Effect of styrene exposure on plasma parameters, molecular mechanisms and gene expression in rat model islet cells

Publication date: Available online 23 June 2017 Source:Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology Author(s): Kamal Niaz, Fatima Ismail Hassan, Faheem Mabqool, Fazlullah Khan, Saeideh Momtaz, Maryam Baeeri, Mona Navaei-Nigjeh, Mahban Rahimifard, Mohammad Abdollahi Styrene is an aromatic hydrocarbon compound present in the environment and have primary exposure through plastic industry. The current study was designed to evaluate styrene-induced toxicity parameters in rat plasma fasting blood glucose (FBG) level, oral glucose tolerance, insulin secretion, oxidative stress, and inflammatory cytokines in cellular and molecular levels. Styrene was dissolved in corn oil and administered at different doses (250, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000mg/kg/day and control) to each rat, for 42 days. In treated groups, styrene significantly increased fasting blood glucose, plasma insulin (p<0.001) and glucose tolerance. Glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and hyperglycemia were found to be the main consequences correlating gene expression of islet cells. Styrene caused a significant enhancement of oxidative stress markers (p<0.001) and inflammatory cytokines in a dose and concentration-dependent manner in plasma (p<0.001). Moreover, the activities of caspase-3 and −9 of the islet cells were significantly up-regulated by this compound at 1500 and 2000mg/kg/day styrene administrated groups (p<0.001). The relative fold change of GLUD1 was downregulated (p<0.0...
Source: Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology - Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research