Synthesis and preliminary therapeutic evaluation of copper nanoparticles against diabetes mellitus and -induced micro- (renal) and macro-vascular (vascular endothelial and cardiovascular) abnormalities in rats

Abstract

The current study synthesized and investigated the effect of low-dose copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) against diabetes mellitus (streptozotocin, 50 mg kg⁻¹, i.p., once) and -induced experimental micro- (nephropathy) and macro-vascular (cardio and endothelium) complications. Diabetes mellitus (DM)-induced vascular abnormalities were revealed by the reduction in acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation, the decrease in aortic and serum nitrite/nitrate concentration, increased CKMB, LDH, SGOT/SGPT, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen, and the induction of proteinuria and oxidative stress. However, treatment with low-dose CuNPs (1 mg kg⁻¹, p.o. 4 weeks) after streptozotocin administration reduced serum glucose concentration. Moreover, CuNPs had shown a partial but significant prevention of cardio-vascular structural and functional abnormalities in diabetic rats. Increased bioavailability of NO in the endothelium and reduction in oxidative stress might be the possible mechanisms involved for the protective role of CuNPs against diabetes-induced micro- and macro-complications.