THE ANTIOXIDANT EFFECT OF BORON ON OXIDATIVE STRESS AND DNA DAMAGE IN DIABETIC RATS

The aim of the study was the evaluation of the potentially antioxidant effect of boron against streptozotocin (STZ)- induced diabetes in rats. Animals were allocated into 5 groups of 6 rats each. The control group was fed standard rat feed and received no added treatment. In the diabetic group, STZ was injected intraperitoneally at a single dose of 50 mg/kg. Boron was given to animals in the other groups at dosages of 5, 10, and 20 mgB/kg for 28 days. STZ induced a significant increase of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine as an oxidative stress marker, total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, and DNA damage, whereas it decreased total antioxidant capacity. Also, M30 as an apoptotic marker in a serum was increased by STZ treatment. In addition, pancreatic [beta]- cells were examined by immunohistochemical methods, and the degeneration of islet cells was observed in STZinduced diabetic rats. In contrast, boron in a dose-dependent manner decreased amelioration of oxidant status, DNA, and tissue damage in diabetic rats. In conclusion, boron treatment shows an antioxidant effect in diabetes by decreasing oxidative stress and preserving pancreatic [beta]-cells' integrity.