Hexarelin · research summary

Hexarelin Protects Rodent Pancreatic Β-Cells Function from Cytotoxic Effects of Streptozotocin Involving Mitochondrial Signalling Pathways In Vivo and In Vitro.

PloS one · 2016. Summary drawn from the study's full text. Each statement is followed by the exact sentence it comes from. This is a research summary, not medical advice.

Study type

In vitro and in vivo experimental study using cell lines and rat models
“In this study, we used in vitro and in vivo models of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced β-cell damage to study the protective effect of Hex and the associated mechanisms.”

Subjects

MIN6 mouse β-cell line, α-TC6 mouse α-cell line, and male Wistar rats
“Experiments were performed in male Wistar rats (180–200 g), provided by the University of Queensland Biological Resources (UQBR).”

Sample size

16 rats per group for in vivo experiments; 6-8 replicates for in vitro assays
“Four weeks after STZ or vehicle injection, rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n = 16/group) according to the treatment”

Duration

In vivo treatment lasted 2 weeks following a 4-week induction period; in vitro treatments ranged from 0.5 to 6 hours
“Four weeks after STZ or vehicle injection, rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n = 16/group) according to the treatment: rats with vehicle then saline for 2 weeks (control group); or 100 μg/kg Hex for 2 weeks (Hex treated group); STZ-treated rats then saline for 2 weeks (STZ treated group); or 100 μg/kg Hex for 2 weeks (STZ + Hex treated group).”

Reported findings

Hex decreased STZ-induced damage in β-cells and ameliorated mitochondrial damage and excessive superoxide activity
“Hex (1.0 μM) decreased the STZ-induced damage in β-cells. Rhodamine 123 assay and superoxide DHE production assay revealed that Hex ameliorated STZ-induced mitochondrial damage and excessive superoxide activity in β-cells.”
Hex reduced the expression of cleaved Caspases-3, Caspases-9, and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in MIN6 cells
“In addition, Hex significantly reduced STZ-induced expression of cleaved Caspases-3, Caspases-9 and the ratio of pro-apoptotic protein Bax to anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in MIN6 cells.”
In rats, Hex ameliorated STZ-induced decrease in plasma insulin and protected islet structure
“Hex ameliorated STZ-induced decrease in plasma insulin and protected the structure of islets from STZ-induced disruption.”

Source: PubMed 26918825 · DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0149730 · all study summaries

Duration

In vivo treatment lasted 2 weeks following a 4-week induction period; in vitro treatments ranged from 0.5 to 6 hours

“Four weeks after STZ or vehicle injection, rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n = 16/group) according to the treatment: rats with vehicle then saline for 2 weeks (control group); or 100 μg/kg Hex for 2 weeks (Hex treated group); STZ-treated rats then saline for 2 weeks (STZ treated group); or 100 μg/kg Hex for 2 weeks (STZ + Hex treated group).”

Reported findings

Hex decreased STZ-induced damage in β-cells and ameliorated mitochondrial damage and excessive superoxide activity

“Hex (1.0 μM) decreased the STZ-induced damage in β-cells. Rhodamine 123 assay and superoxide DHE production assay revealed that Hex ameliorated STZ-induced mitochondrial damage and excessive superoxide activity in β-cells.”

Hex reduced the expression of cleaved Caspases-3, Caspases-9, and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in MIN6 cells

“In addition, Hex significantly reduced STZ-induced expression of cleaved Caspases-3, Caspases-9 and the ratio of pro-apoptotic protein Bax to anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in MIN6 cells.”

In rats, Hex ameliorated STZ-induced decrease in plasma insulin and protected islet structure

“Hex ameliorated STZ-induced decrease in plasma insulin and protected the structure of islets from STZ-induced disruption.”