Steroidogenic enzyme histochemistry in the testis of Sprague Dawley rats following the administration the water extracts from Carica papaya seed.

Water extracts from pawpaw seed have been reported to reversibly decrease the testicular weight and to suppress spermatogenesis, and fertility of Wistar rats. The reversible changes become evident, 30 - 45 days after the withdrawal of the extract. The possible effect of this extract on the activities of steroidogenic enzymes of the testis has not been investigated. Water extract of papaya seeds was administered to male Sprague Dawley rats ad libitum for 84 days. Following the discontinuation of the extracts, ten rats each were sacrificed on days 0, 10, 20 and 30 after the withdrawal. Their testes were quickly dissected out and frozen. Cryostat sections, 10µm thick were cut. These sections were used for immunohistochemical stains for side chain cleavage enzyme and aromatase, and for histochemical stains for 17-ß Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 3-ß Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. We conclude that the water extract of papaya seed suppresses the activities of steroidogenic enzymes in the testis of Sprague Dawley rats, and that this may contribute to reversible suppression of spermatogenesis, a property that gives a possible male contraceptive potential.

Bombesin Immunoreactivity in the stomach and small intestine of alloxan-diabetics Sprague Dawley rats.

Bombesin is a neuroendocrine peptide found in the submucosal nerve endings in the esophagus, stomach and small intestine. It is reported to stimulate the release of gastrointestinal hormones, control satiety, stimulate gastrointestinal motility, and also stimulate cellular proliferation which results in wound healing. Transient increases in bombesin concentration in the brain and serum (later followed by decrease in serum concentrations) have been reported in hyperglycemic states. The aim of this investigation is to determine the effect of hyperglycemia on bombesin secreting neurons in the submucosa of the GIT and the possible contribution of such changes to some diabetic complications. Result showed decreased immunoreactivity to bombesin in the sub mucosal neurons of the stomach and small intestine of alloxan-diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats. We conclude that the reduced immunoreactivity of bombesin in these submucosal neurons, may contribute to the reduced paracrine-induced peristalsis, observed in diabetics. It may also contribute to poor wounds healing in diabetics.

Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) immunoreactivity in the intestine of Alloxan-diabetic Sprague Dawley rat.

Intestinal L-cells synthesize a proglucagon molecule which is processed to form glucagons-like peptide 1(GLP-1) and glucagons-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) together with other peptides. The L-cells contain the enzyme proglucagon convertase1 (PC1) and proglucagon convertase3 (PC3). Plasma levels of GLP-1 have been reported to vary in types 1 and 2 diabetes and in experimental type 1 diabetic rats. The â-cell of the pancreatic islets contain predominantly PC2, and the predominant peptide secreted are glucagon and GLP-1; the latter is reported to stimulate the release of insulin from pancreatic â-cells, and also to stimulate the proliferation of â-cells. The antidiabetogenic potential of GLP-1 has been reported, and the analogue has been used to control blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetics. In this experiment the immunoreactivity of GLP-1 in the L-cells of the small intestine and colon of alloxan diabetic Sprague Dawley rats was investigated. Results showed that the immunoreactivity of GLP-1 was significantly reduced in the L-cells of the small intestine and the colon of alloxan diabetic rats.

Bombesin Immunoreactivity in the stomach and small intestine of alloxan-diabetics Sprague Dawley rats.

Bombesin is a neuroendocrine peptide found in the submucosal nerve endings in the esophagus, stomach and small intestine. It is reported to stimulate the release of gastrointestinal hormones, control satiety, stimulate gastrointestinal motility, and also stimulate cellular proliferation which results in wound healing. Transient increases in bombesin concentration in the brain and serum (later followed by decrease in serum concentrations) have been reported in hyperglycemic states. The aim of this investigation is to determine the effect of hyperglycemia on bombesin secreting neurons in the submucosa of the GIT and the possible contribution of such changes to some diabetic complications. Result showed decreased immunoreactivity to bombesin in the sub mucosal neurons of the stomach and small intestine of alloxan-diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats. We conclude that the reduced immunoreactivity of bombesin in these submucosal neurons, may contribute to the reduced paracrine-induced peristalsis, observed in diabetics. It may also contribute to poor wounds healing in diabetics.

Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) immunoreactivity in the intestine of Alloxan-diabetic Sprague Dawley rat.

