Rat Pancreas Research Articles

Virome of wild rats (Rattus norvegicus) captured far from pig farms in Jiangsu province of China reveals novel porcine circovirus type 2d (PCV2d) sequences

BackgroundPorcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) has caused great economic losses in the global pig industry. There have been published records of wild rats acting as the reservoirs of PCV2 (only PCV2a and PCV2b), but almost all of which were related to the PCV2-infected swine herds.ResultsIn this study, we carried out the detection, amplification, and characterization of novel PCV2 strains in wild rats that were captured far from pig farms. Nested PCR assay demonstrated that the kidney, heart, lung, liver, pancreas, and large and small intestines of rats were screened positive for PCV2. We subsequently sequenced two full genomes of PCV2 in positive sample pools, designated as js2021-Rt001 and js2021-Rt002. Genome sequence analysis indicated that they had the highest similarity to nucleotide sequences of porcine-origin PCV2 isolates in Vietnam. Phylogenetically, js2021-Rt001 and js2021-Rt002 were a part of the PCV2d genotype cluster, which is a predominant genotype circulating worldwide in recent years. The antibody recognition regions, immunodominant decoy epitope, and heparin sulfate binding motif of the two complete genome sequences coincided with those previously reported.ConclusionsOur research reported the genomic characterization of two novel PCV2 strains (js2021-Rt001 and js2021-Rt002) and provided the first supported evidence that PCV2d could naturally infect wild rats in China. However, whether the newly identified strains have potential for circulating in nature in vertical and horizontal transmission or inter-species jumping between rats and pigs needs further research.

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect of pentaamino acid fullerene C60 derivative in rats with metabolic disorder.

Pentaamino acid fullerene C60 derivative is a promising nanomaterial, which exhibited antihyperglycemic activity in high-fat diet and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. This study investigates the effect of pentaaminoacid C60 derivative (PFD) in rats with metabolic disorders. Rats were assigned to 3 groups (of 10 rats each) as follows: Group 1 (normal control), group 2 included the protamine-sulfate-treated rats (the untreated group of animals with the model metabolic disorder); group 3 (Protamine sulfate + PFD) included the protamine-sulfate-treated model rats that received an intraperitoneal injection of PFD. Metabolic disorder in rats was initiated by protamine sulfate (PS) administration. The PS + PFD group was injected intraperitoneally with PFD solution (3mg/kg). Protamine sulfate induces biochemical changes (hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia) in the blood and morphological lesions in rat liver and pancreas. The potassium salt of fullerenylpenta-N-dihydroxytyrosine in protamine sulfate-induced rats normalized blood glucose level and the serum lipid profile and improved hepatic function markers. Treatment with PFD restored pancreas islets and liver structure of protamine sulfate-induced rats compared to the untreated group. PFD is a promising compound for further study as a drug against metabolic disorders.

Effect of Unpalatable Diets, Food Restriction and Saccharin-Adulterated Diet on Tryptic, Chymotryptic, and Amylolytic Activity in Pancreas, Intestine and Feces of Rats

Growing rats were fed either 10 or 17% protein (casein) diets whose taste was changed daily by addition of aversive stimuli. Under these circumstances food intake and body weight gain were reduced compared with controls fed unadulterated diets. More amylolytic activity per gram pancreas was found in rats fed a 10% protein, aversive diet and in their pair-fed controls fed restricted amounts of an unadulterated diet compared with ad libitum controls. More amylolytic activity per gram chyme of small intestine was also found in rats fed less than ad libitum amounts of a 10% protein diet. The chymotrypsin activity in the pancreas of rats fed a 17% protein, aversive diet was greater than in that of control animals or that of the pair-fed animals. The 2- to 10-fold higher proteolytic activity found in the small intestine and especially in the large intestine and feces of rats fed the aversive diet was specificially related to the adulteration of the diet with sodium saccharin. Feeding a diet containing sodium saccharin led to lower cecal pH. Under conditions of the present experiments, changes in digestive enzyme activity are not directly related to the aversive taste of the diet.aversive taste unpalatable diets food restriction saccharin trypsin chymotrypsin amylase

