On the protective effect of 2,3-dimercaptopropanol for destructive action of zincbinding chemicals on pancreatic B-cells

Abstract

2,3-Dimercaptopropanol is a substance able to re-activate sulfhydryl groups of enzymes and has the property to form temporary complexes with metals, including zinc. It is also known that certain amino acids, particularly cysteine and glutathione also contain in its composition mole coli SH-groups. Administration of these amino acids in to animals result prevention developing of experimental diabetes caused zinkbinding diabetogenic chemicals. It is confirmed that this effect is determined by their ability to form non-toxic temporary complexes with zinc in B-cells of pancreatic islets that protect cells of the destruction caused by diabetogenic chelating agents. The authors have shown that 2,3-dimercaptopropanol at doses of 60 and 120 mg/kg is able to prevent the development of diabetes in almost all experimental animals. Authors found that this ability 2,3-dimercaptopropanol is explained by its property through SH-groups included in its composition, to form non-toxic complexes with zinc in pancreatic cells that protect cells of death.