[Changes in expression of genes for insulin, glucagon and IGF-II in neonatal rats with malnutrition].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of malnutrition on the function of cells in fetal islet of pancreas.


METHODS
A neonatal rat model with malnutrition was prepared by maternal food restriction (fed with less than half amount of the normal) during the 14th to 21st days of pregnancy. Expression of genes for insulin and glucagon in the pancreas, as well as expression of genes for insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) in the pancreas and liver of the rats were analyzed with Northern blotting technique.


RESULTS
Pancreatic content of insulin mRNA was significantly lower in neonatal rats with malnutrition than that in the normal group (P < 0.05), but no obvious changes in glucagon mRNA in the pancreas was found. There was no significant difference in IGF-II mRNA content in the pancreas and liver between the neonatal rats with malnutrition and the normal control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Malnutrition during rat fetal development could cause inhibition of expression of insulin gene, but no obvious effects on the expression of glucagon and IGF-II genes.
Li
Q
Q
Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016.
Bréat
B
B
Czernichow
P
P
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D005934:Glucagon / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D007328:Insulin / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D007328:Insulin; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II; D005934:Glucagon