Pathophysiological features in the brains of female Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rats

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity are associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and psychiatric disorders such as major depression. In this study, we investigated pathophysiological changes in the brains of female Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rats with diabetes and obesity. Brains of Sprague-Dawley (SD), SDT and SDT fatty rats were collected at 58 weeks of age. The parietal cortical thickness was measured and the number of pyramidal cells in the hippocampal cornu ammonis 1 and 3 (CA1 and CA3) and the number of granule cells in the dentate gyrus (DG) regions were counted. The area of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) positivity in CA1, CA3 and DG regions were measured. The parietal cortical thickness and the number of cells in CA3 and DG regions of SDT and SDT fatty rats did not show obvious changes. On the other hand, in the CA1 region, the number of cells in SDT rats and SDT fatty rats was significantly lower than that in SD rats, and that in SDT fatty rats was significantly lower than that in SDT rats. The GFAP-positive area in SDT fatty rats was significantly reduced compared to that in SD rats only in the DG region. Preliminarily result showed that the expression of S100a9, an inflammation-related gene, was increased in the brains of SDT fatty rats. These results suggest that female SDT fatty rat may exhibit central nervous system diseases due to obesity and DM.     

Maternal high‐fat diet promotes onset of diabetes in rat offspring

The onset and progression of type II diabetes is closely related to environmental factors, in particular dietary habit. Moreover, the environmental exposures very early in life can influence the risk for development of type II diabetes later in life. In this study, we investigated pathophysiological changes in the pups of maternal Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) rats that were fed a high‐fat diet (HFD) throughout gestation and lactation. Maternal SDT rats were continued on HFD for 5 weeks, from day 8 of gestation to day 21 after birth, and biological analyses of the pups were performed from 2 to 22 weeks of age. Results of serum lipid levels in pups from dams fed HFD were higher than pups from dams fed a standard diet, and the onset of diabetes was significantly accelerated in pups from dams fed HFD. In pathological analyses, pups from dams fed HFD showed increases in liver weight and vacuolation of hepatic cells at 2 weeks of age. In conclusion, the metabolic disorder of lipids and glucose in SDT rats is closely related to the nutritional condition of dams during the periods of gestation and lactation.     

Physiological changes induced by salt intake in female Spontaneously Diabetic Torii‐Leprfa (SDT fatty) rat,a novel obese type 2 diabetic model

Salt plays an important role in the control of blood pressure in obesity and diabetes mellitus. In this study, we investigated physiological changes such as blood pressure and renal function in salt‐loaded female Spontaneously Diabetic Torii‐Lepr^fa (SDT fatty) rats. SDT fatty rats were given 1% NaCl in drinking water for 14 weeks, from 4 to 18 weeks of age. Significant salt‐sensitive hypertension was observed in the salt‐loaded SDT fatty rats. Moreover, the salt‐loaded rats showed a decrease of creatinine clearance and deterioration on pathological renal findings, including glomerulosclerosis and tubular and interstitial lesions. Female SDT fatty rat is a useful model for investigating the mechanisms of high salt sensitivity in obesity and diabetes mellitus.     

链脲佐菌素诱导1型糖尿病大鼠模型的影响因素探讨

通过注射链脲佐菌素(STZ)制作大鼠1型糖尿病模型,观察大鼠品系、给药剂量、给药次数对大鼠成模率、死亡率的影响,同时研究利用口服葡萄糖耐量试验(OGTT)判断大鼠糖尿病成模率的意义。随机取16只SD大鼠设置正常对照组。试验一:Wistar大鼠随机分为中剂量组(55 mg/kg,n=12)和高剂量组(65 mg/kg,n=12);试验二:SD大鼠一次性腹腔注射STZ(55 mg/kg,n=12),与1中的Wistar大鼠作对比;试验三:SD大鼠随机分为一次给药组(n=16)和两次给药组(n=16),注射剂量均为55 mg/kg,观察期间进行OGTT。结果表明,Wistar大鼠成模率和死亡率均高于SD大鼠;采用SD大鼠、中剂量给药和两次给药的方式可提高成模率,并降低死亡率;在有明确胰岛病理改变的模型组大鼠,其OGTT异常阳性率显著高于空腹血糖异常阳性率。用STZ诱导糖尿病模型是一种稳定可靠的方法。     

