RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Azadirachta indica (Neem) is a medicinal plant, used in Ayurveda for treating various diseases, one of which is diabetes mellitus. It is known to possess antiinflammatory, antipyretic, antimicrobial, antidiabetic and diverse pharmacological properties. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of A. indica on insulin signal transduction and glucose homeostasis is obscure. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to study the effects of A. indica aqueous leaf extract on the expression of insulin signaling molecules and glucose oxidation in target tissue of high-fat and fructose-induced type-2 diabetic male rat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The oral effective dose of A. indica leaf extract (400 mg/kg body weight [b.wt]) was given once daily for 30 days to high-fat diet-induced diabetic rats. At the end of the experimental period, fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance, serum lipid profile, and the levels of insulin signaling molecules, glycogen, glucose oxidation in gastrocnemius muscle were assessed. RESULTS: Diabetic rats showed impaired glucose tolerance and impairment in insulin signaling molecules (insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate-1, phospho-IRS-1(Tyr632), phospho-IRS-1(Ser636), phospho-Akt(Ser473), and glucose transporter 4 [GLUT4] proteins), glycogen concentration and glucose oxidation. The treatment with A. indica leaf extract normalized the altered levels of blood glucose, serum insulin, lipid profile and insulin signaling molecules as well as GLUT4 proteins at 400 mg/kg b.wt dose. CONCLUSION: It is concluded from the present study that A. indica may play a significant role in the management of type-2 diabetes mellitus, by improving the insulin signaling molecules and glucose utilization in the skeletal muscle.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Since Glycated Albumin (GA) reflects short term variations and glycated protein shows degrees of hyperglycaemia, the objective of this study was to find GA and microalbuminuria as a early risk markers along with the duration of Uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus in type 2 diabetic nephropathy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present cross-sectional study included randomly selected Uncontrolled Type 2DM (n = 75), controlled Type 2DM (n = 75) and healthy controls (n = 75). Their fasting venous blood samples were obtained for GA and serum creatinine, while their morning urine samples were obtained for detection of microalbuminuria. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS, version 16.0. One-Way ANOVA was performed. All p-values which were ≤ 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean GA, microalbuminuria and serum creatinine were the highest in Uncontrolled DM as compared to those in Controlled DM respectively. Microalbuminuria and GA had a significant correlation with the duration of diabetes (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The present study identified that the risk of microalbuminuria increased with a poor glycaemic control. A persistent increase in GA and microalbuminuria may be considered as risk markers in diabetic nephropathy. Therefore, a regular screening for microalbuminuria and estimation of GA can help in the clinical management, to prevent complications.
