ABSTRACT

Increased oxidant stress plays an important role in the etiopathogenesis of the chronic complications of diabetes. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of vitamin C treatment on the oxidant and antioxidant processes in the liver of diabetic rats.

Wistar Albino rats were divided into 4 groups: 1-Control, 2-Ascorbic Acid (AA, vitamin C), 3-Diabetes, 4-Diabetes+AA. For induction of diabetes, the rats were treated with a single dose of Strep-tozotocin (45 mg/kg, i.p.). After 48 hours, rats whose fasting blood glucose levels were over 200 mg/100 ml were included in the diabetes groups. Rats in the AA and Diabetes+AA groups were treated with AA (20 mg/kg/day), which was administered intragastrically for 21 days. At the end of the experiment, malondialdehyde, glutathione and NOx levels in the liver tissues were determined. ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical analyses.

In the diabetes groups, malondialdehyde levels were increased, while glutathione and NOx levels were decreased. Malondialdehyde levels were decreased while glutathione levels were increased in the AA and Diabetes+AA groups in comparison with the controls. There were no significant differences amongst the groups in terms of NOx levels

The malondialdehyde and glutathione levels in vitamin C supplemented rat livers indicate that diets rich in vitamin C or vitamin C preparations might be beneficial in the treatment of diabetic patients.