可乐宁与生长抑素在预防链佐霉素诱导的小鼠高血糖中的相互增强作用

本实验采用小剂量多次腹腔注射链佐霉素(Streptozotocin,STZ)选择性地破坏胰岛β细胞的方法造成高血糖的小鼠动物模型,观察α_2-肾上腺素能受体激动剂可乐宁(Clonidine)与胃肠激素生长抑素(Somatostatin,SS)在预防STZ诱导的高血糖作用中的相互关系。结果如下:(1)接受STZ处理后,小鼠在实验的第6、8、10、15天,血糖均有明显升高;(2)在每次注射STZ前注射可乐宁或SS,均可减轻STZ诱导的高血糖,(8)将可乐宁和SS合并作预防牲注射,对STZ高血糖的抑制作用大大加强,在实验的第15天,联合用药降低高血糖的作用大于两种药单独注射效果的代数和。本工作提示,某些神经因素和体液因素在预防由STZ诱导的高血糖产生中具有相互加强作用,从而为寻找减少激素用量,经济、有效的防治糖尿病方法提供了一定的线索。     

外源性及内源性生长抑素对链佐霉素糖尿病小鼠血清胰岛素的作用

已经证明用链佐霉素(简称 STZ)可诱发小鼠产生低胰岛素糖尿病,本工作用外源性注射生长抑素(简称 SS)和用半胱胺特异性耗竭内源性 SS 的方法,观察 SS 对 STZ 糖尿病小鼠血清胰岛素的影响。在注射 STZ(60mg/kg,ip)前10min 分别皮下注射 1μg/kg,5μg/kg,10μg/kg 的 SS 可预防 STZ 诱发的血清低胰岛素作用,并呈剂量-效应关系。注射半胱胺(300mg/kg,SC)24h 后再连续5d 皮下注射半量半胱胺维持,胰腺组织匀浆中的 SS 含量经放免测定鉴定已基本被耗竭。在实验的第7,9,11,16d 胰腺 SS 含量仍然维持在比对照组为低的水平,给这种小鼠注射 STZ,其血清胰岛素降低程度比仅接受 STZ 小鼠的大,此外,给耗竭胰腺内 SS的小鼠注射不足以引起高血糖的 STZ 也引起了血糖大大升高。以上结果表明,不仅外源性 SS有预防链佐霉素诱发的小鼠低血清胰岛素发生的作用,胰腺组织中的内源性 SS 也可能是一个对胰岛 B 细胞起保护作用的因素。     

生长抑素可预防链佐霉素诱发的大鼠胰岛 B 细胞分泌功能的损伤

本工作通过测定大鼠血清、胰腺灌流液以及肤腺组织中胰岛素含量,观察生长抑素(SS)对链佐霉素(STZ)诱发的实验性糖尿病的作用。结果如下:皮下注射生理盐水后10min,再向腹腔注射链佐霉素(35mg/kg),24h 后大鼠血清胰岛素浓度明显降低。胰腺组织匀浆中的胰岛素含量也明显减少。如若在注射链佐霉素前10min 皮下注射生长抑素,则可有效地防止上述两项指标的改变,(NS STZ)和(SS STZ)两组之间具有显著差异。单独注射生长抑素,24h 后血清胰岛素及胰腺组织中胰岛素含量与正常对照无明显差异。用分离的大鼠胰腺作体外灌流,观察到:NS STZ 组大鼠灌流胰腺对19.7mmol/L 的高浓度葡萄糖刺激无胰岛素释放反应,而 SS STZ 组大鼠的胰腺对高浓度葡萄糖有反应性,刺激后出现胰岛素分泌峰。上述结果表明,SS(30μg/kg)预防性注射可以防止 STZ 引起的胰岛 B 细胞分泌功能的障碍。     