Induction of Pancreatic Growth and Proteases by Feeding a High Amino Acid Diet Does Not Depend on Cholecystokinin in Rats

We examined differences in pancreatic growth, enzyme content and enzyme concentration between rats fed diets containing normal (2.49 g nitrogen/kg diet) or high (7.46 g nitrogen/kg diet) levels of an amino acid mixture and those in rats fed diets containing normal and high levels of casein for 11 d. Rats fed these diets were injected with a potent cholecystokinin antagonist, MK-329 (2.5 mg/kg body wt·d) or with vehicle only. Pancreatic contents (units in pancreas per 100 g body wt) of protein, trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen were greater in rats fed a high amino acid diet compared with those in rats fed a normal amino acid diet. Proportionate increases in protein and the serine proteases in pancreata of the high amino acid group relative to those of the normal amino acid group were comparable to those of the high casein group relative to the normal casein group. The pancreatic protease concentrations (units/g pancreas) of rats fed the high casein diet and treated with MK-329 were lower than in rats fed high casein but not treated with MK-329. This difference was not observed in rats fed the high amino acid diet. These results demonstrate that pancreatic growth and proteases are induced by dietary amino acids in rats, and the stimulatory effects of amino acids on exocrine pancreas do not depend on cholecystokinin.

Oral empagliflozin-loaded tri-layer core-sheath fibers fabricated using tri-axial electrospinning: Enhanced in vitro and in vivo antidiabetic performance

Empagliflozin (EM) was successfully loaded in polycaprolactone/poly (L-lactic acid)/polymethyl methacrylate (PCL/PLA/PMMA) fibers. In the rat β-cell line (BRIN-BD11), the insulin expression ratio of pancreatic β-cells was stimulated at high and low glucose by culturing with tri-layer EM-loaded fiber (EMF) for 48 h. The expression ratios of glucokinase and GLUT-2 proteins increased after EMF treatment. According to the in vitro drug release test, 97% of all drug contained in fibers was released in a controlled manner for 24 h. The pharmacokinetic test revealed that the bioavailability was improved ∼4.8-fold with EMF treatment compared to EM-powder and blood glucose level was effectively controlled for 24 h with EMF. Oral administration of EMF exhibited a better sustainable anti-diabetic activity even in the half-dosage than EM-powder in streptozotocin/nicotinamide-induced T2DM rats. The levels of GLP-1, PPAR-γ, and insulin were increased while the levels of SGLT-2 and TNF-α were decreased with EMF treatment. Also, EMF recovered the histopathological changes in the liver, pancreas, and kidney in T2DM rats and protected pancreatic β-cells. Consequently, EMF is suggested as an unprecedented and promotive treatment approach for T2DM with a higher bioavailability and better antidiabetic effect compared to conventional dosage forms.

Solution kinetics analysis of vesicle trafficking of zymogen granule.

Zymogen granule (ZG) is a micrometer size enzymatic vesicle in the exocrine pancreas. It regulates secretion of digestive enzymes. It is also associated with pancreatic disease and disorder. It has several myosin classes molecular motors such as 1c, 5c, 6 and 7b. These myosin motors are responsible for transportation of ZG. The hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) initiates the directional motion of these myosin motors. To understand what the key part of the kinetics step for the ZG's trafficking, we measured each step of ATPase of purified ZGs from the rat pancreas. In the present study, we employed the stop flow techniques in order to investigate step(s) of ATPase cycle, e.g. ATP binding, ADP dissociation, phosphate release, and actin binding rate. The data were observed as ensemble work of myosins. The results provide the kinetics of these molecular motors complex present in the ZG. For ATP binding, mant-dATP was used, and result was fit with a single exponential with about 200 (/s) rate. For ADP dissociation, mant-dADP was used with double mixing methods. The fast and slow rates of ADP dissociation are 120 /s and 28 /s, respectively. For actin binding rate, Pyrene-actin was used. The fitting curves were found to be double exponential rates. The fast and slow rates are 64 /s and 12 /s, respectively. For the phosphate release, Phosphate binding protein was used and was observed to be double exponential, and the fast and slow rates are 250 /s and 8/s, respectively. Comparing only Myosin 5c, slow rate part of ADP dissociation and phosphate dissociation shows a little more significance, while ATP binding rate is not different.

