Docosahexaenoic acid has an anti-diabetic effect in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Consumption of fish oil-rich foods containing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can result in a low incidence of diabetes. The underlying mechanisms of these anti-hyperglycemic effects are ambiguous. This study aims to investigate the role of DHA in the prevention and treatment of type 1 diabetes in a murine model. Forty streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice were divided into control with diabetes, diabetes prevention (500 μg/kg DHA orally for 5 days) or diabetes treatment groups (DHA solvent in DMSO into the colon for 5 days). The groups were observed for 25 days after administration of DHA. Mice in the prevention and treatment group had shinier fur, increased body weight, significantly lower food and water intake and were more active compared with the control group with diabetes. Elevated insulin and liver SOD and T-AOC levels were also observed. Furthermore, islet cell apoptosis was reduced and islet cell GLP-1R expression increased.