Background Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is characterized by insulin-deficient production leading to hyperglycemia, which is associated with diabetic complications such as cardiovascular diseases. Antioxidants have been proving a good alternative to diabetic complications, with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) having antioxidant characteristics. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of NAC on the lipid profile and the atherogenic index (AI) in streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic rats. Method 32 male Wistar rats (60 days of age) weighting ±250 g were randomly distributed into four groups (n = 8): CTRL: control rats; CTRL+NAC: control rats treated with NAC; DM: diabetic rats; DM+NAC: diabetic rats treated with NAC. T1DM was induced using STZ (60 mg/kg, ip; single dose), and NAC (25 mg/kg/day) was administrated by gavage, for 37 days. The animals received chow and water ad libitum. After the experimental period, blood and cardiac tissue samples were collected to analyze energetic metabolism, lipid profile, and AI. Results NAC decreased (p < 0.01) glycemia, energy intake, carbohydrate, and protein consumption in diabetic rats (DM+NAC), when compared with DM, while the alimentary efficiency was improved (p < 0.01) in treated diabetic rats (DM+NAC). Diabetic rats treated with NAC decreased (p < 0.01) lipid profile and AI in diabetic rats (DM+NAC) when compared to DM. Conclusion NAC improves lipid profile and decreases AI in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Diabetes is one of the leading diseases worldwide and, thus, finding new therapeutic alternatives is essential. The development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a notable diabetic complication. Therefore, antioxidant therapy became a leading topic in the world of diabetes research. The objective of this present study was to evaluate the effects of antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) administration on serum biochemical parameters and oxidative stress parameters in hepatic tissue of the diabetic rats. Thirty-two animals were divided in 4 groups (n = 8): G1, normal rats; G2, normal rats + NAC; G3, diabetic rats; and G4, diabetic rats + NAC. Diabetes was induced in diabetic groups through streptozotocin. NAC administration was effective in improving hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia, as well as reducing serum alanine-aminotransferase and urea, hepatic triglycerides accumulation, and oxidative stress biomarkers in the diabetic liver, as well as improving the activity of hepatic antioxidant enzymes. This effect was likely due to NAC's ability of restoring intracellular glutathione, an important compound for the antioxidant defense, as well as due to NAC's direct antioxidant properties. Thus, NAC administration was useful for reducing hepatic oxidative stress and decreased the deposit of triacylglycerols, minimizing diabetic hepatic damage, making it a promising therapeutic adjuvant in the future.

Introduction:The exacerbated generation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) triggers the onset of diabetic complications associated with hyperglycemia. The search for natural bioactive compounds that can inhibit AGE formation has gained immense interest. Quercetin and its glycoside derivative, rutin, are powerful antioxidants. They have been studied due to their potential to mitigate the disturbances observed in diabetes; however, studies comparing their antiglycation effects are limited. The aim of the present study was to compare the in vitro antiglycation potentials of quercetin and rutin. Methods: The in vitro model system of protein glycation was applied using bovine serum albumin (10 mg/mL) incubated with glucose (0.5 M) in the absence or presence of aminoguanidine (1 mM, prototype anti-AGE agent), metformin (1 mM), quercetin (100, 50, or 12.5 µM), or rutin (100, 50, or 12.5 µM). Before initiating incubations (day 0) and after 10, 20, and 30 days, aliquots were assayed for fluorescent AGEs. Markers of amino acid oxidation (dityrosine, N'-formylkynurenine, kynurenine), protein carbonyl groups (PCO), and protein crosslink formation were assessed after 30 days. Results: Both quercetin and rutin inhibited the formation of AGEs and decreased the PCO levels in a concentration-dependent manner, and moreover, the effect of rutin was more prominent than that of quercetin. Quercetin and rutin also decreased the formation of amino acid oxidation products and protein crosslinks; the best effects were observed in incubations with rutin. Conclusion: Rutin exhibited the most potent antiglycation and antioxidant activities, which may be attributed to the minor occurrence of interactions between albumin and rutin, making rutinnoside more available to exert its effects.

Long-term hyperglycemia maintenance is responsible for increased protein glycation and formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), both are associated with the onset of diabetes mellitus complications. Efforts have been made to discover new agents having antiglycation potential. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the hydroethanolic extract and the ethyl acetate and methanolic fractions of Simaba trichilioides roots on the formation of AGEs. In an in vitro model system of protein glycation, incubations with hydroethanolic extract, ethyl acetate or methanolic fractions of S. trichilioides decreased the fluorescent AGEs, and markers of tyrosine and tryptophan oxidation. Protein crosslinking was reduced in the presence of the ethyl acetate fraction of S. trichilioides. Simaba trichilioides roots seem to be a promising source of compounds having ability to prevent glycoxidation changes, with potential applications in complementary therapies for management of diabetic complications.

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