Islet Cell Sparing Effects of Bee-Venom in Rat Pancreas.

Abstract

Purpose: Bee venom (BV) contains biologically active components that cause anti-inflammatuar and anti-oxidative effects in various inflammatory diseases. Therefore, we have investigated its effects on rat islet cell viability and function and its relation with oxidative stress. However, bee venom effects on pancreatic islet cell function and islet cell viability are not known. Methods: Islet cells were isolated from 2-3 month old Sprague Dawley male rats (Diskapi Training and Research Hospital, Pancreatic Islet Cell Research Center). BV were extracted from Bombous Terresteris. Rat islets were incubated for 48 hours without BV (control group) and with BV (2.5 mcg/ml, 5 mcg/ml, 7 mcg/ml). Also, all of the groups were incubated in 5.6 mM glucose and 16.7 mM glucose to stimulate glucotoxicity. Insulin levels were determined by ELISA and stimulation index (SI) were calculated. Islet cell viability were examined with mixture of fluorodeoxiacetate and propidium iyodid by using a fluorescence microscope. Malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl (PC) levels were determined spectrophometrically to detect BV effect. Results: Islet cell viability were found statistically higher in the group treated with 2.5 mcg/ml BV according to control and other groups (p<0.05). SI were statistically higher in BV treated groups compared with control group cultured for 48 hours or not (p<0.05). We investigated levels of malondialdehyde and PC in all groups, however, there were no significant difference between groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: These results indicate a benefit of bee venom for islet cell viability and function, but has no effect on oxidative parameters of malondialdehyde and PC levels according to this study. These positive effects might occur by antiinflammatuar action of BV or antioxidant effect by other oxidative pathways.