Abstract
Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) is a native Andean plant rich in phenolic compounds, and its effects on dysmetabolism and cardiomyopathy in diabetic rats was evaluated. The rats (10/group) were allocated as follows: C, controls; C + Y, controls treated with Yacon leaf extract (YLE); DM, diabetic controls; and DM + Y, diabetic rats treated with YLE. Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) was induced by the administration of streptozotocin (STZ; 40 mg−1/kg body weight, single dose, i.p.), and treated groups received 100 mg/kg body weight YLE daily via gavage for 30 d. The YLE group shows an improvement in dysmetabolism and cardiomyopathy in the diabetic condition (DM versus DM + Y) promoting a significant reduction of glycemia by 63.39%, an increase in insulin concentration by 49.30%, and a decrease in serum triacylglycerol and fatty acid contents by 0.39- and 0.43-fold, respectively, by ameliorating the pancreatic islet injury, as well as increasing the activity of the antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase) and decreasing the fibrosis and cellular disorganization in cardiac tissue. The apparent benefits of YLE seem to be mediated by ameliorating dysmetabolism and oxidative stress in pancreatic and cardiac tissues.
Highlights
Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic state of insulin deficiency which results from the destruction of β-cells by the immune system, leading to a structural disorganization of the pancreatic islets
After 30 d of treatment with 100 mg/kg body weight/d—based on a dose-response pilot study (Figure 1), Yacon leaf extract (YLE) promoted a significant reduction of glycemia at 63.39% in the DM + Y group when compared to the untreated group, whereas it increased the insulin concentration by 49.30% in the treated group (Table 1)
Pancreatic β-cells, simulating the physiopathological process of the disease, it generates a deficiency in insulin biosynthesis and secretion and, an increase in serum glycemia content since it becomes unavailable to insulin-sensitive tissue
Summary
Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic state of insulin deficiency which results from the destruction of β-cells by the immune system, leading to a structural disorganization of the pancreatic islets. The Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications study showed that intensive blood glucose control reduces the risk of several diseases, especially those related to the cardiac tissue [1]. In diabetic heart, there is a dramatic shift of the glucose utilization and almost complete reliance on fatty acid oxidation for energy production, resulting in the loss of metabolic flexibility as well as morphological changes in the cardiomyocytes [3, 6]. Deregulated metabolism may be linked to increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that leads to oxidative damage of DNA, proteins, and lipids as well as the activation of stress-sensitive pathways and development of cardiac oxidative stress in diabetes [8, 9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
