Changes of serum nitric oxide and protection of zinc and selenium in diabetic rats

  Objective   To study the effects of zinc and selenium on serum nitric oxide and protection on oxidative damage of pancreatic islets in diabetic rats.

  Methods   12 rats were randomly selected from 42 male Wistar rats as normal control group (NC group).The rest induced by allox an into diabetic model were randomly divided into diabetic control group (DM group) treated with water and 2 other experimental groups (DM+Zn group, DM+Se group) supplemented with zinc, selenium respectively by gavage daily for 60 days. At the end of the treatment, the blood biochemical analysis were performed.

  Results   The blood glucose in DM+Zn group, DM+Se group decreased significantly than that before experiment, the levels of serum insulin and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were also improved obviously. Compared with DM group, the levels of serum nitric oxide (NO), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in DM+Zn group and DM+Se group were significant lower.

  Conclusion   Zinc and selenium could alleviate oxidative damage on β cells of pancreatic islets caused by free radicals through improving the antioxidative enzyme activities and inhibiting the levels of serum nitric oxide in diabetic rats.