Pancreatitis has been implicated in the development and progression of type 2 diabetes and cancer. The pancreas uptakes molecular iodine (I2), which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The present work analyzes whether oral I2 supplementation prevents the pancreatic alterations promoted by low doses of streptozotocin (STZ). CD1 mice (12 weeks old) were divided into the following groups: control; STZ (20 mg/kg/day, i.p. for five days); I2 (0.2 mg/Kg/day in drinking water for 15 days); and combined (STZ + I2). Inflammation (Masson's trichrome and periodic acid-Schiff stain), hyperglycemia, decreased β-cells and increased α-cells in pancreas were observed in male and female animals with STZ. These animals also showed pancreatic increases in immune cells and inflammation markers as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, transforming growth factor-beta and inducible nitric oxide synthase with a higher amount of activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). The I2 supplement prevented the harmful effect of STZ, maintaining normal pancreatic morphometry and functions. The elevation of the nuclear factor erythroid-2 (Nrf2) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor type gamma (PPARγ) contents was associated with the preservation of normal glycemia and lipoperoxidation. In conclusion, a moderated supplement of I2 prevents the deleterious effects of STZ in the pancreas, possibly through antioxidant and antifibrotic mechanisms including Nrf2 and PPARγ activation.
Keywords: Nrf2; PPARγ; molecular iodine; pancreatitis; streptozotocin.