La controvertida participación del GLP-1 en los mecanismos fisiológicos desencadenados tras cirugía bariátrica / The controversial participation of GLP-1 in the physiological mechanisms unchained after bariatric surgery

RESUMEN: Numerosas hipótesis se invocan para explicar el efecto beneficioso sobre el metabolismo glucídico tras la cirugía bariátrica. Algunos autores abogan por la secreción y liberación de distintas sustancias con funciones endocrinas (enterohormonas). Una de las sustancias más señaladas como efector, con efectos contrastados pero datos controvertidos, es el GLP-1. Nuestro estudio se realizó en ratas Wistar macho sanas, para evitar la ausencia de factores de confusión como son la DMT2 y la obesidad. Para conocer el mapa de adaptación a la secreción de GLP-1 tras la cirugía, se designaron 5 grupos: dos grupos control (de ayuno y de estrés quirúrgico); y tres grupos quirúrgicos (gastrectomía vertical, resección del 50 % del intestino medio y el Bypass gástrico con montaje en Y de Roux). Después de tres meses se estudiaron mediante técnicas inmunohistoquímicas el patrón de síntesis de GLP-1 en las distintas porciones del intestino delgado. También se estudió la expresión de los receptores de membrana en las células de los islotes pancreáticos. Se observó la existencia de un significativo aumento del número de células secretoras en íleon, duodeno y yeyuno en los grupos quirúrgicos de técnicas mixtas (RYGB) y malabsortivas (RI50). Igualmente se observó una elevación de los receptores pancreáticos en las mismas técnicas frente a los controles. Nuestros datos indican que la secreción intestinal de GLP-1 y su sensibilidad a nivel pancreáticas están aumentada, como efecto adaptativo a la agresión mecánica del tubo y a la alteración del flujo de nutrientes tras la cirugía.

SUMMARY: Numerous hypotheses are invoked to explain the beneficial effect on glucose metabolism after bariatric surgery. Some authors advocate for the secretion and release of various substances with endocrine functions (enterohormones). One of the substances most marked as effector, with contrasting effects but controversial data, is Glucagon-like peptide-1 GLP-1. Our study was performed in healthy male Wistar rats, to avoid the absence of confounding factors such as DMT2 and obesity. In order to know the map of adaptation to GLP-1 secretion after surgery, five groups were designated: Two control groups (fasting and surgical stress); and three surgical groups (vertical sleeve gastrectomy, 50 % midgut resection and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass). After three months, the GLP-1 synthesis pattern was studied by immunohistochemical techniques in the different portions of the small digestive tract. The expression of membrane receptors in pancreatic islet cells was also studied. There was a significant increase in the number of secretory cells in ileum, duodenum and jejunum in mixed surgical (RYGB) and malabsorptive (RI50) groups. An elevation of pancreatic receptors was also observed in the same techniques against controls. Our data indicated that intestinal secretion of GLP1 and its sensitivity to the pancreatic level were increased, both to an adaptive effect to the mechanical aggression of the digestive tube and to the alteration of nutrient flow after surgery.

Beetle (Ulomoides dermestoides) fat improves diabetes: effect on liver and pancreatic architecture and on PPARgamma expression

Ulomoides dermestoides is a beetle traditionally consumed to treat diabetes. In this study, we performed a composition analysis of U. dermestoides to obtain the principal fractions, which were used to assess the effect on glycemia, liver and pancreatic architecture, and PPARγ and GLUT4 expression. Normal mice and alloxan-induced diabetic mice were administered fractions of chitin, protein or fat, and the acute hypoglycemic effect was evaluated. A subacute study involving daily administration of these fractions to diabetic mice was also performed over 30 days, after which the liver and pancreas were processed by conventional histological techniques and stained with hematoxylin and eosin to evaluate morphological changes. The most active fraction, the fat fraction, was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and PPARγ and GLUT4 mRNA expressions were determined in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The protein and fat fractions exhibited hypoglycemic effects in the acute as well as in the 30-day study. Only the fat fraction led to elevated insulin levels and reduced glycemia, as well as lower intake of water and food. In the liver, we observed recovery of close hepatic cords in the central lobule vein following treatment with the fat fraction, while in the pancreas there was an increased density and percentage of islets and number of cells per islet, suggesting cellular regeneration. The GC-MS analysis of fat revealed three fatty acids as the major components. Finally, increased expression of PPARγ and GLUT4 was observed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, indicating an antidiabetic effect.

