Background and Aims: Small dense  low-density lipoproteins (sd-LDL) particles are smaller and heavier than typical LDL ones. They can penetrate into the endothelium of coronary arteries more easily because of their small size. Diabetes mellitus is accompanied by dyslipidemia such as increasing concentration of plasma very low density lipoprotein and sd-LDL. Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ ) can decrease the level of sd-LDL in plasma. Biochanin A (BCA), a natural compound, is a PPARγ agonist. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of BCA on sd-LDL-Clolesterol level in diabetic animals.
Materials and Methods: Adult male rats (Wistar strain) were used as the animal models in this study. Animals were made diabetic by single intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin- Nicotinamide and then treated by 1 and 5 mg/kg of BCA for 28 days. Body weight and fasting blood glucose were also tested before and at the end of treatment. Furthermore, the size of LDL particles were measured by nondenaturing polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis assay.
Results: Results of the present study indicated that BCA administration at dose of 5mg/kg decreased fasting blood glucose level and increased body weight and diameter of LDL particles in diabetic animals significantly.
Conclusions: BCA seems to be an appropriate agent in diabetes mellitus, because it improves the diabetic dyslipidemia, which is the most important complication in diabetic patients.