Effect of Sodium Acetate on Insulin Sensitivity and Uric Acid in Streptozocin-Induced Diabetes in Male Wistar Rat

Diabetes mellitus is a global health problem affecting with more people in developing than developed countries. Insulin and oral hypoglycemic drugs have remained the corner stone for the management of diabetes mellitus. Unfortunately, apart from having a number of side effects, none of the oral synthetic hypoglycemic agents has been successful in maintaining euglycaemia. Sodium acetate, a compound commonly used in food preservation and as a buffering agent, has shown promise in experimental studies for its ability to enhance glucose uptake in cells and regulate glucose metabolism. The aim of the study is to investigate the potential effect of acetate on blood glucose level, insulin sensitivity and uric acid in Type 2 diabetes. The study designed to determine the effect of acetate on blood glucose level, insulin, insulin sensitivity and uric acid in Wistar rat respectively. A total of thirty-five (35) male Wistar rats weighting between 140g-220g were used. They were randomly allocated into five groups of five rats (n = 5 rats/group). Group 1: this serves as the control group. Group 2: Diabetic group (untreated) this serve as the negative control. Group 3: Receive sodium acetate 200mg/kg orally. Group 4: Received metformin 10mg/kg orally. Group 5: Received 200mg/kg of sodium acetate (Diabetic+STZ). Group 6: Received 10mg/kg of metformin (Diabetic). All groups were treated for 14 days. Blood glucose, insulin, insulin sensitivity and uric acid. Blood glucose level was significantly (p< 0.01) reduced in treated diabetic rats with acetate and metformin in comparison to the diabetic control rats. Insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR) was significantly (p< 0.01) reduced in treated diabetic rats with acetate and metformin in comparison to the diabetic control rats. And uric acid was significantly (p< 0.01) reduced in treated diabetic rats with acetate and metformin in comparison to the diabetic control rats. The results of this study suggest that acetate when given as a supplement has hypoglycaemic properties and also Improve insulin sensitivity and uric acid thus its beneficial effect in the management of diabetes mellitus may be considered.