Alterations in hippocampal serotonergic and INSR function in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats exposed to stress: neuroprotective role of pyridoxine and Aegle marmelose

J Biomed Sci. 2010 Sep 25;17(1):78. doi: 10.1186/1423-0127-17-78.

Abstract

Diabetes and stress stimulate hippocampal 5-HT synthesis, metabolism and release. The present study was carried out to find the effects of insulin, Aegle marmelose alone and in combination with pyridoxine on the hippocampal 5-HT, 5-HT(2A) receptor subtype, gene expression studies on 5-HT(2A), 5-HTT, INSR, immunohistochemical studies and elevated plus maze in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. 5-HT content showed a significant decrease (p < 0.001) and a significant increase (p < 0.001) in 5-HIAA in hippocampus of diabetic rats compared to control. 5-HT receptor binding parameters B(max) and Kd showed a significant decrease (p < 0.001) whereas 5-HT(2A) receptor binding parameters Bmax showed a significant decrease (p < 0.001) with a significant increase (p < 0.05) in Kd in hippocampus of diabetic rats compared to control. Gene expression studies of 5-HT(2A), 5-HTT and INSR in hippocampus showed a significant down regulation (p < 0.001) in diabetic rats compared to control. Pyridoxine treated in combination with insulin and A. marmelose to diabetic rats reversed the 5-HT content, B(max), Kd of 5-HT, 5-HT(2A) and gene expression of 5-HT(2A), 5-HTT and INSR in hippocampus to near control. The gene expression of 5-HT(2A) and 5-HTT were confirmed by immunohistochemical studies. Behavioural studies using elevated plus maze showed that serotonin through its transporter significantly increased (p < 0.001) anxiety-related traits in diabetic rats which were corrected by combination therapy. Our results suggest that pyridoxine treated in combination with insulin and A. marmelose has a role in the regulation of insulin synthesis and release, normalising diabetic related stress and anxiety through hippocampal serotonergic function. This has clinical significance in the management of diabetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aegle / chemistry*
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / metabolism*
  • Hippocampus* / drug effects
  • Hippocampus* / metabolism
  • Male
  • Neuroprotective Agents / metabolism
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Plant Extracts / metabolism
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Pyridoxine / metabolism
  • Pyridoxine / pharmacology*
  • Random Allocation
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptor, Insulin / metabolism*
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A / genetics
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A / metabolism
  • Serotonin / metabolism*
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Streptozocin
  • Stress, Physiological*
  • Vitamin B Complex / metabolism
  • Vitamin B Complex / pharmacology

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Vitamin B Complex
  • Serotonin
  • Streptozocin
  • Receptor, Insulin
  • Pyridoxine