Oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in streptozotocin-induced acute and subacute toxicity response

Ebru Şancı ¹, Çinel Köksal Karayıldırım ², Melih Dağdeviren ²

⁰Center for Drug Development and Pharmacokinetic Applications, Ege University, Bornova Izmir, Turkey.

Drug and Chemical Toxicology +

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February 13, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Streptozotocin (STZ) causes oxidative stress and tissue damage beyond the pancreas. This study reveals STZ

Area Of Science

Biomedical Science
Toxicology
Neuroscience

Background

Streptozotocin (STZ) is a common agent for inducing diabetes in research animals.
STZ-induced diabetes is associated with increased oxidative stress and neurodegeneration.
The non-pancreatic toxicity of STZ requires further investigation.

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate the acute and subacute toxic effects of Streptozotocin (STZ) on liver, sciatic nerve, and brain tissues in rats.
To assess STZ's impact on oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in various organs.

Main Methods

Sprague-Dawley rats were administered STZ (50 mg/kg) or saline.
Insulin glargine was used to prevent complete diabetes onset.
Tissues were collected at 24 hours, 1, 2, and 4 weeks for biochemical and molecular analysis (SOD, GST, lipid peroxidation, TUNEL, NFκB, NOS2, apoptosis-related genes).

Main Results

STZ significantly decreased SOD and GST activity while increasing lipid peroxidation in liver and sciatic tissues within 24 hours.
STZ induced acute liver toxicity and subacute brain effects, evidenced by TUNEL, NFκB, and NOS2 expression.
Apoptotic effects of STZ were predominantly observed in sciatic nerve tissues, indicated by apoptosis-related gene expression and immunohistochemistry.

Conclusions

Streptozotocin exhibits significant toxicity not only to pancreatic beta cells but also to other vital organs.
STZ induces acute and subacute tissue damage, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in liver, brain, and sciatic nerve.
These findings highlight the broader toxicological profile of STZ beyond its diabetogenic effects.

Keywords:

Streptozotocin apoptosis rt-pcr toxicity ımmunohistochemistry