Browsing by Author "Teixeira, F."
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- Biochemical and histological effects of sitagliptin on Zucker Diabetic Fatty rat pancreasPublication . Mega, C.; Vala, Helena; Teixeira de Lemos, E.; Fernandes, R.; Oliveira, J.; Ferreira, L.; Teixeira, F.; Reis, F.Background: Inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) activity by sitagliptin has been shown to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) by prolonging the actions of incretin hormones, but the really impact of low-dose sitagliptin treatment on pancreas lesions is almost unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sitagliptin on biochemical and histological (pancreas) parameters of Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF, fa/fa) rats, an animal model of T2DM. Methods: Diabetic (fa/fa) ZDF male rats were treated with vehicle or sitagliptin (10 mg/kg BW/day) during 6 weeks (n=8 each). The following parameters were assessed: serum glycaemia, HbA1c, insulin and lipid profile; serum and pancreas oxidative stress (MDA) and endocrine and exocrine pancreas histology, estimating and rating inflammatory infiltrate, fibrosis, vacuolization and congestion in a semiquantitative score ranging from 0 (minimal) to 3 (severe and extensive damage). Results: Sitagliptin in diabetic ZDF rats promoted beneficial effects on dysglycaemia, dyslipidaemia, inflammatory profile and pancreatic oxidative stress. Endocrine and exocrine pancreas presented a reduction/amelioration of fibrosis severity, inflammatory infiltrate, intra-islet vacuolation, and congestion vs the vehicle-treated diabetic rats. Conclusions: The favourable biochemical profile promoted by sitagliptin in the diabetic rats, together with a protection against endocrine and exocrine pancreas lesions, might represent a further advantage of low doses of sitagliptin in the management of T2DM.
- Cyclosporine A-induced nephrotoxicity is ameliorated by dose reduction and conversion to Sirolimus in the ratPublication . Sereno, J.; Vala, Helena; Nunes, S.; Rocha-Pereira, P.; Carvalho, E.; Alves, R.; Teixeira, F.; Reis, F.Side-effect minimization strategies to avoid serious side-effects of cyclosporine A (CsA), such as nephrotoxicity, have been mainly based on dose reduction and conversion to other putatively less nephrotoxic drugs, such as sirolimus (SRL), an inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin. This study intended to evaluate the impact of protocols based on CsA dose reduction and further conversion to SRL on kidney function and lesions, based on serum, urine and renal tissue markers. The following 3 groups (n=6) were tested during a 9-week protocol: control (vehicle); CsA (5 mg/kg/day) and Red + Conv (CsA 30 mg/kg/day during 3 weeks + 3 weeks with CsA 5 mg/kg/day + SRL 1 mg/kg/day during the last 3 weeks). The following parameters were analysed: blood pressure, heart rate and biochemical data; serum and urine contents and clearances of creatinine, urea and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, as well as, glomerular filtration rate; kidney lipid peroxidation and clearance; kidney lesions were evaluated and protein expression was performed by immunohistochemistry. After the first 3 weeks of CsA (30 mg/kg/day) treatment animals showed body weight loss, hypertension, tachycardia, as well as, increased serum levels of non-HDL cholesterol, glucose, triglycerides, creatinine and urea, accompanied by decreased GFR and insulin levels. In addition, a significant increase in the expression of connective tissue growth factor, Kim-1, mammalian target of rapamycin, nuclear factor-κβ1 and transforming growth factor-β was found in the kidney, accompanied by extensive renal damage. The following 3 weeks with CsA dose reduction revealed amelioration of vascular and glomerular lesions, but without significant tubular improvement. The last 3 weeks with the conversion to sirolimus revealed high serum and urine NGAL contents but the CsA-evoked renal damage was substantially ameliorated, by reduced of connective tissue growth factor, mammalian target of rapamycin, nuclear factor-κβ1 protein expression. In conclusion, CsA nephrotoxicity is dose dependent and moderate dysfunction could be ameliorated/prevented by SRL conversion, which could be pivotal for the preservation of kidney function and structure.
