The effects of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside on the pancreas in neonatal streptozotocin-diabetic rats

ÖZTÜRK SEZGİN M., Bolkent S., Kaya-Dagistanli F., TUNÇDEMİR M., Yilmazer S., Akkan A. G.

ACTA DIABETOLOGICA, vol.43, no.3, pp.61-65, 2006 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 43 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2006
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s00592-006-0214-6
  • Journal Name: ACTA DIABETOLOGICA
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.61-65
  • Bezmialem Vakıf University Affiliated: No

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to determine the alterations of beta-cell ultrastructure, insulin mRNA and protein products of the same gene on the pancreas of rats following long-term treatment of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside (AICAR). A single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) 100 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) to 2-day-old newborn (n2) rats. The rats were divided into three groups. The first group was the n2 STZ-diabetic rats. The second group consisted of n2 STZ-diabetic rats treated with AICAR 10 mg/kg/day for one month. The third group was non-diabetic control rats. Our findings demonstrate that AICAR treatment decreases the blood glucose level but increases the body weight in n2 STZ-diabetic rats. In the AICAR-treated group, numerous beta cells showed increased insulin gene expression. We also observed increased exocytosis in this group, in an ultrastructural manner. As a result, it is suggested that AICAR may induce insulin synthesis and betacell regeneration in n2 STZ-diabetic rats.