Palmitate-induced insulin resistance is attenuated by Pioglitazone and EGCG through reducing the gluconeogenic key enzymes expression in HepG2 cells.

HYPOTHESIS: Palmitate causes insulin resistance (IR) in insulin target tissue. Pioglitazone (an anti-hyperglycemic agent) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG, a dietary supplement) can be used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, their molecular effects on gluconeogenesis remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: Hence, we aimed to investigate the simultaneous effect of these anti-hyperglycemic agents on gluconeogenesis through in vitro experiments. METHODS: HepG2 cells were treated with 0.5 mM palmitate, 10 µM pioglitazone, and 40 µM epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Gene expression assay was used to investigate the underlying mechanism. Glucose production assay was applied in culture medium to evaluate the activity of gluconeogenesis pathway. RESULTS: Palmitate induced IR could significantly increase G6Pase and PEPCK gene expressions by 58 and 30%, respectively, compared to the control. EGCG reduced the expression of PEPCK and G6Pase by 53 and 67%, respectively. Pioglitazone reduced the mRNA level of PEPCK and G6Pase by 58 and 62% respectively. Combined treatment of insulin-resistant cells with EGCG and pioglitazone significantly decreased the mRNA level of PEPCK and G6Pase by 73 and 80%, respectively. Treatment with palmitate increased glucose production by 50% in HepG2 cells. When the insulin resistant HepG2 cells were treated alone with EGCG and pioglitazone, the glucose production reduced by 50 and 55%, respectively. The combined treatment with EGCG and pioglitazone resulted in 69% reduction in glucose production compared to the palmitate treated HepG2 cells. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest the additive inhibitory effect of co-treatment with pioglitazone and EGCG on the gluconeogenesis pathway in palmitate-induced insulin resistance HepG2 cells.

Effect of static magnetic fields on the osseointegration of immediately placed implants: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of static magnetic fields (SMFs) on the implants immediately placed in fresh extraction sockets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients who were in need of 20 fixed implant-supported single crowns in the anterior maxilla were included. After tooth extraction, screw-type implants were placed immediately into fresh extraction sockets and were randomly covered with either magnetic abutment (test group) or conventional healing abutment (control group). Radio frequency analysis (RFA) was conducted at implant placement and after 1, 2, and 3 months. Marginal bone level changes were recorded 1, 2, and 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The RFA measurements showed a significant higher stability for implants in test group than that of control group after 1 month (P = 0.04). At month 2, less crestal bone loss was found in the test group (P = 0.03). However, at month 3, there was no significant difference between the groups for both parameters (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: SMFs caused more noticeable increase in implant stability and less bone loss during the initial weeks of healing.