grape seed proanthocyanidin extract improved some of biochemical parameters and antioxidant disturbances of red blood cells in diabetic rats

grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (gspe) has a broad spectrum of biologic properties against oxidative stress. this study aimed to investigate the effects of gspe on biochemical factors and antioxidant enzymes of erythrocyte in diabetic rats. diabetes was induced through single injection of streptozotocin (50 mg.kg-1, i.p). forty male sprague-dawley rats were divided into four groups: group 1, healthy control group; group 2, healthy group treated with gspe (200 mg.kg-1); group 3, diabetic control group; group 4, diabetic group treated with gspe (200 mg.kg-1) for 4 weeks. at the end, the experimental animals were sacrificed and blood samples were collected and plasma parameters and erythrocytes antioxidant status were evaluated. the results show, treatment with gspe significantly reduced (p<0.001) urine volume, proteinuria and biochemical factors such as blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and very low density lipoprotein as well as malondialdehyde. also gspe treatment significantly (p<0.005) increased high density lipoprotein, total protein and albumin. moreover gspe significantly increased antioxidant enzymes activity such as: superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase. these results suggest that gspe can ameliorate biochemical abnormalities and antioxidant system status in streptozotocin- induced diabetic rats probably by its potent antioxidant features.