The Effect of Apple Cider Vinegar Consumption on Liver Function Indices in Male Rats with Type 1 Diabetes: An Experimental Study

Diabetes is one of the most common metabolic disorders with adverse effects on the liver.  It is important to study the factors that improve the liver function in diabetes. The present study aimed at evaluating the effects of apple-vinegar on the liver indices of diabetic rats.

In this experimental study, 28 male Wistar rats with an average weight of 200g were divided into 4 groups including control, diabetic, and diabetic groups receiving 0.5% or 5% apple-vinegar. Solutions with a volume of 4 ml/kg were administered orally for six weeks. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 50mg/kg streptozotocin. Apple-vinegar was prepared by traditional method from Malus-domestica and used fresh. At the end of treatment, serum levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total protein, albumin and aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and bilirubin were measured. Liver tissue was studied by Hematoxylin-Eosin method. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post-test.

In the diabetic rats compared to the healthy rats,  the levels of blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin serum, and fibrosis, cirrhosis, degeneration and inflammation of the liver tissue significantly increased (p<0.05), and the body weight, serum HDL, total protein, and albumin significantly decreased (p<0.05). Five or 0.5% apple-vinegar modulated these indices, and in most cases, stablished a significant difference with the diabetic group (p<0.05).

Apple-vinegar modulated liver complications due to diabetes by regulating blood glucose and lipid profile.