Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Application of Fish Collagen and Gelatin: A Review
Pages 218-227
Elango Jeevithan, Zhao Qingbo, Bin Bao and Wenhui Wu

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-5634.2013.02.04.6

Published: 30 December 2013

Abstract: In last decade, more research has been conducted in order to find the better way for utilizing the wastes product generated from food processing industries. The increasing demand of industrial by-products is one of the main reasons for the conversion of these wastes into valuable products. Among the different valuable products from the waste, the extraction of collagen and gelatin could be a better way of utilizing the wastes, due to their effective applications in biomedical and pharmaceutical industries. The most abundant source of collagen and gelatin are land-based animals, such as cow and pig. However, the extraction of collagen and gelatin from non-mammalian sources such as fish has been high influences in current society due to some religious and disease transmission issues. Many studies have dealt with the extraction and functional properties of collagen and gelatin from fish wastes. The present work is a compilation of information on biomedical and pharmaceutical application of collagen and gelatin from fish processing wastes.

Camel Milk and the Prevention of Glucose Cataract, an Organ Culture Study - Pages 31-39
 
Ali H.S. Alghamdi, Hasabelrasoul Mohamed, Jonathan Austin, Collin Henry, Kayla Massey, Shanzeh Sayied, Samiyyah Sledge, Aliza Williams and Douglas Borchman

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-5634.2018.07.02.1
Published: 16 August 2018

Abstract: Purpose: To test if camel milk affects glucose-induced opacity in organ cultured rat and human lenses.

Methods: Whole human and rat lenses were cultured in various media containing either 55 mM glucose, camel milk, or a combination of both glucose and milk. Some lenses were cultured in a media containing neither moiety to establish a control. Absorbance spectra of human and rat lenses were measured daily using a visible/ultraviolet light spectrometer. Lens opacities were graded by a blinded grader from photographs taken daily. Aldose reductase activity, catalase activity, glutathione and receptor for advanced glycation end products levels were assayed.

Results: The optical density and light scattering intensity of human lenses cultured with glucose were higher after two to four days in organ culture compared with lenses cultured without glucose. Camel milk in the culture media attenuated the glucose-induced increase in optical density, light scattering intensity and opacity grade after two to four days for both human and rat lenses. Aldose reductase activity, catalase activity and glutathione levels were restored but the receptor for advanced glycation end products was similar in rat lenses cultured with glucose compared with those cultured with glucose and camel milk. There were no differences between the assayed moieties in human lenses cultured with glucose or glucose plus milk. Since camel milk restored rat lens glutathione levels, it is possible that camel milk may protect the lens from oxidation and significantly reduce the glucose-induced increase in light scattering of human lenses. Structurally and physiologically, rat lenses are distinct from human lenses, therefore, the rat lens data was highly variable when compared with the human lens data, highlighting the importance of using human lenses in future studies.

Conclusions: Camel milk present in the organ culture medium inhibited the glucose-induced opacity in human lenses and restored the amount of glutathione to the same levels of lenses not cultured in glucose. The positive results of the current study leads to future studies to determine the moieties in camel milk that are responsible for cataract inhibition and in vivo studies involving camel milk.

Keywords: Camel milk, Cataract, Glucose, Human, Lens, Organ culture.

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Biomolecule Damage (DNA and Lipid) is Elevated in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes with and without Diabetic Complications
Pages 95-102
Mary P.A. Hannon-Fletcher, Maurice J. O’Kane, Ken W. Moles, Colin Weatherupand Yvonne A. Barnett

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-5634.2014.03.02.8

Published:15 June 2014

Cellular Mechanisms of Saline Extract of Alligator Pepper (Zingiberaceae Aframomum melegueta) for Specific Protection against Fetal Macrosomia
Pages 13-17
Ute Inegbenebor and Maureen Ebomoyi

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-5634.2014.03.01.2

Published: 31 March 2014

Abstract: Introduction: Aqueous extract of Alligator pepper is known to reduce gestational weight gain and litter size in Sprague Dawley rats. This study was done to determine the underlying hormonal and cellular mechanisms of action.

Methods: We performed a controlled cross sectional intervention study with 45 female Sprague Dawley rats, which after acclimatization for two weeks, were allowed to mate with male rats for three days. Thereafter, these female rats were randomly allocated into three groups A, B and C with 15 female rats in each group. These three major groups were further randomly allocated into three subgroups so that each subgroup had 5 female rats. Pregnant female rats in Group A were injected with 2ml of normal saline intraperitoneally on day 4. Pregnant female rats in groups B and C were injected intraperitoneally with 6.7mg/Kg body weight and 13.3mg/ kg body weight of saline extract of Alligator Pepper respectively on day 4. Glucose levels were estimated with glucometer on days 7, 14, and 21. Blood was collected by intra-ventricular puncture and assayed for insulin levels. Observed differences between control and experimental groups were subjected to tests of significance.

Results: Alligator pepper treated pregnant rats had significantly higher serum glucose levels than control group. Low dose and high dose Alligator pepper depressed serum insulin levels in the experimental group on day 7 and days 7 and 14 respectively

Conclusion: Intraperitoneal injection of saline extract of Alligator pepper prevents first and second trimester hyper-insulinemia in pregnant Sprague Dawley rats.