Melatonin,quercetin and resveratrol attenuates oxidative hepatocellular injury in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

In this study, effects of melatonin, quercetin and resveratrol on hepatocellular injury in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced experimental diabetes were aimed to be investigated by histological and biochemical methods. Thirty-five male Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups, namely, control, diabetes (STZ 45 mg/kg/single dose/intraperitoneally (ip)), diabetes + melatonin (10 mg/kg/30 days/ip), diabetes + quercetin (25 mg/kg/30 days/ip) and diabetes + resveratrol (10 mg/kg/30 days/ip). Initial and final blood glucose levels and body weights (BWs) were measured. At the end of the experimentation, following routine tissue processing procedure, sections were stained with haematoxylin–eosin (H-E), periodic acid Schiff and Masson’s trichrome. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were examined. The diabetic rats had significantly higher blood glucose levels than those of control rats (p = 0.0001). Mean BWs of diabetic rats were significantly decreased when compared with the control rats (p = 0.0013). Histopathological alterations including cellular glycogen depletion, congestion, sinusoidal dilatation, inflammation and fibrosis were detected in diabetes group. On the other hand, histopathological changes markedly reduced in all of the treatment groups (p = 0.001). Mean tissue MDA level was increased but mean tissue CAT and SOD activities and GSH levels were decreased in the diabetes group. Melatonin, quercetin and resveratrol administered diabetic rats showed an increase in CAT activities and GSH levels and a decrease in MDA levels (p < 0.05, for all). Melatonin, quercetin and resveratrol administrations markedly reduced hepatocellular injury in STZ-induced experimental diabetes.

Keywords

Diabetes hepatic damage melatonin quercetin resveratrol

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycaemia arising from reduction in β cell mass.¹ It is a highly common disorder throughout the world. Its long-term complications affecting small and large blood vessels are directly related with the duration of hyperglycaemia.² Streptozotocin (STZ), an antibiotic produced by Streptomyces achromogenes, is the most commonly used agent inducing experimental diabetes.^3,4 The exact mechanism by which STZ destroys pancreatic β cells and induces hyperglycaemia is still unclear.^3,5

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is an indoleamide synthesized and secreted by the pineal gland, retina and many other tissues with a daily rhythmical peak in the dark phase.^6,7 Quercetin (3,5,7,3′4′-pentahydroxyflavone) is one of the most widely distributed flavonoids, present in fruits, vegetables and many other dietary sources.^8,9 Although the antidiabetic properties of flavonoids can be explained by a wide variety of mechanisms, the antioxidant capacity of this group of natural compounds plays an important role in the prevention of hyperglycaemia and related complications.¹⁰ Resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxystilbene), naturally occurring stilbene, is a phytoalexin present in more than 70 plant species such as Polygonum cuspidatum, mulberry (Morus species), grape and red wine.^11,12 Results of many investigations have provided evidence for its beneficial effects in organisms. The anti-cancer, antioxidant, antifungal infection, anti-inflammatory activity, antiplatelet activity, pro-apoptotic and cardioprotective properties of resveratrol have been well established recently.^12

–15

The purpose of the this study was to investigate the effects of melatonin, quercetin and resveratrol on hepatocellular injury in STZ-induced diabetes.

Materials and methods

Thirty-five male Wistar albino rats (Inonu University Animal Research Center, Malatya, Turkey), weighing between 300 and 350 g, were housed in individual cages for 30 days in a well-ventilated room with a 12-h light/12-h dark cycle at 21°C. Animals were fed with standard rat chow and tap water ad libitum. All experiments were approved by the Ethics Committee for Animal Experiments, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, Turkey, and followed the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

Experimental diabetes

After 12-h fasting, the rats were injected intraperitoneally (ip) with a single dose of 45 mg/kg STZ (Sigma, St Louis, Missouri, USA).¹⁵ Three days following STZ injection, blood glucose levels were calculated using a glucometer (Accu-Check Active, ROCHE, Germany) in samples obtained from the tail vein. Animals having a blood glucose level of more than 270 mg/dl were selected for the study. The rats were observed daily for mortality or morbidity. BWs of all animals were recorded.

