Experimental diabetes induced by streptozotocin in the desert gerbil, Gerbillus gerbillus, and the effects of short-term 20-hydroxyecdysone administration.

The present work was aimed at studying the effects of streptozotocin (STZ; 130 mg/kg) in the desert gerbil, Gerbillus gerbillus, and at evaluating the impact of the short-term administration of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E; 5 mg/kg). We observed that administration of streptozotocin caused a significant increase in plasmatic glucose and a decrease in insulin levels. The plasma lipid profile and liver glycogen content were also altered. The activities of antioxidant enzymes and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were increased in the pancreatic tissue of STZ-treated gerbils. Moreover, histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis showed degenerative damage in the pancreas with a decline in the percentage area of β-cells. Treatment of STZ-treated gerbils with 20E counteracted metabolic disorders and reduced lipid peroxidation. Histological and immunohistochemical studies showed moderate amelioration in the pancreatic structure. These findings indicate that streptozotocin administration induced experimental diabetes in gerbils and that short-term administration of 20E has beneficial effects in glucose homeostasis in STZ-treated gerbils suggesting that 20E may stimulate surviving β-cells to release more insulin.