The present study was designated to assess oxidative damage and its effect on apoptosis in pancreas of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The role of vitamin E for protection against such damage was evaluated. Thirty two adult male rats were randomly divided into four groups: group I, control, non-diabetic rats; group II, STZ-induced, untreated diabetic rats; group III, STZ-induced diabetic rats supplemented; with vitamin E for 4 weeks ; group IV, STZ-induced diabetic rats supplemented; with vitamin E for 8 weeks . Glucose and insulin levels were estimated in blood samples. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of the glutathione peroxidase enzyme (GSH-Px) were determined in pancreatic tissues. Histopathological examination using H&E stain, as well as, immunohistochemical detection of apoptosis using BCL-X expression in cytoplasm of aciner cells of pancreas was also performed. Blood glucose was significantly increased while insulin was significantly decreased in STZ-induced diabetic rats as compared with controls. In rat pancreatic tissues, MDA was significantly elevated and GSH-Px enzymatic activity was significantly decreased in diabetic rats as compared with control group. Vitamin E supplementation to diabetic rats restored the pancreatic GSH-Px enzyme activity to almost control levels; in addition, MDA decreases as compared with untreated diabetic group. Prominent reduction of BCL-X expression in cytoplasm of aciner cells was found in diabetic rats supplemented with Vitamin E.
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