title: Effect of phenolic acids on functions of rat aorta, vas deferens and on metabolic changes in streptozotocin-induced diabetes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to investigate the effects of antioxidant treatment on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic metabolic and smooth muscle (SM) complications in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Threeweeks after STZ injection (i.v.), vehicle, p-OH benzoic (p-OHBA), protocatechic (PA) and gallic acids (GA) were separately administered (10 mg/kg each, i.p.) to the rats everyday for 3 weeks. Metabolic functions were observedregularly. The rats in all groups were sacrificed andaorta and Vas deferens were dissected. Theresponses of isolated organs to agonists (acetylcholine and phenylephrine) were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Protocatechic acid prevented increase in food consumption and feces output significantly. The responses of isolated organs to agonists increased in the STZ-diabetic rats. The test drugs either prevented, exacerbated or didnot affect the SMchanges in the STZ-diabetic rats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was concluded that p-OHBA, PA and GA may cause effects independently of their antioxidant effect and/or of diabeticcomplications. They may exhibit pro-oxidant activities in the experimental conditions applied.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Anadolu University, Tepebasi TR-26470, Eskisehir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nurcan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bektas
authors.forename: Yusuf
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ozturk