Five cysteine-containing compounds delay diabetic deterioration in Balb/cA mice.
The effects of n-acetyl cysteine (NAC), s-allyl cysteine (SAC), s-ethyl cysteine, s-methyl cysteine and s-propyl cysteine (SPC) activity on Balb/cA mice against diabetic complications were examined. These complications included hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, oxidation stress, blood coagulation, and cytokine imbalance. To induce diabetes, mice were treated with streptozotocin i.p. for 5 consecutive days. Five cysteine-containing compounds at 1 g/L were added to the drinking water. After intake of the 5 cysteine-containing agents for 4 wk, body weight loss, plasma concentrations of glucose and insulin, and fibronectin levels were improved (P < 0.05) in diabetic mice. The administration of these agents restored the glutathione level (P < 0.05), reduced the loss of catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities in kidney and liver (P < 0.05), and decreased glucose-induced lipid oxidation, as assessed by malondialdehyde formation (P < 0.05). In all diabetic mice, the intake of these agents reduced triglyceride levels in plasma and liver (P < 0.05); however, only NAC, SAC and SPC treatments reduced cholesterol level in liver (P < 0.05). These cysteine-containing agents elevated the activity of 2 fibrinolytic factors, protein C and antithrombin III (P < 0.05). The overexpression of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in diabetic mice was suppressed by the intake of the 5 cysteine-containing agents (P < 0.05). Via their antioxidant activities, the 5 compounds effectively improved glycemic control, delayed oxidation damage, downregulated inflammatory cytokines, and enhanced anticoagulant activity in diabetic mice. These data support the multiple roles of these agents as potential protective agents for delaying diabetic deterioration.
Hsu
Cheng-Chin
CC
Department of Nutritional Science, Chungshan Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan.
Yen
Hsiu-Fang
HF
Yin
Mei-Chin
MC
Tsai
Chiung-Man
CM
Hsieh
Chang-Hung
CH
D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D003545:Cysteine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C
D001786:Blood Glucose; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D005978:Glutathione; D003545:Cysteine; D000111:Acetylcysteine