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Diabetes mellitus is associated with a decrease in vasoactive intestinal polypeptide content of gastrointestinal
E Adeghate1, A S Ponery, A K Sharma
1Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. eadeghate@uaeu.ac.ae
Archives of Physiology and Biochemistry
|March 7, 2002
Summary
Diabetic rats show reduced vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in their gut tissue but higher plasma levels. This VIP alteration may explain abnormal gut motility in diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Neurogastroenterology
- Endocrinology
- Diabetology
Background:
- Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) is a key neurotransmitter regulating gastrointestinal (GI) sphincter relaxation.
- Diabetic gastroparesis is a common complication associated with altered GI motility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in VIP innervation and tissue content in the rat gastroduodenum following streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes.
- To correlate VIP level alterations with potential mechanisms of diabetic gut dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- Diabetes was induced in rats using streptozotocin (STZ).
- VIP was localized using immunohistochemistry and quantified using radioimmunoassay in gastroduodenal tissues.
- Plasma VIP levels were also measured for comparison.
Main Results:
- Diabetic rats exhibited significantly lower VIP immunoreactivity and fewer VIP-positive neurons in the gastric antrum and duodenum.
- Tissue VIP content was significantly reduced in the gastroduodenal tract of diabetic rats compared to controls.
- Conversely, plasma VIP levels were significantly elevated in diabetic rats.
Conclusions:
- STZ-induced diabetes mellitus alters VIP innervation and reduces VIP levels in the rat gastroduodenum.
- Reduced gastroduodenal VIP may contribute to the abnormal gut motility observed in diabetic patients.
- Elevated plasma VIP levels in diabetes warrant further investigation regarding their role in GI dysfunction.