Groups

The animals were randomly divided into five groups consisting of seven rats each. Group 1 (C): control group; received ip injection of 4% ethanol. Group 2 (DM): diabetes group; received STZ (45 mg/kg/single dose/ip). Group 3 (DM + M): diabetes + melatonin group; diabetic rats received 10 mg/kg/ip/melatonin (product no. BIM0105, Apollo Scientific Limited, UK) for 30 days.¹⁵ Group 4 (DM +Q): diabetes + quercetin group; diabetic rats received 25 mg/kg/ip quercetin (Lot no: 10159068, Alfa Aesar, Ward Hill, Massachusetts, UK) for 30 days.⁸ Group 5 (DM + R): diabetes + resveratrol group; diabetic rats received 10 mg/kg/ip resveratrol (product no: M57735199, Molekula, UK) for 30 days.¹² Antioxidant agents were dissolved in 4% ethanol daily.¹⁵

Histological analysis

Animals were killed by ketamine anaesthesia at the end of 30 days. The livers were rapidly removed by laparotomy. Tissue samples were placed in 10% formalin and prepared for routine paraffin embedding. Paraffin blocks were cut at 5 µm thick, mounted on slides, stained with haematoxylin–eosin (H–E), periodic acid Schiff (PAS) and Masson’s trichrome (MT). Sections were examined for histopathological alterations including congestion, sinusoidal dilatation, inflammation, fibsosis and glycogen depletion in 10 different fields on each section. Each of the findings indicating liver injury was semiquantitatively graded as absent (0), mild (1), moderate (2) and severe (3) with a maximum total score of 15. Sections were examined using a Leica DFC280 light microscope and a Leica Q Win and Image Analysis system (Leica Micros Imaging Solutions Ltd., Cambridge, UK).

Biochemical analysis

After removal, all tissues were washed twice with cold saline solution, placed into glass bottles, labelled and stored in a deep freeze (−80°C) until processing. After weighing, the liver was cut into small pieces with scissors on ice and homogenized (for 2 min at 5000 r/min) in four volumes of ice-cold Tris-hydrochloric acid buffer (50 mM, pH 7.4) using a glass Teflon homogenizer (IKA Ultra-Turrax T25 basic homogenizer, Germany). Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were carried out on the homogenate. The homogenate was then centrifuged at 5000g for 60 min to remove debris. The clear supernatant fluid was used to measure catalase (CAT) activity, GSH and protein assays at this stage. The supernatant solution was extracted with an equal volume of an ethanol/chloroform mixture (5/3, v/v). After centrifugation at 5000g for 30 min, the clear upper layer (the ethanol phase) was used for the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and protein assays. All reparation procedures were performed at 4°C.

MDA level determination

Lipid peroxidation (as MDA) levels in liver homogenate were measured with the thiobarbituric acid reaction by the method of Esterbauer and Cheeseman.¹⁶ The quantification of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances was determined by comparing the absorption with a standard curve of MDA equivalents generated by acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of 1,1,3,3 tetramethoxypropane. The values of MDA were expressed as nanomoles per gram wet tissue.

SOD activity determination

Total (copper–zinc and manganese) SOD (EC 1.15.1.1) activity was determined according to the method of Sun et al.¹⁷ The principle of the method is based on the inhibition of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction by the xanthine–xanthine oxidase system as a superoxide generator. Activity was assessed in the ethanol phase of the supernatant after 1.0 ml ethanol/chloroform mixture (5/3, v/v) was added to the same volume of sample and centrifuged at 4000g. One unit of SOD was defined as the amount of enzyme causing 50% inhibition in the NBT reduction rate. SOD activity was also expressed as units per milligram protein.

CAT activity determination

CAT (EC 1.11.1.6) activity was determined according to Aebi’s method.¹⁸ The principle of the method is based on the determination of the rate constant (k) for the H₂O₂ decomposition rate at 240 nm. Results were expressed as k per gram protein in liver tissue.

