Diabetic glucose dyshomeostasis and dyslipidemia in estrogen deficient rats: melatonin supplementation more potent than estrogen replacement therapy in alleviating the symptoms.

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.