J Korean Diabetes Assoc.  2002 Oct;26(5):357-365.

Effect of Melatonin on the Diabetes Mellitus Induced by Streptozotocin in Rats

• Lee RR
• Kim YH
• Kwak CS
• Yeo MY
• Mun KC

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Oxygen free radicals are related to the pathogenesis and development of diabetes mellitus. The effect of melatonin, a known powerful antioxidant, was studied diabetes mellitus induced by streptozotocin in male Sprague-Dawley rats.
METHODS
Diabetes was induced by the intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at 65 mg per kg of body weight. To know the effects of melatonin, two doses of 10 mg of melatonin per kg of body weight were administered intraperitoneally, the first simultaneously with the streptozotocin, and the second after a further 72 hours. The rats were then sacrificed at the 7th day after the first injection. The parameters including the levels of blood glucose, hemoglobin A1C, malondialdehyde and antioxidant enzymes were analysed to evaluate the diabetic state and the degree of lipid peroxidation by oxygen free radicals.
RESULTS
The injection of streptozotocin caused significant increases in the levels of blood glucose, hemoglobin A1C and malondialdehyde. The injection of melatonin significantly reduced the levels of blood glucose and malondialdehyde.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest melatonin may have a protective effect on the oxidative damage in the diabetes induced by streptozotocin.

Keyword

Diabetes Mellitus; Streptozotocin; Melatonin; Oxygen free radicals

MeSH Terms

Animals
Blood Glucose
Body Weight
Diabetes Mellitus*
Free Radicals
Humans
Injections, Intraperitoneal
Lipid Peroxidation
Male
Malondialdehyde
Melatonin*
Oxygen
Rats*
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Streptozocin*
Blood Glucose
Free Radicals
Malondialdehyde
Melatonin
Oxygen
Streptozocin