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The Anti-Diabetic Potential of Baicalin: Evidence from Rodent Studies
Baicalin is a biologically active flavonoid compound that benefits the organism in various pathological conditions. Rodent studies have shown that this compound effectively alleviates diabetes-related disturbances in models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Baicalin supplementation limited hyperglycemia and improved insulin sensitivity. The anti-diabetic effects of baicalin covered the main insulin-sensitive tissues, i.e., the skeletal muscle, the adipose tissue, and the liver. In the muscle tissue, baicalin limited lipid accumulation and improved glucose transport. Baicalin therapy was associated with diminished adipose tissue content and increased mitochondrial biogenesis. Hepatic lipid accumulation and glucose output were also decreased as a result of baicalin supplementation. The molecular mechanism of the anti-diabetic action of this compound is pleiotropic and is associated with changes in the expression/action of pivotal enzymes and signaling molecules. Baicalin positively affected, among others, the tissue insulin receptor, glucose transporter, AMP-activated protein kinase, protein kinase B, carnitine palmitoyltransferase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and fatty acid synthase. Moreover, this compound ameliorated diabetes-related oxidative and inflammatory stress and reduced epigenetic modifications. Importantly, baicalin supplementation at the effective doses did not induce any side effects. Results of rodent studies imply that baicalin may be tested as an anti-diabetic agent in humans.
Quercetin as an Anti-Diabetic Agent in Rodents—Is It Worth Testing in Humans?
Quercetin is a biologically active flavonoid compound that exerts numerous beneficial effects in humans and animals, including anti-diabetic activity. Its action has been explored in rodent models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It was revealed that quercetin mitigated diabetes-related hormonal and metabolic disorders and reduced oxidative and inflammatory stress. Its anti-diabetic effects were associated with advantageous changes in the relevant enzymes and signaling molecules. Quercetin positively affected, among others, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glucose transporter-2, glucokinase, glucose-6-phosphatase, glycogen phosphorylase, glycogen synthase, glycogen synthase kinase-3β, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, silent information regulator-1, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1, insulin receptor substrate 1, phosphoinositide 3-kinase, and protein kinase B. The available data support the conclusion that the action of quercetin was pleiotropic since it alleviates a wide range of diabetes-related disorders. Moreover, no side effects were observed during treatment with quercetin in rodents. Given that human diabetes affects a large part of the population worldwide, the results of animal studies encourage clinical trials to evaluate the potential of quercetin as an adjunct to pharmacological therapies.
Effect of IVM media supplementation with a blend of n6/n3 fatty acids on the quality of bovine oocytes and blastocysts
Chemical Interference: A Review on Endocrine Disruptors and Reproductive Communication in Amphibians
ABSTRACTAmphibians are highly vulnerable to anthropogenic pollution, primarily due to their permeable skin and eggs, as well as their habitat preferences. Endocrine‐disrupting compounds (EDCs), prevalent in aquatic environments and soil, pose a significant threat to their survival. While the physiological effects of EDCs on amphibians have been extensively studied, their impact on behavior remains relatively unexplored. This paper reviews the existing literature on the impact of EDCs on the mating behavior of amphibians, including disruptions in acoustic, olfactory, and visual communication. Although it has been shown that amphibian reproduction can be affected by endocrine disruptors, there are still significant research gaps. We performed an extensive review of the literature, which yielded only 27 eligible studies—21 of which tested the effects on mating communication and behavior, and only 6 examined the impact on body coloration. There is a strong need for a deeper understanding of how EDCs, both alone and in combination with other stressors, affect the reproductive behavior of amphibians, as this may have serious implications for the dynamics and survival of entire populations and species.