Butterfly pea flower (Clitoria ternatea L.) extract displayed antidiabetic effect through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, lower hepatic GSK-3β, and pancreatic glycogen on Diabetes Mellitus and dyslipidemia rat

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is hyperglycemic or elevated blood glucose level and deficiency of insulin level. DM treatment using synthetic drugs has several complexities, side effects. Reducing the side effects of synthetic drugs, the utilization of herbal medicines is increasingly in demand. Butterfly pea flower (Clitoria ternatea L.) extract (CTE) has pharmacological activities such as hepatoprotective, diuretic, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities. Objective: This research was conducted to evaluate antidiabetic potent of CTE in DM and dyslipidemia rats model. Methods: LC-MS/MS was used to analyze the CTE compounds. Rats were given high fat diet for 28 days followed by nicotinamide and streptozotocin for inducing DM rats model. DM and dyslipidemia rats model were given CTE at 200, 400, 800 mg/kg of BW, glibenclamide, and simvastatin for 28 days. The glucose and insulin levels on day 28 were measured after treatment of CTE. The CAT, SOD, MDA, IL-18 and protein of pancreas were measured. The glycogen gene expression in pancreas was measured using q-RTPCR method. The GSK-3β expression of liver, IL-6 expression of pancreas were analyzed using IHC method. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and then continued to be analyzed using Tukey’s HSD post-hoc test. Results: CTE increased level of pancreatic CAT, SOD and protein, reduced pancreatic MDA, IL-18 levels, glycogen gene expression of pancreas, GSK-3β protein expression of liver, and IL-6 protein expression of pancreas in DM and dyslipidemia rats. CTE improved liver histopathology, reduced serum glucose, and enhanced insulin levels. Conclusion: CTE has the potency for DM treatment, through antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory in DM and dyslipidemia rats.

Structural Changes of the Pancreas in Female Albino Rats Treated with the Atorvastatin and the Alleviating Effect ᴏf Propolis : Histological and Biochemical study

Structural Changes of the Pancreas in Female Albino Rats Treated with the Atorvastatin and the Alleviating Effect ᴏf Propolis : Histological and Biochemical study

Reduced volume of diabetic pancreatic islets in rodents detected by synchrotron X-ray phase-contrast microtomography and deep learning network

The pancreatic islet is a highly structured micro-organ that produces insulin in response to rising blood glucose. Here we develop a label-free and automatic imaging approach to visualize the islets in situ in diabetic rodents by the synchrotron radiation X-ray phase-contrast microtomography (SRμCT) at the ID17 station of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. The large-size images (3.2mm×15.97mm) were acquired in the pancreas in STZ-treated mice and diabetic GK rats. Each pancreas was dissected by 3000 reconstructed images. The image datasets were further analysed by a self-developed deep learning method, AA-Net. All islets in the pancreas were segmented and visualized by the three-dimension (3D) reconstruction. After quantifying the volumes of the islets, we found that the number of larger islets (=>1500 μm3) was reduced by 2-fold (wt 1004±94 vs GK 419±122, P<0.001) in chronically developed diabetic GK rat, while in STZ-treated diabetic mouse the large islets were decreased by half (189±33 vs 90±29, P<0.001) compared to the untreated mice. Our study provides a label-free tool for detecting and quantifying pancreatic islets in situ. It implies the possibility of monitoring the state of pancreatic islets in vivo diabetes without labelling.

