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Background & objectives: Type II diabetes is a metabolic disorder accompanied with insulin resistance of the whole body cells and is considered be the fifth cause of death in the world. Adaptation to altitude can lead to tolerance to many diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of simulated intermittent altitude on the metabolic and hematologic parameters and liver function in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

Methods: In the current experimental study, twenty four male Wistar rats weighing 220±20 gr were randomly divided into three groups; normal control group (NC, n=8), diabetic control group (D, n=8) received fat diet for 2 weeks then were injected with streptozotocin (37 mg/kg) and diabetic+hypoxia group (D+H, n=8) including diabetic rat exposed to chronic intermittent hypoxia (PiO2≈106 mm Hg, simulated altitude≈3400 m, 14% oxygen for 8 weeks). Diabetic, hematologic and lipid parameters as well as ALT and AST activities were measured in peripheral blood.

Results: Our findings showed that intermittent hypoxia significantly decreased serum total cholesterol, LDL ,VLDL and triglyceride in D+H group compared to D group (p<0.05). Serum levels of fasting blood glucose and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance )HOMA-IR( index and ALT were decreased in D+H group vs. D group )p<0.05). Also, hemoglubin and hematocrite level increased in D+H group in comparison to D group )p<0.05). No significant difference was detected in red blood cell count in D+H vs. D group.

Conclusion: Based on resultant data, it seems that intermittent exposure to hypoxia (simulated to chronic and intermittent lodgement in altitude) can be used to control of type 2 diabetes by increasing hemoglobin, decreasing insulin resistance and improving liver function as well as lipid parameters.

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Background & objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by metabolic disorders and elevated blood glucose. It is one of the most common diseases in developed countries. Thyme is one of the herbs which have been used in some drug content due to its high antioxidant properties. Thyme can increase the activity of mitochondrial oxidative enzymes and affect metabolic and hematological indices due to its phenolic compounds.
So, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of Thymus migricus extract supplementation on the metabolic, hematological indices and oxidative stress in type 2 diabetic rats.
Methods: For this purpose, 24 Wistar rats (220-240g) were divided randomly into three groups; group1: healthy control group (NC, n=8), group2: diabetic control group (D, n=8) that took fat diet for 2 weeks then were injected with streptozotocin (37 mg/kg), and group3: diabetic+Thyme group (Th+D,n=8). Thyme hydro-alcoholic extract dissolved in distilled water to the desired concentration (400 mg/kg) according to their daily water consumption (30 ml). Then glycemic, blood and lipid indices were measured in the peripheral blood of the rats.
Results: The results revealed that thyme supplementation significantly decreased the fasting blood glucose level (356.35±40 mg/dl to 261.61±35 mg/dl) and HOMA-IR index (3.52±0.30 mg/dl to 2.2±0.33 mg/dl). Also significantly decreased the lipid profile level of the Th+D group compared to those of the D group (p<0.05), but the hematological parameters of the Th+D group compared to those of D group were not significantly changed. FRAP in Th+D group was not significantly different in comparison with the other two groups, but MDA was significantly increased in diabetic groups (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Based on the results, thyme supplementation by decreasing insulin resistance and fasting blood glucose can improve lipid parameters, but does not affect blood parameters and antioxidant indices.