The ameliorative effect of bromelain on STZ-induced type 1 diabetes in rats through Oxi-LDL/LPA/LPAR1 pathway

Aims: Diabetes, a serious worldwide problem, is modulated via inflammation and oxidative stress. Bromelain, a natural compound, recently attracts interest due to its anti-inflammatory effects, while its mode of action remains not properly understood. Thus, investigating the antidiabetic effect of bromelain is promising. Materials and methods: Rats were randomized into normal group, STZ group (were administrated single intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of 55 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ)) and STZ + Bro group (were administrated single i.p injection of STZ, 72 h later were i.p administrated 10 mg/kg/day bromelain for 15 days). Wound healing ability was investigated for different groups. Spectrophotometry, ELISA, histopathological and immunohistochemical techniques were applied. Key findings: Bromelain significantly decreased fasting blood glucose, serum triglycerides and cholesterol and hepatic malondialdehyde levels compared with STZ group. Moreover, Bromelain significantly increased serum albumin and total protein levels and percentage of wound healing compared with STZ group. These results were confirmed through the histopathological examination of liver, pancreas, and skin tissues. Investigating the molecular mechanism underlying these effects, STZ injection caused significant increase in hepatic oxidized-LDL (Oxi-LDL) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) levels and hepatic lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPAR1), and beta secretase (BACE1) protein tissue expressions, while bromelain significantly aborted these effects. Thus, STZ caused upregulation of Oxi-LDL/LPA/LPAR1/BACE1 pathway, while bromelain significantly ameliorated these effects. Significance: To our best knowledge, this study represents the 1st study investigating Oxi-LDL/LPA/LPAR1/ BACE1 pathway in STZ-induced diabetes in rats, in addition to the promising ameliorative effect of bromelain in STZ-induced diabetes in rats.

Automated summary

The study demonstrated the anti-diabetic effects of bromelain in STZ-induced diabetic rats, showing decreased blood glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol levels, as well as improved wound healing. Bromelain also ameliorated diabetic pathological damage by modulating the oxidative stress pathway.