Original Articles
Copyright ©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Mar 21, 2009; 15(11): 1339-1345
Published online Mar 21, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.1339
Antioxidant activity of chito-oligosaccharides on pancreatic islet cells in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats
Wen-Peng Yuan, Bing Liu, Chang-Heng Liu, Xiao-Jun Wang, Mian-Song Zhang, Xiu-Mei Meng, Xue-Kui Xia
Wen-Peng Yuan, Chang-Heng Liu, Xiao-Jun Wang, Mian-Song Zhang, Xiu-Mei Meng, Xue-Kui Xia, Biology Institute of Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province, China
Bing Liu, Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, Beijing 100025, China
Author contributions: Yuan WP and Liu B designed the research; Yuan WP, Liu B, Liu CH and Wang XJ performed the research; Zhang MS, Meng XM and Xia XK contributed to the reagents, materials and analysis; Yuan WP and Liu B analyzed the data; Yuan WP and Liu B wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Bing Liu, Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, No. A3, Gaobeidian Beilu, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100025, China. iceicecream1221@126.com
Telephone: +86-10-85399005
Fax: +86-10-85399005
Received: November 5, 2008
Revised: January 12, 2009
Accepted: January 19, 2009
Published online: March 21, 2009
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the antioxidant activity of chito-oligosaccharides (COSs) on pancreatic islet cells in diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin.

METHODS: The antioxidant effect of COSs on pancreatic islet cells was detected under optical microscopy and with colorimetric assay and gel electrophoresis. The activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity, and content of malondialdehyde in serum and tissue slices of pancreas were examined after 60 d to determine the effect of COSs in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats.

RESULTS: COSs can prohibit the apoptosis of pancreatic islet cells. All concentrations of COSs can improve the capability of total antioxidant capacity and activity of superoxide dismutase and decrease the content of malondialdehyde drastically. Morphological investigation in the pancreas showed that COSs have resulted in the reduction of islets, loss of pancreatic cells, and nuclear pyknosis of pancreatic cells.

CONCLUSION: COSs possess various biological activities and can be used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Keywords: Chito-oligosaccharides, Diabetes mellitus, Apoptosis, Antioxidant ability, Pancreastic islet cells, Streptozotocin