Role of Nicotinamide in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetes in Animal Models

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is mainly characterized by hyperglycemia [1] with an imbalance of carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism due to reduced production of insulin from pancreas (defects in insulin secretion), or when insulin cannot be used efficiently by the body (defect in insulin action), or both [1,2]. Two major forms of diabetes are Type I DM (TIDM) and Type II DM (TIIDM). TIDM is also termed as insulin dependent DM (IDDM) and TIIDM as non insulin dependent DM (NIDDM). TIDM is immune mediated and is characterized by destruction of pancreatic β-cells and requires daily administration of exogenous insulin [3]. TIIDM is the most prevalent form of diabetes, mainly characterized by partial destruction of pancreatic β-cells, which results in relative insulin deficiency/ resistance [2,4]. About 5-10% diabetic patients have TIDM as it affects 3 in 1000 children whereas TIIDM is considered to be the most prevailing form of diabetes, which accounts for about 90% of diabetic cases [5].