Abstract
Previous in vitro and in vivo studies revealed the neuroprotective effect of anxiolytic Afobazole. Based on similarities in the regulation of functions of neurons and β cells, we studied the effect of Afobazole on streptozotocin (STZ) model of type 2 diabetes in Wistar rats. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the decrease in the number of β cells and a violation of their morphological structure caused by STZ were significantly alleviated by Afobazole administration (10 mg/kg orally for 28 days) to diabetic animals. A correlation between morphometric data and blood glucose level was revealed. A possible role of σ1-receptors in the cytoprotective effects of Afobazole in respect to pancreatic β cells is discussed.
Keywords:
Afobazole; cytoprotection; type 2 diabetes mellitus; β cells; σ1-receptor.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Anti-Anxiety Agents / pharmacology*
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Benzimidazoles / pharmacology*
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Blood Glucose / metabolism
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Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / chemically induced
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Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / drug therapy*
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Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / metabolism
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Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / pathology
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Drug Repositioning
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Gene Expression
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Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology*
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Insulin-Secreting Cells / drug effects
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Insulin-Secreting Cells / metabolism
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Insulin-Secreting Cells / pathology
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Male
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Morpholines / pharmacology*
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Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology*
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Rats
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Rats, Wistar
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Receptors, sigma / genetics*
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Receptors, sigma / metabolism
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Sigma-1 Receptor
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Streptozocin
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Treatment Outcome
Substances
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2-((2-morpholino)ethylthio)-5-ethoxybenzimidazole
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Anti-Anxiety Agents
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Benzimidazoles
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Blood Glucose
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Hypoglycemic Agents
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Morpholines
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Neuroprotective Agents
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Receptors, sigma
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Streptozocin