Search Results (187)

Cotinus coggygria Scop., a member of the Anacardiaceae family, is known for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties. In the present study, the ethyl acetate/water leaf extract of C. coggygria was evaluated for antioxidant and anticancer activities. The extract exhibited strong radical-scavenging potential, effectively neutralizing DPPH, ABTS^•+, and superoxide radicals in a concentration-dependent manner. The cytotoxic effects of the extract on human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells were also investigated. Flow cytometry revealed significant S-phase cell cycle arrest, while fluorescent microscopy and annexin V-FITC/PI staining demonstrated induction of apoptosis. DNA damage was confirmed by alkaline comet assay. Molecular docking was used to evaluate the binding affinity and inhibitory potential of penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose, a representative of gallotannins found in C. coggygria extracts, towards cyclin-dependent kinase 2 and checkpoint kinase 1. A high inhibition ability was demonstrated, which could explain the observed cell cycle block. Collectively, these findings suggest that C. coggygria extract exerts strong antioxidant capacity and selective antiproliferative activity in HepG2 cells. The anticancer effects of C. coggygria extract were associated with DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, and apoptosis induction. The results show the potential of the herb as a natural therapeutic agent for hepatocellular carcinoma. Full article

This paper presents a high-sensitivity microwave sensor based on a modified Complementary Split Ring Resonator (CSRR) architecture, integrated with inductive stubs, for non-invasive blood glucose monitoring. The proposed sensor is designed to enhance the electric field localization and coupling efficiency by introducing inductive elements that strengthen the perturbation effect caused by glucose concentration changes in the blood. Numerical simulations were conducted using a multilayer finger model to evaluate the sensor’s performance under various glucose levels ranging from 0 to 500 mg/dL. The modified sensor exhibits dual-resonance characteristics and outperforms the conventional CSRR in both frequency and amplitude sensitivity. At an optimized stub gap of 2 mm, which effectively minimizes the capacitive coupling effect of the transmission line and thereby improves the quality factor, the sensor achieves a frequency shift sensitivity of 0.086 MHz/mg/dL and an amplitude sensitivity of 0.02 dB/mg/dL, compared to 0.032 MHz/mg/dL and 0.0116 dB/mg/dL observed in the standard CSRR structure. This confirms a significant enhancement in sensing performance and field confinement due to the optimized inductive loading. These results represent significant enhancements of approximately 168% and 72%, respectively. With its compact design, increased sensitivity, and potential for wearable implementation, the proposed sensor offers a promising platform for continuous, real-time, and non-invasive glucose monitoring in biomedical applications. Full article

The kidneys have a high-energy demand, relying on great rates of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Excessive glucose in the tubules leads to defective fatty acid oxidation, playing a key role in tubular injury and diabetic kidney disease progression. Besides its glucose-lowering action, canagliflozin (CANA) promotes kidney protective effects. We aimed to investigate whether the demonstrated kidney protective effects are extended to mitochondrial function and remodeling in proximal tubular cells from hypertensive–diabetic mice. Four weeks after streptozocin (STZ) induction of type 1 diabetes in genetic hypertensive (Lin) mice, they were fed either CANA-infused chow or a regular diet for 1 week. CANA treatment reverted the albuminuric state in LinSTZ mice. In PTECs from male mice, CANA promoted a complex mitochondrial network with less spherical and more branched organelles, with evidence of increased fusion. Those improvements reflected on the mitochondria bioenergetics, where CANA treatment induced an augmented baseline and maximum respiration rate, ATP production, and mitochondria membrane potential in PTECs, compared to LinSTZ. In females, CANA produced a milder response, increasing the mitochondrial network without affecting bioenergetics. In conclusion, in vivo CANA treatment positively affects proximal tubular cells’ mitochondria in male hypertensive–diabetic mice with a minor impact in females. The improvement in mitochondrial function and structure might be key to the kidney-protective effects of CANA. Full article

