The Co-Administration of Insulin and Zinc Ameliorates Diabetes Mellitus-Induced Oxidative Stress in Testicular Tissue

Abstract

Oxidative stress is often associated with diabetes mellitus (DM). It has been reported to cause infertility in males. Diagnosed at an advanced phase, DM-associated complications may not be reversed by standard therapy alone. This study therefore investigated whether zinc given alongside insulin may reverse or ameliorate oxidative stress induced by DM. Five normal rats was assigned into the normal control group. Twenty diabetic rats were randomly assigned into four groups of five rats each. The first group had no treatment throughout the experiment. The second group were administered insulin two times daily at one and four units in the morning and evening. The third group had oral zinc (10mg/kg). The fourth group had a combination of insulin and zinc at doses as above. Treatments in all cases commenced after two weeks of DM induction and lasted ten days. Testes were harvested and assayed for parameters. DM decreased SOD, GPx, GSH and increased MDA. While insulin or zinc increased SOD, GPx, GSH and decreased MDA, insulin and zinc in combination had better results.