. Concentrations of riboflavin in red blood cells of all participants were within normal range. BMI and hemoglobin values did not reveal existence of malnutrition or anemia, which negatively effect riboflavin status and its assessment. Results of this study showed that riboflavin deficiency due to inadequate intake or impaired absorption does not exist among adult Saudis in Riyadh City. However, this study recommends more investigations to determine causes of riboflavin deficiency that have been reported in previous studies

Influence of Ceylon Cinnamon [cinnamomum zeyanicums] on Fasting Blood Glucose and Lipid Profiles in Male Alloxan-Diabetic Rats

The objective of this study was to determine whether the extract of Ceylon cinnamon, Cinnamomum Zeyanicums, improves fasting blood glucose [FBG], total cholesterol [TC], high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-cholesterol], low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-cholesterol] and triglyceride [TG] in addition to body weight gain, food intake and food efficiency ratio [FER] in male Alloxan-diabetic rats. Cinnamon extract was administered at different dosages [200, 400, 600 and 1200 mg/kg body weight] for thirty days [first period, period I] followed by a fifteen day wash-out period [second period, period II]. After thirty days of cinnamon extract administration in the diabetic rat groups, the concentration of FBG, TC, LDL-cholesterol and TG were significantly [P < 0.05] decreased with the most in Group 3 [rats fed 200 mg cinnamon extract/kg body weight] compared with the diabetic control group [positive control]. The hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Ceylon cinnamon administration in diabetic rats were associated with significant increases in body weight gain, food intake and food efficiency ratios. Whereas, after the fifteen day wash-out period, the concentration of FBG, TC, LDL-cholesterol and TG gradually increased but were still lower than that in the diabetic control group [positive control]. The maintenance of lower blood glucose and lipid profiles, even when the diabetic rats were fed the cinnamon extract or during the wash-out period indicates a sustained effect of cinnamon extract which suggests that cinnamon extract has a regulatory role in blood glucose and lipid profile levels