Tocotrienol-rich fraction from palm oil prevents oxidative damage in diabetic rats

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Matough FA, Budin SB, Hamid ZA, Abdul-Rahman M, Al-Wahaibi N, Mohammed J.

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Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2014 Feb;14(1):e95-e103. doi: 10.12816/0003342. Epub 2014 Jan 27.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to determine the effects of tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) (200 mg/Kg) on biomarkers of oxidative stress on erythrocyte membranes and leukocyte deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: Male rats (n = 40) were divided randomly into four groups of 10: a normal group; a normal group with TRF; a diabetic group, and a diabetic group with TRF. Following four weeks of treatment, fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, oxidative stress markers and the antioxidant status of the erythrocytes were measured. RESULTS: FBG levels for the STZ-induced diabetic rats were significantly increased (P <0.001) when compared to the normal group and erythrocyte malondialdehyde levels were also significantly higher (P <0.0001) in this group. Decreased levels of reduced glutathione and increased levels of oxidised glutathione (P <0.001) were observed in STZ-induced diabetic rats when compared to the control group and diabetic group with TRF. The results of the superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities were significantly lower in the STZ-induced diabetic rats than in the normal group (P <0.001). The levels of DNA damage, measured by the tail length and tail moment of the leukocyte, were significantly higher in STZ-induced diabetic (P <0.0001). TRF supplementation managed to normalise the level of DNA damage in diabetic rats treated with TRF. CONCLUSION: Daily supplementation with 200 mg/Kg of TRF for four weeks was found to reduce levels of oxidative stress markers by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and increasing the levels of antioxidant status in a prevention trial for STZ-induced diabetic rats. Keywords: . Link/DOI: 10.12816/0003342