Abstract

SOME MICRONUTRIENTS SUPPLEMENTATION IMPROVED THE HEALTH STATUS IN STREPTOZOCIN INDUCED DIABETIC FEMALE WISTAR RATS

Afolabi Olusegun Kayode, Oyewo Emmanuel Bukoye*, Adekunle Adeniran Sanmi, Ajayi Oluwatoyin Lydia

ABSTRACT

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the leading causes of mortality in developed and developing countries. The therapeutic options available for the management of DM have been faced with many challenges that necessitate the need for a more effective alternative approach in its management and related complications. The present study investigated the effect of some micronutrients such as: vitamins C, D, E, pyridoxine, cobalamin, thiamine, riboflavin, zinc, iron, selenium and chromium on the health status of diabetic female Wistar rats. Forty eight rats between 135-150 g were picked into six groups, such that: A (diabetic, received vitamins), B (diabetic, received minerals), C (diabetic, received vitamins and minerals), D (diabetic, Metformin), E (diabetic, no treatment) and F (control rats). Diabetes was induced by injecting 55 mg/kg body weight of Streptozotocin in 0.01M citratebuffer intraperitoneally. Administration of micronutrients was oral and lasted for 28 days, during which the feed and water intake, body weight and fasting blood glucose were monitored. The concentration of total protein, albumin, globulin, total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C), triacylglycerol (TG), catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GPOx), prealbumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), cluster of differentiation-4 (CD4) were determined in the blood and tissue homogenates as applicable. The results of the study indicated decreases (p<0.05) in the levels of blood glucose, serum TC, LDL-C, VLDL- C, TG, TNF-α, CRP and platelets in the micronutrients supplemented rats. Marked increases (p<0.05) were recorded in haematocrit, serum HDL-C, protein profile, CD4 count, neutrophil and monocyte concentrations. The supplements administered rats recorded increases (p<0.05) in the activities of catalase, SOD, GPOx and reduction in the concentration of malondialdehyde. The histoarchitecture of the liver, spleen, heart and small intestine in the diabetic female rats were compromised, with some exceptions in the metformin and minerals and vitamin co-administered groups. The present data indicated that the co-administration of both minerals and vitamins were the most consistent in the improvement of the health status of the diabetic rats. Consequently, it is recommended that micronutrient supplementation be included in the management of Diabetes mellitus.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, management, micronutrient supplementation, co-administration, improvement and health status.