Abstract
Probucol is a hypocholesterolemic agent which inhibits the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein in vitro.The present study was designed to examine the protective action of probucol against pancreatic beta-cell damage by multiple low-dose streptozotocin (STZ) injection. STZ (40 mg/kg, ip) was intraperitoneally injected for 5 consecutive days.The degree of hyperglycemia at 7, 14 and 17 days after STZ administration was attenuated by probucol administration.The basal insulin level was increased in the mice fed the 1% probucol containing diet at Day 14.The percentage of incubated splenic cells, positive for Thy 1.2, was significantly decreased in the mice fed the 1% probucol containing diet.However, there were no effects of probucol on the populations of splenic cells positive for Lyt 2 or L3/T4.Serum probucol concentrations were maintained at the same levels as those obtained by clinical study.
The data obtained herein suggest that probucol has a protective effect against pancreatic insulitis due to multiple low-dose STZ administrations.Probucol may be a candidate for clinical application, as an agent which blocks the development of insulin-dependent diabetes.