Bear bile powder ameliorates type 2 diabetes via modulation of metabolic profiles, gut microbiota, and metabolites.

Introduction: Bear bile powder (BBP) is widely used in the clinic and has a hypoglycemic effect, but its mechanism is not clear. Methods: In this study, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats induced by a high-sugar and high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin were given BBP, and biochemical indexes, pathological sections, metabonomics, intestinal microbiota (IM) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were determined. Results: The results showed that BBP could reduce blood glucose, relieve inflammation, insulin resistance, and lipid metabolism disorder, and alleviate tissue damage of the liver, spleen, kidney, and pancreas in T2DM rats. It is worth noting that BBP can reverse the changes in blood and urine metabolites in T2DM rats, which are mainly related to tryptophan metabolism, pentose and glucuronate interconversions, starch and sucrose metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism. In addition, BBP restored IM disorder in T2DM rats, decreased the abundance of Allobaculum, Blautia, Dubosiella, and Anaerostipes, enriched the abundance of Lactobacillus, Romboutsia, UCG-005, and norank_f__Eggerthellaceae, and increased the concentration of SCFAs in intestinal contents. Discussion: These findings suggest that BBP may improve T2DM by regulating multiple metabolic pathways, IM composition, and SCFAs levels.

Bambusa vulgaris leaves reverse mitochondria dysfunction in diabetic rats through modulation of mitochondria biogenic genes.

There is evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction mediated by hyperglycemia increases the incidence of diabetes and age-related insulin resistance. Thus, maintaining mitochondrial integrity may provide alternative therapeutic approach in diabetes treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Bambusa vulgaris leaf extract on mitochondrial biogenesis in the pancreas of diabetic rats. 11weeks old male rats (n=30) were purchased, and sorted into the following groups: control, diabetic control, diabetes+metformin (100mg/kg), diabetes+Aq. B.vulgaris (100mg/kg), diabetes+Aq. B.vulgaris (200mg/kg), and diabetes+Aq. B.vulgaris (300mg/kg). Diabetes was induced in the rats by a single dose of 65mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). The mRNA expression of genes related to mitochondria biogenesis (pgc-1α, Nrf2, GSK3β, AMPK and SIRT2) and genes of Nrf2-Keap1-ARE signaling pathway were determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Molecular docking studies including lock and key docking and prime MM-GBSA were incorporated to identify the lead chemical compounds in Bambusa vulgari. The results showed that B.vulgaris leaf extract promotes mitochondrial biogenesis via altering the mRNA expression of mitochondrial master regulator pgc-1α, otherupstream genes, and the Nrf2-Keap1-ARE antioxidant pathway. Through molecular docking results, cryptochlorogenic acid, hesperidin, orientin, vitexin, scopolin, and neochlorogenic were found as the crucial chemicals in B.vulgaris with the most modulating effect on PGC-1α, AMPK, and GSK3. This study thus suggests that B.vulgaris leaf extract restores the integrity of mitochondria in diabetic rats.

The effect of protein deficiency on the small intestinal carbobidrase system after the transition to the definitive nutrition in rats

The effect of protein deficiency on enteral carbohydrases during post-lactotrophic feeding of rat pups was studied. During this period, low protein intake (8% of the energy value of the diet versus 27% in the norm) negatively affects the growth of body weight and pancreas of rats, leads to the disruption of the activity of intestinal enzymes without changing the morphological development of the small intestine.

