It is well known that there is a relationship between the zinc and diabetes, and its antioxidant potential. Based on that, the aim of this paper is to investigate the effects of different doses of zinc (9,2 and 18,4 mg / day) in combination with metformin and glibenclamide, to the total antioxidant status (TAS) and the activity of the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) in experimentally-induced diabetic rabbits. The study was conducted on 24 New Zealand rabbits of both sexes, body weight 2,5 to 3,2 kg. In rabbits, experimental diabetes was induced i.v. injection of alloxan (80 mg / kg body weight). Three weeks after causing diabetes, the animals were divided into two groups: first group was treated oral with metformin, an appropriate dose (120 mg / kg body weight), while the second group of rabbits was treated with a suitable dose of glibenclamide (0,6 mg / kg BW). After the washout period (10 t1/2), the rabbits were treated with metformin and a first dose of zinc (9,2 mg) combination, i.e. glibenclamide and zinc (9,2 mg). After another washout period (10 t1/2) the rabbits were treated with metformin and a second dose of zinc (18,4 mg) combination, i.e. of glibenclamide and zinc (18,4 mg). Blood samples were taken in a specified time interval. The TAS value was significantly increased after administration of metformin, single and in combination with zinc, in doses of 9,2 and 18,4 mg, with respect to the value recorded before their application (p <0.05). Also, it is noted a significantly increased SOD activity after administration of metformin (i.e., glibenclamide), and zinc in combination, in a dose of 18,4 mg (p <0.05). This indicates that zinc and metformin have a significant positive effects on the parameters of antioxidative status, but with glibenclamide this effect did not occur.

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