Abstract
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of rutin, a polyphenolic flavonoid on the fatty acid composition in liver and kidney of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.
Design/methodology/approach - Extensive literature review was carried out and no reports on the effect of rutin on the fatty acid composition in diabetic tissues were found.
Findings - Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats showed altered lipid concentration in liver and kidney. The fatty acid composition was also altered in these tissues. Treatment with rutin to diabetic rats significantly decreased the concentration of palmitic acid, stearic acid and oleic acid, whereas linolenic and arachidonic acids were significantly increased in liver and kidney of diabetic rats. Rutin administration to normal rats did not show any significant effect on the fatty acid composition in liver and kidney.
Originality/value - This paper gives an idea of the changes in the fatty acid composition of diabetic tissues and during treatment with rutin.