- Diabetic nephropathy amelioration by a low-dose sitagliptin in an animal model of type 2 diabetes (Zucker Diabetic Fatty rat)Publication . Mega, C.; Teixeira de Lemos, E.; Vala, Helena; Fernandes, R.; Oliveira, J.; Mascarenhas-Melo, F.; Teixeira, F.; Reis, F.This study was performed to assess the effect of chronic low-dose sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor, on metabolic profile and on renal lesions aggravation in a rat model of type-2 diabetic nephropathy, the Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rat. Diabetic and obese ZDF (fa/fa) rats and their controls ZDF (+/+) were treated for 6 weeks with vehicle (control) or sitagliptin (10 mg/kg/bw). Blood/serum glucose, HbA1c, insulin, Total-c, TGs, urea and creatinine were assessed, as well as kidney glomerular and tubulointerstitial lesions (interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy), using a semi-quantitative rating from 0 (absent/normal) to 3 (severe and extensive damage). Vascular lesions were scored from 0-2. Sitagliptin in the diabetic rats promoted an amelioration of glycemia, HbA1c, Total-c and TGs, accompanied by a partial prevention of insulinopenia. Furthermore, together with urea increment prevention, renal lesions were ameliorated in the diabetic rats, including glomerular, tubulointerstitial and vascular lesions, accompanied by reduced lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, chronic low-dose sitagliptin treatment was able to ameliorate diabetic nephropathy, which might represent a key step forward in the management of T2DM and this serious complication.
- Pancreatic lesions and metabolic aggravation are prevented by low doses of sitagliptin in a rat model of type 2 diabetesPublication . Mega, C.; Vala, Helena; Oliveira, J.; Fernandes, R.; Mascarenhas-Melo, F.; Parada, B.; Pinto, R.; Teixeira, F.; Teixeira de Lemos, E.; Reis, F.Introduction: The management of type 2 diabetes is designed to reduce disease-related complications and improve long-term outcomes. Inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) activity by sitagliptin has been shown to improve glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) by prolonging the actions of incretin hormones, but the real impact of low-dose sitagliptin treatment on cardiometabolic risk factors and pancreatic lesions is almost unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of low doses of sitagliptin on cardiovascular risk factors and histological pancreas parameters in Zucker Diabetic Fatty rats (ZDF (fa/fa)) an animal model of T2DM. Materials and Methods: Twenty weeks old diabetic obese (fa/fa) ZDF male rats were treated with vehicle or sitagliptin (10 mg/kg BW/day) during 6 weeks (n=8 each). The following parameters were assessed: glycaemia, HbA1c, insulin, lipidic profile; blood pressure. Specimens for pancreatic histopathology were stained with haematoxylin-eosin and periodic-acid-Shiff, examined by light microscopy. Endocrine and exocrine pancreas was evaluated semiquantitatively concerning inflammatory infiltrate, fibrosis, vacuolization and congestion, and scored from 0 (absent) to 3 (severe and extensive damage). Results: Sitagliptin in diabetic obese ZDF rats promoted a positive effect on dysglycaemia, dyslipidaemia and prevented the increase of blood pressure. Endocrine and exocrine pancreas presented a reduction/amelioration of fibrosis severity, inflammatory infiltrate, intra-islet vacuolation, and congestion vs the vehicle-treated diabetic rats. Conclusion: Simultaneous improvement of a sustainable glycaemic profile and of pancreatic histopathological lesions supports the favorable cardiovascular risk profile and may prove beneficial in decreasing long-term complications of T2DM.
- Pancreatic protection afforded by sitagliptin in a rat model of type 2 diabetes: putative mechanismsPublication . Mega, C.; Vala, Helena; Oliveira, J.; Teixeira, F.; Fernandes, R.; Teixeira de Lemos, E.; Reis, F.
- Progression of renal disease in the Zucker Diabetic Fatty rat, an experimental model of Type2 DiabetesPublication . Mega, C.; Vala, Helena; Oliveira, J.; Fernandes, R.; Mascarenhas-Melo, F.; Parada, B.; Pinto, R.; Teixeira, F.; Reis, F.; Teixeira de Lemos, E.
- Renal structure modification in an animal model of type 2 diabetes with aging: focus on hydronephrosisPublication . Mega, C.; Vala, Helena; Oliveira, J.; Fernandes, R.; Mascarenhas-Melo, F.; Parada, B.; Pinto, R.; Teixeira, F.; Teixeira de Lemos, E.; Reis, F.Background and aims: The Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF-fa/fa) rat is one of the most used models for the study of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Characterization of renal morphology in this model may provide useful insights into the mechanism of diabetic nephropathy progression. The purpose of the present study was to determine renal morphology, identify and characterize renal dysfunction complications such as hydronephrosis, in Zucker Diabetic fatty (ZDF) rat through T2DM evolution. Material and Methods: Male diabetic obese ZDF (fa/fa) rats were sacrificed at 8, 20 and 26 weeks of age and compared with their lean counterparts ZDF (+/+) with de same age. Biochemistry in serum for metabolic assessment was also performed. Kidney slices stained with hematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid-Schiff were evaluated. A semiquantitative rating was assigned for hydronephrosis and scored from 0 (normal) to 3 (severe), based on conformational aspects of the papilla and calyx and cortex compression. Results: A striking progression in the severity of hydronephrosis was observed. All end-disease state rats, 26 weeks of age, showed hydronephrosis, which was more severe in the diabetic rats (scoring: 2, 3) when compared to lean controls (scoring 1). No significant cortical atrophy was found. These abnormalities accompanied aggravation in diabetic desmetabolism. Conclusions: The present study indicates that ZDF rats present nephropathy with hydronephrosis. Lesions are age-related and aggravated by diabetic desmetabolism but don’t hinder morphological evaluation. Therefore the ZDF rat might represent a useful model for the preclinical study of therapeutic interventions in diabetic nephropathy.
