Abstract
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 beta-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.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adjuvants, Immunologic / administration & dosage*
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Aging / drug effects
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Aging / metabolism*
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Aging / pathology
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Animals
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Cell Size / drug effects*
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Dehydroepiandrosterone / administration & dosage*
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Diabetes Mellitus / drug therapy
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Diabetes Mellitus / metabolism
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Humans
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Immunohistochemistry
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Insulin / metabolism*
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Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins
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Insulin Secretion
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Insulin-Secreting Cells / metabolism*
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Insulin-Secreting Cells / pathology
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Male
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Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / biosynthesis
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Phosphoproteins / biosynthesis
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
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Rats
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Rats, Wistar
Substances
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Adjuvants, Immunologic
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IRS1 protein, human
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IRS2 protein, human
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Insulin
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Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Irs1 protein, rat
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Irs2 protein, rat
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Phosphoproteins
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Dehydroepiandrosterone
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Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt