Oral Supplementation Effect of Iron and its Complex Form With Quercetin on Oxidant Status and on Redistribution of Essential Metals in Organs of Streptozotocin Diabetic Rats

Background and aims: Quercetin, is a polyphenolic antioxidant compound. It is able to form complex with metal ions such as iron and exerts a broad range of biological activities like improving metabolic disorders. This research aims at investigating the effect of oral supplementation of iron (2.5mg Fe/Kg/day) and its complex form (molar ratio 1:5; 2.5mg/25mg/Kg/day) with quercetin (25mg/Kg/day) on lipid metabolism, oxidant status and trace elements contents in organs of Wistar diabetic rats (45 mg/kg/rat.ip of streptozotocin) during eight weeks of experimentation. Material and method: To achieve this, liver and adipose tissue enzymes activities, NO • , O2 −• , TBARs, carbonyl protein levels in plasma were analysed. Metals (Cu, Fe, Mg, Zn) analysis of organs were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Results: Iron supplemented alone induced a noticeable disorder in lipid, lipoprotein, lipases and oxidant status. Yet, it caused an imbalance in the redistribution of metals in the organs of diabetic and non diabetic rats. Iron-quercetin complex was shown as less harmful and more beneficial than iron supplemented alone. Conclusions: This complex could reverse oxidative stress and iron deficiency mostly caused by the diabetic disease but at the same time it induces an imbalance in redistribution of other essential metals.