Effect of telmisartan in experimentally induced diabetetes mellitus in rats.

BACKGROUND Increased oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy and neuropathy. Angiotensin II is a know factor in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. The protective effects of ACEIs is known in diabetic nephropathy. Thus, Angiotensin receptor antagonists may have the same role. In this study, possible antidiabetic effect of Telmisartan and its tissues antioxidant effect in (STZ) induced diabetic rats, were studied METHODS The present study was done on 40 rats. They were divided into 2 main groups. Group I: 10 rats as control group, received distilled water. Group II: 30 rats subdivided into 3 equal subgroups as follow: Subgroup IIA: control diabetic group, received 55 mg/kg STZ intraperitoneally. Sub group IIB: diabetic rats, received 10 mg/kg telmisartan daily intragastrically. Sub group IIC: diabetic rats received 10mg/kg gliclazide daily intragastrically. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 55 mg/kg STZ for 8 weeks evidenced by significant increase in serum glucose, HBA(1c) and decreased Hb levels. RESULTS Diabetic rats showed a significant increase in tissue TBARs and a significant decrease in tissue (GSH) and (SOD) enzymes. Telmisartan or Gliclazide in diabetic rats produced a beneficial effect on serum glucose, Hb, HBA(1c) and restored tissue GSH and SOD with a fall in tissues TBARS. CONCLUSION Telmisartan might be proved useful in the treatment of diabetes and its complications, as Gliclazide is restricted by its secondary failure rate and side effects.