Activities of three erythrocyte enzymes of hyperglycemic rats (Rattus norvegicus) treated with Allium sativa extract

• Published in: Journal of diabetes and metabolic disorders Vol. 13; no. 1; p. 50
• Main Authors: Chikezie, Paul C, Uwakwe, Augustine A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BioMed Central 22.04.2014; BioMed Central Ltd
• Subjects: Care and treatment; Diabetes; Endocrinology; Genetic aspects; Health aspects; Hyperglycemia; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Metabolic Diseases; Pyrimidines; Research Article; Type 2 diabetes; Nigeria; Hyperglycemia; Na; ATPase; Diabetes mellitus; Glutathione S-transferases; NADH-Methaemoglobin reductase; K; Allium sativa; Na+/K+-ATPase
• ISSN: 2251-6581; 2251-6581
• DOI: 10.1186/2251-6581-13-50

Background The present study sought to investigate erythrocyte glutathione S-transferases (GST), NADH-Methaemoglobin reductase (NADH-MR) and Na + /K + -ATPase activities of hypoglycemic rats treated with ethanol/water (1:2  v/v ) extract of A. sativa as agent of glycemic control. Methods Hyperglycemia was induced by a single intra-peritoneal injection of 0.1 mol/L alloxan monohydrate in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution (pH = 7.4); dosage = 140 mg/kg. At the end of the experimental time ( t  = 76 h), erythrocyte GST, NADH-MR and Na + /K + -ATPase activities as well as serum fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels were measured by spectrophotometric methods. Results Serum FBS levels of control/normal (C/N) rats ranged between 72.93 ± 0.82–95.12 ± 0.92 mg/dL, whereas experimental rats without glycemic control gave: 249.41 ± 1.03–256.11 ± 1.23 mg/dL. Hyperglycemic rats treated with ethanol/water (1:2  v/v ) extract of A. sativa exhibited comparative reduced serum levels of FBS alongside with erythrocyte GST, NADH-MR and Na + /K + -ATPase activities. The average relative activities of the three enzymes and corresponding order of enzyme activity in hyperglycemic rats treated with ethanol/water (1:2  v/v ) extract of A. sativa was: NADH-MR = 60.99% > GST = 47.81% > Na + /K + -ATPase = 46.81%. In the same order, relative activities of the three enzymes in rats without glycemic control were: NADH-MR = 49.65% > GST = 23.69% > Na + /K + -ATPase = 17.02%. Conclusion Erythrocyte GST, NADH-MR and Na + /K + -ATPase activities gave insights into the pathophysiology of diabetic state and served as biomarkers for ascertaining therapeutic control in Type 1 diabetes mellitus.