Attenuation of the cytotoxic, nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic effects of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by aqueous extract of Lepidium sativum L. (Brassicaceae)

Diabetes mellitus is a health condition whose major feature is hyperglycemia that arises from various etiologies. Diabetes mellitus is connected with constraints in the metabolism of proteins and lipids which leads to complications such as hepatopathy, nephropathy, retinopathy and vasculopathy. Plant resources are utilized for better beneficial curative molecules, minimal side effects and cost. Lepidium sativum (garden cress) is a plant whose parts have been reportedly employed in the treatment of conditions like inflammation, diabetes, pyretism, hemorrhage and hypertension. This histopathological study sought to investigate the effect of the aqueous extract of L. sativum on the tissues of the pancreas, kidney, and liver in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Haematoxylin and Eosin Staining method of histopathology was employed and the cytotoxic, nephrotoxic and hepatoxic effects on the pancreatic Islet cells, kidney and liver were attenuated on treatment with different doses of aqueous extracts of L. sativum plant.

Antioxidant properties of date seeds extract (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in alloxan induced damage in rats.

The study was conducted to examine the antioxidant activity and evaluate the protective effects of the date seeds powder kentichi against alloxan-induced damage in the liver, kidney, and pancreas in diabetic's rats. Group 1: control group, that did not receive any treatment, Group 2: alloxan was injected intraperitoneally (120 mg/kg body weight) for two days (Diab), Group 3: treated only by date seeds powder added in the diet (300 g/kg) for 6 weeks (DSPK), Group 4: alloxan-diabetic rats treated with date seeds powder (300 g/kg) (DSPK + Diab). Estimations of biochemical parameters in blood were determined. TBARS, SOD, CAT, and GPx activities were determined. A histopathological study was done by immersing pieces of both organs in a fixative solution followed by paraffin hematoxylin-eosin staining. In addition, the antioxidant activities of DSPK were evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and ABTS free radical scavenging. The results revealed that date seeds significantly decreased serum levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, creatinine, T-protein, ALP, D-bili and T-bili levels. In addition, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities that had been reduced in liver, kidney, and pancreas of the treated group were restored by DSPK treatments and, therefore, the lipid peroxidation level was reduced in the liver, kidney and pancreas tissue compared to the control group. Additionally, the histological structure in these organs was restored after treatment with date seeds powder.

Pathological analysis of lesions in the exocrine pancreas of rats induced by Zinc Maltol.

The pancreas plays an important role in the homeostasis of zinc (Zn), a nutritionally essential metal. In several previous studies, Zn ions induced inflammatory changes in the exocrine pancreas; however, little is known about Zn complexes. In this study, we microscopically, immunohistochemically, and ultrastructurally examined pancreatic lesions in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats induced by a 4-week repeated oral dose toxicity study of Zinc Maltol (ZM), a zinc (II) complex. ZM induces acinar atrophy and increases the number of duct-like structures. Immunohistochemistry revealed a decrease in the number of trypsin-positive cells, and an increase in the number of SOX9-positive cells. Interstitial fibrosis and macrophage infiltration also correlated with the degree of acinar atrophy. Electron microscopic evaluation revealed that the acinar cells that lost granules were surrounded by fibroblasts and collagen fibers. In conclusion, we provided a detailed description of ZM-induced pancreatic lesions in SD rats.

Investigation into the Intake of Edible Mushroom &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Pleurotus ostreatus&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; (Aqueous Extract Oyster Mushroom) on Biochemical Indices of Female Wistar Rats

Pleurotus ostreatus, popularly known as oyster mushroom, has nutraceutical properties that include hypocholesterolemic, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, hepatoprotective and hypotensive activities. Aqueous Extract Oyster Mushroom (AEOM) containing lyophilized P. ostreatus reconstituted in 0.9% saline solution was evaluated for its effect on body weight, biochemical indices and pancreas morphometry. Twelve healthy Wistar female rats were assigned to Control and AEOM groups, consisting of rats that received 0.9% saline solution and AEOM (100 mg/kg/day), respectively, administered by oral gavage at 3 mL/kg of body weight for 15 days. The animals had free access to commercial feed and water ad libitum. Blood was obtained by cardiac puncture and serum was used to biochemical determinations. Pancreas was excised, weighed and fixed in 4% neutral buffered formalin for histopathological examination. Initial and final body weights, and absolute and relative weights of pancreas did not differ between the groups. Total cholesterol, HDL-c, albumin and uric acid were lower in the AEOM group compared to the control group. The serum concentration of total proteins, glucose, triglycerides, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine and urea were similar in the groups. Pancreas of rats treated with AEOM exhibited an increase in the size of pancreatic islet. Thus, the use of AEOM is relatively safe at the dose studied and produces hypertrophy of the pancreatic islets without altering glycemic homeostasis.

