Munavvar A. Sattar

Exogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) reduces blood pressure and prevents the progression of diabetic nephropathy in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The coexistence of hypertension and diabetes results in the rapid development of nephropathy. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is claimed to control the vascular and renal functions. This study tested the hypothesis that exogenous H2S lowers the blood pressure and decreases the progression of nephropathy in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) that were diabetic. Eighteen SHR were divided into three groups: SHR, SHR diabetic, and SHR diabetic treated with a group of Wistar–Kyoto rats serving as normotensive nondiabetic control. Diabetes was induced with streptozotocin (STZ) in two groups and one diabetic group received sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a H2S donor for 5 weeks. Blood pressure was measured in conscious and anesthetized states and renal cortical blood perfusion in acute studies. Plasma and urinary H2S levels, creatinine concentrations, and electrolytes were measured on three different occasions throughout the 35-day period. Diabetic SHR had higher blood pressure, lower plasma and urinary H2S levels, and renal dysfunction as evidenced by increased plasma creatinine, creatinine clearance, and decreased urinary sodium-to-potassium ratio and renal cortical blood perfusion. NaHS reduced blood pressure, increased H2S levels in plasma and urinary excretion, and reversed the STZ-induced renal dysfunction. The findings of this study suggest that the administration of exogenous H2S lowers the blood pressure and confers protection against the progression of STZ-induced nephropathy in SHR.

The Relation between Fructose-Induced Metabolic Syndrome and Altered Renal Haemodynamic and Excretory Function in the Rat

This paper explores the possible relationships between dietary fructose and altered neurohumoral regulation of renal haemodynamic and excretory function in this model of metabolic syndrome. Fructose consumption induces hyperinsulinemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, insulin resistance, and hypertension. The pathogenesis of fructose-induced hypertension is dubious and involves numerous pathways acting both singly and together. In addition, hyperinsulinemia and hypertension contribute significantly to progressive renal disease in fructose-fed rats. Moreover, increased activity of the renin-angiotensin and sympathetic nervous systems leading to downregulation of receptors may be responsible for the blunted vascular sensitivity to angiotensin II and catecholamines, respectively. Various approaches have been suggested to prevent the development of fructose-induced hypertension and/or metabolic alteration. In this paper, we address the role played by the renin-angiotensin and sympathetic nervous systems in the haemodynamic alterations that occur due to prolonged consumption of fructose.

α1-Adrenoceptor subtypes mediating adrenergic vasoconstriction in kidney of two kidney, one-clip Goldblatt and deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt hypertensive rats

Summary We characterised the functional α1-adrenoceptors involved in mediating adrenergic vasoconstrictor responses in kidney of two-kidney one-clip (2K1C) Goldblatt and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats. In sodium pentobarbital-anaesthetised rats, frequency- and dose-dependent renal vasoconstrictor responses were obtained by direct electrical renal nerve stimulation, close renal arterial administration of phenylephrine (PE), and methoxamine. Administration of amlodipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist (bolus dose of 200 and 400 μg/kg and an infusion of 50 and 100 μg/kg/h, respectively) and the α1-adrenoceptor antagonist 5-methylurapidil (5 μg/kg plus 1.25 μg/kg/h and twice this dose) suppressed renal nerve-, PE-, and methoxamine-induced vasoconstrictions 14–70% (p < 0.05–0.001) in 2K1C Goldblatt and DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. The α1-adrenoceptor alkylating agent, chloroethylclonidine (5 (μg/kg plus 1.25 μg/kg/h and twice this dose) caused significant attenuation (p < 0.001) of renal nerve-induced vasoconstriction by 19–23% in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats but did not affect PE- and methoxamine-induced vasoconstriction in either 2K1C Goldblatt or DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. In contrast, in 2K1C Goldblatt rats vasoconstrictor responses were potentiated by renal nerve stimulation and methoxamine. The data show that the functional renal postjunctional α1-adrenoceptors on the vasculature of both hypertensive models are primarily of the α1A-subtype, as reflected by their sensitivity to amlodipine and 5-methylurapidil. Moreover, an interaction appears to occur between the α1-adrenoceptor subtypes at renal vessels in 2K1C Goldblatt hypertensive rats.

Effect of surfactant and surfactant blends on pseudoternary phase diagram behavior of newly synthesized palm kernel oil esters.