孤儿G蛋白偶联受体55在糖尿病性胃轻瘫小鼠发病中的作用

本文旨在探讨孤儿G蛋白偶联受体55(GPR55)在糖尿病性胃轻瘫(diabetic gastroparesis,DG)小鼠发病中的作用。采用链脲菌素(streptozotocin,STZ,65 mg/kg)腹腔注射制备小鼠DG模型。观察造模后小鼠体重及血糖含量变化,同时测定胃电图和酚红排空功能,用放射免疫分析法测定血浆胃动素(motilin,MTL)、胃泌素(gastrin,GAS)、血管活性肠肽(vasoactive intestinal peptide,VIP)、生长抑素(somatostatin,SS)水平,用Real-time PCR和Western blot测定胃组织GPR55表达,用免疫组织化学法观察胃组织GPR55分布,并观察GPR55激动剂溶血磷脂酰肌醇(lysophosphatidylinositol,LPI)对DG的治疗作用。结果显示,STZ组小鼠血糖于STZ注射后第4周末升至(26.6±1.2)mmol/L,体重明显减轻,胃电图慢波振幅下降,胃排空能力明显降低,而腹腔注射LPI可逆转STZ导致的上述变化;STZ小鼠血浆中MTL、GAS明显低于对照组(P0.01),而SS、VIP明显升高(P0.01),LPI可拮抗STZ对四种激素的影响;GPR55存在于正常小鼠胃组织,在DG时其表达明显上调,LPI不影响正常小鼠GPR55表达和分布,但可拮抗STZ对GPR55表达和分布的影响。以上结果提示,GPR55参与调节DG胃运动,可以作为DG治疗的新靶点;GPR55激动剂LPI对STZ导致的DG小鼠有保护作用,该作用机制与GPR55表达的改变、胃肠激素的调整有关。     

链脲佐菌素诱导糖尿病肺纤维化小鼠模型的建立与评价

目的 探究链脲佐菌素(streptozotocin, STZ)诱导糖尿病肺纤维化(diabetic pulmonary fibrosis, DPF)小鼠模型的建立方法,为临床研究提供稳定的DPF动物模型。方法 将60只雄性C57BL/6小鼠随机分为3组：正常对照组(NG,n=20)、糖尿病肺纤维化1组(DPF1,n=20)、糖尿病肺纤维化2组(DPF2,n=20)。隔夜禁食不禁水后测定小鼠空腹血糖和体重,随后DPF1组一次性腹腔注射大剂量STZ(150 mg/kg),DPF2组连续5 d每天腹腔注射小剂量STZ(50 mg/kg),NG组腹腔注射等量无菌柠檬酸盐缓冲液。注射完毕后,每天观察小鼠的一般情况,每周测定小鼠体重和随机血糖(random blood glucose, RBG),正常喂养16周,每4周每组随机选取5只小鼠处死取材,行病理和分子生物学检测,评估小鼠肺纤维化的程度。结果 STZ诱导后,DPF1组和DPF2组均出现“多饮、多尿、多食、体重减轻(三多一少)”的典型糖尿病症状。DPF1组和DPF2组诱导后体重增加均显著低于NG组,并于第8周后缓慢减轻(P<0.05);...     

JNK在血糖波动的糖尿病大鼠肾小管上皮细胞凋亡中的作用

目的:探讨血糖波动的糖尿病大鼠发生肾小管上皮细胞凋亡的信号转导机制。方法:健康SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组(A)、糖尿病稳定高血糖组(B)和糖尿病波动高血糖组(C),采用链脲佐菌素(STZ)65 mg/kg腹腔注射诱发糖尿病,血糖波动组每天定时腹腔注射速效胰岛素,并错时给予葡萄糖,造成一天中血糖浓度大幅度波动模型。制模12周后,采用比色法检测肾组织匀浆中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量,免疫组化法和Western blot检测肾脏Nox4和JNK蛋白表达,原位缺口末端标记法(TUNEL)检测肾脏细胞凋亡。结果:与A组比较,B组和C组肾组织MDA含量增加、SOD活性下降,肾小管上皮细胞Nox4表达增加,肾小管磷酸化JNK(P-JNK)蛋白表达上调,细胞凋亡率明显增加,且C组的以上变化均较B组更加明显(P<0.05,P<0.01)。结论:波动性高血糖较稳定性高血糖更易促进糖尿病肾小管上皮细胞凋亡,其机制与JNK信号转导通路激活有关。     

