Modulatory Activity of Zinc And/or Chromium on Glycemic Control, Antioxidant Enzymes and Mitogenesis of Lymphocytes of Streptozocin-induced Diabetic Rats

Zinc (Zn) and chromium (Cr) appeared to be the most promising elements in the therapeutics of diabetes mellitus (DM). The objective of the study was to identify the modulating activities of Zn and/or Cr in vivo and in vitro mitogenic of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) on peripheral lymphocyte and glycemic control and some anti oxidant enzymes in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats. Sixty rats were equally divided into five equal groups. The first group was considered as non-diabetic control. The second group was considered as DM control. Third and fourth groups were administered with 80 μg/Kg/day Cr and 30 mg/kg/day Zn by oral intubations respectively. The last group was supplemented with both Cr and Zn. Rats’ weights and glucose levels were determined at 2 and 8 weeks. On day 60, livers were removed for weighting and blood was used for biochemical Analysis, anti-oxidant activities and Lymphocyte transformation assay. The results revealed that Zn and/or Cr supplementation were significantly altering plasma glucose level, body weight gains and glycogen concentration of DM rats. TBA-RS level was significantly increased in DM and Cr treated groups. Anti-oxidant enzymes activity is significantly lower in DM while it is significantly ameliorated with Cr and/or Zn supplementation. Glucose consumption of LPS and PHA stimulated lymphocytes in DM was significantly decreased invivo and invitro while it was significantly increased after 8 weeks. The above results indicated important implications for the development of therapeutic strategies aimed at manipulating Zn and Cr in protection from different oxidative stress and immune events during diabetes.