Basic Research
Copyright ©2007 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 7, 2007; 13(5): 725-731
Published online Feb 7, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i5.725
Antidiabetic effects of chitooligosaccharides on pancreatic islet cells in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Bing Liu, Wan-Shun Liu, Bao-Qin Han, Yu-Ying Sun
Bing Liu, Wan-Shun Liu, Bao-Qin Han, Yu-Ying Sun, Department of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Yushan Road, No. 5, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 Program, 2001AA625050) and the National Key Research and Development Program of China during the Tenth Five-Year Plan Period, No. 2001BA708B04-07
Correspondence to: Wan-Shun Liu, College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China. iceicecream1221@126.com
Telephone: +86-532-82032105 Fax: +86-532-82032105
Received: November 11, 2006
Revised: November 18, 2006
Accepted: November 29, 2006
Published online: February 7, 2007
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the effect of chitooligosaccharides on proliferation of pancreatic islet cells, release of insulin and 2 h plasma glucose in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

METHODS: In vitro, the effect of chitooligosaccharides on proliferation of pancreatic islet cells and release of insulin was detected with optical microscopy, colorimetric assay, and radioimmunoassay respectively. In vivo, the general clinical symptoms, 2 h plasma glucose, urine glucose, oral glucose tolerance were examined after sixty days of feeding study to determine the effect of chitooligosaccharides in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

RESULTS: Chitooligosaccharides could effectively accelerate the proliferation of pancreatic islet cells. Chitooligosaccharides (100 mg/L) had direct and prominent effect on pancreastic β cells and insulin release from islet cells. All concentrations of chitooligosaccharides could improve the general clinical symptoms of diabetic rats, decrease the 2 h plasma glucose and urine glucose, and normalize the disorders of glucose tolerance.

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

Keywords: Chitooligosaccharides, Diabetes mellitus, Two hours plasma glucose, Oral glucose, Tolerance test, Pancreastic islet cells, Streptozotocin