Influence of Chromium Citrate on the State of Pro/Antioxidant System in the Rats’ Pancreas with Experimental Diabetes Mellitus

The article clarified the effect of the organic compound of chromium citrate, in amounts of 0.1 and 0.2 μg/ml of water, on the content of lipid peroxide oxidation products, and on the activity of enzymes in antioxidant defense in the pancreas of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Material and methods. The research was conducted on 32 white laboratory rats kept in the vivarium of the Institute of Animals Biology. Rats weighing 100-120 g were divided into four groups: I – the control group, II – the control group with diabetes, III and IV – experimental groups. Rats from groups I and II were given pure water without any additives; III and IV were given water with the solution of chromium citrate in the amounts of 0.1 and 0.2 μg/ml of water. Experimental diabetes mellitus was induced in the animals from II, III and IV after a 24-h fasting period by intraperitoneal administration of 5% solution of alloxan monohydrate ("Synbios") in the amount of 150 mg/kg of body weight. In order to detect hyperglycemia, we collected blood from the tail vein and measured glucose level in the collected blood using a portable glucose meter (Gamma-M). On the 40th day of the study, the animals were withdrawn from the experiment and decapitated under light anesthesia. Results and discussion. We determined the content of lipid hydroperoxides, TBC-active products, the content of reduced glutathione, catalase activity, superoxide dismutase activity, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities in pancreatic tissue. It was established that during the course of alloxan-induced diabetes the content of lipid peroxide oxidation products in pancreatic gland of rats increased. It is known that such an increase of lipid peroxide oxidation products occurs in chronic diseases and is a manifestation of cell lesion. The activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and the content of reduced glutathione decreased during diabetes in animals from II group. The obtained results suggest that the ability to reduce or inactivate free radicals weakens in diabetic rats. Adding to the diet of rats a solution of chromium citrate in different amounts caused the growth of catalase and superoxide dismutase activity, glutathione levels and a decrease in the content of lipid hydroperoxides and TBA-positive products. The results of the study suggest that the administration of chromium citrate to rats led to inhibition of LPO and activation of the antioxidant system in the pancreas tissue on the background of diabetes mellitus. Conclusion. Thus, chromium citrate can be the basis for the creation of medications for the prevention and treatment of diabetes.