This study investigated the anti-obesogenic effects of 3D-printed snacks—developed from indigenous composite inks of cowpea, sorghum, and orange-fleshed sweet potato—in male and female Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Four experimental diets (TD1–TD4) were formulated from snacks using two blend ratios (33.33%:33.33%:33.33%) and 50%:10%:40%) and two processing states (raw and bioprocessed). Following a five-week HFD-induction period, the rats were supplemented for an additional five weeks with diets containing 20% of these snacks, Orlistat, or HFD alone. Physiological assessments included body weight, fasting glucose, insulin, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), serum lipids, sex hormones, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity, and histological evaluation of cardiac tissue. HFD feeding induced hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance. Supplementation with the 3D-printed snacks improved glycemic control, with the TD4 (bioprocessed blend; 50:10:40%) restoring glucose levels close to baseline. TD1 and TD2 (raw blends) improved lipid and hormonal profiles in females, whereas TD3 (bioprocessed blend; 33.33%:33.33%:33.33%) significantly reduced triglycerides and elevated HDL in males. Importantly, only TD1 (raw blend; 33.33%:33.33%:33.33%) significantly reduced ACE activity in males, providing a unique cardioprotective mechanism not observed with other snack formulations. Histological analyses revealed inflammatory infiltration and fibroplasia in HFD and Orlistat groups, whereas all 3D-printed snacks preserved normal myocardial architecture without necrosis or fibrosis. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that 3D-printed snacks derived from indigenous composite inks improved metabolic dysfunctions associated with diet-induced obesity. The optimal formulation appears application-specific: TD4 for glycemic control, TD3 for lipid management in males, and TD1/TD2 for metabolic improvements in females. Full article

Propionylated derivatives of gastrodin are valuable due to their enhanced lipophilicity and bioavailability. This study investigated the molecular basis for the differential catalytic efficiency of Aspergillus oryzae whole cells in gastrodin propionylation. A high conversion rate of 96.84% was achieved with soybean oil induction, compared to only 8.23% under glucose induction. Comparative transcriptomic analysis identified 20,342 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which were significantly enriched in lipid metabolism and signal transduction pathways. From 26 upregulated lipase-related DEGs, a candidate triacylglycerol lipase gene (CL24.Contig40_All) was prioritized. Homology modeling and molecular docking supported its potential role by demonstrating that the encoded enzyme possesses a typical α/β hydrolase fold with a catalytic triad and favorable binding with both gastrodin and vinyl propionate. These findings indicate that soybean oil may enhance lipase expression by activating lipid metabolic and phosphatidylinositol signaling pathways, providing crucial transcriptional-level insights and genetic targets for the rational design of efficient whole-cell biocatalysts. Full article

Poultry have higher blood glucose concentrations, which are 1.5–2 times those of their mammalian counterparts with equivalent body mass, yet do not show any adverse effects. However, the underlying mediators that inhibit systemic inflammation under hyperglycemia are unclear. In this study, chickens and rats were chosen as representatives of poultry and mammals, and the physiological differences in blood glucose regulation between them were investigated under control conditions and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced hyperglycemia, respectively, to explore the internal causes of hyperglycemia without symptoms in poultry. Firstly, the fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glucagon concentrations increased significantly (p < 0.01) and the insulin concentrations decreased when chickens and rats were treated with STZ (p < 0.001). STZ injections in rats resulted in higher oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test (IPITT) levels (p < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in chickens. In addition, the body weight development of STZ-inducted rats was retarded, while it was not the case for chickens receiving STZ. Secondly, high glucose metabolism products, including advanced glycation end products (AGEs) were detected in STZ-inducted rats and chickens. The AGEs concentration in the rats receiving STZ was significantly higher than that in control group rats (p < 0.001); however, there was no significant difference in chickens. Also, the concentrations of free amino acids inhibiting AGEs were further explored, and higher concentrations of taurine, leucine, and lysine were observed in chickens than those observed in rats (p < 0.05). Moreover, the concentrations were decreased significantly in STZ-treated chickens (p < 0.05). Finally, the inflammation in tissues vulnerable to high blood glucose was examined, and it was found that there were significantly increased mRNA and protein expression levels of inflammatory factors such as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in STZ-injected rats (p < 0.001), while there was no obvious effect in STZ-induced chickens. The results revealed the damage and inflammation resulting from STZ-induced hyperglycemia in chickens were significantly lower compared to rats. This may be attributed to the high concentrations of free amino acids in chickens, which inhibit AGE formation by functioning as carbonyl scavengers. This study elucidates the underlying causes of the absence of inflammation in chickens compared to rats under hyperglycemic conditions, offering new insights for controlling diabetic complications. Full article

