Sulfated Polysaccharides from Gracilaria gracilis Restores Testicular Glucose Metabolism in Rats with Type 2 Diabetes

Strategic Insights -

Research from the University of KwaZulu-Natal has revealed that sulfated polysaccharides (SPCs) derived from Gracilaria gracilis, a type of red seaweed, can restore testicular glucose metabolism in rats with type 2 diabetes. The study found that SPCs administration significantly increased insulin, FSH, glucose, and glutathione metabolisms, while improving testicular morphology and reducing various enzyme activities associated with testicular glucose metabolism dysregulation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Sulfated polysaccharides (SPCs) from Gracilaria gracilis can restore testicular glucose metabolism in rats with type 2 diabetes.
  • Treatment with SPCs at 150 and 300 mg/kg bodyweight significantly increased insulin, FSH, glucose, and glutathione metabolisms.
  • The study found that SPCs improved testicular morphology and reduced various enzyme activities associated with testicular glucose metabolism dysregulation.
  • SPCs administration led to a significant increase in insulin, IRS-1, FSH, GLUT4, GSH, ATP levels, hexokinase, glucose 6-phisphate dehydrogenase, glyoxalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase activities.
  • Treatment with SPCs resulted in significant depletion in glycogen phosphorylase, glucose 6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-biphosphatase, aldose reductase, polyol dehydrogenase, ATPase, and ENTPDase activities.
  • The study's findings suggest that SPCs have the potential to improve male fertility in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
  • Research was conducted at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa, under the direction of Tosin A. Olasehinde.

Statistics:

  • 150 and 300 mg/kg bodyweight of SPCs were administered to rats with type 2 diabetes.
  • After 5 weeks of treatment, the rats showed a significant increase in insulin, FSH, glucose, and glutathione metabolisms.
  • Treatment with SPCs led to a significant increase in GLUT4, GSH, ATP levels, and reduction in glycogen phosphorylase and ENTPDase activities.
  • SPCs administration resulted in a significant depletion in glucose 6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-biphosphatase activities.
  • The study included 2 groups of T2D rats treated with SPCs at 150 and 300 mg/kg bodyweight, respectively, and 1 control group treated with water only.

Sources:

  • Tosin A. Olasehinde, et al. Sulfated Polysaccharides From Gracilaria gracilis (Red Seaweed) Restores Testicular Glucose Metabolism by Improving FSH and Insulin Signaling in Rats With Type 2 Diabetes. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 2025.
  • Tosin A. Olasehinde, et al. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.