In this study, the diabetogenic effects of long term Ochratoxin A (OTA) administration in rats were investigated, and its role in the etiology of diabetes mellitus (DM) was examined utilizing 42 female Wistar rats for these purposes. The rats were divided into three different study and control groups according to the duration of the OTA administration. The rats received 45 μg OTA daily in their feed for 6, 9 and 24 weeks, respectively. Three control groups were also used for the same time periods. Blood and pancreatic tissue samples were collected during the necropsy at the end of the 6, 9 and 24 weeks. The plasma values of insulin, glucagon and glucose were determined for the study and control groups. Pancreatic lesions were evaluated via histopathological examination and insulin and glucagon expression in these lesions was subsequently determined using immunohistochemical methods. Statistically significant decreases in insulin levels were observed, in contrast to increases in blood glucagon and glucose levels. Histopathological examinations revealed slight to moderate degeneration in Langerhans islet cells in all OTA-treated groups. Immunohistochemistry of pancreatic tissue revealed decreased insulin and increased glucagon expression. This study demonstrated that OTA may cause pancreatic damage in the Langerhans islet and predispose rats to DM.
Keywords: Ochratoxin A; glucagon; glucose; immunohistochemistry; insulin; pathology; rat plasma.