Gliclazide and Crassocephalum rubens leaf extract inhibit glucose-induced mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening in isolated pancreas mitochondria of Wistar rats

Introduction: Mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) has been implicated in a wide variety of diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and diabetes. Crassocephalum rubens is a leafy vegetable consumed in different parts of Africa for the management of symptoms of diabetes mellitus, inflammation, malaria, and blood pressure. The present study evaluated the modulatory effects of aqueous leaf extract of C. rubens (ACR) and gliclazide on MPTP in the pancreas of Wistar albino rats in vitro. Methods: Pancreatic mitochondria were isolated from experimental animals using standard protocols. Furthermore, MPTP was induced using various concentrations (15, 22.5, 30, and 37.5 mmol/L) of glucose and CaCl2 (3 µM). Alterations in MPTP and ameliorative potential of different concentrations of ACR (8, 24, 40, 56 μg/mL) and gliclazide (0.054 mg/mL) were monitored spectrophotometrically via changes in absorbance at 540 nm for 12 minutes, under sodium succinate energized condition. Results: It was observed that 30 mmol/L, 37.5 mmol/L D-glucose, and Ca2+ significantly induced MPTP opening by 0.635, 5.10, and 9.95 folds, respectively, an effect that was reversed by gliclazide and ACR, in a none-dose dependent manner. In addition, ACR at 56 μg/mL in conjunction with Ca2+ opened the MPTP. Conclusion: Data from this study suggest that gliclazide and ACR, especially at the lower concentrations, possess significant inhibitory effects against MPTP opening in the pancreas of male Wistar albino rats and, therefore, could be useful in protecting beta-cell death usually associated with diabetes mellitus, as well as other conditions in which MPTP opening is implicated.

Ameliorative Effects of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis J-12 on Hyperglycemia in Pregnancy and Pregnancy Outcomes in a High-Fat-Diet/Streptozotocin-Induced Rat Model.

Bifidobacterium, a common probiotic, is widely used in the food industry. Hyperglycemia in pregnancy has become a common disease that impairs the health of the mother and can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preeclampsia, macrosomia, fetal hyperinsulinemia, and perinatal death. Currently, Bifidobacterium has been shown to have the potential to mitigate glycolipid derangements. Therefore, the use of Bifidobacterium-based probiotics to interfere with hyperglycemia in pregnancy may be a promising therapeutic option. We aimed to determine the potential effects of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis J-12 (J-12) in high-fat diet (HFD)/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rats with hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP) and respective fetuses. We observed that J-12 or insulin alone failed to significantly improve the fasting blood glucose (FBG) level and oral glucose tolerance; however, combining J-12 and insulin significantly reduced the FBG level during late pregnancy. Moreover, J-12 significantly decreased triglycerides and total cholesterol, relieved insulin and leptin resistance, activated adiponectin, and restored the morphology of the maternal pancreas and hepatic tissue of HIP-induced rats. Notably, J-12 ingestion ameliorated fetal physiological parameters and skeletal abnormalities. HIP-induced cardiac, renal, and hepatic damage in fetuses was significantly alleviated in the J-12-alone intake group, and it downregulated hippocampal mRNA expression of insulin receptor (InsR) and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) and upregulated AKT mRNA on postnatal day 0, indicating that J-12 improved fetal neurological health. Furthermore, placental tissue damage in rats with HIP appeared to be in remission in the J-12 group. Upon exploring specific placental microbiota, we observed that J-12 affected the abundance of nine genera, positively correlating with FBG and leptin in rats and hippocampal mRNA levels of InsR and IGF-1R mRNA in the fetus, while negatively correlating with adiponectin in rats and hippocampal levels of AKT in the fetus. These results suggest that J-12 may affect the development of the fetal central nervous system by mediating placental microbiota via the regulation of maternal-related indicators. J-12 is a promising strategy for improving HIP and pregnancy outcomes.

