Sodium propionate improves cardiac function in Type 2 diabetic rats

Objective: Managing cardiovascular complications in diabetes with minimal or no adverse effects remains a global challenge. This study investigates the protective effects of sodium propionate on cardiac function in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five male Wistar rats (200–300 g) were used. Diabetes was induced by feeding the rats a high-fat diet followed by an injection of 35 mg/kg body weight streptozotocin. The rats were divided into five groups (n=5): Group 1 (control), Group 2 (control + 200 mg sodium propionate), Group 3 (diabetic), Group 4 (diabetic + 200 mg sodium propionate), and Group 5 (diabetic + 200 mg/kg body weight metformin). After sacrificed the animals, serum was obtained from blood collected, and supernatant was retrieved from heart tissue homogenates after centrifugation for biochemical analysis Results: Diabetic rats exhibited significantly (p<0.05) elevated levels of insulin, blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, cardiac creatine kinase-myoglobin, troponin-I, lactate dehydrogenase, brain natriuretic peptide, malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, caspase-3, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, heart rate, blood pressure, and electrocardiographic parameters, along with a significant reduction in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and reduced glutathione). Sodium propionate administration significantly (p<0.05) reduced insulin, blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, cardiac injury markers, inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress markers, lipids, heart rate, blood pressure, and electrocardiographic abnormalities. Additionally, superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased significantly following sodium propionate treatment. Conclusion: Sodium propionate protects against cardiac damage and improves cardiac function by reducing lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. It may be a promising therapeutic option for managing diabetes-related cardiovascular complications.