Simultaneous Effect of Resveratrol and Probiotics on Insulin Resistance and Glucagon-Like Peptide (GLP-1) Levels in Diabetic Rats

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The main and effective treatment for diabetes is the use of insulin and synthetic drugs and herbal medicines, which may be accompanied by several side effects. Given that GLP-1 secretion is reduced in diabetic patients compared to healthy individuals, the aim of this study was to determine the simultaneous effect of resveratrol and probiotics on insulin secretion and glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) and to evaluate insulin resistance in diabetic rats. METHODS: In this experimental study, 40 adult male Wistar rats weighing approximately 250-300 g were used. Animals were randomly divided into 5 groups: control group, diabetic group (using 65 mg/kg streptozotocin and 110 mg/kg nicotinamide intraperitoneally), diabetic group treated with probiotics (50×109 bacteria/kg body wt−1 daily by dissolving in water), diabetic group treated with resveratrol (10 mg/kg by gavage method) and diabetic group treated with probiotics and resveratrol (co-administration group). After four weeks, the animals were sacrificed and pancreatic tissue and blood samples were isolated for histopathological tests and biochemical tests. Blood glucose, insulin resistance, pancreatic GLP-1 as well as pancreatic histopathology were assessed. FINDINGS: The co-administration group compared with the diabetic group caused a 42% reduction in serum glucose levels (p<0.001) and a 30% reduction in insulin resistance (p<0.001). The co-administration group also caused a 23.5% increase in insulin levels (p<0.001) and an 88% increase in GLP-1 (p