ABSTRACT
Hyperglycemia, the hallmark of diabetes mellitus, is considered one of the endothelial dysfunction risk factors, the main reason of vascular complication. In this study, we aimed to evaluate homocysteine (Hcy) and asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels in diabetic rats and the possibility to attenuate the elevation of these two parameters by supplementation of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) alone or loaded zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) to improve endothelial dysfunction in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Forty male albino rats weighing 180-200 g were classified as control, diabetic, diabetic treated with DHA, and diabetic treated with DHA-loaded zinc oxide nanoparticles (DHA/ZnONPs) groups. Fasting blood glucose, insulin, ADMA, Hcy, and nitric oxide (NO) were estimated. Fatty acids (linoleic acid (LA), arachidonic acid (AA), DHA, α-linolenic acid (ALA), and oleic acid (OA)) were also evaluated by reversed phase HPLC using a UV detector. The results showed that fasting blood sugar, insulin resistance, LA, AA, OA, ADMA, and Hcy increased significantly in diabetic rats compared with control while fasting insulin, DHA, ALA, and NO decreased significantly in diabetic rats. In both treated groups, fasting blood sugar, insulin resistance, LA, AA, OA, ADMA, and Hcy significantly decreased as compared with the diabetic group while fasting insulin, DHA, ALA, and NO were significantly increased. In conclusion, DHA and DHA/ZnONP supplementation protect against diabetic complications and improve endothelial dysfunction as well as hyperhomocysteinemia in diabetes. DHA/ZnONP-treated group appeared more efficient than DHA alone.
Subject(s)
Arginine/analogs & derivatives , Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/therapy , Docosahexaenoic Acids/chemistry , Homocysteine/chemistry , Zinc Oxide/chemistry , Animals , Arginine/chemistry , Cellulose/chemistry , Hyperhomocysteinemia/metabolism , Insulin/metabolism , Insulin Resistance , Male , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry , Microscopy, Electron, Transmission , Nitric Oxide/metabolism , Rats , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
This study aims to demonstrate the effect of omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3 FAs) supplements on the clinical manifestations, laboratory investigations, disease activity, functional capacity, response criteria as well as interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients. Twenty-seven JIA patients were included in this study. Dietary supplements of ω-3 FAs 2 g/day were given for 12 weeks. Juvenile arthritis disease activity score in 27 joints (JADAS-27) and pediatric American College of Rheumatology (ACR) response criteria were determined. Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ) was used to measure the functional status. Assessment of serum IL-1 and TNF-α level was performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mean age of the patients was 12.78 ± 3.26 years, the disease duration was 5.93 ± 3.06 years, and the age at disease onset was 6.78 ± 3.26 years. The TNF-α and IL-1 were significantly higher in the JIA patients compared to the control. There was a significant improvement of active joint count, number of swollen joints, JADAS-27, CHAQ, TNF-α, and IL-1 levels. The pediatric ACR response criteria improved in 92.59% of the patients. The daily requirements of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) obviously decreased. ω-3 FAs supplements reduce the inflammatory response and improve the clinical manifestation in JIA patient. The daily intake of NSAID dose decreased thus reducing the risk of related side effects. Our results support the use of omega-3 fatty acids as an add-on therapy to conventional treatment of JIA.
