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BACKGROUND Atherosclerosis-induced coronary heart disease - caused by elevated levels of low-density lipoproteins ( LDL) and inflammation - is one of the most prevalent diseases. Monounsaturated fatty acids are reported to prevent atherosclerosis; emu oil is a rich source of monounsaturated fatty acid, and we hypothesize that emu oil supplementation could lower inflammation and prevent atherosclerosis in diet-induced obese ( DIO) animals. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups ( n = 6), and fed with normal diet (chow pellet; ND), or with cafeteria diet ( CD), or with CD along with emu oil supplementation at three different doses: ED1 (2 mL), ED2 (4 mL) and ED3 (8 mL) kg−1 body weight ( BW), respectively. RESULTS After 12 weeks, the animals were sacrificed and serum was analysed for measuring lipid profile, C-reactive proteins, testosterone and luteinizing hormone. Histopathological studies were performed to observe atherogenic changes in thoracic aorta. Restoration of altered lipid and hormonal profiles, and inhibition of atherogenic changes in thoracic aorta, were observed with supplementation of emu oil, confirming its anti-atherosclerotic activity. CONCLUSION The high content of oleic acid in emu oil could have orchestrated - either solely or in combination with linoleic and linolenic acids - causing the upregulation of testosterone biosynthesis and inhibition of atheromatous plaque formation in diet-induced obese animals. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Foods that are rich in fat and or sodium chloride promote obesity and associated diseases, whereas intake of dietary fiber averts obesity development. Salicornia herbacea ( SH) is a rich source of dietary fiber and high in sodium chloride; therefore, we investigated whether replacing common salt with SH in a high-fat diet could prevent obesity development. RESULTS Mice were divided into five groups: group ND was fed a normal diet, group HD was fed a high-fat diet, group HD-NaCl was fed a high fat diet with sodium chloride 10 g kg−1, group HD-CL was fed a high-fat diet with cellulose 30 g kg−1 and group HD-SH was fed a high-fat diet with SH powder 50 g kg−1. The amount of sodium chloride and cellulose added in the respective diet was equivalent to their amount in SH. Data from our study showed that, SH supplementation significantly decreased body weight gain, liver weight, hepatic triglyceride, serum leptin and insulin, along with the mRNA level of key lipid anabolic genes such as SREBP-1c, PPARγ and FAS compared to the HD group. CONCLUSION The results of this study demonstrated that SH is a potential natural anti-obesity agent that can be used in place of sodium chloride. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adriamycin is a widely used drug for the treatment of various types of cancers, but its clinical application is limited because of irreversible dilated cardiomyopathy. The incidence of cardiomyopathy is a consequence of disrupted energy production, which could be related to the defects in glycogen, lipid and mucopolysaccharide metabolism. We explored the effect of Adriamycin on enzymes involved in glycolysis and apoptotic genes through molecular docking. We used Saccharomyces cerevisiae as model organism and studied the effect of Adriamycin on selected enzymes involved in glycolysis. The docking studies revealed that Adriamycin interacts with phosphofructokinase and enolase in an efficient manner. In phosphofructokinase, Adriamycin binds at the active site and with enolase the drug interacts at the cofactor-binding site (Mg 2+ ) which might impair the activity of the enzyme. Gene expression studies revealed that Adriamycin causes the dysregulation of glycolysis through dysregulation of hexokinase, phosphoglycerate mutase, enolase and downregulation of pyruvate kinase. The drug shows a biphasic effect on the expression of genes enolase and pyruvate kinase. The impairment in glycolysis might reduce the ATP synthesis, and the cells might be deprived of energy. The condition is further worsened by elevated ROS levels triggering the cell to undergo apoptosis evidenced by downregulation of SOD and upregulation of BAX and caspase. In conclusion, our study reveals that Adriamycin impairs glycolysis and cause cell to undergo apoptosis due to oxidative stress in yeast cells., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestAuthors stated that there are no conflicts of interests., (© King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology 2021.)

Adriamycin is a commonly prescribed chemotherapeutic drug for a wide range of cancers. Adriamycin causes cardiotoxicity as an adverse effect that limits its clinical application in cancer treatment. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the toxicity it causes in heart cells. Disruption of inherent cardiac repair mechanism is the least understood mechanism of Adriamycin-induced cardiotoxicity. Adriamycin induces pathological remodeling in cardiac cells by promoting apoptosis, hypertrophy, and fibrosis. We found that Adriamycin inhibited Notch1 in a time- and dose-dependent manner in H9c2 cells. We used Paeonol, a Notch1 activator, and analyzed the markers of apoptosis, hypertrophy, and fibrosis in H9c2 cells in vitro and in adult zebrafish heart in vivo as model systems to study Adriamycin-induced cardiotoxicity. Paeonol activated Notch1 signaling and expression of its downstream target genes effectively in the Adriamycin-treated condition in vitro and in vivo . Also we detected that Notch activation using Paeonol protected the cells from apoptosis, collagen deposition, and hypertrophy response using functional assays. We conclude that Adriamycin induced cardiotoxicity by promoting the pathological cardiac remodeling through inhibition of Notch1 signaling and that the Notch1 reactivation by Paeonol protected the cells and reversed the cardiotoxicity.

