GABA and Astaxanthin Improve Markers of Streptozotocin-Induced Type 1 Diabetes in Rats: Additive Effects of Combination Therapy
| Author | Alireza Lotfi | en |
| Author | Mohammad Rasool Khazaei | en |
| Author | Sajad Fakhri | en |
| Author | Elham Ghanbari | en |
| Author | Maryam Bozorgi | en |
| Author | Mozafar Khazaei | en |
| Orcid | Alireza Lotfi [0000-0003-2158-6082] | en |
| Orcid | Mohammad Rasool Khazaei [0000-0001-9818-0625] | en |
| Orcid | Sajad Fakhri [0000-0001-8265-8284] | en |
| Orcid | Elham Ghanbari [0009-0009-7791-4242] | en |
| Orcid | Mozafar Khazaei [0000-0003-0536-3217] | en |
| Issued Date | 2026-02-28 | en |
| Abstract | Background: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease primarily caused by inflammation and oxidative stress. The treatment of this condition has encountered numerous challenges and limitations to date. Astaxanthin (AST) is a carotenoid known for its antioxidant properties. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a vital neurotransmitter that regulates the activity of beta cells in pancreatic islets. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of AST and GABA alone and in combination on beta cell regeneration, fasting blood sugar (FBS), and oxidative stress in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced T1D in rats. Methods: In this experimental in vivo study, 30 male Wistar rats were used. Diabetes was induced with intraperitoneal injection of STZ (55 mg/kg). We randomly divided the rats into five groups (n = 6): control, diabetic, AST (20 mg/kg), GABA (100 mg/kg), and combination therapy (GABA + AST). Following 21 days of treatment, we measured serum FBS, C-peptide, insulin, nitric oxide (NO), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). We removed the rats’ pancreases to examine gene expression (PDX1, NEUROG3) and histological changes. Results: The FBS and NO levels of treated diabetic rats with GABA, AST, and their combination decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The amount of C-peptide, insulin, TAC, and expression of PDX1 and NEUROG3 genes increased significantly. Conclusions: AST and GABA reduce FBS and improve serum and histology factors of the pancreas in diabetic rats. | en |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5812/jjnpp-161869 | en |
| URI | https://brieflands.com/journals/jjnpp/articles/161869 | en |
| Keyword | Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 | en |
| Keyword | Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid | en |
| Keyword | Astaxanthin | en |
| Keyword | Beta Cells | en |
| Keyword | Hyperglycemia | en |
| Publisher | Brieflands | en |
| Title | GABA and Astaxanthin Improve Markers of Streptozotocin-Induced Type 1 Diabetes in Rats: Additive Effects of Combination Therapy | en |
| Type | Research Article | en |