Endothelium-dependent effect of Amaranthus caudatus feeding on contractile properties of thoracic aorta from diabetic rats

  Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is accompanied with higher incidence of cardiovascular disorders. There is some evidence of antidiabetic and vascular function-improving potential of Amaranthus caudatus (AC). Endothelium-dependent effects of oral administration of AC for 8 weeks on contractile and relaxatory response of thoracic aorta from diabetic rats were investigated.   Materials and Methods: Wistar rats were divided into control, AC-treated control, diabetic, AC-treated diabetic, and glibenclamide-treated diabetic groups. For induction of type 1 diabetes, streptozotocin at a dose of 60 mg/kg (i.p) was injected. Treated groups received AC-mixed pelleted food at a weight ratio of 6.25%. Body weight and serum glucose level was measured before the study and after 4 and 8 weeks. At the end of study, contractile reactivity of thoracic aortic rings to KCl and phenylephrine and relaxatory response to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside was determined using isolated tissue setup.   Results: Serum glucose level significantly decreased in AS-treated diabetic group (P