Preventive effects of vitamin e against oxidative damage in aged diabetic rat bladders

Abstract

Objectives To examine the effects of aging and/or diabetes mellitus on oxidative stress and the protective effect of vitamin E in the bladder. It was proposed that the balance between oxidant and antioxidant species is important regarding the aging process and prevention of diabetic complications. Methods Young and aged rats were randomly allotted into six experimental groups: aged control, aged diabetic, aged diabetic and vitamin Etreated, young control, young diabetic, young diabetic and vitamin Etreated. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin. Vitamin E was administered to the treated groups. Malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione levels were measured in all rat bladders, and histological changes were examined by electron microscopy. Results We found increased malondialdehyde and decreased glutathione levels in the young and aged diabetic groups compared with the nondiabetic control groups. Elevated malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione levels were observed in the aged compared with the young control groups. There were no significant differences in the malondialdehyde and glutathione levels between young and aged diabetic vitamin Etreated groups compared with the related control groups. Degeneration was greatest in the aged diabetic group. The protective effects of vitamin E were seen in young and aged diabetic groups, especially in the young diabetic group. Conclusions Our results suggest that vitamin E supplementation prevents free radical damage in bladders of young and aged diabetic rats. © 2011 Elsevier Inc.