Effect of gamma-carboxylase inhibition on serum osteocalcin may be partially protective against developing diabetic cardiomyopathy in type 2 diabetic rats., Gamal, Sarah Mahmoud, Sadek Nermeen Bakr, Rashed Laila Ahmed, Shawky Heba Mohamed, and Gamal El-Din Maha Mohamed , Diabetes & vascular disease research, 2016 11, Volume 13, Issue 6, p.405-417, (2016) Abstract

AIMS: To investigate the possible protective effect of elevated undercarboxylated osteocalcin on diabetic cardiomyopathy mechanisms and risk factors.

METHODS: In all, 32 male rats were divided into four groups: control, diabetic, diabetic warfarin and normal warfarin-treated groups. Isolated heart functions were assessed; fasting serum insulin, glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin, homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance and lipid profile were investigated. Serum undercarboxylated osteocalcin and adiponectin were also measured. In cardiac tissue, malondialdehyde content, acyl-CoA dehydrogenase gene expression, Bax/Bcl2 ratio, sarcoendoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase and osteocalcin receptor (G protein-coupled receptor family C group 6 member A) genes expression were investigated.

RESULTS: Prophylactic elevation of undercarboxylated osteocalcin was accompanied by improved insulin sensitivity and lipid profile, increased serum adiponectin, upregulated myocardial osteocalcin receptor with preserved left ventricular function, decreased cardiac malondialdehyde content, acyl-CoA dehydrogenase and Bax/Bcl2 ratio.

CONCLUSION: Undercarboxylated osteocalcin was suggested to have protective effects against diabetic cardiomyopathy, possibly through direct action on upregulated G protein-coupled receptor family C group 6 member A and indirectly via adiponectin. These effects may be mediated through antagonizing oxidative stress and apoptosis.

The effect of nitro-oleic versus losartan in diabetic nephropathy: modulation of parathyroid hormone related protein., Mohammed, Asmaa, Sadek Nermeen, Eshra Mohamed, Khowailed Effat, Rashed Laila, and Aboulhoda Basma , Folia morphologica, 2018 Jul 16, (2018) Abstract

BACKGROUND: Parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP) involvement in the mechanisms related to angiotensin II (Ang II)- induced renal injury has become an emerging concern. The current study was thus designed to compare the possible preventive and therapeutic effect of Ang II antagonists; losartan and nitro-oleic (NO2-OA) acid on diabetic nephropathy (DN), and evaluate their effect on PTHrP modulation as well as on the functional and histopathological parameters in the kidney of diabetic rats.

METHODS: Forty eight adult male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into control group, DN group, pre-diabetic nephropathy (pre-DN) losartan group, pre-diabetic nephropathy nitro-oleic acid (pre-DN NO2-OA) group, post-diabetic nephropathy (post-DN) losartan and post-diabetic nephropathy nitro-oleic acid (post DN-NO2-OA) groups. At the end of the study, systolic blood pressure (SBP), serum fasting glucose, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urea, urea albumin excretion (UAE), serum angiotensin, renal PTHrP gene expression and correlations between PTHrP and SBP, serum glucose, Ang II and kidney functions were evaluated. Histological examination, Masson's trichrome, Periodic acid shift staining as well as morphometric analysis and histopathological scoring for tubular and glomerular parameters have been carried out.

RESULTS: Prophylactic losartan and NO2-OA were associated with improvement in SBP, serum glucose, urea, GFR, UAE, with reduction in serum Ang II and PTHrP overexpression observed in diabetic kidney. Treatment with losartan and NO2-OA showed the same effect except that post-DN NO2-OA showed no significant effect regarding kidney function. Strong correlations were observed between PTHrP and SBP, serum glucose, Ang II and kidney functions. Histopathological results revealed obvious improvement in glomerulosclerosis, vascular and tubular injury parameters in prophylactic groups especially with losartan.

CONCLUSIONS: Both pre and post-DN losartan, NO2-OA may have a potential role in protection and regression of DN through reduction of PTHrP overexpression.