PurposeTo examine the effect of blood flow restriction resistance training under different external loads on the muscle strength and vertical jumping performance in volleyball players.Methods18 well-trained collegiate male volleyball players were randomly divided into 3 groups: high-load resistance training group (HL-RT, 70% 1RM, n = 6), low-load blood flow restriction resistance training group (LL-BFR-RT, 30% 1RM, 50% arterial occlusion, n = 6), and high-load blood flow restriction resistance training group (HL-BFR-RT, 70% 1RM, 50% arterial occlusion, n = 6). Participants performed leg half-squat exercise 3 times per week for 8 weeks. Measurements of Isokinetic peak torque of knee extension and flexion, 1RM leg half-squat, squat jump, and 3 footed take-off were obtained before and after training. A two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to examine differences among the 3 groups and between the 2 testing time (pre-test vs post-test).Results(1) The HL-RT group was significantly greater in muscle strength than that in the LL-BFR-RT group (P < .05), but no improvement in vertical jumping performance (P >.05). (2) Improvement in muscle strength and vertical jumping performance was significantly greater in the HL-BFR-RT group than that in the LL-BFR-RT group (P <.05). (3) The HL-BFR-RT group had greater but not significant improvement in muscle strength and vertical jumping performance than that in the HL-RT group.ConclusionsAlthough increases in muscle strength were observed between training groups, HL-BFR-RT increased not only muscle strength but vertical jumping performance to a greater extent compared to LL-BFR-RT and HL-RT.

Most studies of the biological effects of ionizing radiation have been done on a single acute dose, while clinically and environmentally exposures occur under chronic/repetitive conditions. It is important to study effects of different patterns of ionizing radiation. In this study, a rat model was used to compare the effects of repetitive and acute exposure. Groups: (I) control, (II, III) were exposed to fractionated doses (1.5 GyX4) and (2 GyX4), respectively/24h interval, and (IV, V) were exposed to 6 Gy and 8 Gy of whole-body gamma irradiation, respectively. The gene expression of MAPT and tau phosphorylation increased in all irradiated groups but the gene expression of PKN not affected. TGFβ% increased at dose of 2 GyX4 only. In addition, the cell cycle was arrested in S phase. Micronucleus (MN) increased and cell proliferation decreased. In conclusion, the dose and pattern of ionizing radiation do not affect the MAPT and PKN gene expression, but TGF-β, p-tau, MN assay and cell proliferation are significantly affected. The dose of 2 GyX4 showed distinctive effect. Repetitive exposure may increase TGF-β%, which causes radio-resistance and, G2/M delay. Thus, the cell cycle could be regulated in a different manner according to the dose and pattern of irradiation.

This study was aimed to investigate the therapeutic potentials of plant-basedbioactive compounds; lutein and resveratrol alone and/or in combination withDPP-4 enzyme inhibitor; sitagliptin on the secretion and bioavailability ofGlucagon like peptide-1(GLP). For this, experimental rats were divided intoseven groups. Group 1 was marked as control, while other six groups receivedstreptozotocin (60 mg/kg I.P.). Later, group 2 was kept disease-control. Whilegroup 3 received 10 mg/kg/day sitagliptin (DDP-4i). Group 4 received40 mg/kg/day lutein (LUT) and group 5 received 30 mg/kg/day resveratrol (RES).While group 6 and 7 were received combination of DPP-4i+LUT and DPP-4i+RES,respectively. Combined administration of DPP-4i+LUT or DPP-4i+RES showedexpected therapeutic effects by lowering the fasting blood glucose andmaintaining the serum insulin concentrations with improved glucose sensitivityand reduced insulin resistance. Further, co-administration of LUT and RES withDPP-4i revealed beneficial effects on measures of insulin resistance,circulating lipids, glycemic index, oxidative stress, and inflammatory statusalong with restoration of histological morphology of pancreatic cells andenterocytes that seemed to improve the level of GLP-1. Hence, substantialverdicts of this study showing therapeutic potentials of LUT and RES wouldsurely help to recognize the potential effects in combination with DPP-4i asstimulators of GLP-1 secretion.