禁食与非禁食处理对构建2型糖尿病小鼠模型血糖的影响

为探讨禁食与非禁食处理对构建2型糖尿病小鼠模型血糖变化的影响,分别以普通饲料和高脂饲料喂养3周龄的C57BL/6J雄性小鼠5周,于第5周末采取禁食与非禁食处理,16 h后分别注射链脲佐菌素(streptozotocin,STZ)100 mg/kg体重或相应体积的柠檬酸缓冲液.于第5周末(禁食前)和注射后3周测定非空腹血糖浓度.普通饲料与高脂饲料注射STZ前禁食组血糖水平均显著升高,达到并超过糖尿病小鼠非空腹血糖成模标准(11mmol/L).高脂饲料注射STZ前非禁食组血糖水平表现为缓慢持续升高,其余各组血糖水平均低于糖尿病小鼠非空腹血糖成模标准.结果 表明,高脂饲料联合STZ诱导2型糖尿病小鼠血糖变化是有效的,但注射STZ前的禁食处理不是必需的;单纯注射STZ同样可以诱导糖尿病小鼠血糖升高,但注射前的禁食处理是必要的.     

链脲佐菌素诱导C57小鼠1型糖尿病模型的研究

目的:通过小剂量多次腹腔注射链脲佐菌素(STZ)诱导建立与人类1型糖尿病相似的C57小鼠糖尿病模型,研究建模剂量和成模率。方法:将32只C57小鼠随机分为正常对照组(A)和实验组(B)。实验组(B)可分为低、中、高剂量组(50 mg/kg、70mg/kg、90 mg/kg)(n=8)。两组都喂普通饲料1周后,B组连续5天腹腔注射不同剂量STZ,测定注射前、注射后1周、2周、3周、4周、5周的空腹血糖和体重,观察小鼠饮食、饮水和排尿情况。STZ注射第3周进行口服糖耐量实验(OGTT)。结果:给药前A、B组体重和血糖无显著差异,给药1周后,B组饮水量和进食量明显增加,体重减轻。C57小鼠用药2周后,中剂量组达到建模标准,成模率75%。各剂量组均出现了糖耐量异常。结论:诱导建立C57小鼠1型糖尿病模型方法是连续5日腹腔注注射STZ,适宜剂量为70 mg/kg。     

下丘脑外侧区注射TRH对大鼠胃酸分泌的影响

本文采用连续收集胃腔灌流法,观察下丘脑外侧区(LHA)注射促甲状腺激素释放激素(TRH)对大鼠胃酸分泌的影响,并分析TRH在LHA促进胃酸分泌的作用机制。结果表明:(1)LHA注射TRH(1μg)明显地刺激胃酸分泌;(2)预先向LHA注射酚妥拉明(10μg)、美多心安(5μg)及胃泌素抗体1μl(1:640)并不影响TRH的泌酸作用,如预先向LHA注射阿托品(5μg)则可消除TRH的泌酸效应;(3)垂体摘除及肾上腺切除均不影响TRH的泌酸作用;(4)隔下迷走神经切断后,LHA注入TRH的泌酸效应仍然出现,但持续时间显著缩短;腹腔交感神经节摘除后,TRH仍能促进胃酸分泌,但分泌量少而平稳。以上结果提示:LHA是TRH中枢泌酸效应的有关结构之一,其中枢机制是通过胆碱能M受体中介的,腹腔交感神经节和膈下迷走神经是TRH泌酸效应的传出途径。前者引起的泌酸反应出现较早且引起泌酸高峰,但持续时间短;后者则引起低平的持续分泌。     

