Protective mechanism of glucose against streptozotocin-induced free radical generation in pancreatic islets in vivo and in vitro

The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of glucose and its mechanism of action in protecting beta-cells in vivo and in vitro against cytotoxic effect of the diabetogenic compound streptozotocin (STZ). It was found that none of the mice injected with glucose prior to STZ treatment be came hyperglycemic for 15 days whereas in only STZ treated group 7 out of 8 mice became hyperglycemic within 8-10 days. In vitro studies were carried out in RINm5F cells and isolated islets from Balb/c male mice. It was obser ved that concomitant exposure of RIN and isolated islets to glucose and STZ protect them from injury as evidenced by the reduction in lipid peroxidati on and DNA damage, coupled with decreased death of cells. This mode of acti on of glucose is of significance in promoting beta-cell health prior to dia betogenic insults.