Taurine prevents collagen abnormalities in high fructose-fed rats.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Accumulation of collagen and changes in its physiochemical properties contribute to the development of secondary complications of diabetes. We undertook this study to see the effects of taurine on the content and characteristics of collagen from tail tendon of rats fed with high fructose diet. METHODS: The rats were divided into four groups of six each: control group (CON), taurine-supplemented control group (CON+TAU), taurine supplemented (FRU+TAU) and not supplemented fructose-fed group (FRU). The physico-chemical properties of collagen isolated from the tail tendon were studied. RESULTS: Fructose administration caused accumulation of collagen in tail tendon. Enhanced glycation and advanced glycation end products (AGE)-linked fluorescence together with alterations in aldehyde content, solubility pattern, susceptibility to denaturing agents and shrinkage temperature were observed in fructose-fed rats. Elevated b component of type I collagen was evidenced from the SDS gel pattern of collagen from the fructose-fed rats. Simultaneous administration of taurine alleviated these changes. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Taurine administration to fructose-rats had a positive influence on both quantitative and qualitative properties of collagen. The results of the present study suggested a role for the action of taurine in delaying diabetic complications and the possible use of taurine as an adjuvant therapeutic measure in the management of diabetes and its complications.

Lipoic acid restores antioxidant system in tissues of hyperinsulinaemic rats.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Feeding rats with high fructose induces insulin resistance, hyperinsulinaemia, elevation of blood glucose level and impaired glucose tolerance. Oxidative stress plays a vital role in pathology associated with insulin resistance. The present study was to investigate the effects of alpha-lipoic acid (LA) on the oxidant-antioxidant balance in liver and kidney of high fructose-fed rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats (170-180 g) were divided into six groups. The control group received diet containing starch; the fructose group was given a high fructose diet (>60% of total calories); the third and fourth groups were given fructose diet and administered with two different doses of lipoic acid as low dose (35 mg/kg body weight) and high dose (70 mg/kg bw) intraperitoneally using olive oil as vehicle; the fifth group received control diet and was administered with lipoic acid (70 mg/kg bw); the sixth group received the control diet and olive oil. The rats were maintained in their respective dietary regimen for 20 days. Lipid peroxidation indices and antioxidant status in liver and kidney were quantitated. RESULTS: The rats fed fructose showed increased levels of lipid hydroperoxides, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), conjugated dienes, and impaired antioxidant defence potential as evidenced by a decrease in the levels of non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants. Treatment with LA to the fructose-fed rats mitigated these alterations and LA was effective uniformly at both the closes. Increased lipid peroxidation and inadequate antioxidant system are observed in the high dose fructose-fed rats. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: LA administration restored the antioxidant potential and lowered lipid peroxidation. These findings strengthen the utility of LA in the management of insulin resistance and associated pathology.