Long-duration space missions expose astronauts to galactic cosmic radiation (GCR), a complex spectrum of high-charge, high-energy (HZE) ions that pose significant risks of chronic tissue injury. To model these effects, we examined intestinal outcomes in wild-type mice 5 months after low-dose (50 cGy) 33-ion mixed-field GCR simulation (GCRsim). GCRsim induced sustained DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and oxidative stress, as shown by elevated γH2AX foci and 4-HNE staining. Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) exhibited pronounced senescence, marked by increased SA-β-gal activity, p16 upregulation, LaminB1 loss, and induction of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) cytokines (Cxcl10, IL-6, IL-1β, Icam1). GCRsim also elevated circulating LINE-1 DNA and reduced expression of DNA-degrading nucleases (DNase2, TREX1), indicating impaired extracellular DNA clearance. Targeted molecular study revealed persistent activation of the cGAS–STING pathway, with elevated cGAS, STING, pTBK1, pIKKα/β, and nuclear pIRF3, pIRF7, and p65, consistent with chronic innate immune signaling. Functionally, GCRsim altered nutrient absorption gene expression—upregulating glucose transporters (Slc2a2, Slc2a5, Slc5a1) and gut hormones (Cck, Gip), while downregulating cholesterol/fat transporters (Npc1, Npc1l1). Biochemical markers supported intestinal injury, with decreased serum citrulline and increased intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP), indicating barrier compromise. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that GCRsim drives sustained intestinal dysfunction, highlighting the need for countermeasures to protect GI health during deep-space missions. Full article

Grape pomace, a polyphenol-rich byproduct of wine production, represents a promising source of bioactive compounds for managing diabetes and its complications. This study evaluates the effect of a novel grape pomace extract on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and oxidative stress in type 1 diabetes mellitus. Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Starting on day 14 post-induction, rats received oral grape pomace extract at a dose of 45 mg of polyphenols/kg body weight daily for 14 days. On day 28 of the experiment, blood plasma was collected. One-way ANOVA with post hoc testing revealed a hypoglycemic effect of grape pomace extract, as evidenced by reduced fasting blood glucose and improved postprandial glycemic responses. The extract also ameliorated dyslipidemia, lowering total cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing high-density lipoprotein levels and paraoxonase activity in plasma of diabetic rats. Antioxidant defenses were enhanced, as indicated by elevated superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities, along with reduced protein carbonyls, TBA-reactive products, and lipofuscin in blood plasma following extract administration. These findings demonstrate the metabolic and antioxidant potential of grape pomace polyphenols, although further investigations are needed to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ketogenic diets (KDs), defined by very low carbohydrate and high fat content, are widely studied for obesity and metabolic disease. However, KD formulations vary from 60–95% fat, leading to inconsistent induction of ketogenesis and variable outcomes. The fat threshold required for sustained ketosis, and the tissue-specific programs that mediate KD efficacy, remain unclear. Methods: We evaluated multiple KD formulations (80–95% fat) in C57BL/6J wild-type (WT) and diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. Plasma, hepatic, and intestinal β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) were measured together with expression of ketogenesis and fatty acid oxidation genes. Body weight, adipose distribution, and liver morphology were assessed under both direct feeding and therapeutic settings. Results: In WT mice, only diets exceeding 85% fat induced robust ketogenesis, reflected by elevated BHB and hepatic upregulation of Cd36, Cpt1a, Acat1, and Hmgcs2. Moderate KDs (80–85%) failed to trigger ketosis and resembled high-fat feeding. In obese mice, an 80% KD lowered fasting glucose without reducing body weight, whereas a 90% KD promoted systemic ketosis, weight loss, and adipose reduction. Interestingly, hepatic transcriptional programs for fatty acid oxidation and ketogenesis were suppressed under 90% KD despite elevated BHB, suggesting reliance on substrate availability and peripheral utilization. In contrast, intestinal Hmgcs2 was strongly induced in both WT and DIO mice, with Oxct1 upregulated only in obesity, indicating local ketone production and consumption. Conclusions: These findings identify > 85% dietary fat as a threshold for sustained ketosis and highlight distinct liver–intestine contributions, underscoring ketogenesis as the central driver of KD’s anti-obesity benefits. Full article

