Effect of sodium tungstate on visual evoked potentials in diabetic rats.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of sodium tungstate on visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in diabetic rats.


METHODS
Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups as normal control, diabetic control and diabetic rats treated with sodium tungstate. Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg). Sodium tungstate [40 mg/(kg·d)] was administered for 12wk and then VEPs were recorded. Additionally, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels were measured in brain tissues.


RESULTS
The latencies of P1, N1, P2, N2 and P3 waves were significantly prolonged in diabetic rats compared with control group. Diabetes mellitus caused an increase in the lipid peroxidation process that was accompanied by changes in VEPs. However, prolonged latencies of VEPs for all components returned to control levels in sodium tungstate-treated group. The treatment of sodium tungstate significantly decreased brain TBARS levels and depleted the prolonged latencies of VEP components compared with diabetic control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Sodium tungstate shows protective effects on visual pathway in diabetic rats, and it can be worthy of further study for potential use.
Department of Ophthalmology, Antalya Education and Research Hospital, Antalya 07070, Turkey.
Mehmet
M
Bulut
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health, Akdeniz University, Antalya 07070, Turkey.
Barış Özgür
BÖ
Dönmez
Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya 07070, Turkey.
Nihal
N
Öztürk
Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya 07070, Turkey.
Göksun
G
Başaranlar
Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya 07070, Turkey.
Ceren
C
Kencebay Manas
Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya 07070, Turkey.
Narin
N
Derin
Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya 07070, Turkey.
Semir
S
Özdemir
diabetes; lipid peroxidation; retinopathy; sodium tungstate; visual evoked potentials