A insulina é o hormônio responsável pela regulação da glicemia sanguínea, encarregada de sinalizar a entrada da glicose na célula. Quando há a deficiência desse hormônio, seja por defeito na sua secreção, quantidade de receptores ou falha pós-estímulo, gera uma hiperglicemia, ocasionando o diabetes mellitus tipo 2. A vitamina D funciona como um hormônio, e está envolvida em diversas funções do corpo humano, dentre elas o metabolismo da glicose e insulina. Para uma melhor compreensão foi realizada uma pesquisa através de um levantamento bibliográfico nas bases de dados PubMed, SciELO e Lilacs, com objetivo de elucidar a relação entre a vitamina D e a resistência à insulina. Devido a presença de receptores de vitamina D em diversos tecidos do corpo, tem sido bastante discutido os efeitos e a relação dessa vitamina em mecanismos que induzem ao DM2. Estudos demonstram que a hipovitaminose D, geralmente, está presente em portadores de diabetes, e que essa deficiência altera mecanismos que predispõe a ação ineficiente da insulina. Em contrapartida, relatam que a suplementação de vitamina D melhora tanto a glicemia em jejum, quanto a sensibilidade à insulina nos tecidos.
Supplementation with plant-based products is becoming more popular recently. This change in the supplementation market is related to larger benefits found in natural products, and fewer risks for chronic side effects found in synthetic products. Extracts rich in antioxidant properties and plants used by folk medicine are the main target to become a botanical supplement. <i>Indigofera suffruticosa</i> leaves aqueous extract (IsAE) was supplemented to mice diet for eleven days (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) to assess subacute toxicity and potential benefits. Body parameters were evaluated before and after supplementation. On the tenth day, mice were submitted to a forced swimming test to verify endurance. Lipids and glucose metabolism were also evaluated. During supplementation, no toxicity was observed. A mild decrease in body fat and weight was observed. There was no difference in swimming time among groups, but a significant increase was found for group 100 mg/kg after normalizing time by body weight. IsAE induces mild decrease (not statistically significant) in lipids and glucose levels. Thus, low doses of IsAE seem to be safe for usage, in the tested condition. In addition, 100 mg/kg of IsAE has the potential to improve endurance and might modulate fat and lipid concentrations of healthy mice in long-term supplementation.
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