Coriandrum sativum L. aqueous extract mitigates high fat diet induced insulin resistance by controlling visceral adiposity in C57BL/6J Mice / Coriandrum sativum L. extracto acuoso mitiga dieta rica en grasas de alta resistencia a la insulina inducida por el control de la adiposidad visceral en ratones C57BL/6J

This study investigates the effect of dietary supplementation with Coriandrum sativum L. seed aqueous extract (CS) to a high fat diet (HFD), for induced insulin resistance (IR) C57BL/6J mice. Changes in body weight, food intake, feed efficiency ratio, fasting blood glucose (FBG), plasma insulin, fasting insulin resistance index (FIRI), plasma and hepatic triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and, plasma free fatty acid (FFA) levels were evaluated in control and treated groups. Also, the diameter, surface area and number of adipocytes and, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) and intraperitoneal insulin response test (IPRTT) were performed. CS supplementation (1 percent and 3 percent w/w) to HFD fed mice (for 12 weeks) significantly prevented HFD induced increment in body weight gain, food intake, feed efficiency, FBG, plasma insulin, FIRI, plasma and hepatic TG and TC and, plasma FFA, adipocyte diameter and surface area along with decrement in adipocyte number. Also, improved responses were recorded in the IPGTT and IPRTT in CS supplemented HFD fed mice. These set of changes were comparable to the rosiglitazone (0.05 percent) supplemented HFD fed mice. Our findings suggest that CS improves insulin sensitivity primarily by mitigating plasma and tissue lipids and, adipocyte hypertrophy.

En este estudio se investigó el efecto de un extracto acuoso de semillas de Coriandrum sativum L. (CS), adicionado a una dieta con alto contenido graso en ratones C57BL/6J, con resistencia a la insulina inducida. Los cambios en el aumento de peso corporal, consumo de alimento, eficiencia alimenticia, glicemia, insulina plasmática, índice de resistencia a la insulina, triglicéridos hepáticos y plasmáticos, colesterol total y concentración plasmática de ácidos grasos libres, fueron evaluados en grupos control y tratados. Adicionalmente se controló, el diámetro, superficie y número de adipocitos, prueba de tolerancia a la glucosa intraperitoneal y la prueba de respuesta de la insulina por vía intraperitoneal. La adición de CS (1 por ciento y 3 por ciento w / w) a la dieta con alto contenido graso a ratones (12 semanas) previno de manera significativa el incremento de peso, la ingesta de alimentos, la eficiencia alimenticia, FBG, la insulina plasmática, FIRI, los triglicéridos hepáticos y plasmáticos, el colesterol total, ácidos grasos libres plasmáticos, el diámetro de los adipocitos y la superficie junto con el decremento en el número de los adipocitos. Además, mejoras de la respuesta se registraron en el IPGTT y IPRTT. Este conjunto de cambios fue comparable al obtenido con rosiglitazona (0,05 por ciento), adicionada a la dieta con alto contenido graso. Estos hallazgos sugieren que el CS mejora la sensibilidad a la insulina principalmente por la mitigación de los lípidos del plasma, del tejido y la hipertrofia del adipocito.

Combined effects of chlorpyrifos and lead on biochemical parameters after repeated dose 90-day dietary exposure in wistar rats.

The presence of organophosphorus pesticides and heavy metals as food contaminants along the food production line is a common finding. To investigate the interactive/combination effects of chlorpyrifos (CPF) and lead acetate (LA) on biochemical parameters, Wistar rats were exposed to both via dietary mode for a period of 90 days. The study was designed using two different dose levels of CPF and LA, and grouped into seven groups: control - 0 (Group 1), CPF - 1 (Group 2), LA - 50 (Group 3), CPF - 1 + LA - 50 (Group 4), CPF - 10 (group 5), LA 1000 (Group 6) and CPF - 10 + LA - 500 (Group 7) ppm. The haematology and clinical chemistry parameters were evaluated at the end of weeks 4 and 13 of exposure period, and after 4 weeks of recovery period. There were no significant changes in haematological parameters, except for a slight anaemic effect in leadtreated animals. Serum biochemistry revealed reductions in serum and RBC cholinesterase enzymes at the end of weeks 4 and 13 in groups 5 and 7. The 90-day exposure followed by a post-treatment free period of 28-days revealed higher inhibition of RBC cholinesterase enzyme in the recovery group of Chlorpyrifos-plus-Lead treated group, when compared with CPF-alone treated group. A similar trend was observed in serum glucose level of animals treated with a combination of CPF and lead after the treatment-free period of 28 days. The cholinesterase activity and serum glucose concentration observed in group 7 animals were not comparable to group 5 animals after 28 days of recovery period. The findings suggest long lasting and/or persistence of effects of a combination of chlorpyrifos and lead on glucose homeostasis and cholinesterase activity.

Single dose effects of chlorpyrifos and lead combination on neurobehavioural aspects in wistar rats.

