Zinc oxide nanoparticles and a standard antidiabetic drug restore the function and structure of beta cells in Type-2 diabetes.

The aim of this study was to use Zinc oxide nanoparticles and a standard antidiabetic drug to restore the function and structure of beta cells in a rat model of Type-2 diabetes and compare the effects of a DPP-IV inhibitor with or without zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) using a model of type 2 diabetes (rats fed a high fat diet that was treated with a low dose of streptozotocin). Ninety male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups 10days after the induction of diabetes: group I: non-diabetic animals that received only the chow diet plus 2ml of 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose sodium; group II: diabetic animals that received only the chow diet plus 2ml of 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose sodium; group III: diabetic animals were subdivided into 7 equal subgroups; one subgroup was administered Vildagliptin (10mg/kg/day p.o.); three subgroups were administered ZnONPs at doses of 1, 3 and 10mg/kg/day p.o.; and three subgroups were administered ZnONPs in different doses plus Vildagliptin for seven weeks. The DPP-IV inhibitor (Vildagliptin) and ZnONPs alone or in combination significantly decreased microRNA-103 and microRNA-143 expression compared to the diabetic group, indicating antidiabetic effects. ZnONPs improved many of the indices of diabetic dysfunction (glucose tolerance, weight loss, insulin levels, fructosamine levels, pancreatic SOD activity, and pancreas histology), but the addition of the DPP-IV further improved these indices. ZnONPs alone resulted in significant antidiabetic effects, whereas the addition of Vildagliptin resulted in a synergistic effect on the therapy of diabetes.