Grain Amaranth Is Associated with Improved Hepatic and Renal Calcium Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus of Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background Dysregulation of calcium signaling is a hallmark of diabetes mellitus (DM) and grain amaranth (AG) has antidiabetic properties. Information on the mechanism of action of AG on blood, renal, and hepatic tissues is sparse, although it continues to be an important alternative medicinal plant in several developing countries. The objective of the study was to determine key changes in calcium levels and s100a1 protein levels and antioxidant and histopathologic changes in blood, renal, and hepatic tissues of male diabetic Wistar rats. Materials and Methods This was an experimental study in which 30 male Wistar rats were kept for 5 weeks (6 groups, N =5). Groups 1-IV had T2DM induced using Nicotinamide and Streptozotocin: Group I, Mixtard®; group II, positive control; group III, 25% AG; group IV, 50% AG. Furthermore, group V consisted of normal rats given 50% GA and group VI was negative control. Blood, renal, and hepatic tissues were collected and analyzed for calcium, s100a1 protein levels, and antioxidant and histopathological changes. Results and Discussion In blood, renal, and hepatic tissue, calcium and s100a1 levels were low during T2DM and these increased following AG supplementation. This was important for improved metabolic processes, thus leading to the low malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in the tissues. Efficient antioxidant status was important for improved calcium signaling mechanisms, thus leading to improved tissue function and protection demonstrating the importance of AG as an alternative medicinal source through the calcium signaling pathway. Conclusion Grain amaranth exerts its antidiabetic properties through improved calcium homeostasis in blood, kidney, and liver.

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“…Male Wistar rats (N = 30) weighing 150-200 g were kept as previously described with 24hr of day light [13] at Kampala International University Western Campus. Diabetes mellitus was induced by using 60 mg/kg of Streptozotocin (Sigma ® ) in olive oil and after confirmation of hypoglycemia [13], rats were divided randomly using MS Excel version 2013 by assigning a random number from 1-5 into experimental groups as previously described [14] i.e. 5 rats per experimental group.…”

“…After the last day of treatment all animals were euthanized using sodium pentobarbitone injected 4 intraperitoneally [13] and 5 ml of blood was collected through cardiac puncture into heparinized sample bottles for hematological analysis. The other portion of blood sample collected into specimen bottles and allowed to clot, and separated by centrifugation at 2000 g for 10 minutes using Centrifuge Hettich (Universal 32, Made in Germany).…”

Lycopene improves on basic hematological and immunological parameters in diabetes

“…Male Wistar rats of both sexes (N = 30) weighing 150-200 g were kept as previously described with 24hr of day light [13]. Diabetes mellitus was induced by using 60 mg/kg of Streptozotocin (Sigma ® ) in olive oil and after confirmation of hypoglycemia, rats were divided into experimental groups as previously described [14] i.e.…”

“…After the last day of treatment (28 days) all animals were euthanized using sodium pentobarbitone injected intraperitoneally [13] and 5 ml of blood was collected through cardiac puncture into heparinized sample bottles for hematological analysis,erythrocyte osmotic fragility test and erythrocyte malondialdehyde concentration. The other portion of blood sample collected into specimen bottles and allowed to clot, and separated by centrifugation at 2000 g for 10 minutes using Centrifuge Hettich (Universal 32, Made in Germany).…”