The aims and objectives of the study were to evaluate the antiParkinson’s (PD)potential of B cernua (BCE). B cernua (Poir.)Müll. Arg. (B cernua) is a member of thePhyllanthaceae family. HPLC revealed the presence ofvarious phytochemicals. Study was conducted for 40 days. After PD induction byparaquat behavioural studies were carried out. Biochemical parameters such asDPPH, NO-scavenging, Ferrous reducing power, MDA, GSH, CAT, SOD,acetylcholinesterase (AChE), neurotransmitter estimation and TNF-α and IL-6levels were determined. DPPH, NO-scavenging and Ferrous reducing power assaysshowed 78.02%, 48.05% and 71.45% inhibitions, respectively. There wassignificant improvement in motor functions and coordination in a dose-dependentmanner (50 < 250 < 500 mg/kg) in PD rat model. Biochemical markers; SOD,CAT, GPx and GSH showed significant restoration (P < .001)while MDA showed significant decrease (P < .05). The AChElevel was significantly reduced (P < .05) at 500 mg/kg whileneurotransmitters were significantly improved (P < .001) ina dose-dependent fashion. The ELISA results showed significant(P < .001) down-regulation of IL-6 and TNF-α level. Inconclusion, it is suggested that BCE has the potential to reduce the symptoms ofPD.

BackgroundCapparis decidua (Forssk.) Edgew is reported to be practiced in the traditional system of medicine for the management of various immunological pathologies.PurposeThe current study was designed to evaluate the modulatory effects of C decidua on different immune responses.Research DesignC decidua was extracted in 70% methanol and the crude extract (Cd.Cr) was analyzed by FTIR and GCMS. In vivo models were employed to assess the actions of Cd.Cr on cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression, innate and adaptive immune responses.ResultsGCMS and FTIR analysis indicated the presence of flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids and lipids. Cd.Cr evoked a significant and dose-dependent increase in percent neutrophil adhesion (15.97 ± .81, 27.47 ± .79 and 38.35 ± 1.08) and the phagocytic index (3.1 ± .04, 3.96 ± .06 and 5.28 ± .13) at the doses of 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg. Cd.Cr also potentiated haemagglutinating antibody titre, immunoglobulins and cytokines (interferon-γ and interleukin-2) production for 4 weeks, after exposure to sheep erythrocytes, and delayed type hypersensitivity reaction significantly (P < .05). The restoration of hematological profile and antioxidant enzyme activities, by Cd.Cr, indicated the prevention of cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression and oxidative stress.ConclusionsThe findings of this study suggest that C decidua holds immunomodulatory activity by thus possesses therapeutic potential for the management of immunological diseases.

ObjectiveTo assess whether there is a relation between allopurinol use and the probability oftype 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in persons with gout and/or hyperuricemia.MethodsAccording to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a meta-analysis was performed by searchingliterature published from 2000 to 2021 in two electronic databases (Ebscohost andPubMed). The end point was set as a new diagnosis ofT2DM between people with the use ofallopurinol and people with non-use of allopurinol. The random-effects model wasperformed to evaluate the pooled hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) forT2DM associated with allopurinol use.ResultsThree cohort studies could meet the inclusion criteria in the meta-analysis. There wasa high heterogeneity of the outcome between studies (I2 = 99%). The researchduration ranged from 13 to 16 years. The subject number in each work ranged from 1114 to138,652. A meta-analysis disclosed that there was not an association between allopurinoluse and the risk of developing T2DM (pooled HR = 1.01 and 95%CI = .55–1.84).ConclusionsThe meta-analysis shows that no correlation is detected between allopurinol use and therisk of T2DM in individuals with gout and/or hyperuricemia. Because there are not enougheligible studies, the strength of evidence in our meta-analysis is weak. More cohortstudies are needed to determine an association between use of allopurinol and theprobability of T2DM for individuals with gout and/or hyperuricemia.

Magnesium oxide (MgO) and manganese oxide (MnO) have been reported to be effective against Diabetes Mellitus (DM). However, their nanoparticulate form has not been evaluated for antidiabetic effect. MgO and MnO nanoparticles (15–35 nm) were synthesized and subsequently characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-VIS), zeta sizer, and scanning electron microscopy. 6–7 weeks old rats weighing 200–220 mg were divided into 07 equal groups (n = 8), namely, negative control (NC), positive control (PC), standard control (Std-C), MgO high dose group (MgO-300) and low dose group (MgO-150), and MnO nanoparticle high dose (MnO-30) and low dose group (MnO-15). Diabetes was chemically induced (streptozotocin 60 mg/kg B.W) in all groups except the NC. Animals were given CMD and water was ad libitum. Nanoparticles were supplemented for 30 days after the successful induction of diabetes. Blood and tissue samples were collected after the 30th day of the trial. The mean serum glucose, insulin, and glucagon levels were improved maximally in the MgO-300 group followed by MgO-150 and MnO-30 groups. Whereas the MnO-15 group fails to show any substantial improvement in the levels of glucose, insulin, and glucagon as compared to the positive control group. Interesting the serum triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels were markedly improved in all the nanoparticle treatment groups and were found to be similar to the standard control group. These results highlight the modulatory properties of MgO and MnO nanoparticles and merit further studies delineating the molecular mechanisms through which these nanoparticles induce antidiabetic effects.

