Objective:To investigate the inhibition effects of different concentrations of α-tocopherol on pancreatic islet cell viability

insulin secretion

anti-oxidation competence induced by streptozotocin. Methods:Pancreatic islet cells from Wistar rats aged 1 to 3 days were cultured in monolayer in vitro. and divided into 4 groups.Then

cell viability

insulin secretion

T-AOC

SOD activity

MDA level

NOS activity and NO2-/NO3- production were measured by differrent detection methods. Results:Streptozotocin significantly decreased cell viability

T-AOC activity

SOD activity and insulin release level(P<0.05)

while increased MDA level

NO2-/NO3-production(P<0.05).These effects were blocked by α-tocopherol.The inhibition effects of α-tocopherol were shown in a dose-dependent fashion.Streptozotocin induced an indistinct change of NOS activity(P>0.05)

that could not be blocked by α-tocopherol. Conclusion:α-tocopherol can attenuate the damage of rats pancreatic islet cells induced by streptozotocin

the mechanisms of which may be that α-tocopherol can reinforce the competence of scavenging free radicals of pancreatic islet cells and not related to NOS activity change.