No abstract

The risk of type 2 Diabetes mellitus is constantly increasing and therefore it is necessary to seek effective and new therapies. Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) presents an opportunity in an alternative for treatment of type 2 Diabetes mellitus due its high antioxidant effects. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of Cornelian cherry pulp and stone on ZDF rats, which are suitable biological model for type 2 diabetes. ZDF rats received Cornelian cherry in three doses (1500, 2000 mg kg-1 body weight of the pulp and 250 mg kg-1 body weight of the stone) using the sterile oral rodent gavage for 4 months. Blood glucose, insulin, antioxidant activity and compounds in Cornelian cherry were determined to investigate the effects. Cornelian cherry stone significantly decreased affected blood glucose levels in ZDF rats when compared to the untreated control group. Total polyphenols and phenolic acids had significantly higher values in Cornelian cherry stone against pulp. Also, high concentrations of the anthocyanins were determined in the pulp. The results suggest that Cornelian cherry stone would potentially provide promising source of natural antioxidants and use in the management of Diabetes mellitus.

Sodium fluoride (NaF), although helpful in preventing dental decay, may negatively affect the body. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a 6-h in vitro treatment of livers isolated from 14-day-old chicken embryos with NaF at doses of 1.7 (D1), 3.5 (D2), 7.1 (D3) and 14.2 mM (D4), with regard to apoptosis, cell proliferation and tissue structure. The mRNA expression of the apoptosis regulators CYCS, APAF1, BCL2, CASP3, CASP9 and TMBIM1 was analysed by the qPCR method. Apoptotic cells were detected by a TUNEL assay. The tissue and DNA structure were also analysed by histological staining (H&E, Feulgen). The number of proliferating cells was determined and the apoptosis regulatory proteins were localised by the immunohistochemical staining of PCNA, CASP3 and APAF1. The results showed that the mRNA expression of CYCS, BCL2, CASP3, CASP9 and APAF1 increased significantly in the D1 group, as did that of CASP9 in the D3 group and of BCL2 and APAF1 in the D4 group. The number of apoptotic cells increased significantly in the D4 group, where they increased from 18% to 49%. On the other hand, the number of proliferating cells decreased gradually, in a dose-dependent manner, from 84% in the control group to 5.5% in the D4 group. The expression of apoptosis-regulating factors also increased: in the D3 and D4 groups, the CASP3 immunopositive reaction was more intensive in single cells in the embryonic livers, whereas that of APAF1 increased in the hepatocytes as well as in the hepatic blood vessel walls. The mechanism of the effect of NaF on apoptosis in the embryonic liver is very complex. In the groups exposed to higher doses of NaF, apoptosis was significantly stimulated, while proliferation was inhibited and the tissue structure was damaged. The expression of apoptosis regulators at the mRNA and protein levels increased, but the mRNA expression did not depend on the NaF dose. These results reveal that NaF, by changing the balance between apoptosis and the proliferation of hepatocytes, may disturb the development and function of the liver in embryonic chickens. Therefore, the risk of exposure to NaF should be considered when determining the standards for human and animal exposure to this compound.