The investigation of the effects of zinc, selenium and insulin on the synthesis of metallothione induced by cadmium in diabetic rats

This study was conducted to determine the effects of selenium, zinc, insulin and exogenous metallothionein on oxidative stress along with gene expression of metallothioneins thought to play an important role in diabetes and metal toxicity. A total of 64 male Wistar Albino rats, 8 rats in each group, were used in the study. The control group was injected with 2 ml/kg/day citrate buffer. Streptozotocine was administered at 55 mg/kg (i.p single dose). Cd 1 mg/kg/day (CdCl2) was added to drinking water for 4 weeks. Zn was added to drinking water at a dose of 10 mg/kg (ZnSO4). Se, 1,5 mg/kg/day döşe i.p. (Na2SeO3), insulin 2U/day dose s.c. (insulin glargine), the exogenous MT is applied at 1 mg/kg/day dose twice daily for ten days in addition to the four weeks of CdCl2 administration. MT gene expression (RT-PCR) and MDA (spectrophotometric method) and SOD, GSH-Px and CAT levels (ELISA) were determined in liver and kidney tissues obtained from rats four weeks after the application. MT gene expression and MDA levels increased significantly in STZ, Cd and STZ + Cd treatments (p<0,05), while significant decreases were observed in SOD and GSH-Px levels (p<0,05). In addition to STZ + Cd, Zn, Se, insulin and exogenous MT treatment resulted in decrease in MT gene expression and MDA, while antioxidant enzyme levels were increased (p <0,05). CAT activity was significantly increased only in the STZ + Cd group compared to the control group, and there was no significant change in the other groups. It has been concluded that changes in MT gene expression may occur via MRE and MTF-1, changes in MDA and antioxidant enzyme activities may be due to antioxidant properties of the substances used in the treatment.