Research Article Open Access

The Effect of Vitamin C on the Metabolic Parameters of Experimental Diabetes Mellitus

Mariam Al-Shamsi1, Amr Amin1 and Ernest Adeghate1
  • 1 UAE University Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates

Abstract

The role of vitamin C on diabetes mellitus is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of oral administration of vitamin C on some of the metabolic parameters of diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg kgˉ1 body weight at 12 weeks of age). Vitamin C (10, 50, 100 mg kgˉ1 body weight) was administered orally for a period of four weeks to normal and diabetic male Wistar rats. In some experiments vitamin C was given either before or after the induction of diabetes mellitus. Glucose tolerance test (GTT) was performed on fasted normal, diabetic and vitamin C-treated rats at the end of the experimental period. Blood sugar level and weight were also recorded on a weekly basis for each rat in different groups. Vitamin C significantly (p<0.05) reduced blood glucose level and decreased weight gain in experimental diabetes mellitus at all doses when compared to untreated rats. This beneficial effect of vitamin C on the hyperglycemia of diabetic rats was dose-dependent. Moreover, vitamin C also improved GTT in diabetic rats compared to untreated diabetic rats. In conclusion, vitamin C may play a role in insulin metabolism and thus be a useful adjuvant therapy in diabetes mellitus.

American Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Volume 2 No. 1, 2007, 4-9

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajptsp.2007.4.9

Submitted On: 21 December 2006 Published On: 31 March 2007

How to Cite: Al-Shamsi, M., Amin, A. & Adeghate, E. (2007). The Effect of Vitamin C on the Metabolic Parameters of Experimental Diabetes Mellitus. American Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 2(1), 4-9. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajptsp.2007.4.9

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Keywords

  • ROS
  • vitamin C
  • antioxidants
  • diabetes
  • glucose