White rice vinegar improves pancreatic beta-cell function and fatty liver in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Vinegar is a traditional remedy for ailments including diabetes. This study was conducted to investigate the beneficial effects of vinegar in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. STZ-induced diabetic rats were orally administered with white rice vinegar (WRV, 2 ml/kg body weight per day, n = 6) or with an equal volume of drinking water (n = 6) for 1 month. Fasting and random blood glucose was measured from tail vein samples. Body weight, 24-h food and water intake were monitored 1 week and 1 month after STZ injection. Fasting serum insulin concentrations were assayed using ELISA. Pancreatic beta- and alpha-cell proportions were measured using immunofluorescence microscopy. Periodic acid Schiff staining was performed to access glycogen contents and histological changes in liver tissues. Compared with control animals, the WRV-treated rats had less weight loss, lower fasting and random blood glucose, higher fasting serum insulin and higher beta-cell proportion. The WRV treatment also improved fatty changes and glycogen storages in the liver of STZ rats. Oral intake of WRV improved fasting hyperglycemia and body weight loss through attenuating insulin deficiency, pancreatic beta-cell deficit, and hepatic glycogen depletion and fatty changes in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Vinegar: functional aspects

“…Gu et al (2012) found that the consumption of Chinese white rice vinegar helped in controlling blood glucose; Fan et al (2011) obtained similar results, verifying inhibitory activity of α-glucosidase, which can be useful for diabetics. Other studies have demonstrated benefits across the immune system (Hashimoto et al, 2013) and anti-hypertensive effect (Kondo et al, 2001).…”

“…White rice vinegar may have antiglycemic function (Salbe et al, 2009;Gu et al, 2012), brown rice vinegar (kurosu) has benefits across the immune system (Hashimoto et al, 2013) and antitumor effect, for example (Fukuyama et al, 2007). Gu et al (2012) found that the consumption of Chinese white rice vinegar helped in controlling blood glucose; Fan et al (2011) obtained similar results, verifying inhibitory activity of α-glucosidase, which can be useful for diabetics.…”

“…One of the latest studies was held by Gu et al (2012), who investigated the antidiabetic effect of white rice vinegar in diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin (STZ) -diabetogenic substance used to induce diabetes. The study was conducted with two groups of 6 rats, in one of them was administered white rice vinegar (2 ml/kg body weight/day) or with an equal volume of potable water for 1 month.…”

Therapeutic properties of rice constituents and derivatives (Oryza sativa L.): A review update

“…Among other products, rice vinegar given to diabetic rats has improved insulin secretion by the pancreas and postprandial hyperglycemia (Gu, Zhao et al 2012). Positive effects of fiber have emerged in a study on Goami-3 rice, a variety with high levels of amylose and fiber.…”

Microbial diversity and their roles in the vinegar fermentation process

“…Some kinds of vinegars are also used to treat diseases in traditional Chinese medicine. Many studies have also indicated that vinegar has a wide spectrum of physiological effects, such as alleviating exhaustion, preventing obesity, and regulating blood pressure and blood glucose (Fan et al 2009;Gu et al 2012;Kahramani et al 2011;Kondo et al 2001;Sugiyama et al 2003). In addition, it can be used as a natural insecticide, antigermination agent, and termiticide.…”