Duodenal-jejunal bypass normalizes pancreatic islet proliferation rate and function but not hepatic steatosis in hypothalamic obese rats

Modifications in life-style and/or pharmacotherapies contribute to weight loss and ameliorate the metabolic profile of diet-induced obese humans and rodents. Since these strategies fail to treat hypothalamic obesity, we have assessed the possible mechanisms by which duodenal-jejunal bypass (DJB) surgery regulates hepatic lipid metabolism and the morphophysiology of pancreatic islets, in hypothalamic obese (HyO) rats. During the first 5 days of life, male Wistar rats received subcutaneous injections of monosodium glutamate (4 g/kg body weight, HyO group), or saline (CTL). At 90 days of age, HyO rats were randomly subjected to DJB (HyO DJB group) or sham surgery (HyO Sham group). HyO Sham rats were morbidly obese, insulin resistant, hypertriglyceridemic and displayed higher serum concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and hepatic triglyceride (TG). These effects were associated with higher expressions of the lipogenic genes and fatty acid synthase (FASN) protein content in the liver. Furthermore, hepatic genes involved in β-oxidation and TG export were down-regulated in HyO rats. In addition, these rats exhibited hyperinsulinemia, β-cell hypersecretion, a higher percentage of islets and β-cell area/pancreas section, and enhanced nuclear content of Ki67 protein in islet-cells. At 2 months after DJB surgery, serum concentrations of TG and NEFA, but not hepatic TG accumulation and gene and protein expressions, were normalized in HyO rats. Insulin release and Ki67 positive cells were also normalized in HyO DJB islets. In conclusion, DJB decreased islet-cell proliferation, normalized insulinemia, and ameliorated insulin sensitivity and plasma lipid profile, independently of changes in hepatic metabolism.

Trichuris trichiura in a post-Colonial Brazilian mummy

Trichuris trichiura is a soil-transmitted helminth which is prevalent in warm, moist, tropical and subtropical regions of the world with poor sanitation. Heavy whipworm can result either in Trichuris dysenteric syndrome - especially in children - or in a chronic colitis. In heavy infections, worms can spread proximally and may cause ileitis. Here we provide first microscopic evidence for a T. trichiura adult worm embedded in the rectum of a post-Colonial Brazilian adult mummy. During Colonial and post-Colonial times, many European chroniclers described a parasitic disease named Maculo whose symptomatology coincides with heavy helminthiasis. Based on our findings and on comparison of ancient textual evidence with modern description of heavy whipworm, we feel confident in considering that the two syndromes are expressions of the same pathological condition.

Up-regulation of Hsp72 and keratin16 mediates wound healing in streptozotocin diabetic rats

BACKGROUND: Impaired wound healing is a complication of diabetes and a serious problem in clinical practice. We previously found that whey protein (WP) was able to regulate wound healing normally in streptozotocin (STZ)-dia-betic models. This subsequent study was designed to assess the effect of WP on heat shock protein-72 (Hsp72) and keratin16 (Krt16) expression during wound healing in diabetic rats. METHODS: WP at a dosage of 100 mg/kg of body weight was orally administered daily to wounded normal and STZ-diabetic rats for 8 days. RESULTS: At day 4, the WP-treated diabetic wound was significantly reduced compared to that in the corresponding control. Diabetic wounded rats developed severe inflammatory infiltration and moderate capillary dilatation and regeneration. Treated rats had mild necrotic formation, moderate infiltration, moderate to severe capillary dilatation and regeneration, in addition to moderate epidermal formation. Hsp72 and Krt16 densities showed low and dense activity in diabetic wounded and diabetic wounded treated groups, respectively. At day 8, WP-treatment of diabetic wounded animals revealed great amelioration with complete recovery and closure of the wound. Reactivity of Hsp72 and Krt16 was reversed, showing dense and low, or medium and low, activity in the diabetic wounded and diabetic wounded treated groups, respectively. Hsp72 expression in the pancreas was found to show dense reactivity with WP-treated diabetic wound rats. CONCLUSION: This data provides evidence for the potential impact of WP in the up-regulation of Hsp72 and Krt16 in T1D, resulting in an improved wound healing process in diabetic models.

Pyrrolidine Dithiocarbamate Inhibits Nuclear Factor kappaB and Toll-Like Receptor 4 Expression in Rats with Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the pancreases of rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) and any changes upon treatment with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), an inhibitor of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB), as well as to determine the relationship between TLR4 and NF-kappaB in ANP pathogenesis. METHODS: A total of 72 SD rats were randomly divided into three groups, namely, the control (sham-operation), ANP, and ANP with PDTC pretreatment groups. The PDTC-pretreated group was intraperitoneally injected with PDTC at a dose of 100 mg/kg 1 hour before the induction of ANP. The expressions of TLR4 and NF-kappaB in pancreatic tissue were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The mRNA levels of cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, and IL-6 were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The expressions of TLR4, NF-kappaB, and cytokine (NF-kappaB target) genes in the pancreatic tissue increased more significantly in the ANP groups than in the sham-operation group at 3, 6, and 12 hours. Pretreatment with PDTC alleviated the inflammatory activation in the pancreas with ANP, causing a significant decrease in the expressions of TLR4, NF-kappaB, and cytokine genes in the pancreatic tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The expressions of TLR4 and NF-kappaB were increased in the pancreases of rats with ANP. PDTC not only inhibits NF-kappaB but also suppresses the expression of TLR4 and downregulates the expression of the related cytokine genes.

