Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2025
In vivo Structural Assessments of Ocular Disease in Rodent Models using Optical Coherence Tomography
Published on: July 24, 2020
Mitigation of lens opacification by a functional food in a diabetic rodent model
Krishna K Kalahasti1, Ch Uday Kumar1, Marka Nagaraju1
1Biochemistry Division, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, 500007, India.
Abstract:
The current study was designed to test a functional food (FF) mixture containing aldose reductase inhibitors and antiglycation bioactive compounds for suppressing the onset and progression of cataracts in a diabetic rat model. Two-month-old Sprague Dawley rats were grouped as control (C), diabetes untreated (D), and diabetic rats treated with FF at two doses (FF1 = 1.35 g and FF2 = 6.25 g/100g of diet). Diabetes was induced by a single injection of streptozotocin. The FF is a mixture of amla, turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon, ginger, and fenugreek added to the rodent diet. The status of cataracts was monitored weekly by a slit lamp examination for 20 weeks, after which animals were sacrificed to collect eye lenses. Feeding FF1 and FF2 to diabetic rats yielded a significant anti-hyperglycaemic effect and marginally prevented body weight loss. FF delayed cataract progression, and FF2 showed better efficacy than FF1. FF prevented the loss of lens crystallins and their insolubilization in diabetic rats. The antioxidant potential of FF was evident with the lowered protein carbonyls, lipid peroxidation, and prevention of altered antioxidant enzyme activities induced by diabetes. These studies demonstrate the efficacy of plant-derived dietary supplements against the onset and progression of cataracts in a well-established rat model of diabetic eye disease.
Insights
This study shows that a functional food (FF) mixture, rich in antioxidants, can delay cataract progression in diabetic rats. This plant-derived supplement shows promise for managing diabetic eye disease.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Nutrition Science
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Diabetic complications, such as cataracts, pose a significant health burden.
- Cataracts in diabetes are linked to oxidative stress and glycation.
- Aldose reductase inhibitors and antiglycation compounds are potential therapeutic targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a functional food (FF) mixture for its efficacy in preventing diabetic cataracts.
- To assess the impact of FF on hyperglycemia, body weight, and lens health in diabetic rats.
Main Methods:
- A diabetic rat model was established using streptozotocin.
- Diabetic rats were treated with two doses of FF (a mixture of amla, turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon, ginger, and fenugreek).
- Cataract progression was monitored via slit lamp examination, and lens crystallins, oxidative stress markers, and antioxidant enzyme activities were analyzed.
Main Results:
- FF treatment demonstrated significant anti-hyperglycemic effects and prevented body weight loss in diabetic rats.
- FF significantly delayed cataract progression, with a higher dose showing greater efficacy.
- FF preserved lens crystallins, reduced protein carbonyls and lipid peroxidation, and normalized antioxidant enzyme activities.
Conclusions:
- The functional food mixture exhibits potent antioxidant and antiglycation properties.
- Plant-derived dietary supplements like FF can effectively suppress the onset and progression of cataracts in diabetic conditions.
- FF shows therapeutic potential for managing diabetic eye disease and preventing cataracts.
