Abstract

BACKGROUND
Type 1 diabetes mellitus results from irreversible loss of beta cells in pancreatic islet. It is generally known that abnormal MHC expression and interaction of variable cytokines play a role in beta cell death, but the precise mechanism of beta cell death is unknown. Apoptosis is a physiological form of cell death and can play an important role in beta cell death in experimental diabetic animal models. Thus, in insulin and vitamin E treated LDSD mice and streptozotocin treated control mice. We attempted to comparing the levels of blood glucose (BG), the degree of insulitis, and number of apoptotic cells. Our study goal was to understand inhibition of apoptosis which thought to play an important mechanism in reducing the degree of hyperglycemia and insulitis. METHODS: In 3 LDSD mice groups (group 1: control group with streptozotocin only, group 2: streptozotocin plus insulin, group 3: streptozotocin plus vitamin E), the effects of insulin and vitamin E on the blood glucose levels and the degree of insulitis were evaluated. The number of apoptotic cells of pancreatic islet was compared using double staining immunohistochemical method. RESULT: The levels of BG, degree of insulitis and the rate of apoptosis of pancreatic islet cells were decreased in insulin and vitamin E treated groups when compared to the control group. There was no difference in number of apoptotic cells between insulin and vitamin E treated group, but levels of BG and degree of insulitis were higher in vitamin E treated group than insulin treated group as time elapsed. CONCLUSION: Insulin and vitamin E can decrease the elevation of BG and the degree of insulitis via inhibition of apoptosis in LDSD mice.

• Keywords: Streptozotocin;Insulin;Vitamin E;Apoptosis;