高脂饮食联合链脲佐菌素对小鼠糖脂代谢及炎症的影响

观察高脂饮食联合链脲佐菌素(STZ)对小鼠糖脂代谢及胰岛功能损伤的影响。将体质量为18~20 g的SPF级雄性C57BL/6J小鼠40只,随机分为对照组和模型组,每组20只。对照组小鼠饲喂对照饲料,模型组小鼠饲喂高脂饲料。1周后,禁食16 h,测量小鼠体质量与空腹血糖;尾静脉采血,分离血清;每周1次,连续4周。4周后,对照组小鼠腹腔注射柠檬酸缓冲液,模型组小鼠腹腔注射STZ,剂量为40 mg·kg~(-1),每天1次,连续3 d。继续饲养2周后,测量随机血糖,以小鼠血糖≥16.7 mmol·L~(-1)者即判定为2型糖尿病。对照组及2型糖尿病小鼠经腹腔注射葡萄糖以进行糖耐量试验。与对照组同一时间的体质量和血糖进行比较,模型组小鼠体质量、血糖均升高,除第1周血糖外,差别均有统计学意义(P0.05)。采用重复测量方差分析,发现喂养时间对体质量(F=200.831)和血糖(F=7.025)均有影响,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);不同喂养时间对低密度脂蛋白(F=30.793)、甘油三酯(F=34.027)和高密度脂蛋白(F=30.793)均有影响,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。不同饲料喂养与不同喂养时间对体质量和甘油三酯存在交互作用(P0.05)。比较糖耐量曲线发现,成模小鼠较对照组小鼠糖耐量降低。采用ELISA试剂盒检测小鼠血清中TNF-α含量,成模小鼠的TNF-α含量高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。高脂饮食可导致C57BL/6J小鼠糖脂代谢紊乱,给予STZ后引起了小鼠糖耐量降低及炎症损伤,高脂饮食联合STZ可提高小鼠2型糖尿病模型的成模率。     

Changes in amino acid and glucose transport in brush-border membrane vesicles of hyperglycemic guinea-pig small intestine.

Changes in intestinal transport of L-amino acid and D-glucose in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced hyperglycemic guinea-pig were examined using brush-border membrane vesicles. The vesicles were prepared from guinea-pigs on days 3, 10, and 21 after intravenous injection of STZ (150 mg/kg body weight), and from control animals injected with sodium citrate buffer (pH 4.5) in the same manner. Blood glucose concentration rose to greater than 300 mg/dl in the hyperglycemic guinea-pigs 24 h after STZ injection, and then remained constant. All vesicles obtained under different conditions showed a similar specific activity of alkaline phosphatase, a marker enzyme of the intestinal brush-border membrane, indicating a similar purity of the membrane vesicles. On day 3, Na(+)-dependent amino acid transport was found to be approx. 30% higher in the hyperglycemic than in the control group, and Na(+)-dependent glucose transport was 35% lower in the hyperglycemic than in the control group. On days 10 and 21, Na(+)-dependent amino acid transport had recovered to the control levels, whereas Na(+)-dependent glucose transport was twice as high as in the hyperglycemic than in the control group. Na(+)-independent amino acid and Na(+)-independent glucose transport showed no difference between the hyperglycemic and control groups after STZ injection. The changes in both Na(+)-dependent amino acid and glucose transport were attributed to significant changes in the Vmax values with no change in the apparent Km values. This study clearly demonstrates that hyperglycemia is associated with reciprocal changes in intestinal transport of amino acid and glucose in its acute phase, suggesting an important pathophysiological regulatory mechanism for absorption of nutrients by control of the numbers of specific carriers.     