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is common in overweight or obese individuals. Dysregulation of trace elements such as cobalt (Co) and manganese (Mn) has been associated with obesity and IR markers in individuals with diabetes. However, their role in non-diabetic states is less understood. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the association between serum Co and Mn levels and IR in overweight and obese women without diabetes. Methods: A total of 112 overweight or obese women were evaluated for their anthropometric, metabolic, and biochemical characteristics. To estimate IR, the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), triglyceride–glucose index (TyG), and triglyceride–glucose–body mass index (TyG-BMI) were calculated. Serum Co and Mn concentrations were quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results: Our results show that 77% of participants exhibited central fat accumulation and a high prevalence of IR. Fasting insulin (FINS), HOMA-IR, and TyG-BMI were significantly higher in obese women, while adiponectin (Adpn) was lower. Moreover, Co was inversely associated with FINS (p = 0.003) and HOMA-IR (p = 0.011), and positively associated with QUICKI (p = 0.011) in obese women. In contrast, serum Mn levels showed negative correlations with fasting glucose (FG) (p = 0.021) and the TyG index (p = 0.048) in overweight women. Conclusions: Co serum levels were positively associated with FG and QUICKI and negatively associated with FINS and HOMA-IR in the obese group. Mn showed negative associations with FG and the TyG index, suggesting that these trace elements may play a role in the IR in people with obesity. Full article

The surging demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has intensified the need for sustainable recovery of critical metals such as lithium, manganese, cobalt, and nickel from spent cathodes. While conventional hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical methods are widely used, they involve high energy consumption, hazardous waste generation, and complex processing steps, underscoring the urgency of developing eco-friendly alternatives. This study presents a novel, water-enhanced deep eutectic solvent (DES) system composed of choline chloride and D-glucose for the efficient leaching of valuable metals from spent LiMn-based battery cathodes. The DES was synthesized under mild conditions and applied to dissolve cathode powder, with leaching performance optimized by varying temperature and duration. Under optimal conditions (100 °C, 24 h), exceptional recovery efficiencies were achieved: 98.9% for lithium, 98.4% for manganese, and 71.7% for nickel. Material characterization using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) confirm effective phase dissolution and metal release. Although this DES system requires relatively higher temperature and longer reaction time compared to traditional acid leaching, it offers clear advantages in terms of non-toxicity, biodegradability, and elimination of strong oxidizing agents. These results demonstrate the potential of water-enhanced choline chloride–glucose DES as a green alternative for future development in sustainable battery recycling, supporting circular economy objectives. Full article

Salinity is a key environmental factor regulating lipid metabolism in marine oleaginous protists. This study examined the impact of NaCl concentration on growth, glucose utilization, and lipid biosynthesis in Thraustochytrium sp. ATCC 26185. Moderate salinity (20 g/L) enhanced biomass and glucose uptake, while high salinity (45 g/L) induced osmotic stress yet significantly promoted squalene accumulation (17.27 mg/g), a 3.26-fold increase compared with 0 g/L NaCl (5.29 mg/g). Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that salinity-dependent activation of glycolysis, the TCA cycle, and the pentose phosphate pathway increased cellular ATP, NADH, and NADPH levels. Under salt stress, the mevalonate (MVA) pathway was transcriptionally upregulated, with key enzymes, including ACAT, HMGR, and IDI, showing marked induction, which supports enhanced carbon flux toward squalene biosynthesis. Despite SQS downregulation, squalene accumulation increased, likely due to elevated precursor availability and reduced flux to downstream sterol pathways. Concurrently, high salinity repressed expression of ACC, FAS-α, and FAS-β, reducing saturated fatty acid levels, while upregulation of PKSB-favored polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) synthesis. These findings suggest that high-salt stress triggers transcriptional reprogramming, redirecting acetyl-CoA from fatty acid synthesis toward squalene and PUFA production. This study offers new insights into the metabolic plasticity of thraustochytrids and highlights salinity modulation as a promising strategy for enhancing high-value lipid yields in marine biotechnology. Full article

