The Gene Expression of Antioxidant Enzymes in Streptozotocin-Induced Experimental Diabetes in Rat Liver Tissue

In this study, Wistar rats were experimentally induced diabetes and the gene expression profile of CuZn-SOD and CAT enzymes were investigated in the liver tissue of these rats. The rats were divided into two groups as control and the experimental diabetes group (DM). In group DM, as a single dose of 50 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) dissolved in 0.01 M citrate buffer (pH: 4.5) was given intraperitoneally to the rats. 0.01 M citrate buffer which is the vehicle for STZ was applied to the rats in control group. 72 hours after STZ treatment, blood samples were collected from the tail vein, and the blood sugar levels were measured. Rats with fasting blood sugar levels above 350 mg/dl were considered to be diabetic. The rats were decapitated 21 days after STZ treatment. The liver tissues were collected, and the gene expression profile of CuZn-SOD and CAT in the liver was measured using real-time PCR technique. In conclusion, it was found that a significant decrease was observed in the expression of CuZn-SOD and CAT genes in DM group when they were compared to that of control group. [Med-Science 2015; 4(4.000): 2834-48