Effects of Cadmium on Oxidative Stress Markers, and Insulin Secretion and Content in Pancreatic Isolated Islet of Rats

Background and Cadmium is a highly toxic industrial and environmental pollutant that is known as an important risk factor for developing diabetes. Oxidative stress is reported to be highly associated with diabetes and its complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of cadmium on oxidative stress response and secretory function of islets of Langerhans from rat pancreas.
Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 260-230 g, were divided into two groups, including a control and an experimental group that received cadmium chloride. After intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) on day 30, the animals were deeply anesthetized and the pancreas was removed for pancreatic islet isolation. Oxidative stress, islet insulin content and secretion were also evaluated in pancreas.
The findings showed a significant increase in blood glucose concentration and significant decreases in body weight, blood insulin level, insulin content, and secretion of pancreatic islet in response to glucose concentrations in cadmium exposed group compared with those of the control group (P In this study, cadmium led to increase in oxidative stress which can be an important factor in the decreased insulin synthesis and secretion from pancreatic beta cells.