Diphenyl diselenide and streptozotocin did not alter cerebral glutamatergic and cholinergic systems but modulate antioxidant status and sodium pump in diabetic rats.

Neuronal malfunction is a characteristic feature of diabetic mellitus. Hence, the present study therefore sought to evaluate the effect of diphenyl diselenide (DPDS) on the antioxidant status, sodium pump, cholinergic and glutamatergic system in the rat brain of streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes. The results show that although STZ evoke a significant diminution on the antioxidant status and activity of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, the activity of acetylcholinesterase and glutamate uptake and release was not altered. However, DPDS was able to markedly restore the observed imbalance in cerebral antioxidant status and also relieve the inhibition of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase caused by streptozotocin. Hence, we conclude that DPDS is a potential candidate in the management of neuronal dysfunction that often accompanied complications associated with diabetic hyperglycemia.