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Updated: Jun 21, 2026
An Experimental Model of Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rabbit: Methodological Considerations, Development, and Assessment
Published on: April 20, 2018
Evaluation of DNA damage and metabolic syndrome parameters in diabetic rabbits supplemented with antioxidants
Nishtha Jain1, Imrana Naseem, Jamal Ahmad
1Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Abstract:
The aim of the present study is to evaluate the extent of DNA damage in diabetes and metabolic syndrome and to assess the variations after supplementation with antioxidants. We used comet assay to measure DNA damage in freshly isolated lymphocytes from a total of 12 rabbits, distributed into four experimental groups (n = 3 rabbits per group): non-diabetic (control, G1), diabetic (G2), diabetic supplemented with vitamin C (G3), and diabetic supplemented with vitamin E (G4). Also their serum was isolated for estimation of parameters that contribute to metabolic syndrome. Malondialdehyde (MDA), the marker of oxidative stress was also assessed. Mean values of DNA damage (tail length, expressed as mum), lipid peroxidation and concentration of blood glucose, MDA, C-reactive protein, and triglycerides were higher in G2; whereas the mean values of concentration of high-density lipoprotein, serum paraoxonase-1 activity and small dense low-density lipoprotein oxidation time were reduced in G2 followed by G3, G4, and G1. A significant positive correlation was observed between the DNA damage and elevated parameters of metabolic syndrome (r = 0.66, 0.96, 0.89, 0.75, 0.88, 0.92, 0.99, P < 0.05) and a significant negative correlation (r = -0.91, -0.75, -0.98, P < 0.05) was found between the DNA damage and declined parameters of metabolic syndrome. These data indicate that the extent of DNA damage is more in diabetic rabbits as compared to the non-diabetic or antioxidant supplemented group. Abnormal metabolic parameters and their correlation with DNA damage, suggest the risk of development of metabolic syndrome in diabetic group but a possibility of repression by antioxidants because of their ability to counteract oxidative stress.
Insights
Diabetes and metabolic syndrome significantly increase DNA damage in rabbits. Antioxidant supplementation with vitamins C and E shows potential in reducing this damage and mitigating metabolic abnormalities.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome are associated with increased oxidative stress.
- Oxidative stress can lead to DNA damage, contributing to disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate DNA damage in diabetic rabbits with and without metabolic syndrome.
- To assess the impact of vitamin C and vitamin E supplementation on DNA damage and metabolic parameters.
Main Methods:
- Comet assay was used to measure DNA damage in lymphocytes.
- Serum parameters related to metabolic syndrome and oxidative stress (malondialdehyde) were analyzed.
- Four groups of rabbits were studied: control, diabetic, diabetic + vitamin C, and diabetic + vitamin E.
Main Results:
- Diabetic rabbits exhibited significantly higher DNA damage, blood glucose, malondialdehyde, and triglycerides compared to controls.
- Antioxidant supplementation (vitamins C and E) reduced DNA damage and improved key metabolic markers.
- A strong positive correlation was found between DNA damage and elevated metabolic syndrome parameters.
Conclusions:
- Diabetes significantly elevates DNA damage, correlating with metabolic syndrome markers.
- Antioxidant supplementation may mitigate DNA damage and counteract oxidative stress in diabetic conditions.
- These findings highlight the role of oxidative stress in diabetes-associated DNA damage and metabolic dysfunction.
