Journal of Clinical & Experimental Pharmacology

Naringin protects against HIV-1 protease inhibitors-induced glucose intolerance and impaired insulin signalling in vivo

Co-organized Event International Conference on Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology & 2^nd International Conference on Generic Drugs and Biosimilars

December 14-16, 2017 Rome, Italy

S Nzuza, S L Zondi and P M O Owira

University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Clin Exp Pharmacol

Abstract:

Background: Insulin resistance, glucose intolerance and overt diabetes are known metabolic complications associated with chronic use of HIV-Protease Inhibitors. Naringin is a grapefruit-derived flavonoid with anti-diabetic, anti-dyslipidemia, antiinflammatory and anti-oxidant activities. The study investigated the protective effects of naringin on glucose intolerance and impaired insulin secretion and signaling. Methods & Materials: Male Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n=6) and were daily orally treated with distilled water {3.0 ml/kg body weight (BW)}, atazanavir (133 mg/kg BW), saquinavir (333 mg/kg BW) with or without naringin (50 mg/kg BW), respectively for 56 days. Body weights and water consumption were recorded daily. Glucose tolerance tests were carried out on day 55 of the treatment and thereafter, the rats were sacrificed by halothane overdose. Results: Atazanavir- or saquinavir-treated rats exhibited significant weight loss, polydipsia, elevated Fasting blood glucose (FBG), reduced Fasting Plasma Insulin (FPI) and expression of phosphorylated, Insulin Receptor Substrate-1 (IRS-1) and Akt proteins compared to controls, hepatic and pancreatic glucokinase levels and increasing pancreatic caspase-3 and -9 as well as UCP2 protein expression compared to controls, respectively. These effects were completely reversed by naringin treatment. Conclusion: Naringin prevents PI-induced glucose intolerance and impairment of insulin signalling and as nutritional supplement it could therefore alleviate metabolic complications associated with antiretroviral therapy.