J Korean Endocr Soc.  2008 Apr;23(2):129-136. 10.3803/jkes.2008.23.2.129.

Effects of S-allylcysteine on Oxidative Stress in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

• Shin CH
• Ihm J

• KMID: 2063564
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3803/jkes.2008.23.2.129

Abstract

BACKGROUND: An increase in oxidative stress is postulated to contribute to the development of diabetic complications and the use of antioxidant therapy could be protective against these processes. This study was performed to investigate the role of the antioxidant S-allylcysteine (SAC), a water-soluble component of aged garlic, for reducing levels of oxidative stress that occurs in diabetic rats.
METHODS
SAC (100 mg/head/day) was administered orally to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats for eight weeks. The effects of SAC on the levels of markers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde and glutathione) and mRNA expression of antioxidant enzymes were measured in the liver and kidney.
RESULTS
SAC-fed rats showed lower cholesterol and triacylglyceride levels than untreated diabetic rats. Malondialdehyde levels were increased in the liver and kidney of diabetic rats and SAC administration lowered the levels in both organs. Glutathione levels were lower in the liver and kidney of diabetic rats, and SAC administration restored the glutathione to a level similar in non-diabetic rats. In the liver and kidney of untreated diabetic rats, mRNA expression of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase were down regulated, and administration of SAC increased expression of these enzymes.
CONCLUSION
Our results have shown that administration of SAC to diabetic rats can lower blood lipid levels and alleviate oxidative stress in the diabetic tissues, suggesting that SAC might have beneficial effects in a prevention trial for diabetic complications.

Keyword

antioxidant exzyme; oxidative stress; S-allylcysteine; streptozotocin-diabetic rats

MeSH Terms

Aged
Animals
Catalase
Cholesterol
Cysteine
Diabetes Complications
Garlic
Glutathione
Glutathione Reductase
Humans
Kidney
Liver
Malondialdehyde
Oxidative Stress
Rats
RNA, Messenger
Superoxide Dismutase
Catalase
Cholesterol
Cysteine
Glutathione
Glutathione Reductase
Malondialdehyde
RNA, Messenger
Superoxide Dismutase

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Structure of S-allylcysteine (SAC).

• 

  Fig. 2 Messenger RNA expression levels of antioxidant enzymes in the liver and kidney. *P < 0.005 vs. control, †P < 0.05 vs. control. ‡P < 0.005 vs. diabetic. §P < 0.01 vs. diabetic.

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