Glucocorticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment in many inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Their administration can be associated with various side effects, similar to those within the metabolic syndrome. The beneficial effects of vitamin E in metabolic syndrome were demonstrated by many studies. Nowadays, vitamin E can be administrated through a new and innovative system delivery, such as polylactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles (PLGA-NPs). The aim of this experimental study was to compare the metabolic and haematological parameters after Prednisone administration as a single drug or in combination with vitamin E delivered by PLGA-NPs. Wistar male rats (n=15, age 10-12 months), on standard diet were randomised in three groups, for 6 weeks as: group SC served as a control, group SP was treated with Prednisone (1 mg/kg/day) by oral gavage and group SN received Prednisone (1 mg/kg/day) and vitamin E-charged PLGA nanoparticles (1 mg/kg/day) by oral gavage. In the Prednison treated group versus control, higher levels (p[0.05) were demonstrated for visceral fat weight, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), cholesterolemia and triglyceridemia. The association of PLGA-NPs charged with vitamin E to Prednisone prevented (p[0.05) hypercholesterolemia and visceral fat development induced by the cortisol intake. In conclusion, polylactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles (PLGA-NPs) charged with Vitamin E may demonstrate promising results in decreasing side effects induced by glucocorticosteroids, by reducing the amount of visceral fat and cholesterolemia.

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Obesity is associated with renal lipomatosis, inflammation and oxidative stress. Vitamin E is a liposoluble antioxidant vitamin and PLGA (polylactic-CO-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (NPs) represent a delivery carrier of this vitamin to the abdominal viscera. The aim of this study is to evaluate the renal and systemic effects of PLGA- NPs loaded with vitamin E in high fat diet Wistar rats. Young heathy Wistar male rats (3months old, n=20) were fed for 4 weeks either with standard diet or with high caloric/fat diet. These two experimental groups were divided in two subgroups and for the following 21 days, one group received PLGA-NPs loaded with vitamin E (1 mg/kg) body and the other didn�t. Metabolic serum parameters, oxidative stress markers ( malondialdehyde, MDA and total thiols) from kidney homogenates were measured by spectrophotometric methods. Hematoxylin-eosin stain histopathologic examination of kidneys was performed. The obesogenic diet increased the serum levels for triglycerides (p[0.001) and renal function markers: urea (p[0.02), creatinine (p[0.02) and cystatin (p[0.01). The treatment reduced the kidney inflammation, prevented tubulonephrosis damage and improved the renal oxidative stress markers (p[0.05) in the high fat diet group. In conclusion, PLGA-NPs loaded with vitamin E had renoprotective effect in high fat diet Wistar rats.

Introduction. The carotene lutein is found in ocular layers and has powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties. Posterior subcapsular cataract develops after prolonged glucocorticoid use. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (PLGA-NPs) is one of the most successfully developed biodegradable polymer used as antioxidant delivery system. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the ocular protective effects of PLGA-NPs loaded with lutein, in Wistar rats, on fat diet, treated with systemic glucocorticoids. Materials and methods. Healty Wistar male rats (n= 25, 12 months aged) were divided in 5 equal groups. the control group (S) with standard diet and no treatment and groups with Prednison treatment (1 mg/kg body weight), with and without PLGA-NPs loaded with lutein (1 mg/kg body weight), fed either with standard or fat diet. The duration of treatment was 6 weeks and it was done by gavaje. The eye examination was done by two ophtalmologists as a blind test and photos of the eyes were made. Serum metabolic parameters were measured. The rats treated with Prednison developed cataract and uveitis and the most severe injured eye was observed in the group with high caloric fat diet and no lutein as a supplement. Also, Prednison treatment produced dysglycaemia and dyslipidemia. The co-administration of lutein as PLGA-NPs with Prednison prevented the lens, retina and choroidal injuries, reduced the increased levels of glycaemia, triglyceridemia and increased the serum total antioxidant capacity. Conclusion. The PLGA lutein nanoparticles assured global eye protection, reducing the ocular side effects of prednison.