Protective effect of chard extract on glycoprotein compounds and enzyme activities in streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic rat lungs

In the present study, the protective effect of chard on glycoproteins, hydroxyproline, advanced oxidation protein products and enzyme activities in the lung tissue of streptozotocin (STZ) - induced hyperglycemic rats were examined. Male, Sprague Dawley rats were grouped as control, hyperglycemic, chard, insulin, chard+insulin given hyperglycemic rats. Hyperglycemia was induced by as a single dose of STZ (60 mg/kg) administered intraperitoneally. Fourteen days after the rats were made hyperglycemic, chard extract was administered to rats 2 g/kg/day by gavage and/or insulin a dose of 6U/kg/day for 45 days. Glycoprotein components, prolidase activity and levels of hydroxyproline and advanced oxidation protein products were significantly increased in the lung tissues of hyperglycemic rats; on the other hand, paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were decreased. Treatment with chard and/or insulin reversed these effects. These results suggested that chard possesses a significant beneficial effect on abnormal glycoprotein metabolism and enzyme activities in STZ-induced hyperglycemic rats