GSH determination

GSH content was determined according to Ellman.¹⁹ GSH reacts with 5,5′-dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoic acid, and the absorbance spectra of the product have a maximum absorbance at 410 nm. The results were expressed as micromoles per gram wet tissue.

Protein determination

The protein content in the liver was measured by the method of Lowry et al.²⁰ with bovine serum albumin as the standard.

Statistical analysis

Statistical analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows version 13.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA) statistical program. All data are expressed as arithmetic mean ± standard error (SE). Normality for continued variables in groups were determined by the Shapiro Wilk test. The variables didn’t show normal distribution (p < 0.05). So, Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests were used for comparison of variables among the studied groups. The value of p < 0.05 was regarded as significant.

Results

Blood glucose levels

The mean blood glucose level of DM group was significantly higher than that of control group (p = 0.0001). When compared with the DM group, blood glucose levels of all of the treatment groups significantly decreased (p = 0.0001). The lowest blood glucose level was detected in DM + Q group. However, no significant difference was detected among treatment groups (p > 0.05). The mean blood glucose levels of all groups are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1.

The mean blood glucose levels of all groups (mg/dl).^a

Groups	Initial	Final
Control	113.14 ± 3.38	214.85 ± 8.62
DM	365.71 ± 10.05^b	568.00 ± 12.93
DM + M	392.42 ± 17.65^b	385.71 ± 30.67^c
DM + Q	440.57 ± 30.15^b	335.42 ± 9.27^c
DM + R	411.14 ± 21.87^b	398.85 ± 24.9^c

DM: diabetes mellitus; DM + M: diabetes mellitus + melatonin; DM + Q: diabetes mellitus + quercetin; DM + R: diabetes mellitus + resveratrol.

^aData are expressed as arithmetic mean ± SE of seven animals. ^b p = 0.0001 versus control group.

^c p = 0.0001 versus DM group.

Body weights

The initial BWs at the beginning of the study were similar in all groups (p > 0.05). The final BWs of rats in DM group were significantly decreased when compared with the control group (p = 0.0013), whereas no significant difference was detected among treatment groups (p > 0.05). The mean initial and final BWs of all groups are summarized in Table 2.

Table 2.

The mean BWs of all groups (g).^a

Groups	Initial BW	Final BW
Control	344.00 ± 8.89	336.57 ± 11.77
DM	329.42 ± 2.37	234.42 ± 6.09^b
DM + M	340.42 ± 6.90	254.14 ± 4.86^b
DM + Q	332.71 ± 6.20	270.57 ± 13.55^b,c
DM + R	331.28 ± 5.13	261.85 ± 9.22^b,c

DM: diabetes mellitus; DM + M: diabetes mellitus + melatonin; DM + Q: diabetes mellitus + quercetin; DM + R: diabetes mellitus + resveratrol; BW: body weight.

^aData are expressed as arithmetic mean±SE of seven animals.

^b p = 0.0013 versus control group.

^c p = 0.0013 versus DM group.

Histopathological findings

The control group was normal in histological appearence (Figure 1). In DM group, several histopathological changes including sinusoidal congestion (Figure 2(a)), sinusoidal dilatation (Figure 2(b)), periportal and focal inflammation (Figure 2(c) and (d)) and portal fibrosis (Figure 2e) were observed. Hepatocytes with pycnotic nuclei and eosinophilic cytoplasm were occasionally noticed in parenchyma (Figure 2(f)). Additionally in PAS-stained sections, glycogen depletion in hepatocytes was detected when compared with the control group (Figure 2(g) and (h)). The mean histopathological damage scores (MHDS) were 0.28 ± 0.18 in control group and 9.00 ± 0.21 in DM group (p = 0.001).

