Medicinal Potential of Isoflavonoids: Polyphenols That May Cure Diabetes

In recent years, there is emerging evidence that isoflavonoids, either dietary or obtained from traditional medicinal plants, could play an important role as a supplementary drug in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) due to their reported pronounced biological effects in relation to multiple metabolic factors associated with diabetes. Hence, in this regard, we have comprehensively reviewed the potential biological effects of isoflavonoids, particularly biochanin A, genistein, daidzein, glycitein, and formononetin on metabolic disorders and long-term complications induced by T2DM in order to understand whether they can be future candidates as a safe antidiabetic agent. Based on in-depth in vitro and in vivo studies evaluations, isoflavonoids have been found to activate gene expression through the stimulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) (α, γ), modulate carbohydrate metabolism, regulate hyperglycemia, induce dyslipidemia, lessen insulin resistance, and modify adipocyte differentiation and tissue metabolism. Moreover, these natural compounds have also been found to attenuate oxidative stress through the oxidative signaling process and inflammatory mechanism. Hence, isoflavonoids have been envisioned to be able to prevent and slow down the progression of long-term diabetes complications including cardiovascular disease, nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy. Further thoroughgoing investigations in human clinical studies are strongly recommended to obtain the optimum and specific dose and regimen required for supplementation with isoflavonoids and derivatives in diabetic patients.     

Cross section of the impact single ionization of B2＋ by H＋

The ionization process of B2+ by H+ impact is studied using the continuum-distorted-wave eikonal-initial-state (CDW-EIS) method and the modified free electron peak approximation (M-FEPA), respectively. Total, single-, and double- differential cross sections from 1s and 2s orbitals are presented for the energy range from 10 keV/u to 10 MeV/u. Comparison between the results from the two methods demonstrates that the total and single-differential cross sections for the high-energy incident projectile case can be well evaluated using the simple M-FEPA model. Moreover, the M-FEPA model reproduces the essential features of the binary-encounter (BE) bump in the double-differential cross sections. Thus, the BE ionization mechanism is discussed in detail by adopting the M-FEPA model. In particular, the double- and single-differential cross sections from the 2s orbital show a high-energy hip, which is different from those from the 1s orbital. Based on Ref. [1], the Compton profiles of B2+ for 1s and 2s orbitals are given, and the hips in DDCS and SDCS from the 2s orbital are explained.     

Association of UCP3, APN,and TNF-a Gene Polymorphisms with Type 2 Diabetes in a Population of Northern Chinese Han Patients

We observed the polymorphism distribution and coaction of uncoupling protein 3(UCP3)-55C/T,adiponectin(APN)+45T/G and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-a-308G/A on the onset and development of T2DM in a North...     

Characterization and Three-dimensional Structural Modeling of Humic Acid via Molecular Mechanics and Molecular Dynamic Simulation

The humic acid（HA） sample obtained from the alluvial soil was characterized by elemental composition, pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry（Py-GC-MS） and solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance （13C NMR） spectroscopy. There is high fat content and a few nitrogen-containing functional groups in HA. Py-GC-MS demonstrates the characterization and structural identification of HA. One long list of identified pyrolysis products was proposed for the construction of conceptual model of HA. Solid-state 13C NMR data indicate there are higher values of alkyl-C, O-alkyl-C and aryl-C in HA. The elemental composition, structural carbon distribution and L3C NMR spectroscopy of simulated HA are consistent with those of experimental HA. HyperChem was used to simulate the three-dimensional molecular structure of the monomer, which was optimized by the molecular mechanics of the optimized potential for liquid simulations（OPLS） force field and molecular dynamics simulation to get the stable and balanced conformation. The deprotonation process study depicts that the degree of ionization of HA gets deeper, while the electronegativity of HA and the energy of van der Waals（vdW） increase. Moreover, the 3D structure of humic acid with -4 charges is the most stable. The deprotonation process is an endothermic process.     

2型糖尿病患者尿液的代谢组学研究

目的 从代谢组学角度分析并寻找2型糖尿病（T2DM）患者可能的代谢标记物。方法 选取30例初诊、或有糖尿病史经药物治疗控制不理想且无并发症的T2DM 患者,另选取30例性别、年龄匹配的健康者为正常对照。收集清晨空腹中段尿,以气相色谱- 质谱联用（GC-MS）技术对尿液样本进行代谢图谱分析,正交偏最小二乘法判别研究尿液内源性化合物在两组间的差异。结果 T2DM 组和正常对照组尿液代谢谱明显分离。与正常对照组比较,T2DM 组尿液2,3,4- 三羟基丁酸、肌醇、D- 葡萄糖、D- 葡萄糖酸及尿素含量升高（P＜0.05 或0.01）,马尿酸含量减少（P＜0.01）。结论 代谢组学检查提示T2DM 患者尿液中代谢标志物为2,3,4- 三羟基丁酸、肌醇、马尿酸、D-葡萄糖、D- 葡萄糖酸及尿素,观察这些标志物含量的变化有助于T2DM 的临床诊断及发病机制研究。     

