EFFECT OF ONE MONTH CYSTEINE TREATMENT ON THE GLYCEMIC CONTROL, LIPID PROFILE, GLYCATED AND OXIDIZED LDL, IN THE RAT MODEL OF DIABETES - ATHEROSCLEROSIS

Diabetes is the most common metabolic diseases and its vascular complications are main cause of death in diabetic patients. Patients with hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and oxidative stress are prone to diabetes complications. The goal of this study was investigation of the effect of cysteine (Cys) on hyperglycemia, lipid profile, atherogenic index, glyoxal, methylglyoxal, oxidative stress and, glycation and oxidation of LDL in the rat model of diabetes –atherosclerosis.

Diabetes was induced in the rats using Streptozotocin injection; then they put on the atherogenic diet. The groups under study were including of control and diabetic rats, and two other similar groups under Cys (0.05 % in dirking water) treatment. After one month, fasting blood sugar (FBS), lipid profile, atherogenic index (LDL/HDL), glycated and oxidized LDL, AGEs, glyoxal, methylglyoxal, Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) as an oxidative stress index and weight of rat was measured.

Diabetic-atherosclerotic rat groups significantly showed higher level of FBS, triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL, atherogenic index, glycated and oxidized LDL, glyoxal, methylglyoxal and AOPP than control group. These parameters significantly (P < 0.001) reduced in diabetic group treated with Cys in comparison of untreated.

Cysteine with improving property on glycemic and lipemic conditions, inhibitory activity on glycation and oxidation of LDL and reduction of oxidative stress in diabetic-atherosclerotic rats could recommended as a drug for prevention of diabetes complications.