الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 198 |  |  |
| | | from | 198 | | |
Abstract
Introduction: Diabetes is a disease affecting many body systems including the endocrine system. Induction of diabetes in rat models using streptozotocin (STZ) had led to increased activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis which negatively affects the adrenal gland. Management of diabetes without side effects remains a challenge and therefore new strategies need to be examined. Grape seed extract (GSE) was observed to have beneficial effects on different metabolic and inflammatory diseases.
Aim: To study the structural changes of the adrenal cortex in diabetic rats and the beneficial effect of GSE on the adrenal cortical injury.
Materials and methods: 35 adult male albino rats were divided randomly into 4 groups. group I (control). group II (GSE), rats received GSE orally (200 mg/kg), daily for 21 days. group III (STZ), rats were injected with STZ (40 mg/kg) given intraperitoneally once. group IV (STZ + GSE), rats received STZ as in group III. After rats were confirmed to be diabetic, they were treated with GSE as in group II. After 21 days, the adrenal glands from all groups were dissected and processed for light microscopic examination. Blood glucose, aldosterone and cortisol levels were measured. Morphometric and statistical analysis were also done.
Results: H&E-stained sections of the adrenal cortex of group III (STZ) showed decrease in the ratio of the zona glomerulosa & zona fasciculata. Many cells appeared ballooned and vacuolated while others were shrunken and deeply acidophilic. Nuclear affection included pyknosis, karyrrhexis and karyolysis. Congested blood capillaries and focal inflammatory cellular infiltration were also observed. Masson’s trichrome stain showed increase in the capsular thickness and Wilder reticular stain showed dense trabeculae and disorganized reticular fibers. Meanwhile, immunohistochemical results showed significant increase in the reaction for caspase-3, PCNA and iNOS antibodies. Blood glucose level, aldosterone and cortisol levels were significantly increased. group IV (STZ + GSE) showed restoration of the cortical structure & organization nearly similar to that of control group.
Conclusion: GSE showed a protective effect on the structure of the adrenal cortex in diabetic rats as detected by microscopic, biochemical and morphometric studies