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Silymarin, derived from Silybum marianum , has recently demonstrated its potential to improve health in conditions such as obesity and metabolic disturbances. Understanding the impact of nutraceuticals on intestinal morphology is crucial for developing supplements that promote a higher quality of life. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of nutraceutical supplementation with silymarin on the morphology of the small intestine. Sixty-day-old adult male C57BL/6 mice were divided into two groups: one receiving a standard chow (control) and the other receiving a novel silymarin supplement (experimental). Following the experimental period, the animals were euthanized, and fragments of the small intestine were collected for histochemical analysis using Masson's trichrome and periodic acid-Schiff with Alcian blue staining techniques. Our results revealed an increase in the number of villi per analyzed field in the experimental group, accompanied by a decrease in basic mucin, crypt depth, mucosal thickness, and villus spacing. In conclusion, this novel nutraceutical supplementation may play a crucial role in modulating small intestine morphology and enhancing absorption capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The healing time of burn wounds depends on surface area and depth of the burn and associated comorbidities. Diabetes mellitus (DM) causes delays in the healing process by extending the inflammatory phase. Treatment with topical insulin can improve the inflammatory phase, restore metabolic dysregulation, and modulate impaired cellular signaling in burn wounds. The objective of this study was to evaluate markers of the inflammatory and proliferative phases of second-degree burns after topical insulin treatment in diabetic rats. Type I DM was induced with streptozotocin in male Wistar rats. The animals' backs were shaved and subjected to thermal burning. Rats were randomized into two groups: control diabetic (DC) and insulin diabetic (DI). At Days 7 and 14 postburn, rats were euthanized, and wound-tissue sections were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin, Weigert, and Verhöeff staining, immunohistochemistry-paraffin, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A significant increase in reepithelialization was seen on Days 7 and 14 in DI versus DC rats. On Day 7, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, and F4/80 expression were increased in DI versus DC rats. On Day 14, MCP-1 expression was decreased and F4/80 increased in DI versus DC rats. On Days 7 and 14, Ki-67, transforming growth factor-β1, vascular endothelial growth factor expression, and formation of elastic fibers were increased in DI versus DC rats. Topical insulin modulates burn-wound healing in diabetic animals by balancing inflammation and promoting angiogenesis and formation of elastic fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress aggravates several long-term complications in diabetes mellitus. We evaluated the effectiveness of the oral administration of antioxidants (vitamins E and C, 40 and 100 mg/kg b.w., respectively) on skin wound healing acceleration in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Mice were wounded 30 days after the induction of diabetes. Antioxidants were effective in preventing oxidative stress, as assessed by TBARS. The enzymes catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase were increased in diabetics on the 3rd day post-wounding; catalase and glutathione peroxidase remained still augmented in diabetics after 14th day postwounding, and the treatment with vitamins restored their activities to control. After 3 days, diabetic mice showed lower infiltration of inflammatory cells (including CD11b+ and Ly6G+ cells) and reduced levels of KC, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-12 p40 when compared with control mice. The treatment restored cytokine levels. After 14 days, diabetic mice showed late wound closure, persistent inflammation and delayed reepithelialization, accompanied by an increase in MIG+/CD206− macrophages whereas CD206+/MIG− macrophages were decreased. Cytokines IL-12p40, TNF-α, IL-1β, and KC were increased and normal levels were restored after treatment with antioxidants. These results suggest that oxidative stress plays a major role in diabetic wound healing impairment and the oral administration of antioxidants improves healing by modulating inflammation and the antioxidant system with no effect on glycemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]