Protective effects of active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) on the onset of diabetes induced by streptozotocin in the rat

Abstract

Effects of Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) on the onset of diabetes were studied in rats treated with streptozotocin (STZ). AHCC was given to male rats at 4% in drinking water. A single i.v. injection of STZ (40 mg/kg body weight) to rats resulted in an increase in blood glucose levels, a decrease in serum insulin levels, suppression of body weight gain, and an increase in serum GOT and GPT activities and serum levels of lipid peroxides. Treatment of AHCC restored these parameters to normal. Insulin immunoreactive β-cells in Langerhans islets reduced in number after treatment with STZ, while insulin immunoreactivity in the islets was normalized when AHCC was administered to STZ-treated rats. These results show that AHCC treatment is effective on the prevention of diabetes onset induced by STZ.