Could TDX-1 explain the changes observed in endocrine pancreas due to chronic cola drink consumption in rats? A global point of view

In previous studies, we reported evidence showing that chronic cola consumption in rats impairs pancreatic metabolism of insulin and glucagon and produces some alterations typically observed in the metabolic syndrome (i.e, hyperglycemia, and hypertriglyceridemia) with an increase in oxidative stress. Of note, no apoptosis nor proliferation of islet cells could be demonstrated. In the present study, 36 male Wistar rats were divided in three groups to freely drink regular cola, light cola, or water (controls). We assessed the impact of the three different beverages in glucose tolerance, lipid levels, creatinine levels and immunohistochemical changes addressed for the expression of insulin, glucagon, PDX-1 and NGN3 in islet cells, to evaluate the possible participation of PDX-1 in the changes observed in and {beta} cells after 6 months of treatment. On the other hand, we assessed by stereological methods, the mean volume of islets (Vi) and three important variables, the fractional {beta} -cell area, the cross-sectional area of alpha (A -cell) and beta cells (A {beta}-cell), and the number of {beta} and cell per body weight.