Background: The purpose of this study was to select appropriate surfactants or blends of surfactants to study the ternary phase diagram behavior of newly introduced palm kernel oil esters. Methods: Nonionic surfactant blends of Tween® and Tween®/Span® series were screened based on their solubilization capacity with water for palm kernel oil esters. Tween® 80 and five blends of Tween® 80/Span® 80 and Tween® 80/Span® 85 in the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value range of 10.7–14.0 were selected to study the phase diagram behavior of palm kernel oil esters using the water titration method at room temperature. Results: High solubilization capacity was obtained by Tween® 80 compared with other surfactants of Tween® series. High HLB blends of Tween® 80/Span® 85 and Tween® 80/Span® 80 at HLB 13.7 and 13.9, respectively, have better solubilization capacity compared with the lower HLB values of Tween® 80/Span® 80. All the selected blends of surfactants were formed as water-in-oil microemulsions, and other dispersion systems varied in size and geometrical layout in the triangles. The high solubilization capacity and larger areas of the water-in-oil microemulsion systems were due to the structural similarity between the lipophilic tail of Tween® 80 and the oleyl group of the palm kernel oil esters. Conclusion: This study suggests that the phase diagram behavior of palm kernel oil esters, water, and nonionic surfactants is not only affected by the HLB value, but also by the structural similarity between palm kernel oil esters and the surfactant used. The information gathered in this study is useful for researchers and manufacturers interested in using palm kernel oil esters in pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparation. The use of palm kernel oil esters can improve drug delivery and reduce the cost of cosmetics.

Evidence for an α1-adrenoceptor subtype mediating adrenergic vasoconstriction in wistar normotensive and stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat kidney

We wished to characterise the (α1-adrenoceptor subtypes mediating renal vasoconstrictor responses in pentobarbital anaesthetised normotensive rats and stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SPSHR). Renal nerve stimulation, close renal arterial administration of phenylephrine (PE, a mixed α1a- and α1b-adrenoceptor agonist) and methoxamine (a putative α1a-adrenoceptor agonist) resulted in frequency and dose-dependent renal vasoconstrictor responses. Both dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist amlodipine (200 μg kg-1 plus 50 μg kg-1 h-1 and twice this dose) and the α1a-adrenoceptor antagonist 5-methylurapidil (5 μg kg-1 plus 1.25 μg kg-1h-1 and twice this dose) suppressed renal nerve-, PE-, and methoxamine-induced vasoconstrictions by between 21 and 59% (p < 0.05–0.001) in normotensive rats and SPSHR. The α1b-adrenoceptor alkylating agonist chloroethylclonidine (5 μg kg-1 plus 1.25 μg kg-1h-1 and twice this dose) attenuated renal nerve-mediated vasoconstrictions by 20% (p < 0.01), but not those induced by PE and methoxamine. This pattern of agonist and blocking drug interaction suggests that the renal postjunctional α1-adrenoceptors require extracellular calcium and are sensitive to 5-methylurapidil, characteristics of the α1a-adrenoceptor subtype. Moreover, a similar situation exists at the renal resistance vessels of SPSHR.

Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad (bitter apple fruit): a review of its phytochemistry, pharmacology, traditional uses and nutritional potential.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad is a valuable cucurbit plant, widely distributed in the desert areas of the world. Citrullus colocynthis fruits are usually recognized for its wide range of medicinal uses as well as pharmaceutical and nutraceutical potential. This review aims to appraise the published information on the ethnobotanical knowledge, phytochemistry, ethnopharmacology, nutraceutical potential and safety studies of Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apple) fruit, with critical analysis on the gaps and potential for future studies. MATERIAL AND METHODS A literature survey was performed by searching the scientific databases including PubMed, Scopus, SciFinder, Google Scholar, Web of Science, ACS as well as published books. RESULTS The plant has been reported to possess a wide range of traditional medicinal uses including in diabetes, leprosy, common cold, cough, asthma, bronchitis, jaundice, joint pain, cancer, toothache, wound, mastitis, and in gastrointestinal disorders such as indigestion, constipation, dysentery, gastroenteritis, colic pain and different microbial infections. Several bioactive chemical constituents from fruits were recorded, such as, glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, fatty acids and essential oils. The isolation and identification of curcurbitacins A, B, C, D, E, I, J, K, and L and Colocynthosides A, and B were also reported. The fruit of Citrullus colocynthis has been studied extensively for its wide range of biological activities, which include antioxidant, cytotoxic, antidiabetic, antilipidemic, insecticide, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. The plant was also shown to be rich in nutritional value with high protein contents and important minerals as well as edible quality of seed oil. CONCLUSION It is evident from the literature that Citrullus colocynthis possesses a wide range of medicinal uses and has been well studied for its antidiabetic, anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities, while its therapeutic potential for gut, airways and cardiovascular disorders remains to be explored. Critical analysis revealed that the plant has the huge potential for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical application, with some indications for the presence of synergistic and /or side effects neutralizing combinations of activities.

