Studies on the effect of antidiabetic drugs on collagen in rats.

To assess the effects of antidiabetic drugs on collagen, the study has been carried out. However, at present, no conclusive data available on the In vivo effect of antidiabetic drugs in collagen. It was therefore thought worthwhile to undertake a systemic study on the metabolic turnover of connective tissue proteins, particularly collagen which will help to understand the various changes taking place in conventional antidiabetic drug treated rats. The hydroxyproline content was determined by the method of Neumann and Logan. There was no significant difference in mean body weight of animals in treated groups when compared to control animals on 50th day. In drug treated group G5, urinary excretion of hydroxyproline was slightly increased in contrast to that of the rats in other groups and showed a significant difference (p < 0.001) between control and G5 group. The proportion of soluble collagen in treated group was somewhat higher than in the control but while taking the significance value there are no statistically significant changes. Liver showed the highest concentration of 0.98 g collagen/100 g tissue, whereas kidney and heart showed 0.57 and 0.72 g collagen/100 g tissue. Observations of the present study collectively indicate that the anabolic rate of collagen metabolism is not altered significantly by the administration of antidiabetic drugs in normal rats.