Cambios histológicos en la rata Wistar hiperglucémica tratada con insulina a dosis no normoglucemiantes

Abstract

Introduction: the use of insulin in models of experimental diabetes is still controversial. Objective: to evaluate the effect of hyperglycemia for a long time at a systemic level in hyperglycemic subjects treated with insulin at non-normoglycemic doses. Methods: an experimental (analytical), longitudinal study conducted. Hyperglycemia (glucose levels ~ 500mg/dl) was induced in Wistar rats (hyperglycemic group, n=4); they were administered aloxan (intraperitoneal, 150mg/kg) and were protected, simultaneously, with insulin (0.25-0.5U/kg) for 42 days. Samples of liver, pancreas, kidney and retina were obtained and stained with the hematoxylin and eosin technique. Histological changes and cell count were identified when compared with normoglycemic rats (normoglycemic group, n=4) by Student’s t-test, p<0.05. Results: a hyperglycemia model was obtained. In the hyperglycaemic group, at the hepatic level, it was observed dilatation of sinusoids, thick-film steatosis and low cell count (t7=3.52, p <0.009); at renal level, tubular lysis, erythrocytic infiltrate and low cell count (t7=3.74, p <0.007) were found; at the pancreatic level, it was observed a dilation of duct-acinar units of the exocrine portion without changes in the cell count (t7=-2.05, p=0.078), and the retina showed no structural changes or in the cell count (t5=-1, 86; p=0.120). Conclusions: the insulin used at non-normoglycemic doses does not inhibit the long-term histological, biochemical and behavioral effects of hyperglycemia, but does promote the survival of the study subjects.

Keywords

• diabetes mellitus
• aloxan
• insulina
• cambios histológicos
• rata wistar