THE ROLE OF SOME ANTIOXIDANTS AND IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE SUPPLEMENT IN AMELIORATION OF DIABETES MELLITUS

The effects of taurine and selenium, as dietary supplements and as active sites of enzymatic antioxidant formation, and azathioprine, as an immunosuppressive, on glucose status, kidney functions and oxidative stress-antioxidant enzymes balance of diabetic rats were investigated.Induction of diabetes caused elevation of glucose, glvcohemoglobin (HbAlc), creatinine and lipid peroxides, and inhibition of protein and glutathione peroxidase. Supplements of taurine and selenium in addition to azathioprine ameliorate the pathological and biochemical effects of diabetes. However, azathioprine supplement alone caused less ameliorating effect. The glucose status, kidney functions and oxidative stress- antioxidant enzymes balance status were significantly improved with different ranges in all antioxidants and or immunosuppressive supplemented diabetic groups and this may be due to the antioxidant effects of taurine and selenium that act as a defence against oxidative stress. Taurine and selenium effectively lowerd blood glucose and enhanced cell ability to receive insulin. Azathioprine was found to ensure fi-cell protection. The antioxidant agents either alone or with immunosuppressive agents may ameliorate most of diabetic biomarkers changes. Azathioprine - as an immunosuppressive agent ^ showed less biochemical and pathological effect than those found in other animal groups supplemented with the antioxidants only, or given both the antioxidants and the immunosuppressive supplement.Once diabetes mellitus is diagnosed, the identification of its type should be carried out as soon as possible and treatment with antioxidants should be started immediately in order to prevent the progress of diabetic complications and protect body cells and organs against oxidative stress damage