Effects of β-glucan from Aureobasidium pullulans in a Streptozotocininduced Rat Diabetes Model

Abstract

Background: The alleviating effects of diabetic nephropathy and hepatopathy of β-glucan were evaluated in this study. Objective: The anti-diabetic effects of β -glucan from Aureobasidium pullulans were assessed in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rat diabetes model at 62.5 and 125 mg/kg doses. In addition, the possibility of changes in the effects of β-glucan according to the severity of diabetes was also assessed at one dosage (62.5 mg/kg): severe, >360 mg/dL; slight, 130-200 mg/dL. Methods: Test articles were administered orally to STZ-induced diabetic rats from 21 days after STZ dosing for 4 weeks. Each of five or six female rats per group was selected using blood glucose levels at 21 days after STZ dosing. Changes in body weight were recorded during the study, along with blood glucose, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels. On the day of sacrifice, livers and kidneys were weighed and observed microscopically for changes in the percentage of degenerative regions and numbers of degenerative tubules in the kidney. Results: β-glucan showed no hypoglycemic effects in the STZ-induced diabetic rat model. However, it had favorable effects on decreasing diabetic complications related to diabetic nephropathy and hepatopathy. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it was concluded that β-glucan showed favorable effects in decreasing diabetic complications in STZ-induced rat diabetes model.