Diphenyl diselenide reduces temporarily hyperglycemia: Possible relationship with oxidative stress

This study was designed to determine the effect of diphenyl diselenide and ebselen, synthetic organoselenium compounds with antioxidant properties, in diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by the administration of streptozotocin (STZ) (45 mg/kg, intravenous). In experimental trials, diphenyl diselenide, but not ebselen, caused a significant reduction in blood glucose levels of STZ-treated rats. This effect of diphenyl disclenide was accompanied by a reduction in the levels of glycated proteins. Diphenyj diselenide ameliorate superoxide dismutase activity (liver and erythrocytes) and Vitamin C levels (liver, kidney and blood), which were decreased in STZ-treated rats. In normal rats, diphenyl diselenide caused per se an increase in hepatic, renal and blood GSH levels. Similarly, treatment with diphenyl diselenide restored hepatic and renal GSH levels in STZ-treated rats. TBARS and protein carbonyl levels were not modified by STZ and/or dipheryl diselenide and ebselen treatments. Our findings suggest that diphenyl diselenide can be considered an anti-diabetogenic agent by exhibiting anti-hyperglycemic and antioxidant properties. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Ail rights reserved.