The effect of melatonin on aging-related genes in heart tissue of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

Abstract

In this study, the effect of melatonin on the expression level of aging -related genes in the cardiac tissue of type 1 diabetic mice was investigated.

Methods: 32 male mice were enrolled in this study and randomly allocated into 4 groups (n =8) as follows: Control group (C), Control group + melatonin (CM), Diabetic group (D), Diabetic + melatonin (DM) group. A single dose of streptozotocin (50 mg/kbW) was applied intraperitoneally for the induction of type 1 diabetes. Two weeks after the confirmation of type 1 diabetes, 3 mg/kg melatonin was injected intraperitoneally for consequent four weeks, twice a week. Two days after the last injection, the animals were killed and heart samples were obtained for histopathological studies and aging related gene analysis. Results: Data showed histological changes in heart tissue of diabetic groups coincided with the up-regulation of IL-1β, β-galactosidase and down-regulation of SOX2 ، Klotho and Telomerase genes compared to the control group. melatonin injection decreased diabetic-induced changes.