Effects of thymectomy on glucose metabolism in rats and modulation of rehmannia glutinosa oligosaccharides on glucose metabolism in thymectomized rats / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

AIM: To observe the changes of blood glucose level, plasma insulin level and liver glycogen content and regulatory effects of rehmannia glutinosa oligosaccharides (ROS) on glucose metabolism in thymectomized rats. METHODS: 1) Plasma glucose level, liver glycogen content and plasma insulin level of thymectomized rats were determined three, four, eight and fifteen month after thymectomy operation; 2) Effects of ROS (250 mg·kg-1, po, × 60 d) on spleencyte proliferation, blood glucose level, liver glycogen content, plasma insulin level and plasma corticosterone level in thymectomized rats were investigated seven month after thymectomy. RESULTS: From 8 months after thymectomy liver glycogen content and plasma insulin level increased in thymectomized rats, though no obvious changes in blood glucose level were found during the experiment; 2) Changes of glucose metabolism in thymectomized rats were largely reversed and normalized with ROS Increased liver glycogen content turned to be normal, increased plasma insulin level, decreased corticosterone level and decreased splenocyte proliferation in thymectomized rats became normal. CONCLUSION: Some changes in glucose metabolism are induced by thymectomy in rats, which can be largely reversed by ROS.