Catalase activity, lipid peroxidation, cholesterol and triglyceride levels in alloxan – induced diabetes mellitus in female and male rats.

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism and is associated with oxidative reactions. The present study is to determine the activities of catalase, lipid peroxidation, glucose, protein, cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in the liver and kidney in alloxan-induced diabetes in female and male rats. In addition, the study is to ascertain if gender differences affect oxidative stress in diabetes. Forty male (165 +/- 8.46 g) and female (162.7 +/- 7.94 g) albino Sprague Dawley rats were used for the study. The rats were injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of 150 mg/body weight of alloxan monohydrate, to induce diabetes-for 14 days. The rats were divided into four groups, consisting of 10 diabetic male, 10 non-diabetic male, 10 diabetic female and 10 non-diabetic female. The rats were fed rat chow and water ad libitum for 14 days and then sacrificed by decapitation. Blood was taken by cardiac puncture, while liver and kidney were quickly excised. The catalase activity, lipid peroxidation, glucose, protein, cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in the liver and kidney of rats were determined. Bats administered alloxan monohydrate had elevated plasma glucose levels. The body weights of diabetic female and male rats were significantly reduced compared to the non-diabetic rats. The catalase activities in liver and kidney of diabetic male or female rats were significantly lower than in non-diabetic rats but the reduction was more pronounced in diabetic female rats. The liver lipid peroxidation, cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in the diabetic male or female than in the non-diabetic rats, but with no significant differences in the diabetic female or male rats. Data of the study indicate that sex differences do not significantly affect oxidative stress in alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus.