O tratamento de Prednisona em ratos com diabete de intensidade moderada : parâmetros bioquímicos e resposta celular

Abstract

Prednisone (PRED) in therapeutic plays as immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory, however its use requires attention of use, once it is a glucocorticoid and can lead to several side effects, especially in individuals intolerant to glucose. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the use of prednisone in rats with mild diabetes by biochemical and immunological biomarkers. Mild diabetes was induced on the 1st day of life of the rats with streptozotocin administration (100mg/kg) and confirmed the diabetic state at 75 days of age by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Then, the rats were divided into control group (C), treated control group – C+PRED (oral treatment of 1.25mg/kg/day PRED); diabetic group - DM (mild diabetes) and treated diabetic rats – DM+PRED (mild diabetes, treatment with PRED, same dose as C+PRED group). Untreated groups were given vehicle (SyrSpend SF®), having volume adjusted according to body weight. The treatment was during 21 days and were measured weekly body weight, food and water intake, and glycemia. In the 3rd week, the OGTT tests and the insulin tolerance test (ITT) were performed. On the last day, the organs were collected to estimate the relative weight and the collection of whole blood for serum biochemical analyzes, leukogram and immunoglobulin G levels. The data show that body weight was decreased in the groups with mild diabetes. However, treatment in diabetic rats increased food intake, glycemia, and increased the number of total leukocytes, lymphocytes and neutrophils, but decreased serum triglyceride levels, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and very low density (VLDL). In addition, in both diabetic groups, they presented a glucose intolerance by OGTT and a light insulin resistance due to the slow glycemic drop with the administration of NPH insulin, what was clearer in the DM+PRED group. Therefore, it was concluded that the use of prednisone is not freely recommended for individuals that presents intolerant to glucose, and should be replaced by another immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory, in order not to aggravate this condition.