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Insulin increases homocysteine levels in a dose-dependent manner in diabetic rats
M Ferit Gursu1, Giyasettin Baydas, Gurkan Cikim
1Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey.
Background:
Even moderate increases in levels of homocysteine cause cardiovascular degeneration. Various genetic and nutritional factors affect plasma homocysteine concentrations, and hyperhomocysteinemia damages vascular endothelial cells; hence their functions are disrupted. In diabetes mellitus, homocysteine metabolism is altered and as a result, more severe diabetic complications are expected when hyperhomocysteinemia occurs.
Methods:
In the present study we experimentally induced diabetes in rats and examined effects of low or high dose of insulin administration on homocysteine metabolism.
Results:
We determined that homocysteine levels were reduced in STZ-induced diabetic rats. This reduction was normalized by insulin in a dose-dependent manner. On the other hand, increased levels of lipid parameters (cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL) were reduced by insulin.
Conclusions:
Hcy level in experimentally induced insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is decreased and injection of insulin normalizes Hcy levels in a dose-dependent manner. We speculate that insulin increases activities of enzymes of transsulfuration and remethylation reactions and hence speeds up conversion of Hcy to methionine and cysteine.