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STZ Rats (stz + rat)
Selected AbstractsDHEA improves impaired activation of Akt and PKC ,/,-GLUT4 pathway in skeletal muscle and improves hyperglycaemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetes ratsACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 3 2009K. Sato Abstract Aim:, Addition of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) to a cultured skeletal muscle locally synthesizes 5,-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It induced activation of glucose metabolism-related signalling pathway via protein kinase B (Akt) and protein kinase C zeta/lambda (PKC ,/,)-glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4) proteins. However, such an effect of DHEA in vivo remains unclear. Methods:, Using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rats with type 1 diabetes mellitus, we tested the hypothesis that a single bout of DHEA injection in the rats improves hyperglycaemia and muscle GLUT4-regulated signalling pathway. After 1 week of STZ injection (55 mg kg,1) with male Wistar rats, fasting glucose concentrations were determined in a blood sample taken from the tail vein. Blood glucose levels were then monitored for 180 min after DHEA or sesame oil (control) was injected (n = 10 for each group). Results:, Blood glucose levels decreased significantly for 30,150 min after 2 mg DHEA injection in the STZ rats. In the skeletal muscle, expression and translocation of GLUT4 protein, phosphorylation of Akt and PKC ,/,, and phosphofructokinase and hexokinase enzyme activities increased significantly by DHEA injection. However, DHEA-induced improvements in Akt and PKC ,/,-GLUT4 pathways were blocked by a DHT inhibitor. Conclusion:, These results suggest that a single bout of DHEA injection can improve hyperglycaemia and activate the glucose metabolism-related signalling pathway via Akt and PKC ,/,-GLUT4 proteins of skeletal muscles in rats. Moreover, these results show that a DHEA-induced increase in muscle glucose uptake and utilization might contribute to improvement in hyperglycaemia in type 1 diabetes mellitus. [source] Pancreatic fate of D -[3H] mannoheptuloseCELL BIOCHEMISTRY AND FUNCTION, Issue 3 2001Willy J. Malaisse Abstract D -Mannoheptulose was recently postulated to be transported into cells by GLUT2. The validity of such an hypothesis was assessed by comparing the uptake of tritiated D -mannoheptulose by pancreatic islets versus pieces of pancreas and, in the latter case, by comparing results obtained in control rats versus animals injected with streptozotocin (STZ). The uptake of D -[3H] mannoheptulose by islets represents a time-related and temperature-sensitive process, inhibited by cytochalasin B and enhanced by D -glucose. The uptake of the tritiated heptose was much lower in pieces of pancreatic tissue and inhibited by D -glucose, at least in the STZ rats. Whether in pieces of pancreas exposed in vitro to D -[3H] mannoheptulose or after intravenous injection of the tritiated heptose, the radioactive content of the pancreatic tissue was lower in STZ rats than in control animals. This contrasted with an unaltered radioactive content of liver and muscle in the STZ rats, at least when treated with insulin. Suitably radiolabelled D -mannoheptulose or an analogue of the heptose could thus conceivably be used for quantification of the endocrine pancreatic mass. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Pancreatic fate of a 125I-labelled mouse monoclonal antibody directed against pancreatic B-cell surface ganglioside(s) in control and diabetic ratsCELL BIOCHEMISTRY AND FUNCTION, Issue 2 2001Laurence Ladri Abstract The possible use of a mouse monoclonal antibody directed against rat pancreatic B-cell surface ganglioside(s) and labelled with radioactive iodine for selective imaging of the endocrine pancreas by a non-invasive procedure was investigated by following its pancreatic fate in experiments conducted either in vitro by incubation of rat isolated pancreatic islets, acinar tissue and pancreatic pieces or in vivo after intravenous injection of the 125I-labelled antibodies ([125I],-G). Although the binding of [125I],-G per µg protein was about one order of magnitude higher in isolated islets than in acinar tissue, no significant difference was detected when comparing pancreatic pieces or isolated islets from control animals and rats rendered diabetic by one or two prior administrations of streptozotocin (STZ rats). Likewise, except in one set of experiments, no significant difference was found between control animals and STZ rats, when measuring the radioactive content of the pancreatic gland, relative to that of plasma, 1,4 days after the intravenous injection of [125I],-G. These findings indicate that under the present experimental conditions, the mouse monoclonal antibody labelled with radioactive iodine does not appear to be a promising tool for selective imaging of the endocrine pancreas, e.g. by single photon emission computerized tomography. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Effect of N -acetylcysteine on the early expression of inflammatory markers in the retina and plasma of diabetic ratsCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Gina Y Tsai MD Abstract Purpose:, The aim of this study is to investigate markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in an early model of diabetic retinopathy, correlate retinal and plasma results and evaluate the influence of treatment by N -acetylcysteine (NAC), a free radical scavenger. Methods:, Four groups were studied: control (C), streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats (D), STZ rats following 8 weeks of NAC (DT), and control rats following 8 weeks of NAC (CT). Plasma levels of free 15-F2t-isoprostane (15-F-2t-IsoP), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-,) were obtained. Primary antibodies against macrophages (ED-1), microglia (Ox-42), pericytes (NG-2), endothelial and perivascular cells (IB-4), haem oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were used. Results:, Expression of NG-2 was robust in C, CT, DT, and mild in D. The intensity of IB-4 was higher in D and DT compared with the C and CT. Ox-42 and ED-1 expression was higher in the D than in the DT, C or CT. Expression of VEGF and HO-1 was non-specific across the four groups. Plasma levels of 15-F-2t-IsoP and TNF-, were higher in the D as compared with the C, CT and DT. SOD levels were lower in the D when compared with the C, CT and D. Conclusions:, Macrophage/microglia activation, pericyte loss and endothelial/perivascular cell changes occur early in the pathogenesis of DR. These changes are associated with an increase in plasma markers of oxidative stress and inflammation and are minimized by treatment with NAC. The results suggest that therapies that reduce free radicals will help minimize the early events in diabetic retinopathy in the STZ model. [source] |