ANTI-HYPERGLYCAEMIC, ANTI-LIPIDAEMIC AND ANTI-FLAMMATORY POTENTIAL OF L-ARGININE AND GLUTAMATE ON STREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED DIABETIC ALBINO RATS.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common metabolic disorders globally. L-arginine and glutamate have promising beneficial effects against metabolic disorders. The study investigated the anti-hyperglycaemic, anti-lipidaemic and anti-inflammatory potential of l-arginine and glutamate on streptozotocin induced diabetic albino rats. A total of 73 adult albino rats were used. Out of this, 13 rats were used for LD50 study while 60 rats were used for the proper study. They were grouped into 6, Group 1 served as Normal control, Group 2-6 were diabetic rats induced with streptozotocin (120mg/kg bwt) served as Diabetic control (administered only 0.2 ml normal saline daily). Groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 rats were diabetic rats given Glibenclamide (3 mg/kg bwt), L-Arginine (50 mg/kg bwt), Glutamate (50 mg/kg bwt), L-Arginine and Glutamate (50 mg/kg bwt), respectively for 30 days. After the treatment period, the animals were sacrificed; blood sample collected, and serum separated for determination of liver function status, lipid profile, kidney function markers, cardiac function markers, The acute effect of L-arginine and glutamate on blood sugar levels showed a significant increase (P<0.05) across all groups, after 4 hours post-treatment. Animals in Glibenclamide control group showed a decrease in blood sugar level followed by the L-arginine group and that of co-treated group when compared to diabetic control group. There were significant (P<0.05) decrease in the activities of AST and ALT when the treatment groups were compared to the diabetic group, the L-arginine group showed the lowest AST activity followed by the Glibenclamide control group then the group co-treated with L-arginine and glutamate. The effects of L-arginine and glutamate on renal function; urea, creatinine showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the co-treated group when compared to the diabetic group, and in sodium, potassium and chloride levels when compared to the drug control group. The result of lipid profile status showed significant decrease (P<0.05) in triglyceride, LDL, VLDL of L-arginine and glutamate groups when compared to the co-treated group. The LDH activity significantly (P<0.05) decreased across the co-treated group compared to diabetic control group. The result of serum levels of inflammatory cytokines concentrations showed significant (P<0.05) decrease across the treated groups compared to that of the diabetic control group. TNF-α concentration showed significant decrease (P<0.05) across the treatment groups when compared to the diabetic control group. It could be concluded that L-arginine and glutamate have anti-hyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperlipidemic potential.They also showed reno-protective and hepato-protective potentials.