Biochemical studies on peroxidation in ammonium para-tungstate-treated experimental diabetic rats

We set out to determine the biochemical changes induced by streptozotocin i n rats and to analyse the detoxifying effect of ammonium para-tungstate. St reptozotocin dissolved in citrate buffet; pH 4.5, was injected into rats to induce diabetes. Levels of serum or tissue lipid peroxides, iron, ferritin , ceruloplasmin and glutathione and activities of the antiperoxidative enzy mes glutathione peroxidase,,glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase and catalase were determined. Streptozotocin toxicity was manifest as sign ificantly increased production of lipid peroxides from lipid products by a free radical mechanism involving hydroxyl free radicals. Activities of anti oxidant enzymes were also significantly lower in streptozotocin-induced dia betes. The decline in the glutathione antioxidant system leads to diminishe d scavenging action of the hydroxyl free radicals formed by streptozotocin- induced Lipid peroxidation, but the lipid peroxidation was much higher and the scavenging action by these enzymes was negligible. Ammonium para-tungst ate administration for 15 days restored the activities of antiperoxidative enzymes to near-normal and established its antioxidant potential in experim ental diabetic rats. Med Sci Res 26:759-762 (C) 1998 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.