Geereddy Bhanuprakash Reddy

Obesity is a multifactorial metabolic disorder associated with insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and excessive accumulation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). Emerging evidence suggests that aldose reductase (AR), a key enzyme of the polyol pathway, also contributes to obesity-associated metabolic dysfunction. In this study, we evaluated the potential of a functional food mix (FFM) containing Emblica officinalis, Zingiber officinale, Curcuma longa, Piper nigrum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Capsicum annuum in specific proportions to prevent obesity by targeting AR inhibition and AGE accumulation. Male WNIN/GR-Ob obese rats were randomised into untreated obese, low-dose FFM (FF1), and high-dose FFM (FF2) groups, while lean littermates served as controls. Animals received the respective experimental diets for 6 months. Body weight, food intake, body composition (DEXA), biochemical parameters, carboxymethyl lysine (CML; a major AGE), and hepatic AR activity were assessed. FFM supplementation significantly attenuated body weight gain by 9 and 22% and reduced total fat mass by 8 and 23% with FF1 and FF2, respectively, with greater efficacy at the higher dose. Both doses lowered circulating leptin (p < 0.05), while FF2 significantly improved insulin sensitivity by reducing plasma insulin and HOMA-IR (p < 0.05). FFM also markedly decreased plasma CML concentrations and hepatic AR activity. Furthermore, treatment increased adiponectin levels, improved hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia, and reduced lipid peroxidation (p < 0.05). Together, these findings suggest that the novel functional food mix exerts potent anti-obesity effects through inhibition of AR, suppression of AGE accumulation, and attenuation of oxidative stress.

A high-fat, high-sucrose (HFHS) diet promotes insulin resistance and accelerates cardiac fibrosis (CF) through advanced glycation end products (AGEs), oxidative stress, and inflammation. Ellagic acid (EA) possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-glycation properties; however, its protective effects against CF and underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated EA’s effects on HFHS-induced CF. Two-month-old male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 6/group): control, control + 2% EA, HFHS, and HFHS + 2% EA, and maintained on respective diets for six months. Metabolic parameters, oxidative stress, AGE-related markers, histopathology, immunoblotting, and immunohistological analyses were performed. HFHS feeding induced metabolic dysfunction characterized by weight gain, increased fasting blood glucose levels, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, myocardial disorganization, AGE accumulation, receptor for AGE (RAGE) activation, collagen deposition, and fibrotic marker expression- alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). EA supplementation significantly improved metabolic abnormalities, reduced myocardial collagen fraction, AGE accumulation, RAGE activation, and α-SMA expression, thereby protecting against HFHS-induced CF.

Exploration of polymeric nanoparticles to improve the ocular bioavailability of hydrophobic molecules; demonstration of the importance of nanoparticle size for ophthalmic drug delivery; development of a non-invasive nanoparticulate delivery system.

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents an intermediate state between normal cognitive ageing and dementia. Given the increasing dementia burden in the country, there is a critical need for early detection through the assessment of MCI. However, studies that comprehensively examined the associations between micronutrients, neuronal markers, and cognitive impairment are scarce. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 184 adults aged 55–85 years in Hyderabad between January 2024 and March 2025. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, biochemical, nutritional, and neuronal biomarkers were estimated. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) tool. Results: The study reported an MCI prevalence of 36.4% among older adults, significantly associated with higher HbA1c and systolic blood pressure, and elevated neuronal markers such as β-Amyloid, T tau, and Nfl. Vitamin D, B1, B2, B6, and B9 levels were significantly lower in the MCI group, with a higher burden of deficiency. Higher vitamin levels were correlated with better MoCA scores and a lower predicted probability of MCI, especially vitamins D and B6. In particular, B2 and B6 have shown associations with BDNF, tau, and Nfl markers. Conclusions: Lower levels of circulatory vitamins were significantly associated with a higher probability of MCI. Also, neuronal biomarkers were significantly associated with micronutrient deficiencies. These findings suggest that micronutrient deficiencies may be associated with MCI in older adults, highlighting the potential importance of maintaining adequate micronutrient status to support healthy cognitive aging and possibly reduce the risk of dementia. However, given the cross-sectional design of the present study, causal relationships cannot be established. Future longitudinal studies are warranted to validate these associations and further clarify the temporal relationship between micronutrient status and cognitive decline.

