Blood lipid levels and aryl esterase activity of alloxan-induced diabetic rats: effects of 2 weeks omega-3 fatty acid supplementation

摘要

Diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disorder associated with chronic hyperglycaemia and hyperglucosuria arising from insulin deficiency. It is accompanied by dyslipidemia, a major risk factor contributing to cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, the effects of omega-3 fatty acid (O3FA) supplement on plasma, erythrocyte and lipoproteins lipid profiles as well as aryl esterase activities in plasma and the lipoproteins of alloxan-induced (150 mg/kg body weight (b.wt), intraperitoneally) diabetic male rats were investigated. O3FA (0.4 g/kg b.wt/day) was administered as pre- and post- treatment for 2 weeks. The blood parameters were measured spectrophotometrically. The lipid levels were significantly increased (p0.05) in the various compartments of the diabetic rats. The increase was from 30% - 107% for cholesterol, 20% - 52% for phospholipid and 38% - 111% for triacylglycerol. Lipid peroxidation was also increased from 67% in extracellular fluid to 164% in the high density lipoprotein (HDL) compartment. O3FA administration significantly reduced (p0.05) the levels of cholesterol, phospholipid and triacylglycerol by varying extents in the various compartments while increasing cholesterol and phospholipid levels in HDL. Lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced (p0.05) by O3FA suggesting that it has protective effect against oxidative damage. Aryl esterase activities in the lipoproteins were also activated by supplementation with O3FA (except in HDL pre-treatment). This study indicates that O3FA supplement attenuates dyslipidemia associated with diabetes mellitus and should be included in diets for prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus.