No abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) leads to changes in enzymatic activities, oxidative and inflammatory parameters. Adenosine deaminase (ADA), dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) and γ-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT) activities, C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and nitric oxide levels (NOx), as well as oxidative stress markers were analyzed in 39 subjects with MetS and 48 controls. Also, the influence of body mass index (BMI) and anthropometric measurements were evaluated. Disturbances in antioxidant defenses and higher γ-GT and BuChE activities, NOx and hsCRP levels were observed in subjects with MetS. These findings remained associated with MetS after adjustment for BMI, except for hsCRP. ADA was correlated with age, insulin levels and HOMA-IR index in MetS. DPP-IV and total cholesterol (TC), BuChE activity and TC, and VIT C and hsCRP levels also were correlated. The analyzed parameters may reflect the inflammatory state of the MetS, and could contribute to prevention and control of various aspects of this syndrome.

Context:Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels (Myrtaceae) is a medicinal plant widely used in folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM). However, studies on the use of this plant and of nanoparticle formulations against DM-related fungal infections are scarce.Objective: To evaluate the effect of the treatments with aqueous seed extract of S. cumini (ASc) and ASc-loaded polymeric nanoparticles (NPASc) on biochemical parameters in Candida albicans-infected diabetic rats.Materials and methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into eight groups: Control, DM, C. albicans, C. albicans + ASc, C. albicans + NPASc, DM + C. albicans, DM + C. albicans + ASc and DM + C. albicans + NPASc. Rats were daily treated with ASc or NPASc (100 mg/kg) for 21 days. Biochemical parameters in serum and urine, advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) and TBARS levels in the serum, kidney, liver and pancreas and N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (NAG) activities in kidney and urine were evaluated.Results: Biochemical and oxidative stress parameters increased in rats with DM and/or candidiasis. NPASc was more effective than ASc in decreasing glucose (56%), cholesterol (33%) and creatinine (51%) levels; serum (16%) and pancreatic (46%) AOPP and renal (48%) TBARS levels when compared with DM + C. albicans group. In C. albicans group, both treatments decreased NAG activity but did not decrease creatinine levels.Conclusions: These data suggest that the use of nanotechnology is able to improve plant extract properties such as antioxidant activity that may be useful in diabetes-related complications.

No abstract

Our data revealed that the short-term treatment with ASc has an important protective role under pathophysiological conditions caused by the early stage of DM. These results enhance our understanding of the effect of the ASc on the purinergic system in DM.