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are short fructans with different degrees of polymerization (DP) and bonds in their structure, generated by the distinct activities of fructosyltransferase enzymes, which produce distinct types of links. FOS are in high demand on the market, mainly because of their prebiotic effects. In recent years, depending on the link type in the FOS structure, prebiotic activity has been shown to be increased. Studies on β-fructanofuranosidases (Ffasa), enzymes with fructosyltransferase activity in yeasts, have reported the production of ¹F-FOS, ⁶F-FOS, and ⁶G-FOS. The aims of this investigation were to evaluate the capability of fifteen different yeasts to grow in Agave sp. juices and to determine the potential of these juices as substrates for FOS production. Additionally, the research aimed to corroborate and analyze the fructosyltransferase activity of enzymatic extracts obtained from agave yeasts by distinct induction media and to identify the role and optimal parameters (time and sucrose and glucose concentrations) for FOS and disaccharides production through Box–Behnken designs. To carry out such a task, different techniques were employed: FT-IR, TLC, and HPAEC-PAD. We found two yeasts with fructosyltransferase activity, P. kudriavzevii ITMLB97 and C. lusitaniae ITMLB85. In addition, within the most relevant results, the production of the FOS 1-kestose, 6-kestose, and neokestose, as well as disaccharides inulobiose, levanobiose, and blastose, molecules with potential applications, was determined. Overall, FOS production requires suitable yeast species, which grow in a medium under optimal conditions, from which microbial enzymes with industrial potential can be obtained. Full article

