Preventive effect of bioflavonoids on the onset of diabetes mellitus in BB rats

Abstract

We investigated the effect of bioflavonoid treatment during pre-diabetic period on the prevention of diabetes in the diabetic-prone BB rats. Rats at the 3 week age were treated with Flavin 7® (0.2 mg bioflavonoids [mix of quercetin and rutin]/l of drinking water) for 150 days. We measured the body weight, food intake, drinking water intake, urine output, glycaemia, superoxid dismuthase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione and total antioxidant status. The treatment with flavonoids had a significant effect (P<0.001) on the delaying the onset of diabetes, the survival of rats, and reducing the incidence of diabetes occurrence. The treated animals showed a lower glycaemia rate (P<0.001) and achieved a higher body weight (P<0.05). The parameters of antioxidant protection were significantly better (P<0.001). The treatment with flavonoids almost completely prevented the onset of diabetes and enhanced beta-cell function, what resulted in maintaining the islet cell changes and significant antioxidant effects.