Pyrrolidine Dithiocarbamate Inhibits Nuclear Factor kappaB and Toll-Like Receptor 4 Expression in Rats with Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the pancreases of rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) and any changes upon treatment with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), an inhibitor of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB), as well as to determine the relationship between TLR4 and NF-kappaB in ANP pathogenesis. METHODS: A total of 72 SD rats were randomly divided into three groups, namely, the control (sham-operation), ANP, and ANP with PDTC pretreatment groups. The PDTC-pretreated group was intraperitoneally injected with PDTC at a dose of 100 mg/kg 1 hour before the induction of ANP. The expressions of TLR4 and NF-kappaB in pancreatic tissue were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The mRNA levels of cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, and IL-6 were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The expressions of TLR4, NF-kappaB, and cytokine (NF-kappaB target) genes in the pancreatic tissue increased more significantly in the ANP groups than in the sham-operation group at 3, 6, and 12 hours. Pretreatment with PDTC alleviated the inflammatory activation in the pancreas with ANP, causing a significant decrease in the expressions of TLR4, NF-kappaB, and cytokine genes in the pancreatic tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The expressions of TLR4 and NF-kappaB were increased in the pancreases of rats with ANP. PDTC not only inhibits NF-kappaB but also suppresses the expression of TLR4 and downregulates the expression of the related cytokine genes.

Role of high mobility group box-1 and protection of growth hormone and somatostatin in severe acute pancreatitis

In this study, we investigated the potential role of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and the effects of growth hormone (G) and somatostatin (S) in SAP rats. The rats were randomly divided into 6 groups of 20 each: sham-operated, SAP, SAP+saline, SAP+G, SAP+S and SAP+G+S. Ileum and pancreas tissues of rats in each group were evaluated histologically. HMGB1 mRNA expression was measured by reverse transcription-PCR. Levels of circulating TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and endotoxin were also measured. In the SAP group, interstitial congestion and edema, inflammatory cell infiltration, and interstitial hemorrhage occurred in ileum and pancreas tissues. The levels of HMGB1, TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6 and endotoxin were significantly up-regulated in the SAP group compared with those in the sham-operated group, and the 7-day survival rate was 0%. In the SAP+G and SAP+S groups, the inflammatory response of the morphological structures was alleviated, the levels of HMGB1, TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and endotoxin were significantly decreased compared with those in the SAP group, and the survival rate was increased. Moreover, in the SAP+G+S group, all histological scores were significantly improved and the survival rate was significantly higher compared with the SAP group. In conclusion, HMGB1 might participate in pancreas and ileum injury in SAP. Growth hormone and somatostatin might play a therapeutic role in the inflammatory response of SAP.

Intervenção nas situações de crise psíquica: dificuldades e sugestões de uma equipe de atenção pré-hospitalar / Intervention in situations of psychic crisis: challenges and suggestions of a prehospital care staff / Intervención en situaciones de crisis psíquica: problemas y sugerencias de un equipo de atención prehospitalaria

Pesquisa descritiva, qualitativa, que objetivou conhecer como os profissionais de atenção pré-hospitalar percebem as intervenções nas pessoas em crise psíquica. O estudo foi realizado, no estado de Santa Catarina, com quatro equipes das Unidades de Suporte Básico do Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência, mediante entrevista, no período de abril a junho de 2011. Utilizou-se como método de análise o Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. Dos resultados emergiram dois temas: Percepção das dificuldades no atendimento à pessoa em crise psíquica e Sugestões na busca por um atendimento mais próximo do desejado à pessoa em crise psíquica. As dificuldades apontadas se relacionam à falta de capacitação e de um local para encaminhamento e sugerem treinamento e sistematização do atendimento. Conclui-se que se faz necessário investir em processo de formação pautado em novas estratégias de cuidado norteadas pelos princípios do SUS e no paradigma psicossocial, além de rediscutir a estratégia de protocolos como sistemas norteadores e não padronizadores.

A qualitative and descriptive research, aimed at knowing how the pre-hospital care professionals perceive the interventions towards people in mental crisis. The study was developed in Santa Catarina with four teams of basic life support units of the Department of Mobile Emergency Care, during April to June 2011. The Collective Subject Discourse was used as the method of analysis. Two themes emerged: Awareness of the difficulties in meeting a person in mental crisis and Suggestions in the search for a closer attention to the person in mental crisis. The difficulties mentioned were related to the lack of training and a local to forward the patients, suggesting a better training and systematization of care. We conclude that it is necessary to invest in the educational process, based on new care strategies guided by the principles of SUS and of the psychosocial paradigm, and revisit the strategy of protocols as guidelines and not as standardizing systems.

