Extract of pre-germinated brown rice protects against cardiovascular dysfunction by reducing levels of inflammation and free radicals in a rat model of type II diabetes.

• An extract of PGBR (EP) has high levels of γ-oryzanol, flavonoids, and anthocyanidin. • It can improve insulin activity, glycolysis, glycogenesis, lipid synthesis, and lipid absorption. • This study is the first to report that EP protects against cardiovascular complications associated with T2DM. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of extract of pre-germinated brown rice (EP) on metabolic and cardiovascular dysfunction in a rat model of T2DM. Hypertensive rats were divided into: (1) normal diet (ND group), (2) induced T2DM (DM group), and T2DM rats that were treated with (3) EP30 mg/kg (EP30 group) or (4) EP300 mg/kg (EP300 group) per day for 4 weeks. T2DM symptoms included: weight loss, hyperglycaemia, hypoinsulinemia, hyperlipidaemia, higher HbA1c, glucose in urine, and lower GLP-1. EP treatment improved metabolic parameters, activated insulin signalling, and increased lipid metabolism, and also ameliorated T2DM-associated increases in levels of inflammation, free radicals, cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. EP reduced T2DM and related cardiovascular complications by increasing insulin signalling and lipid metabolism, and reducing levels of inflammation and free radicals. Thus, EP may be a potential candidate for the treatment of metabolic syndrome and related cardiovascular complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]