Effect of insulin in combination with selenium on blood glucose and PI3K-mediated GLUT4 expression in skeletal muscle of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the effect of low doses of insulin (1 U/kg/day) and selenium (180 microg/kg/day) in combination on general physiological parameters, and on PI3K and GLUT4 levels in skeletal muscle of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diabetic rats were treated with insulin, selenium, and insulin and selenium in combination for four weeks. The levels of blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c were estimated, and the levels of P13K and GLUT4 in skeletal muscle were examined by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Insulin in combination with selenium could significantly lower blood glucose and HbAlc levels, and restore the disturbances in PI3K and GLUT4 levels in skeletal muscle. Treatment with insulin was only partially effective in the restoration of diabetic alterations. CONCLUSION: We conclude that there was cooperation between insulin and selenium, and that treatment of diabetic rats with combined doses of insulin and selenium was effective in the normalization of blood glucose and correction of altered PI3K and GLUT4 distribution in skeletal muscle of diabetic rats.