Investigación descriptivo-cualitativa, que objetivó conocer como los profesionales de la atención pre-hospitalaria perciben las intervenciones en personas con crisis mental. El estudió fue realizado en Santa Catarina con cuatro equipos de las Unidades de Soporte Vital Básico, mediante entrevista realizada de abril a junio de 2011. El Discurso del Sujeto Colectivo fue utilizado como método de análisis; surgiendo dos temas: Percepción de las dificultades en la atención a la persona en crisis mental y Sugerencias en la búsqueda de una mejor atención a la persona en crisis mental. Las dificultades mencionadas se relacionan con la falta de capacitación y lugar para la atención, sugiriendo un mejor entrenamiento y sistematización de la atención. Se resalta la necesidad de invertir en el proceso de formación basado en nuevas estrategias de atención guiadas por los principios del SUS y el paradigma psicosocial, y revisar la estrategia de protocolos como nortes no estandarizados.

Bloqueadores do sistema renina-angiotensina em ilhotas pancreáticas e fígado na obesidade induzida por dietas em camundongos / Renin-angiotensin system blockers in pancreatic islets and liver on diet-induced obesity in mice

As associações entre obesidade, doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica (NAFLD) e diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) são bem estabelecidas, e o sistema renina-angiotensina (SRA) pode proporcionar uma ligação entre eles. O bloqueio do SRA em diferentes níveis pode estar relacionado a respostas na resistência à insulina, remodelagem do pâncreas e do fígado em um modelo de obesidade induzida por dieta. Camundongos C57BL/6 foram alimentados com uma dieta hiperlipídica (HF) durante oito semanas e depois tratados com alisquireno (50 mg/kg/dia), enalapril (30 mg/kg/dia) ou losartana (10 mg/kg/dia) por um período adicional de seis semanas. As drogas foram incorporadas na dieta. Avaliou-se a massa corporal (MC), pressão arterial, consumo e gasto energético (GE), metabolismo da glicose e lipídico, histopatologia pancreática e hepática, análise hormonal, imunohistoquímica, perfil gênico e/ou proteico do SRA no pâncreas, gliconeogênese hepática, sinalização da insulina, oxidação e acúmulo lipídico. Todos os inibidores do SRA reduziram significativamente o aumento da pressão arterial nos camundongos alimentados com dieta HF. O tratamento com enalapril, mas não alisquireno ou losartana, reduziu o ganho de MC e a ingestão alimentar; aumentou o GE; amenizou a intolerância à glicose e resistência à insulina; melhorou a massa de células alfa e beta; impediu a redução da adiponectina plasmática e restaurou a sensibilidade à leptina. Além disso, o tratamento com enalapril melhorou a expressão proteica nas ilhotas pancreáticas de Pdx1, GLUT2, ECA2 e do receptor Mas. O tratamento com losartana apresentou uma elevação na expressão proteica de AT2R no pâncreas...

The associations between obesity, NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) and diabetes are well established, and the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) may provide a link among them. . The blocking of the RAS at different levels may be related to responses on insulin resistance, remodeling of the pancreas and liver in a model of diet-induced obesity. Mice (C57BL/6) were fed on a high-fat (HF) diet for 8 weeks and then treated with aliskiren (50 mg/kg/day), enalapril (30 mg/kg/day) or losartan (10 mg/kg/day) for an additional 6 weeks. The drugs were incorporated into the diet. We assessed body mass (BM), blood pressure, energy intake and expenditure (EE), glucose and lipid metabolism, pancreatic and hepatic histopathology, hormonal analysis, immunohistochemistry, the expression profile of genes and/or proteins affecting pancreas RAS, hepatic gluconeogenesis, insulin signaling and lipid oxidation and accumulation. All RAS inhibitors significantly attenuated the increased blood pressure in mice fed a HF diet. Treatment with enalapril, but not aliskiren or losartan, significantly attenuated BM gain, increased EE, enhanced the glucose intolerance and insulin resistance; improved the alpha and beta cell mass; prevented the reduction of plasma adiponectin and restored leptin sensibility. Furthermore, enalapril treatment improved the protein expression of the pancreatic islet Pdx1, GLUT2, ACE2 and Mas receptors. Losartan treatment showed the greatest AT2R expression in the pancreas. In the liver, the enalapril administration improved hepatic steatosis, triglycerides and prevented the increase hepatic protein levels of PEPCK, G6Pase and GLUT2...

Protective effect of lawsone on L-Arginine induced acute pancreatitis in rats.

