Beneficial effect of 17{beta}-estradiol on hyperglycemia and islet {beta}-cell functions in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model
The modulating effect of estrogen on glucose homeostasis remains a controversial issue at present. In this study, we sought to determine the beneficial effect of 17{beta}-estradiol (E{sub 2}) on hyperglycemia and islet {beta}-cell functions in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected i.p. with STZ to induce a relatively mild diabetic condition. The rats were then treated with E{sub 2} orally at 500 {mu}g/kg body weight/day for 15 days to evaluate the modulating effect on hyperglycemia, insulin secretion, and islet {beta}-cell proliferation. E{sub 2} administration for 10 days significantly lowered plasma glucose levels, increased plasma insulin levels, and improved glucose tolerance by attenuating insulin response to oral glucose loading. These beneficial effects of E{sub 2} were accompanied by increases in islet number and volume, rate of islet cell proliferation, and the amount of insulin secreted. The growth-stimulatory effect of E{sub 2} on islet cells was linked to the functions of the estrogen receptor {alpha}. Notably, these protective effects of E{sub 2} on diabetic conditions were basically not observed when the STZ-treated rats had a more severe degree of islet damage and hyperglycemia. Taken together, we conclude that E{sub 2} can promote the regeneration of damaged pancreatic islets by stimulating {beta}-cell proliferation in diabetic rats, and this effect is accompanied by improvements in glucose tolerance and a decrease in plasma glucose levels. These findings suggest that oral administration of E{sub 2} may be beneficial in diabetic patients with an accelerated loss of islet {beta}-cells.
- OSTI ID:
- 21460240
- Journal Information:
- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Journal Name: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 249; ISSN TXAPA9; ISSN 0041-008X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ALDEHYDES
ANIMALS
ANTI-INFECTIVE AGENTS
ANTIBIOTICS
ANTINEOPLASTIC DRUGS
BODY
CARBOHYDRATES
CELL PROLIFERATION
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DRUGS
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
ESTRADIOL
ESTRANES
ESTROGENS
GLANDS
GLUCOSE
HEXOSES
HORMONES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
HYPERGLYCEMIA
INSULIN
MAMMALS
MONOSACCHARIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PANCREAS
PEPTIDE HORMONES
PROTEINS
RATS
RODENTS
SACCHARIDES
STEROID HORMONES
STEROIDS
STREPTOZOCIN
VERTEBRATES