Study on the variation of trace elements and oxidative stress in diaphragm of the diabetic rats

AIM:To investigate the relationship between trace elements and oxidative stress in diabetic diaphragm. METHODS: Contents of copper(Cu), manganese(Mn), zinc(Zn), iron(Fe),cadmium(Cd),chromium(Cr),cobalt(Co),molybdenum(Mo) and lithium(Li) in the alloxan-induced diabetic rat diaphragm muscles were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer, andtheir superoxide dismutase(SOD) activities and malondiadehyde(MDA) contents were detected. RESULTS: The contents of Cu, Zn, Cr and Li were lower and the Fe and Cd were higher in diabetic rat diaphragm muscles than that of the control group, but there were no significant differences in Mn, Co and Mo, between control and diabetic group. SOD activities decreased significantly and MDA contents increased significantly in diaphragm of diabetic rats as compared with the control group.In addition,in diabetic rats diaphragm, there was a positive correlation between Zn and SOD, and negative correlation between Zn and MDA, and Cd and SOD. CONCLUSION: Changes of the contents of Cu, Zn, Fe, Cd, Cr, Li and the increase of oxidative stress in diaphragm were found in the early diabetes, and Zn, Cd play an importment role in oxidative stress of diabetic diaphragm.