Evaluation of autophagy-related genes in lung tissue of type 2 diabetic rats

Abstract

In this study, the effect of type 2 diabetes on autophagy-related genes in the lung tissue of male rats was investigated. Methods: 20 male wistar rats were randomly allocated into 2 groups; Control group (C) and Diabetic group (D). To induce type 2 diabetes, the animals received a high-fat diet for 4 weeks, and at the end of the fourth week, streptozotocin (35 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally. The high-fat diet was continued for 8 weeks after the induction of diabetes in the animals. At the end of the 12-week, animals were euthanized. The level of MDA and SOD in alveolar lavage fluid and the expression of TNF-α, Beclin-1, LC3 and P62 genes in lung tissue were investigated. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used for pathological investigations. Results: An increase in the level of MDA and a decrease in the level of SOD in the alveolar lavage fluid of the diabetic group were shown compared to the control group (P<0.05). Also, the data showed the occurrence of pathological changes, increased expression of TNF-α, Beclin-1 and LC3 genes and decreased expression of P62 gene in the lung tissue of the diabetic group compared to the control group (P<0.01 to P<0.001).