Biochemical study of the anti-diabetic effect of L-arginine in relation to hepatic glucose metabolism in streptozotocin-diabetic rats

ABSTRACT

An alternative strategy to treat diabetes is the use of various natural agents possessing hypoglycemic effect. Diabetes is associated with reduced plasma level of L-arginine. Growing evidence indicates that L-arginine may be a novel therapy for diabetes. The present study aimed to evaluate the improving effect of L-arginine on carbohydrate metabolism in streptozotocin [STZ]-diabetic rat liver. Diabetes was induced in adult male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal administration of STZ [50 mg/kg b.wt]. L-arginine was administered to animals in their drinking water [2.25g%] to subset of diabetic animals starting one week after induction of diabetes and continued for 5 weeks. Diabetic rats had elevated levels of blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA[1c]] and increased activities of liver glucose6-phosphatase and phosphorylase. Decreased levels of serum insulin and hepatic glycogen as well as activities of glucokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase were also observed. L-arginine supplementation significantly ameliorates most of the measured parameters. In conclusion, L-argmnine supplementation may represent a potentially useful strategy for the management of diabetes