Myenteric neurons and intestinal mucosa of diabetic rats after ascorbic acid supplementation.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of ascorbic acid (AA) dietary supplementation on myenteric neurons and epithelial cell proliferation of the jejunum of adult rats with chronic diabetes mellitus.


METHODS
Thirty rats at 90 d of age were divided into three groups: Non-diabetic, diabetic and diabetic treated with AA (DA) (1 g/L). After 120 d of treatment with AA the animals were killed. The myenteric neurons were stained for myosin-V and analyzed quantitatively in an area of 11.2 mm(2)/animal. We further measured the cellular area of 500 neurons per group. We also determined the metaphasic index (MI) of the jejunum mucosa layer of about 2500 cells in the intestinal crypts, as well as the dimensions of 30 villi and 30 crypts/animal. The data area was analyzed using the Olympus BX40 microscope.


RESULTS
There was an increase of 14% in the neuronal density (792.6 +/- 46.52 vs 680.6 +/- 30.27) and 4.4% in the cellular area (303.4 +/- 5.19 vs 291.1 +/- 6.0) respectively of the diabetic group treated with AA when compared to control diabetic animals. There were no significant differences in MI parameters, villi height or crypt depths among the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Supplementation with AA in the diabetic animal promoted moderate neuroprotection. There was no observation of alteration of the cellular proliferation of the jejunum mucosa layer of rats with chronic diabetes mellitus with or without supplementation with AA.
De Freitas
Priscila
P
Department of Morphophysiological Sciences H-79, Enteric Neurons Laboratory, State University of Maringa, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Maringa 87020-900, Parana, Brazil. priscilamga2@hotmail.com
Natali
Maria-Raquel-Marcal
MR
Pereira
Renata-Virginia-Fernandes
RV
Miranda Neto
Marcilio-Hubner
MH
Zanoni
Jacqueline-Nelisis
JN
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D007583:Jejunum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009197:Myenteric Plexus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D024701:Myosin Type V / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D000975:Antioxidants; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D024701:Myosin Type V; D001205:Ascorbic Acid