Previous studies evaluated the adenosine receptor antagonists alone to determinetheir effects on oxidative stress, but little is known about adenosine’sprotective efficacy when oxidative injury occurs in vivo. Adenosine is a crucialsignaling molecule recognized by four distinct G-protein-coupled receptors(GPCRs) (i.e., A1R, A2AR, A2BR, and A3R) and protects cells against pathologicalconditions. The present study was performed to evaluate the role of antagonistmodulation in the setting of paraquat toxicity with adenosine pretreatment.First, PC12 cells were exposed to paraquat (850 μM) and adenosine (30 μM) todevelop an in vitro model for the antagonist effect assay. Second, we found thatthe A1R antagonist DPCPX enhanced the viability of paraquat-induced PC12 cellsthat underwent adenosine pretreatment. Moreover, the A2AR antagonist ZM241385decreased the viability of paraquat-induced PC12 cells that underwent adenosinepretreatment. Our findings indicate that adenosine protection requires a dualblockade of A1R and activation of A2AR to work at its full potential, and theA2B and A3 adenosine receptor antagonists increased paraquat-induced oxidativedamage. This represents a novel pharmacological strategy based on A1/A2Ainteractions and can assist in clarifying the role played by AR antagonists inthe treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Studies into drug combination at low doses are a promising approach to the management of pain and inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-edema and anti-hyperalgesic effects of a combination of diclofenac and andrographolide. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were first treated with diclofenac or andrographolide alone (3–100 mg/kg), as well as a combination of the 2 drugs. Carrageenan was then injected into the right hind paw of rats, and changes in paw volume and sensitivity to mechanical (von Frey) and thermal (Hargreaves test) stimuli measured. Results showed drug combination produced synergistic effects at reducing paw edema especially at lower doses, with a Loewe synergy score of 13.02 ± 8.75 in SynergyFinder and a combination index of .41 ± .18 after isobolographic analysis. Again synergy scores for decreasing response to 1.0 and 3.6 g force application of von Frey filaments after drug combination were 10.127 ± 5.68 and 8.554 ± 6.53, respectively, in SynergyFinder. Synergistic effects were also seen after drug combination in the Hargreaves test with a synergy score of 5.136 ± 16.38. In conclusion, combination of diclofenac with andrographolide showed better pharmacologic effects after carrageenan injection and was more synergistic at low-dose combinations.

BackgroundNitric oxide (NO) as a vaso- and cardio-protective agent could reduce vasomotor dysfunction in different cardiovascular diseases. One of the current therapeutics targeted at NO availability in the vascular wall are highly diluted antibodies to endothelial NO-synthase (eNOS). This drug has previously shown its endothelium-protective effect and effectiveness in reducing hypertension. Current study was dedicated to evaluate the direct impact of highly diluted antibodies to eNOS on the vessel constriction and dilation ex vivo.MethodsFor that purpose, we used thoracic aortas dissected from spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats. Endothelium-dependent relaxation in the presence of highly diluted antibodies to eNOS (1 mL) was examined after phenylephrine-induced pre-constriction of the aorta rings in response to gradually increased acetylcholine concentration (1 nM to 10 µM).ResultsHighly diluted antibodies to eNOS enhanced acetylcholine-induced relaxation in a statistically significant manner. Moreover, it was demonstrated that observed effect was similar to perindopril, a well-known angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor, which works through relaxing and widening blood vessels.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that highly diluted antibodies to eNOS restored impaired endothelium function, as demonstrated by increased relaxation of SHR rats aorta rings. The revealed results suggest beneficial effect of highly diluted antibodies to eNOS to ameliorate hypertension and related diseases.