In all of the treatment groups, although the liver tissue preserved its normal histological appearance, inflammation, sinusoidal dilatation and congestion (Figure 3(a) to (c)) were sometimes detected. Glycogen content of hepatocytes was preserved in comparison with the DM group (Figure 3(d) to (f)). Furthermore, any sign of hepatic fibrosis was observed in treatment groups (Figure 3(g) to (i)). MHDSs of DM + M, DM + Q and DM + R groups were 4.57 ± 0.36, 4.00 ± 0.57 and 5.14 ± 0.34, respectively. Differences were significant between DM group and all of the treatment groups (p = 0.001, for all). However, no significant difference was detected among these groups (p > 0.05). The MHDSs of all groups are summarized in Table 3.

Table 3.

The MHDS of all groups.^a

	Control	DM	DM + M	DM + Q	DM + R
Hepatic damage score	0.28 ± 0.18	9.00 ± 0.21^b	4.57 ± 0.36^b,c	4.00 ± 0.57^b,c	5.14 ± 0.34^b,c

DM: diabetes mellitus; DM + M: diabetes mellitus + melatonin; DM + Q: diabetes mellitus + quercetin; DM + R: diabetes mellitus + resveratrol; MHDS: mean histopathological damage score.

^aData are expressed arithmetic mean±SE of seven animals.

^b p = 0.001 versus control group.

^c p = 0.001 versus DM group.

Biochemical findings

The mean tissue MDA level of the DM group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p = 0.018). Among the treatment groups, only the mean tissue MDA level of the DM + M group was lower than that of the DM group (p = 0.034). Antioxidant enzyme levels/activities were decreased in DM group, whereas they were increased in treatment groups; significant differences in the mean tissue GSH levels and CAT activities were detected between DM and DM + M group (p = 0.002 and p = 0.035, respectively). Additionally, mean tissue GSH levels were significantly increased in DM + Q and DM + R groups in comparison with the DM group (p = 0.002). Quercetin and resveratrol administrations had no statistically significant effect on SOD and CAT activities (p > 0.05). The mean biochemical levels are given in Table 4.

Table 4.

The mean biochemical levels of all groups.^a

Groups	MDA (nmol/g wet tissue)	SOD (U/mg protein)	CAT (k/g protein)	GSH (micromol/g wet tissue)
Control	24.75 ± 2.20	0.41 ± 0.01	1.32 ± 0.19	1.78 ± 0.04
DM	47.23 ± 6.14^b	0.31 ± 0.03^c	0.79 ± 0.10^d	1.05 ± 0.29^e
DM + M	32.37 ± 3.73^f	0.36 ± 0.02	1.23 ± 0.13^g	2.07 ± 0.12^h
DM + Q	34.52 ± 2.54	0.34 ± 0.02	1.21 ± 0.19	2.17 ± 0.10^h
DM + R	32.85 ± 4.21	0.30 ± 0.02	0.94 ± 0.09	2.19 ± 0.11^h

MDA: malondialdehyde; SOD: superoxide dismutase; CAT: catalase; GSH: glutathione; DM: diabetes mellitus; DM + M: diabetes mellitus + melatonin; DM + Q: diabetes mellitus + quercetin; DM + R: diabetes mellitus + resveratrol.

^aData are expressed arithmetic mean ± SE of seven animals.

^b p = 0.018 versus control group.

^c p = 0.047 versus control group.

^d p = 0.025 versus control group.

^e p = 0.034 versus control group.

^f p = 0.034 versus DM group.

^g p = 0.035 versus DM group.

^h p = 0.002 versus DM group.

Discussion

DM is a well-known endocrine disorder arising from dysfunction and/or death of pancreatic β cells leading to insulin insufficiency.²¹ Especially long-term diabetes causes substantial changes in many vital organs including liver.²² STZ is a deoxy-s (((methyl-nitrosoamino)carbonyl)-amino)-d-gluco pyranose molecule that produces a selective toxic effect on β cells, thus induces DM in most of the laboratory animals.¹ In this study, we evaluated histological and biochemical changes in STZ-induced diabetic rats and the effects of melatonin, quercetin and resveratrol on these alterations.

