ORIGINAL ARTICLES

D-Ribose-L-Cysteine Mitigates Hepato-Renal Dysfunction In A STZ + HFD Rat Model Of Diabetes.

Happy Isibor 1
Anthony Taghogho Eduviere
Celestine Akpovwre 1
Benneth Ben-Azu

1Delta State University

DOI: 10.4314/ajtmbr.v9i1.%x
Published: July 31, 2026

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a major global health concern often associated with oxidative stress–induced organ complications, particularly in the liver and kidneys. D-ribose-L-cysteine (DRLC), a cysteine prodrug and glutathione precursor, has been suggested as a potential antioxidant therapy. This study investigated the ameliorative effects of DRLC on hepato-renal dysfunction in HFD-fed, and Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups. For 28 days, the experimental groups were treated orally with either HFD+STZ, metformin (100 mg/kg), or DRLC at doses of 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg. Biochemical parameters, including oxidative stress biomarkers, liver function indices like Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), and Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT), renal markers, proteins (albumin, total protein, globulin), and electrolytes were evaluated.

Results: HFD+STZ significantly increased MDA, MPO, NO, liver enzymes, creatinine, urea, and bilirubin, while markedly reducing SOD, CAT, GSH, GST, GPx, albumin, globulin, total protein, and electrolytes (p < 0.05), indicating hepato-renal dysfunction. These alterations were significantly mitigated (p<0.05) following DRLC treatment, with effects comparable to metformin. DRLC decreased pro-oxidant biomarkers, enhanced antioxidant defense, normalized serum proteins, and restored electrolyte balance.

Conclusion: DRLC effectively attenuated oxidative stress and improved liver and kidney function in HFD+STZ-induced diabetic rats, suggesting its therapeutic potential as an antioxidant-based intervention against diabetes-associated organ complications.

Keywords

D-Ribose-L-Cysteine Diabetes Mellitus High-Fat Diet Streptozotocin
database

Data Availability

Data available on request 

Author Biographies

HI

Happy Isibor

Delta State University

Pharmacology and Lecturer II

menu_book References

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Published in Vol. 9 No. 1: African Journal of Tropical Medicine and Biomedical Research, July 2026

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Isibor H, Eduviere AT, Akpovwre C, Ben-Azu B. D-Ribose-L-Cysteine Mitigates Hepato-Renal Dysfunction In A STZ + HFD Rat Model Of Diabetes. Afr. J. Trop. Med. Biomed. Res. [Internet]. 2026 Jul. 31 [cited 2026 Aug. 27];9(1):114–130. Available from: https://www.ajtmbr.org.ng/index.php/home/article/view/drlc-hepatorenal-diabetes
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