Background Dysregulation of calcium signaling is a hallmark of diabetes mellitus (DM) and grain amaranth (AG) has antidiabetic properties. Information on the mechanism of action of AG on blood, renal, and hepatic tissues is sparse, although it continues to be an important alternative medicinal plant in several developing countries. The objective of the study was to determine key changes in calcium levels and s100a1 protein levels and antioxidant and histopathologic changes in blood, renal, and hepatic tissues of male diabetic Wistar rats. Materials and Methods This was an experimental study in which 30 male Wistar rats were kept for 5 weeks (6 groups, N =5). Groups 1-IV had T2DM induced using Nicotinamide and Streptozotocin: Group I, Mixtard®; group II, positive control; group III, 25% AG; group IV, 50% AG. Furthermore, group V consisted of normal rats given 50% GA and group VI was negative control. Blood, renal, and hepatic tissues were collected and analyzed for calcium, s100a1 protein levels, and antioxidant and histopathological changes. Results and Discussion In blood, renal, and hepatic tissue, calcium and s100a1 levels were low during T2DM and these increased following AG supplementation. This was important for improved metabolic processes, thus leading to the low malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in the tissues. Efficient antioxidant status was important for improved calcium signaling mechanisms, thus leading to improved tissue function and protection demonstrating the importance of AG as an alternative medicinal source through the calcium signaling pathway. Conclusion Grain amaranth exerts its antidiabetic properties through improved calcium homeostasis in blood, kidney, and liver.

BackgroundStudies have suggested the supplementation of Zinc and Linoleic acid in the management of neurodegenerative disorders but none has investigated the combined effects. Little is known about the neuroprotective effects of either Zinc or Linoleic acid or their combination against development of Parkinsonism. This study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of Zinc and Linoleic acid in rotenone-induced Parkinsonism in rats.MethodsThirty-six young adult female rats weighing 100–150 g divided into six groups were used. Rats were induced with Parkinsonism by subcutaneous administration of rotenone (2.5 mg/kg) once a day for seven consecutive days. The rats received dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/Olive oil or rotenone dissolved in DMSO/Olive oil. Groups III and IV received Zinc (30 mg/kg) or Linoleic acid (150 µl/kg) while group V received a combination of both, 2 weeks prior to rotenone injection. Groups II and VI served as negative (rotenone group) and positive (Levodopa groups) controls respectively. Oxidative stress levels were assessed by estimating Lipid peroxidation (MDA), total antioxidant capacity, Superoxide dismutase, reduced Glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase and catalase in the midbrain. Histological examination was done to assess structural changes in the midbrain.ResultsThere was a significant prevention in lipid peroxidation and decrease in the antioxidant status in intervention-treated groups as compared to the rotenone treated group. In addition, histological examination revealed that Parkinsonian rat brains exhibited neuronal damage. Cell death and reduction in neuron size induced by rotenone was prevented by treatment with zinc, linoleic acid and their combination.ConclusionThese results suggest that zinc and linoleic acid and their combination showed significant neuroprotective activity most likely due to the antioxidant effect.

ObjectivesCalcium deregulation in diabetes mellitus (DM) is central to the brain–heart axis pathology. This has led to the use of medical plants in complementary medicine such as Amaranthus hypochondriacus (GA). The objective of the study was to establish the effects of grain amaranth feed supplementation on calcium, s100al protein and antioxidant levels on the brain–heart axis in diabetic male Wistar rats.MethodsThe study involved six groups (n=5) with DM being induced in 20 rats. To the diabetic rats, Group I received mixtard®, Group II was positive control, Groups III and IV received GA feed supplementation at 25 and 50%. In the nondiabetic rats (n=10), Group V received 50% grain amaranth while Group VI was the negative control. The brain and heart tissues were harvested after five weeks and processed using standard methods.ResultsGrain amaranth feed supplementation led to improved calcium levels in DM as compared to the positive control. This also led to increased s100a1, antioxidant levels in the brain–heart axis during DM. This then protected the tissues against oxidative damage, thus preserving tissue function and structure.ConclusionsGrain amaranth’s actions on calcium signaling subsequently affected s100a1 protein levels, leading to improved tissue function in diabetes.