Total plasmatic homocysteine and von Willebrand factor in experimental diabetes mellitus
Journal Article
Objectives: To determine the plasma homocysteine and von Willebrand factor levels as markers of endothelial dysfunction in rats with diabetes mellitus induced by streptozotocin. Methods: Thirty-five adult male rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus) (weight between 180-200g) were randomized into three groups: control group (n=10), which received no drugs or vehicles; sham group (n=10), which received streptozotocin solution; and diabetic group (n=15), which received streptozotocin. Eight weeks after diabetes mellitus induction, the animals were weighed and anesthesized; blood samples were collected from abdominal aorta for plasma total homocysteine, von Willebrand factor and glucose levels. Results: The experimental model was reproducible in 100% of animals. The mean plasma homocysteine levels were: 7.9 μ mol/l (control), 8.6μ mol/l (sham) and 6.1μ mol/l (diabetic), with difference among the groups (p<0.01). Multiple comparison analysis among the groups showed that values in the diabetic group were lower than in the sham group (p≤0.01). The mean von Willebrand factor values were 0.15 U/l (control), 0.16U/l (sham) and 0.18 U/l (diabetic), with difference among the groups (p=0.03). The mean value was higher in the diabetic group than in the control group (p≤0.05). Correlation between homocysteine and von Willebrand factor was not observed in the diabetic group. Conclusion: Reduced homocysteine levels and increased von Willebrand factor levels were observed in diabetes mellitus induced by streptozotocin; nevertheless, there were no correlations between them and with final glucose levels.
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Lopes, RD; Neves, LB; D'Almeida, V; Conceição, GMDS; Jr, AG
Published Date
- 2007
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 88 / 4
Start / End Page
- 373-377+424-429 -
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0066-782X