Reviewer's report
Title:Supplementation with vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) in diabetic rats: effects
on the proximal colon
Version: 1Date:9 June 2009
Reviewer: Ernest Adeghate
Reviewer's report:
The manuscript entitled “Supplementation with vitamin E (#-tocopherol) in
diabetic rats: effects on the proximal colon” by Roldi et al. examined the effect of
vitamin E on the morphology and neurons of the proximal colon.
Major Compulsory Revisions
One of the major stated aims of the manuscript was to examine the effect of
vitamin E on the myenteric neurons in the proximal colon. At least a micrograph
of the sections of the colon of normal and diabetic rats, stained with Giemsa and
showing the neurons counted should be included in the figures. Since Giemsa
stain is non-specific, a more neuron specific antibody such as NSE can be used
to stain for enteric neurons.
How uniform were the neurons in terms of their size? The increase in the area of
neurons in the diabetic group should be explained. Previous studies showed a
decrease in the size of enteric neurons after long-term STZ-induced diabetes
(Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 60: 1172–1179, 2003).
More information should be given regarding the way the glucose values obtained.
Was the glucose measured in plasma, serum or whole blood? From which site
was the blood taken? The blood glucose values presented in Table 1, should
also be critically reviewed. Normal rat with and without vitamin E (0.2%)
treatment have glucose values of 178.2 and 147.2 mg/dl, respectively. These
values are way above the cut-off point for normoglycaemia (126 mg/dl).
The reason why the glycosylated haemoglobin value of rats in group DE1 with a
blood glucose level of 525.2 mg/dl for 120 days remained close to normal should
also be explained.
Minor comments
English language: The language of the manuscript should be thoroughly revised
to enable comprehension of the issues raised.
Title page
Since all authors belong to one single Department, there is no need to classify
the affiliation.
Add “Brazil” after “University of Maringa”
Methods
Page 5, paragraph 1, line 1: “Albine” should read “Albino”
Why was 35 mg/Kg body weight used?
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
Reviewer's report
Title:Supplementation with vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) in diabetic rats: effects
on the proximal colon
Version: 1Date:9 June 2009
Reviewer: Ernest Adeghate
Reviewer's report:
The manuscript entitled “Supplementation with vitamin E (#-tocopherol) in
diabetic rats: effects on the proximal colon” by Roldi et al. examined the effect of
vitamin E on the morphology and neurons of the proximal colon.
Major Compulsory Revisions
One of the major stated aims of the manuscript was to examine the effect of
vitamin E on the myenteric neurons in the proximal colon. At least a micrograph
of the sections of the colon of normal and diabetic rats, stained with Giemsa and
showing the neurons counted should be included in the figures. Since Giemsa
stain is non-specific, a more neuron specific antibody such as NSE can be used
to stain for enteric neurons.
How uniform were the neurons in terms of their size? The increase in the area of
neurons in the diabetic group should be explained. Previous studies showed a
decrease in the size of enteric neurons after long-term STZ-induced diabetes
(Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 60: 1172–1179, 2003).
More information should be given regarding the way the glucose values obtained.
Was the glucose measured in plasma, serum or whole blood? From which site
was the blood taken? The blood glucose values presented in Table 1, should
also be critically reviewed. Normal rat with and without vitamin E (0.2%)
treatment have glucose values of 178.2 and 147.2 mg/dl, respectively. These
values are way above the cut-off point for normoglycaemia (126 mg/dl).
The reason why the glycosylated haemoglobin value of rats in group DE1 with a
blood glucose level of 525.2 mg/dl for 120 days remained close to normal should
also be explained.
Minor comments
English language: The language of the manuscript should be thoroughly revised
to enable comprehension of the issues raised.
Title page
Since all authors belong to one single Department, there is no need to classify
the affiliation.
Add “Brazil” after “University of Maringa”
Methods
Page 5, paragraph 1, line 1: “Albine” should read “Albino”
Why was 35 mg/Kg body weight used?
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
Please review this paper.
user
Reviewer's report
Title:Supplementation with vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) in diabetic rats: effects
on the proximal colon
Version: 1Date:9 June 2009
Reviewer: Ernest Adeghate
Reviewer's report:
The manuscript entitled “Supplementation with vitamin E (#-tocopherol) in
diabetic rats: effects on the proximal colon” by Roldi et al. examined the effect of
vitamin E on the morphology and neurons of the proximal colon.
Major Compulsory Revisions
One of the major stated aims of the manuscript was to examine the effect of
vitamin E on the myenteric neurons in the proximal colon. At least a micrograph
of the sections of the colon of normal and diabetic rats, stained with Giemsa and
showing the neurons counted should be included in the figures. Since Giemsa
stain is non-specific, a more neuron specific antibody such as NSE can be used
to stain for enteric neurons.
How uniform were the neurons in terms of their size? The increase in the area of
neurons in the diabetic group should be explained. Previous studies showed a
decrease in the size of enteric neurons after long-term STZ-induced diabetes
(Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 60: 1172–1179, 2003).
More information should be given regarding the way the glucose values obtained.
Was the glucose measured in plasma, serum or whole blood? From which site
was the blood taken? The blood glucose values presented in Table 1, should
also be critically reviewed. Normal rat with and without vitamin E (0.2%)
treatment have glucose values of 178.2 and 147.2 mg/dl, respectively. These
values are way above the cut-off point for normoglycaemia (126 mg/dl).
The reason why the glycosylated haemoglobin value of rats in group DE1 with a
blood glucose level of 525.2 mg/dl for 120 days remained close to normal should
also be explained.
Minor comments
English language: The language of the manuscript should be thoroughly revised
to enable comprehension of the issues raised.
Title page
Since all authors belong to one single Department, there is no need to classify
the affiliation.
Add “Brazil” after “University of Maringa”
Methods
Page 5, paragraph 1, line 1: “Albine” should read “Albino”
Why was 35 mg/Kg body weight used?
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
assistant