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Diabetes mellitus is one of the worldwide largest growing metabolic diseases. In this study the effects of consumption of raw garlic on serum lipid level, blood sugar and a number of effective hormones on lipid and sugar metabolism (thyroid hormones and insulin) in individuals either with high level of blood sugar or lipid were investigated. Eighty five volunteers having following clinical history enrolled in the study: Group 1: having blood sugar more than 126 mg/dl (30 volunteers); Group 2: having cholesterol higher than 245 mg/dl (30 volunteers); Group 3: having blood sugar over 126 mg/dl and cholesterol more than 245 mg/dl (25 volunteers). In group 1, there wasn't a significant differences between biochemical factors before and after garlic consumption, whereas, in the second group after 6 weeks of garlic consumption a decline in cholesterol (P < 0.001), FBS and TG (P < 0.01) was observed but HDL-C (P < 0.001) was increased. Six weeks after termination of garlic consumption, cholesterol (P < 0.001), FBS and TG (P < 0.05) were increased and HDL-C (P < 0.01) was decreased. In the third group, total cholesterol (P < 0.001), FBS (P < 0.01) and HbA1c decreased while HDL-C was increased. Other factors, including thyroid hormones (T3, T4), TSH and insulin showed no significant alteration. In conclusion our results shown that raw garlic consumption can reduce the FBS and Lipid in hyperglycemic and/or hyperlipidemic individuals.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes progressive dysfunction that induces biochemical and metabolic changes that lead to cell death. Nevertheless, there is no definitive FDA-approved therapy for TBI treatment. Our previous immunohistochemical results indicated that the cost-effective natural Iranian medicine, Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad essential oil (SKEO), which consists of 94.16% carvacrol (CAR), has beneficial effects such as reducing neuronal death and inflammatory markers, as well as activating astrocytes and improving neurological outcomes. However, the molecular mechanisms of these neuroprotective effects have not yet been elucidated. This study investigated the possible mechanisms involved in the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties of SKEO and CAR after TBI induction. Eighty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: Sham, TBI, TBI + Vehicle, TBI + CAR (100 and 200 mg/kg), and TBI + SKEO (200 mg/kg) groups. After establishing the “Marmarou” weight drop model, diffuse TBI was induced in the rat brain. Thirty minutes after TBI induction, SKEO & CAR were intraperitoneally injected. One day after TBI, injured rats exhibited significant brain edema, neurobehavioral dysfunctions, and neuronal apoptosis. Western blot results revealed upregulation of the levels of cleaved caspase-3, NFκB p65, and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, which was attenuated by CAR and SKEO (200 mg/kg). Furthermore, the ELISA results showed that CAR treatment markedly prevents the overproduction of the brain pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6. Moreover, the neuron-specific enolase (NSE) immunohistochemistry results revealed the protective effect of CAR and SKEO on post-TBI neuronal death. The current study revealed that the possible neuroprotective mechanisms of SKEO and CAR might be related to (at least in part) modulating NF-κB regulated inflammation and caspase-3 protein expression. It also suggested that CAR exerts more potent protective effects than SKEO against TBI. Nevertheless, the administration of SKEO and CAR may express a novel therapeutic approach to ameliorate TBI-related secondary phase neuropathological outcomes.

Background Exercise and some pre-AKI diets have been shown to improve injury, apoptosis, and lipid profile. In this study, the effect of two different diets along with exercise training on acute kidney injury (AKI) was investigated.  Materials and methods Laboratory rats were randomly divided into four groups of control, standard diet + exercise, exercise + calorie restriction (CR) and exercise + time restriction (TR). Each group was divided into two subgroups of AKI and no AKI. The animals received endurance training and diet regimens before AKI. Fasting blood glucose, serum creatinine, Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) and histopathological outcome of renal tissue as well as serum lipid profile of animals were assessed 24 h after AKI.  Results The percentage of changes in renal Bcl2 and Bax after AKI in the group with previous exercise was lower than the group without previous exercise (p < 0.01). After induction of AKI, serum lipid profile changed in non-exercised rats (p < 0.001). Also, after injury, fasting blood glucose levels increased in non-exercised rats (p < 0.05). After injury, the start of both CR and TR diets during exercise caused less change in Bcl2 and Bax of non-exercised rats compared to exercised rats (p < 0.001). CR diet along with exercise improved lipid profile, and also CR diet along exercise decreased fasting blood glucose levels (p < 0.001). Also, both the CR and TR diets during exercise caused fewer changes in histopathological outcome after AKI. Conclusion Exercise alone decreased changes in apoptotic and histopathological indexes, fasting blood glucose, as well as lipid profile of rats after AKI. Reduction of apoptosis and improvement of histopathological outcome after AKI appeared more when CR and TR diets were commenced during exercise. The reduction of lipid profile changes was more pronounced in the group that received CR diet during exercise.

BackgroundChronic opioid treatment in animal models has shown to alter hematological parameters.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the biological effects of opium on the number of peripheral blood cells and red blood cells (RBCs) indices in diabetic rats.Materials and MethodsPeripheral blood samples were collected from diabetic, opium-addicted, diabetic opium-addicted and normal male and female rats and hematological parameters were measured.ResultsThe mean number of white blood cells (WBCs) was significantly higher in diabetic opium-addict females compared to diabetic non-addict female group. In both male and female, the mean number of neutrophils was significantly higher and the mean number of lymphocytes was lower in diabetic opium-addicted rats than those observed in diabetic non-addicted group. In diabetic opium-addicted male group the mean counts of RBC significantly increased as compared with diabetic male group. However, in diabetic addicted female, the mean number of RBCs was significantly lower than diabetic non-addicted female group. In both males and females, the mean number of platelets was significantly lower in diabetic addict rats compared to diabetic non-addict group.ConclusionsGenerally, the results indicated that opium addiction has different effects on male and female rats according to the number of WBC, RBC and RBC indices. It could also be concluded that in the opium-addicts the risk of infection is enhanced due to the weakness of immune system as a result of the imbalance effect of opium on the immune cells.