Comparative Study of Metformin, N-Acetylcysteine and L-Arginine on Hyperglycemia in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic syndrome which results from deficiencies/defects in the pancreatic insulin secretions or insulin action on the target tissues.

Purpose: To compare the beneficial effects of Metformin, N -acetylcysteine and L-arginine on dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Methodology: A total of 35 rats were used with 5 rats randomly allocated in 7 groups. Diabetic model was created by using streptozotocin (35 mg/kg) single dose intraperitoneal (IP). After 48 hours the animals with blood sugar concentration more than 300 mg/dl were considered diabetic. First group and second group were controls with Diabetic Mellitus (DM) rats. The group three, four and five with diabetic rats were given Metformin, N -acetylcysteine (NAC) and L-arginine (L-Arg) respectively. The sixth group of diabetic rats was given combination of Metformin and NAC while the seventh group of diabetic rats was given Metformin and L-Arg. All groups were treated for four weeks. At the end of the experimental period, groups were compared for fasting blood glucose.

Statistical analysis: SPSS 25.0 statistical software was used to analyze the whole data. The difference between all the groups was analyzed using One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).

Results: Significant improvement, with regards to the BSF test in L-Arginine Group, Metformin plus L-Arginine Group and the Metformin plus N-acetylcysteine group.

Conclusion: It was concluded that in streptozotocin induced diabetic model, hyperglycaemia was significantly attenuated by the use of novel antioxidants; L-Arginine and N-acetylcysteine.