Biochemical and histological parameters in induced type 2 diabetic rats fed with high fat diet without exogenous cholesterol and low-dose streptozotocin

The objective of the present study is to establish a rat model for diabetic type 2 (T2DM) fed with high fat diet without addition of exogenous cholesterol and low streptozotocin (STZ) dose aiming higher survival rate under the local experimental conditions for evaluating sources of biodiversity to supply alternative energy for T2DM individuals mainly from the Pantanal (wet land) and the Savanna-like area (Cerrado) of the Mato Grosso do Sul State. Male Wistar rats were dividided into five groups and fed with normal pellet diet or with high-fat diet HFD), after 21 days the animals received a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (0, 15, 25 and 35 mg/kg body weight). Animals with fasting blood glucose over 250 mg/dL, seven days after STZ administration were considered T2DM. The HFD + STZ (35 mg/kg bw) group produced significantly hyperglycemia which clearlly shows insulin resistance confirmed by insulin levels and HOMA values. The biochemical profile showed an increase in the concentration of triacylglycerydes, VLDL-C, AST, ALT and lower levels of HDL-C, LDL-C, total cholesterol in the group HFD + STZ (35mg/kg bw). Morphological differences were detected in the liver, kidney and pancreas between the HFD and the HFD + STZ (15, 25 and 35 mg/kg bw) groups.