Chlorpyrifos, a well known organophosphorus insecticide, and the heavy metal lead, were evaluated for their simultaneous interactive effects on neurobehavioural parameters in Wistar rats after single dose exposure via oral gavaging. The study comprised of functional observation battery and motor activity tests. The study was designed using two different dose levels of chlorpyrifos and lead acetate and grouped into seven groups; control (group 1), chlorpyrifos-5mg/kg (group 2), lead acetate- 100mg/kg (group 3), chlorpyrifos-5mg/kg + lead acetate- 100mg/kg (group 4), chlorpyrifos-50mg/kg (group 5), lead acetate-1000mg/kg (group 6) and chlorpyrifos-50mg/kg + lead acetate-1000mg/kg (group 7). Excitotoxicity and motor activity changes were evident in groups 5 and 7 animals. The animals treated with chlorpyrifos at 50mg/kg exhibited behavioural changes after 2–3 hours of oral gavaging and waned over 2 days. At 50mg/kg chlorpyrifos + 1000mg/kg lead acetate, severe cholinergic signs were noticed approximately 24 hours of exposure and symptoms regressed over 4 days. The incidence and severity of cholinergic behavioural changes were more pronounced in group 7 animals. Chlorpyrifos in the presence of lead delays the cholinergic effects which might be due to its chelating properties with metals and predominant behavioural changes suggest potentiating role of lead on excitotoxicity of chlopyrifos. The present study will be potentially relevant for physicians/scientists to decipher more about variability of action that could arise from accidental poisoning by these agents.

Effect of short photoperiod on organ growth kinetics and serum hormone profile in pullets of domestic fowl, Gallus gallus domesticus.

Effect of short photoperiod (SP; LD 6:18) treatment on serum hormone profile and growth rate of adrenal, thyroid, ovary, oviduct, liver and lymphoid organ was studied in rearing pullets (RIR breed) of 1 to day 90 old. Body weight and growth index of SP pullets were lesser as compared to pullets reared under LD 12:12. Except for ovary (recorded marginal increment), weights and growth indices of thyroid, adrenal and oviduct decreased under SP. Weight of liver and lymphoid organs was higher at 30 and 90 days, in SP pullets as compared to LD 12:12. Histometric data suggested that the transition from small to big follicles was slow in ovary of SP pullets, and also reduced follicular atresia was noted in SP pullets. Except for higher corticosterone level at 30 days and higher progesterone level at 30 and 60 days, relative levels of all the hormones at all other ages were lower in SP pullets. In general, the present observations suggested intraovarian changes in pullets exposed to SP.

Effect of dexamethasone and corticosterone on activity levels of ATPase, phosphomonoesterases and phosphodiesterase in liver, muscle and testis of post-hatched White Leghorn chicks.

Muscle ATPase activity did not show much change with any of the treatments, while hepatic total and Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase activities were decreased with low dose of dexamethasone (DXM(L) and enzyme activity in general was increased with both high dose of DXM(H) and corticosterone. Total and Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPases were increased in testis of corticosterone treated chicks. Acid phosphatase activity of testis was increased with DXM(H) and decreased with DXM(L) while the enzyme activity in all the three tissues was increased with corticosterone. Muscle alkaline phosphatase activity was decreased with DXM treatments while that of testis was decreased with both DXM(H) and corticosterone treatments. Hepatic PDE activity was decreased with DXM and increased with corticosterone while muscle PDE activity was decreased under both DXM(H) and corticosterone treatments. The results suggest that both hypo. and hypercorticalism can induce tissue specific differential alterations in phosphomonoesterases, ATPases and PDE during early phases of post-natal development of chicks.

Effect of exogenous dexamethasone and corticosterone on weight gain and organ growth in post-hatched white Leghorn chicks.

Induced chronic hypocorticalism by dexamethasone (DXM) and hypercorticalism by corticosterone (CORT) retarded body weight gain as well as the growth of spleen, bursa, liver, kidney and pancreas during the first month of development in male leghorn chicks. Adrenal weight was reduced by DXM and increased by CORT. Correspondingly, there were histological regressive changes in the cortex with a decreased cortico-medullary ratio with DXM treatment, while a reverse trend was there with CORT treatment. However, an increase in weight of testis and better organization of seminiferous cords and interstitium was observed in DXM treated chicks, and there was a decrease in weight and poor histological organization in CORT treated chicks. Both DXM and CORT induced stimulatory changes in thyroid denoted by increased epithelial cell height and decreased colloidal content. These observations indicate that corticosteroids have definite influence on post-hatched growth and maturation of chicks.

In vitro influence of hormones on transport of glucose and glycogen in liver and muscle of pinealectomised pigeons, Columba livia Gmellin.

To substantiate the increased peripheral utilization of blood glucose by pineal in wild pigeons, an in vitro study on the ability of liver and muscle slices of intact and pinealectomised wild pigeons (C. livia) in terms of uptake and release of glucose, and deposition and depletion of glycogen, in presence of insulin, acetylcholine, glucagon and adrenaline has been undertaken. A total insensitivity of liver and muscle of pinealectomised birds for glycogen deposition and insensitivity of liver for glucose uptake has been observed. Increased glucose release from liver in response to adrenalin has been observed. The results are discussed in terms of involvement of pineal in metabolic regulation associated with breeding activities.

Effect of short term vitamin A deficiency on organ weights, blood glucose and lactate levels and, tissue protein and glycogen contents of albino rats: a preliminary study.

The effect of short term dietary vitamin A deficiency in post-pubertal female rats in terms of weight gain, food consumption, organ weights, haemoglobin content, blood glucose and lactate levels and, tissue protein and glycogen contents has been evaluated to gain insight into the possible interrelationship between vitamin A and general metabolism. Significant elevation in blood glucose level and reduction in blood lactate and haemoglobin along with a tendency of reduction in weights of spleen, adrenals and ovaries have been noted. Lowered tissue protein and glycogen contents and reduced body weight gain have also been revealed. Obviously, reduced functional competence of some of the organs and certain alterations in general metabolism especially of carbohydrates are suspected and hence is discussed in relation to supportive evidences available.