Several workers have reported that STZ-induced insulin deficiency leads to increased blood glucose level. In our study, single dose of STZ resulted in a significant increase in blood glucose levels. However, melatonin, quercetin and resveratrol reduced blood glucose levels as previously reported.^{12,21,23

–28} Previous studies showed that antidiabetic effects of resveratrol are mediated by attenuation of oxidative damage.^29
–31

STZ treatment has been reported to reduce BW.^32
–34 We also detected weight loss of diabetic rats in comparison with control rats, whereas weight gain of antioxidant administered rats. Guneli et al. and Andallu and Varadacharyulu reported that antioxidative agents prevent weight loss in diabetic rats.^35,36

Several studies have reported that diabetes generate histopathological changes in the liver.^{12,32,37

–41} In H-E-stained sections, we observed congestion, sinusoidal dilatation and inflammation. Similarly, Yanardag et al., Guven et al. and Soetikno et al. found hydropic swelling, granular degeneration, microvesicular vacuolization, focal necrosis, hepatocyte cord disarrangement and inflammation in diabetic liver.^32,37,42 Shairibha and Rajadurai found severe necrosis, oedema and inflammation.³⁸ Taslidere et al. found haemorrhagic areas in liver parenchyma.³⁹ Zafar et al. observed congestion with mild centrilobular hepatocyte degeneration, lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and destruction of some of the bile ducts.⁴³ We observed hepatocytes with pycnotic nucleus and eosinophilic cytoplasm in some areas as Yanardag et al. and Taslidere et al. previously reported.^32,39 Finally, periportal fibrosis was evident in our study. Similary Soetikno et al., Zafar et al., Das et al. and Thulesen et al. showed hepatic fibrosis in diabetic rats.^42

–45

Glycogen, the main energy source of hepatocytes, is an important parameter indicating liver damage. We evaluated hepatic glycogen storage using the PAS staining method. A significant glycogen loss was observed in the diabetic groups as previously reported.^{39,43,45,46,47} Zafar et al. concluded that it might be a result of displacement of glycogen granules by lipid droplets.⁴³

In our study, melatonin, quercetin and resveratrol were all beneficial in reducing diabetes-induced hepatocellular injury in rats. Guven et al. found melatonin to be protective against STZ-induced diabetic liver injury.³⁷ Sirovino et al. found quercetin beneficial in reducing lymphocyte infiltrations, apoptosis and vacuolization in diabetic mice.⁴⁸ Hamadi et al. reported beneficial effects of resveratrol against ballooning degeneration, necrosis, and inflammatory cells infiltration.¹²

Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the production of free radicals and antioxidants defense capacity.¹² The liver is the main organ of oxidative and detoxifying processes, as well as free radical reactions, thus at the early stage of many diseases biomarkers of oxidative stress are elevated in the liver.⁴⁹ The liver is subjected to reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated injury in diabetes.⁵⁰ In physiological condition, excessive generation of ROS could be rapidly detoxified by antioxidant enzymes including SOD and CAT. It is well known that hyperglycaemia increases mitochondrial ROS production and impairs cellular antioxidant enzymes, which could represent a key event in the development and progression of the complications of diabetes.^12,21

MDA, an indicator of free radical generation, is an end-product of lipid peroxidation.^12,51 Increased levels of hepatic MDA were reported in STZ-induced diabetes previously.^{9,12,32,37,41,42,48,51
–53} Many antioxidants have been shown to be beneficial in reducing diabetes-induced MDA increase. Melatonin has been reported to be beneficial in reducing hepatic MDA levels in diabetes.^37,52,54,55 Dias et al. and Sirovina et al. found quercetin effective in reducing hepatic MDA levels in diabetes.^9,48 Atef and Ezz reported that increased MDA levels in diabetes was reduced by resveratrol administration.⁵³ However, Chang et al. reported that resveratrol had no effect on tissue MDA level in rats with diabetes.²¹

