RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article T1 Protective effects of epoxypukalide on pancreatic b-cells and glucose metabolism in STZ-induced diabetic mice A1 López Acosta, José Francisco A1 Villa Pérez, Pablo A1 Fernández Díaz, Cristina María A1 Luis Román, Daniel Antonio de A1 Díaz Marrero, Ana R. A1 Cueto, Mercedes A1 Perdomo Hernández, Germán A1 Cózar Castellano, Irene K1 Diabetes - Tratamiento AB Diabetes is a consequence of a decrease on functional β-cell mass. We have recently demonstrated that epoxypukalide (Epoxy) is a natural compound with beneficial effects on primary cultures of rat islets. In this study, we extend our previous investigations to test the hypothesis that Epoxy protects β-cells and improves glucose metabolism in STZ-induced diabetic mice. We used 3-months old male mice that were treated with Epoxy at 200 μg/kg body weight. Glucose intolerance was induced by multiple intraperitoneal low-doses of streptozotocin (STZ) on 5 consecutive days. Glucose homeostasis was evaluated measuring plasma insulin levels and glucose tolerance. Histomorphometry was used to quantify the number of pancreatic β-cells per islet. β-cell proliferation was assessed by BrdU incorporation, and apoptosis by TUNEL staining. Epoxy treatment significantly improved glucose tolerance and plasma insulin levels. These metabolic changes were associated with increased β-cell numbers, as a result of a two-fold increase in β-cell proliferation and a 50% decrease in β-cell death. Our results demonstrate that Epoxy improves whole-body glucose homeostasis by preventing pancreatic β-cell death due to STZ-induced toxicity in STZ-treated mice PB Taylor & Francis SN 1938-2014 YR 2015 FD 2015 LK http://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/16738 UL http://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/16738 LA eng NO Islets,(2015);7(2):e1078053 NO Producción Científica DS UVaDOC RD 22-nov-2024