Combined effect of nicotinamide and streptozotocin on diabetic status in partially pancreatectomized adult BALB/c mice

Pancreatic regeneration after pancreatectomy has been well documented in th e animal models, We have recently reported that STZ diabetic animals operat ed for partial pancreatectomy showed normoglycemic status after the operati on as compared to uncontrolled hyperglycemia and even death in the diabetic sham operated animals. In drug and virus-induced experimental diabetic mod els there is a high mortality of animals due to uncontrolled destruction of the beta-cells. In order to destroy sufficient beta-cell mass so as to ind uce diabetes but prevent mortality, we designed present studies to investig ate the combined effect of pancreatectomy, nicotinamide, and streptozotocin (STZ) on diabetic status of BALB/c mice. BALB/c mice of either sex were su bjected to 50% pancreatectomy. These were then treated with nicotinamide (3 50 mg/kg body weight) before and after steptozotocin (200 mg/kg body weight ) administration. The changes in body weight, blood glucose levels, serum a nd pancreatic insulin contents of these animals were monitored in experimen tal and control group for 12 weeks, and follow up studies were made of thes e animals for further 12 weeks, It was found that there was a drastic loss of body weight, decreased serum and pancreatic insulin levels coupled with sustained and low levels of hyperglycemia in the experimental group as oppo sed to the control group. The results indicate that partial pancreatectomy followed by nicotinamide and streptozotocin treatment leads to a long-lasti ng hyperglycemic state, depicting the clinical symptom of NIDDM without mor tality. The study probably reveals a new model for experimental diabetes.