The efficacy of lawsone against L-arginine induced acute pancreatitis was determined at 24 h by determination of serum levels of amylase, lipase and proinflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, C-reactive proteins and interleukin (IL)], pancreatic myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)], nitrate/nitrite levels, and the wet weight/body weight ratio. Lawsone and methylprednisolone treatments significantly attenuated the L-arginine- induced increases in pancreatic wet weight/body weight ratio, and decreased the serum levels of amylase and lipase, and TNF-α and IL-6 and significantly lowered pancreatic levels of MPO, TBARS, and nitrate/nitrite. The histoimmunological findings further proved the amelioration of pancreatic injury by lawsone and further proved anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent property of lawsone.

Alterações histopatológicas pancreáticas, placentárias e na matriz extracelular hipofisária durante a diabetes mellitus gestacional / Pancreatic histopathological changes, placental and the pituitary extracellular matrix during gestational diabetes mellitus

A Diabetes Mellitus Gestacional (DMG) pode ser definida como intolerância a carboidrato durante a gravidez e estima-se que pode afetar 10-22% de todas as pacientes grávidas. Durante a gravidez podem surgir diversas complicações para o feto como risco elevado de aborto espontâneo, anormalidades congênitas e morbidade e mortalidade neonatal. Entretanto, podem surgir também alterações morfofuncionais em diversos órgãos da mãe diabética, porém isso não é bem estabelecido. Investigar se haverá ou não alterações bioquímicas e histopatológicas em diversos órgãos, como hipófise, útero, placenta e pâncreas de ratas grávidas com diabetes mellitus durante e no final da gravidez e compará-las . Além disso, investigar se há alteração na matriz extracelular (MEC) da hipófise desses animais. No 5º dia de vida, ratas Wistar foram divididas em dois grupos: um tratado com estreptozotocina (Grupo Diabético / DIAB), na dose de 90 mg/kg, subcutâneo e outro grupo, que foi tratado com veículo (tampão citrato/CTR). Aos 90 dias de vidas, foram submetidas ao cruzamento. Após isso, foram sacrificadas no 11º e 21º dia de gravidez. Foram avaliados glicemia e bioquímica maternal e número de implantes .O pâncreas, útero, placenta e hipófises foram coradas com Hematoxilina e Eosina e somente as hipófises foram coradas com Massom e Picrosirius, para avaliação da MEC.Os animais diabéticos tanto do 11º quanto do 21º dia apresentaram uma redução no número de implantes, menor peso e maior glicemia e colesterol total, em relação aos animais controle independente do dia da gravidez. Não foi verificada diferença dos níveis de triglicerídeos entre os grupos não diabéticos e diabéticos, independente dos dias. Entretanto, os animais diabéticos que finalizaram o período de gestação apresentaram uma maior glicemia maternal em relação ao grupo diabético do 11º dia. Pâncreas de ratas diabéticas do 21º dia apresentaram vacuolização intracitoplasmática das ilhotas, insulite,migração de células ...

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) can be defined as carbohidrat intolerance during pregnancy and it may affect 10-22% off all pregnant pacients. During pregnancy can surge lots of complications to the fetus such as high risk of spontaneous abortion, congenital abnormalities and neonatal morbity and mortality. However, it can also surge morphofunctional alterations in several organs of the diabetic mother, but it has not been well established .To investigate if there is going to be biochemical and histopathological alterations in several organs, such as pituitary, uterus, placenta and pancreas of pregnant diabetics rats during and in the end of pregnancy and compared them. Furthermore, to investigate if there is pituitary alteration of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in these animals. On the 5th day of life, Wistar rats were divided in two groups: one treated with streptozotocin (Diabetic Group/DIAB) , with the dose of 90 mg/kg, subcutaneous and another group , treated with vehicle (citrate buffer/CTR). At 90 days of life, they were mated . After, they were sacrified at 11o e 21o days of pregnancy. Were evaluated maternal glicemia and biochemistry and implant numbers. The pancreas, uterus,placenta e pituitary were stained with Hematoxilin and Eosin and only the pituitary were stained with Masson and Picrosirius, for ECM evaluation. Diabetic animals of 11o day as well as 21o days during pregnancy showed a reduced implant numbers, reduced weight and higher glicemia and total cholesterol , compared with control animals independent of pregnancy day. It was not verified difference in triglycerides levels between non diabetic and diabetic animals, independent of the day. However, diabetic animals that concluded the gestational period showed a higher maternal glicemia compared with 11o day diabetic group. Pancreas of 21o days diabetic animals showed islets intracitoplasmatic vacuolization, insulitis, inflammatory cell migration, thickness of wall vessel ...

Streptozotocin-induced diabetes, bile-pancreatic secretion and insulo-pancreon-axis interaction / Streptozotocin-induced diabetes, bile-pancreatic secretion and insulo-pancreon-axis interaction.

