Dihydroquercetin Normalizes Glucose Levels and Suppresses Oxidative Stress in the Aorta of Alloxan-Treated Rats

Pathological changes in blood vessels in diabetes are determined by oxidative stress. The effect of flavonoids on oxidative stress in blood vessels in diabetes has not been studied. In this work, we investigated the effect of flavanonol dihydroquercetin on blood glucose levels, the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme, and the formation of reactive oxygen species in the aorta of rats with alloxan-induced diabetes. The activity of the angiotensin converting enzyme in the aortic segments was determined by the hydrolysis of hypuryl-L-histidylL-leucine, and the formation of reactive oxygen species was evaluated by the oxidation of dichlorodihydrofluorescein. It has been shown that dihydroquercetin reduces blood glucose levels, angiotensin-converting enzyme activity, and formation of reactive oxygen species in the aorta of diabetic rats to the values of these parameters in the aorta of control rats. Dihydroquercetin also normalizes the glucose tolerance test in diabetic rats. The effects of dihydroquercetin disappear after stopping its consumption. Thus, dihydroquercetin may be useful for the treatment of diabetes, but its consumption should be continuous.