Influence of antioxidant vitamins supplementation on blood glucose levels and body wastages of alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

There is increasing evidence that in certain pathology states, the increased production and/or ineffective scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) may play a critical role. Therefore, it seems reasonable that antioxidants can play an important role in the management of these diseases. In the current study, antioxidant vitamins A, C and E were supplemented in alloxan-induced diabetic rats for a period of 28 days. Blood glucose level was assayed by the method of Trinder (1969) and digital bench weigh balance was used to measure the weights. Final blood glucose concentrations were 4.16 ± 0.18 mmo/L in control, 5.94 ± 0.21 mmol/L in diabetic treated not supplemented and 4.56 ± 0.61 mmol/L in diabetic rats supplemented with vitamins. There were statistically significance deference,(P<0.05) between the supplemented and unsupplemented. Finally body weights were 157.57 ± 4.16 g in controls, 143.43 ± 8.70 g in diabetic not supplemented and 187.29±4.30 g in diabetic rats supplemented with vitamins. There were statistically significance difference between the supplemented and unsupplemented groups (P< 0.05). These findings suggest, in addition to oral hypoglycaemic agents, supplementation with antioxidant vitamins may improve glycaemic control and alleviates body wastage in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Keywords: Diabetes, Vitamins, Blood Glucose, Body Weight