Background: BDE-47, a pervasive environmental pollutant detected in >90% of human serum samples, is increasingly linked to metabolic disorders. This study investigates the specific impact of BDE-47 exposure on the gut microbiota in prediabetic mice and evaluates the efficacy of therapeutic interventions in mitigating these effects. Objectives: To determine whether BDE-47 exposure induces diabetogenic dysbiosis in prediabetic mice and to assess whether dietary interventions, such as grape exosomes and an antioxidant cocktail, can restore a healthy microbiota composition and mitigate diabetes risk. Methods: In this study, a prediabetic mouse model was established in 54 male SPF-grade C57BL/6J mice through a combination of high-sugar and high-fat diet feeding with streptozotocin injection. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were conducted on day 7 and day 21 post-modeling to assess the establishment of the model. The criteria for successful model induction were defined as fasting blood glucose levels below 7.8 mmol/L and 2 h postprandial glucose levels between 7.8 and 11.1 mmol/L. Following confirmation of model success, a 3 × 3 factorial design was applied to allocate the experimental animals into groups based on two independent factors: BDE-47 exposure and exosome intervention. The BDE-47 exposure factor consisted of three dose levels—none, high-dose, and medium-dose—while the exosome intervention factor included three modalities—none, Antioxidant Nutrients Intervention, and Grape Exosomes Intervention. Fresh fecal samples were collected from mice two days prior to sacrifice. Cecal contents and segments of the small intestine were collected and transferred into 1.5 mL cryotubes. All sequences were clustered into operational taxonomic units (OTUs) based on defined similarity thresholds. To compare means across multiple groups, a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed. The significance level was predefined at α = 0.05, and p-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Bar charts and line graphs were generated using GraphPad Prism version 9.0 software, while statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 20.0 software. Results: The results of 16S rDNA sequencing analysis of the microbiome showed that there was no difference in the α diversity of the intestinal microbiota in each group of mice (p > 0.05), but there was a difference in the Beta diversity (p < 0.05). At the gate level, the abundances of Proteobacteria, Campylobacterota, Desulfobacterota, and Fusobacteriota in the medium-dose BDE-7 group were higher than those in the model control group (p < 0.05). The abundance of Patellar bacteria was lower than that of the model control group (p < 0.05). The abundances of Proteobacteria and Campylobacterota in the high-dose BDE-7 group were higher than those in the model control group (p < 0.05). The abundance of Planctomycetota and Patescibacteria was lower than that of the model control group (p < 0.05), while the abundance of Campylobacterota in the grape exosome group was higher than that of the model control group (p < 0.05). The abundance of Patescibacteria was lower than that of the model control group (p < 0.05), while the abundance of Firmicutes and Fusobacteriota in the antioxidant nutrient group was higher than that of the model control group (p < 0.05). However, the abundance of Verrucomicrobiota and Patescibacteria was lower than that of the model control group (p < 0.05). At the genus level, the abundances of Bacteroides and unclassified Lachnospiraceae in the high-dose BDE-7 group were higher than those in the model control group (p < 0.05). The abundance of Lachnospiraceae NK4A136_group and Lactobacillus was lower than that of the model control group (p < 0.05). The abundance of Veillonella and Helicobacter in the medium-dose BDE-7 group was higher than that in the model control group (p < 0.05), while the abundance of Lactobacillus was lower (p < 0.05). The abundance of genera such as Lentilactobacillus and Faecalibacterium in the grape exosome group was higher than that in the model control group (p < 0.05). The abundance of Alloprevotella and Bacteroides was lower than that of the model control group (p < 0.05). In the antioxidant nutrient group, the abundance of Lachnospiraceae and Hydrogenophaga was higher than that in the model control group (p < 0.05). However, the abundance of Akkermansia and Coriobacteriaceae UCG-002 was significantly lower than that of the model control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: BDE-47 induces diabetogenic dysbiosis in prediabetic mice, which is reversible by dietary interventions. These findings suggest that microbiota-targeted strategies may effectively mitigate the diabetes risk associated with environmental pollutant exposure. Future studies should further explore the mechanisms underlying these microbiota changes and the long-term health benefits of such interventions. Full article

Objective: Uncovering the renoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of atorvastatin treatment in diabetic-and-obese rats by employing traditional renal function indicators (urea and creatinine) and four prototypical cytokines (IL-1β, il-6, IL-17α, TNFα). Method: Twenty-eight male Wistar rats, aged 6 months, 350–400 g, were randomized into four groups. The first group, G-I, the denominated control, were fed standard chow over the whole course of the experiments. The rodents in G-II were exposed to a High-Fat Diet. The last two groups were exposed to Streptozotocin peritoneal injection (35 mg/kg of body weight). A short biochemical assessment was performed before diabetes model induction to ensure appropriate glucose metabolism before experiments. Following model induction, only rodents in group G-IV were gradually introduced to the same High-Fat Diet as received by G-II. Model confirmation 10 days after injections marked the start of statin treatment in group G-IV, by daily gavage of atorvastatin 20 mg/kg of body weight/day for 21 days. At the end of the experiments, the biochemical profile of interest comprised typical renal retention byproducts (urea and creatinine) and the inflammatory profile described using plasma levels of TNFα, IL-17α, IL-6, and IL-1β. Results: Treatment with Atorvastatin was associated with a statistically significant improvement in renal function in G-IV compared to untreated diabetic rodents in G-III. Changes in inflammatory activity showed partial association with statin therapy, TNFα and IL-17α mirroring the trend in urea and creatinine values. Conclusions: Our results indicate that atorvastatin treatment yields a myriad of pleiotropic activities, among which renal protection was clearly demonstrated in this model of diabetic-and-obese rodents. The statin impact on inflammation regulation may not be as clear-cut, but the potential synergy of renal function preservation and partial tapering of inflammatory activity requires further research in severely metabolically challenged models. Full article