Hepatocytes have an antioxidant enzyme system including GSH, CAT and SOD that is capable of reducing free radical-induced oxidative injury. GSH, one of the important nonenzymatic antioxidants, is synthesized mainly in the liver.³² SOD is a metalloprotein and is the first enzyme involved in the antioxidant defence by lowering the steady-state level of O₂. CAT is localized in the peroxisomes or the microperoxisomes, which catalyzes the decomposition of H₂O₂ to water and oxygen, thus protects the cell from oxidative damage induced by H₂O₂.⁴¹ H₂O₂ may be an important mediator for tissue damage in STZ-induced diabetes. Yanardag et al., Abolfathi et al. and Korkmaz et al. reported decreased hepatic GSH level in diabetes.^32,41,54 Korkmaz et al. and Bicer et al. found that GSH levels were significantly increased by melatonin administration.^54,55 Sanders et al. reported decreased GSH levels and CAT activity, but increased SOD activity in diabetic conditions.⁵⁶ However, Guven et al. reported no significant difference between diabetes and control group in hepatic GSH levels.³⁷ They also found decreased SOD actvity in diabetic condition was increased by melatonin. Dias et al. and Yilmaz et al. reported increased SOD and CAT activities;^9,51 however, Abolfathi et al. reported decreased SOD and CAT activities in diabetes.⁴¹ Hamadi et al. and Atef and Ezz reported that resveratrol treatment increased SOD and CAT enzyme activities.^12,53 We detected increased MDA levels whereas decreased GSH levels and CAT and SOD activities in diabetic conditions. Melatonin, quercetin and resveratrol decreased MDA levels and increased CAT activity and GSH levels. There was no significant difference in SOD activity among treatment groups. These results together suggest that melatonin, quercetin and resveratrol are effective to protect liver against oxidative stress induced by STZ-induced diabetes.

In conclusion, we report that administrations of melatonin, quercetin and resveratrol lower concentration of blood glucose and reduce histopathological changes in diabetic liver. These agents also decrease production of MDA and regulates cellular antioxidant enzymes of diabetic rat liver.

Footnotes

Conflict of interest

The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Funding

This study was supported by the Inonu University Scientific Research Foundation.

References

Arulmozhi

Veeranjaneyulu

Bodhankar

. Neonatal streptozotocin-induced rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a glance. Indian J Pharmacol 2004; 36 (4): 217–221.

Liu

W-S

Han

B-Q

. Antidiabetic effects of chitooligosaccharides on pancreatic islet cells in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. World J Gastroenterol 2007; 13 (5): 725–731.

Tatsuki

Satoh

Yamamoto

. Lipid peroxidation in the pancreas and other organs in streptozotocin diabetic rats. Jpn J Pharmacol 1997; 75: 267–273.

Kanter

. Protective effects of thymoquinone on β-cell damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Tıp Araştırmaları Dergisi 2009: 7 (2): 64–70.

Kanter

Coskun

Korkmaz

. Effects of Nigella sativa on oxidative stress and β-cell damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Anat Rec A 2004; 279: 685–691.

Gılgun-Sherkı

Rosenbaum

Melamed

. Antioxidant therapy in acute central nervous system injury: current state. Pharmacol Rev 2002; 54: 271–284.

Nishida

. Metabolic effects of melatonin on oxidative stress and diabetes mellitus. Endocrine 2005; 27 (2): 131–135.

Adewole

Caxton-Martins

Ojewole

JAO

. Protective effect of quercetin on the morphology of pancreatic β-Cells of streptozotocin-treated diabetic rats. Afr J Trad CAM 2007; 4 (1): 64–74.

Dias

Porawski

Alonso

. Quercetin decreases oxidative stress, NF-κB activation and iNOS overexpression in liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. J Nutr 2005; 135: 2299–2304.

10.

Rauter

Martins

Borges

. Antihyperglycaemic and protective effects of flavonoids on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Phytother Res 2010; 24: 133–138.

11.

Cao

Z-D

Wang

. Anti-angiogenic activity of resveratrol, a natural compound from medicinal plants. J Asian Natural Prod Res 2005; 7 (3): 205–213.

12.

Hamadi

Mansour

Hassan

. Ameliorative effects of resveratrol on liver injury in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2012; 26 (10): 384–392.

