Anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-hypoxic and anti-inflammatory conditions induced by PTY-2 against STZ-induced stress in islets
Authors: Surya Kumar Singh
Shivani Srivastava
Yamini Bhusan Tripathi
Harsh Pandey
Journal: Bioscience trends (2019)
Discipline: BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Keywords: PTY 2; STZ; diabetes; expressions; islets
Affiliations: Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India., Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.

Abstract:  The earlier assessment of Pueraria tuberosa (PT) has shown anti-diabetic effects through enhancing incretin action and DPP-IV (Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV) inhibition. The aim of this work was to further explore the protective role of aqueous extract of Pueraria tuberosa tuber (PTY-2) against streptozotocin (STZ) induced islet stress in rats. Diabetes was induced by STZ (65 mg/kg body weight) in charles foster male rats. After 60 days of STZ administration, animals with blood glucose levels &gt; 200 g/dL were considered as diabetic. All the rats were later divided into three groups: Group-1 (STZ untreated normal rats), Group-2 (Diabetic control), and Group-3 (PTY-2 [50 mg/100 g bw treatment for next 10 days to diabetic rats). The rats were then sacrificed after the 10th day of treatment accordingly. STZ treatment led to an increase in expression of Matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9), Tumour necrosis factor-α (Tnf-α), Hypoxia inducible factor-α (HIF-1α), Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Protein kinase C-ε (PKC-ε), Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B-cells (NFkB), and Caspase-3. Reverse Transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR), Immunohistochemistry and Western-Blot analysis showed an increase in the expressions of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Nephrin, and a decrease in the expressions of NFkB, PKC-ε, TNF-α, MMP-9, HIF-1α, VEGF, Caspase-3 and IL-6 after 10 days of PTY-2 treatment. The results showed that PTY-2 favorably changed all the expressions via anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-hypoxic and anti-inflammatory pathways, making itself as a protective agent against STZ induced islet stress. Further evaluation of PTY-2 might be helpful in establishing its role in the management of diabetes mellitus. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 The pre-print version of this article has been published at https: www.biorxiv.org content 10.1101 670364v1 On comparing, several discrepancies are found between the two versions of this paper. 1. All the images showing the immunohistochemistry analysis have been described to have been taken at a scale bar of 20 u03bcm in the original version. Whereas, in the final published version, the scale bar has been described as 10u03bcm for all the images, even for those images which appear exactly similar. 2. While some original images have been retained in the published version, others have been replaced with new ones. However, interestingly, the bar diagrams representing the pixel values show no change. In the following image this can be clearly seen. I hope the authors would clarify these queries. ![file] , 
 This is not a big issue. This was just the confusion. After careful revision asked by the journal reviewers, we had corrected the scale bar following discussion with our technical experts as well as replaced better images with high resolution. All the IHC slide belongs to the same experiment, that s why we have found the same pixel values even after replacing the images during revision. This is logical. As a sincere researcher, every author should provide correct information and improve all the typological errors, scientific explanations, images, etc in their final published version. That s what we have done without any hesitation. This is why peer review is mandatory in every reputed journal. Preprints are research papers shared before peer review. It is worthless to compare them with their published version. But, still, we are thankful that you have given your precious time to read both versions so carefully and deeply with your extraordinary patience and given us the opportunity to clear your technical doubts. Thanks , 
 This is not a big issue. This was just the confusion. After careful revision asked by the journal reviewers, we had corrected the scale bar following discussion with our technical experts as well as replaced better images with high resolution. All the IHC slide belongs to the same experiment, that s why we have found the same pixel values even after replacing the images during revision. This is logical. As a sincere researcher, every author should provide correct information and improve all the typological errors, scientific explanations, images, etc in their final published version. That s what we have done without any hesitation. This is why peer review is mandatory in every reputed journal. Preprints are research papers shared before peer review. It is worthless to compare them with their published version. But, still, we are thankful that you have given your precious time to read both versions so carefully and deeply with patience and given us the opportunity to clear your technical doubts. Thanks , 
 All the IHC slides were same, that s why we have found the same pixel values even after replacing the images during revision. This is logical. , 
 ![file] , 
 This is a very good work pointing different pathways of PTY 2 against diabetes. Shivani Srivastava**** is right. The mean pixel values are not necessarily gets changed if we are taking images of the same samples. The points raised by Eryngium Foetidum**** are just the technical issues usually found in many preprint publications. These types of misprinting, typological errors, low resolution images, etc. usually found in almost all papers before going through a peer review process in any reputed journals. Here, I must suggest that the phytoconstituents of this plant extract should be studied individually, as this extract have multiple beneficial medicinal properties. , 
  These types of misprinting, typological errors, low resolution images, etc. usually found in almost all papers before going through a peer review process in any reputed journals. - typical response....one should be careful what they submit. It is not reviewers job to correct misprinting, typographical errors - if I receive such manuscripts with many grammatical, typographical errors - i would ask the editor to send it back to the authors for correction and resubmission without going through the manuscript. There is no competition for such work - you don t need to submit in haste. , 
 Dear Eryngium Foetidum and Lobophora Densa..... I think you really have too much doubt regarding confocal imaging. Try to study it and contact to any technical expert. As Sthenopis Argenteomaculatus said  The mean pixel values are not necessarily gets changed if we are taking images of the same samples . Means, it is not necessary. So, some values may get changed, some not. Try to enhance some scientific ideas like he did. In my opinion, this not comes under any kind of fraud. I have mentioned, what I was found without comparing with preprint version. Trust me. Why are you wasting your precious time here? You are also wasting my time as well. Dear Deiratonotus Cristatus..... Try to contact the editor of the journal, maybe he could explain you about the purpose of the Peer Review. Also, study the preprint policy. Unlike you, about 99.9 percent scientists are not found perfect and they need corrections during publication process. Pubpeer is the the place of enhancing scientific ideas. And yes, also for pointing some big frauds which could damage the science. Try not to make it a place of discouraging researchers. This things really looks silly. ,