Efficacy of zinc oxide nanoparticles in attenuating pancreatic damage in a rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes

Abstract

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) therapy is a promising strategy for treatment of several diseases. We aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of ZnO NPs in ameliorating the histopathological and functional alterations in the pancreas of a rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Rats were randomized into control, diabetic and ZnO NPs-treated diabetic groups. Biochemical assays of blood glucose and serum insulin were performed. Pancreas specimens were processed for light and electron microscope examinations. ZnO NPs effectively reversed diabetes-induced pancreatic injury, as evidenced by the structural and ultrastructural improvement and confirmed by biochemical normalization of blood glucose and serum insulin.

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Induce an Adverse Effect on Blood Glucose Levels Depending On the Dose and Route of Administration in Healthy and Diabetic Rats

“…The anti-diabetic activity of ZnONPs in the long term is proposed to be carried out as a result of the stimulation of several mechanisms, among them are the suggestion of an increase of serum insulin levels, glucokinase activity, and increased of insulin, insulin receptor A, GLUT-2 (Glucose transporter 2), and glucokinase mRNA (messenger Ribonucleic Acid) expression [ 8 ], reduction in oxidative stress [ 19 , 22 ], less damage to the pancreatic structure [ 32 , 33 ] and microRNA-103 and microRNA-143 decreased expression [ 23 ]. In vitro experiments revealed that ZnONPs attenuate the hyperglycemia through a mechanism that involves α-amylase inhibition and α-glucosidase activity [ 34 ].…”

ZnO Nanostructures for Drug Delivery and Theranostic Applications

“…However, severely elicited oxidative stress particularly at higher doses was also observed [ 112 ]. The efficacy of ZnO QDs in attenuating pancreatic damage in a rat model of treptozotocin-induced diabetes was also settled one year later by Kandeel et al [ 113 ]. Other comparative studies including ZnO QDs for antidiabetic studies have been performed [ 114 ].…”

Gold nanoparticles attenuate albuminuria by inhibiting podocyte injury in a rat model of diabetic nephropathy

“…Both GBM thickening and glomerular hyperfiltration lead to the progression of microalbuminuria, while the leading cause for renal insufficiency in DN is the mesangium expansion, which develops at a later stage [3]. The expanded mesangium cells restrict and distort glomerular capillaries leading to the collapsing of glomerular capillaries and in turn reducing the filtration surface and decrease creatinine clearance [2,4].…”

“…Mesangial expansion and GBM thickening occur as a result of increased expression and accumulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as collagen, fibronectin, and laminin in the mesangium and renal tubulointerstitium of the glomerulus and basement membranes [5]. This subsequently resulted from their increased production, decreased degradation, or both which eventually resulting in renal fibrosis and DN [2,[4][5][6]. Chronic hyperglycemia is the major initiator of these changes through increased oxidative stress, overproduction and action of advanced glycation end products (AGE), and activation of several growth factors, such as transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β 1 ) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) [7].…”