Selenium–Vitamin E Combination and Melatonin Modulates Diabetes-Induced Blood Oxidative Damage and Fetal Outcomes in Pregnant Rats

Abstract

Oxidative stress is considered to be the main cause of diabetic complications. In the current study, we investigated the effect of selenium-vitamin E combination and melatonin on lipid peroxidation (LPO) and scavenging enzyme activity in the blood of streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic pregnant rats. Forty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups. The first and second groups were used as the non-pregnant control and pregnant control groups, respectively. The third group was the pregnant diabetic group. Vitamin E plus selenium and melatonin were administered to the diabetic pregnant rats consisting fourth and fifth groups, respectively. Diabetes was induced on day 0 of the study by STZ. Blood samples were taken from all animals on the 20th day of pregnancy. LPO level was higher in diabetic pregnant rats than in control, although superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were lower in diabetic pregnant animals than in control. LPO levels were lower both in the two treatment groups than in the diabetic pregnant rats, whereas selenium-vitamin E combination and melatonin caused a significant increase in the activities of these antioxidant enzymes (p<0.01). In conclusion, vitamin E plus selenium seems to be a more potent antioxidant compared to melatonin in diabetic pregnant rats. Melatonin did not significantly affect the elevated glucose concentration of diabetic pregnant treated with melatonin group. Vitamin E plus selenium may play a role in preventing diabetes-related diseases of pregnant subjects.

Serum Levels of Zinc, Magnesium and Selenium among First Trimester Pregnant Saudi Women with Pre-Diabetes and Diabetes

“…Studies have shown that selenium can protect against oxidative damage attributable to unregulated blood sugar [36,37].…”

Selenium Supranutrition: Are the Potential Benefits of Chemoprevention Outweighed by the Promotion of Diabetes and Insulin Resistance?

“…Many diabetic complications are thought to be caused by oxidative damage and decreased antioxidant protection. For example, studies have shown that selenium can protect against oxidative damage attributable to unregulated blood sugar [98,99]. In one animal study, hamsters fed a low selenium diet had diabetes-induced weight loss, increased plasma triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations and rapid oxidation of LDL, none of which were seen in hamsters fed a high selenium diet [100].…”

Dose-Response and Time-Course of a-Tocoferol Mediating the Cytoprotection Of Dental Pulp Cells Against Hydrogen Peroxide

“…Previous studies have demonstrated α-T efficacy against HP-induced oxidative stress on different cell types, such as astrocytes, placental cells, fibroblasts and hepatocytes (13,14). Additionally, α-T increases the expression of endogenous antioxidants, such as dismutase superoxide and catalase (15)(16)(17), and reduces gene expression of inflammatory mediators (9). In this way, α-T has an effective role in antioxidant and antiinflammatory events (24).…”

“…Nevertheless, it is known that the antioxidant action of VE is mediated by its alpha-tocopherol (α-T) isomer, which has the capacity to incorporate to the cell membrane and stop lipid peroxidation propagation (11). Several researchers have assessed the protective effect of α-T and confirmed its capacity to prevent oxidative stress propagation, stabilize the cell membrane, enhance cell viability and increase the amount of endogenous antioxidants (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17).…”