Intestinal L-cells synthesize a proglucagon molecule which is processed to form glucagons-like peptide 1(GLP-1) and glucagons-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) together with other peptides. The L-cells contain the enzyme proglucagon convertase1 (PC1) and proglucagon convertase3 (PC3). Plasma levels of GLP-1 have been reported to vary in types 1 and 2 diabetes and in experimental type 1 diabetic rats. The â-cell of the pancreatic islets contain predominantly PC2, and the predominant peptide secreted are glucagon and GLP-1; the latter is reported to stimulate the release of insulin from pancreatic â-cells, and also to stimulate the proliferation of â-cells. The antidiabetogenic potential of GLP-1 has been reported, and the analogue has been used to control blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetics. In this experiment the immunoreactivity of GLP-1 in the L-cells of the small intestine and colon of alloxan diabetic Sprague Dawley rats was investigated. Results showed that the immunoreactivity of GLP-1 was significantly reduced in the L-cells of the small intestine and the colon of alloxan diabetic rats.

Effect of alloxan diabetes, on glicentin-secreting L-cells in the small intestine of Sprague Dawley rats,

The L-cells of the small intestine synthesize a proglucagon molecule which is processed to form glicentin, oxyntomodulin, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucagons-like peptide 2 (GLP-2). Glicentin and oxyntomodulin inhibit gastric secretion, and delay tansit time through the stomach. Serum concentrations of GLP-1 and GLP-2 have been reported to vary in types 1 and 2 diabetes and in streptozocin induced diabetic rats. It was initially thought that these variations were due to the activity of intestinal L- cells, but it was later found that this was from pancreatic alpha cells. Very little work had been done on the effect of diabetes on glicentin producing cells of the gut. In this experiment the effects of alloxan diabetes on glicentin producing L-cells of the intestines was investigated using immunohistochemical techniques. Results showed that the immunoreactivity of glicentin was noticeablly reduced in the L-cells of the small intestine of alloxan-diabetic rats.

Effect of alloxan diabetes, on glicentin-secreting L-cells in the small intestine of Sprague Dawley rats,

The L-cells of the small intestine synthesize a proglucagon molecule which is processed to form glicentin, oxyntomodulin, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucagons-like peptide 2 (GLP-2). Glicentin and oxyntomodulin inhibit gastric secretion, and delay tansit time through the stomach. Serum concentrations of GLP-1 and GLP-2 have been reported to vary in types 1 and 2 diabetes and in streptozocin induced diabetic rats. It was initially thought that these variations were due to the activity of intestinal L- cells, but it was later found that this was from pancreatic alpha cells. Very little work had been done on the effect of diabetes on glicentin producing cells of the gut. In this experiment the effects of alloxan diabetes on glicentin producing L-cells of the intestines was investigated using immunohistochemical techniques. Results showed that the immunoreactivity of glicentin was noticeablly reduced in the L-cells of the small intestine of alloxan-diabetic rats.

Effect of water extract of Coraili (Momordica charantia) on blood glucose levels in Sprague Dawley Rays [abstract]

Water extracts from the fruit of the coraili plant, Mormordica charantia, have been reported to have hypoglycaemic effect. The fruit of this plant is eaten as a vegetable by man. Significant lowering of blood glucose levels has been observed following the oral administration of coraili fruit extracts. However, some authors have shown that there are no beneficial hypoglycaemic effect from fruit extracts. In this experiment, water extract of the entire coraili fruit was administered orally to alloxan-diabetic Sprague Dawley Rats ad libitum for 7 hours. The rats were placed on normal diet during the experiment. Results showed that 7 hours after the administration of this extract, blood glucose levels dropped significantly. It was also observed that, 7 hours after the discontinuation of the administration of the extract in alloxan-diabetic rats, blood glucose levels rose close to the pre-administration levels. The implications of these findings will be discussed. (AU)

Effect of water extract of the whole unripe fruit of Momordica Charantia, on the blood glucose concentrations of alloxan-diabetic Sprague Dawley rats

Medicinal values have been ascribed to Momordica charantia, a fruit commonly eaten in the Indian subcontinent and the Caribbean. The fruit consists of a green bark, which turns yellow when ripe. The bark covers a juicy pulp, which contains numerous seeds. One of the medicinal properties ascribed to this fruit, is its use in the control of blood glucose in Type 1 model of experimental of experimental animals. It has also been reported to decrease blood glucose concentrations in Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) patients. Extracts from different parts of the fruit have been investigated for hypoglycemic properties. Results of these investigations have been varied. In this study, the hypoglycemic property of the water extract from the whole fruit of the unripe Momordica charantia was investigated. Results showed that oral 'ad libitum' administration of this extract significantly reduced fasting blood glucose concentrations in Alloxan-diabetic Sprague Dawley rats (AU)