Hyperglycemia and hyperglucagonemia following neurotensin administration

Neurotensin (NT), a tridecapeptide of bovine hypothalamic origin, was injected into anesthetized rats to clarify the mechanism of its hyperglycemic effects. A dose-related hyperglycemic response was observed at 15 and 30 min after intraarterial injection of 2.5 and 5 μg/kg. Hyperglucagonemia was present with the higher dose and, in some experiments, with the lower dose. Minimal insulin responses were observed. In contrast, injection of NT into the lateral cerebral ventricle did not increase plasma glucose, insulin, or glucagon. Adrenal autotransplantation partially inhibited the hyperglycemia, markedly enhanced the insulin response, and did not affect the hyperglucagonemia. NT effects were unaltered by propranolol (2 mg/kg) whereas the effects of phentolamine (2 mg/kg) were similar to those of adrenal autotransplantation. Somatostatin infusion (1.5 μg/kg/min) blocked the glucagon and insulin responses to NT but only partially suppressed the hyperglycemia. The results suggest that NT hyperglycemia is mediated by effects on the pancreatic islets, the adrenal medulla, and possibly the liver, though effects on the sympathetic nervous system have not been excluded. The physiologic significance of NT in the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism remains to be determined.     

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone blocks neurally-mediated hyperglycemia through central action

Central injection of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) potently blocked the development of, as well as rapidly reversed, 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG)-stimulated hyperglycemia in mice. The antihyperglycemic effect was dose-related, dependent upon the structural integrity of the peptide, dissociated from the peptide's hypophysiotropic action and from its interaction with TRH receptors, and mediated by the cholinergic parasympathetic system. Moreover, TRH blocked the rise in plasma glucose following central injection of corticotropin-releasing factor, enkephalin, clonidine and glucagon, as well as the hyperglycemic response to immobilization, electric foot shock or endotoxin administration. These results indicate that TRH, acting within the central nervous system, can block neurally-mediated hyperglycemia in addition to its previously reported actions to elicit systemic hypoglycemia in normoglycemic mice and to antagonize epinephrine-stimulated hyperglycemia in these animals.     

Increased glucose production following neurotensin administration

Neurotensin (NT), a recently isolated extract from bovine hypothalami, has been shown to have a hyperglycemic effect when injected into fed rats. This hyperglycemia has been attributed entirely to glycogenolysis, but no evidence is available regarding the effect of NT on the rate of glucose production and uptake. We have therefore used the primed-constant infusion of 6-³H-glucose technique to evaluate the effect of an intravenous injection of NT (1.2 nmole/kg) on glucose production $\text{in vivo}$ in 48-h starvèd, conscious rats (n=10). NT induced a progressive rise in plasma glucose concentration from the control value of 101 ± 2.3 to 162.2 ± 10.8 mg/dl at 30 min. Glucose production was significantly (p<.05) elevated 35–40% throughout the first 30 minutes after NT, while the rate of disappearance of glucose was slightly, but not significantly, elevated. An average of 38.2 mg/animal of glucose was required to account for the average increase in glucose production above the basal rate during the 30 minutes following NT. This requirement exceeded the total amount of glycogen (27.9 mg.) found in the livers of 48 hour starved rats. We therefore concluded that the rise in blood glucose concentration after NT injection was entirely due to an increased rate of glucose production, and that at least part of the increased glucose production represented an elevated rate of gluconeogenesis.     

Hyperglycemia Exacerbates Burn-Induced Liver Inflammation via Noncanonical Nuclear Factor-κB Pathway Activation

