Apoptosis in type 2 diabetic patients with micro vascular complications

Type 2 diabetes mellitus results from an inadequate adaptation of the functional pancreatic beta cell mass in the face of insulin resistance. Apoptosis is programmed cell death or cell suicide, it is an energy-requiring process that involves de novo protein synthesis. Apoptotic mechanisms could explain insulin deficiency through a reduction in absolute beta cell mass. This study was conducted on 49 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus from Internal Medicine Department, Kasr- El Aini hospital. They were classified into group A [10 patients] without micro vascular complications, group B [39 patients]with micro vascular complication [peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy and nephropathy] and 10 healthy persons served as control group[group C].All subjects were subjected to full Clinical assessment and routine laboratory investigations, 24 hours urinary albumin, ECG, fundus examination and quantitative assay of proapoptotic markers [Fas, FasL, and Bcl2 proteins] There was significant correlation behveen fasting blood glucose and Fas, FasL, and Bcl2 [P value

Hypoglycemic effect of two mixtures of plant extracts on diabetic rats

Seeds of eight plant extracts, widely grown in Egypt were assessed for their hypoglycemic action on diabetic rats. Mixture [I] composed of Trigonella foenurn [Hulba], Lupinis albus [Termis], Gernum robertianum [Dahrnia], Ambrosia maritima [Damsisa] and Aloe ferox [Sabir], [5g each]. Mixture [II] composed of Nigella sativa [Habet el-baraka], Peganum harmala [Harmal] and Centaur/urn spicatum [Hashishet el-acrab], [5 g each]. Each mixture was extracted separately with boiled distilled water, then 2 ml from each extracted mixture were administrated, separately to the diabetic rats for 10 days [two days intervals]. The physiological capability of each extract was demonstrated, including the estimation of blood glucose, urea, creatinine, AST, ALT, insulin levels, beside liver protein content and hexokinase activity. The results revealed that the extract of mixture [I] exerted hypoglycemic and hyperinsulinemic effects on diabetic rats, meanwhile the extract of mixture [II] exerted hypoglycemic effect on the diabetic rats with no effect on the insulin level