The study of melatonin protective activity on pancreatic β-cells under the condition of alloxan-induced diabetes during aging.
The aim of our research was to study the influence of melatonin on pancreatic β-cells under the condition of alloxan-induced Diabetes Mellitus - especially in old age, when the mentioned disease frequently takes place. 56 male white rats were used in the study. Two age groups were selected: adult period of life and late senescent period of life. This number of rats was divided into three groups: I - experimental group (10 adult and 10 old animals), II - experimental group (10 adult and 10 old animals), and III - control group (8 adult and 8 old animals). On the 1st day of experiment the animals of I and II experimental groups were injected with alloxan at a single dose of 60 mg/kg (into the tail vein) for Diabetes Mellitus induction. The animals of II experimental group were also given melatonin (0,15mg/kg) daily during the 14 days. During the experiment 2 old rats from I experimental group died. In III - control group the intact animals have been used. After stopping of the experiment (15th day), under the ether narcosis the animals were sacrificed. The tissue taken from pancreas has been processed for electron microscopy. Ultrastructural study was performed using electronograms. In each experimental case 100 β-cells have been studied.. Results of research were studied statistically using computer program SPSS v.12.The results of ultrastructural study of pancreatic β-cells have shown that in mentioned cells of animals from I experimental group ultrastructural peculiarities are markedly changed as compared with the norm, and β-cells' injury (in some cases - irreversible changes) are prominent. The mentioned changes are more prominent in old organisms, than in adult ones. In most of pancreatic β-cells of animals from II experimental group ulstrastructural peculiarities are not changed as compared with the norm: ultrastructures of β-cells of animals from II experimental group in both age groups are markedly defended against the damage, which suggests that melatonin has a protective activity on pancreatic β-cells. We recommend that melatonin be taken with anti-diabetic drugs, especially in senescent period of life.
Tbilisi State Medical University, Laboratory of Clinical Skills, Tbilisi, Georgia.
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Kasradze
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Tavartkiladze
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Kasradze
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Nozadze
D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats
D000975:Antioxidants; D008550:Melatonin