Effects of L-serine on oxidative stress indices and histopathological changes of pancreas in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder with an increasing global prevalence that can lead to premature death. High blood glucose is the main lab. abnormality in diabetes mellitus which occurs as a consequence of disorder in pancreatic insulin secretion or function. L -Serine supplementation regarded as safe by the FDA can improve glucose homeostasis and reduce homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of L-serine intake on oxidative stress indices and histopathologic changes in the pancreas of diabetic mice.

In order to conduct this study, 18 c57bl/6 male mice were purchased and divided into 3 groups (control, diabetic control and diabetic mice treated by L-serine(. Diabetes induced by chemical method (streptozotocin, 200 mg/kg). After four weeks of oral administration of L-Serine (approximately 280 mg/day/mouse), animals were euthanized by guillotine and blood samples and pancreas tissues were obtained to determine biochemical parameters, oxidative stress indices and pathological changes.

The results of this study showed that oral administration of the supplement of L-Serine in diabetic mice could help to lower blood sugar levels and could lead to increased catalase enzyme activity (P<0.05) but had no significant effect on the levels of MDA, cholesterol, and triglyceride. On the other hand, histopathological changes showed a slight reduction in diabetes-induced pancreas damage in mice treated with L-serine.

These findings showed that the supplement of L-Serine may have a protective effect against diabetes-induced pancreas damage by lowering blood sugar and improving oxidative stress status.