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Superoxide dismutase is a prophylactic against alloxan diabetes

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Abstract

A single injection of alloxan1, or alloxan-like derivatives of uric acid2,3, kills the insulin-producing islet β-cells and causes diabetes mellitus in animals. This effect is probably mediated by a sequence of redox reactions involving the production of superoxide anion radicals in or near the β-cells4–8. Superoxide anions may also arise in inflammation9–15, and islet inflammation often accompanies the outbreak of human diabetes16, perhaps following the combined onslaught of viruses and chemical agents on the β-cells17. We now report that injections of superoxide dismutase, an enzyme removing superoxide anion radicals, act prophylactically against alloxan-induced diabetes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Histology and Cell Biology and Department of Clinical Chemistry, University of Umeå, S-901 87, Umeå, 6, Sweden

    Kjell Grankvist, Stefan Marklund & Inge-Bert Täljedal

Authors
  1. Kjell Grankvist
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  2. Stefan Marklund
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  3. Inge-Bert Täljedal
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Grankvist, K., Marklund, S. & Täljedal, IB. Superoxide dismutase is a prophylactic against alloxan diabetes. Nature 294, 158–160 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1038/294158a0

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