13.

Szkudelski

. Resveratrol-induced inhibition of insulin secretion from rat pancreatic islets: evidence for pivotal role of metabolic disturbance. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2007; 293: 901–907.

14.

Yar

Menevse

Alp

. The effects of resveratrol on cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA and protein levels in diabetic rat kidneys. Mol Biol Rep 2010; 37: 2323–2331.

15.

Elbe

Vardi

Esrefoglu

. Amelioration of streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy by melatonin, quercetin, and resveratrol in rats. Hum Exp Toxicol 2014. Epub ahead of print 8 May 2014. DOI: 10.1177/0960327114531995.

16.

Esterbauer

Cheeseman

. Determination of aldehydic lipid peroxidation products: malonaldehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal. Methods Enzymol 1990; 186: 407–421.

17.

Sun

Oberley

. A simple method for clinical assay of superoxide dismutase. Clin Chem 1988; 34: 497–500.

18.

Aebi

. Catalase. In: Bergmeyer

(ed) Methods of enzymatic analysis. New York: Academic Press, 1974, pp. 673–677.

19.

Ellman

. Tissue sulfhydryl groups. Arch Biochem Biophys 1959; 82: 70–77.

20.

Lowry

Rosebrough

Farr

. Protein measurement with the folin phenol reagent. J Biol Chem 1951; 193: 265–275.

21.

Chang

C-C

Chang

C-Y

Huang

J-P

. Effect of resveratrol on oxidative and inflammatory stress in liver and spleen of streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic rats. Chin J Physiol 2012; 55 (3): 192–201.

22.

Rifkin

Porte

(eds). Ellenberg and Rifkins diabetes mellitus: theory and practice. 4th ed. New York: Elsevier, 1990.

23.

Mahesh

Menom

. Quercetin alleviates oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Phytother Res 2004; 18: 123–127.

24.

Coskun

Kanter

Korkmaz

. Quercetin, a flavonoid antioxidant, prevents and protects streptozotocin-induced oxidative stress and β-cell damage in rat pancreas. Pharmacol Res 2005; 51: 117–123.

25.

Vural

Sabuncu

Arslan

. Melatonin inhibits lipid peroxidation and stimulates the antioxidant status of diabetic rats. J Pineal Res 2001; 31: 193–198.

26.

Gorgun

Ozturk

Gumustas

. Melatonin administration affects plasma total sialic acid and lipid peroxidation levels in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. J Toxicol Environ Health 2002; 4 (65): 695–700.

27.

Montilla

Vargas

Tunez

. Oxidative stress in diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin: protective effects of melatonin. J Pineal Res 1998; 25: 94–100.

28.

Anwar

Meki

. Oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: effects of garlic oil and melatonin. Comp Biochem Physiol 2003; 135: 539–547.

29.

Palsamy

Subramanian

. Resveratrol, a natural phytoalexin, normalizes hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced experimental diabetic rats. Biomed Pharmacother 2008; 62: 598–605.

30.

Hung

Chen

. Resveratrol, a red wine antioxidant, possesses an insulin-like effect in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2006; 290: 1339–1346.

31.

Thirunavukkarasu

Penumathsa

Srikanth

. Resveratrol alleviates cardiac dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetes: role of nitric oxide, thioredoxin and heme oxygenase. Free Radic Biol Med 2007; 43: 720–729.

32.

Yanardag

Ozsoy-Sacan

Bolkent

. Protective effects of metformin treatment on the liver injury of streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Human Exp Toxicol 2005; 24: 129.

33.

Coldiron

Sanders

Watkins

. Effects of combined quercetin and coenzyme Q10 treatment on oxidative stress in normal and diabetic rats. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2002; 16 (4): 197–202.

34.

Obrosova

Fathallah

Lıu

. Early oxidative stress in the diabetic kidney: effect of dl-alfa-lipoic acid. Free Radic Biol Med 2003; 34: 186–195.

35.

Guneli

Tugyan

Ozturk

. Effect of melatonin on testicular damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetes rats. Eur Surg Res 2008; 78: 479–484.

