Oxidative stress, followed by the apoptotic death of pancreaticbcells, is considered to be one of causative agents in the evolution of the type 2 dia-betic state; therefore, the protection ofbcells can comprise an efficacious strategy for preventing type 2 diabetes. In the present study, RIN-m5F cells (. the rat insulinoma bcell line) were stimulated with streptozotocin, resulting in a time- and concentration-dependent release of lactate dehydrogenase.