Reduction of histopathological images through a decrease in H2O2 levels in diabetic rats with polysaccharide peptides

Atherosclerosis occurs as a result of the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) deposits, which later form plaques. Hyperglycemia, which occurs in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, is a risk factor for this kind of vascular damage. Oxidative stress from hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is increased in patients with hyperglycemia and therefore an antioxidant agent is required to prevent the destruction of the walls of blood vessels. This study aimed to show that Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide peptide (PsP) can decrease the formation of H₂O₂. The study was an experimental in vivo post-test with control group design. Thirty-five Wistar rats (Rattus norwegicus) were divided into five groups (a normal diet group, a hypercholesterol diet group, and hypercholesterol groups that received doses of 50 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg body weight PsP). The parameters determined in this study were the level of H₂O₂, the lipid profile, insulin resistance, and the amounts of perivascular adipocyte tissue (PVAT), foam cells, and plaques. Each treatment group showed significant results for the administration of PsP using the one-way analysis of variance test (p < 0.050) for the reduction of H₂O₂ (p = 0.003), the lipid profile (cholesterol total and triglyceride; p = 0.010, p = 0.001), insulin resistance (p = 0.003), the amount of PVAT (p <0.001), and plaques (p <0.001). The decrease in foam cells was insignificant (p = 0.149), although an obvious pattern of reduction as a result of PsP treatment was observed. PsP from G. lucidum is a potent antioxidant and may prevent the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The optimum dose in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus is 300 mg/kg body weight. Further studies are required to determine the antioxidant effects of G. lucidum PsP and its benefits in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.