Oestrus urine was proved as a potential endocrine modulator in alleviating the toxicity induced by 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) in male rats. We, in this study, aimed to prove the attributing potential of toxicity alleviation to squalene, an oestrus-specific pheromone in rats. A single dose of 3-methylcholanthrene (25 mg/kg BW, i.p.) was administered to male Wistar rats with concurrent exposure to squalene sprayed in bedding material (Group III). Group II rats did receive 3-MC treatment but did not expose to squalene. Group I rats were intact control neither administered 3-MC nor sprayed with squalene. In consequence of 3-MC toxicity, liver and testes weights were increased and the components of blood cells (RBC and WBC count, Hb level) and testosterone concentration were significantly reduced in Group II rats. Moreover, sperm count was reduced and antioxidants (testes and epididymis) were significantly altered. Exposure to squalene in Group III rats comparatively normalised all the variable components towards baseline and reorganised the histological architecture of reproductive tissues that were exacerbated with 3-MC toxicity. This study ultimately proved squalene as a potent molecule in alleviating the toxicity induced by 3-methylcholanthrene., (© 2018 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity effects of soybean paste-Cheonggukjang, fermented with poly gamma glutamic acid producing Bacillus licheniformis-67 in diet induced obese C57BL/6J mice. Forty male C57BL/6J mice aged 4 weeks were divided into four dietary groups; normal diet control, high fat diet control, high fat diet containing 30% of unfermented soybean and high fat diet containing 30% Cheonggukjang fermented with Bacillus licheniformis-67. After 13 weeks of dietary intervention the mice were sacrificed; serum and tissue samples were examined. Serum and hepatic lipid profile, blood glucose, insulin, leptin level were lower (<0.05) along with the body weight and epididymal fat pad weight in the 30% Cheonggukjang supplemented group compared with the high fat diet control group. The expression level of lipid anabolic gene was significantly decreased; whereas the expression level of lipid catabolic genes were significantly increased in the 30% Cheonggukjang supplemented group compared to the high fat diet control group. Collectively, these results suggested that intake of Cheonggukjang fermented with Bacillus licheniformis-67 significantly prevents obesity related parameters.

Dietary fiber and proteins are individually known to decrease feeding, but could result greater weight management benefit when both are combined. We hypothesized that supplementing the diet with fermented barley, being rich in both dietary fiber and proteins, could lower energy intake by modulating the mRNA expression level of hypothalamic genes associated with the regulation of feeding behavior and satiety; thereby decreasing body weight gain. To test our hypothesis, four groups of Sprague Dawley rats were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design (n = 6), low-fat diet with either guar gum (LFD-G) or fermented barley (LFD-FB) and high-fat diet with either guar gum (HFD-G) or fermented barley (HFD-FB). Using oral gavage, fermented barley was given at a dosage of 1500 mg/kg body weight and guar gum was supplemented in an equivalent quantity to that of the fiber in the fermented barley. After 19 weeks, the fermented barley-supplemented groups showed a significant reduction in energy intake, triglyceride, body weight gain, and serum leptin, compared to the guar gum-supplemented groups in both the low- and high-fat diet groups. Likewise, the anorexigenic gene proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and cocaine and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) mRNA level were significantly higher in the fermented barley-supplemented groups compared to the guar gum-supplemented groups in rats fed on both high- and low-fat diets. In conclusion, fermented barley supplementation upregulated hypothalamic POMC/CART, decreased energy intake in both low- and high-fat diet groups, and prevented excessive weight gain in rats.

