Effect of curcumin on the expression of Caspase‑3 and Bcl‑2 in the spleen of diabetic rats

Abstract

Background: The spleen is the largest lymphoid organ, concerns with immunological reaction and filtration of blood. Diabetes mellitus is a primary disorder of carbohydrate metabolism that cause depletion of oxidant defense system. Curcumin has anti‑inflammatory, anti‑proliferative, anti‑apoptotic, anti‑bacterial, anti‑cancer and potent antioxidant activities. Aim of the Work: The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of induced type I diabetes on the spleen of albino rat and whether these changes could be prevented by curcumin. Materials and Methods: Eighteen albino rats were divided randomly into three groups; control nondiabetic rats; untreated diabetic rats and curcumin‑treated diabetic rats. After 8 weeks of treatment, animals were sacrificed; spleen was dissected, processed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemistry for activated Caspase‑3 and Bcl‑2. Results: Diabetes caused decrease in the body weight, degeneration of splenocytes, increased Caspase‑3, and reduced Bcl‑2 activity. Treatment with curcumin decreased the blood glucose level, prevented the loss of body weight and protected the spleen against diabetic induced structural changes. Conclusion: The current results suggested that consumption of curcumin protected the spleen against diabetic induced changes, reduced Caspase‑3, and improved Bcl‑2 expression. Thus, curcumin may attenuate the pathologic effects observed in the spleen of diabetic rats.

Key words: Bcl‑2, Caspase‑3, curcumin, diabetes, spleen