Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by a disorder in the metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. The liver as a non-insulin dependent organ plays an important role in the regulation of blood fat and glucose. Most blood glucose lowering drugs that are introduced for treatment have side effects in long-term consumption. Therefore, to control diabetes and its complications, the use of herbal drugs is widely considered nowadays. The present study investigates the biochemical effects of oleuropein in diabetic male rats. In this study, 30 adult male Wistar rats with a weight range of 190±30 gr were equally divided into 3 groups randomly: 1) control group or intact animals, 2) diabetic animals, and 3) treatment group, which received 60 mg/kg oleuropein for 30 days by gastric gavage. Diabetes was induced in diabetic and treatment groups by injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. At the end of the treatment, the levels of triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL, HDL, VLDL, blood glucose, HbA1C, and activity of AST and ALT were determined. The results showed that the serum lipid profile and blood glucose increased significantly in the diabetic group compared with the control group (p<0.05). Also, HbA1C and atherogenic index decreased significantly in the treatment group compared with the diabetic group (p<0.05). This study showed that oral administration of oleuropein has hypoglycemic effects, which can reduce the serum levels of the lipids profile and the atherogenic index in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats.

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes is an endocrine disorder resulting from defects in insulin secretion or decrease in insulin sensitivity of the body or both. This disease is one of the main causes of death in advanced countries (1). Although genetic factors, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle have an important role in diabetes, the main causes of diabetes are still unknown (1). An increase in oxidative stress and change in the level of antioxidants play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetes (2).

Free radicals formation in diabetes by non-enzymatic glycation of proteins, glucose oxidation, and elevated lipid peroxidation leads to enzymes damage, cell machinery, and also increased insulin resistance due to oxidative stress. In diabetes, mitochondria are the main source of oxidative stress. During oxidative metabolism in the mitochondria, a part of the oxygen is consumed and converted to water, while the remaining is transformed to oxygen free radicals. These radicals are important reactive oxygen species that are converted to other reactive species including ONOO-, OH, and H₂O₂. Insulin signaling is regulated by Reactive Oxygen Species/Reactive Nitrogen Species in two ways (ROS/RNS). On one hand, in response to insulin, ROS/RNS are produced to apply its physiological function, on the other hand ROS and RNS have negative regulation on insulin signaling, that is, to develop insulin resistance which is an important risk factor for diabetes (3).

Production of free radicals is increased following a disorder in the carbohydrates metabolism (4). The overproduction of free radicals causes damage to biomolecules such as lipids, proteins, and DNA. The oxidative damage of these molecules gradually leads to chronic diseases such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, aging, and cancer. Diabetes affects all body parts including eyes, kidney, liver, and the nervous system (5). The liver shows a broad spectrum of disorders including fatty liver, cirrhosis, and cancer (5). Diabetes causes an increase in blood lipid and lipoprotein including triglycerides, VLDL, LDL, and a decrease in HDL. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to diabetic complications. These factors increase medical costs and decrease the quality of life. Diabetes mellitus is one of the most important factors that widely increase the risk of coronary heart diseases with atherosclerotic origin (6, 7). The liver as a non-insulin dependent organ plays an important role in the regulation of blood fat and glucose. ALT and AST are the common liver enzymes that are measured to evaluate liver function. The ALT and AST are health indicators of hepatocytes (8).

Nowadays, the use of herbal drugs is increased due to their positive effect, fewer side effects, and relatively low cost. Therefore, seeking new anti-diabetic alternatives from natural antioxidants has been found to be of great importance in the world (9). The presence of antioxidants such as vitamin E and flavonoides in diets can have protective effects in diabetic patients (10). In recent years, the study of plasma lipids and lipoprotein patterns has been considered in people with diabetes, because the abnormal level of fat leads to the development of coronary artery disease in diabetic patients (11). A decrease in insulin secretion and defect in its function cause a consequent increase in fat metabolism from adipose tissue to plasma (12). Olmez et al., in a research carried on rats fed with high-fat diet, found that the extract of olive could lower the increased level of cholesterol (13). Also, it has been recognized that a decrease in LDL concentration and increase in HDL concentration can lead to an increase in the movement of cholesterol from environmental tissues to the liver and thus facilitate catabolism and its excretion (14). The olive is abundantly used in the Mediterranean diet, it improves the risk factors for heart disease such as lipid profile, blood pressure and glucose metabolism (15). Several studies have reported that oleuropein is an antioxidant that prevents lipid oxidation and removes free radicals in vitro (16). Accordingly, it is assumed that oleuropein may be effective in dyslipidemia resulting from diabetes induced by streptozotocin in male rats.

