Naringin (4 ',5,7-Trihydroxyflavanone 7-Rhamnoglucoside) Attenuates beta-Cell Dysfunction in Diabetic Rats through Upregulation of PDX-1

摘要

Background: Pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 (PDX-1) is a key transcription factor which regulates Insulin gene expression and insulin secretion in adult beta-cells and helps to maintain beta-cells mass. Naringin, a flavanone, owing to its antioxidant property, is reported to have antidiabetic effects. Objectives: The present study tries to evaluate the role of naringin on the beta-cell-specific transcription factor PDX-1 in diabetic rats. Methods: Diabetes was induced in male rats using streptozotocin and treated with naringin (100 mg/kg) orally for 4 and 8 weeks. Serum insulin level, Pdx-1 and Insulin gene expression, and PDX-1 protein expression were assessed in the rat pancreas. Histopathological and ultrastructural changes in the islet and beta-cells were observed. Results: Naringin prevented leukocytic infiltration in the pancreas of diabetic rats and recouped the beta-cells with adequate secretory granules. Naringin-treated diabetic rats showed significantly increased mRNA expression of Pdx-1 and Insulin genes, increased expression of transcription factor PDX-1, and higher serum insulin levels than the diabetic control an-imals. These changes were more pronounced in the 8-week naringin-treated diabetic animals. Conclusions: Naringin was found to be an effective antidiabetic agent which increased Insulin gene expression and insulin secretion by upregulating the PDX-1 gene and protein expression. (c) 2019 S. Karger AG, Basel