Beta-Cell-specific overexpression of glutathione peroxidase preserves intranuclear MafA and reverses diabetes in db/db mice.

ABSTRACT: Chronic hyperglycemia causes oxidative stress, which contributes to damage in various tissues and cells, including pancreatic beta-cells. The expression levels of antioxidant enzymes in the islet are low compared with other tissues, rendering the beta-cell more susceptible to damage caused by hyperglycemia. The aim of this study was to investigate whether increasing levels of endogenous glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx-1), specifically in beta-cells, can protect them against the adverse effects of chronic hyperglycemia and assess mechanisms that may be involved. C57BLKS/J mice overexpressing the antioxidant enzyme GPx-1 only in pancreatic beta-cells were generated. The biological effectiveness of the overexpressed GPx-1 transgene was documented when beta-cells of transgenic mice were protecte

SUBMITTER: Harmon JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2775976 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature