Objective Acarbose and trans-chalcone are glucosidase inhibitors whose beneficial effects have been demonstrated in diabetes. The present study aimed at investigating their potential effects in obesity.Materials and methods NMRI male mice (n = 48) were subjected to a high fat diet for four weeks, which induced an initial state of obesity. One control group was given normal rodent diet. Obese animals were then switched to normal rodent diet, and divided to four groups (n = 12 in each): untreated, sham (receiving grape seed oil), and experimental groups receiving acarbose and trans-chalcone (12 mg/kg) during eight weeks. Body weight, blood glucose and other biochemical parameters including triglycerides (TG), cholesterol, HDL, AST, and ALT were measured, as well as leptin, adiponectin, TNF-α, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Histological studies were performed on adipose cells and liver tissue samples.Results All factors were affected in a positive manner by acarbose, save for body weight, blood sugar and leptin levels, on which acarbose effects, although observable, were not statistically significant. Grape seed oil, used as a solvent for trans-chalcone was found to possess significant effect on TG and TAC, and had beneficial effects on other factors including liver enzymes and cholesterol. Trans-chalcone effects were significant on HDL, leptin and ALT. All compounds seemed to be able to affect fat deposition in liver tissue, and decrease the size of adipose tissue cells to some extent.Conclusion In conclusion, the tested compounds were able to affect lipid accumulation in tissues and influence adipokines, which may result in an enhanced state with regard to inflammation and oxidative stress. Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2015;59(3):202-9

The transcription factor 7-like 2 gene (TCF7L2) rs7903146 T allele is constantly associated with Type 2 diabetes in various populations and ethnic groups. Nevertheless, this has not been observed in two studies involving Arab populations. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between TCF7L2 rs7903146 in an Iranian population. Type 2 diabetes patients (N = 258) and normal healthy control subjects (N = 168) from the same area, were examined. The ARMS-PCR (Amplification Refractory Mutation System) technique, subsequently validated by direct sequencing, was used for genotyping. Allele and genotype frequencies were significantly different between patients and controls TT vs. CT + CC [p 0.0081 OR 3.4 95%CI (1.27-11.9)] and T vs. C allele [p 0.02 OR 1.4 95%CI (1.03-1.9)]. Our data thus confirm the association between the rs7903146 T allele and T2D in an Iranian population, contrary to previous reports in Arab populations. This can possibly be attributed to differences in ethnic background or the effects of environmental factors.