Naringin ameliorates atherogenic dyslipidemia but not hyperglycemia in rats with type 1 diabetes

Antiatherogenic and hypoglycemic effects of naringin are hereby investigated in type 1 diabetes. Wistar rats (n = 6) were treated daily with 1.0 mL of water (group 1), naringin (50 mg/kg) (groups 2 and 3, respectively), regular insulin (4 U/kg, subcutaneously, twice daily) (group 4), and simvastatin (20 mg/kg) (group 6). Groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 exhibited polydipsia and hyperglycemia after injection with streptozotocin (60 mg/kg body weight). Insulin, but not naringin, significantly lowered fasting blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. Plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher in nontreated diabetic rats (group 5) compared with control (group 1), whereas total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly higher in naringin- and simvastatin-treated diabetic rats, respectively. Hepatic total cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly elevated in nontreated diabetic compared with the control, naringin-, insulin-, and simvastatin-treated diabetic rats, respectively. Hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl CoA reductase and Acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase activities were significantly elevated in nontreated diabetic compared with the control, naringin-, and simvastatin-treated diabetic rats, respectively. However, plasma low-density lipoprotein to high-density lipoprotein ratio was significantly higher in nontreated diabetic compared with the control, whereas naringin and simvastatin significantly reduced the ratio in diabetic rats. Naringin is not hypoglycemic but improves atherogenic index in type 1 diabetes.