ABSTRACT
Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). Pathophysiology of DN includes inflammation and changes in expression and function of voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav) in peripheral nerves; and central reduction of Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor-Gamma (PPAR-γ) expression. AIM: This study explored the effect of ranolazine (RN) versus pioglitazone (PIO) in DN induced in rats. The role of sciatic interleukin (IL)-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF)-α, Nav1.7, and spinal PPAR-γ expressions were determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For induction of Type-2 DM, 40 high fat diet-fed rats were challenged by a single dose of intraperitoneal streptozotocin (30 mg/kg). One week later, oral PIO (10 mg/kg; once daily) or RN (20, 50 and 100 mg/kg; twice daily) were administered for six weeks. Weekly body weight and fasting blood sugar (FBS) were measured. Rats were tested for thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. At the end of the experiment, sciatic nerves homogenates were examined for TNF-α and IL-1B levels, and Nav1.7 channel expression. Segments of spinal cords were investigated for the PPAR-γ gene expression. Evaluation of histopathology of sciatic nerves and spinal cords were done. KEY FINDINGS: In diabetic rats, PIO and RN individually improved evoked-pain behaviors, reduced sciatic TNF-α and 1L-1B levels; downregulated expressional levels of Nav1.7 channels; and increased the spinal PPAR-γ gene expression. RN in the dose of 100 mg/kg/day showed the most advantageous effects. SIGNIFICANCE: RN has neuroprotective effects in Type-2 diabetes-induced DN. Further studies of combined RN-PIO treatment are recommended, especially in diabetic patients with cardiovascular co-morbidity.
Subject(s)
Diabetic Neuropathies/drug therapy , NAV1.7 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel/metabolism , Neuroprotective Agents/therapeutic use , PPAR gamma/metabolism , Pioglitazone/therapeutic use , Ranolazine/therapeutic use , Animals , Behavior, Animal , Comorbidity , Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/drug therapy , Diet, High-Fat , Hyperalgesia , Inflammation/drug therapy , Interleukin-1beta/metabolism , Male , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Spinal Cord/metabolism , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolismABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Teaching is one of the most complicated jobs today. Students and teachers may have different views depending on their background, styles, goals, and needs. This study aims to determine and compare the inventory of teaching behavior as rated by students and teachers. METHODS: A questionnaire formulated by Murray (1983) and modified by the researchers was administered to 56 students and 12 teachers at the College of Nursing of Qassim University. The response rate was 85.3%. RESULTS: Differences in ranking were not significant on enthusiasm, pacing, interaction, rapport, and clarity. High statistical significance was found in organization and speech. A remarkable difference in ranking was obtained in disclosure. CONCLUSIONS: Various factors are associated with the students' and faculty's views of effective teaching behaviors.
Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Health Educators/psychology , Interpersonal Relations , Professional Competence , Students, Nursing/psychology , Teaching , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Psychometrics , Saudi Arabia , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The present study was conducted to assess the effect of Pioglitazone, an oral antidiabetic drug with selective PPAR-gamma agonist effect; in a dose of 4 mg/kg B.W. once a day orally for eight weeks on the liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty male adult albino Wistar rats were equally randomly into six groups (n=10). Group I: normal control group was received no medication. Group II: distilled water control group, they are non diabetic group and received distilled water once a day orally by gastric tube for 8 weeks. Group III: citrate buffer control group, they are non diabetic received a single intraperitoneal injection of an equivalent amount of vehicle (citrate buffer, pH 4.5) 1 ml/kg at the time of induction. Group IV: Pioglitazone control group, they are non diabetic received pioglitazone HCl, single dose of 4 mg/kg b.w. once a day orally by gastric tube for eight weeks. Group V: diabetic control group, they are streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats that received no medication. Group VI: diabetic treated group, they are streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats treated by pioglitazone for eight weeks. RESULTS: At the end of the experiment microscopic examination of the liver sections in the diabetic control group, showed mild to moderate portal inflammatory infiltrate, mostly lymphocytic as well as intralobular cell necrosis and apoptosis as well as bile stasis. These results were associated serologically with elevation of all liver parameters. Pioglitazone administration in the normal rats for eight weeks didn't show any significant difference neither serologically nor histopathologically compared with normal control group. Moreover, pioglitazone administration caused statistically significant reduction in the mean levels of liver tests, as well as fasting blood glucose of the STZ-induced diabetic rats. CONCLUSION: There is no evidence that pioglitazone administration has a harmful effect on the liver. On the other hand, it has a potential beneficial effects on the liver during treatment of STZ-induced diabetic rats, suggesting that liver toxicity isn't a class effect of the thiazolidinediones but rather a unique effect of troglitazone.