Effects of preventing hyperphagia on glycolipid metabolic abnormalities in Spontaneously Diabetic Torii fatty rats

Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rats, made by introducing the fa allele of the Zucker fatty rat into the SDT rat genome, represent a new model of obese type 2 diabetes. SDT fatty ^fa/fa (SDT fatty) rats exhibit overt obesity, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia from about six weeks of age, and this is associated with hyperphagia by an induced disorder of leptin action. The present study was conducted to elucidate whether suppression of hyperphagia can improve reduce abnormalities in SDT fatty rats. SDT fatty rats were subjected to pair-feeding with SDT fatty ^{+/ +} (SDT) rats from 6 to 26 weeks of age, and the effects on metabolic parameters and diabetic complications were assessed. Body weights of the pair-fed rats were similar with those of SDT rats during the experimental period. Improvement of hyperglycemia or hypertriglyceridemia was observed from 8 to 16 or 12 weeks of age in the pair-fed rats, but hypercholesterolemia was not entirely improved during the experimental period. We also examined mRNAs expression in liver, and found that the expression associated with glyconeogenesis, such as glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), tended to decrease in the pair-fed rats, and the mRNA expression of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) was elevated. Renal parameters, such as blood urea nitrogen and urinary albumin excretion, were improved in the pair-fed rats. The incidence or progression of diabetic complications, such as renal lesions and cataract, was reduced. In conclusion, suppression of hyperphagia in SDT fatty rats was effective in temporally improving hyperglycemia or hypertriglyceridemia, and reducing the incidence or progression of diabetic complications, but was ineffective in reducing hypercholesterolemia.     

Bone morphological analyses in Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rats

The Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rat, a model for obese type 2 diabetes, shows bone quantitative abnormalities, namely low bone mineral density (BMD). The objective of this study was to evaluate bone morphological changes, in particular identifying the bone qualitative abnormalities, in the SDT fatty rat. Male SDT fatty rats showed increases in total trabecular area and trabecular number and decreases in trabecular thickness in cancellous bones of the proximal tibia, indicating trabecular miniaturization. The SDT fatty rat is useful for investigation of pathophysiological changes in bone quality in diabetic osteoporosis.     

花粉、蜂胶对糖尿病SD大鼠的影响

以花粉、蜂胶水提液、蜂胶醇提液为材料，测定和比较了花粉和不同提取方法的蜂胶对糖尿病SD大鼠血糖的影响以及给药4周后对果糖胺、甘油三酯、总胆固醇、肌酐、丙二醛、白蛋白、总蛋白的影响，以及各组动物的肾重／体重。结果表明。花粉、蜂胶能在一定时间内控制血糖；花粉对肾脏具有一定的保护作用。花粉、蜂胶均能降低果糖胺、甘油三酯、总胆固醇、肌酐、丙二醛水平；减少总蛋白，白蛋白的消耗，说明花粉、蜂胶能改善糖尿病大鼠体内糖、蛋白质、脂肪代谢，减少糖尿病并发症的危害。     

Indoor confinement and physical inactivity rather than the proportion of dry food are risk factors in the development of feline type 2 diabetes mellitus

With domestication and urbanisation, cats have transformed from being hunting animals that eat protein-rich prey into more sedentary animals that eat a carbohydrate-rich diet. It was hypothesised that a high intake of dry cat food and a lack of physical activity may play a role in the development of feline type 2 diabetes mellitus. Information on dietary history and physical activity of 96 cats with diabetes mellitus and 192 matched controls was collected retrospectively, using a telephone questionnaire. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between questionnaire-derived variables and the development of diabetes mellitus. The energy percentage of dry food in the diet was not significantly correlated with the development of diabetes mellitus (P=0.29), whereas both indoor confinement (P=0.002) and low physical activity (P=0.004) were. The results indicated that the proportion of dry food in a cat's diet may not be an independent risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, whereas physical inactivity and indoor confinement are.     

