Protective effect of Montilla-Moriles appellation red wine on oxidative stress induced by streptozotocin in the rat

This study evaluated the protective effect of Montilla-Moriles appellation red wine (Cordoba, Spain) on oxidative stress, course and intensity of symptoms in experimental diabetes induced by the injection of streptozotocin in male Wistar rats. The rats were injected with a single dose of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg i.p.) and given water and red wine separately. After 4 weeks of treatment, blood samples were obtained to determine sugar and fructosamine concentrations in blood plasma, serum insulin concentration, and percentage of glycosylated hemoglobin in blood. The kidney, liver, and pancreas were removed to determine lipid peroxidation levels, reduced glutathione content, and antioxidative enzyme activity. A significant increase of glucose concentration in urine was found in the rats after injecting the streptozotocin. The administration of red wine before streptozotocin elevated reduced glutathione content and antioxidative enzyme activity, while lowering the lipid peroxidation level. Moreover, the red wine induced decreased levels of glycemia, plasma fructosamine and percentage of glycosylated hemoglobin, while increasing levels of insulin. These data suggest that red wine has a protective effect against oxidative stress and diabetes induced by streptozotocin. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.