Abstract
Objective: We examined the effects of vitamin C and E supplementation in the prevention of oxidative stress in the salivary glands of STZ-induced diabetic rats.
Design: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n = 8 in each): control (C), control supplemented with vitamin C (Cvc) and E (Cve), diabetic (D), and diabetic supplemented with vitamin C (Dvc) and E (Dve). Vitamin C (150 mg/kg) and E (300 mg/kg) were daily administered for 21 days. Serum ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol levels were quantified. Glandular levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide anion (O2–), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA) and the total antioxidant status (TAS) were estimated.
Results: Vitamin C and E levels were reduced in D group. Vitamin C decreased the levels of O2– in the salivary gland of diabetic rats. Vitamin E increased the concentration of O2– in PA gland of diabetic animals. In the SM gland of the diabetic group, MDA, SOD, GPx and TAS increased. Dve presented reduced SOD activity and increased GR, GPx, and MDA. Dve increased GPx, Gr and TAS levels. In the PA gland, MDA, SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, and TAS were similar in C and D. TAS, SOD, CAT, GPx, and GR increased in Dvc. Vitamin E supplementation resulted in increased MDA and CAT levels and reduced SOD activity.
Conclusion: In the SM glands of the diabetic rats, vitamin C supplementation improved the antioxidant system, while vitamin E acted as pro-oxidant.