SERUM-LIPID LEVELS OF STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC PREGNANT RATS

We have investigated the effect of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on the concentration of serum lipids (total cholesterol, TC; triacylglyce rol, TAG; high density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol; and p hospholipids) in virgin and pregnant rats. In streptozotocin-induced d iabetic virgin rats, serum TC and TAG levels were raised significantly whereas those of HDL-cholesterol decreased significantly. The changes in serum lipids were adjusted with the administration of insulin to d iabetic rats, when these values became very similar to those of contro l rats. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic pregnant rats showed hypochole sterolaemia in the first trimester and hypercholesterolaemia in the th ird trimester. The concentrations of TAG were raised significantly thr oughout the stages of pregnancy, being higher in the third trimester o f diabetic rats, whereas the HDL-cholesterol concentration decreased s ignificantly. The phospholipid concentrations were not significantly d ifferent in streptozotocin-induced diabetic pregnant rats. (C) 1998 Li ppincott Williams & Wilkins.