Introduction: It is reported that dysfunctioning of islets and elevated levels of fasting blood glucose are found in rats exposed
to nicotine. Lycopene is thought to have a potential role as an effective antioxidant in the prevention of chronic diseases
associated with oxidative stress. Folic acid is a water‐soluble vitamin B that is essential for amino acid metabolism.
Aim of the Study: To explore the effects of nicotine toxicity on pancreatic islets and protective impact of lycopene & folic
acid supplementation.
Material and Methods: Fifty healthy adult male albino rats were separated into five groups. Control , Nicotine treated at
which, rats were injected intraperitoneal by nicotine 3mg/kg daily for a period of 3 weeks . Nicotine + Lycopene treated
group at which rats received lycopene at a dosage of 10 mg/kg b.wt. daily in combination with nicotine treatment for 3 weeks.
Nicotine + Folic acid treated group at which ,rats were injected nicotine and given Folic acid orally at a dosage of 36 μg/kg.
b.wt and recovery group at which rats kept for one month after 3 weeks of nicotine injection. then pancreatic tissues were
examined for histopathological and immunohistochemical changes.
Results: Nicotine treated group showed degenerated pancreatic islets with ill-defined outline . Numerous collagen fibers were
present within and around the pancreatic islets in masson stained pancreatic sections, Strong INOs immunoreactivity but antiinsulin
immuno expression has decreased. Lycopene and Folic acid reduces toxic effect of nicotine on pancreatic islets, but
Folic acid revealed a significant decrease in collagen fibers, INOs immunoreactivity and significant increase in anti-insulin
immuno expression compared with that in Lycopene group.
Conclusion: Use of lycopene during the period of nicotine injection considered to have a protecting influence on pancreatic
islets. Meanwhile The use of Folic acid has a more protection than Lycopene |