灌服番茄红素对SD大鼠运动后血浆氧化应激的影响

试验旨在研究灌服番茄红素对SD大鼠运动后血液抗氧化性能的影响。选取体重为(233.40±6.21) g的健康雄性清洁级SD大鼠32只,随机分为4组,每组8只,对照组饲喂基础日粮,灌胃食用油,试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组分别在饲喂基础日粮的基础上灌服10、20、40 mg/kg体重番茄红素,预试期10 d,正试期42 d;每周游泳训练6 d,训练6周,游泳11 h后采集血液测定氧化应激指标。结果表明,灌服番茄红素后SD大鼠血浆中番茄红素的浓度呈先升高后降低的趋势,在灌服番茄红素后4 h时SD大鼠血浆中番茄红素浓度达到峰值;随着灌服番茄红素剂量的增加,SD大鼠运动后血浆谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活力、总抗氧化酶活力、总抗氧化能力呈升高的趋势;血浆丙二醛的含量随灌服剂量的增加呈降低的趋势。因此,运动后SD大鼠机体抗氧化能力与灌服番茄红素的剂量存在剂量依赖性,随着番茄红素剂量的增加机体抗氧化能力呈升高趋势。     

Effects of Intragastric Lycopene on Oxidative Stress of Blood after Exercise SD Rats

The experiment was conducted to study the effects of intragastric lycopene on oxidative stress blood after exercise SD rats.Thirty two SD rats with similar weight(233.40 g±6.21 g) and good health for SPF were randomized into one control groups and three trial groups with 8 rats per group.The control group was gastric fed with edible oil,the trial Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ groups were gastric fed with edible oil intragastric with 10,20,40 mg/(kg·BW) lycopene,respectively.The pre-experiment period lasted for 10 d,and the experiment period lasted for 42 d.Swimming train six days a week and train six weeks,then that blood were collection for determination of oxidative stress after swimming train 11 hours SD rats.The results showed that lycopene concentration of plasma was increased at first and decreased subsequently,after 4 h lycopene concentration of plasma in SD rat was peak.With the increase of intragastric lycopene doses,glutathione peroxidase,total antioxidant enzyme activity and total antioxidant capacity of plasma showed a trend of rising; malondialdehyde content of plasma showed a trend of decrease with the increase of supplemental lycopene dose after exercise SD rats.Therefore,the antioxidant capacity of blood after exercise SD rats and doses of intragastric lycopene were dose dependent,antioxidant capacity of blood after exercise SD rats showed a trend of rise with the increase of lycopene dose.     

蜂胶对糖尿病大鼠蛋白质代谢的影响

将复制糖尿病模型的72只SD大鼠随机分为模型组，蜂胶水提取液1(WSP1)，蜂胶水提取液2(WSP2)蜂胶醇提取液1(EEP1)，蜂胶醇提取液2(EEP2)，阳性对照组(拜糖苹)，另取12只为正常组。除正常组和模型组外，各组分别给予不同的实验药物，给药7周后，抽血测总蛋白、白蛋白，同时计算球蛋白和白蛋白，球蛋白。结果发现，蜂胶能降低糖尿病大鼠体内蛋白质的消耗，升高糖尿病大鼠体内总蛋白、白蛋白水平，同时升高白蛋白，球蛋白的比值。表明蜂胶可以调节糖尿病大鼠体内蛋白质的代谢。     

Renal lesions in spontaneous insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in the nonobese diabetic mouse: acute phase of diabetes

The nonobese diabetic mouse is a model of spontaneous insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The present study made longitudinal observations of renal lesions in the acute-progressive phase of diabetic mice 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 days after onset of diabetes without insulin therapy. Plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen concentrations gradually increased after onset of diabetes. Kidney weight increased and plateaued at day 20. Under electron microscopy the glomeruli demonstrated only mild changes on day 40. In the proximal tubules proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive nuclei and nuclear divisions were increased on days 10 and 20. On day 40 of diabetes, increased periodic acid-Schiff-positive granules, confirmed as lysosomal dense bodies, increased neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) positive reaction, and decreased periodic acid-Schiff staining in the brush border were observed in the proximal straight tubules. In the juxtaglomerular apparatus stratified macula densa were decreased with time in diabetes compared with the findings on day 0, and this macula densa positively reacted with nNOS. No changes in renin levels were observed. In addition, apoptotic cells were not detected. In conclusion, this research represents the first thorough characterization of acute changes in nonobese diabetic mouse kidneys. The results demonstrated renal hypertrophy and slight glomerular injury in early stages and structural alteration of the proximal straight tubules at later stages during the acute phase of diabetes. Furthermore, increased nNOS may represent one of the pathogenic factors of diabetic nephropathy.     

