Effect of Probucol on the Development of Diabetes Mellitus in Non-Obese Diabetic (NOD) Mice

Abstract

The effect of probucol on the development of diabetes mellitus and its immunological effects were studied in female NOD mice. Mice aged 30 days were given either a standard diet or diet containing 1 % probucol until 210 days of age. The mice were observed through out the period up to 210 days of age. Forty-three (82.7 %) of the 52 control mice became diabetic during the observation period, whereas only (61.8 %) 34 of the 52 treated mice did. The cumulative incidence of diabetes mellitus in the treated group was significantly lower than in the control group (p<0.05). The degree of insulitis in the treated group was also significantly milder (p<0.05). The percentages of Thy1.2-, L3T4-and Lyt2-positive spleen cells in the treated mice were significantly lower than in the control mice (p<0.001).
These results suggest that probucol might be a useful tool in preventing the development of diabetes mellitus. The mechanism by which probucol inhibits the onset of diabetes may be due, at least in part, to its effects on the immunological process.