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Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the major causes of blindness all over the world. According to the previous studies, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) has been linked to retinal dysfunction/vascular damage. Decreased retinal function is an initial event of early DR. Although the biochemical and molecular events are not fully understood, glial activation, angiogenesis and oxidative stress are some of the pathways associated with early retinal abnormalities. Since IGT is associated with development of retinal dysfunction/vascular damage; as a preventive strategy, we have studied beneficial effect of Cinnamon as a hypoglycaemic agent on long-term IGT induced retinal abnormalities using neonatal streptozotocin (nSTZ) rat model. Control, IGT rats were maintained on AIN-93M diet alone and another set of IGT rats were maintained on AIN-93M diet with 3% Cinnamon for 8 months. At the end of the study, untreated IGT rats developed retinal functional abnormalities as assessed by electroretinogram (ERG) and the retinal structure did not alter as assessed by H&E staining. Further, increase in expressions of GFAP, VEGF and decreased expression of rhodopsin in untreated IGT rat retinas. 4-HNE, a marker of oxidative stress was also elevated in IGT state. Supplementation of Cinnamon to IGT rats had lowered fasting and postprandial glucose levels and also prevented retinal functional abnormalities. Further, Cinnamon protected photoreceptor cell damage, suppressed glial activation, angiogenesis and oxidative stress as there was an improved rhodopsin expression, inhibited elevated expressions of GFAP, VEGF and 4-HNE respectively. In conclusion, Cinnamon attenuated IGT induced retinal abnormalities probably through its hypoglycemic property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retinopathy is one of the micro vascular complications of diabetes and can also be observed in pre-diabetic state. However, there are only limited studies available on the pathophysiology of retinopathy in pre-diabetic state and its preventive strategies. In this study, we investigated the retinal functional, structural and molecular alterations using high fructose (HF) induced pre-diabetic rat model and also the protective role of garlic. Feeding of HF to Wistar NIN (WNIN) rats had developed insulin resistance (IR) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) by three months, while retinal functional abnormalities by ten months as evidenced by decrease of Electroretinogram (ERG) scotopic, photopic b-wave amplitudes, oscillatory potentials (OPs) when compared to controls. Supplementation of garlic (3%) to HF+G group rats had marginally protected these changes. Elevated expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), aldose reductase (AR) and decreased rhodopsin (Rho) in HF group rats as evidenced by immunohistochemistry, immunoblot methods, which were further supported by gene expression studies, indicate the initiation of retinal abnormalities. Increased immunefluorescence signal of carboxymethyl lysine (CML-KLH) and 4-hydroxynanoenol (4-HNE) in retina of HF group rats indicate the association of glycation and oxidative stress, respectively. Early intervention of garlic to HF+G group rats attenuated retinal functional, structural, and molecular abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The data on the prevalence of nutritional anemia among the urban elderly population in India was limited. Hence, the present study was carried out with an aim to assess the prevalence of nutritional anemia and its association with vitamin B12, folate, ferritin and homocystine among the urban elderly population. A community- based cross-sectional study was carried out among 282 urban elderly (≥ 60 years) subjects (186 males and 96 females) in Hyderabad. Fasting blood samples were collected and hemoglobin (Hb) was estimated by cyanmethemoglobin method. Plasma Folic acid and vitamin B12 levels were estimated by RIA and homocysteine and ferritin levels were estimated by ELISA methods. The overall prevalence of anemia (Hb < 12 g/dL for females and < 13 g/dL for males) among the urban elderly was 20.6% and the prevalence was found to be increasing with the age. The prevalence of vitamin B12 (< 203 pg/mL), folic acid (< 4 ng/mL), ferritin (< 15 ng/mL) and hyperhomocysteinemia (≥ 12 µmol/L) in these subjects was 36.0%, 8.2%, 1.1% and 24.3% respectively. The prevalence of anemia due to deficiencies of iron (ferritin < 15 ng/mL), folate and vitamin B12 was 5.45%, 9.1% and 42.3% respectively. A significant association was observed between the prevalence of anemia with ferritin and hyperhomocysteinemia. In conclusion, the prevalence of anemia and nutritional anemia among the urban-based elderly was 20.6% and 56.85% respectively. The association of anemia with hyperhomocysteinemia needs further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: India is experiencing a rapid health transition with a rising burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and inappropriate lifestyle is the most remarkable risk factor associated to NCDs. Aim & Objective: To assess the prevalence of NCDs and their association with physical activity among urban elderly. Material and methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 112 geriatric population (≥60 years) in cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The data on medical history, lifestyle, diet and physical activity was obtained using a pre-tested questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements such as weight, height and waist circumference were measured. Intravenous blood samples were collected to estimate the biochemical parameters. Result: About 64.3 % of elderly have been practicing physical activity i.e. predominantly walking, while 35.7% were sedentary. The prevalence of hypertension (87.5%), diabetes (65.3%), central obesity (77.8%) and metabolic syndrome (59.7%) was higher among walkers as compared to non-walkers and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was significantly (p<0.005) high among the elderly suffering from Cardio Vascular Diseases (CVDs). Conclusion: In general, the prevalence of non-communicable diseases was high among urban geriatric population. Therefore, primordial and primary preventive measures should be adopted during adolescence and early adulthood for the prevention and control of NCDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aldose reductase (AKR1B1) is an NADPH-dependent aldo-keto reductase best known as the rate-limiting enzyme of the polyol pathway. Accelerated glucose metabolism through this pathway has been implicated in diabetic cataract and retinopathy. Some human tissues contain AKR1B1 as well as AKR1B10, a closely related member of the aldo-keto reductase gene superfamily. This opens the possibility that AKR1B10 may also contribute to diabetic complications. The goal of the current study was to characterize the expression profiles of AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 in the human eye. Using quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR and immunohistochemical staining, we observed expression of both AKR genes in cornea, iris, ciliary body, lens, and retina. Expression of AKR1B1 was the highest in lens and retina, whereas AKR1B10 was the highest in cornea. Lenses from transgenic mice designed for overexpression of AKR1B10 were not significantly different from nontransgenic controls, although a significant number developed a focal defect in the anterior lens epithelium following 6 months of experimentally induced diabetes. However, lenses from AKR1B10 mice remained largely transparent following longterm diabetes. These results indicate that AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 may have different functional properties in the lens and suggest that AKR1B10 does not contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic cataract in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]