Development and characterization of an equine behaviour chamber and the effects of amitraz and detomidine on spontaneous locomotor activity

This report describes the development of a behaviour chamber and the validation of the chamber to measure locomotor activity of a horse. Locomotor activity was detected by four Mini-beam sensors and recorded on a data logger every 5 min for 22 h. Horses were more active during daytime than in the evening, which was at least partially related to human activity in their surroundings. To validate the ability of the chambers to detect changes in activity, fentanyl citrate and xylazine HCl, agents well-characterized as a stimulant and a depressant, respectively, were administered to five horses. Fentanyl citrate (0.016 mg/kg) significantly increased locomotor activity which persisted for 30 min. Xylazine HCl (1 mg/kg) significantly reduced locomotor activity for 90 min. Amitraz produced a dose-dependent decrease in locomotor activity, lasting 75 min for the 0.05 mg/kg dose, 120 min for the 0.10 mg/kg dose, and 180 min for the 0.15 mg/kg dose. In a separate experiment, yohimbine administration immediately reversed the sedative effect of amitraz. This suggests there is a similarity in the mode of action of amitraz, xylazine and detomidine, as yohimbine acts primarily by blocking central α 2 -adrenoceptors that are stimulated by agents like xylazine. There was also a significant decrease in locomotor activity following injection of detomidine (0.02, 0.04 and 0.08 mg/kg) for 1.5, 3.5 and 5.0 h, respectively. The locomotor chamber is a useful, sensitive and highly reproducible tool for measuring spontaneous locomotor activity in the horse, which allows investigators to determine an agent's average time of onset, duration and intensity of effect on movement.     

Differential effects of treadmill exercise on calretinin immunoreactivity in type 2 diabetic rats in early and chronic diabetic stages

In this study, we investigated the effects of treadmill exercise on calretinin (CR), a marker of early postmitotic neurons, immunoreactivity in the dentate gyrus (DG) of Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, before or after diabetes onset, and Zucker lean control (ZLC) rats. For this study, 6-week-old ZLC and prediabetic ZDF rats, and 22-week-old ZLC and ZDF rats were exercised on the treadmill. Sedentary ZLC and ZDF rats of the same age were used as exercise experiment controls. The exercised prediabetic ZDF rats did not show diabetes onset, while the sedentary prediabetic ZDF rats showed significantly increased blood glucose levels. The exercised diabetic ZDF rats exhibited a decrease in their blood glucose levels compared to the sedentary diabetic ZDF rats, but the levels were still above 20 mmol/l. ZLC rats of both ages were in the normoglycemic range. CR immunoreactivity was detected throughout the DG, including the subgranular zone and the polymorphic layer. Diabetic rats exhibited a significant decrease in the number of CR-immunoreactive cells and fibers in the DG. Exercise in the prediabetic ZDF rats significantly increased the number of CR-immunoreactive cells and fibers in the subgranular zone of the DG. In the ZLC and ZDF rats of chronic diabetic phase, exercise increased CR-immunoreactive neurons in the hilar region. These results suggest that diabetes significantly reduces the number of postmitotic CR-immunoreactive neurons and the intensity of immunoreactivity and that exercise increases these CR-related parameters in a diabetic stage-dependent manner.     

Evaluation of the interaction of mu and kappa opioid agonists on locomotor behavior in the horse.

