ALPHA LIPOIC ACID PREVENTS PANCREATIC ISLET CELLS DAMAGE AND DYSLIPIDEMIA IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

In the present study, the effects of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation onglycemic control and lipid profile in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic ratshave been evaluated. Sprague Dawley rats were divided into nondiabetic (NDM),diabetic without supplementation (No Suppl) and diabetic with ALA groups. ALAwas orally administered once a day for 8 weeks with a dose of 100 mg/kg BW.Supplementation of ALA to STZ-induced rats prevented the severe damage to theislet cells of the pancreas and lowered the plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c) levels. Supplementation of ALA also suppressed the increased of totalcholesterol (TC), triglycerides and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C)levels in the plasma of diabetic rats as well as increased high density lipoproteincholesterol(HDL-C) levels. In conclusion, this study suggest that ALA may beeffective in controlling glycemic status and improving dyslipidemia instreptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and has the potential in reducingcardiovascular complications due to diabetes mellitus.