Effects of Hawthorn Fruit Extract Administration on Asprosin, Thyroid Hormones, and Nutritional Performance in Diabetic Rats

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effects of hawthorn fruit extract (HFE) administration on asprosin and thyroid hormone (T3, T4, and TSH) responses, as well as on feeding behavior and feed efficiency performance in experimentally induced Type 1 diabetic rats. Sixty-four male Wistar Albino rats used in the study were allocated into eight different groups, each comprising eight animals. Following group allocation, diabetes induction was performed in the diabetic groups via a single dose of 50 mg/kg Streptozotocin (STZ), and metabolic processes were monitored by incorporating varying levels of HFE (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg) into their diets for 21 days. The study results revealed that serum asprosin levels in the diabetic control (DC) group reached 2.45 ± 0.12 ng/ml, exhibiting an approximate two-fold increase compared to the healthy control group (1.20 ± 0.04 ng/ml) (p < 0.01). Conversely, the administration of 200 mg/kg HFE significantly improved this parameter by reducing the level to 1.65 ± 0.08 ng/ml. Regarding endocrine findings, TSH (0.17 ± 0.01 uIU/mL), T3 (1.60 ± 0.04 pg/mL), and T4 (0.92 ± 0.04 ng/dL) levels in the DC group dropped substantially compared to the control group; however, the TSH value in the DH200 group reached 0.23 ± 0.01 uIU/mL, normalizing back to healthy control values. In terms of zootechnical parameters, the highest daily feed intake (36.4 ± 2.8 g) and water consumption (125.6 ± 10.4 ml) were recorded in the DC group, accompanied by a severe body weight loss of -38.2 ± 6.2 g and a consequently negative feed conversion ratio (FCR) of -0.12 ± 0.01. Consequently, restricting the body weight loss to -12.4 ± 3.5 g and elevating the FCR value to 0.18 ± 0.03 in the DH200 group scientifically demonstrates that HFE is a safe and effective natural strategy that ameliorates biochemical damage in diabetic metabolism while supporting the general performance characteristics and nutritional parameters of the animals. In conclusion, it has been proven that HFE is a safe and effective natural strategy that restores the asprosin hormone response in diabetic metabolism while simultaneously supporting the general performance traits and nutritional parameters of the animals. For the zootechnical management of diabetic complications, suppression of asprosin-induced appetite dysregulation, and regulation of hormone levels by preserving the thyroid response, the HFE application at a dose of 200 mg/kg is recommended as both the safest and most effective dose.