Investigation of the Effects of Trehalose on Glycemic Indices in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

Abstract

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder with considerable morbidity and mortality because of its associated complications that has become a challenging health problem worldwide. Trehalose (mycose) is a nonreducing disaccharide with a unique therapeutic potency without adverse effects, which has been found to improve glucose metabolism and homeostasis in different diabetes models. We hypothesized that trehalose can reduce blood glucose and improve insulin sensitivity. We have conducted this study to evaluate the effect of trehalose on glycemic indices in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Fourteen diabetic rats were randomly assigned in two treatment groups (seven rats per group) that received trehalose at a dose of 1.5g/kg/day via oral gavage and a dose of 45mg/kg/day via intraperitoneal (i.p.)injection. Three control groups, including a positive control, diabetic control (DC), and nondiabetic rats as a normal control group (NC), received metformin (200mg/kg/day), normal saline, and citrate buffer, respectively. The levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG) were measured at baseline (week 0) and after 4weeks of treatment. Moreover, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed at the end of the study to determine glucose tolerance. The results showed that FBG levels were significantly decreased by -66% (-221±65mg/dL, p=0.01), -40% (-114±46mg/dL, p=0.02), and -72% (-191±68mg/dL, p=0.01) in trehalose-oral, trehalose-i.p., and metformin groups, respectively, after 4weeks of administration. Evaluating the results of glucose tolerance test and analysis of corresponding areas under the glucose curve (AUCglucose) over 180 min indicated that glucose tolerance was significantly improved in the trehalose-i.p. group (p=0.03) compared to DC group. Our findings suggested that trehalose administered via i.p. route might reduce FBG levels and improve glycemic control in STZ-induced diabetic rats.