Abstract
Orexins have been implicated in several biological functions, such as food and water intake. This study examined the pattern of distribution of orexin-1 receptor (OX1R) in the pancreas of normal and diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Four weeks after the induction of DM, the pancreases of normal and diabetic rats were processed for immunohistochemistry. OX1R-positive cells were observed in the periphery of pancreatic islets of normal and in both the peripheral and central regions of the islet of diabetic rats. The number of OX1R-positive cells in the islets increased significantly (p < 0.0001) after the onset of diabetes. Moreover, ganglion cells and the periductal and interlobular nerve fibres of the exocrine pancreas also expressed OX1R. In conclusion, OX1R may play a role in the initiation of increased food intake via pancreatic hormones.
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