The present tests were undertaken in order to analyze in male Wistar rats the changes in the exocrine and endocrine pancreas and on the interactions that normally evolve in the insulo-pancreon-axis. To evaluate this by a single i.p. Boots secretin injection, glycemia (G), amylasemia (A) and lipasemia (L) were determined. In bile-pancreatic secretion, we analyzed, pre and post-secretin, the following parameters: volume (V), bicarbonate output (BO), amylase output (AO) and lipase output (LO). Three groups of tests were done: a) control (C); b) streptozotocin-treated non-diabetic-rats (St-ND) and c) streptozotocin-treated diabetic animals (St-D) which showed morning glycemia values higher than 16.0 mmol/l. Four months later, under Tiopental i.p anesthesia, a bile-pancreatic fistula was done. Following a 30 min basal period, Boots secretin (20 CU/kg) was i.p injected. Bile-pancreatic secretion put in evidence a significant fall of BO in both St-ND and St-D series. In controls, AO revealed a post-secretin increase of 160

, while in the St-D rats showed a depression of 41

. The behavior of L was different, being augmented (+27

) in the C, while in the St-D rats the response was significantly higher (+95

). In bile-pancreatic-secretion, the fall of BO and AO in the St-ND and St-D series in respect to the C, are probably consequence of the diminishing potentiating effects exerted normally by insulin on the secretin-induced water and bicarbonate secretion of the pancreon units. In contrast, the rising of LO in the St-D, an expression of an enhancing pancreocyte’s synthesis and secretion of lipase. The blood changes of A (depression) and of L (increase) in respect to the C values, although without reaching significant level, mirror those observed in bile-pancreatic secretion.

Antihyperglycemic and antioxidant effect of hydroethanolic extract of Butea monosperma bark in diabetic mice.

The antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidative properties of hydroethanolic extract of Butea monosperma bark were investigated in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Alloxan administration resulted in higher blood glucose level and reduced hepatic glycogen content as compared to normal animals. Besides, serum lipid profile parameters such as total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol were also found to be significantly elevated, whereas the level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was markedly reduced in diabetic animals. Oxidative damage in the tissues of diabetic mice was evidenced by a marked increase in the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), distinct decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) content and declined activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). The daily treatment of diabetic animals with crude extract of B. monosperma bark (300 mg kg-1) for 45 days significantly lowered blood glucose level and elevated hepatic glycogen content, bringing the values close to those observed in normal control and glibenclamide-treated diabetic mice. Furthermore, the level of various lipid profile parameters was also reversed towards normal. TBARS and GSH also restored towards normal and the declined activity of antioxidant enzymes in diabetic animals was also normalized in crude extract administered mice, thus indicating the antioxidant efficacy of the drug in diabetes-induced oxidative damage. Significant antihyperglycemic and antioxidant potential of the crude extract of B. monosperma bark indicated that it may find use in the management of diabetes and resultant oxidative stress.

Expression of telomerase & its significance in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer has one of the worst prognoses among all types of cancers. The survival rate is less than 5 per cent; this is due to difficulty in diagnosing at an early stage. Despite the improvements in diagnostic imaging techniques such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, etc., the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is still difficult. Alternative methods of diagnosing pancreatic cancer at an early stage are presently been explored. The detection of telomerase activity has been proposed to be a useful tool in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Telomerase is made up of three major parts namely, human telomerase reverse transcriptase, human telomerase and telomerase -associated protein. Several researchers have shown telomerase activity in tissues and fluids of patients with pancreatic and other types of cancers. About 95 per cent telomerase activity has been detected in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Since telomerase activity is present in a vast majority of human cancers, it might have a role in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Dietary restriction prevents diabetogenic effect of streptozotocin in mice.

The beneficial role of dietary restriction (DR) was studied in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in mice. The DR mice exhibited the lower blood glucose (mg/dl) level as compared to ad libitum (AL) fed ones. After 3 months’ DR, STZ treatment to both AL and DR mice showed significant (p<0.001) elevation of the blood glucose level in AL-fed mice, while a lower level of glucose was maintained in DR-fed mice. The ability of maintaining a low blood glucose level in STZ-treated DR mice indicated that STZ might have been ineffective from its action on beta cells of pancreas by long-term DR. Thus, these findings suggested that DR may be an important tool for preventing the diabetic conditions. However, further studies are required to know the mechanism(s) of DR protection against diabetogenic action of STZ in experimental animals.

Agonistas PPAR (Rosiglitazona, Bezafibrato e Fenofibrato) e alterações bioquímicas e estruturais em órgãos-alvo de camundongos C57BL/6 alimentados com dieta hiperlipídica rica em sacarose / PPAR agonists (Rosiglitazone, Bezafibrate and Fenofibrate) and biochemical and structural alterations in organs target of C57BL/6 mice fed high-fat high sucrose chow