36.

Andallu

Varadacharyulu

. Antioxidant role of mulberry (Morus indica L. Cv. Anantha) leaves in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Clin Chim Acta 2003; 338: 3–10.

37.

Guven

Yavuz

Cam

. Effects of melatonin on streptozotocin-induced diabetic liver injury in rats. Acta Histochemica 2006; 108: 85–93.

38.

Shairibha

SMR

Rajadurai

. Effect of Glymin, a polyherbal formulation on lipid profile and histopathological examination in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Int J Pharm Sci Drug Res 2012; 4 (1): 49–55.

39.

Taslidere

Vardi

Orman

. Anti-apoptotic effects of aminoguanidine against liver damage on experimental diabetes in rats. J Turgut Ozal Med Cent 2014: 21 (2): 111–117.

40.

Vardı

Iraz

Öztürk

. Deneysel diyabetin sıçan karaciğerinde meydana getirdiği histolojik değisiklikler üzerine melatoninin iyilestirici etkileri. Turkish J Med Sci 2007; 27: 641–648.

41.

Abolfathi

Mohajeri

Rezaie

. Protective effects of green tea extract against hepatic tissue injury in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2012; 2012: 740671.

42.

Soetikno

Harima

Suzuki

. Amelioration of liver injury by curcumin in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. In: International Conference on Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (ICMPS'2012), Bangkok, 16–17 June 2012.

43.

Zafar

Naqvi

Ahmed

. Altered liver morphology and enzymes in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Int J Morphol 2009; 27 (3): 719–725.

44.

Das

Padayatti

Paulose

. Effect of leaf extract of Aegle marmelose (L.) Correa ex Roxb. on histological and ultrastructural changes in tissues of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Indian J Exp Biol 1996; 34 (4): 341–345.

45.

Thulesen

Orskov

Holst

. Shortterm insulin treatment prevents the diabetogenic action of streptozotocin in rats. Endocrinology 1997; 138 (1): 62–68.

46.

Kume

Ohmachi

Itagaki

. Hepatic changes of mice in the subacute phase of streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes. Exp Toxicol Pathol 1994; 46: 368–374.

47.

Bicer

Akil

Avunduk

. Interactive effects of melatonin, exercise and diabetes on liver glycogen levels. Endokrynol Pol 2011; 62 (3): 252–256.

48.

Sirovina

Orsolic

Koncic

. Quercetin vs chrysin: effect on liver histopathology in diabetic mice. Human Exp Toxicol 2013; 32 (10): 1058–1066.

49.

Stadler

Jenei

Bolcshazy

. Increased nitric oxide levels as an early sign of premature aging in diabetes. Free Radic Biol Med 2003; 35: 1240–1251.

50.

Seven

Guzel

Seymen

. Effect of vitamin E supplementation on oxidative stress in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats: investigation of liver and plasma. Yonsei Med J 2004; 45: 703–710.

51.

Yilmaz

Yucel

. Protective effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in diabetic rat liver. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2004; 18: 234–238.

52.

Baydas

Canatan

Turkoglu

. Comparative analysis of the protective effects of melatonin and vitamin E on streptozocin-induced diabetes mellitus. J Pineal Res 2002; 32: 225–230.

53.

Atef

Ezz

. Evaluation of the antioxidant effects of resveratrol against hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress in type 2 diabetic rat model. J Appl Sci Res 2012; 8 (3): 1576–1584.

54.

Korkmaz

Uzun

Cakatay

. Melatonin ameliorates oxidative damage in hyperglycemia-induced liver injury. Clin Invest Med 2012; 35 (6): 370–377.

55.

Bicer

Akil

Baltaci

. Protective effect of melatonin on lipid peroxidation in various tissues of diabetic rats subjected to an acute swimming exercise. Bratisl Lek Listy 2012; 113 (12): 698–701.

56.

Sanders

Rauscher

Watkins

III . Effects of quercetin on antioxidant defense in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2001; 15 (3): 143–149.