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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
A Method for Murine Islet Isolation and Subcapsular Kidney Transplantation
Published on: April 13, 2011
An increase in superoxide dismutase counteracts islet vascular alterations in low-dose streptozocin-treated mice
G Papaccio1, S Frascatore, F A Pisanti
1Institute of Anatomy, 2nd University of Naples, School of Medicine, Italy.
Abstract:
A decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD), the first cellular defence against free radicals, occurs at about the same time as the activation of macrophages within the islets of low-dose streptozocin (LDS)-treated mice. Furthermore, a decrease in the total islet capillary area also has been shown to occur by 10 days after the first streptozocin (STZ) injection and this decline in capillary area is concomitant with the activation of macrophages as is the fall in SOD. Intracellular levels of SOD have been shown to increase after administration of acetyl-homocysteine-thiolactone (citiolone); therefore, the aim of the present study was to observe any relationship between the citiolone-induced increase in SOD levels and islet microvasculature area during LDS-induced diabetes. C57BL6/J male mice were pretreated with daily intramuscular injections of 50 mg citiolone/kg body wt. for 30 days and were then rendered diabetic with 45 mg STZ/kg body wt. given for 5 days; citiolone was given until the animals were killed (days 6, 11 and 18 after the first STZ injection). Further animals were used as non-diabetic and diabetic (STZ-only) controls. The results show that LDS-treated animals when given citiolone: (1) were generally normoglycaemic; (2) had SOD levels that were higher than those of STZ-only control animals; (3) had an islet capillary area that was larger than that of LDS-treated mice. Therefore, the administration of a free radical scavenger, namely citiolone, is able partly to counteract and delay the reduction of islet vascular area and oedema formation in LDS-treated mice.
Insights
Administering acetyl-homocysteine-thiolactone (citiolone), a free radical scavenger, helped maintain normal blood sugar and islet vascular area in mice with low-dose streptozocin-induced diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Diabetology
- Oxidative Stress Research
Background:
- Low-dose streptozocin (LDS) induces diabetes in mice, characterized by decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and islet capillary area, alongside macrophage activation.
- SOD is a primary cellular defense against free radicals, crucial for islet health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between acetyl-homocysteine-thiolactone (citiolone)-induced increases in SOD and islet microvasculature during LDS-induced diabetes.
- To determine if citiolone can mitigate diabetes-related changes in islet vascularization.
Main Methods:
- C57BL6/J male mice were pretreated with citiolone (50 mg/kg/day for 30 days) before a 5-day course of low-dose streptozocin (STZ).
- Citiolone administration continued throughout the study period (days 6, 11, and 18 post-STZ).
- Groups included non-diabetic controls, STZ-only diabetic controls, and citiolone-treated diabetic mice.
Main Results:
- Citione-treated mice generally remained normoglycaemic.
- Superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in citiolone-treated mice were significantly higher than in STZ-only controls.
- The islet capillary area in citiolone-treated mice was larger compared to the STZ-only group.
Conclusions:
- Acetyl-homocysteine-thiolactone (citiolone), a free radical scavenger, can partially counteract and delay the reduction of islet vascular area and edema in low-dose streptozocin-induced diabetes.
- This suggests a potential therapeutic role for citiolone in managing diabetes-related microvascular complications.
