Effect of prostaglandins against alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus

Previously, we observed that alloxan-induced in vitro cytotoxicity and apoptosis in an insulin secreting rat insulinoma, RIN, cells was prevented by prior exposure to prostaglandin (PG) E1, PGE2, PGI2, PGF1α, and PGF3α (P<0.05 compared to alloxan), whereas thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-keto-PGF1α were ineffective. In an extension of these studies, we now report that prior intraperitoneal administration of PGE1, PGE2, PGF1α, and PGF3α prevented alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus in male Wistar rats, whereas PGI2, TXB2, and 6-keto PGF1α were not that effective. PGE1, PGE2, PGF1α, and PGF3α not only attenuated chemical-induced diabetes mellitus but also restored the antioxidant status to normal range in red blood cells and pancreas. These results suggest that PGE1, PGE2, PGF1α, and PGF3α can abrogate chemically induced diabetes mellitus in experimental animals and attenuate the oxidant stress that occurs in diabetes mellitus.