Abstract
Aim: to produce unique products with novel properties, to manipulate materials at the nano-scale level. Nanoparticles demonstrate novel or improved characteristics which are supported with specific properties such as size and distribution. The effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) on diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin- were evaluated in this study.
Methods: Forty male albino rats with weight 180-200 gm were used in this study and grouped as follows: Group A: non-diabetic animals (n=10) negative control; Group B1: Diabetic animals that did not received any treatment (n=10) positive control; Group B2: the Diabetic animals (n = 10) who received ZnONPs (10 mg / kg body weight oral daily); Group B3: the Diabetic animals (n=10) who received Diamicron (10 mg / kg body weight oral daily). Intraperitonial injection of streptozotocin by a single dose (60 mg/kg body weight) was used to induce diabetes. After 7 days from the induction, the samples were taken by capillary from fasting rats to measure glucose and insulin (Initial) and after 21 days. At the end of experiment the blood glucose, serum insulin and HbA1c levels were determined for all studied groups. Tissues samples from liver and pancreas were taken to determine the histopathology and gene expression for insulin and insulin receptor.
Results: The results indicated high level of blood glucose and low level of insulin in diabetic rats as compared to the -ve control, while their levels were significantly modified in rats that administrated ZnONPs and Diamicron and this results will be confirmed by the gene expression.
Conclusion: zinc oxide nanoparticles act as potent antidiabetic agent through decreasing blood glucose and increasing serum insulin.