EFFECT OF OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS ENRICHED FISH OIL ON DEXAMETHASONE INDUCED INSULIN RESISTANCE AND HYPERTENSION IN RATS

The role of omega – 3 fatty acids enriched fish oil (ω-3FA) in insulin resistance (IR) and its cardiovascular complications are under controversy and IR has a great significance in CVS diseases. Hence the present study was aimed to determine the effect of ω-3FA on dexamethasone induced IR and hypertension in rats. Adult male wistar rats (250-300g body weight) were divided in different groups containing six animals each. Dexamethasone was administered by injecting subcutaneously 2μg/day in divided doses twice daily for 28 days. ω-3FA (0.5ml/kg/day/orally) was co-administered for 28 days. Body weight, feed intake was measured daily. Measurement of systolic blood pressure was done once in week by tail cuff method. Electrocardiograph (ECG) was recorded one day before the termination of study. Biochemical parameters like glucose, insulin, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and MDA level were estimated in blood plasma at the end of study period. Dexamethasone treatment induced IR and hypertension. Co-administration of ω-3FA significantly prevents the development of IR & hypertension in rats. Observations of our results suggest that ω-3FA might have reduced IR directly by insulin sensitizing effect in peripheral and hepatic tissues. The blood pressure lowering effect of ω-3FA may be secondary to insulin sensitizing effect. In conclusion dietary supplementation of ω-3FA can prevent the development of dexamethasone induced IR and hypertension.