Abstract: Aim To study the effects of binuclear copper (Ⅱ) threonine complex (Cu₂(Thr)₄) as analogue of superoxide dismutase (SOD) on blood glucose, blood lipids and vessels of hearts and kidneys in diabetic mice. Methods Diabetic mouse model was established by intraperitioneal injection of alloxan. Low, middle, and high doses of Cu₂(Thr)₄ at 0.002%, 0.02% and 0.1% were given respectively to diabetic mice following lavage. The fasting blood glucose was determined after the diabetic mice were given Cu₂(Thr)₄ for 0, 30, and 45 d. The diabetic mice were killed on the 45th day. Then glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c) and blood lipids were assayed, and pathologic changes in hearts and kidneys stained with HE were observed. Results Compared with the control group in which the diabetic mice were given distilled water, the value of blood glucose reduced significantly in middle dose group (P< 0.01), followed by that in low dose group(P< 0.05). TC level reduced markedly and HDL level increased significantly in all three treatment groups (P< 0.05). Especially in middle dose group, cardiac muscle fibers were neatly arranged, nucleus and cytoplasm well distributed, glomeruli showing normal structure, cells well distributed and staining being normal. Conclusion Cu₂(Thr)₄ reduces blood glucose, regulates blood lipids, and play protective action on the vessels of hearts and kidneys in diabetic mice. The effects of it in middle dose were better than those of other doses.

Key words: Binuclear copper Ⅱ threonine complex, Binuclear copper Ⅱ threonine complex, Diabetic mice, Diabetic mice, Blood glucose, Blood glucose, Blood lipids, Blood lipids