The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of natural low mineral water from the source "Sneznik-1/79" in Serbia on glycemia as well as heart function in rats with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM), with the special emphasis on the role of the oxidative stress. Twenty Wistar albino rats (males, 4 weeks old at the beginning of the study, body weight 180 ± 20 g) were included in the study. Rats were divided randomly into 2 groups (10 animals per group): T2DM: rats with diabetes mellitus type 2 with free access to tap water; T2DM + SW: rats with diabetes mellitus type with free access to natural mineral water from "Sneznik-1/79". Glucose level, ex vivo cardiac function as well as systemic and cardiac redox state were assessed. At the end of the study protocol, glucose level was lower in diabetic rats who consumed mineral water. Moreover cardiac function wasn't affected by mineral water intake, however, significant antioxidant effects were observed. Our study suggests that 4-week consumption of low mineral water from the spring "Sneznik-1/79" has important role in regulation of glycemia and altering redox state in favor of elevated antioxidant capacity without affecting heart function. Based on our findings we may assume that low mineral water from the spring "Sneznik-1/79" has the potential to be used either as preventive strategy or as additional therapeutic strategy in management of T2DM.
Keywords: Cardiac function; Diabetes mellitus type 2; Glycemia; Mineral water; Oxidative stress.