Ebselen, um composto com propriedade insulino-mimética, reduz a hiperglicemia temporária induzida pelo diazinon em ratos

Abstract

The diazinon (DI) is a commonly organophosphorus (OP) used in pest control around the world. Severe acute poisoning due to ingestion of OP in suicide attempts were reported during the past years. The main toxic effect of OP is through acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition, leading to a greater stimulation of cholinergic synapses in the central nervous system (CNS) which can lead to death. However, poisoning can lead to such state of hyperglycemia. However, the mechanism by which OP lead to this adverse effect is still unknown, even so, it is suggested that glycogenolysis and neoglycogenic pathways are involved. In recent studies, ebselen (EB) has shown pharmacological properties in experimental models of genetically or alloxan induced diabetes, as well as complications resulting from diabetes. Being considered a potential pharmacological agent for hyperglycemia treatment when caused by OP poisoning. Thus, this study evaluated the effects of EB on the glucose metabolism and other biochemical changes induced in rats by DI, as well as the insulin-mimetic effect of EB on glucose uptake in skeletal muscle tissue and the synthesis and breakdown of liver glycogen in tissues of rats. In in vivo experiments, rats were pretreated with a single injection of EB (50 mg/kg) intraperitoneally (i.p.). Thereafter, the animals were treated with a single oral (p.o.) dose of DI (200 mg/kg). Parameters indicative of liver and pancreas damage such as amylase, lipase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities and serum glucose, hepatic glycogen content and hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) activity were determined. Pretreatment with EB was effective in preventing against pancreatic and liver damage, as shown by the reduction in the activities of amylase, lipase, AST, ALT, ALP and LDH. EB was able to reduce blood glucose and hepatic glycogen content increased in the animals exposed to DI. In in vitro assays, EB (150 mM) or insulin (IN 10 mM as a positive control) were incubated with either skeletal muscle or liver tissue, in order to measure the absorption of glucose, glycogen synthesis and glycogen breakdown. Thus, EB increased glucose uptake in skeletal muscle, stimulated glycogen synthesis and inhibited hepatic glycogen breakdown in a manner similar to IN. In this context, EB demonstrated insulin-mimetic properties, lowering blood glucose levels in vivo and increasing glucose uptake by skeletal tissue, increasing glycogen synthesis and decreasing glycogen degradation in vitro. In conclusion, EB, possibly through its insulin-mimetic action, protected against pancreatic and hepatic damage caused by DI in rats.