Endocrine Abstracts

Objectives: Oral administration of vanadate to diabetic animals have been shown to stabilize the glucose homeostasis and restore altered metabolic pathways. The present study explored the prospect of using low doses of vanadate with Trigonella foenum graecum, seed powder (TSP), another antidiabetic agent, and to evaluate their antidiabetic effect in diabetic rats. The effect of these antidiabetic compounds was examined on general physiological parameters, monoamine oxidase activity, calcium homeostasis, membrane fluidity and distribution of lipofuscin accumulation in liver, brain and heart tissues. Expression of glucose transporter (GLUT4) protein was also examined by immunoblotting method in experimental rat heart after three weeks of diabetes induction.

Methods: Diabetes was induced by administration of alloxan monohydrate (15 mg/100g b.wt.) and rats were treated with 2IU insulin, 0.6 mg/ml SOV, 5%Trigonella in the diet and a combination of 0.2 mg/ml SOV with 5% Trigonella separately for 21 days.

Results: Diabetic rats showed high blood glucose levels. Activity of monoamine oxidase increased in diabetic brain, liver and heart. Diabetic rats exhibited an increased level of calcium with lipofuscin accumulations and decreased membrane fluidity. GLUT4 distribution was also significantly lowered in heart of alloxan diabetic rats. Treatment of diabetic rats with insulin, TSP, vanadate and a combined therapy of lower dose of vanadate with TSP revived normoglycemia and restored the altered level of monoamine oxidase, calcium homeostasis, lipofuscin and membrane fluidity and also induced the redistribution of GLUT4 transporter. TSP treatment alone is partially effective in restoring the above diabetes-induced alterations.

Conclusion: Combined therapy of vanadate and TSP was the most effective in normalization of altered metabolic parameters and GLUT4 distribution without any harmful side effect.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.