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Updated: Dec 18, 2025

Isolated Pancreatic Islet Treatment and Apoptosis Measurement
Published on: May 2, 2025
Cannabinoids as anti-ROS in aged pancreatic islet cells
Maryam Baeeri1, Mahban Rahimifard1, Seyed Mojtaba Daghighi1
1Toxicology and Diseases Group, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center (PSRC), The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran.
Aims:
Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds with a high affinity for cannabinoid receptors affecting the central nervous system through the release of neurotransmitters. However, the current knowledge related to the role of such compounds in the regulation of cellular aging is limited. This study aimed to investigate the effect of cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol on the function of aged pancreatic islets.
Main Methods:
The expression of p53, p38, p21, p16, and Glut2 genes and β-galactosidase activity were measured as hallmarks of cell aging applying real-time PCR, ELISA, and immunocytochemistry techniques. Pdx1 protein expression, insulin release, and oxidative stress markers were compared between young and aged rat pancreatic islet cells.
Key Findings:
Upon the treatment of aged pancreatic islets cells with cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol, the expression of p53, p38, p21 and the activity of β-galactosidase were reduced. Cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol increase insulin release, Pdx1, Glut2, and thiol molecules expression, while the oxidative stress parameters were decreased. The enhanced expression of Pdx1 and insulin release in aged pancreatic islet cells reflects the extension of cell healthy aging due to the significant reduction of ROS.
Significance:
This study provides evidence for the involvement of cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol in the oxidation process of cellular aging.
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