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Isolated Pancreatic Islet Treatment and Apoptosis Measurement
Published on: May 2, 2025
Mercuric compounds induce pancreatic islets dysfunction and apoptosis in vivo
Kuo-Liang Chen1, Shing-Hwa Liu, Chin-Chuan Su
1Department of Urology, China Medical University Hospital, and School of Medicine, China Medical University, No.2 Yuh-Der Rd., Taichung 404, Taiwan. cfhuang@mail.cmu.edu.tw.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|December 4, 2012
Summary
Mercury exposure damages pancreatic islets, leading to increased blood glucose and reduced insulin. This study reveals mercury induces oxidative stress and apoptosis in pancreatic islets, impacting glucose regulation.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Environmental Health
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Mercury is a global environmental pollutant with known toxic effects in mammals.
- The specific impact of mercury on pancreatic islets in vivo remains incompletely understood.
- Pancreatic islets are crucial for glucose homeostasis, producing insulin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of mercuric compounds on pancreatic islet function and integrity in mice.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying mercury-induced pancreatic islet damage, focusing on apoptosis and oxidative stress.
Main Methods:
- Mice were treated with methyl mercuric chloride and mercuric chloride for over two weeks.
- Assessed blood glucose levels, plasma insulin, and islet cell apoptosis (TUNEL assay).
- Analyzed mRNA expression of apoptosis-related genes (Bcl-2, p53, caspases) and oxidative stress markers (MDA, ROS, Nrf2, GPx, NQO1).
Main Results:
- Mercury exposure significantly increased blood glucose and decreased plasma insulin.
- Increased apoptosis (TUNEL-positive cells) and altered expression of apoptotic/anti-apoptotic genes were observed in pancreatic islets.
- Elevated oxidative stress markers (MDA, ROS) and reduced antioxidant gene expression (Nrf2, GPx, NQO1) were detected.
Conclusions:
- Mercuric compounds induce pancreatic islet dysfunction and apoptosis in vivo.
- Oxidative stress is a key mechanism contributing to mercury's toxic effects on pancreatic islets.
- These findings highlight the diabetogenic potential of mercury pollution.
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