Background: Hypertension is being increasingly observed among young adults in urban India, alongside rapid dietary transitions and rising consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). The current study aimed to assess the frequency and patterns of UPF consumption and examine their association with high blood pressure among urban college students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 311 undergraduate students aged 18–24 years from three colleges in Hyderabad, India. Our study used a validated automated device to measure blood pressure. Dietary intake over the previous month was assessed using a 24-item food frequency questionnaire capturing commonly consumed UPFs. After adjusting for age, sex, and socioeconomic variables, multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the relationships between UPF consumption categories and high blood pressure. Ninety-five percent confidence intervals (CIs) for adjusted odds ratios (AORs) were reported. Results: Overall, 12.5% of participants had high BP (≥140/90 mmHg). The prevalence was higher among males and those aged >20 years. In the adjusted analyses, males had significantly higher odds of having high BP (AOR: 4.96; 95% CI: 1.64–15.01), as did students from higher-income households (AOR: 3.22; 95% CI: 1.07–9.66). Consumption of high-fat and/or high-salt UPFs at or above the median was independently associated with high BP (AOR: 2.85; 95% CI: 1.16–6.99). Taste, availability, and low cost were common drivers of UPF intake. Conclusions: Higher consumption of high-fat and/or high-salt ultra-processed foods was associated with higher odds of elevated blood pressure among urban young adults. These findings warrant further longitudinal investigation and may help inform the development of targeted dietary awareness and food environment interventions in college settings.

Purpose: Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a severe microvascular complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, is one of the leading causes of blindness. Prolonged hyperglycemia leads to vascular endothelial changes, inflammation, neovascularization, and apoptosis through multiple mechanisms, including increased aldose reductase (AR) activity and formation of advanced glycation end products, which contribute to the development of DR. Based on our previous studies with various functional foods that showed AR inhibition and prevented the formation of advanced glycation end products, in this study, a functional food (FF) mix was formulated and investigated its efficacy against DR progression in a rat model. Methods: An FF mix was prepared with powders of amla pericarp, turmeric rhizome, ginger rhizome, cinnamon bark, and black pepper seeds in a specific proportion. Two-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats were grouped into control (C), streptozotocin-induced diabetes (D), and diabetes fed with FF at two levels (FF1, 0.85 g/100 g diet; FF2, 4.25 g/100 g diet) for 6 months from the induction of diabetes. At the end of the experiment, electroretinography was performed, and the eyes were dissected after the animals were sacrificed. A set of eyes was formalin-fixed for histology and immunohistochemistry examination, and the retina from the remaining eyes was used for immunoblotting analysis. Results: Supplementation of FF mix in the diet to diabetic rats has improved retinal function (electroretinography), as well as prevented histomorphological changes and loss of photoreceptor cells (rhodopsin), compared to untreated diabetic rats. Further, FF mix ameliorated hyperglycemia-induced angiogenesis (vascular endothelial growth factor, hypoxia-inducible factor 1α) and gliosis (glial fibrillary acidic protein) in the diabetic rats, accompanied by decreased inflammation (phosphorylated nuclear factor κB, tumor necrosis factor α, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1) and apoptosis (Bax, Bcl2, caspase3, and caspase12). Conclusions: This study illustrates the potential of an FF mix, attributed to the synergistic effects of its components, alleviating the progression of diabetic retinopathy by reducing diabetes-induced hypoxia, gliosis, and inflammation, while also inhibiting apoptosis in retinal cells.

Background & objectives: Age-related renal impairment presents a significant challenge in contemporary clinical practice. Cellular senescence and oxidative stress are the key contributors to chronic kidney disease (CKD) during aging. Senescence is triggered by advanced glycation end products (AGEs), hyperphosphatemia, and higher glucose levels, which lead to renal dysfunction by inducing inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, fibrosis, and apoptosis. Further, vitamin B12 is known to influence biological ageing and has been suggested to improve kidney function in the elderly; however, the underlying mechanisms require further investigation. In this study, we investigated the potential of vitamin B12 in mitigating renal dysfunction using a D-galactose-induced aging rat model. Methods: Twelve-month-old male Wistar rats were grouped into Control, D-galactose (300 mg/kg/day), and D-galactose + vitamin B12 supplementation groups (n=6). Renal dysfunction was evaluated by kidney function markers (creatinine, albumin, urea, and BUN), renal damage markers (kidney injury molecule-1 [KIM-1], lipocalin-2 [LCN-2], fatty-acid binding protein-1 [FABP-1], and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 [TIMP-1]), and histopathology (glomerular changes). Signalling mechanisms of cellular senescence, phosphate metabolism, inflammation, fibrosis, and renal apoptosis were analysed by qRT-PCR and immunoblotting. Results: Vitamin B12 supplementation attenuated renal dysfunction by alleviating the senescence-induced accumulation of AGEs and hyperphosphatemia. Furthermore, vitamin B12 administration conferred renal protection by subsiding inflammation, fibrosis, and apoptosis through modulation of the RAGE-NFkB, pPERK-GSK3β, and JNK signalling pathways. Vitamin B12 supplementation mitigated hyperphosphatemia by mediating the Klotho-FGF23 axis. Interpretation & conclusions: The findings provide evidence for vitamin B12 supplementation in managing renal aging.