This study was designed to determine the interactive effects of mu and kappa opioid agonists on locomotor behavior in the horse. Three doses of a mu agonist, fentanyl (5, 10, 20 micrograms/kg) and a kappa agonist U50,488H (30, 60, 120 micrograms/kg) were administered in a random order to six horses. Locomotor activity was measured using a two minute footstep count. Each dose of U50,488H was then combined with 20 micrograms/kg of fentanyl to determine the interactive effects of the drugs on locomotor activity. A significant increase in locomotor activity was seen with 20 micrograms/kg of fentanyl and all the drug combinations. The combination of U50,488H with fentanyl resulted in an earlier onset of locomotor activity. At the highest doses of the combination (U50,488H 120 micrograms/kg, fentanyl 20 micrograms/kg), the duration of locomotor activity was significantly increased when compared to the other doses. We conclude that locomotor activity is maintained or enhanced in horses when a receptor specific kappa agonist is combined with a mu receptor agonist.     

P-60 Hypercalcaemia associated with disseminated Lagenidium spp. infection in a dog: case report

Opportunistic dermatoses can occur in case of immunosuppressive diseases. The first case was a 12-year-old domestic short-haired cat suffering from diabetes with a phaeohyphomycosis due to Scytalidium spp. associated with cutaneous hemangiosarcoma. A painless and ulcerated nodule was observed on a digit with fistulous tracts over the metatarsal joint. Histopathological examination of the nodule revealed a hemangiosarcoma in which brownish fungal colonies were found. Itraconazole (5 mg/kg twice daily), then amputation, allowed 12 months of survival (pulmonary metastases). The second case concerned a 13-year-old Siamese cat with cheyletiellosis associated with spontaneous Cushing's disease and diabetes mellitus. This cat exhibited scales and miliary dermatitis on the trunk associated with polyuria, polydipsia and a pot-belly. Acetate tape impression showed Cheyletiella blakei mites and eggs. Blood analysis revealed diabetes mellitus and spontaneous hyperadrenocorticism. The owner refused treatment. The third case was a 14-year-old domestic short-haired cat with generalized demodicosis associated with iatrogenic Cushing's disease and diabetes mellitus. Long-acting glucocorticoids had been used for treatment of plasma cell stomatitis for 5 years. This cat exhibited erythema, scales, self-induced alopecia, thin skin and moderate pruritus associated with polyuria and polydipsia. Cutaneous lesions principally developed on the abdomen and flanks. Skin scrapings and trichogram showed numerous Demodex cati mites. Routine blood work demonstrated diabetes mellitus and iatrogenic Cushing's disease. Treatment was based on insulin therapy, milbemycin oxime (1 mg/kg once daily) and chlorambucil (0.2 mg/kg once daily). The demodicosis was cured after 4 months, but the cat died of cutaneous and ocular herpesvirus infection 10 months later.
Funding: Self-funded.     

穴位埋线对运动性疲劳大鼠能量代谢水平的影响

本试验旨在探讨埋线疗法对运动疲劳的改善作用。以运动性疲劳大鼠为研究对象,将36只SD大鼠随机分为空白组、跑台组、埋线组,每组12只,埋线组进行相应穴位埋线,研究其对骨骼肌能量代谢水平的影响。采用7周递增跑台训练法构建运动疲劳模型。7周训练结束后,除空白组外,跑台组、埋线组进行大速度力竭运动,记录力竭时间,测定能量代谢相关指标及疲劳相关生物标志物,制作骨骼肌切片。研究结果表明,与空白组相比,跑台组、埋线组血糖、糖原含量均显著降低（P<0.05）,乳酸、尿素氮、丙二醛含量均显著升高（P<0.05）,骨骼肌切片光镜下均观察到病理损伤现象。埋线组ATP含量、ATP酶活性均显著高于跑台组（P<0.05）,肌酸激酶含量上升幅度低于跑台组。综上所述,穴位埋线可以使机体具有更多的能源物质、更少的代谢产物,并可能通过改善氧化应激、提高能量供应等调节机体能量代谢水平,延缓运动疲劳的产生。     

Caffeine-induced hyperactivity in the horse: comparisons of drug and metabolite concentrations in blood and cerebrospinal fluid

