Morphological and enzymatic changes of the small intestine in an n0-STZ diabetes rat model

Abstract

Summary. Many studies have shown that experimental type 1 diabetes causes morphological, functional, and metabolic alterations in the small intestine. The more frequent form of the disease, type 2 diabetes, however, has been less studied. Here the influence of diabetes on the functionality of the small intestine was studied in an experimental diabetes model, with a certain degree of residual insulin secretion, specifically in the n0-STZ model. - The diabetic rats in this model were found to have glycaemia levels higher than in the controls (8.82 +/- 0.27 and 6.18 +/- 0.18 mmol/L; p < 0.01), while their plasma insulin levels were lower than in the control rats (2.65 +/- 0.32 and 3.60 +/- 0.25 ng/ml; p < 0.05). Although there were no significant variations in body weight between the two groups, both the weight and the length of the intestine were significantly greater (p < 0.05) in the diabetic rats than in the controls. The sucrase and maltase activities were greater (p < 0.01) in the proximal intestine of the diabetic rats (94 +/- 8 and 234 +/- 12 mU/mg protein, respectively) than in the control rats (50 +/- 2 and 149 +/- 20 mU/mg protein, respectively). The 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase activity (mU/mg proteins) was less (p < 0.05) in the proximal and distal intestine of the diabetic rats (160 +/- 40 and 80 +/- 20, respectively) than in the controls (280 +/- 30 and 230 +/- 30, respectively). No significant differences were observed in the lactate dehydrogenase or active and total pyruvate dehydrogenase measured in the distal and proximal intestine of control and diabetic rats. In conclusion, our results show that experimental diabetes (n0-STZ model) similar to human type 2 diabetes produces certain morphological and enzymatic alterations which affect the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates and the intestinal metabolism of glucose. These alterations may contribute to producing the post-prandial hyperglycaemia which characterizes diabetes.

Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Effects of Raisin Aqueous Extract “Karkni” in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

“…As for LDH activity, results from our experiment show that diabetes decreases LDH activity (Figure 3). These result are similar than Tormo et al [37], but not than Melinkeri et al [38]. A highly significant elevation in the activity of γ-GT was observed in plasma of alloxan-induced diabetic rats.…”

Antihyperglycemic activities of twig extract of indigenous cinnamon (Cinnamomum osmophloeum) on high‐fat diet and streptozotocin‐induced hyperglycemic rats

“…Animal tests showed that disaccharidase and lipase activities were higher in diabetic groups than in the normal group. High disaccharidase activities would increase postprandial blood glucose level, leading to impairment of glucose metabolism . Acarbose is a commercial antihyperglycemic drug and an α ‐glucosidase inhibitor, which could decrease postprandial blood glucose level.…”

Heat acclimation causes some alterations in serum enzymes activities in streptozotocin-diabetic rats

“…On the other hand Cai (1989) and Ryder et al (1987) observed decrease in LDH in diabetic subjects, but also, according to Tormo et al (2002), diabetes mellitus did not cause any changes in LDH activity. Opposite to diabetic animals from room temperature we found significant increase in LDH in heat-acclimated ones (Fig.…”