ABSTRACT
Implantation is a major landmark in life. It involves the correct apposition of the embryo in the maternal endometrium. The cellular environment influences placenta development, and direct contact of the fetus with maternal tissues is achieved through decidual cells. At the decidua, and at systemic level, the correct balance of cells potentially acting as antigen-presenting cells and histocompatibility products play a pivotal role in achieving feto-maternal tolerance. Here, we review some of the current issues associated with the interplay between cells and molecules needed for pregnancy development.
Subject(s)
Embryo Implantation/immunology , Histocompatibility , T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology , Animals , Female , Fetal Development/immunology , Fetus/immunology , HLA Antigens/immunology , Humans , Immune Tolerance , Pregnancy/immunologyABSTRACT
High fat diet induced insulin resistance correlates with dyslipidaemia and ectopic fat deposits in skeletal muscle and liver. The effects of Sutherlandia frutescens, an antidiabetic medicinal plant, on lipid metabolism were evaluated in an insulin resistant (IR) rat model and in 3 T3-preadipocytes. Wistar rats received normal diet (ND) or high fat diet (HFD). After the onset of IR in the HFD group, the rats were subdivided into two subgroups, which either continued with HFD or were treated with 50 mg S. frutescens/kg BW/day and HFD (HFD + SF). After 4 weeks, the HFD + SF rats had a significantly lower body weight than the HFD rats (p < 0.05). Blood plasma analysis showed a decrease in insulin, free fatty acids and triglycerides. Related changes in lipid parameters were observed in the liver, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. To investigate the effects of S. frutescens on adipose tissue, 3 T3-L1 cells were used as a model. Treatment with S. frutescens led to a decrease in triglyceride accumulation, whilst glucose consumption and lactate production were increased (p < 0.05). These results indicate that S. frutescens directly affects mitochondrial activity and lipid biosynthesis in adipose tissue and provide a mechanism by which S. frutescens can restore insulin sensitivity by modulating fatty acid biosynthesis.
