ELNAZ HAROONİ, VAHİD RADMEHR, REZA NOEİ RAZLİQİ, AKRAM AHANGARPOUR, HADİ BAZYAR
Gazi Medical Journal - 2025;36(2):177-183
OBJECTIVE Hyperglycemia is the main characteristic of diabetes, which leads to complications, including oxidative stress (OS). Pancreatic β-cells are susceptible to damage against OS, which results in a disruption in insulin secretion. The current study focused on the antioxidant features of rutin (Rtn) flavonoid to prevent methylglyoxal (MG-)induced oxidative damage in pancreatic islets isolated from mice. METHODS After isolating islets from twenty-four male mice, we conducted two experimental parts, (1) with exposure to MG- and (2) without exposure to MG. Experiments were carried out in both culture media with 5.6- and 16.7-mM glucose concentrations. Islets were transferred to the culture medium and exposed to different substances. In the end, insulin secretion, antioxidant enzyme activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration were investigated by ELISA. RESULTS The reduced levels of insulin in MG-exposed islets (p=0.01, p<0.001 in 5.6- and 16.7-mM glucose concentration, respectively) were reversed by Rtn treatment. MG- increased MDA levels in 5.6- and 16.7-mM glucose concentrations (p<0.001 for 5.6 mM and p=0.005 for 16.7 mM. Also, we observed a remarkable decrease in the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase due to 300 μM MG- exposure in islets, in 5.6- and 16.7-mM glucose concentrations. Rtn at doses of 1 and 2 µM significantly reduced MDA levels. Moreover, Rtn had beneficial effects on antioxidant activities. CONCLUSION Rtn significantly protected pancreatic islets by reducing lipid peroxidation and enhancing antioxidant activity. The decreased insulin levels in MG-exposed islets were effectively restored in the Rtn-treated groups.