Este trabalho teve o objetivo de estudar o efeito de medicamentos com diferentes ações agonista PPAR (rosiglitazona, fenofibrato e bezafibrato) sobre o perfil lipídico, glicídico e alterações na massa corporal e morfologia do tecido adiposo e pancreático em modelo de diabetes e sobrepeso induzido por dieta. Camundongos C57BL/6 (2 meses de idade) foram alimentados com dieta padrão (SC, n=10) ou dieta hiperlipídica rica em sacarose (HFHS, n=40) por 6 semanas. Logo após, os animais HFHS foram subdividos em: HFHS não tratado e HFHS tratado com rosiglitazona (HFHS-Ro), fenofibrato (HFHS-Fe) ou bezafibrato (HFHS-BZ) (5 semanas). Os camundongos alimentados com dieta HFHS apresentaram maior glicemia e insulina de jejum (+33% e +138%, respectivamente), intolerância à glicose, resistência à insulina, aumento da massa corporal (MC) (+20%) e adiposidade, hipertrofia de adipócitos e redução da imunocoloração para adiponectina no tecido adiposo. No pâncreas houve aumento da massa (+28%), acúmulo de gordura (+700%), hipertrofia da ilhota (+38%) e redução da imunocoloração para GLUT-2 (-60%). A rosiglitazona diminuiu a glicemia e insulina de jejum, porém induziu o ganho de MC e hipertrofia cardíaca. O fenofibrato estabilizou a MC, enquanto o bezafibrato levou a perda de MC. Apenas o bezafibrato impediu a hipertrofia da ilhota. A imunocoloração para GLUT-2 foi aumentada por todos os medicamentos, e não houve alterações na imunocoloração para o PPARalfa. Sinais morfológicos de pancreatite foram vistos no grupo HFHS-Fe, apesar dos níveis normais de amilase e lipase séricos. A rosiglitazona exacerbou a infiltração intrapancreática de gordura (+75% vs. HFHS), e o bezafibrato aumentou a imunocoloração para o PPARbeta/delta nas ilhotas pancreáticas. Em conclusão, o bezafibrato apresentou um efeito mais amplo sobre as alterações metabólicas, morfológicas e biométricas decorrentes da dieta HFHS, sugerindo que a inibição das três isoformas do PPAR seria melhor do que a inibição...

This work aimed to evaluate the effect of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists (rosiglitazone, fenofibrate and bezafibrate) on lipid and glucose metabolism, body mass, and adipose and pancreatic tissue morphology in a model of diet-induced type 2 diabetes and overweight in mice. Two-month-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed a standard chow (SC, n=10) or a high-fat high-sucrose chow (HFHS, n=40) for 6 weeks, and then HFHS-fed mice were subdivided by treatment: untreated HFHS and HFHS treated with rosiglitazone (HFHS-Ro), fenofibrate (HFHS-Fe), or bezafibrate (HFHS-Bz) (5 weeks on medication). HFHS-fed mice have altered fasting glucose (+33%) and insulin (+138%), GI, IR, increased body mass (+20%) and fat pad weight, adipocyte hypertrophy, and decreased adiponectin immunostain. They also presented increased pancreatic (+28%) mass, intrapancreatic fat (+700%), islet hypertrophy (+38%), and decreased GLUT-2 immunostain (-60%). Rosiglitazone reduced fasting glucose and insulin but induced weight gain and heart hypertrophy. Fenofibrate impaired body mass gain, while bezafibrate induced weight loss. Only bezafibrate impaired islet hypertrophy. GLUT-2 immunostain was improved by all treatments, and there were no alterations in PPAR-alfa stain. There were morphological signs of pancreatitis in fenofibrate-treated mice, although there was no alteration in serum amylase and lipase. Rosiglitazone exacerbated pancreatic fat infiltration (+75% vs. HFHS group), and bezafibrate increased PPAR-beta expression in pancreatic islets. In conclusion, bezafibrate showed a wider range of action on metabolic, morphologic, and biometric alterations due to HFHS intake, suggesting that inhibiting the three PPAR isoforms is better than inhititing each isoform alone. Rosiglitazone exacerbated body mass gain, pancreatic fat infiltration and induced heart hyperthophy as well, thus, precaution has to be taken in prescribing rosiglitazone to obese patients.

Análise da expressão de TNF-alpha e CD133 no pâncreas após o transplante de células de medula óssea em camundongos hiperalimentados durante a lactação / Analysis of TNF-alpha and CD133 in pancreas after transplantation of bone marrow cells in overfeeding mice during lactation

