Curcumin improves expression of SCF/c-kit through attenuating oxidative stress and NF-κB activation in gastric tissues of diabetic gastroparesis rats

Abstract

BackgroundDiabetes mellitus is associated with many kinds of complications. Recent studies have shown that oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions have critical roles in the pathogenesis of diabetic gastroparesis. Curcumin is known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, we investigated the effect of curcumin on diabetic gastric motility in a Sprague Dawley rat model of type 1 diabetes mellitus.MethodsMale SD rats were divided into a control group, a control group receiving curcumin, a diabetic group, and a diabetic group receiving curcumin. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Curcumin (150 mg/kg) was given intragastrically for 6 weeks, and blood glucose levels and body weights were measured. Stomachs were excised for analysis of gastric emptying rates, and levels of oxidative stress. NF-κB, I-κB, and stem cell factor (SCF)/c-kit protein levels were assessed by western blot analysis, while the apoptosis of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) was assessed by TUNEL staining.ResultsCurcumin-treated diabetic rats showed significantly improved gastric emptying rates [(59.4 ± 7.5)%] compared with diabetic rats [(44.3 ± 5.7)%], as well as decreased levels of MDA [21.4 ± 1.8 (nmol/mg) vs 27.9 ± 2.1 (nmol/mg)], and increased SOD activity [126.2 ± 8.8 (units/mg) vs 107.9 ± 7.5 (units/mg)]. On the other hand, the gastric emptying level in the control group was not significantly different from that in the control group receiving curcumin treatment. In addition, curcumin-treated diabetic rats showed significantly increased levels of SCF/c-kit protein in stomach tissues, inhibited I-κB degradation and NF-κB activation, and reduced ICC apoptosis index [(26.2 ± 4.1)% vs (47.5 ± 6.2)%], compared with the diabetic group.ConclusionCurcumin treatment improved gastric emptying by blocking the production of oxidative stress, abolishing NF-κB signal transduction and enhancing expression of SCF/c-kit in rats with diabetic gastroparesis.

Is Interstitial Cells of Cajal‒opathy Present in Gastroparesis?

“…In another study ICC were depleted in the proximal part of the stomach in diabetic rats. 27 Similar to changes observed with electroacupuncture, 24,25 mRNA expression of KIT in the stomach tissue was increased after treatment with Curcumin, the main active component of the spice turmeric. 27 Wang et al 28 reported that the density of ICC-IM and ICC-SM was reduced by 46.4% and 26.7%, respectively in the antrum of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.…”

“…27 Similar to changes observed with electroacupuncture, 24,25 mRNA expression of KIT in the stomach tissue was increased after treatment with Curcumin, the main active component of the spice turmeric. 27 Wang et al 28 reported that the density of ICC-IM and ICC-SM was reduced by 46.4% and 26.7%, respectively in the antrum of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. In addition, Long et al 29 showed depleted antral ICC and ultrastructural changes such as decreased number of gap junctions of ICC in the antrum and damaged ICC organelles of the diabetic rats.…”

Effect of electroacupuncture on gastric interstitial cells of Cajal in a rat model of diabetic gastroparesis

“…Two days later, the fasting blood glucose (FBG) of the rats was measured using an Accu-Chek ® Advantage blood glucose meter and test strip (Roche, Indianapolis, IN, USA). If the 72-h FBG was >200 mg/dl and persisted at this level for 2 weeks, it indicated that the diabetes model was successfully established (14,15). A high-fat, high-sugar diet was then fed to the model rats in accordance with the irregular diet method, in which the rats were fed the high-fat diet on the morning of an odd date and the afternoon of an even date, for 10 weeks.…”

Plasma SCF/c-kit Levels in Patients with Dipper and Non-Dipper Hypertension

“…7 SCF/c-kit is a principal regulator for survival and function of a multitude of neural crest-derived cell types, particularly for those involved in smooth muscle contraction and inflammation. [8][9][10] Our previous study found that peripheral serum SCF/c-kit levels increase in pre-hypertensive and hypertensive patients. 11 However, the relationship between SCF/c-kit and the type of hypertension (dipper or non-dipper)…”