[ effect of flavonoid naringenin on contractile response of thoracic aorta isolated from diabetic rats]

Background and Aims: Considering increasing incidence of cardiovascular disorders in diabetes mellitus and some evidence on antioxidant and antidiabetic potentials of naringenin, this study was conducted to evaluate the beneficial effects of 6-week administration of naringenin on contractile reactivity of isolated thoracic aorta in diabetic rats

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Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into control, naringenin-treated control, diabetic and glibenclamide-treated, and naringenin-treated diabetic groups. For induction of diabetes, streptozotcin [STZ] was administered [60 mg/Kg]. Naringenin [10 mg/kg] was administered i.p. one week after diabetes induction in every other day intervals for 6 weeks. Serum glucose level was measured before naringeninadministration and at 6th week. Finally, contractile reactivity of thoracic aortic rings to KCl and phenylephrine [PE] was cumulatively determined

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Results: Serum glucose level at week 6 showed a significant decrease in naringenin-treated diabetic group compared to diabetics [P<0.01]. In addition, naringenin-treated diabetic group showed a significantly lower contraction to PE [P<0.05] as compared to diabetic group and such significant reduction was also observed for KCl [P<0.05]. Meanwhile, there was also a significant difference between control and naringenin-treated control groups regarding their contractile reactivity to PE [P<0.05]

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Conclusion: Subchronic administration of naringenin for 6 weeks could exert an anti-hyperglycemic effect and lowers contractile responsiveness of thoracic aorta rings to KCl and phenylephrine