Abstract:
People with diabetes mellitus are exposed to diesel exhaust particle (DEP) in an environment filled
with industrial and vehicular activities resulting in hepatotoxic, cardiotoxic and other
complications associated with diabetes and DEP. Diabetic and non-diabetic rat models were
constructed by feeding diabetic group with fructose water (20%) and an injection of low dose
streptozocin (STZ). Rats were divided into six (6) diabetic groups and six (6) non-diabetic groups.
Rats in diabetic groups underwent intraperitoneal injection of STZ (35 mg/kg) after a fructose diet
for fourteen (14) days. After seventy-two (72) hours of STZ injection, rats with blood glucose of
200 mg/dl and above were considered diabetic and used for further research. Results shows that
liver, heart, aorta and pancreatic injury occurred in both groups evidenced by attenuation of liver
enzymes activities, alteration in pancreatic architecture, fibrosis and increase in inflammation
through the FOXO1 pathway. Inhibition of the insulin pathway was also noticed. Increase in
oxidative stress was evident through the measure of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT),
reduced glutathione (GSH), malonaldehyde (MDA), conjugate diene (CD) levels. Silibinin exerts
theraupeutic effects on both groups by modulating oxidative/antioxidative status, inflammatory
cytokine production and restoration of insulin pathway. In conclusion Silibinin treatments to STZinduced
DM rats significantly attenuated the hepatotoxicity and cardiotoxicity via improving the
metabolic profile, biochemical parameters, and antioxidant status as well as reducing pancreatic
morphological alterations. Therefore, I recommend that silibinin should be added as a dietary
supplement to food for diabetic patients.