Hyperglycemia and inflammation are hallmarks of burn injury. In this study, we used a rat model of hyperglycemia and burn injury to investigate the effects of hyperglycemia on inflammatory responses in the liver. Hyperglycemia was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats with streptozotocin (STZ) (35-40 mg/kg), followed by a 60% third-degree scald burn injury. Cytokine levels (by multiplex, in cytosolic liver extracts), hormones (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], in serum), nuclear factor (NF)-κB protein deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) binding (by ELISA, in nuclear liver extracts) and liver functional panel (using VetScan, in serum) were measured at different time points up to 7 d after burn injury. Blood glucose significantly increased after burn injury in both groups with different temporal patterns. Hyperglycemic rats were capable of endogenous insulin secretion, which was enhanced significantly versus controls 12 h after burn injury. DNA binding data of liver nuclear extracts showed a robust and significant activation of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway in the hyperglycemic versus control burn animals, including increased NF-κB-inducing kinase expression (p < 0.05). Liver acute-phase proteins and cytokine expression were increased, whereas secretion of constitutive proteins was decreased after burn injury in hyperglycemic versus control animals (p < 0.05). These results indicate that burn injury to the skin rapidly activated canonical and noncanonical NF-κB pathways in the liver. Robust activation of the NF-κB noncanonical pathway was associated with increased expression of inflammatory markers and acute-phase proteins, and impaired glucose metabolism. Hyperglycemia is detrimental to burn outcome by augmenting inflammation mediated by hepatic noncanonical NF-κB pathway activation.     

Hyperglycemia Exacerbates Burn-Induced Liver Inflammation via Noncanonical Nuclear Factor-κB Pathway Activation

Hyperglycemia and inflammation are hallmarks of burn injury. In this study, we used a rat model of hyperglycemia and burn injury to investigate the effects of hyperglycemia on inflammatory responses in the liver. Hyperglycemia was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats with streptozotocin (STZ) (35–40 mg/kg), followed by a 60% third-degree scald burn injury. Cytokine levels (by multiplex, in cytosolic liver extracts), hormones (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], in serum), nuclear factor (NF)-κB protein deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) binding (by ELISA, in nuclear liver extracts) and liver functional panel (using VetScan, in serum) were measured at different time points up to 7 d after burn injury. Blood glucose significantly increased after burn injury in both groups with different temporal patterns. Hyperglycemic rats were capable of endogenous insulin secretion, which was enhanced significantly versus controls 12 h after burn injury. DNA binding data of liver nuclear extracts showed a robust and significant activation of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway in the hyperglycemic versus control burn animals, including increased NF-κB–inducing kinase expression (p < 0.05). Liver acute-phase proteins and cytokine expression were increased, whereas secretion of constitutive proteins was decreased after burn injury in hyperglycemic versus control animals (p < 0.05). These results indicate that burn injury to the skin rapidly activated canonical and noncanonical NF-κB pathways in the liver. Robust activation of the NF-κB noncanonical pathway was associated with increased expression of inflammatory markers and acute-phase proteins, and impaired glucose metabolism. Hyperglycemia is detrimental to burn outcome by augmenting inflammation mediated by hepatic noncanonical NF-κB pathway activation.     

Investigation of the effect of hyperglycemia on intracerebral hemorrhage by proteomic approaches

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is associated with high mortality and disability, and hyperglycemia worsens the clinical and neurological outcomes of patients with ICH. In this study, we utilized proteomic approaches to investigate the role of hyperglycemia in ICH. Hyperglycemia was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) in adult Sprague-Dawley male rats; ICH was induced by stereotaxic infusion of collagenase/heparin into the right striatum. It was observed that the size of induced hemorrhage was significantly larger in the hyperglycemic group (n=6 in each group). On the first day after ICH, an apparent decrease in the bilateral grasp was also observed for the lesioned hyperglycemic rats compared with normoglycemic ones. When employing 2-DE and MS to examine the proteomes of perihematomal and control regions in individual hyperglycemic and normoglycemic rats, eight differentially expressed protein targets were identified. Most noteworthy, in response to ICH significant increase of albumin was ubiquitously observed in the brains of normoglycemic rats but not in the brains of hyperglycemic rats. Coincidentally, more significant neuronal apoptosis were found in the perihematomal regions of hyperglycemic rats. These observations described suggest the protection role of albumin in acute stage of ICH, which may be dependent on different blood sugar levels.     

