Histological study on the role of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on the sciatic nerve and the gastrocnemius muscle in a model of sciatic nerve crush injury in albino rats

Abstract

© 2015 The Egyptian Journal of Histology. Background Diabetes mellitus is a major health problem with increasing prevalence worldwide. Antidiabetic drugs have proven to have multiple side effects. Several studies have suggested the involvement of free radicals in the development of diabetes and diabetic complications. Aim This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a natural antioxidant (spirulina) against streptozotocin-induced diabetic changes. Materials and methods Thirty adult male albino rats were divided into three main groups: the control group, the spirulina-treated group, and the diabetic group. The diabetic group included rats in which diabetes was induced by means of a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (45 mg/kg), and this group was further subdivided into the diabetic control and spirulina-treated subgroups. After 5 weeks, blood samples and pancreatic specimens were subjected to biochemical, histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular studies. Results The diabetic group showed highly degenerated pancreatic acini, distortion of islets of Langerhans, and weak insulin reactivity in B cells of islets of Langerhans. There was a significant increase in blood glucose, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, urea, creatinine, and malondialdehyde, and a significant decrease in glucokinase gene expression, catalase activity, and superoxide dismutase. Oral administration of spirulina revealed improvement in all parameters toward normal. Conclusion Spirulina exerts significant antidiabetic and antioxidant effects in diabetic rats.