The present study investigates effects of oleuropein on serum levels of lipid profile, liver enzymes activity, HbA1C, and atherogenic index in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rat.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

RESULTS

At the beginning of the study, the statistical study of data related to animals’ average weight showed no significant difference between animals in different groups (p>0.05). However at the end of the study, the weight of the diabetic animals was significantly decreased compared to the control group (p<0.05). Also, no significant difference was observed between the treatment and the diabetic group (p>0.05).

The analysis of data related to blood’s glucose showed that the Mean serum glucose concentration was significantly increased in the diabetic group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Also, there was a significant difference between the treatment group with diabetics and the control groups (p <0.05).

Comparison of mean serum concentration of triglyceride in this study showed a significant difference between the control and the diabetic groups (p <0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the treatment group and the diabetic group (p >0.05).

The comparison of the mean serum concentration of cholesterol showed no significant difference between the control group and the diabetic group. Also, it was identified that there is a significant difference between the treatment group with the diabetic and the control groups (p <0.05).

The statistical study of mean serum concentration of LDL and HDL in animals of the study groups showed that a significant difference between the diabetic and the control group (p <0.05), while there was no significant difference between the diabetic and the treatment groups (p >0.05).

Also, the comparison of the mean serum concentration of VLDL of animals in different groups showed that there is a significant difference between the control and the diabetic groups (p <0.05). While there is not any significant difference between the control and the treatment groups (p >0.05).

The comparison of mean atherosclerosis index in different groups showed that there is a significant difference between the control group and the diabetic and treatment groups (p <0.05).

Table 1. Mean of body weight and serum concentration of glucose, urea and creatinin in the studied groups. The values represent the mean ±SE for ten rats per group

The statistical study of the mean serum levels of urea and creatinine showed no significant difference in serum concentration of creatinine among different groups (p >0.05). However, there is a significant difference in the mean serum concentration urea between the control and the diabetic groups. Also, a significant difference was noticed between the treatment group and the diabetic and control groups (p <0.05).

Figure 1. Effect of oleuropein on hemoglobin A₁C in studied groups. Different letters in each column indicate a significant difference between groups. Significance level was considered as P<0.05. aP>0.05 significant difference with control group

Figure 2. Effect of oleuropein on atherogenic index in studied groups. Different letters in each column indicate a significant difference between groups. Significance level was considered as P<0.05 aP<0.05 significant difference with control and treatment groups

In addition, a significant difference was seen in serum concentration of liver enzyme AST in the control group compared to the diabetic group (p <0.05). In this regard, there was no significant difference between the control group and the treatment group (p >0.05). Moreover, the study of the results showed no significant difference in the mean serum concentration of ALT among the different study groups (p >0.05).

Table 2. Mean of serum concentration of lipid and lipoproteins and liver enzymes activity in studied group’s. The values represent the mean ±SE for ten rats per group

DISCUSSION

Diabetes type I is a disease related to oxidative stress. Various differences have been reported in terms of formation of free radicals including nephropathy, retinopathy, cardiovascular, and metabolism disorders. In addition, it seems that hyperglycemia is accompanied by an increase in free radicals in the body. Furthermore, food antioxidants are effective in reducing the complex effects resulting from oxidative stress of diabetes type I (20). Chronic hyperglycemia induces carbonyl stress, which in turn increases lipid peroxidation. Elevated lipid peroxidation causes oxidative damage by increasing peroxyl and hydroxyl radicals (21).

