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.
Highlights
Dysregulation of calcium signaling is a hallmark of diabetes mellitus (DM) and grain amaranth (AG) has antidiabetic properties
An inability of the tissues to regulate calcium levels has been associated with the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) due to defects in both insulin secretion and action, leading to Ca2+ dyshomeostasis [6] and oxidative stress (OS) in the tissues [3, 7,8,9]; little is known about the mechanism of action of several ethnomedical plants used in the management of T2DM in several developing countries
This occurs through increased expression of the s100a1 calcium transport proteins which lead to improved calcium homeostasis in the tissues
Summary
Dysregulation of calcium signaling is a hallmark of diabetes mellitus (DM) and grain amaranth (AG) has antidiabetic properties. Calcium (Ca2+) is an essential mineral of eukaryotic cells [1], since it is a versatile intracellular signaler that controls various cellular functions; Ca2+ signals need to be flexible yet precisely regulated [2] as it has been shown to affect key physiological processes in several body tissues [3]. This is intriguing since 1% of the total body calcium is used for metabolic processes such as blood clotting, muscle contraction, and nerve transmission, showing its relevance in blood, smooth muscles, and visceral organs [3]. An inability of the tissues to regulate calcium levels has been associated with the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) due to defects in both insulin secretion and action, leading to Ca2+ dyshomeostasis [6] and oxidative stress (OS) in the tissues [3, 7,8,9]; little is known about the mechanism of action of several ethnomedical plants used in the management of T2DM in several developing countries
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