Remodelling of zero-stress state of small intestine in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Effect of gliclazide.
BACKGROUND
Biomechanical properties in terms of residual strains in diabetic small intestine have not been studied. Furthermore, no data have been reported on affect of gliclazide on gastrointestinal complications of diabetes.


OBJECTIVE
To determine remodelling of zero-stress state of small intestine in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and effect of gliclazide treatment.


METHODS
Morphological properties and residual strains were studied in duodenum, jejunum and ileum obtained from diabetic rats, gliclazide-treated diabetic rats and normal rats (n = 8 each group).


METHODS
Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of 65 mg/kg streptozotocin. Gliclazide (10 mg kg(-1) day(-1) was injected directly into stomach lumen by intragastric gavage twice daily. Experimental period was 35 days. To approach no-load state; intestinal segments were surgically excised and cut transversely into short ring-shaped segments. Each ring was cut radially to obtain geometry of zero-stress state. Circumferential length, the wall thickness and opening angle were measured from digital images of each specimen and residual strains were computed.


RESULTS
Blood glucose level of diabetic group (approximately 20 mmol/l) was consistently higher than that in normal group (approximately 4 mmol/l) after induction of diabetes (p < 0.001). Gliclazide lowered average blood glucose level to between 10 and 15 mmol/l (p < 0.001). Plasma insulin levels of both diabetic groups (average between 10 and 15 pmol/l) were significantly lower than those in normal group (average approximately 18 pmol/l, p < 0.05). Wet weight per unit length and wall thickness of duodenum, jejunum and ileum were significantly higher in Diabetes group than those in Normal group (p < 0.05). Opening angle and absolute value of residual strain were significantly smaller in duodenum and larger in jejunum and ileum in Diabetes group than in Normal group (p < 0.001). Gliclazide treatment partly restored these changes (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Diabetes induced morphometric and biomechanical remodelling in intestine. Gliclazide partly restored these changes.
Zhao
J
J
China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, PR China.
Sha
H
H
Zhou
S
S
Tong
X
X
Zhuang
F Y
FY
Gregersen
H
H
D000818:Animals; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005907:Gliclazide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D005907:Gliclazide