Figure 3

Effects of MSCs, PIO and their combination on pancreatic histopathological lesions and on genes related to insulin sensitivity and islet function in diabetic rats. (A) H&E stained sections of the different groups (400x). Control group showing islets of Langerhans (ic) formed of compact spherical masses of pale staining cells surrounded by pancreatic acini (ac) the cells are arranged in cords and separated by network of blood capillaries. Diabetic groups showed pancreatic lesion such as severe vacuolization of pancreatic islets (arrow, score 3), mild dilatation of pancreatic ducts (d, score 2). In MSCs and PIO treated diabetic rats the histological lesions were greatly reduced and were scored 1 for vacuolization of islets (arrow), and dilatation of pancreatic ducts. In diabetic groups treated with MSCs + PIO showed less pathological changes with score 0. (B) Masson staining (100x) showed increase in collagen fibers (arrow) around the acini and blood vessels and ducts, upper right inset depicts a higher magnification view (400x). In the diabetic group, collagen sheets were markedly thickened with more intense blue color after Masson staining around pancreatic blood vessels, ductules and acini. MSCs and PIO showed fewer collagen fibers around blood vessels, pancreatic ductules and acin as compared to diabetic group. Treatment with MSCs and PIO completely reduced collagen and showed normal distribution on collagen around blood vessels and acini. Pancreatic mRNA levels of PGC-1α (C), PPAR α (D), GLP-1R (E) and IRS-2 (F) were examined by RT-PCR analysis. All the experiments were repeated in 2 times and all data are presented as Mean ± s.e.m (n = 3 animals per group). *P < 0.05 vs. control; a P < 0.05 vs. diabetic group; b P < 0.05 vs. Diabetic + MSCs group; c P < 0.05 vs. Diabetic + PIO group; c P < 0.05 vs. Diabetic + PIO group.