Anti-diabetic effect of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (tranylcypromine) in rats with poorly-controlled blood glucose levels: A potential and novel therapeutic option for diabetes

摘要

Purpose: To determine the anti-diabetic effect of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (tranylcypromine) in sulphonyl urea-refractory rats with poorly-controlled blood glucose levels. Methods: Alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats were assigned to two groups (30 rats/group). One group received glibenclamide at a dose of 0.6 mg/kg, while the other group was given monoamine oxidase inhibitor (tranylcypromine) at a dose of 5 mg/day. The two groups were treated for 2 weeks. Blood samples were collected at baseline (before treatment) and at the end of treatment for determination of plasma glucose (fasting and fed), hemoglobin A1c, lipid profiles (serum total cholesterol?, very-low-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein and triglycerides?); oxidative stress parameters (anti-oxidant enzymes), insulin levels, and some hepatic enzymes of glucose metabolism. Results: Monoamine oxidase inhibitor treatment resulted in significant decrease in the levels of blood glucose, HbA1c, and lipid levels from baseline, relative to glibenclamide (p 0.05). Greater improvements in oxidative stress biomarkers (glutathione and superoxide dismutase), insulin levels and hepatic enzymes of glucose metabolism were observed in monoamine oxidase inhibitor group than in glibenclamide group (p 0.05). Oxidative stress was significantly inhibited by monoamine oxidase inhibitor via increases in glutathione (GSH) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, when compared to glibenclamide (p 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that monoamine oxidase inhibitor may be a better treatment option for diabetes than glibenclamide.