The potential anti-obesity, anti-diabetic and anti-oxidant effects of
Vitamin A in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.
Abstract
Background Evidence suggests that there is a link between diabetes
mellitus and Vitamin A. Moreover, it has been reported that diabetes
induces oxidative stress. Lately, a wide attention has been developed to
the protective biochemical function of natural antioxidants contained
vitamins, which can reduce the oxidative damage caused by free radical
species. Objective To investigate the anti-obesity, anti-diabetic and
anti-oxidative effects of vitamin A in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced
diabetic mice. Methods Male mice were randomly divided into three
groups: Control- nondiabetic, received a normal diet and water;
Control-diabetic, received STZ 45mg/kg once intraperitoneally; and
Treated-diabetic, received both STZ as before plus Vitamin A (4-IU/day)
orally daily for 16 weeks. Food intake, body weight, fat mass, fasting
blood glucose, serum insulin, and lipid profile were estimated. Also,
superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPO), catalase
(CAT), and malonaldehyde (MDA) were measured. Results Treated diabetic
mice with Vitamin A showed a significant improvement in their body
weight, fat mass, lipid profile as well as SOD, GPO and CAT compared to
Control-diabetic mice. However, Vitamin A caused no significant change
on fasting blood glucose and insulin levels. Furthermore, plasma level
of MDA was significantly elevated in diabetic mice compared to normal
mice. Diabetic mice treated with vitamin A had a significantly reduced
level of MDA, suggesting that vitamin A might have a vital role in the
protection of tissues from damage by free radicals. Conclusion
Supplementation with vitamin A may be a useful treatment strategy for
diabetic patients to reduce/prevent the pathological complications of
diabetes.