Effects of natural nanozeolite powder and metformin on the levels of serum glucose, lipid profile and minerals in rats with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Background and Aims: Therapeutic and healing properties of Natural nano-sized clinoptilolite (NCLN) such as reduction of blood glucose and heavy metals' poisoning have recently been reported in some studies; however, there is little information about its effectiveness in comparison with diabetes current drugs like Metformin (Met). The aims of current study were to compare the effects of natural nanozeolite with Met on fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum lipids profile and serum levels of several minerals and heavy metals in rats with high-fat-diet (HFD)/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 33 Wistar male rats aged 5-6 months weighing more than 250 g were randomly divided into healthy control (NC) group and diabetic group. For induction of T2DM, rats in diabetic group were fed a HFD for one month and then were injected STZ as a single dose of 35 mg/kg intraperitoneally. To ensure the developing of T2DM, oral glucose tolerance test was performed and rats with FBS>250 mg/dL were selected as diabetic. The diabetic rats were divided into three groups (nine per group): 1- diabetic control (DC), 2– NCLN at a dose of 2% of rat standard diet, 3- metformin (Met) at a dose of 100 mg/day. At the end of the 7th week, FBS, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) were tested and inductively coupled plasma method was used to measure the serum levels of minerals. Results: After seven weeks of treatment, there were no significant differences between study groups of FBS, TC, TG and LDL-c, However, HDL-c level was significantly (p=0.01) higher in Met (32.92±1.14 mg/dl) and NCLN (32.63±0.73 mg/dl) groups than DC (31.64±0.78 mg/dl) group. Met showed a significant effect on increase of copper level. The average of calcium level in Met group was higher than DC group; however, there were no significant difference between other groups. Although diabetic rats did not have bad weight loss during seven weeks of intervention, none of dietary interventions could not significantly prevent diabetes induces weight loss. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study there was no significant effect of NCLN and/or Met on FBS, TC and LDL-c in diabetic rats, except for increase in HDL-c in comparison with DC group. Met significantly increased serum levels of copper and calcium in diabetic rats. Further studies with longer period after inducing diabetes and emergence of its symptoms and complications are needed to see the effects of NCLN and Met.