Altered chronic glycemic control in a clinically relevant model of rat thoracic spinal contusion.

The lifetime risk for Type 2 diabetes mellitus remains higher in people with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) than in the able-bodied population. However, the mechanisms driving this disparity remain poorly understood. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the impact of a palatable high-fat diet (HFD) on glycemic regulation using a rodent model of moderate thoracic contusion. Animals were placed on either Chow or HFD and tolerance to glucose, insulin, and ENSURE mixed meal were investigated. Important targets in the gut-brain axis were investigated. HFD consumption equally induced weight gain in SCI and naïve rats over chow (CH) rats. Elevated blood glucose was observed during intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test in HFD-fed rats over CH-fed rats. Insulin tolerance test (ITT) was unremarkable among the three groups. Gavage of ENSURE resulted in high glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) release from SCI rats over naïve controls. An elevation in terminal total GLP-1 was measured, with a marked reduction in circulating dipeptidyl peptidase 4, the GLP-1 cleaving enzyme, in SCI rats, compared with naïve. Increased glucagon mRNA in the pancreas and reduced immunoreactive glucagon-positive staining in the pancreas in SCI rats compared with controls suggested increased glucagon turnover. Finally, GLP-1 receptor gene expression in the ileum, the primary source of GLP-1 production and release, in SCI rats suggests the responsivity of the gut to altered circulating GLP-1 in the body. In conclusion, the actions of GLP-1 and its preprohormone, glucagon, are markedly uncoupled from their actions on glucose control in the SCI rat. More work is required to understand GLP-1 in the human.

Co-treatment with grape seed extract and mesenchymal stem cells in vivo regenerated beta cells of islets of Langerhans in pancreas of type I-induced diabetic rats

BackgroundNowadays, diabetes mellitus is known as a silent killer because individual is not aware that he has the disease till the development of its complications. Many researchers have studied the use of stem cells in treatment of both types of diabetes. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold a lot of potential for regenerative therapy. MSCs migrate and home at the damaged site, where they can aid in the repair of damaged tissues and restoring their function. Oxidative stress and inflammation represent a huge obstacle during MSCs transplantation. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the role of grape seed extract (GSE) administration during MSCs transplantation in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type I diabetes. Furthermore, testing some of GSE components [procyanidins(P)-B1 and P-C1] in conjunction with MSCs, in vivo, was performed to determine if one of them was more effective in relieving the measured attributes of diabetes more than the whole GSE.MethodsFirstly, GSE was prepared from the seeds of Muscat of Alexandria grapes and characterized to identify its phytochemical components. Experimental design was composed of control group I, untreated diabetic group II, GSE (300 mg/kg)-treated diabetic group III, MSCs (2 × 106 cells/rat)-treated diabetic group IV and GSE (300 mg/kg)/MSCs (2 × 106 cells/rat)-treated diabetic group V. Type I diabetes was induced in rats by intravenous injection with 65 mg/kg of STZ. Treatment started when fasting blood glucose (FBG) level was more than 200 mg/dl; GSE oral administration started in the same day after MSCs intravenous injection and continued daily for 30 consecutive days.ResultsThe results showed that GSE/MSCs therapy in type I-induced diabetic rats has dramatically managed homeostasis of glucose and insulin secretion; together with, improvement in levels of inflammatory markers and oxidative stress.ConclusionCo-treatment with GSE and MSCs in vivo regenerates beta cells in type I-induced diabetic rats.