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Ginsenoside Rg3 enhances islet cell function and attenuates apoptosis in mouse islets
1Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Ulsan University College of Medicine, Gangneung Asan Hospital, South Korea.
Transplantation Proceedings
|May 13, 2014
Summary
Preoperative administration of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) enhances pancreatic islet function and reduces apoptosis. This suggests Rg3 may improve outcomes for islet transplantation in diabetes mellitus treatment.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Islet transplantation is a promising treatment for diabetes mellitus.
- Panax ginseng and its active compound 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) possess antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Rg3 has demonstrated potential to improve pancreatic beta cell function and survival.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that preoperative Rg3 administration can enhance islet cell function and antiapoptotic activity prior to islet transplantation.
- To assess the protective effects of Rg3 against cytokine-induced damage in isolated islets.
Main Methods:
- Balb/c mouse islets were cultured with or without Rg3.
- In vitro assessment of islet viability and function.
- Islets were treated with a cytokine cocktail (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β) to induce damage.
- Evaluation of cell viability, function, and apoptosis post-cytokine treatment.
Main Results:
- Rg3-treated islets exhibited 2.3-fold higher glucose-induced insulin secretion compared to controls.
- Rg3 administration significantly improved glucose-induced insulin release and total insulin content after cytokine challenge.
- Rg3 treatment attenuated cytokine-induced apoptosis and reduced nitric oxide (NO) production.
Conclusions:
- Preoperative Rg3 administration enhances islet function and protects against cytokine-induced damage and apoptosis.
- Rg3 may serve as a prospective therapeutic strategy to improve islet function and mitigate early inflammation post-transplantation.
