چكيده لاتين :
Background: The most devastating manifestations of diabetes
mell itus are vascular compl ications. Although there are many
factors involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic vasculopathy,
many studies suggest a role for glucose-induced oxidative
stress. Studies in animal models, have demonstrated that the
administration of antioxidants restores normal endothelial
functions. The study was designed to examine the possible
beneficial effects of ascorbic ac id, wh ich have antioxidant
properties, on vascular permeability in the duodenum of rats
with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.
Methods: Female adult rats were divided into two control and
three diabetic groups. Diabetes was induced by a single injection
of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg, ip). One control and two
diabetic groups received ascorbic acid in drinking water (800
mg/kg). Diabetic groups received ascorbic acid either as
therapeutic for 4 weeks, starting after the induction of diabetes
or as combination therapy for 8 weeks starting 3-4 weeks before
the induction of diabetes. Vascular permeability was estimated
by measuring the extravasations of Evans blue dye
and water content of duodenal tissue.
Results: As compared to the control group, diabetic animals
significantly increased both Evans blue extravasations and water
content by 202%. Ascorbic acid, used as treatment or in combination
therapy, similarly restored these two variables to normal level.
Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that ascorbic
acid might have a role in restoring some dysfunctions of
experimental diabetes.
