Bhaskarjyoti Gogoi

A polyphenol rescues lipid induced insulin resistance in skeletal muscle cells and adipocytes.

Skeletal muscle and adipose tissues are known to be two important insulin target sites. Therefore, lipid induced insulin resistance in these tissues greatly contributes in the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Ferulic acid (FRL) purified from the leaves of Hibiscus mutabilis, showed impressive effects in preventing saturated fatty acid (SFA) induced defects in skeletal muscle cells. Impairment of insulin signaling molecules by SFA was significantly waived by FRL. SFA markedly reduced insulin receptor β (IRβ) in skeletal muscle cells, this was affected due to the defects in high mobility group A1 (HMGA1) protein obtruded by phospho-PKCε and that adversely affects IRβ mRNA expression. FRL blocked PKCε activation and thereby permitted HMGA1 to activate IRβ promoter which improved IR expression deficiency. In high fat diet (HFD) fed diabetic rats, FRL reduced blood glucose level and enhanced lipid uptake activity of adipocytes isolated from adipose tissue. Importantly, FRL suppressed fetuin-A (FetA) gene expression, that reduced circulatory FetA level and since FetA is involved in adipose tissue inflammation, a significant attenuation of proinflammatory cytokines occurred. Collectively, FRL exhibited certain unique features for preventing lipid induced insulin resistance and therefore promises a better therapeutic choice for T2D.

Synthesis and characterization of SiO2/polyaniline/Ag core–shell particles and studies of their electrical and hemolytic properties: multifunctional core–shell particles

Three layers of conducting core–shell nanocomposite particles composed of SiO2/polyaniline (PAni)/Ag were prepared in the presence of silicon dioxide (SiO2) in an aqueous solution containing sodium dodecyl benzenesulfonate (SDBS) as a surfactant. SiO2 nanoparticles were coated by PAni, which results in the formation of core–shell nanocomposites. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized by a citrate reduction method. Ag nanoparticles could be electrostatically attracted onto the surface of SiO2/PAni nanocomposites, leading to the formation of SiO2/PAni/Ag nanocomposites with a core–shell structure. The products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), current–voltage (I–V) analysis and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The resultant nanocomposites have good biological properties.

Vermicompost and farmyard manure improves food quality, antioxidant and antibacterial potential of Cajanus cajan (L. Mill sp.) leaves

BACKGROUND Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) leaves are a good source of nutrition and health benefitting phenolic compounds. However, its importance has not yet been effectively addressed. Recently, a 2-year field experiment was attempted in an alluvial soil to understand the role of various organic and inorganic fertilisers and their combinations not only on soil quality, but also on production of foremost phenolic compounds and imparting antioxidant and antibacterial properties in C. cajan under vermicompost treatments. RESULTS Notable enhancements in crude protein, soluble carbohydrate, ash content and total flavonoid content were recorded in Cajanus leaves under vermicompost treatments. We detected a significant rise in carlinoside content in C. cajan leaves, which is known to reduce bilirubin concentration in hepatitis affected human blood. Farmyard manure treatments resulted in a high crude fibre content coupled with a substantially high concentration of total phenols, and chlorophyll. In addition, incorporation of vermicompost with or without inorganic fertiliser in the soil had a significant impact on antioxidant and antibacterial properties of C. cajan leaves. Above and beyond, farmyard manure and vermicompost positively influenced the physico-chemical health of the soil. CONCLUSION The present nutrient management scheme based on organic input not only induced a higher yield of C. cajan endowed with improved antioxidant and antibacterial properties, but also enhanced the production of various phenolic compounds.

Inflammation-induced mTORC2-Akt-mTORC1 signaling promotes macrophage foam cell formation

The transformation of macrophages into lipid-loaded foam cells is a critical and early event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Several recent reports highlighted that induction of TLR4 signaling promotes macrophage foam cell formation; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been clearly elucidated. Here, we found that the TLR4 mediated inflammatory signaling communicated with mTORC2-Akt-mTORC1 metabolic cascade in macrophage and thereby promoting lipid uptake and foam cell formation. Mechanistically, LPS treatment markedly upregulates TLR4 mediated inflammatory pathway which by activating mTORC2 induces Akt phosphorylation at serine 473 and that aggravate mTORC1 dependent scavenger receptors expression and consequent lipid accumulation in THP-1 macrophages. Inhibition of mTORC2 either by silencing Rictor expression or inhibiting its association with mTOR notably prevents LPS induced Akt activation, scavenger receptors expression, and macrophage lipid accumulation. Although suppression of mTORC1 expression by genetic knockdown of Raptor did not produce any significant change in Akt S473 phosphorylation, however, incubation with Akt activator in Rictor silenced cells failed to promote scavenger receptors expression and macrophage foam cell formation. Thus, present research explored the signaling pathway involved in inflammation-induced macrophage foam cells formation and therefore, targeting this pathway might be useful for preventing macrophage foam cell formation.