Exploring the Effects of Palm Tocotrienol-Rich Fraction in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Rat's Model: An Untargeted...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Metabolomics
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Chronic hyperglycemia in Type II diabetes mellitus (DM) causes oxidative stress, worsening metabolic disorders and leading to diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).
• Palm tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) possesses known antioxidant and neuroprotective properties, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for DPN.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of palm TRF in mitigating DPN in a rat model.
• To explore the correlation between plasma metabolomic changes and DPN parameters following TRF treatment.

Main Methods:

• Type II DM was induced in Sprague Dawley rats using a high-fat diet and streptozotocin (STZ).
• Diabetic rats received oral treatments of palm olein (vehicle), metformin, TRF, or a combination of TRF and metformin for 12 weeks.
• Assessed behavioral parameters, serum biomarkers (NEFL, NGF), and plasma metabolomic profiles.

Main Results:

• TRF interventions significantly improved thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia symptoms.
• A notable reduction in neurofilament light (NEFL) chain and an increase in nerve growth factor (NGF) were observed.
• TRF modulated plasma metabolites, increasing neurotransmitter pathway metabolites and decreasing inflammatory metabolites, with correlations to pain sensitivity and nerve damage.

Conclusions:

• Palm TRF demonstrates significant potential in alleviating symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
• TRF treatment influences key metabolic pathways, offering neuroprotection and reducing inflammation associated with DPN.
• The findings support TRF as a potential therapeutic agent for managing DPN in diabetic patients.