The effect of fenugreek 4-hydroxyisoleucine on liver function biomarkers and glucose in diabetic and fructose-fed rats.

Full Abstract

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum L) is a plant traditionally used for the treatment of diabetes. It contains an unusual amino acid, 4-hydroxyisoleucine, demonstrated to have insulinotropic and antidiabetic properties in animal models. Here we examine the effect of 4-hydroxyisoleucine on liver function and blood glucose in two rat models of insulin resistance, fructose-fed rats and streptozotocin-induced diabetes type 2. In fructose-fed rats, levels of glucose and liver damage marker aspartate transaminase were markedly (84% and 93%, respectively) and significantly elevated compared with controls (p < 0.001 for both). Alanine transaminase was elevated slightly (18%), and all markers were restored to near control values after treatment with 4-hydroxyisoleucine at 50 mg/kg per day for 8 weeks, the effect being significant (p < 0.01) for all markers. This prolonged exposure to 4-hydroxyisoleucine was well tolerated in control animals and did not alter levels of glucose or liver damage markers significantly. In diabetic rats, treatment with 4-hydroxyisoleucine did not affect glucose or liver damage markers, but did improve HDL-cholesterol levels (31% increase, p < 0.05). These findings indicate 4-hydroxyisoleucine as a useful and well-tolerated treatment for insulin resistance, both directly as a hypoglycaemic and also as a protective agent for the liver. Copyright 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Author information

Author/s: Haeri, Mohammad Reza (MR); Izaddoost, Mohammad (M); Ardekani, Mohammad Reza Shams (MR); Nobar, Mohammad Rahbani (MR); White, Kenneth N (KN);

Affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Phytotherapy research : PTR (Phytother Res), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Jan; vol 23 (issue 1) : pp 61-4

Dates: Created 2008/12/29; Completed 2009/02/11;

PMID: 18680121, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Alanine Transaminase - metabolism
Animals
Blood Glucose - drug effects
Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - blood; drug therapy
Fructose - metabolism
Hypoglycemic Agents - pharmacology
Insulin Resistance

Isoleucine - analogs & derivatives; pharmacology
Liver - drug effects; metabolism
Male
Plant Extracts - pharmacology
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Trigonella - chemistry

Associated Chemicals: 4-hydroxyisoleucine (0) ; Blood Glucose (0) ; Hypoglycemic Agents (0) ; Plant Extracts (0) ; Fructose (30237-26-4) ; Isoleucine (73-32-5) ; Alanine Transaminase (EC 2.6.1.2)

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