Central leptin increases insulin sensitivity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

This study examined the effect of intracerebroventricular leptin on insulin sensitivity in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were cannulated in the lateral ventricle and, after recovery, administered either intravenous STZ (50 mg/kg) to induce diabetes or citrate buffer. Chronic leptin (10 microg/10 microl icv) or vehicle injections were administered daily for 14 days beginning 2 days after establishment of hyperglycemia in the diabetic animals. At the end of the 2 wk of injections, insulin sensitivity was measured by the steady-state plasma glucose (SSPG) method. Blood glucose concentrations were dramatically reduced and normalized by the 4th day in diabetic animals receiving intracerebroventricular leptin treatment. Diabetic animals exhibited insulin resistance, whereas intracerebroventricular leptin significantly enhanced insulin sensitivity, as indicated by decreased SSPG. Circulating leptin levels were not increased in animals injected with intracerebroventricular leptin. Thus the increased peripheral insulin sensitivity appears to be due solely to the presence of leptin in the brain, not to leptin acting peripherally. These data imply that inadequate central leptin signaling may lead to insulin resistance.     

Puerarin decreases apoptosis of retinal pigment epithelial cells in diabetic rats by reducing peroxynitrite level and iNOS expression

The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect of puerarin on retina pigment epithelial (RPE) cells of diabetic rats against apoptosis. One hundred and eight Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group, streptozotocin (STZ) group and puerarin group. STZ and puerarin groups received 3 d of STZ injection (45 mg/kg per day, i.p.). Additionally, puerarin groups were treated with puerarin (140 mg/kg, i.p.) from the 4th day to the end of experiment. The rats from different groups were sacrificed on 20, 40 and 60 d after STZ injection for harvesting RPE cells. Western blot analysis, DNA laddering, RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used for determining the expression of nitrotyrosine (NT, the foot print of peroxynitrite), cell apoptosis, iNOS mRNA and Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) signal transduction in RPE cells, respectively. The results showed that control group maintained low apoptosis level and little NT, iNOS mRNA, Fas/FasL protein expressions, as well as normal blood glucose and body weight during 60 d of the experiment. Compared with control group, STZ group showed obvious apoptosis and higher NT, iNOS mRNA, Fas/FasL protein expressions from 20 d after STZ injection. Puerarin relieved apoptosis of RPE cells and decreased NT, iNOS mRNA, Fas/FasL protein expressions in puerarin group 20 or 40 d after STZ injection, compared with STZ group. These results suggest puerarin can decrease RPE cells apoptosis in diabetic rats by reducing peroxynitrite level and iNOS expression, thus being a potential therapeutic agent in controlling of diabetic retinopathy.     

Hyperglycemia induced by pharmacological activation of central serotonergic pathways depends on the functional integrity of brain CRH system and 5-HT3 receptors.

In the present study, we investigated the effect of central serotonergic pathway activation achieved through third ventricle injections of quipazine, a serotonergic agonist, on plasma glucose levels of fasted and fed adult Wistar male rats, whose third ventricles were canulated 7 days before the experiments. Central quipazine administration induced a significant increase in plasma glucose levels in fasted animals, but was unable to modify plasma glucose concentrations in fed rats. Pretreatment with alpha-helical CRH, a CRH antagonist, significantly attenuated quipazine-induced hyperglycemia. Pretreatment with two different 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, LY-278,584 and ondansetron, was also able to produce a significant reduction in the hyperglycemic response evoked by central administration of quipazine. None of the antagonists used was capable of modifying plasma glucose concentrations when injected alone into the third ventricle. Quipazine-treated, hyperglycemic animals did not show any increase in plasma insulin levels. We conclude that acute pharmacological serotonergic stimulation by quipazine produces hyperglycemia by mechanisms that require the functional integrity of both CRH and 5-HT3 receptors, and that impairment in insulin secretion and/or activity may explain hyperglycemia induced by third ventricle injections of quipazine.