Risk evaluation of diabetes mellitus by relation of chaotic globals to HRV

This study's aim is to analyze heart rate dynamics in subjects with diabetes by measures of heart rate variability (HRV). The correlation of chaotic global parameters in the two cohorts is able to assess the probability of cardiac failure and other dynamical diseases. Adults (46) were divided into two equal groups. The autonomic evaluation consisted of measuring HRV for 30 min in supine position in absence of any physical, sensory, or pharmacological stimuli. Chaotic global parameters are able to statistically determine which series of electrocardiograph interpeak intervals in short time‐series are diabetic and which are not. The chaotic forward parameter that applies all three parameters is suggested to be the most appropriate and robust algorithm. This was decided after tests for normality; followed by one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA1); (P < 0.09) and Kruskal–Wallis technique (P < 0.03). Principal component analysis implied two components represent 99.8% of total variance. Therefore, diabetes is a disease which reduces the chaotic response and, as such may be termed a dynamical condition such as are cardiac arrest, asthma, and epilepsy. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 20: 84–92, 2015     

Momordica charantia Extract Protects against Diabetes-Related Spermatogenic Dysfunction in Male Rats: Molecular and Biochemical Study

More than 90% of diabetic patients suffer from sexual dysfunction, including diminished sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm viability, and low testosterone levels. The effects of Momordica charantia (MC) were studied by estimating the blood levels of insulin, glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), testosterone (TST), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) in diabetic rats treated with 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w. of the total extract. Testicular antioxidants, epididymal sperm characteristics, testicular histopathology, and lesion scoring were also investigated. Testicular mRNA expression of apoptosis-related markers such as antiapoptotic B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and proapoptotic Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) were evaluated by real-time PCR. Furthermore, caspase-3 protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. MC administration resulted in a significant reduction in blood glucose and HbA1c and marked elevation of serum levels of insulin, TST, and gonadotropins in diabetic rats. It induced a significant recovery of testicular antioxidant enzymes, improved histopathological changes of the testes, and decreased spermatogenic and Sertoli cell apoptosis. MC effectively inhibited testicular apoptosis, as evidenced by upregulation of Bcl-2 and downregulation of Bax and caspase-3. Moreover, reduction in apoptotic potential in MC-treated groups was confirmed by reduction in the Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA expression ratio.     

Encapsulation Preserves Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Activities of Cactus Acid Fruit Bioactive Compounds under Simulated Digestion Conditions

Cactus acid fruit (Xoconostle) has been studied due its content of bioactive compounds. Traditional Mexican medicine attributes hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, anti-inflammatory, antiulcerogenic and immunostimulant properties among others. The bioactive compounds contained in xoconostle have shown their ability to inhibit digestive enzymes such as α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Unfortunately, polyphenols and antioxidants in general are molecules susceptible to degradation due to storage conditions, (temperature, oxygen and light) or the gastrointestinal tract, which limits its activity and compromises its potential beneficial effect on health. The objectives of this work were to evaluate the stability, antioxidant and antidiabetic activity of encapsulated extract of xoconostle within double emulsions (water-in-oil-in-water) during storage conditions and simulated digestion. Total phenols, flavonoids, betalains, antioxidant activity, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition were measured before and after the preparation of double emulsions and during the simulation of digestion. The ED40% (treatment with 40% of xoconostle extract) treatment showed the highest percentage of inhibition of α-glucosidase in all phases of digestion. The inhibitory activity of α-amylase and α-glucosidase related to antidiabetic activity was higher in microencapsulated extracts than the non-encapsulated extracts. These results confirm the viability of encapsulation systems based on double emulsions to encapsulate and protect natural antidiabetic compounds.     

基于氧化镍沉积硅胶固相萃取与液相色谱-质谱联用技术的2型糖尿病血清中咪唑丙酸的检测

咪唑丙酸可以通过哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白复合物1(mTORC1)路径引起人的胰岛素抵抗, 从而导致2型糖尿病(T2D), 因此, 咪唑丙酸的准确定量可辅助2型糖尿病的诊断. 本文利用NiO与咪唑基团之间的配位作用, 采用氧化镍沉积硅胶(NiO@SiO₂)萃取材料对咪唑丙酸进行选择性富集和萃取. 首先对NiO@SiO₂ 固相萃取(SPE)条件进行优化: 吸附剂用量为200 mg, 上样液为20 mmol/L的磷酸盐缓冲溶液(pH=3.0), 解吸液为1.0 mL含1%(质量分数)NH₃·H₂O的水溶液; 然后, 对萃取液进行高效液相色谱-质谱(HPLC-MS)分离分析, 建立了血清中咪唑丙酸的检测方法. 结果表明, 咪唑丙酸浓度在0.05~10 ng/mL范围内对质谱响应值具有良好的线性关系(R ²≥0.996), 检出限和定量限分别为0.02和0.05 ng/mL, 加标回收率为84.0%~119%, 相对标准偏差RSD<17.2%. 将该方法用于检测2型糖尿病患者与正常人血清样品中的咪唑丙酸, 发现在2型糖尿病患者与正常人的血清中咪唑丙酸含量存在显著性差异, 说明咪唑丙酸的准确定量对2型糖尿病具有医学诊断上的潜力.