Lipid peroxidation and other indicators of oxidative stress in diabetic rats treated with yacon root

HABIB N.; GENTA S.B.; SANCHEZ S.S.

Tafí del Valle. Tucumán.

Jornada; XXVIII Jornadas Científicas de la Asociación de Biología de Tucumán; 2011

Asociación de Biología de Tucumán

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder associated with abnormally high levels of free radicals and disturbances of the antioxidant defense mechanisms, which causes oxidative damage to the bio-molecules. This oxidative stress plays a vital role in the development of diabetic complications. In vitro studies showed the antioxidant activity of tubers of Smallanthus sonchifolius [Poepp. & Endl.] H. Robinson (yacon) for its content of phenolic components. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the sub-chronic treatment with yacon root flour on oxidative stress biomarkers in liver and kidney of diabetic rats, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-s-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH).Yacon treatment produced a significant decrease in MDA levels and activity of SOD, CAT and GST in liver and kidney of diabetic rats. GPx and GSH levels increased significantly, which play an important role in protection against lipid peroxidation. This is the first report which demonstrated in vivo antioxidant activity of yacon root flour, restoring the balance between generation and elimination of oxidants species. This natural product administered as diet supplement could be potentially useful to prevent chronic complications of diabetes.