Objective: To study the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) in the effect of chronic alcohol administration on pancreatic islets.
Methods: A oral administration of alcohol (6ml/kgBW) in different concentration (10%, 30% and 50%) was given to rats for 90 days.
Results: The fasting serum glucose was markedly increased while fasting serum insulin was markedly reduced in high dose alcohol group in comparison with that in control group. Compared with control rats, we observed the significant decrease of the ratio of insulin immune active product area to pancreas area as well as that to islets area in high dose alcohol group. Compared with control rats, there were significant increase of ROS level, NO content and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and significant decrease of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity in serum and pancreas homogenate in high dose alcohol group. Our observations indicate that ROS and NO play an important role in the effect of chronic alcohol administration on pancreatic islets of rats.
Conclusion: Free radicals in pancreas induced by chronic administration of high dose alcohol caused oxidative injuries of pancreatic islets.