Effect of Vitamins A, E, C and Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation on the Level of Catalase and Superoxide Dismutase Activities in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats Publisher Pubmed



Tabei SMB¹ ; Fakher S² ; Djalali M² ; Javanbakht MH² ; Zarei M² ; Derakhshanian H² ; Sadeghi MR³ ; Mostafavi E⁴ ; Kargar F⁵
Source: Bratislava Medical Journal Published:2015

Abstract

Background: Since free radicals and antioxidant enzymes may play an important role in the development of diabetes, the present study was designed to assess the effect of supplementation with vitamins A, E and C and ω-3 fatty acids on catalase and superoxide dismutase activity in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Methods: A total of 64 male Wistar rats weighing 250 g were divided into four groups as normal control, diabetic control, diabetic supplemented with vitamin A, E and C and diabetic supplemented with ω-3 fatty acids. After four weeks the rats were anesthetized and catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were investigated in blood samples, liver and heart homogenates. Results: In diabetic rats, the activity levels of heart SOD (p < 0.001) and heart and liver CAT (p < 0.001) were significantly lower than in normal control rats. Supplementation with vitamins A, E and C significantly increased heart CAT (p = 0.05). No significant change was observed in diabetic rats supplemented with ω-3 fatty acids. Conclusion: Supplementation with vitamins A, E and C and ω-3 fatty acids was found to increase heart CAT activity in diabetic rats and they can be valuable candidates in the treatment of the complications of diabetes.