Botryosphaeran, a water-soluble exopolysaccharide of the beta-(1 --> 3;1 --> 6)-D-glucan type that has been isolated from the culture medium of Botryosphaeria rhodina MAMB-05 grown in submerged fermentation using glucose as the sole carbon source, was previously demonstrated to be non-genotoxic in peripheral blood and bone marrow, and exhibited strong anticlastogenic activity. In the present study, the effects of botryosphaeran were investigated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats as well as in high-fat diet-fed hyperlipidemic Wistar rats. The plasma glucose level was reduced by 52% in the diabetic group of rats after administration of 12 mg botryosphaeran/kg body weight of the rats (b.w.)/day by gavage over 15 days. A reduction in the median ration intake was accompanied by an increase in the median body weight gain, as well as the efficiency of food conversion. These results demonstrate that botryosphaeran has protective effects by reducing the symptoms of cachexia in Diabetes mellitus. Botryosphaeran administered by gavage at a concentration of 12 mg botryosphaeran/kg b.w./day over 15 days also reduced the plasma levels of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol by 18% and 27%, respectively, in hyperlipidemic rats. Based on these findings, we conclude that botryosphaeran possesses hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic properties in conditions of diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia, respectively, and may be used as an oral anti-diabetic agent.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Bone Marrow ; Cachexia ; Carbon ; Cholesterol ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Fermentation ; Glucans ; Glucose ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypoglycemia ; Plasma ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective: To explore the possible effects of naringin on acrylamide-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-250 g were randomly divided into five groups. The control group was given intragastric (i.g.) saline (1 mL) for 10 d. The acrylamide group was given i.g. acrylamide in saline (38.27 mg/kg titrated to 1 mL) for 10 d. The treatment groups were administered with naringin in saline (50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively) for 10 d and given i.g. acrylamide (38.27 mg/kg) 1 h after naringin injection. The naringin group was given i.g. naringin (100 mg/kg) alone for 10 d. On day 11, intracardiac blood samples were obtained from the rats when they were under anesthesia, after which they were euthanized. Urea and creatinine concentrations of blood serum samples were analyzed with an autoanalyzer. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantify malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, tumor necrosis factor-β, nuclear factor-κB, interleukin (IL)-33, IL-6, IL-1β, cyclooxygenase-2, kidney injury molecule-1, mitogen-activated protein kinase-1, and caspase-3 in kidney tissues. Renal tissues were also evaluated by histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations for 8-OHdG and Bcl-2. Results: Naringin attenuated acrylamide-induced nephrotoxicity by significantly decreasing serum urea and creatinine levels. Naringin increased superoxide dismutase, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase activities and decreased malondialdehyde levels in kidney tissues. In addition, naringin reduced the levels of inflammatory and apoptotic parameters in kidney tissues. The histopathological assay showed that acrylamide caused histopathological changes and DNA damage, which were ameliorated by naringin. Conclusions: Naringin attenuated inflammation, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and oxidative DNA damage in acrylamide-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.