Antiatherogenic and
hypoglycemic effects of
naringin are hereby investigated in
type 1 diabetes. Wistar rats (n = 6) were treated daily with 1.0 mL of water (group 1),
naringin (50 mg/kg) (groups 2 and 3, respectively),
regular insulin (4 U/kg, subcutaneously, twice daily) (group 4), and
simvastatin (20 mg/kg) (group 6). Groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 exhibited
polydipsia and
hyperglycemia after injection with
streptozotocin (60 mg/kg
body weight).
Insulin, but not
naringin, significantly lowered fasting
blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. Plasma
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher in nontreated diabetic rats (group 5) compared with control (group 1), whereas total and
high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly higher in
naringin- and
simvastatin-treated diabetic rats, respectively. Hepatic total
cholesterol and
triglycerides were significantly elevated in nontreated diabetic compared with the control,
naringin-,
insulin-, and
simvastatin-treated diabetic rats, respectively. Hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl
CoA reductase and
Acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase activities were significantly elevated in nontreated diabetic compared with the control,
naringin-, and
simvastatin-treated diabetic rats, respectively. However, plasma
low-density lipoprotein to
high-density lipoprotein ratio was significantly higher in nontreated diabetic compared with the control, whereas
naringin and
simvastatin significantly reduced the ratio in diabetic rats.
Naringin is not
hypoglycemic but improves atherogenic index in
type 1 diabetes.