The objective of this study was to explore the antioxidant levels and anticancer properties of chicory cultivated using three different kinds of fertilizers (i.e., developed, organic, and chemical) in the presence and absence of pesticides. Phenolic phytochemicals, including total polyphenols and flavonoids, and antioxidant activities, including reducing power, ABTS+ and DPPH radical scavenging activity, were analyzed using several antioxidant assays. HepG2 cell viability was analyzed using the MTT assay. The antioxidant properties of chicory were found to increase when cultivated with chemical fertilizer in the absence of pesticides. On the other hand, antioxidant capacity was higher in chicory cultivated with eco-developed fertilizer even in the presence of pesticides. Chicory grown using eco-developed or organic fertilizer was more effective in suppressing the proliferation of HepG2 cells when compared to chicory grown with chemical fertilizer. This effect was time dependent, regardless of treatment with or without pesticides. In conclusion, the antioxidant activity of chicory were affected by the presence or absence of pesticides. However, developed and organic fertilizers showed a strong anti-proliferative effect against HepG2 cells, regardless of the presence or absence of pesticides.

Objective: The effects of actiponin was investigated, a heat-processed Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract, on body weight, fat loss, and metabolic markers of Korean participants in a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial., Design and Methods: Obese participants (BMI ≥ 25 kg m(-2) and WHR ≥ 0.90 for male or WHR ≥ 0.85 for female) who had not been diagnosed with any disease and met the inclusion criteria were recruited for this study. The 80 subjects were randomly divided into actiponin (n = 40, 450 mg day(-1) ) and placebo (n = 40) groups. Outcomes included measurement of efficacy (abdominal fat distribution, anthropometric parameters, and blood lipid profiles) and safety (adverse events, laboratory test results, electrocardiogram data, and vital signs)., Results: During 12-week of actiponin supplementation, total abdominal fat area, body weight, body fat mass, percent body fat, and BMI were significantly decreased (P = 0.044, P < 0.05, P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, and P < 0.05, respectively) in the actiponin group compared to the placebo group. No clinically significant changes in any safety parameter were observed., Conclusion: Our study revealed that actiponin is a potent antiobesity reagent that does not produce any significant adverse effects. These results suggest that actiponin supplementation may be effective for treating obese individuals., (Copyright © 2013 The Obesity Society.)

The current investigation was aimed to determine the hepatocurative role of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized rapidly using Andrographis paniculata. The nanoparticles fabricated at varying temperatures were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) alongside zeta potential measurement. UV-vis spectroscopic readings indicated a prominent peak at 423 nm. TEM analysis indicated that the biosynthesized nanospheres were in the size range of 13-27 nm. EDX spectrum indicated strong signal for AgNPs with 90.1% purity. The total concentration of AgNps was 216.7 mg/L after synthesis as by ICP-OES. Zeta potential was -34.3 mV indicating stable AgNPs. In vitro radical scavenging assay proved strong antioxidant effect of the AgNPs compared to 5% aqueous leaf extract. CCl(4) was used to induce hepatic injury in mice model. The biosynthesized AgNPs at three different doses (25, 50, 100mg/kg BW of the animal) were used for treatment. Silymarin was used as a standard. Low dose (25mg/kg BW) was effective in revival of all biological parameters to near normal in all intoxicated groups indicating the curing effects on CCl(4) induced liver injury., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Doxorubicin-treated animals show elevated serum triglyceride and blood glucose levels. Adipocytes play an important role in buffering blood glucose and lipids. A raise in serum lipid level triggers adipogenesis in order to increase the lipid absorption capacity of adipose tissue. Doxorubicin inhibits adipogenesis through the down-regulation of PPARγ, a crucial component of the lipid metabolic pathway which controls the expression of glucose and fatty acid transporters. Doxorubicin-mediated down-regulation of PPARγ inhibits blood glucose and lipid clearance thereby causing hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia resulting in lipotoxicity, glucotoxicity, inflammation and insulin resistance. Therefore we hypothesize that doxorubicin treatment could mimic a type 2 diabetic condition., (Copyright © 2012 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Aims: In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity effects of kimchi (Korean traditional fermented vegetable) fermented either without starter culture or with a specific starter culture, Weissella koreensis OK1-6., Methods and Results: C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups (n = 7); normal diet, HF (high-fat diet), HF-KC (high-fat diet containing 3% kimchi manufactured without starter) and HF-KCO (high-fat diet containing 3% kimchi manufactured with the starter culture W. koreensis OK1-6). After 12 weeks of dietary intervention, the mice were killed, and serum and tissue samples were examined. Serum and hepatic lipid profile, insulin, leptin concentration and expression level of lipid anabolic genes like peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1, liver X receptor α and SREBP2 were significantly decreased (<0.05) along with body and epididymal fat pad weight in the HF-KCO group compared with the HF-KC and HF group., Conclusions: These results suggested that kimchi fermented with the starter W. koreensis OK1-6 has anti-obesity effects in HF-induced obese mice., Significance and Impact of the Study: These results may contribute to nutraceutical and food industries in developing functional food and probiotics based therapies for the treatment and prevention of obesity., (© 2012 The Society for Applied Microbiology.)

