The role of gut in type 2 diabetes mellitus during whole body gamma irradiation in high-fat diet Wistar rats

Abstract

Purpose: The effects of a low rate (100 mGy/min) fractionated whole body gamma irradiation (FWBGI) at different doses were assessed using a real-time PCR technique on the expression of some target genes implicated in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in high-fat diet (HFD) Wistar rats.

Method: HFD Wistar rats were exposed to different doses (12, 24 and 48 Gy) divided into 24 fractions (three times a week for two months), thus, the daily doses were 0.5, 1, 2 Gy, respectively. Total RNA was extracted and the expression of target genes was measured in the four intestinal segments (duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon).

Results: The pre-diabetic state already induced by HFD was found to be improved by irradiation exposure. This irradiation effect occurs mainly via altered anti-diabetic gene expressions (mRNA and protein levels) of the incretin glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) overall bowel segments except the colon which has its own specific response to irradiation exposure by the induction of the insulin receptor substrate 4 (IRS-4) and the uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3).

Conclusions: Results could be of great importance suggesting for the first time, a protective role for FWBGI on HFD animal models by increasing GLP-1 and UCP3 levels.

Keywords:

• Fractionated whole body gamma irradiation (FWBGI)
• HFD
• type 2 diabetes
• intestine
• gene expression
• GLP-1

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to express their deep appreciation to Prof. Ibrahim Othman, the director general of the Atomic Energy Commission of Syria (AECS) and to Dr. Mohammed A Bakir, the head of the radiation medicine department for his help and support throughout the period of this research. Thanks are also extended to Dr. Antonious Al-Daoude for his highly appreciate efforts in language editing.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there is not any conflict of interest.

Notes on contributors

Ayman Khalil, PhD (2009), University of the Mediterranean (Aix-Marseille II) Faculty of Pharmacy, France. Currently, a senior researcher at the Department of Radiation Medicine, Human Nutrition Laboratory, Atomic Energy Commission of Syria (AECS), Damascus, Syria.

Hasan Omran is a medical laboratory assistant at the Department of Radiation Medicine, Human Nutrition Laboratory, Atomic Energy Commission of Syria (AECS), Damascus, Syria.