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Podoplanin and PROX1 Expression in Hypercaloric Diet-induced Pancreatic Injuries
Delia Taran1, Valeria Nicoleta Tarlui1,2, Raluca Amalia Ceausu1,2
1Department of Microscopic Morphology/Histology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania.
Background:
The role of podoplanin (PDPN) and homebox prospero gene 1 (PROX1) in early stages of pancreatic islet changes induced by hypercaloric diet is unclear. The aim of this study was to study PDPN and PROX1 variability in pancreatic islets after a hypercaloric diet in a rat experimental model.
Materials And Methods:
Pancreatic biopsies harvested from Sprague-Dawley rats at 3, 6, and 9 weeks following hypercaloric diet intake were evaluated for morphological and molecular changes of Langerhans islets based on PDPN and PROX1 expression Results: Six weeks of hypercaloric diet induced hypertrophy of pancreatic islets with focal expression of Pdpn and Prox1 mRNA. At 9 weeks of hypercaloric diet, strong peri-insular inflammation was found around hypertrophic islets highly expressing PDPN, and lacking Prox1 mRNA and protein expression.
Conclusion:
This is the first report of Pdpn and Prox1 mRNA expression variability and involvement in early steps of pancreatic islet changes following hypercaloric food intake.
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