Co-administration of "L-Lysine, Vitamin C, and Zinc" increased the antioxidant activity, decreased insulin resistance, and improved lipid profile in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Purpose: We previously showed the beneficial effect of L-Lysine (Lys), a chemical chaperone, on reducing diabetic complications in diabetic rats and type 2 diabetic patients. Herein, we evaluated the effect of Lys co-administration with Vitamin C and Zinc (Lys+VC+Zn), in diabetic rats.

Methods: The streptozotocin (50 mg/Kg) was injected into male adult Wistar rats to induce diabetes. Then, different groups of normal and diabetic rats were treated with Lys and Lys+VC+Zn for five months. So, there were 0.1 % Lys in the drinking water of both groups. The control groups received water alone. During the experiment, the body weight, and various parameters were determined in the blood, serum/plasma, and urine of the rats.

Results: The determination of biochemical indexes confirmed diabetes induction and its complications in rats. Treatment with either Lys or Lys+VC+Zn resulted in reduced blood glucose and protein glycation (decreasing AGEs and HbA1c), increased insulin secretion, alleviated insulin resistance and HOMA-IR, improved lipid profile and HDL functionality (LCAT and PON1), enhanced antioxidant status (FRAP and AOPP), improved kidney function (decreased microalbuminuria, serum urea, and creatinine), and increased chaperone capacity (HSP70). Lys+VC+Zn showed better effects on these parameters than Lys alone.

Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that co-administration of Lys, a chemical chaperone, with two antioxidants (VC and Zn) potentiates its antidiabetic effects and prevent diabetic complications in rat model of diabetes.