PALM TOCOTRIENOLS AND α-TOCOPHEROL ATTENUATE INFLAMMATORY BIOMARKERS IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Inflammation assumedly plays an important role in both development and related disorders of diabetes mellitus. Dietary components can modulate the grades of inflammation to some extent. This study investigated the antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory impacts of palm based vitamin E in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetic Sprague-dawley rats received daily oral supplementation of alpha-tocopherols (AT) and/or palm based mixed-tocotrienols (TT) in two dosages (6 mg/kg, 12 mg/kg and in combination) for 8 weeks. The blood glucose level, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. A significant decrease was observed in fasting blood glucose in two groups of rats that received combinations of both supplements compared to the baseline levels. IL-6 and CRP were significantly changed in all treatment groups after 8 weeks (p<0.05). Similarly, significant decreases were observed in levels of TNF-alpha only in AT 6 and 12 mg/kg, TT 6 mg/kg and combination group of TT and AT mg/kg when compared with the baseline (p<0.05). The present study demonstrated a significant suppression ability of alpha-tocopherol and palm mixed-tocotrienols on IL-6 and CRP, but further investigations are recommended for anti-diabetic effects.