Effect of diabetes on levels of lipid peroxides and glycolipids in rat brain

Abstract

The effects of diabetes on levels of lipid peroxides and glycolipids in brain were studied in alloxan (18 mg/100 g body weight) diabetic rats. Free fatty acid (FFA) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were increased in the brains of diabetic animals. On the other hand, activities of the antioxidative enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were decreased. The study also showed elevated levels of most of the glycolipid fractions except gangliosides, which were found to decrease in diabetic brain. Administration of insulin to diabetic animals results in the restoration of these parameters to normal levels. These changes observed in diabetic brain may be responsible for the increased frequency of stroke in diabetes.