Effect of sodium molybdate on the status of lipids, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant systems in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Background: Diabetes mellitus manifests itself in a wide variety of complications and the symptoms of the disease are multifactorial. Methods: The lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidant status were investigated in hemolysate, liver and kidney in alloxan-induced diabetic rats and the effect of molybdate supplementation on antioxidant defense systems. Results: Diabetic rats exhibited an increase in the levels of lipids, lipid peroxidation and decrease in antioxidant status when compared to control rats. Oral administration of molybdate to diabetic rats for 30 days significantly reduced the levels of lipids like cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids and lipid peroxidation whereas increased the activities of antioxidants like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reduced glutathione (GSH). Conclusion: Molybdate prevents oxidation of lipids and protects antioxidant systems in experimental diabetic rats, and thus, may be useful for the prevention or early treatment of diabetic mellitus. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.