title: Palladium-α-lipoic acid complex attenuates alloxan-induced hyperglycemia and enhances the declined blood antioxidant status in diabetic rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Palladium α-lipoic acid (Pd-LA) complex has unique electronic and redox properties that appear to be the key to its physiological effectiveness. A proprietary liquid blend containing Pd-LA as the major component was demonstrated to be effective in improving the activities of mitochondrial enzymes in aged rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Pd-LA complex was evaluated for its hypoglycemic effect against the alloxan-induced diabetic model, as well as in the oral glucose tolerance test in rats. The in vitro free radical scavenging activity of Pd-LA was also determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Administration of Pd-LA (0.5 mL/kg; equivalent to 3.8 mg complexed α-lipoic acid/kg, p.o.) daily for 5 days to alloxan-induced diabetic animals significantly reduced the blood glucose level (P < 0.05). The blood antioxidant status in the diabetic animals was significantly improved by the treatment of Pd-LA (P < 0.05). Similarly, Pd-LA showed significant in vitro antioxidant activity in a concentration-dependent manner.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of the study conclude that the Pd-LA complex is effective in lowering the blood glucose level and enhancing the declined antioxidant status in diabetic animals. Significant finding(s) of the study include: (i) Pd-LA significantly increased the tolerance of glucose and was also effective in ameliorating hyperglycemia induced by alloxan; (ii) Pd-LA significantly enhanced the activities of blood superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and level of glutathione in diabetic animals; and (iii) Pd-LA showed significant in vitro antioxidant activity. This study adds: The therapeutic efficiency of Pd-LA is demonstrated against declined antioxidant status as well as hyperglycemia associated with diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Amala Cancer Research Centre, Thrissur, India.
authors.forename: Narayana P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Sudheesh
authors.forename: Thekuttuparambil A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Ajith
authors.forename: Kainoor K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Janardhanan
authors.forename: Chirakkal V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Krishnan
mesh_terms: D000496:Alloxan / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002374:Catalase / Q000097:blood; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010165:Palladium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood; D008063:Thioctic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D001786:Blood Glucose; D010165:Palladium; D000496:Alloxan; D008063:Thioctic Acid; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005978:Glutathione