Abstract:
The present study was designed to evaluate the
efficacy of melatonin supplementation as an
alternative replacement therapy in estrogen deficient
diabetic rats. Ovariectomized diabetic Wistar rats
were treated with estrogen/progesterone, melatonin, or
a combination of both estrogen and melatonin. Various
parameters of glucoregulation (serum glucose,
insulin, GTT, IRT, tissue glycogen and enzymes of
carbohydrate metabolism) and serum and tissue lipids
analyzed in all experimental groups indicated
melatonin administration alone or in combination
with estrogen at a low dose to be most effective in
reversing the changes. The higher dose of melatonin
was of a relatively greater value in regulating
dyslipidemia, although lower dose was most potent in
ameliorating glycemic dysregulation. The study thereby provided evidence for melatonin as a potential
alternative to ERT in estrogen deficient diabetic
subjects.