The results of this study showed that diabetes significantly increased serum glucose compared to the control group. It is known that streptozotocin, by destruction of beta cells, can increase the blood glucose level. These results are consistent with previous research (22, 23). Whereas, treatment of diabetic animals with oleuropein significantly decreased serum glucose level in the treatment group. The hypoglycemic effect of oleuropein may be due to the increased secretion of insulin from beta cells. This finding is consistent with the results of previous studies (23, 24).

The results of the present study showed a significant weight drop in animals in the diabetic group compared to that of the control group. The weight drop in the diabetic animals compared to that in the control group can be attributed to the extreme breakdown of tissue proteins (23). Moreover, it was identified that oleuropein could prevent weight loss. There is no significant difference between the treatment group and the control group. Hence, the decrease in muscle decomposition may be due to the control of blood glucose. These findings are in agreement with the study conducted by Gandi and Sasikumar (23). The results of the present research showed that diabetes causes a significant increase in triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL, and VLDL serum compared to the control group. In comparison, the treatment of diabetic animals with oleuropein for 30 days caused a significant decrease in the serum concentration of cholesterol compared to the diabetic group. In the diabetic group, the serum concentration of HDL was significantly decreased compared to that of the control group. Ahmadvand et al. showed that oleuropein could reduce the risk of cardiovascular mortality by improving factors such as lipid profile and atherosclerosis index in patients suffering from nephrotoxicity. The researchers have reported that oleuropein derived from olive’s leaves and oil has a high antioxidant activity and is able to prevent nephrotoxicity’s side effects including hyperlipidemia. Also, a previous study by Ahmadvand et al. shows the protective effects of oleuropein on oxidative stress resulting from spinal cord injury (16, 19). The results of the present study are not consistent with those of Ahmadvand et al. (16). This difference in some results may be due to a shorter treatment period in our study or the method of oleuropein administration; or both.

Several studies have reported the antioxidant effects of oleuropein. Nekouian et al. reported that oleuropein has a heart protective effect that partly results from its antioxidant activity (18). In diabetes disease, antioxidants and activity of antioxidant enzymes are decreased with an increase in products of lipid oxidation (16). Moreover, the increased non-enzymatic glycosylation followed by hyperglycemia may be a potential reason for cardiovascular complications in diabetes disease (25). Also, the results of this research demonstrate that the serum concentration of liver enzyme AST significantly increased in the diabetic group compared to the control and treatment groups. However, the study of the results showed no significant difference in the mean serum concentration of ALT among different studied groups. This difference in results of AST and ALT may be due to higher concentration of AST in the hepatic acinus, and damage to this area, whether ischemic or toxic, may result in greater alteration to AST levels (26). This increase in the serum levels of liver enzymes can be the result of liver toxicity and necrosis of hepatocytes caused by oxidative stress (27). In addition, it was noticed that the treatment of diabetic animals with oral oleuropein caused a significant decrease in AST enzyme in the treatment group compared to the diabetic group.

Furthermore, there is no significant difference between the control and the treatment group, suggesting that atherosclerosis index in treatment group significantly decreased compared to that of the diabetic group. This result can be attributed to the anti-oxidative and antihyperlipidemic effects of the oleuropein. Meanwhile, the oleuropein was not able to significantly reduce Hb A1C levels in the treatment group.

Hb A1C was increased in a diabetic patient and the glycation rate was proportional to the hyperglycemia status. It has been documented that glycation induces the formation of free radicals derived from oxygen. Therefore, Hb A1C levels are described as an indicator of the degree of oxidative stress in diabetes. Therefore, measuring Hb A1C is a very sensitive indicator of glycemic control (21).

Besides, the results showed that the serum concentration of urea in the diabetic group was significantly increased compared to that of the control group. The increased production of urea in diabetic animals can be attributed to the increased catabolism of plasma and liver proteins (24).

CONCLUSION

In summary, the results of this research indicate the useful effects of oleuropein on hyperglycemia, glucose metabolism, lipid, and sclerosis in diabetic animals with atherosclerosis. Therefore, oleuropein can be introduced as an antisclerosis compound that is able to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients. However, further studies are needed to identify the mechanism of its effect.