Modulation of some gluconeogenic enzyme activities in diabetic rat liver and kidney: Effect of antidiabetic compounds

Abstract

The effects of insulin, sodium orthovanadate and a hypoglycemic plant material, <i>Trigonella foenum graecum </i>(fenugreek) seed<i> </i>powder were studied on the activities of glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase in diabetic liver and kidney. The<i> </i>significantly increased activities of the two enzymes during diabetes in liver and kidney were found to be lowered to almost control

values by the use of the antidiabetic compounds. Diabetic liver exhibited a much greater increase in the activities of the two enzymes than diabetic kidney. The highest percentage of reversal to normal values was seen using the combination of vanadate and <i>Trigonella </i>seed powder. The lowered rate of growth of the animals as well as the increased blood sugar were reversed almost to the control levels by the <i>Trigonella </i>seed powder and vanadate treatment. The inclusion of the <i>Trigonella </i>seed powder overcame the toxicity of vanadium

encountered when it was given alone as insulin mimetic agent. Much lower levels of vanadate were needed when it was given in combination with <i>Trigonella </i>seed powder. Their combined effects were better at restoring the above parameters than those induced by insulin administration.