The goals of this study were to elucidate the temporal and quantitative relationships between caffeine and its major bioactive metabolites in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and to characterize the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationship for caffeine-induced changes in spontaneous locomotor activity in the horse. We hypothesized that caffeine and its metabolites distribute efficiently into the CSF to antagonize adenosine A1 and A2a receptors and that spontaneous locomotor activity correlates well with caffeine and/or metabolite concentrations in CSF and blood. A microdialysis system was developed to allow simultaneous monitoring of locomotor activity and collection of CSF and blood samples for pharmacokinetic analysis. CSF concentrations of caffeine and its metabolites were evaluated to determine the percentage of central adenosine receptor blockade by the established standard inhibition curves. Caffeine increased the spontaneous locomotor activity for up to 4 h in a dose-dependent manner. After 3 mg/kg caffeine administration, blood caffeine concentration as well as locomotor activity increased sharply to near peak level while CSF caffeine concentrations exhibited a slow rise to a steady-state 75 min later. High correlation coefficient was found between locomotor activity and caffeine concentrations in blood (R(2 )=0.95) and in CSF (R(2) = 0.93). At 3 mg/kg dosage, theophylline was the only detectable caffeine metabolite in the CSF. The concentrations reached in the CSF were sufficient to partially block central adenosine A1 (14% blockade) and A2a (11% blockade) receptors. There were no statistically significant differences between the pharmacokinetics of caffeine in the blood and CSF. This study provides novel evidence that locomotor stimulation in horses is closely correlated with caffeine concentrations in the blood and CSF and, furthermore, is consistent with blockade of central adenosine receptors.     

P‐59 Three cases of opportunistic dermatoses associated with internal diseases in cats

Opportunistic dermatoses can occur in case of immunosuppressive diseases. The first case was a 12‐year‐old domestic short‐haired cat suffering from diabetes with a phaeohyphomycosis due to Scytalidium spp.associated with cutaneous hemangiosarcoma. A painless and ulcerated nodule was observed on a digit with fistulous tracts over the metatarsal joint. Histopathological examination of the nodule revealed a hemangiosarcoma in which brownish fungal colonies were found. Itraconazole (5 mg/kg twice daily), then amputation, allowed 12 months of survival (pulmonary metastases). The second case concerned a 13‐year‐old Siamese cat with cheyletiellosisassociated with spontaneous Cushing's disease and diabetes mellitus. This cat exhibited scales and miliary dermatitis on the trunk associated with polyuria, polydipsia and a pot‐belly. Acetate tape impression showed Cheyletiella blakei mites and eggs. Blood analysis revealed diabetes mellitus and spontaneous hyperadrenocorticism. The owner refused treatment. The third case was a 14‐year‐old domestic short‐haired cat with generalized demodicosis associated with iatrogenic Cushing's disease and diabetes mellitus. Long‐acting glucocorticoids had been used for treatment of plasma cell stomatitis for 5 years. This cat exhibited erythema, scales, self‐induced alopecia, thin skin and moderate pruritus associated with polyuria and polydipsia. Cutaneous lesions principally developed on the abdomen and flanks. Skin scrapings and trichogram showed numerous Demodex cati mites. Routine blood work demonstrated diabetes mellitus and iatrogenic Cushing's disease. Treatment was based on insulin therapy, milbemycin oxime (1 mg/kg once daily) and chlorambucil (0.2 mg/kg once daily). The demodicosis was cured after 4 months, but the cat died of cutaneous and ocular herpesvirus infection 10 months later. Funding: Self‐funded.     

Thymoquinone enhances the activities of enzymes related to energy metabolism in peripheral leukocytes of diabetic rats

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of glycemic control using thymoquinone (TQ) on energy metabolism related enzymes in leukocytes of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The treatment of both TQ and insulin commenced 4 weeks after induction of diabetes. Plasma glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides levels were significantly reduced after TQ treatment, whereas immunoreactive insulin (IRI) showed significant increase. The activities of malate dehydrogenase (MDH) in cytosolic and mitochondrial fractions of peripheral blood leukocytes were significantly higher in rats treated with TQ and insulin as compared to that in diabetic controls. On the other hand the activities of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) showed no significant changes between groups. ML ratio (cytosolic MDH/LDH specific activity ratio) was restored to those in the control rats. The results of this study demonstrate that TQ significantly increased insulin level and the activities of cytosolic and mitochondrial MDH in leukocytes of STZ-diabetic rats.