Antioxidant and vascular effects of gliclazide in type 2 diabetic rats fed high-fat diet

Physiol Res. 2009;58(2):203-209. doi: 10.33549/physiolres.931480. Epub 2008 Apr 1.

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by oxidative stress, which in turn determines endothelial dysfunction. Gliclazide is a sulphonylurea antidiabetic drug with antioxidant effects due to its azabicyclo-octyl ring. It has been reported to potentially protect the vasculature through improvements in plasma lipid levels and platelet function. We hypothesized that gliclazide has a beneficial effect on endothelial function in Goto-Kakizaki rats (GK), an animal model of type 2 diabetes fed an atherogenic diet for 4 months. We evaluated the influence of gliclazide on both metabolic and oxidative status and NO-mediated vasodilation. GKAD rats showed increased oxidative stress and impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation. GKAD rats treated with gliclazide showed increased sensitivity to NO-mediated vasodilation, a significant decrease in fasting glycemia and insulinemia, and a significant decrease in systemic oxidative stress. In conclusion, our results suggest that gliclazide treatment improves NO-mediated vasodilation in diabetic GK rats with dyslipidemia probably due to its antioxidant effects, although we cannot rule out substantial benefits due to a reduction in fasting blood glucose. The availability of a compound that simultaneously decreases hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and inhibits oxidative stress is a promising therapeutic candidate for the prevention of vascular complications of diabetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine
  • Acetylcholine / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Body Weight
  • Deoxyguanosine / analogs & derivatives
  • Deoxyguanosine / urine
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / metabolism
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / metabolism
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / prevention & control*
  • Dietary Fats / pharmacology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dyslipidemias / complications
  • Dyslipidemias / metabolism
  • Gliclazide / pharmacology*
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Rats
  • Rats, Mutant Strains
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Vasodilation / drug effects
  • Vasodilator Agents / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Dietary Fats
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Nitric Oxide
  • 8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine
  • Gliclazide
  • Deoxyguanosine
  • Acetylcholine