Date of Award
2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biological Sciences
Committee Chair
Sharifa Love-Rutledge
Committee Member
Luis Cruz-vera
Committee Member
Bruce Stallsmith
Subject(s)
Glucose -- Metabolism, Lipids -- Metabolism, Diabetes -- Animal models
Abstract
LEW.1WR1 (1WR1) rats have increased type 1 diabetes (T1D) onset with the administration of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (PIC). The objective of this study was to compare the insulitis status and liver gene expression in both control and treated 1WR1 rats during disease induction with a T1D-resistant strain of rat, the LEW/SsNHsd (SsNHsd). Using immunohistochemistry we observed higher T cell infiltration in the 1WR1 treated rats compared to the control strain, the SsNHsd PIC-treated rat. Yet we confirmed that the 1WR1 rats were not undergoing significant insulitis at the time point we selected. Interestingly the 1WR1 treated rat had significantly increased insulin levels compared to the SsNHsd rats, both groups of the 1WR1 rats also had increased liver FAT10 gene expression compared to the SsNHsd. We observed 1WR1 rats have increased expression of genes related to lipid catabolism and lower expression of glucose metabolism-related genes. In conclusion, 1WR1 rats have reduced insulin sensitivity in the context of increased inflammation due to PIC injection which increases beta-cell sensitivity to eventual T-cell mediated destruction.
Recommended Citation
Wimalarathne, Madushika, "LEW.1WR1 rats have altered hepatic metabolism during their type 1 diabetes susceptibility window" (2020). Theses. 361.
https://louis.uah.edu/uah-theses/361