- Serum and renal tissue markers of nephropathy in rats under immunosuppressive therapy: cyclosporine vs sirolimusPublication . Sereno, J.; Parada, B.; Rodrigues-Santos, P.; Lopes, P.; Carvalho, E.; Vala, Helena; Teixeira-Lemos, E.; Alves, R.; Figueiredo, A.; Mota, A.; Teixeira, F.; Reis, F.Cyclosporin (CsA) has been progressively replaced by other drugs with putatively fever side effects, including nephrotoxicity and hypertension. Sirolimus (SRL) is one of the main options for management of kidney transplant patients in the post-CsA era. It shows identical efficacy with apparently less cardiorenal side effects than CsA. However, doubts remain concerning the mechanisms of putative renoprotection by SRL as well as the best serum and/or tissue markers for nephropathy, as assessed in this study employing CsA- and SRL-treated rats. Three groups (n = 6) were treated orally during a 6-week protocol: control (vehicle); CsA (5 mg/kg body weight per day Sandimmun Neoral); SRL (1 mg/kg body weight per day Rapamune). Blood pressure and heart rate were assessed with a "tail cuff". Renal dysfunction and morphology were characterized using serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels as well as hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid Schiff staining, respectively. We examined serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-1β, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor TNF-α, and vascular endothelial growth factor and kidney mRNA expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor protein 53 (TP53), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), as well as markers of lipid peroxidation in the kidney and serum. Both CsA and SRL induced significant increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, but only CsA caused tachycardia. CsA-treated rats also displayed increased serum creatinine and BUN levels, accompanied by mild renal lesions, which were almost absent among SRL-treated rats, which presented hyperlipidemic and hyperglycemic profiles. CsA-induced nephrotoxicity was accompanied by kidney overexpression of inflammatory and proliferative mRNA markers (IL-1β, mTOR and PCNA), which were absent among SRL group. In conclusion, the antiproliferative and antifibrotic character of SRL may explain its less nephrotoxic profile. Renal over expression of mTOR in the CsA-treated group, associated with renal dysfunction and structural damage, reinforces the potential beneft of SRL as a strategy to reduce CsA-evoked nephrotoxicity.
- Sirolimus ameliorates cyclosporin-induced nephrotoxicity in a rat model – focus on renal lesions, oxidative stress, inflammation, proliferation and angiogenesisPublication . Sereno, José; Romão, A. M.; Teixeira, M.; Parada, B.; Mega, C.; Vala, Helena; Lemos, E. T.; Teixeira, F.; Reis, F.
- Sitagliptin ameliorates kidney lesions in a rat model of type 2 diabetes due to anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effectsPublication . Marques, C.; Mega, C.; Gonçalves, A.; Rodrigues-Santos, P.; Vala, Helena; Teixeira-Lemos, E.; Teixeira, F.; Fontes-Ribeiro, C.; Reis, F.; Fernandes, R.Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitor, in preventing the deleterious effects of diabetes on the kidney in an animal model of T2DM, the Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rat. Methods: ZDF rats (aged 20 weeks) were treated with sitagliptin (10 mg/kg bw/day) during 6 weeks. Glycaemia, HbA1c, urea and creatinine levels were monitored. Kidney glomerular and tubulointerstitial lesions were assessed using a semiquantitative rating. Kidney mRNA and/or protein content of DPP-IV, GLP-1, TNF-α, IL-1β, BAX, Bcl-2 and Bid were evaluated by RT-PCR and/or WB. Protein distribution was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results: Sitagliptin treatment improved glycaemic control, as reflected by the significantly reduced levels of glycaemia and HbA1c, and prevented the diabetes-induced increase in DPP-IV levels and decrease in GLP-1 levels. Sitagliptin ameliorated diabetes-induced glomerular atrophy and IFTA, and the increased urea levels. Sitagliptin decreased kidney IL-1β and TNF-α, and prevented the increase of BAX/Bcl-2 ratio and Bid protein levels, which indicates protective effects against inflammation and pro-apoptotic state in the kidney of diabetic rats, respectively. Conclusion: Sitagliptin might have a major role in preventing diabetic nephropathy evolution due to anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties.