MODULATION OF ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES IN DIABETIC TISSUES

Najma Z. Baquer, Solomon Genet, Raosaheb K. Kale, Jawaharlal Nehru Univrsity, School of Life Sciences, New Delhi.

It has been discussed earlier that oxygen free radicals may be one of the factors responsible for the severity and complications of diabetes via damage of co membranes, the level of lipid peroxide and modulation of enzymes producing and removing free radicals.   Studies in our laboratory have established the role of vanadium and other antidiabetic compounds like Trignella seed powder (fenugreek) as insulin mimetic agents in experimental diabetes, which is equivalent to Type 1 diabetes.  In the present series of experiments the level of lipid peroxide, antioxidant enzymes catalase, total superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxide level were measured in tissues of control, diabetic and antidiabetic treated diabetic animals.  A differential change was observed in the level of lipid peroxide and enzymes from various tissue.  Vanadium  and fenugreek (T. foenum graccum) administration to diabetic animals showed a reversal of the disturbed antioxidant level and lipid peroxide level towards the control value.  Results indicate that lipid peroxide and hence oxidative damage accompanied by oxidative stress play a key role in the complications of diabetes.  Results will be presented and discussed.