[Epub ahead of print]Biochemical and immunohistochemical changes in delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-treated type 2 diabetic rats.
Source
Health Services Vocational School, Istanbul Bilim University, Istanbul, Turkey; Department of Medical Biology, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: zeynepminecoskun@gmail.com.
Abstract
The regulation of glucose, lipid metabolism and immunoreactivities of insulin and glucagon peptides by delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) in diabetes were examined in an experimental rat model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: (1) control, (2) Δ9-THC treated, (3) diabetic, and (4) diabetic+Δ9-THC. The type 2 diabetic rat model was established by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of nicotinamide (85mg/kg body weight) followed after 15min by i.p. injection of streptozotocin (STZ) at 65mg/kg of body weight. Δ9-THC and Δ9-THC treated diabetic groups received 3mg/kg/day of Δ9-THC for 7 days. The immunolocalization of insulin and glucagon peptides was investigated in the pancreas using a streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase technique. High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and total protein (TP) levels were measured in serum. Total islet area percent of insulin immunoreactive cells slightly changed in diabetic+Δ9-THC rats compared to diabetic animals. However, the area percent of glucagon immunoreactive cells showed a decrease in diabetic+Δ9-THC rats compared to that of diabetic animals alone. Serum TC, HDL and LDL levels of diabetes+Δ9-THC group showed a decrease compared to the diabetic group. These results indicate that Δ9-THC may serve a protective role against hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia in diabetic rats.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
PMID: 23845579 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]
Figures and tables from this article:
- Fig. 1. Immunolocalization of insulin peptide (arrows) were observed in pancreatic tissue cells of experimental rats. Immunoreactive cells labeled for insulin in control (A), Δ9-THC (B), diabetes (C) and diabetes + Δ9-THC (D) groups. Streptavidin–biotin–peroxidase technique, hematoxylin counterstain. Scale bar = 20 μm.
- Fig. 2. Immunohistochemical localization for glucagon peptide (arrows) in cells of Langerhans islet. Glucagon in control (A), Δ9-THC (B), diabetes (C) and diabetes + Δ9-THC (D) groups. Streptavidin–biotin–peroxidase technique, counterstain hematoxylin. Scale bar = 20 μm.
- Table 1. Blood glucose levels of all groups on day 22.
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- Table 2. The area percent of immunoreactive cells for insulin and glucagon in pancreatic islets of all groups.
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- Table 3. Serum total protein (TP), triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels in experimental groups.
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- Table 4. Serum high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels.
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- Corresponding author at: Health Services Vocational School, Istanbul Bilim University, 34394 Sisli, Istanbul, Turkey.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
