ABSTRACT
Diabetes is a common disorder characterized by abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates, caused by insulin secretion deficiency and or insulin cell membrane receptors dysfunction. In this study, the effects of sodium tungstate on blood sugar and pancreatic islands were investigated in diabetic rats. Forty-eight male Wistar rats, each weighting 250 grams, were studied in eight groups of six. Group one was considered as control 1 and did not receive any drug. Groups 2 and 3 received sodium tungstate at dose of 1.75 and 2.25 g/lit for ad libitum for 60 days. Group 4, as control 2, was diabetized by single dose injection of 60 mg/kg streptozocin [STZ]. Groups 5 and 6 received 1.75 and 2.25 g/lit of sodium tungstate ad libitum for 15 days then were diabetized and received sodium tungstate for another 45 days in the same manner. Groups 7 and 8 were diabetized, and then were treated with sodium tungstate for 60 days. Blood levels of glucose and histopathologic findings of pancreas were evaluated at the end of study. Administration of sodium tungstate at dose of 1.75 and 2.25 g/lit, before and after diabetes, led to a significant blood sugar decrease. Sodium tungstate has had a positive, but not significant, effect on the number and diameters of Langerhans islands. This study showed that sodium tungstate decreases blood sugar, increases the number of cells in each island, regenerates Langerhans islands and prevents further development of diabetes