Estudos populacionais, assim como modelos animais demonstram que além dos fatores já conhecidos, como uma dieta não balanceada e sedentarismo, insultos nutricionais no período gestacional ou durante a lactação, causam alterações metabólicas importantes que levam ao surgimento da obesidade, Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) e doenças cardiovasculares em longo prazo. Nesse estudo, analisamos o pâncreas de camundongos hiperalimentados adultos (150 dias) e camundongos hiperaliemntados jovens (21 e 28 dias). Os camundongos hiperalimentados de 21 dias receberam transplante de células mononucleares de medula óssea (CMO) e o resultado desse transplante foi observado aos 28 dias, quando os animais foram sacrificados. Nós investigamos: a apoptose das células beta através do fator pró-apoptótico Bax; a proliferação das células da ilhota pancreática através do antígeno nuclear de proliferação celular (PCNA); a expressão da citocina TNF-alpha, relacionado com a resistência à insulina em animais obesos e a expressão de células tronco CD133 com o objetivo de estudar a participação dessa célula na renovação da massa de células beta durante o estabelecimento da DM2. As análises das proteínas citadas no pâncreas foram realizadas através de microscopia de luz, microscopia confocal, microscopia eletrônica e Western blotting. O peso dos animais, a morfometria das ilhotas pancreáticas, bem como os níveis de glicose e insulina plasmáticos também foram determinados. Nossos resultados confirmaram que os camundongos hiperalimentados adultos apresentavam elevados níveis de glicose e insulina plasmática quando comparados ao grupo controle. Além disso, camundongos hiperalimentados adultos apresentaram aumento na expressão de Bax, indicando apoptose das células beta, maior expressão de TNF-alpha nas ilhotas pancreáticas, e presença de células CD133 nas ilhotas e ductos pancreáticos de camundongos hiperalimentados. Ao analisarmos os animais com 21 dias também observamos elevados níveis...

Population studies as well as animal models show that besides the factors already known as an unbalanced diet and sedentary lifestyle, nutritional insults during pregnancy of during lactation, causes important metabolic changes that lead to the emergence of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and cardiovascular diseases in long-term. In this study, we analyzed the pancreas of overfed adult mice (150 days) and young mice (21 and 28 days). At day 21, overfed mice were transplanted with bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMCs) and the results of this transplantation were observed at day 28. We investigated beta-cell apoptosis through pro-apoptotic factor Bax, the proliferation of pancreatic islet cells by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), expression of TNF-alpha which has been linked to insulin resistance in obese animals and the expression of CD133 stem cells, in order to study the participation of this cell on the recovery of beta-cell mass during the establishment of DM2. The protein analysis, were performed using light microscopy, confocal microscopy, electron microscopy and Western blotting. The animals weight, morphology of pancreatic islets, as well as plasma levels of glucose and insulin were also determined. Our results confirmed that adult overfed mice had high levels of blood glucose and insulin when compared to control mice. Moreover, overfed adult mice showed an increased expression of Bax, indicating apoptosis of beta cells, also confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, increased expression of TNF-alpha in pancreatic islets when compared with the control group, and interestingly we observed the presence of CD133 cells in the pancreas of overfed mice. By analyzing the animals with 21 days, we also observed high levels of blood glucose and insulin in the overfed group, but we did not observe Bax expression at this lifetime. The expression of TNF-alpha was also increased in pancreas of overfed mice at day 21...

Effects of ischemia/reperfusion on beta cells of pancreas and protective effects of melatonin treatment / Efectos de la isquemia/reperfusión sobre células beta del páncreas y efectos protectores del tratamiento de melatonina

Oxygen free radicals are considered to be important components involved in the pathophysiological tissue alterations observed during ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). In this study, we investigated the putative protective effects of melatonin treatment on pancreatic I/R injury. Sprague Dawley male rats were subjected to 30 min of pancreatic pedicle occlusion followed by 90 min reperfusion. Melatonin (10 mg/kg. s.c) was administrated 30 min prior to ischemia or I/R application. At the end of the reperfusion periods, rats were decapitated. Pancreatic samples were taken for transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated that ischemia created b cell damage as evidenced by dilatation between the nucleus inner and outer membrane and degeneration on islets of Langerhans cells, was reversed by melatonin treatment. As melatonin administration reversed these microscopic damage, it seems likely that melatonin protects pancreatic tissue against oxidative damage.

Los radicales libres del oxígeno son considerados como uno de los componentes más importantes que participan en las alteraciones fisiopatológicas del tejido durante la isquemia-reperfusión (I/R). En este estudio, se investigó el supuesto efecto protector del tratamiento de melatonina sobre la lesión pancreática I/R. Ratas Sprague Dawley machos fueron sometidas a 30 minutos de oclusión del pedículo pancreático seguido de 90 minutos de reperfusión. La melatonina (10 mg/kg) fue administrada 30 minutos antes de la isquemia o de la aplicación I/R. Al finalizar los periodos de reperfusión, las ratas fueron decapitadas. Fueron tomadas muestras pancreáticas para el análisis en microscopía electrónica de transmisión. Los resultados indicaron que la isquemia ocasionó daño en las células beta demostrado por la dilatación entre el núcleo interior y la membrana exterior y la degeneración de los islotes de células pancreáticas, los que fueron revertidos por el tratamiento de melatonina. Como la administración de melatonina revirtió estos daños microscópicos, parece probable que ella proteja al tejido pancreático contra el daño oxidativo.