Formulation and in vitro release evaluation of newly synthesized palm kernel oil esters-based nanoemulsion delivery system for 30% ethanolic dried extract derived from local Phyllanthus urinaria for skin antiaging

Background Recently there has been a remarkable surge of interest about natural products and their applications in the cosmetic industry. Topical delivery of antioxidants from natural sources is one of the approaches used to reverse signs of skin aging. The aim of this research was to develop a nanoemulsion cream for topical delivery of 30% ethanolic extract derived from local Phyllanthus urinaria (P. urinaria) for skin antiaging. Methods Palm kernel oil esters (PKOEs)-based nanoemulsions were loaded with P. urinaria extract using a spontaneous method and characterized with respect to particle size, zeta potential, and rheological properties. The release profile of the extract was evaluated using in vitro Franz diffusion cells from an artificial membrane and the antioxidant activity of the extract released was evaluated using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. Results Formulation F12 consisted of wt/wt, 0.05% P. urinaria extract, 1% cetyl alcohol, 0.5% glyceryl monostearate, 12% PKOEs, and 27% Tween® 80/Span® 80 (9/1) with a hydrophilic lipophilic balance of 13.9, and a 59.5% phosphate buffer system at pH 7.4. Formulation F36 was comprised of 0.05% P. urinaria extract, 1% cetyl alcohol, 1% glyceryl monostearate, 14% PKOEs, 28% Tween® 80/Span® 80 (9/1) with a hydrophilic lipophilic balance of 13.9, and 56% phosphate buffer system at pH 7.4 with shear thinning and thixotropy. The droplet size of F12 and F36 was 30.74 nm and 35.71 nm, respectively, and their nanosizes were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy images. Thereafter, 51.30% and 51.02% of the loaded extract was released from F12 and F36 through an artificial cellulose membrane, scavenging 29.89% and 30.05% of DPPH radical activity, respectively. Conclusion The P. urinaria extract was successfully incorporated into a PKOEs-based nanoemulsion delivery system. In vitro release of the extract from the formulations showed DPPH radical scavenging activity. These formulations can neutralize reactive oxygen species and counteract oxidative injury induced by ultraviolet radiation and thereby ameliorate skin aging.

Influence of combined hypertension and renal failure on functional α1‐adrenoceptor subtypes in the rat kidney

Background and purpose: This study investigated whether the α1‐adrenoceptor responsiveness of the renal vasculature was altered in the state of hypertension combined with renal failure.

Influence of sympathetic and AT1‐receptor blockade on angiotensin II and adrenergic agonist‐induced renal vasoconstrictions in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Aim:  This study investigated the influence of angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor and adrenergic blockade on the renal vasoconstrictions caused by Ang II and adrenergic agonists in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

Α1B-Adrenoceptors mediate adrenergically-induced renal vasoconstrictions in rats with renal impairment

AbstractAim:This study examined whether α1B-adrenoceptors are involved in mediating adrenergically-induced renal vasoconstrictor responses in rats with pathophysiological and normal physiological states.Methods:Male Wistar Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats were induced with acute renal failure or experimental early diabetic nephropathy by cisplatin or streptozotocin, respectively. Cisplatin-induced renal failure was confirmed by impaired renal function and pronounced tubular damage. Experimental early diabetic nephropathy was confirmed by hyperglycemia, changes in physiological parameters, and renal function. The hemodynamic study was conducted on anesthetized rats after 7 d of cisplatin (renal failure) and 4 weeks of streptozotocin (experimental early diabetic nephropathy).Results:In the rats with renal failure and experimental early diabetic nephropathy, there were marked reductions in their baseline renal blood flow (P<0.01). The baseline mean arterial blood pressure was either unaltered or lower (all P>0.05) in the renal failure and experimental early diabetic nephropathy rats, respectively, as compared to their non-renal failure and non-diabetic nephropathy controls. In the rats with renal impairment, chloroethylclonidine caused either accentuation or attenuation (all P<0.01) of the renal vasoconstrictor responses elicited by the adrenergic stimuli. However, in the non-renal failure and in the non-diabetic nephropathy rats, chloroethylclonidine did not cause any alteration in such responses (P>0.05).Conclusion:This study demonstrated the presence of functional α1B-adrenoceptors that mediated the adrenergically-induced renal vasoconstrictions in rats with renal impairment, but not in rats with normal renal function.