Dextran is a versatile biomacromolecule for preparing electrospun nanofibrous membranes by blending with either water-soluble bioactive agents or hydrophobic biodegradable polymers for biomedical applications. In this study, an antibacterial electrospun scaffold was prepared by electrospinning of a solution composed of dextran, polyurethane (PU) and ciprofloxacin HCl (CipHCl) drug. The obtained nanofiber mats have good morphology. The mats were characterized by various analytical techniques. The interaction parameters between fibroblasts and the PU-dextran and PU-dextran-drug scaffolds such as viability, proliferation, and attachment were investigated. The results indicated that the cells interacted favorably with the scaffolds especially the drug-containing one. Moreover, the composite mat showed good bactericidal activity against both of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Overall, our results conclude that the introduced scaffold might be an ideal biomaterial for wound dressing applications., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Phenolic compounds and flavonoids ameliorate bodyweight, blood glucose, and serum lipid profile. Since seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is known as a rich source of isoflavones and flavonoids, we hypothesized that ethanolic extract of seabuckthorn leaves (SL) may have anti-obesity and hypoglycemic effects. To investigate the effect of ethanolic extract of SL, 32 C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 4 dietary groups, containing 8 mice in each group: normal diet group; high-fat diet (HD) control group; high-fat diet with SL extract, 500 mg/kg body weight (BW) (SL1) group; and high-fat diet with SL extract, 1000 mg/kg BW (SL2) group. After 13 weeks, it was observed that oral administration of SL extract significantly reduced the energy intake; BW gain; epididymal fat pad weight; hepatic triglyceride, hepatic, and serum total cholesterol levels; and serum leptin levels in the SL groups compared to the HD group. However, differences in serum triglyceride and insulin levels in the SL groups were not significant in comparison to the HD group. The hepatic mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 along with PPAR-γ were significantly increased in SL groups, whereas the level of acetyl-CoA carboxylase was significantly reduced in SL groups compared to HD group. Our results indicated that SL is effective in preventing BW gain and fat accumulation in the liver; it also reduced adipose tissue mass, hepatic lipid profile, and serum leptin level in the mouse. Together, these observations suggest that SL is a potential agent to study in the management of obesity and related disorders., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Adriamycin is an anthracycline antibiotic used as anticancer drug since past few decades. Though effective against cancer, it is cardiotoxic, nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic and also toxic for reproductive system. Although a number of potential toxic mechanisms have been identified following exposure to adriamycin, the major pathogenic mechanism appears to be the generation of toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS). Animals treated with adriamycin have shown a decrease in total sperm count. This implies that adriamycin impairs the process of spermatogenesis. Epididymal white adipose tissue (EWAT) is necessary for normal spermatogenesis, and decrease in the EWAT causes disturbance in spermatogenesis. Factor X is an unknown molecule synthesized by EWAT that plays crucial role in spermatogenesis. Adriamycin inhibits Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF-4) and thus downregulates the adipogenesis process needed to maintain the EWAT mass. Apart form adipocytes, KLF-4 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) are also found in spermatogonium and testis, implying its vital role in spermatogenesis. Adriamycin treatment inhibits KLF-4 and thus PPAR-γ in EWAT and spermatogonium. Reduction of EWAT might cause a decrease in Factor X level. Declining of Factor X level, KLF-4 and PPAR-γ together will lead to disturbance in spermatogenesis process., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The risk for diabetes increases with increasing BMI<25. Insulin resistance is the key factor for type 2 diabetes; studies revealed that endoplasmic reticulum stress is the main factor behind this disease. With increase in ER stress, pancreatic beta cells start to undergo apoptosis, leading to a decline in the pancreatic beta cell population. The ER stress arises due to unfolded protein response. Recently, spermidine get importance for increasing the longevity in most of the eukaryotes including yeast, Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells via induction of autophagy pathway. Autophagy is also involved in regulation of scavenging of proteins. One of the major cellular pathways for scavenging the aggregated intracellular protein is autophagy. Hence spermidine can be a candidate for the treatment type 2 diabetes. Autophagy genes are regulated by mTOR (mammalian Target Of Rapamycin) dependent or independent pathway via AMPK. Hence either inhibition of mTOR or activation of AMPK by spermidine will play two crucial roles, first being the activation of autophagy and secondly the reduction of endoplasmic reticulum stress which will reduce beta cell death by apoptosis and thus can be a novel therapeutic candidate in the treatment of insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes and preserving pancreatic beta cell mass., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)