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Dehydroepiandrosterone increases β‐cell mass and improves the glucose‐induced insulin secretion by pancreatic islets from aged rats
Author(s) -
Medina Mayrin C.,
Souza Lílian C.,
Caperuto Luciana C.,
Anhê Gabriel F.,
Amanso Angélica M.,
Teixeira Vicente P.A.,
Bordin Silvana,
Carpinelli Ângelo R.,
Britto Luiz R.G.,
Barbieri Renato L.,
Borella Maria I.,
Carvalho Carla R.O.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/j.febslet.2005.12.014
Subject(s) - medicine , endocrinology , islet , insulin , protein kinase b , pancreatic islets , insulin oscillation , pancreatic hormone , dehydroepiandrosterone , diabetes mellitus , biology , chemistry , insulin resistance , phosphorylation , hormone , androgen , biochemistry
The effect of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on pancreatic islet function of aged rats, an animal model with impaired glucose‐induced insulin secretion, was investigated. The following parameters were examined: morphological analysis of endocrine pancreata by immunohistochemistry; protein levels of insulin receptor, IRS‐1, IRS‐2, PI 3‐kinase, Akt‐1, and Akt‐2; and static insulin secretion in isolated pancreatic islets. Pancreatic islets from DHEA‐treated rats showed an increased β‐cell mass accompanied by increased Akt‐1 protein level but reduced IR, IRS‐1, and IRS‐2 protein levels and enhanced glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion. The present results suggest that DHEA may be a promising drug to prevent diabetes during aging.