EJMS

Abstract

Background: Sitagliptin is highly selective dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor that is considered as one of the new oral therapies for management of diabetes. Treatment with Sitagliptin, reduces glycemia by increasing glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Few studies reported the effects of Sitagliptin on the pancreas, especially on the cellular levels. Accordingly, this study was done to evaluate the effect of Sitagliptin on the pancreas in experimentally-induced diabetic adult albino rats as well as to determine if using vitamin C in combination with Sitagliptin reduces hyperglycemia more. Aim of the work: The present work was designed to investigate the effect of Sitagliptin with or without vitamin C on the histological structure of the pancreas of experimentally-induced diabetic rats. Material and Methods: Thirty adult albino rats were utilized in the present study, five in each group. The rats were divided into six groups; Group I (control group), Group II (Sitagliptin-receiving group), Group III (Sitagliptin and vitamin C- receiving group), Group IV (diabetic group), Group V (diabetic group treated with Sitagliptin alone), Group VI (diabetic group treated with Sitagliptin and vitamin C). The pancreas of all rats was removed for investigation using light microscopic study. Immuohistochemical study using anti-insulin antibodies for showing B-cells was performed and their number was morphometrically estimated and statistically analyzed. Results and Conclusion: Sections of pancreas taken from the diabetic rats showed severe histological changes. These histological changes had been partially recovered in diabetic rats treated with Sitagliptin only. It was found that by using vitamin C in combination with Sitagliptin, the changes in diabetic rats were more reduced than either treatment alone. Accordingly, this combination can be taken into consideration as one of the new oral antidiabetic drugs on the human level that need to be more investigated.